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Good day. Today's video Say What? is on the topic of every idle (useless or unemployed word that we speak we will give account unto God for. It's not just what we say, it's what we do. "So speak ye and so do", being a doer of the word of God and not just a hearer only. Let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 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. Good morning. Today's video The Son - Part25 is on the topic of who the Son of God is; he that is not with Christ is against Him. Luke 11:21-26 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils. He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. (KJV) The warnings Church are clear. Our strength is in Christ. If we continue to abide in him, he will continue to abide in us; and in Him we have his fullness to help us to discern between good and evil, to rightly divide the word of truth, and the strength to come out from among anything or anyone that is not healthy for us in spirit, soul, or body. A little leaven allowed in will leaven the whole lump. If we don’t keep vigilant in our relationship with the Lord, remaining and gathering with Him (holding too and being the workman who needs not to be ashamed in the gospel of Christ), then we will be counted as against him and our goods will be scattered. And we could end up like the strong man who did not keep his palace (not remaining diligent in the Spirit holding to the gospel of Christ); or be overtaken by the unclean spirit again with seven other of his buddies more wicked than himself, and the last state of ourselves would be worse than the first. 2 John 1:7-11 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. (KJV) There are many false prophets with their false doctrines that have infiltrated the Church today; just as in the Old Testament times when Israel intermingled with other nations (the Gentiles) and took on their customs, worshiping and serving their gods, and look at what the consequences were. They left their first love. Mark 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. (KJV) It is no different for the Church today; if you are not abiding in and holding fast to the grace and gospel of Christ, but have turned unto another gospel other than that which Jesus Christ preached unto you, then there are consequences for what you allow into your house. It will eat away at your foundation and eventually your house will fall. For strait is the gate, and narrow is the way which leads unto life and few be there that find it; but wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in that way. Abiding in Christ is a strait and narrow path; God does not lie, neither does he compromise. The Lord did not preach for filthy lucre (money) sake and neither did he ever ask his ministers too. So why are many Christians supporting those ministers and their ministry who do? And why when these so called men of God compromise to fit into the world and its ways do many Christians continue to support them? And why as a Christian would you compromise to fit into the world and its ways and what they say is good and right, rather than fitting into the kingdom and righteousness of God and what He says is good and right? We are in a time where many will not endure sound doctrine but are heaping to themselves teachers having itching ears. Remember, you too were once on that wide path that leads to destruction, but when you accepted Jesus Christ you were separated unto God, and were removed from the path of destruction by the grace of God and placed on his path of life. Now the devil wants nothing more than to have those who remain on the wide path leading to destruction beguile you off the path of life to join them again in their excess. This is why we are to watch and pray always; lining up what we hear or see with the word of God; letting God be true and every man a liar, which includes those in the pulpits and our old man (thinking); and try the spirits whether they be of God or not. Because if any man has not the Spirit of Christ, they are not with God and His Son Christ Jesus, but against him. So Church, come out from among them and be separate and touch not the unclean thing; which are the doctrines of men, those of the world; and those who corrupt the word of God not holding the head, which is Christ, in sincerity and truth, but seek to glory in your flesh and bring you into bondage again to the commandments and traditions of men, not knowing Christ and his doctrine. Lest you become counted unclean before God; for evil communications do corrupt good morals. 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 - Part18 is on the topic of who the Son of God is; Christ is the truth that was in Jesus. The truth that is in Jesus is Christ, the Son of the living God. Search the scriptures for in them you think you have eternal life; but they are they which testify of me (Christ). If you allow the Spirit to lead and guide you into all truth, the eyes of your understanding enlightened, you will see past the man Jesus, in the physical sense, and come to know Christ, the Spirit of truth that allowed Jesus to live a life without sin. And you will get to know God our Father through his Son; for Jesus Christ said that no man knows the Son, but the Father; neither knows any man the Father, except the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal the Father (who God is, his character) unto (Matthew 11:27). Jesus of Nazareth was anointed with the Holy Ghost and with power (Acts 10:38). Christ is the wisdom of God and the power of God (1Corinthians 1:24). Christ is the Word that was made flesh (Jesus), and dwelt among us full of grace and truth (Jesus Christ). The law was given by Moses but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. Of these two was made one new man, Christ Jesus, the mediator between men and God (1Timothy 2:5). Ephesians 2:13-18 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. (KJV) This is the grace of God: that he sent his own Son (Christ) into the world, made in the likeness of sinful flesh (Jesus), and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh so that we might be made the righteousness of God in Christ; and to know the truth, so that the truth is able to set us free and keep us free from the law of sin and death. 2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (KJV) 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. (KJV) As the truth is in Jesus, so also it is in you; Christ in you the hope of glory. God bless. John 14:16-18 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you (Christ). I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. (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 Will of God is continuing on the topic of grace as well as the topic of the will of God. 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 Gift of Grace is on the topic of grace; grace is not of our works, but it is the gift of God through faith. 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. 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. 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. Williams New Testament translation of Romans 7:1-6
1. Do you not know, brothers -- for I speak to those who are acquainted with the law -- that the law can press its claim over a man only so long as he lives? 2. For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies, she is freed from the marriage bond. 3. So if she marries another man while her husband is living, she is called an adulteress, but if he dies, she is free from that marriage bond, so that she will not be an adulteress though later married to another man. 4. So, my brothers, you too in the body of Christ have ended your relation to the law, so that you may be married to another husband, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. 5. For when we were living in accordance with our lower nature, the sinful passions that were aroused by the law were operating in the parts of our bodies to make us bear fruit that leads to death. 6. But now we have been freed from our relation to the law; we have ended our relation to that by which we once were held in bonds, so that we may serve in a new spiritual way and not in the old literalistic way. A cease and desist order has been issued from heaven so all of God’s people could walk in a newness of life and not according to the old literal, unrealistic way man thinks they can please God. Now the question is, ‘how many are willing to give heed to the call of God and worship Him in spirit and in truth’? In order to move ahead in your walk you have to be facing forward, operating in the now and not in the has been. There is a new law of faith that was established and instituted on behalf of God’s people which is apart from the works of the old law. So only those that have separated themselves from these dead rituals will be able to walk in a newness of life; while others are walking blindly in the realm of the flesh seeking something alive amongst the dead. What happens when people don’t give heed to the cease and desist order our Lord gave to His people concerning the old law and the things of it? Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. (KJV) When you entered the realm of the Spirit you entered a new realm of faith, and those that look back to their old thoughts or ways are basically declared unfit and not ready to serve our Lord. With all the Lord had His people write for our benefit concerning the law and the things of it, why are so many still looking behind and not pressing forward in their pursuit of the spiritual? When the Lord issued a cease and desist order concerning these dead things it was done for our benefit and liberty so that we could walk in a deeper more intimate relationship with our Lord. By adding works of the law into the mix it’s like trying to combine oil and water which just doesn’t gel together because it was never intended to. By trying to mix the old with the new you will get the same results as well. 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) Now, right this moment, those that seek justification will only find it by faith, hearing the words of Christ that bring Spirit and life to the believer, that’s it, that simple, nothing else. A simple belief in the good work Jesus Christ has begun in you and desires to continue to do if you will only be willing and obedient to the simplicity of Christ and not some old dead complex carnal laws. Many people draw back without being aware of it by reverting back to the law and its rituals, which now adds works to the equation instead of a simple faith in Christ. It’s like mapping out a journey and driving all day only to find out you were going in circles ending up right back where you started. Hebrews 3:12-15 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. (13) But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. (14) For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; (15) While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. (KJV) Take heed to what is being said, the word clearly tells us that whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Where is your confidence today, and what are you holding to? Is it the message the Lord has for you and what He has done on your behalf, or are you still holding to dead works that man thinks they still need to do? Today, will you hear the voice that is speaking to your heart, building up your confidence in the word of God, or are you leaning back to your own understanding? While many people categorize sin and put it at different levels, sin is nothing more than unbelief. Sin is sin people, no matter how it manifests, it is all a result of unbelief; for many because they don’t spend enough time with the Lord hearing His message for themselves and rightly dividing the word of truth. This same kingdom of God you walked into can certainly be walked out of as well, because many don’t hold God to be true to His word and remain confident in His realm. Will you hear His voice today? Will you put your hand to His plow and continue moving forward in the realm of the Spirit and not try to establish your own righteousness by the works of a dead law? 2 Peter 2:18-22 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. (19) While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. (20) 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. (21) 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. (22) But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. (KJV) When I listen to some of these so called preachers standing in the pulpits and strutting around like some peacock it reminds me of a bunch of loud mouth drunks in a bar, the more intoxicated they become with themselves the more the exaggerations and a stretching of their versions of truth. Any area that a man escapes from with the help of the Lord only to end up entangled and overcome by it again results in a situation where they end up in worse shape than they were in the beginning. Those that walk in the liberty in Christ are those that continue to grow strong in the Lord and the power of His might, in all things more than conquerors through Him that loved us. I can do all things through Christ and without Him we can do nothing, which when I read the above verses tells me somewhere along the line these people separated themselves from the Lord giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons. Many well intended people put their hand to a spiritual plow and work the Lord’s field for a season only to look back to something in the flesh that they think will make them perfect, sometimes the deception manifests in the form of the old law and rituals. Move forward, walk in liberty, stand fast in your faith and remain rooted and grounded in the realm of the Spirit so that you don’t fall from some cheap thrill in the flesh. God bless and stay renewed. Have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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