1 Corinthians 15:52-54 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. (KJV)
When following sporting events on paper many teams look like they should go all the way, but end up falling short. Many people appear righteous outwardly; however, the Lord is only going to let those into His kingdom who are walking by faith. Our death sentence is expunged once we exchange this corruptible body for an incorrupt one. The Lord paid the total price for our salvation, now it is time to walk in it and see it through to the end. Romans 7:9-11 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. 10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. 11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. (KJV) Paul found out that he was taking on friendly fire from those he thought were legit. I have encountered the same thing in my walk with the Lord in congregations that claim to be saved by grace, but still try and incorporate the works of the law. 2 Corinthians 3:3-6 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. 4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; 6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the New Testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter kills, but the spirit gives life. (KJV) Those that hold to the letter of the law just end up killing the message and what it was intended to mean. These are the religious, and all you hear about is everything they think they are doing for the Lord. These are the same ones that crucified the Lord and are doing it all over again by their false religious teachings. John 16:1-3 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. 2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever kills you will think that he doeth God service. 3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. (KJV) You should expect some opposition when teaching the truth, especially from those who are being exposed for who they really are. The time will come when they think that if they can kill the message you are delivering, then they are doing God a service. Isn’t that the same premise that played out some two thousand years ago in a place called Calvary? Galatians 2:20-21 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness comes by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. (KJV) In conclusion this week, whatsoever is outside the realm of faith is a death sentence and not a place that you want to be come the Day of Judgment. Dearly loved, you are justified by faith apart from the law so let’s continue to walk in grace through faith today; God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 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)
All this week we have been looking at works and labor, what really works and what will result from that if we let the Lord work on our behalf. The Lord really simplified it down to one work, and that is believing in what the Son has done on our behalf and not what we think we should be doing on His. Sound too simple? Well that is the part that many miss, the simplicity of the gospel. The Lord would like to work on behalf of His people, but will only do so if we let Him. 2 Timothy 1:9-11 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 Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: 11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. (KJV) Paul hit the trifecta so to speak being appointed personally by God as a preacher, teacher, and even an apostle. Paul got the memo from above where God said it is no longer based on your works, rather let me show you something that works better which is grace through faith. Have you received this memo for yourself yet, or are you still toiling and trying to work yourself into a place the Lord is not leading? The reason you experienced peace in the beginning of your walk with the Lord is because you were in the place that He purposed for you to be in before the foundation of the world. If you are not experiencing this peace anymore then obviously you have walked away from what He was purposing and back into something that can simply be put in the column of dead works. Romans 4:2-5 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what says the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that works is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that works not, but believeth on him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (KJV) Salvation is a free gift because God chose to do the works for us having watched the first Adam fall short. Abraham was considered a great man of faith which he found was not by his works, but by grace. Is grace a big part of your walk? Galatians 2:16-18 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. 17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. (KJV) I was brought up in a religion that was based on works and I found myself dead in the water, being tossed to and fro like a ship on the Dead Sea. I have seen many ships sink even though they started out so well; but many with good intentions revert back to the works of the law filled with holes in the doctrine and they ended up on the bottom. God bless dearly loved and believe on Him whom God has sent; have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Matthew11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (KJV)
When looking around at the fallen world we are surrounded with, we see so many who literally work themselves into a tizzy and are never satisfied. They are looking for peace and rest, many thinking that they have to wait until they retire to get it. Well, God has a rest stop for His people now and it is not of works, but of grace so that we can give credit where credit is really due. Are you tired of running on your spiritual treadmills thinking you will find rest in this chaotic realm? Well that machine can be summed up in one word which is the fall of many, religion. 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) Instead of following blind religious leaders who keep ending up in a ditch, why not ditch those dead works and move on to something that really does work, grace. Did you know that God has already mapped out your life and decided what good works He would involve you in? That is why it is so vital that you find your place in His body of believers and then follow through with your calling by ceasing from your own works. Isaiah 55:6-9 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (KJV) Faith without works is dead. The Lord’s ways and what He would like to work through you is so much better than what your carnal mind can conjure up; however, you won’t see His results until you get out of the way and let Him loose. Many people won’t go beyond their own carnal thoughts, and then wonder why they don’t get any results from above. If you keep doing the same carnal things don’t expect something spiritual to result. Ephesians 3:19-21 And to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. (KJV) The love of Christ is so much above what you could ever ask or think of. You can get real results which is what the fullness of God is referring to. I hear verse 20 quoted so often and it’s a crowd favorite; however, so few truly experience these results because they will not let the Lord loose to work on their behalf. They still settle for old things instead of moving out of their carnal comfort zones to something new. Dearly loved, let go of the old and move forward in the new today. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Hebrews 11:6 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. (KJV)
What do you really believe the most in today; what you see in the outward or what you have found to be truth inwardly? Without maintaining a good solid relationship with the Lord you will not be able to please Him and allow Him to work on your behalf. Some of you have become stale and dull of hearing because you have been walking away from the Lord instead of drawing nearer to Him. I have found it is a lot easier to hear someone the closer I get to them. If you sense you are not getting results from God you need to ask yourself what measure you are giving in His direction of your time, in other words, is He really your first love and priority? 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) Let me give you a new assignment, you are now under a rest, a spiritual one where you keep the carnal man handcuffed so that you can let the spiritual one loose. It is really that simple. If you desire to see the Lord working on your behalf and getting His results then you just need to learn how to get out of the way. That is your new labor of love. John 15:12-13 This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends. (KJV) What’s the greatest gesture we can show toward the Lord and His people in return for all He has done for us? I lay down my life and desires and all those ways that I think will work by entering into the Lord’s realm where He now shows me what really works; faith by love. Philippians 2:12-13 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. (KJV) The question that often gets asked by many is how I can work out my own salvation? Is it by witnessing more or attending more church services? Let me offer this simple solution that I found works for me. The best way to work out your own salvation is working yourself out of the equation so that someone greater within can take over, and when I look at verse 13 it doesn’t go any higher than God Himself. It’s His will and desire to do so, which brings Him good pleasure; now it’s up to you to enter in His rest and let Him. Mark 16:19-20 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20 And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. (KJV) The disciples ceased from their own works long enough to hear what the Lord was speaking and then they went out and acted on what they heard. As we see the Lord was working with them and they were getting His results which were pleasing to Him. Why not go and do the same thing today? God bless dearly loved; have a restful and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 10:1-4 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth. (KJV)
Think of the term Israel in the above verse as Christians, God’s chosen people. The Lord no longer looks at just the outward man, but is now working within. It is Christ in you who is your only hope of glory. The downfall of Israel today is that they will not let go of the old law and rituals, and for those in the flesh history keeps repeating itself, rearing its ugly head in the form of religion and rituals, a place where man reverts back to works apart from grace. Revelation 2:2-5 I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast labored, and hast not fainted. 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. (KJV) Remember what it was like when you first experienced salvation? It was a sweet surrender where you had finally relinquished control of your own life and destiny and turned it over to someone else who you found knew what was best for you. So what happened to your first love, and why are you so worn out? What happened to the simplicity of the gospel? Matthew 6:31-34 Therefore take no thought, saying, what shall we eat? Or, what shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek :) for your heavenly Father knows that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. (KJV) It’s quite obvious that at some point you left your first love and went off on your own, thinking that you knew better and are now wondering why you are not getting results. You have to seek God first. Revelation 3:1-3 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; these things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works that thou hast a name that thou lives, and art dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shall not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shall not know what hour I will come upon thee. (KJV) The enemy has many of God’s people chasing their tail seeking something in this fallen realm first instead of the kingdom of God. In order to be an over comer you will need to know where God is leading you today so that you can get His results and not die of starvation from a lack of spiritual food. God bless dearly loved and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Luke 5:4-6 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. 5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. 6 And when they had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. (KJV)
Strong’s definition for ‘toiled’ - 2872 kopiao (kop-ee-ah'-o); from a derivative of 2873; to feel fatigue; by implication, to work hard: KJV-- (bestow) labor, toil, be wearied. There has to be a better way, I feel like I exert so much energy and sense I am getting nowhere fast. Isn’t the above example something we can all relate to, or maybe it is something you are dealing with today? Peter toiled all night; or another way of looking at it is, walking in darkness until he encountered someone who could show him how to get some real results. Luke 5:7-9 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. 9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: (KJV) Isn’t that why you came to the Lord in the first place, because you experienced some real results that you knew were not a result of luck or coincidence? You saw the light of God go on and enlighten you to a much better way, a free gift that could not be earned. So why all the heartache and misery Church; you know where you work yourself into a tizzy and end up with an empty net? Maybe its time to rethink your efforts and let someone else take over again before you go off the deep end. Luke 12:27-29 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? 29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. (KJV) Sometimes we lose sight of the simplicity of God’s realm and revert back to our own works which in reality don’t work. Many of God’s people begin so well in the Spirit and then get sidetracked by works, their works; which if they didn’t work in the past why would they work now? 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. (KJV) The enemy has planted false apostles out in the field like tares among the wheat. These so called preachers will preach a message of salvation by grace, and then turn around and tell the people they need to get dunked in water or abide by some other silly outdated work. As we see, the end result in verse 15 is based on their works and not the Lord’s. God bless dearly loved, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. John 10:9-11 I am the door: by me if any man enters in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. (KJV)
Another form of deception the thief uses to mask the truth is works, religious rituals, and works of the old law that are no longer in play. For some reason man decided that once they were saved they would need to continue the works of the law that the Lord already fulfilled on their behalf so that they would no longer be in bondage to them. The thief ties up many of God’s people when they allow strings to be attached to the simple liberating doctrine of Christ by reverting back to works. Titus 1:14-16 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. (KJV) One of the issues that rob the Jews today from walking in the truth is that they still hold to the old law and its outdated commandments. Whether Jew or Gentile they all get the same results when operating outside the realm of grace by faith. Many today claim to be saved by grace, then turn right around and go back to the works of the law which puts them in the category of a reprobate, unapproved of God, or should I say robbed blind? 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) Many of God’s people begin in the Spirit, but then get taken back down by the works of the law that the Lord came and did away with. When you revert back to these dead works you have to live with the results as well, which is a curse. If you are not with God and on the same page then you are in opposition, which as we see, is robbery to say the least. Galatians 2:16-18 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. 17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. 18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. (KJV) If you are not seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, then you will not be justified in His sight. When one reverts back to the works of the law you are in a realm where sin is still in play and not done away which is just the place the enemy desires to see you, tied up and gagged while he is pilfering your house. Dearly loved, what shall you do that you might work the works of God? You are to believe on Him whom He has sent. Keep is simple and let the Spirit do the leading. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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