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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, (10) 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)
A heavenly calling has gone forth to all mankind, and the question is, who will answer. The Lord’s plan of salvation was drawn up before the foundation of the world, knowing that mankind would fall, and what it would take to bring about the restoration. Did you ever realize that this peace you now experience in your life, is a result of you answering the call of God, and now walking in His plan of salvation, a personal blueprint that was drawn up for you before the this world began? It brings a whole new meaning to trusting in the Lord with all our heart and not leaning to our own understanding. You begin to realize that nothing in your walk happens because of luck or chance, or some strange coincidence, but it is actually a divine plan of salvation for you to walk in. So are you answering the call this day, or are you putting the Lord on hold? Romans 8:28-31 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (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. (30) Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. (31) What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? (KJV) Did you know that God was for you, making a plan of salvation before the foundation of the world? And not only for you (the fact that He is no respecter of people and doesn’t play favorites), but a Saviour was sent for the whole world. Some think that predestination means that God chose only certain people, whether they wanted to follow Him or not, they have no choice, God decided they were going to inherit His kingdom. The truth be known Church, salvation is like a telephone call to give directions; one has to take the time to receive the message and then follow the instructions. Even though at times we may get blown off course by winds of doctrine, by redialing our heavenly Father, reestablishing an open line of communication, it can get us right back on course. So the more you keep the line of communication open, the more familiar you will become with the voice giving the directions, the clearer the path of escape will become. The more you choose to follow the Lord, the more He will reveal Himself to you. Mark 4:24-25 And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. (25) For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath. (KJV) God made the call, now who is answering, who will make the Lord a priority; His message being the determining factor in all our decisions, which simply put is either life or death. Your choice this day, right now, is the determining factor of which way you are going. Are you growing closer to the Lord and able to hear His voice clearer, or are you wandering off on your own and not following a predetermined path of life which leads to our heavenly Father? God would that none should perish but that all would come to repentance, and follow a path of life chosen just for them; the same spiritual path Jesus Christ walked to lead us home to victory. So before you go blame God, or claim He only picks and chooses certain individuals, remember that you have the opportunity to answer the call just like anyone else written in the Bible; and the reason people are used of the Lord is because they respond to His calling. Romans 10:11-13 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (12) For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (KJV) The Lord made a calling to all mankind, sending the Son to heal us and deliver us from all our destructions. Now He is waiting with open loving arms to see who will answer the call and return His message of love. Don’t be taken in by those that claim only certain special people or denominations are chosen of God, or even those that specify a certain number of individuals that God chooses as well. The simple fact is that I consider myself a ‘whosoever’, so that gives me a right to respond to the message delivered by Christ, and to walk in the plan He designed for me before the foundation of the world; no ifs ands or butthead doctrines of man are going to separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Romans 5:8-9 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (9) Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (KJV) Please stop for a moment and take the time to see these verses in a different light. When you see a word like ‘we’ start seeing your own name there, and look at the word of God as more of a personal letter of love from the Father to you. Realize that if you were the only one on planet earth, and had fallen from grace, God would have still sent the Son on your behalf so that you would have access to His plan of reconciliation. 1 John 2:1-3 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: (2) And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And by this we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. (KJV) Christ died to the sins of the whole world, not just for a certain few that think they have certain rights and privileges with God based on their own man made doctrines and interpretations that fit their lifestyle and not a spiritual one. So are you taking the message to heart; personally sent from God through Jesus Christ this day so you too can partake of the heavenly calling, and give the answer of salvation to any that would ask? Remember, the call is free. The charges against us have been dropped, so there is no excuse for not dialing a toll free direct line to the Father through Jesus Christ. Your outcome is based on how well you listen to the message of truth and allow it to set you free from doubt and confusion. The simple truth is this; God is calling all that would like to partake of His free gift of salvation which has been sent to all the world. Will you answer His call? God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 4:13-15 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: 15 Because the law worked wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. (KJV)
I want to conclude this week on the same theme Paul was referring to throughout this chapter, our justification is now by faith without the works of the law. I see so many Christians today who think works are still in play and end up in transgression instead of justification. Galatians 3:23-25 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. (KJV) When we were children we needed more structure in our lives, someone to tell us what to do or there would be no order. The old law was a way of keeping some structure for the people until Christ came along and put an end to it. I see many who still hang onto bits and pieces of the law thinking they are still in play. Galatians 3:26-29 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. (KJV) That outdated water baptism ritual is no longer in play, at least for those that desire to grow and mature in the realm of the Spirit. The only baptism that our Lord acknowledges today is spiritual, where you put on Christ and leave Him on all the time, not just on Sundays and holidays. Galatians 4:3-5 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: 4 But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. (KJV) The old law and its rituals are bondage, and not the liberty that our Lord would have you operating in today. If you are involved with those that think the law is in play then it is time to exit and move onto maturity in Christ. Galatians 3:10-12 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continues 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. (KJV) Ever hear the question asked, “Why do bad things happen to good people”? Well according to the Bible even those that believe in God, yet seek their justification through the law, get the whole package which includes the curse. So if you decide to live by the law then you will end up in a bad place. Dearly loved, walk by faith in the freedom you have been given in Christ and not in the letter of the law. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 4:9-11 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? For we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. 10 How was it then reckoned? When he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. 11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: (KJV)
Have you received your sign of circumcision? I guess it depends on which realm you are now looking toward, the outward or the inward? You have a seal of righteousness; however, it is a Spiritual one. 2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal; The Lord knows them that are his. And, Let everyone that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (KJV) For those that truly know the name that is above every name, they know what Christ has done on their behalf and that the only reason they are no longer in iniquity and sin is because of His strength and not their own. God does still recognize circumcision and considers it a seal of righteousness; however, He is looking for it in the Spirit. Deuteronomy 30:5-6 And the LORD thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shall possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers. 6 And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou may live. (KJV) The Lord does open heart surgery, and the more you open up and come clean with Him, the more of the impurities of doubt and fear He can remove. It takes a new heart in order to walk in a new realm and a daily check up will keep the arteries from hardening again. Romans 2:28-29 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. (KJV) The Jews in the Old Testament were considered God’s chosen people and the ones that He would work with. Today God’s chosen people are those that worship Him in Spirit and in truth, which is not found in the outward realm, but in the inward one. Galatians 6:13-15 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. 14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. 15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availed any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. (KJV) All those outward rituals that you see still going on are dead works by dead people who are basically telling God His Son didn’t do a complete work on our behalf; but we know that we are complete in Him. God bless dearly loved, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 4:6-8 Even as David also describes the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputes righteousness without works, 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. (KJV)
There is a series of commercials lately that deal with one adult surrounded by children. The theme is the fact that it’s not complicated; rather the answers to life are simple. Well, simply put, sin can be summed up as unbelief. All sin is a result of unbelief where you were duped into thinking something carnal would get a spiritual result. Religion is one of the biggest hindrances and tools of the enemy because it gets many to believe more in rituals. Faith puts you into the category of righteous because you are letting the Lord have more of an influence on you and your decisions than works. Hebrews 4:9-11 There remains therefore a rest to the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 11 Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. (KJV) Some days seem a bit harder than others when one is doing all they can to stand. The flesh just doesn’t like leaving its comfort zone and pressing forward, however, it is vital that you do. Ephesians 6:12-14 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; (KJV) The words stand and withstand are the theme of the verses above. You are going to have to withstand an onslaught of opposition coming from the enemy who is doing all he can to get you to retreat back to your own ways. Keep in mind that if the enemy is making such a fuss, you obviously have become a threat and are heading in the right direction. 2 Corinthians 6:14-16 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (KJV) Just because you go to a place that calls themselves a church, or some of the people you have been yoked with call themselves Christian doesn’t always make it so. Many get taken down the tubes because they are unequally yoked with those who think salvation is based on their works. 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, says the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. (KJV) The Lord may be pointing you in another direction, despite what others may think. If you desire to stay in good standing with Him then it may be time to move on in order for you to remain standing. God bless dearly loved, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 4:3-5 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that worked is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt? 5 But to him that worked not, but believeth on him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (KJV)
Have you ever heard the one about giving to God and then He owes you something in return, like a hundredfold on your investment? Sounds kind of creepy and weird when we say it that way doesn’t it? Well, there are those who actually have the gall to think that when they have done something first then our Lord responds to their works; but in reality God sent a Savior our way, His own Son so that things would get done right the first time and would last for eternity. It’s when man gets a hold of things that it becomes distorted and doesn’t turn out the way it was intended. John 6:27-29 Labor not for the meat which perishes, but for that meat which endures unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. 28 Then said they unto him, what shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, this is the work of God that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. (KJV) The Lord knows what your carnal needs are and has them covered. What He would like to see His people attend to is the spiritual path that will lead them away from dead works. The Son has done a complete work on our behalf so that we could be complete body, soul, and most importantly Spirit. However, many have let the enemy tell them that the outward is more important than the change that should be taking place inwardly and thus the reason why so many are dull and lifeless. Philippians 3:1-3 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. 2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. 3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. (KJV) The reason many lose confidence in the Lord is because they don’t cast their care upon Him, and then leave it there. Many will put their hand to the plow, but keep looking back thinking something behind them can be changed. Those that have confidence in the Lord are those that have left their cares and concerns of this life with our Lord and believe that what He has promised them He is more than able to deliver. God is not moved by your tears or constant prayers for things that are not beneficial to your walk. He is moved by faith, when you come to the place when you are willing to walk by what He is says, and less by what your flesh is trying to dictate. Romans 7:22-25 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. (KJV) Why not give the flesh a vote of no confidence and send it packing? The law of God, also known as the law of faith, will not work until you get yourself out of the way. The flesh and the Spirit are totally contrary one to another and will not work in unison, it’s one or the other. We are either with our Lord or against Him. Where are you today? God bless dearly loved, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 4:1-2 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. (KJV)
Strong’s definition for Glory - 2745 kauchema (kow'-khay-mah); From 2744; a boast (properly, the object; by implication, the act) in a good or a bad sense: KJV-- boasting, (whereof) to glory (of), glorying, rejoice (-ing). Those that truly know and understand how salvation works know it has nothing to do with them. Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (KJV) Salvation works, but there is one thing that we need to get out of the equation, ourselves and our carnal way of thinking. Grace and faith in what our Lord did on our behalf is what brought you into the kingdom in the first place, and putting more faith in what our Lord has done and desires to do on our behalf is what will keep you in good standing with Him. God ordained a path for you to walk, and works that He considered good, long before you came along to critique them. Romans 3:27-28 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. (KJV) There is a new law and a new sheriff in town who is a straight shooter and never misses. We needed someone new because the old man failed. A law of faith works on the principle that we act on what we hear personally from the Lord and eliminate self. I see so many who begin in the Spirit, then revert back to dead, lifeless works of the law which is nothing short of vain and a waste of time. Psalm 44:6-8 For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me. 7 But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us. 8 In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah. (KJV) There is someone who received the memo from above that God is able to do above and beyond what I could ever accomplish on my own. I give more credence to those that share what the Lord is doing in and through them and much less to those that have a big building and a bunch of busses so that they can bring more people to hear more of what man is doing instead of God. God bless dearly loved, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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