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Good day. Today's video Balancing Acts is on the topic: Balance and equality. What is the just weight and balance of how the Lord would have his people operate? You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry or by clicking on our archive page link above - Doctrine of Christ Ministry Archive. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good morning. Today's video Just Now is on the topic of the just shall live by faith. Romans 5:1-2 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (KJV) Now faith is the firm trust of things expected, the conviction of things not seen. As we continue in the faith grounded and settled, and not moved from the hope of the gospel which hope is Christ in you the hope of glory on a daily basis, we have that assurance of peace with God; we are rendered righteous by faith, having accepted His Son Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, in whom having not seen we trust. We were given the measure or fullness of faith. So by the faith of Jesus Christ we live, and through the operation of that same faith in our lives we are able to see the fullness of all that we received in Christ, and come to the knowledge of the truth that we may live a life abundantly unto the will of God, and not unto men and the lusts thereof; receiving the end of our faith, even the salvation of our souls. Grounded and settled. We are saved by grace through faith. Now the just (righteous) shall live by faith; for without faith it is impossible to please God. Romans 1:16-17 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. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (KJV) Moment by moment we have a choice to continue in the faith; to be led by the Spirit of God, Christ in us; and not by the lusts of the flesh. We have a choice to let God be true and every man a liar, including our old nature, that we may do those things that please him and not men or ourselves. Hebrews 10:38-39 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. (KJV) For many, when persecution or affliction arises for the Word’s sake they are offended; or when they allow the cares of this life, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things to enter in and choke out the good word of God; or when they accept another gospel into their heart other than the gospel of Christ; they will begin to draw back unto perdition, not willing to take up their cross on a daily basis for the salvation of their souls. Galatians 4:9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? (KJV) 2 Peter 2:20-21 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. (KJV) 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, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. (KJV) It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. God does not change. The warnings are clear throughout the Bible and yet we see that there is no new thing under the sun. Psalms 78:41 Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel. (KJV) The encouragement is to keep renewed in the spirit of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God; and not be conformed to this world. For the world and its ways, and the people who choose to hold to it will pass away; but not those who do the will of God and endure unto the end, for they will be saved. God bless, stay grounded, and keep the faith unto the end. 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. Proverbs 16:11 A just weight and balance are the LORD's: all the weights of the bag are his work. (KJV)
The just or justified shall live by faith; so in order to find the proper balance or rightly divide the word of truth one needs to hear the Lord for themselves on how to remain justified on a daily basis in order to do those things that are pleasing in His sight. What the world says is righteous is often determined by the outward and not the inward, and what our Lord considers righteous is determined by the inward and not the outward, the secret hidden man within where our Lord chooses to operate. When a person is able to see clearly through the eyes of the Lord it is at that point that they are able to see the one path that He is asking them to walk this day, right now, the one and only path that leads to salvation. Matthew 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: (20) But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: (21) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (KJV) Moth and rust usually gathers and builds up on things that are no longer in use, but have been discarded. The reason these things end up discarded is because you are now off and running, chasing after something else you think will make you whole. That thief that has broken into your house and is in the process of stealing, that thief is spiritual in nature, a fallen one actually, one who has influenced you to chase after temporal things, and not seek the eternal things of God. So a new life you told the Lord would be your only treasure is now replaced with some cheap imitation of the enemy, fool’s gold comes to mind, something that looks good and glitters on the outside but is worthless on the inside. Matthew 6:22-24 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. (23) But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! (24) No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (KJV) What happens when a person gets double vision? Things start to get blurry, unrecognizable and distorted. That path of life you were once following is gone, out of sight, replaced with some wide super highway leading to destruction. What you thought would be the so called light at the end of the tunnel is actually leading you into a darker realm, like the blind leading the blind and everyone ends up in a ditch. So whose eyes are you seeing with today, and what is enlightening your path? Is it truly the light of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ, or is something else getting more of your attention? Proverbs 27:19-20 As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man. (20) Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied. (KJV) Why does man keep looking to man to find the answer to salvation when our Lord tells us specifically that all the true treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Christ? No matter how many times you look into the water the only reflection you will see is what is in front of it. No matter how many times you go to mankind and their ways all you will ever get is a carnal answer to a spiritual question. No matter how many times you look at situations in your life and try to analyze it according to your carnal thinking it will never satisfy and provide a peaceable solution. We have talked this week about the word content, which godliness with this contentment is great gain. So if you are still more apt to be treasuring the things of this life and looking to find fulfillment in this realm you will never be satisfied. However, if one chooses and makes it more of a priority to seek the things of God then they will find the one true joy and peace, spiritual satisfaction they were looking for. Years ago a famous rock band sang a song called “I can’t get no satisfaction”, which became a big hit for them, and still is. These were people that had all the fame, fortune, and anything else this fallen world has to offer, and yet with all that they still didn’t find satisfaction. And how could they when our Lord said it isn’t in this realm. Sad to say we have many standing in pulpits preaching a prosperity message that is based on the same premise, getting people all caught up in a fallen realm instead of the one our Lord intended for His people to operate in. James 1:5-8 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (6) But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. (7) For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. (8) A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. (KJV) No man can serve two masters; oh and don’t forget what happens to a house divided, yeah it takes a tumble as well. When I think of someone double minded, someone wavering back and forth it reminds me of someone in a drunken stupor. How quick are you going to be handing over responsibility or something of importance to someone who is falling down drunk and staggering around in confusion? Well our Lord doesn’t consider that a very good place to be in either. Someone that should be walking by faith is getting a beat down by winds of doctrines of mankind, choosing temporal over eternal riches. I know for myself I am not one that enjoys a ride on a ship, especially when there is a storm blowing, because it can toss one back and forth, let alone make them nauseous. 1 Timothy 6:8-11 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. (9) But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. (10) For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (11) But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. (KJV) If your vision is distorted and is what is described as evil then the root of all that stems from the love of money. Your love for the Lord, which is what you pledged to Him in the beginning of your walk, is now growing colder and being replaced with something else, something that will never satisfy or bring peace. You are no longer content with food and raiment, the bread of life and the armor of God, but rather looking elsewhere in a fallen dead realm to find life. In closing today keep in mind, that which is highly esteemed or a priority with man, is an abomination in the sight of God. Our Father’s vision is single, and so are His children’s, those who would rather follow a path that leads to life, and not some dead end cheap imitation that many are following to destruction. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 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)
How about a new motto for all believers, I now let God be true and man the liar. What if everyone else tells you something contrary to sound doctrine, will you bend and give in to peer pressure or are you grounded enough to let the word of God rule in your walk? Maybe you think this is not possible, well remember a guy named Noah, he had a choice to listen and follow the rest of the world, or to let one be true in his life that being God and His word. Remember it’s by our words we will either be justified or condemned, so as long as your words and God’s word are one in the same then you will remain in good standing with our Father. What if some around you don’t believe, maybe even those that you have been close to in the past, will you let that influence you or will you continue in the faith grounded and settled and not moved away? Discernment, rightly dividing the word of truth knowing the difference between the pure word of God and its spiritual meaning and interpretation, and mankind’s take on things. The reason man changes the meaning and distorts the truth is so that they can justify their lower fallen nature, which may fool some, but will be openly exposed to those that have their spiritual senses exercised to discern between good and evil intentions of the heart. Luke 18:24-27 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! (25) For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. (26) And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? (27) And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. (KJV) Have you ever stopped to think about a couple of words used throughout the Bible, those being possible and impossible? What mankind calls possible God says is impossible, and what man says is impossible to God it is just another day at the office; in fact His word says that with Him all things are possible. Did you realize that once you were born again into the realm of the Spirit you now entered a realm with no boundaries or limitations, a realm where God is able to do above and beyond all that you could have ever asked or thought of? Oh but how often man comes along and tries to talk you out of that realm with words of doubt and fear because of their limited carnal thinking, trying to justify and make excuses for their fallen nature. While mankind judges according to the outward and many claim that by being rich they are blessed of God, the Lord had a different take on it when confronted with the rich man in the above verses. Back in those times, just as it is today, the rich are looked up to in this world and given special privileges, while in reality all our Lord is concerned with is the motive of our heart. While mankind has come up with thousands and thousands of denominations and interpretations for God’s plan of salvation, the word of God is quite clear to point out that there is only one Lord and one faith that will be accepted by our Father. Knowing the difference between what God says is possible, and what man says is a life and death matter. Because in the end only one interpretation will allow you access to your eternal inheritance, while anything else will be turned away at the door. Luke 18:28-30 Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee. (29) And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, (30) Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting. (KJV) We see Peter being a bit concerned where he stands with the Lord, having just found out that being rich was not all it was cracked up to be, especially when so many of the greedy Scribes and Pharisees had been preaching it. Is there a doctrine, teaching, or ritual you are still holding to that is contrary to what you know is truth, even if it is something that is popular with the world? Is there something or someone you see in verse 29 that is holding you back in your walk, something that still has more of an influence on you than God does? I bring this up for the same reason the Lord did, because no man can serve two masters, or as the word of God points out, a house divided will fall. When the word of God refers to receiving more in this present time, are you looking to the outward and judging according to that realm, or are you thinking in line with what the Lord intends for His people, all the treasures of His wisdom and knowledge? You wonder why your walk with the Lord seems stale and at a standstill at times, or maybe right now? It may be time to do a personal inventory, to make sure that something you may still be holding onto that our Lord is saying is impossible for you to move forward with, is now something you may possibly need to let go of in order to receive a full reward from Him. But know this, the enemy is going to fight you to hang onto these dead things, trying to get you to focus on what you are missing out on, and not on the blessings God has in store for your obedience. Know this too, that the longer you hang onto something our Lord says is dead the more you become like the thing He is asking you to let go of, or forsake. Hebrews 11:6-7 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (7) By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. (KJV) Mankind has developed so many religions and different ways which they think they can please God with; when in reality it simply comes down to faith, your ability to personally hear the message of God delivered by Christ, and let His spirit lead and guide you through this present evil world. We see a man named Noah and read the account of how he built this ark, but did you ever stop and think of the ridicule and persecution this man must have endured? Talk about letting God be true and man the liar, it was only Noah and his family, eight souls that made it through the flood because He chose faith. Doesn’t the word of God describe the end times and the coming of our Lord as being similar to the days of Noah; so if it was faith in what man said was impossible, would it not be possible to say that only faith today will provide the deliverance as well? 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) Even God’s original chosen people continue this day to try to worship our Lord according to the works of the law and not by faith; which the Lord said without faith it would be impossible to please Him. As I look around today I still see many who hold to outward laws and rituals, some claiming that you have to show up to certain buildings on certain special days or you won’t be saved. Bottom line, unless you have a personal relationship with God through a working knowledge of His Son Jesus Christ you are none of His, but rather operating in a realm our Lord clearly says is impossible to please Him in. With God, all things are truly possible to them that believe, while anything else is telling God He is the liar and man is true, yikes. Matthew 12:30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. (KJV) There is truly a difference between what man says is possible and what God has to say on the matter; now the question is, who will you hold to? If there is anything or anyone you are trying to hold onto that has more of an influence on you than God, then it will be impossible to serve Him. However if you are willing to sell out from the ways of the world and all its worldly people then you will find that all things are now possible for you, because you are willing to believe in someone greater in you than he that is within the world. Someday all mankind is going to find out that God is true, it was mankind and his fallen nature that chose to believe the lie, so why not let that be today? God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 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. |
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