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Good morning. Today's video Miracles is on the topic of miracles which are still possible with God. We have been given a great cloud of witnesses that have proved God and his Word. All scripture is given by the inspiration of God and was written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Throughout the Bible there are accounts, not stories, of the signs, wonders, and miracles of God which followed those who believed and trusted in the Holy One of Israel and did not limit Him, but wholly followed Him regardless of what others around them had chosen to do. Another word for believe is faith. Hebrews 2:4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? (KJV) Notice, all these occur according to what God wills and not men. Signs means an indication or a token of miracles and wonders by which God authenticates the men sent by him. Miracles are a display of God’s power that cannot be understood by the carnal mind, but are known to the inner man who wonders of this thing done, and is made known to those who believe, who have faith as a grain of mustard seed that their eyes and heart are enlightened to the mighty works of God. The greatest of miracles is salvation. Luke 7:20-23 When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight. Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. (KJV) We were once all these, but have been miraculously healed in all when we accepted Jesus Christ. How much more of a miracle can you think of that changed your heart in an instant? And when one more enters into the body of Christ you see a miracle taking place. God is merciful; he is kind to the unthankful and to the evil. He does not look on the outward but on the heart of men, and the plan or will that he has for them. He is ever watching and waiting for men’s hearts to turn unto His Son in repentance that they might not perish. Men will for a season turn to God when they see or partake of a big miracle. Many partake of miracles in their life whether they realize it or not, but how many turn back to the Lord and glorify God for that which was done on their behalf? You hear about miracles of a person or animal saving someone from sudden destruction, and yet how many stop and thank God for working through them or the animal to save the person? How many times have you seen or heard of a situation where something miraculous happened that saved a life; and have you or others given credit to an angel, to Jesus, or was it given to God? Many give credit to the creation and but few to the Creator of heaven and earth. Miracles happen every day; do you have your senses exercised to discern them? Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. You are a miracle of God and have been from the beginning. God bless. You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good morning. Today's video Whole is on the topic of being whole; complete spirit, soul, and body. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (KJV) Wholly means to accomplish, to perfect, to complete. Whole means completeness, maturity, health. We have been given the whole armour of God (Ephesians 6:10-17) that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil; this armour keeps our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus allowing us to continue to walk by faith, casting down imaginations and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ, so that in our obedience disobedience is punished. All this was given that we may be whole and complete in all manner of life; able to attend upon the Lord without distraction. John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (KJV). Will you put on and keep on the whole armour of God? Prove it by reason of use; come to know, to understand, and operate in the power and wisdom of God? It has been given unto you to know. Our Father has given us all that we need to come to the knowledge of the truth, which is Christ in us the hope of glory, who is our life, the armour of God, and we are complete in Him (whole). God’s armour begins with truth and ends with the sword of the Spirit in which we are able to rightly divide the word of truth. It is the truth that will set you free and keep you free; and we have been given the Spirit of truth, the Holy Spirit which leads us and guides us into all truth. Truth holds all the armour together and by reason of use it frees us up to allow the manifestation of the Spirit to profit in our life (1 Corinthians 12:7-11) that our whole spirit, soul, and body may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ said, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man comes unto the Father but by me. There is no other way to be whole, but by truth, which leads to eternal life. It is a narrow path that is paved with the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth; and few be there that find it. Few get to the point of letting go of all their life and allow God to manifest unto them wholly all things that pertain unto life and godliness that they may be whole, spirit, soul, and body. Will you be one of the few? God bless dear brethren, and may you be whole; spirit, soul, and body in Christ Jesus our Lord. You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good morning. Today's video Reconcile is on the topic of being reconciled to God by Jesus Christ that we might be counted worthy to partake of the marriage feast of the Lamb of God. 2 Corinthians 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; (KJV) We are a living example, a ministry, of the reconciliation that happened in our own lives; that now in Christ we have peace and fellowship restored with God through his Son. Now the light of the glorious gospel of Christ shining in our hearts, giving forth the knowledge of God in the face of Jesus Christ, being ready to give an answer to every man who asks a reason of the hope that is within us. Salvation is a plan of eternal reconciliation. We have been cleansed with the washing of the Word being reconciled in preparation for the marriage feast of the Lamb and given a garment of righteousness. Now it is up to each of us to keep our garment unspotted from the world; that includes from our own righteousness, again, which is as a filthy rag. Now Christ is our righteousness and without him we cannot stand clean before God the Father nor partake of the marriage feast of the Lamb. 1 Corinthians 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (KJV) Galatians 3:26-27 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (KJV) If we don’t come before the throne clothed in the righteousness of God, which is Christ, then we will not be considered one of his; and will be cast out into utter darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Which means that we will not be partaking of the marriage feast of the Lamb (read Revelation 19:7-9). 2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (KJV) Read: Ephesians 5:23-32 (Illustrating Christ and the Church) Matthew 22:1-14 (The parable of the marriage feast) So dearly loved, where do you desire to be in the end? Will it be in clean white linen, the wedding garment, partaking of the marriage feast of the Lamb of God, or will it be in filthy rags because you allowed your clean garment that you were given at the reconciliation to become spotted by the world? 1 John 2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. (KJV) You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good morning. Today's video Great Cloud is on the topic of the fact that we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (KJV) All scripture is given by God and is profitable unto us in every aspect of our walk through this wilderness (the world) on our way to the promised land (eternal life). We have been given a great cloud of witnesses; all those who went before us; the greatest of these being our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of faith. Hebrews 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (KJV) The scriptures testify of Christ from the beginning: the mystery hidden from the beginning of the world by the cloud that led Israel through the wilderness by day (given living water by the rock that followed them, which rock was Christ) and a pillar of fire by night, which lightened their way; but now it has been revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit, the cloud raining down on us the living waters through many witnesses that we might know the only true God and Jesus Christ whom he sent to be the way, the truth and the life that we are to follow after having the eyes of our understanding enlightened by the light of the glorious gospel of Christ shining in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ by us, so that those also who follow after may come to the knowledge of the truth, and remain baptized into Christ by the cloud and by fire through the wilderness of this world so that they too may inherit the promised land, eternal life in Christ our Lord. God has and continues to lead and guide his people with a great cloud and with fire. God bless. You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good morning. Today's video The Son - Part16 is on the topic of who the Son of God is; the One, the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 4:4-6 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (KJV) There is a song with the lyric that says “one is the loneliest number”; and to those who follow after the world and its ways it is. But in the Spirit you will never be lonely; we have been given a great cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 12:1), those before us and those believers who are yet with us to minister unto us along our journey through this life on earth to our eternal destination of eternal fellowship with God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, and all the saints who went before us and with us. There is one Christ who is of God, the Son of God, who is the power and wisdom of God, which gives us all that we have need of to overcome the world just as Jesus of Nazareth did, the first born among many brethren, who was made both Lord and Christ through his obedience to the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit within him and sacrifice (the laying down of his life daily and on the cross). Colossians 1:12-19 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; (KJV) He is the beginning and the end. He is the beginning of the faith and the end of the faith. One faith; not many. Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ is the one and only way to the truth and eternal life in Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as there is one hope of our calling in Christ our Lord. And hope makes us not ashamed, because the love of God (Christ) is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given unto us. Christ our Lord is our only hope of glory; the one calling we should be answering on a daily basis and not be ashamed of, because the gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation. One baptism matters to God; that being of the Holy Spirit that brings you into fellowship with Him. The water baptism is a show of will worship that others may glory in your flesh. It was for a season to usher in the Messiah but is no longer needed as the one Messiah, Christ is come. Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: (KJV) Acts 1:5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. (KJV) 1 Peter 3:21-22 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him. (KJV) In the end there is one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in us all; and we are in Christ, and Christ is in us, and Christ is in God the Father. John 14:20 At that day ye shall know that I (Christ) am in my Father (God), and ye in me, and I in you. (KJV) Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: (KJV) Romans 1:3-7 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. (KJV) You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good morning. Today's video Cup of the Lord is on the topic of partaking of the Lord's cup. Are you willing to partake of the cup of the Lord? You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good morning. This week's video Pure, is on the topic of the word "pure" in the Bible; the word of God. You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous week in Christ Jesus our Lord. Matthew 23:25-28 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. (26) Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. (27) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. (28) Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. (KJV)
What if you woke up one day and asked yourself honestly, are all these big religious groups all they say they are, or is it more of a show than reality? What if you honestly looked in the mirror and asked yourself, ‘am I really where God wants me to be in my walk and cleansed in His sight, or am I just blindly, ritually following some big name organization because people say it is the right thing to do?’ What if I was more concerned with the inward than the outward, and the blessings I am now partaking of are more spiritual in nature and not limited to just the outward manifestation or what appears to look good? Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (KJV) What if I realized that a church is not just a building or some big name organization, but that I am the Church, the temple of the living God, and that I can walk with the Lord and let His word be my guide and not some big name hot shot preacher who is more concerned with the love of money than the love of God? 2 Corinthians 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (KJV) What if there was something called living waters, something that would cleanse me from the inside, would that be of more value than some old ceremonial washing and other dead end carnal ordinances? John 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. (KJV) What if I could live my life free from guilt or sorrow, is this something that is available today, right now? Ezekiel 36:25-27 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. (26) A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. (27) And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. (KJV) What if the majority of people don’t believe in the simple truth of God’s word but rather make it more complicated than it really is; would I be wrong for not following the crowd? Romans 3:3-4 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? (4) God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. (KJV) What if I am not just talking about a few though, but rather a majority of people who don’t believe, does that make me weird or as some say self righteous? I John 5:19-20 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. (20) And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. (KJV) What if I am not as popular as before my conversion in Christ, does that make me wrong if I don’t fit in with the old crowd or even my family? Matthew 10:34-37 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. (35) For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. (36) And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. (37) He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. (KJV) What if the Lord is asking me to move on and is separating me from certain situations, or certain people that are no longer healthy and building me up, would that be something He would actually be asking of me? 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (15) And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? (16) And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (17) Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (18) And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. (KJV) What if every time a question came up, or a situation arose in my walk, that I could go to the word of God and find the answer; would I take the time to do it, or would I keep looking in the carnal realm for a spiritual answer? 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (KJV) What if you knew the word of God, and were able to respond with the word every time the enemy would come against you, who would that resemble? Matthew 4:3-4 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. (4) But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (KJV) Instead of what if, how about what is? God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Matthew 21:12-14 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, (13) And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. (14) And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them. (KJV)
When you see the term ‘temple of God’ you should now be thinking about yourself; replacing the thoughts and ideas of buildings and religious organizations with the fact that you are the temple that God now occupies and wishes to work in and through. Once our Lord came into your life and basically turned your way of thinking upside down, what was once a house occupied with carnal thinking is now a communication center, a house of prayer between God and you, the believer. God sent His word and healed us so that we could be delivered from our destructions, letting His truth provide the freedom and way of escape. Now that the healing has taken place, including as we see in verse 14 bringing sight to the blind, it is vital that we allow the Lord to have His way so that we can continue to keep His house in order. Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. (KJV) Blessed are (not was or going to be, but right now this day blessed), those that are pure in heart; not losing sight of the victory we have in Christ but continuing in the faith hearing the message delivered by Christ and no longer walking according to the carnal senses. Without a vision the people perish. Without a pure heart being motivated by a love for God you will not be able to see God and His plan of salvation He has for you personally; but rather like with the blind, you will end up following what others are telling you. The Lord has removed the impurities in your life; things that were unhealthy to your walk have been cast out, like with cataract surgery, it improves the vision. It is up to you to hear the pure word of God for yourself; no longer relying on second hand versions or in many cases perversions, but exercising your spiritual senses, like a water filter, to keep yourself healthy. If you drew a glass of water and it was dirty and tainted, let alone the fact that it smelled awful, you wouldn’t drink it would you? Thus the reason why we have these senses; our physical ones, to keep our carnal bodies healthy; and spiritual senses to keep the spiritual one healthy and in order. Are you as diligent with your spiritual senses as you are with the physical? Knowing that the spiritual is so much greater than the physical do you honestly give more attention to the outward man or the inward one? How good is your vision today; is there division, blurriness, and double vision caused by being double minded and unstable? Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (KJV) Thayer’s definition for ‘pure’: 53 hagnos- 1) exciting reverence, venerable, sacred 2) pure a) pure from carnality, chaste, modest b) pure from every fault, immaculate c) clean I found this definition for pure rather interesting; definition ‘a’, referring to the fact that it is free from carnality. Our Lord is very specific in the book of John to point out that it is the Spirit that gives life, the flesh profits nothing; the words our Lord speaks are Spirit and they are life, free from any impurities or additives of mankind. Just as mankind has polluted its waters over the years which has resulted in unhealthy often times unseen small impurities, mankind has tainted and added their own versions to the word of God to fit their own fallen lifestyles rather than rising up and walking in the realm of the Spirit. But many times also it is just a matter of lazy complacent Christians who are described as the blind followers of the blind, whose spiritual senses are dull and what could be referred to as stupid to the things of their eternal life. Are you able today to confidently, boldly, know that you are walking the path of life our Lord intended for you, or are you blindly following the leading of others because your eyes have gotten heavy and you are sleepwalking? Matthew 13:13-16 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. (14) And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: (15) For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. (16) But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. (KJV) How is one able to see, but yet not see, how does that work? Have you ever heard the term ‘turning a deaf ear’, or how about looking the other way? Many read the scriptures but don’t see the spiritual meaning of them; they can hear what is being said but not know the meaning of it. Thayer’s definition for ‘gross’: 3975 pachuno- 1) to make thick, to make fat, to fatten 2) metaphorically, to make stupid (to render the soul dull or callous) Talk about grossing someone out! It is people who profess to know God but have closed their eyes and ears to the truth, that being their spiritual ones. People that should know the truth and grow stronger in the Lord and the power of His might are blindly walking around like a bunch of drunks in the middle of the night. He that has ears to hear, let them hear; blessed are your eyes because you have allowed the Lord to open the eyes of your understanding so that you could walk in the realm of the Spirit and do those things that are pleasing in His sight, which by the way His sight is spiritual, looking to the inward. Have you got your ears on good buddy, that is how one is asked when being called for on a CB radio; and only those that have their eyes and ears open to the spiritual realm will be able to see God and the meaning of His word, while all others will be in a ditch spinning their wheels. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:8-14 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: (9) Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. (10) For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. (11) Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. (12) Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. (13) Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. (14) For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. (KJV)
Now as verse 8 says, that if you are dead with Christ, dead to your own lusts and desires but alive with Him spiritually, then you are able to believe as well as live with Him in the realm of the Spirit. Once our Lord died it was done, not like under the old law where it would have to be done over and over again, but as we talked about yesterday it was a permanent change. Have you changed with the times, no I am not talking about being politically correct with the way of the world, but changing or transforming daily by the renewing of your mind in the things of God? Did you ever stop and think that when you yield yourself to the things of the old law and its rituals you are actually trying to establish your own righteousness, one our Lord doesn’t acknowledge? Another way to put it is when you are under the law then you have separated from grace, a grace that is needed in order to truly be saved. 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) Wasn’t this the whole intent and purpose that our Lord came to redeem us from the curse of the old law? Yet with this in mind, why do so many still hold to the law and its dead rituals, especially when it comes to the true spiritual meaning of baptism? There is no justification in the law, no righteousness, and yet with this in mind so many still hold to the dead rituals of it, thinking they will find justification. Again, did it ever occur to you that when you hold to these traditions and doctrines of man that in essence you are yielding yourself to something unrighteous, a law of death, and not of life that you think you are finding? Instead of reaching out for the spiritual lifeline our Lord provides for us in Christ, many are still grabbing and hanging onto an anchor rope, one tied from their neck to a millstone. Romans 9:31-33 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. (32) Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; (33) As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (KJV) Has much changed over the years, whether it be referred to as Israel or what man calls a church today? Rather than seek the Lord by faith to understand the true spiritual meaning of His word many are blindly rumbling, bumbling, and stumbling along seeking their answer in an old law and the works of it. There is a stone, a rock solid foundation for one to build their faith and trust in, that being Jesus Christ and the completed work He did for His people, not the completed work people think they still need to do. While many are running to and fro seeking the answer in the carnal realm they end up falling short by holding to a law that our Lord came to eliminate not duplicate, people. The only way you can and ever will be justified is by Christ, while anything else will have you falling short of the glory of God, basically falling flat on your face. Galatians 3:1-5 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? (2) This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? (3) Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? (4) Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain. (5) He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? (KJV) Did you know that witchcraft is considered a sin, something our Lord doesn’t look too kindly on? Years ago there was a TV program called ‘Bewitched’ where someone wiggled their nose and made things magically happen. Sound silly and ridiculous? Well, every time someone reverts back to the works of the law, which does include water baptism folks, it’s like watching a rerun of Bewitched, something foolish and farfetched from reality. Your entrance into the realm of the Spiritual had nothing to do with your own works, and you remaining in that realm has nothing to do with man’s works, but rather a faith in the work Jesus Christ has done on your behalf. Strong’s definition for ‘vain’: 1500 eike (i-kay'); probably from 1502 (through the idea of failure); idly, i.e. without reason (or effect): KJV-- without a cause, (in) vain (-ly). Interesting word there concerning vain, something that has no reason, idle fits also. You know, a hundred years ago money was printed and put into circulation for trading and getting provisions needed. Since that time however a new system has been put into place in order to buy and sell. If one tries to use the old system today it would not be accepted because it has been replaced by a new system. The same pattern holds true with our Lord, the old served its purpose and has been done away, replaced by something new and in operation today. So when you see things in the Bible, say for instance the word baptism, do you just limit it to the old outward realm, or are you able to see the deeper spiritual implication of it, something that is of use and has substance today? Take some time and pray about the things you do and why you do them; ‘is it because someone else said it was so, or is it something I know came from the Lord and keeps me in good standing with Him?’ There has been a changing of the guard people; are you changing into one of God’s people, or are you idly hung up on the old law and its rituals that our Lord said He came to do away with? Just because it is a crowd favorite with many of man’s so called people doesn’t mean it works with our Lord. In fact that which man holds in high esteem is an abomination with God. In other words, when you see the many doing something they think impresses or pleases God that would be the first red flag to go back and see what the Lord’s true take and intention is. As long as you hold God to be true and man the liar then you will not fall or stumble in your walk. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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