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Good morning. Today's video The Son - Part20 is on the topic of who the Son of God is; the Son never claimed to be God. Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? (KJV) Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; (KJV) God cannot lie; and neither can he be tempted with evil (James 1:12-15). So how could Jesus have been God? Matthew 4:1-11 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 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. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. (KJV) Hebrews 2:16-18 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. (KJV) Hebrews 4:14-16 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (KJV) Jesus was tempted in every manner as we are and yet he sinned not. He had a choice, just like we do, to follow the leading and guiding of the Spirit, Christ in him; and thank God he chose to follow Christ and not the lusts of the flesh. For in this he became both Lord and Christ; our high priest, our intercessor, our way, our truth, our life, our example, our Rock solid foundation, and most importantly, our Lord and Saviour. Jesus was the son of man; and the Son of God. The son of man referring to the likeness of sinful flesh; the Son of God referring to the image of God, who is Christ. Unto us a child was born (Jesus); unto us a son was given (Christ). So of these two one new man was made, Christ Jesus, our mediator. 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; (KJV) The Son of God, Christ, was given in the conception of Jesus of Nazareth, the son of man, born of the seed of David according to the flesh (born of a woman); and declared the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead; and he is now seated at the right hand of God the Father. In this was Jesus anointed with the Holy Spirit and with power, Christ in him the hope of glory. This enabled Jesus to overcome the lusts of the flesh, and of which Christ condemned sin in the flesh. Jesus said “Why call me good? There is none good but one, that is God” (Mark 10:17-18). Jesus also said to search the scriptures for in them you think you have eternal life, but they are they which testify of me. Who? Christ in him the hope of glory. Many know him after the son of man, the fleshly man, the son of Mary and Joseph a carpenter; but few know him after the Spirit, the Son of the living God, Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. (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 The Son - Part19 is on the topic of who the Son of God is; our purpose is in the Son, Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. (KJV) God purposed from the beginning that those who received his Son, Jesus Christ, them he would give power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (KJV) 2 Timothy 1:9-10 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: (KJV) God is calling all mankind unto salvation, having sent out an invitation through His Son, Jesus Christ; but not all mankind is responding back, i.e. answering the call. Many are called but few are chosen; why? Because few have chosen to answer His call and to seek out to know His purpose which He proposed in us from the beginning of the world. John 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. (KJV) Just as Jesus Christ came into the world to be a witness unto the truth (Christ) that was in him, so is our purpose when we were born again into the kingdom of God, to be a witness unto the truth that is in us; Christ the Son of the living God, our only hope of glory. That truth which is the only way unto eternal life; and this life is in his Son. 1 John 5:10-13 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (KJV) We have been called unto holiness in Christ Jesus; to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; to be an example of the believers; and to be ready to given an answer when asked of the hope that is within us, that one more might be saved and become a witness unto the truth of Christ within them as well; that the gospel of Christ may be preached to every creature, the ministry of reconciliation, that again one more may answer the call of God in their own lives by his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (KJV) Our life is no longer ours; but His who called us with a holy calling unto salvation in his Son Christ Jesus. We are crucified with Christ, yet we live, but not that of ourselves, but Christ who lives in us; and the life that we now live in the flesh we should be living by the faith of the Son of God, who loved us, and gave himself for us (Galatians 2:20). 1 Corinthians 3:23 And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's. (KJV) Mark 13:13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. (KJV) And we are purposed from the beginning to endure unto the end; we have not been given the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (Christ in us) so that we can overcome the wicked one and stand before God clothed in white linen (Christ our righteousness) and be called blessed, having been called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb, for these are the true sayings of God (Revelation 19:9). Our purpose is found in the Son. 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 - Part13 is on the topic of who the Son of God is; the body is of Christ. Dearly loved of God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, and of us; we have been baptized into Christ by the Holy Spirit. We were grafted into the true vine, which is Christ, by our Father in Heaven who is the husbandman who sets every branch in the vine. You can be grafted in when you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior; and you can be cutoff due to unbelief just as the natural branches were. So don’t take for granted your place in the vine and boast against the other branches. Now as Christ is that true vine, He is the head of the body; the body of Christ of which we are all members one of another, and should have the same care one of another. God has placed each member in the body where He sees fit and it is up to each of us to find out what our place is and how to operate where He has placed us to the edification of the rest of the body. Ephesians 4:11-16 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. (KJV) Now that doesn’t mean that when God placed us in the body in the beginning that, that is where He would have us to remain. As we grow up into Christ, and remain faithful in all our house (spirit, soul, and body) He may move us to another part of the body to fill up that which may be lacking so that the body can remain fitly joined together, compacted by that which every joint supplies, as working effectually in the measure of faith, that the body may increase (that He may increase, and we, our old nature may decrease) unto the edifying of itself in love. The more we allow Christ to remain our Head, the more the body becomes likeminded; serving one another in love; and to love is to lay down our lives for the body (dying to self). 1 John 3:16-18 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. (KJV) The rest of our time on this earth, abiding in Christ in the Spirit, is no longer about us, but about the Head, Christ, and His body of believers. Do you want to be an effective member of the body? Then begin with getting to know who your Head is; take up your cross, crucifying your old nature, and follow Him growing in grace and in the knowledge of who He is and where He would have you to operate each day in the body to the edification of the body. That when He presents His Church, His body, unto God you will be a part of it, Holy and un-blamable in God’s sight. Our ministry is of Christ, as the body is of Christ. Remember, a body without a head is dead; and so will we be if we do not keep Christ as the Head of our body remaining grafted in the true vine; we will be as the branches cut off and cast forth unto men and burned. God bless and remain in the body which is of Christ. 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. We are taking a break this week on the Son of God series of videos to address the deity of Jesus. Today's video The Deity of Jesus is on the topic of when how and Jesus became a part of the Godhead bodily. Jesus of Nazareth became a part of the Godhead when God accepted the completed sacrifice of Jesus Christ and seated him at His own right hand. Jesus lived a life without sin being led by the Spirit of Christ within him. He was tempted in every manner as we are and yet he sinned not but was obedient unto death. Daily laying down his life (he took up his own spiritual cross and followed Christ, the Word of the living God who abided within him) despising the shame and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Jesus Christ is the example we are to now live our life by. He said to eat of his flesh (lay down your life and take up your cross) and drink of his blood (follow him; led by the Spirit of Christ within you) for this example will lead you on the path of eternal life giving you strength to overcome the wicked one so that you too may be seated at the right hand of God with Jesus Christ for eternity. Colossians 2:8-12 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. (KJV) God accepted Jesus Christ’s sacrifice, a sweet smelling savor; He overcame the wicked one through faith and obedience to Christ within him and is now seated at the right hand of God forever making intercession for us. He became the firstborn among many brethren, the first begotten from the dead; He became both Lord and Christ. Jesus was a man just like you and I when he walked this earth, but when he was resurrected from the dead, having overcome death, he is now a part of the Godhead bodily. Jesus Christ our mediator who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. God bless. Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (KJV) Revelation 1:5-6 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (KJV) Acts 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and 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 Obedience is on the topic of obedience to the will and voice of God. If you are willing and obedient you shall eat the good of the land, Isaiah 1:19. 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 encouragement is to keep renewed in the spirit of your mind.
If you would like to download a copy click on the Daily Bread For Life Archive link above to access the link to get your downloaded copy. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Keep Renewed Luke 21:19 In your patience possess ye your souls. (KJV) As we wait for the redemption of the body, let each of us be steadfast in keeping our minds renewed on things above where Christ sits at the right hand of God and not on the things on this earth which are temporal, and will perish away. That we be steadfast in working out our own salvation with fear and trembling, or in other words not taking our salvation for granted because judgment will begin first with us; and how much more sorer would it be if we were rejected, having accepted the plan of salvation yet did not take it seriously, than those who never accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Hebrews 2:1-3 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. 2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (KJV) 1 Peter 4:17-19 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. (KJV) Be steadfast and unmovable, grounded and settled, that neither death nor life nor any other creature separate you from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Commit the keeping of your soul unto Him, and keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life; those things that are able to separate you from the love of God if you allow them in, ponder them long enough, and then act on them. A little leaven allowed in will leaven the whole lump if you don’t purge it out by casting down the imagination or high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, the truth of God and His word. If we keep our mind renewed on the things that make for peace and righteousness in God’s eyes, we are armed with the mind of Christ and we can immediately bring our thoughts into captivity to the obedience of Christ; in this the leaven is caught and removed before it can grow into an imagination that could lead us to sin. James 1:14-15 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. (KJV) Death is separation between you and the Father; the leaven broke the line of communication. Remember, whatever is not of faith is sin. So if you cannot do something faithfully, in the sight of God (who sees and knows the intents of the heart), then it is sin. You are trying to hide that thing. There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ and who have truly renounced the hidden things of darkness. You may be able to hide it from man for a season, but you can never hide it from Him. The hidden things of darkness are always brought to light. Our soul (mind) is the seat of the affections and lusts of the flesh (the natural man). Which is why we need the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ who died daily to the affections and lusts of the flesh, and took on the sins of the world, and was crucified for us to make the way of escape from ourselves. He gave us access to the mind of Christ. So now it is up to us to continue in the renewing of our mind so that we operate in the mind of Christ where all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are available to us. The natural man (old thinking man) cannot receive the things of God, neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned. The mind of Christ is spiritual, not carnal. 1 Corinthians 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. (KJV) When we operate in the mind of Christ we are able to be instructed in the things of God. The Holy Spirit is able to lead and guide us into all truth. So dearly loved brethren keep renewed in the spirit of your mind that you may know the things that have been freely given unto you, that you have access to in Christ to make your walk through this life in peace (agreement with God; his thoughts and ways) and with patience having your souls in possession unto Christ. God bless. Good morning. Today's video One Of Them is on the topic of, one of them created by God; male & female, blessed by God & given the measure of faith from the beginning of the world. One of His blessed; one of His people; one of His children through Jesus Christ 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 encouragement is to come to the knowledge of and to use the keys of the Kingdom that were given to you through the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Will you use them? If you would like to download a copy click on the Daily Bread For Life Archive link above to access the link to get your downloaded copy. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. The Keys of the Kingdom
2 Peter 1:2-4 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (KJV) In Christ Jesus we have been given all things that pertain unto life and godliness through the knowledge of him that has called us to glory and virtue. The Lord said in Matthew 11:27 that the Father has delivered all things unto him; and this so that we might know Him, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom He sent. The Father has delivered unto each of us the ability to know the Son, Christ in you the hope of glory, whom He sent; and as we continue to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, God the Father will reveal more and more, taking the vail away, of who His Son is whom He sent. And then as we come into the knowledge of the mystery of Christ, the Son, the Son begins to reveal who the Father is, and all things that were delivered unto him. For it is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (KJV) In Matthew 16:13-19 the Lord asked the disciples who did men say he was and he got several different answers. Then He asked, whom do you say that I am; and Peter responded, thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. The Lord then lets Peter know that it was His Father who revealed this unto him, not flesh and blood. And upon this revelation of who the Son of God is, the rock solid foundation (Christ), he will build his church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it; and will give unto us the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (KJV) When someone gives you keys they give them in trust that you won’t lose them, but you would keep them safe at all times so that no one can just walk into the house and steal all that is within. They also want you to use the keys to open up the door in front of you or to lock the door behind you. To get the keys of the kingdom you have to first come to the Father by Jesus Christ; answering to the knock on the door of your heart, His voice calling unto you, by believing in your heart and confessing with your mouth the Lord Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, as your Lord and Savior. And He will come in unto you and will sup with you, and you with Him. Behold the kingdom of God is now within you. Jesus Christ is the door of the sheep, and there is no other name given under heaven among men whereby you must be saved. No man can come unto the Father, but by Him. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. Only He can give you the keys of the kingdom. Acts 4:10-12 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) What are the keys of the kingdom? Faith and Christ. Without faith it is impossible to please God. Now God made this same Jesus, whom was crucified, both Lord and Christ; and without Christ you can do nothing. To unlock all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge you have to have both keys. You must believe that God is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him; and you must believe in the name of His only begotten Son, Christ in you the hope of glory. Knowing who the Son is through faith in the Son of God, is what unlocks all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven; the deep things of God. It gets rid of the veil of the flesh so that you can see clearly in the realm of the Spirit where God operates (God is a Spirit and they who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth). It is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven according as His divine power (1 Corinthians 1:24) has given unto you all things that pertain unto life and godliness through the knowledge of Him that called you to glory and virtue. Now it is time for you to use those keys that have been given unto you so that you can know the exceedingly great and precious promises given unto you and be a partaker of the divine nature. Matthew 7:7-8 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. (KJV) For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (KJV)
When the spirit leaves a body and the body is brought to the hospital it is considered DOA, dead on arrival. When someone shows up before the throne of God to give an account of their life only to find out that the works they did as a so called body of believers was not of God, then they are considered DOA 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) You know, these people described in the above verses were actually believers, and from the looks of things it involved many. Have you ever met someone that claimed they knew you early on in life but they left and you forgot about them? Well that’s basically what has happened to many well intentioned people who committed their lives to God only to walk a different path than He intended for them to follow. Oh and they may be believers, but they chose not to walk by faith but rather a different path that even though it looked good and sounded good to mankind it was not pleasing to Our Father in heaven. So where did they go wrong, and how did they end up being turned away from a reward that God had intended for them to inherit? Matthew 7:24-27 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: (25) And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. (26) And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: (27) And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. (KJV) It looks to me like there wasn’t much of a foundation to build their church on, which got blown away with winds of doctrine. Being the fact that you are the temple of the living God, what is your church built and founded on; man’s shifty sandy doctrines, or have you built a rock solid case that won’t be moved? Faith is your ability to hear the message personally from Christ Himself, and then follow through with what He is asking, in deed as well as in word. Those that build their foundation on man’s doctrine and according to what man thinks a church should be built on will find themselves in a precarious position; when instead of giving God the answer He is looking for concerning their salvation they will still have question marks that will not allow them access into the heavenly realm. Luke 14:26-30 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. (27) And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. (28) For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? (29) Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, (30) Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. (KJV) You know, I often wondered why God asked Abraham to sacrifice his own son, but now having seen the example he set, being a doer of the word as well as a hearer, I see why. How many have really counted the cost of serving the Lord, no matter whom or what the Lord may ask us to give up or walk away from, even if it is something near and dear to us? If there is something or someone in this world you hold in higher esteem other than our Lord and you are not willing to bear the cross and die to self in these areas, well simply put, you cannot be a disciple of our Lord either. How many times have we seen in the paper or on TV where some prominent preacher or someone proclaiming Christianity gets caught doing something that is completely contrary to sound doctrine, and they become a laughing stock to the world? The same thing will happen to many well intended Christians who may have begun in the Spirit but somewhere along the line allowed the flesh and its desires to take control, sometimes so subtly they didn’t even notice it. Are you in it for the long haul, no matter where the path of life leads and which way it goes, even if it is opposite of someone or something we held near and dear to our old nature? You need to count the cost, because faith without works, following through with what our Lord is asking of you, is dead, done, over, not happening. The word hate in verse 26 means to love less; not be angry with or to the point of wishing ill on someone. Romans 4:18-20 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. (19) And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: (20) He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; (KJV) You know, when you look at things according to the outward or the carnal point of view the deck was stacked against Abraham, it didn’t look good for the home team. When one watches sporting events on TV the home crowd has a tendency to boo and get discouraged when their team is behind, or it doesn’t appear to be making much progress. However, for those that have a strong relationship with the Father through Jesus Christ, they know God has the final say so in all situations no matter how it may appear early on. Are you staggering around looking for an alternative way, or are you strong in faith giving glory to God knowing in all not just some things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. Romans 4:21-25 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. (22) And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. (23) Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; (24) But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; (25) Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. (KJV) Are you fully persuaded and holding to the promise of God built upon the foundation of His apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ being the chief corner stone, or are have you built a case on sand, quick sand that won’t hold up but rather let down? Our Lord Himself died so that we wouldn’t have too, being raised to the right hand of the Father so that He could be the mediator between us, giving us a personal message for our justification. Have you received His message today; are you standing on His foundation, Jesus Christ? After all it takes a spiritual foundation and rock to withstand a spiritual storm so that you don’t end up another casualty with a toe tag marked DOA. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. James 2:20-22 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? (21) Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? (22) Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? (KJV)
Abraham was justified before God because he was willing to act on what he heard from the Lord, even to the point of offering up his own son, the one that had been promised to him for so many years. We have been promised a Son also, and God has delivered on that promise, now the question is, ‘are you following through on your end; you know, with that commitment you made to Him’? Are you acting on what you hear from the Lord, even if it totally contradicts what you see or think? Abraham did, and thus was used of the Lord to deliver His message of faith; being an example of a true believer, not only in word, but in deed as well. James 2:17-19 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. (18) Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. (19) Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. (KJV) Oh but they believe in God, doesn’t that make them good people? Well the devils believe also; in fact they were actually a part of the heavenly realm at one time only to end up dead, separated from God for eternity, and so will all those that just hear the word of God but don’t act on it and follow through with the plan God had for them before the foundation of the world. Luke 12:16-18 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: (17) And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? (18) And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. (KJV) Isn’t it interesting that what may have started out in the Spirit someone decided they could perfect it by the flesh. Many Christians start out rich in faith bringing forth the fruit of the Spirit plentifully, but somewhere along the line what began with God has now become their own works. Oh but they preach from the Bible, yeah but so does the devil; he has been around a lot longer than you have and has twisted and perverted the word of God so that rather than living by faith many have created their own organizations thinking bigger is better, and what was once God’s creation is now their own, or so they think. Luke 12:19-21 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. (20) But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? (21) So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. (KJV) God chose us so that we could be rich in faith and heirs of His kingdom. Many would rather find an easier path to follow, looking to kick back a bit. These works that man claims are of God are nothing more than their own creations, legends in their own minds, which will end abruptly when they find out the real difference between God’s work and their own conceited carnal concoctions. Isaiah 1:19-20 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: (20) But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. (KJV) Willing and obedient; like faith and works, following through with what you hear so that you can get the results our Lord intended for you. The spirit is willing, now you need to get the body in subjection to it so that you can walk in the Spirit and not be in bondage to the desires of the flesh and its fallen nature. The Lord is not going to force you or beg you into His kingdom, but rather He would love to have you be a partaker of His divine nature; in fact it is His good pleasure to give you of His kingdom, now will you take it? James 2:22-24 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? (23) And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. (24) Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. (KJV) Do you think you are always going to like what you hear from the Lord, or what He is asking you to do, or walk away from? I am sure that Abraham had to wonder what was going on, especially after waiting so long for the promise of a son to be fulfilled, only to be asked to give him up at the altar. What if God asked you to give something or someone up for His kingdom’s sake, would you follow through with His works and act on what you heard, or would you call it quits? Heck I wonder how many would squeal and complain if the Lord asked them to give up sports center for a day? Do you think Peter, Paul, and the rest of the people God used throughout the Bible enjoyed being mistreated the way they were for the kingdom’s sake; and yet aren’t you glad they endured and were able to deliver a message of encouragement that is still being read by the Church today? Hebrews 5:8-9 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; (9) And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; (KJV) Abraham’s faith was made perfect by works; being a doer of the word of God and not just a hearer only. Our Lord Himself was obedient, even to the point of death on the cross, choosing the Spirit over the flesh. You know, you can sit out in a field all day but it won’t make you a farmer. Many people sit in religious buildings and organizations year after year hearing a message but never acting on it, which won’t make them a Christian either. James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (KJV) And so are the people that never act and follow through with what they hear from the Lord; many sit idly by waiting for God to do something before they act rather than stepping out in faith and allowing God to confirm His word with signs following. Similar to driving, you need to get out on the road and then you will see the mile markers and signs that confirm you are heading in the right direction instead of sitting home waiting for someone else to drive you. Faith works. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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