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Galatians1:3-5 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: 5 To whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (KJV)
As we go through the book of Galatians you will see where Paul meets up with some of the apostles who walked with our Lord, and you will find that they were not so in tune with grace, but were still trying to incorporate the works of the old law into this new faith. What should have been deliverance for many, turned out to be walking right back into bondage; it looked good on the outside, but was no longer in play as far as the Lord was concerned. Colossians 1:12-14 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: (KJV) Here is a way to look at salvation in a more personal way; when Christ died you died with Him. When He resurrected so did you, and when He was raised, you were able to rise up to a higher level so that you could go before the throne of God and see things from His perspective without being limited by your carnal vision. Everything that needed to be done in order for you to be delivered has been done by the Lord on your behalf; and there is no excuse for why Christians are still in bondage to things of this realm. Deuteronomy 7:1-3 When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou; 2 And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them: 3 Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son. (KJV) The Lord had a perfect plan of deliverance for the children of Israel as He does for you. However, many of them were brought back into bondage again because they intermingled with those of the world. You will find that as you see more into the realm of the Spirit by knowing the truth, many of man’s religions are based more on the world, and not the Word. I John 2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. (KJV) If the world is passing away and the lust of it, then it would be safe to say that all those who are still hanging onto worldly doctrines will follow suit. It’s up to you to know the difference between what is of God, and what is not in order to stay free. God bless dearly loved, and have a very prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Galatians 1:1-3 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) 2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: 3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, (KJV)
The book of Galatians is written by Paul, an apostle of the Lord who understood what the term grace meant. He knew that salvation was no longer based on works, but faith in what the Lord was doing in and through him. While he was on his second missionary journey, the Judaizers went to Galatia and told the Christians that Paul was not an apostle and that his message of salvation by trusting Christ was not from God, but from men; that it was necessary to be circumcised and keep the law of Moses in order to be saved. When Paul reached Antioch in Syria, he heard of these charges, and this destructive propaganda against him and his work in Galatia. So he wrote this letter about A.D. 54 or 55. His purpose was to counteract the negative influence of these false teachers, defend himself as a divinely-appointed apostle, set forth his elemental message of right standing with God by trusting in Christ (not by circumcision and obedience to the law), and to show that this teaching means finer moral living and the bearing of fruit in the Spirit. Many have zeal and a desire to be used by the Lord, however, few are willing to step out in faith and answer the Lord’s calling, instead of mans’. Galatians 1:3-5 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: 5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (KJV) The whole plan and purpose of salvation was to deliver us from bondage of sin to a realm of life; free from guilt and fear of death. I have found for myself personally that as I have delivered a message based on the doctrine of Christ the enemy has done all he can to discredit not only the message, but the messenger too. 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) Once the Lord has shown you the way of escape which can only come through Christ, He expects you to continue on this path of life to the end. The root of all evil is the love of money, where you are no longer focused on the things above, but have walked back into bondage again by your double vision. I bring this up because when I was young in the Lord and seeking truth, I found many organizations that were more in love with outward things than inward. Those are what I now label as religious organizations and not the true Church which the Lord desired to see established in His name. God bless dearly loved, and have a very prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1 Corinthians 2:7-8 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. (KJV)
It’s bad enough that mankind crucified the Lord when all He did was come to this planet and show us a better way of life. However, it’s just as bad if not worse when mankind keeps crucifying Him all over again with their fallen interpretations of His word. 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) The reason the word impossible is used in verse 4 is because what once started out as a walk of faith, has now turned into a walk of fake. When you allow your own desires and lusts to take over rather than overcoming them, you re-enter the realm of impossible because you are no longer in a place where the Lord is operating, a place where you are letting Him reveal Himself to you personally along with His plan of salvation; and by your disobedience you are crucifying Him and His doctrine all over again. Hebrews 10:26-29 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden underfoot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? (KJV) Once you have received knowledge of the truth it is required that you continue in it to the end, otherwise you will be considered a transgressor. As gruesome as the crucifixion was to Jesus of Nazareth, many are continually crucifying the Son of God as well because of all the fallen doctrines that man tries to pawn off as truth. 2 Peter 2:20-22 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) It’s safe to say that puking dogs and dirty pigs are not something that you will find in the heavenly realm, but only here on earth; and as disgusting as these things are to the carnal man, it somewhat describes how disgusting mans’doctrines are to the spirit man as well. God bless dearly loved, and have a very prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. John 3:1-3 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be
with him. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (KJV) The plan of salvation that the Lord came to this planet to reveal to mankind is Spiritual in nature; it cannot be understood by carnal reasoning or interpretations, and as we see illustrated above, a ruler as well as a teacher of the Jews was still in the dark concerning this new way of life that the Lord was presenting to mankind. John 3:4-6 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (KJV) When I look at verse 4 I think of the word denominations, where man puts his own spin on how he thinks God’s plan of salvation works. Mankind is limited by their carnal minds and keep trying to drag God back down to their level of thinking rather than learning to rise up to His realm and see things from his perspective. In order to see things from his perspective it takes what the Bible calls, the eyes of our understanding being enlightened so we can see into the realm of the Spirit. Step one is arriving in the flesh by being born. Step two is being born again, this time in the Spirit, and then learning to walk and talk all over again by faith. John 3:7-9 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. 9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? (KJV) Spiritual things cannot be explained to carnal people because without the Lord personally revealing it to them through His Spirit many will end up misled by their carnal thinking. This is why when one looks around we see so many different religions and doctrines based on what man thinks and not on what the Lord is revealing. Mark 4:11-12 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: 12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. (KJV) The term mystery is mentioned throughout the New Testament, and it is up to you the believer, to find out the true interpretation in the Spirit so that you can go beyond the realm of the flesh, from and what you think to what you know. In closing, allow the Lord to open up your spiritual eyes and ears so you can find out for yourself the true meaning and interpretation of the plan of salvation that the Lord has mapped out for you. God bless dearly loved, and have a very prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. John 15:5-7 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. (KJV)
Life is all about choices and we are all one choice away from either walking toward an eternal life with Christ, or walking away from what is rightfully ours for the taking. God sent His Son so that you would be a partaker of His divine nature, the only one that will live for eternity. Romans 11:19-21 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. 20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. (KJV) The natural branches being referred to are God’s original chosen people, the Jews. Many of them fell away from the tree of life and withered because of simple unbelief. The Church today needs to heed the same warning. Romans 11:22-23 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. (KJV) God didn’t send His Son to die for mankind just to watch them ignore His plan of salvation, something He does take personally. Oh what a loving and just God we truly do serve and His goodness and mercy will last forever. However, it is your choice if you will embrace the truth and continue to abide in that goodness. Philippians 2:14-16 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain. (KJV) My exhortation, as well as warning for the Church today is that you grasp hold of the truth and continue in the faith grounded and settled, no longer being moved away with petty bickering of this world. The word ‘vain’ refers to empty or worthless; not a title that you want to be tagged with on the Day of Judgment. Matthew 15:8-9 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (KJV) My prayer for all of God’s people is that you get your instructions firsthand from above through the Holy Spirit, and don’t just settle for man’s limited outward interpretations of it. If you truly desire to worship the Lord, then do so in the realm of the Spirit and according to His truth. Anything else is a waste of time, followed by an eternity to ponder what should have been. 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) God bless dearly love, and have a very prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. John 15:4-6 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. (KJV)
Let’s look at salvation as a contract, a binding document that promises reconciliation between God and man; but do know that you need to read all the fine print of this document in order to keep the blessings in play. Colossians 1:21-23 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; (KJV) Abide simply means to continue in. So as you read the contract God drew up between us and Him you will see the word “if” mentioned consistently throughout. So the end result should be that we show up blameless at His throne come the Day of Judgment. Do take note of the fact that the “iffy”part of the equation is on our end and not the Lord’s. Hebrews 6:4-8 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. 7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: 8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. (KJV) Without faith you re-enter the realm of impossible where you will no longer be pleasing to God. Many fall away by grasping hold of man’s doctrines instead of the Lord’s, which is nothing short of an insult to Him. As you can see, the end result will be burned. Deuteronomy 28:1-2 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: 2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God. (KJV) Spend some time reading all of chapter 28 because it clearly spells out what is available on both ends of the spectrum of salvation, the good and bad. Deuteronomy 28:15 But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee: (KJV) Again the Bible is specific to let you know all that is available to the believer in Christ, but only if you let the truth set you free. God bless dearly loved, and have a very prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. John 15:1-2 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me
that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. (KJV) Salvation is a continual process; you begin a new life in the realm of the Spirit, and now you are required to continue walking in the Spirit to the end. Our Lord purges or prunes His branches and cuts off all the dead things that are still hanging on to it. What’s the saying, “no pain no gain”. Hosea 10:1-2 Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly images. 2 Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: he shall break down their altars, he shall spoil their images. (KJV) Sometimes being a teacher in the Word is like playing good cop, bad cop depending on who you are dealing with. The Lord is very consistent throughout the Word to point out the positive effects salvation can have on a person as well as the negative effects on a person’s salvation if they decide to go back to the ways of the flesh. Mark 11:11-13 And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve. 12 And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: 13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. (KJV) How many of the Lord’s people are going into temples today seeking some truth, only to leave empty? The description we see above aptly describes many today who appear outwardly to look godly, but inwardly there is no fruit. Mark 11:14-16 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it. 15 And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; 16 And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. (KJV) Two thousand or so years ago our Lord cast out all that nonsense that was taking place in what was supposed to be His temple. Today many have set up their tables again and are just like the empty fig tree not bearing any fruit. Verse 16 concludes with the fact that the Lord would not allow anymore of this nonsense into His temple, so why does mankind think they can get away with it today? Be sure, as you go about your day, not to allow this nonsense in either. God bless dearly loved, and have a very prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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