Those who are planted in the house of the LORD Shall flourish in the courts of our God. ~ Psalm 92:13
It is said God blesses those rooted in Him.
... What is man that You are mindful of him, ... ~ Psalms 8:3-4
It has been facetiously asked,
... why would God want anything to do with the likes of us?
... In the day that God created man, He made him in the likeness of God. ~ Genesis 5:1
A Father does not throw his child away.
... for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. ~ Philippians 2:13
The Lord looks to see our eagerness for Him and His way.
The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy. ~ Psalm 147:11
God looks to inquire of our hopes, regard for His majesty.
For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation. ~ Psalm 149:4
... The LORD has made all for Himself, Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom. ~ Proverbs 16:2-4
It is a universe created by Him for His pleasure and glory.
Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; ... ~ Proverbs 16:5-6
The proud exalt themselves away from God.
... so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, ... ~ Acts 17:26-27
God searches for the humble in heart that seek Him out.
He asks that we find Him.
FIND HIM
"... in Him we live and move and have our being, ... 'For we are also His offspring.'" ~ Acts 17:28
A loving surrender to the Father ...
We are His creation and He welcomes those that would embrace this.
In the morning sow your seed, And in the evening do not withhold your hand; ... ~ Ecclesiastes 11:6
He instructs us to never give up our pursuit of achievements in living.
Truly the light is sweet, And it is pleasant for the eyes to behold the sun; ... ~ Ecclesiastes 11:7-8
Brighter than the sun, His light radiates all encompassing truth.
... "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." ~ John 8:12
LIGHT
≠
DARKNESS
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. ~ Ephesians 5:11
God does make a distinction between the light and the darkness.
~ In Him there is no darkness.
He stretches out the north over empty space; He hangs the earth on nothing. ~ Job 26:7
Truly God holds all in place upon His will of thought.
... since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, ... ~ 2nd Peter 3:11-12
God asks us to consider Him.
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts." ~ Isaiah 55:9
"... the LORD will be to you an everlasting light, And your God your glory." ~ Isaiah 60:19
That our passion of soul be for the excellence of His eternal light.
... For the LORD will be your everlasting light, ... ~ Isaiah 60:20
He has established a plan enabling those that would return to Him.
... The branch of My planting, The work of My hands, That I may be glorified. ~ Isaiah 60:21
Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding." ~ Job 38:4
God is greater than we can know. His glory endures forever.
For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. ~ 1st John 3:20
Does the sorrow of your heart extend out to our Lord
or does the fist of your anger curse the ground?
Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. ~ 1st John 3:21
Our hearts will on occasion condemn us but He asks that we build upon our confidence in Him.
"While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease." ~ Genesis 8:22
God has promised the world will remain as long as we live on earth.
Too often, people follow the fears of men over the power of God. ~
Placing permanence within the earth mires the weak minded.
The earth is a temporary world of struggling pleasures.
We live to launch into something much grander.
"... In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice." ~ Genesis 22:16-18
... God, Who formed the earth and made it, Who has established it, Who did not create it in vain, Who formed it to be inhabited: ... ~ Isaiah 45:18
God has a purpose for life in humans that they rise to love Him.
"... And say to Zion, 'You are My people.'" ~ Isaiah 51:16
"... condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." ~ John 3:19
It is darkness that fades away from His intention.
DARKNESS = EVIL DEEDS
"For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed." ~ John 3:20
In seeking Him ... ... the light of truth fully exposes the glory of His purposed creation.
"... the Gentiles shall seek Him, And His resting place shall be glorious." ~ Isaiah 11:10
"... In Him the Gentiles shall hope." ~ Romans 15:12
It is our Hope that is what purifies us.
HOPE IN CHRIST = PURIFICATION OF SPIRIT
For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. ... ~ Isaiah 53:2
God has humbly approached each one of us.
... a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, ... ~ Isaiah 9:6
... God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. ~ 1st John 5:11-12
God offers us life through His Son.
There is no fulfillment in life without God.
"Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God." ~ Luke 8:11
The word of God is the arsenal of the heart.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ~ Luke 12:34
'They shall be My people, and I will be their God; then I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever, ... ~ Jeremiah 32:38-39
ONE WAY
≠
MULTIPLE WAYS
His plan has the breadth and depth required ... to create creatures of His liking.
"'... I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me.'" ~ Jeremiah 32:40
God’s passion is to create us to never depart from Him.
'... I will assuredly plant them in this land, with all My heart and with all My soul.' ~ Jeremiah 32:41
A God of convenience or the God of Abraham?
Faith cannot be casually shallow but must be genuinely deep.
... How then have you turned before Me Into the degenerate plant of an alien vine? ~ Jeremiah 2:21
Freedom allows choices void of reverence toward the way of God.
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. ... ~ Hosea 4:6
Without honoring and protecting cherished truths, civilizations and the fortitude of a people are destroyed.
... you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices ... ~ 1st Peter 2:5
The Lord looks to see what our heart gives of itself.
Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; ~ Proverbs 3:9
He asks that we thankfully regard our possessions as His creation.
~ That we give of all of ourselves as He does.
"Now, therefore," says the LORD, "Turn to Me with all your heart, ..." ~ Joel 2:12
I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me. ~ Proverbs 8:17
It is a matter of turning to the Lord and finding Him.
~ He is there not so far away.
Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. ~ Proverbs 4:23
... eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; ... ~ Romans 2:7
It is a battle between outward light and inward darkness.
... but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness-indignation and wrath, ... ~ Romans 2:8
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. ... ~ Galatians 6:7-9
Judgment will come for all our walks in life through His design.
Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; ... ~ Psalms 1:1-3
HIS WORD IS OUR LIGHT TO TRUTH
To declare that the LORD is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him. ... ~ Psalms 92:14-15
To be planted in Him is the rock of salvation.
"For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; ... ~ Jeremiah 17:8
A man is not established by wickedness, But the root of the righteous cannot be moved. ~ Proverbs 12:3
From God’s own breath, a deep foundation of unmovable truth.
... the root of the righteous yields fruit. ~ Proverbs 12:12
"... by their fruits you will know them." ~ Matthew 7:17-20
It is not hard to see the endurance of a genuine article.
But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. ~ 1st Corinthians 15:20
One must ask, am I in Him, part of His way?
... if the root is holy, so are the branches. ~ Romans 11:16
... a partaker of the root ... ~ Romans 11:17
... remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you. ~ Romans 11:18
... looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, ... ~ Hebrews 12:15
God looks for branches abiding in His root, His planting,
... not arrogant churches established of mans own making.
"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me." ~ John 15:4
... those happy who deal so treacherously? You have planted them, yes, they have taken root; They grow, yes, they bear fruit. ... ~ Jeremiah 12:1-2
It is hard to understand why evil flourishes in the garden of God.
"But I will punish you according to the fruit of your doings," says the LORD; ..." ~ Jeremiah 21:14
Abide in His creation
=
Grafted in
=
Salvation
Abide in self creation
=
Cut off
=
Condemnation
God has announced that judgment will be His, for all that we do.
I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the LORD, do all these things." ~ Isaiah 45:7
... all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up," ... ~ Malachi 4:1
His precedence will be over those pursuing things not called for by Him.
Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. ~ Isaiah 48:10
Trials hone the spirit to make ready our eternal home.
"... every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." ~ Matthew 3:10
Fire will purge His envelope of loving peace.
... in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. ~ 2nd Thessalonians 1:8
My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, And my revenue than choice silver. ~ Proverbs 8:19
Is the wisdom of God such a thing to be despised;
... accepted, it is the sustaining core of an enlightened soul.
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise. ~ Proverbs 11:30
"... That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified." ~ Isaiah 61:3
For the glory of Him we grow stronger.
... "Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted." ~ Matthew 15:13
It will be His way or the path of those thrown away.
"Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, ..." ~ Matthew 3:8
Clues litter His word, as to the nature He desires for us to be.
... if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ~ 2nd Peter 1:5-8
7 CHRISTIAN VIRTUES
VIRTUE KNOWLEDGE SELF-CONTROL PERSEVERANCE GODLINESS BROTHERLY KINDNESS LOVE
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. ... ~ Galatians 5:22-23
Bars are set, lines have been drawn; the threshold of God.
And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ~ Galatians 5:24
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. ... ~ Galatians 5:25-26
Noble challenges for all too become all that is goodness.
"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." ~ John 6:63
The spirit of faith emancipates a soul to live!
"... faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you." ~ Luke 17:6
... that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. ~ 1st Corinthians 2:5
Growing faith humbly stands confidently in the power of God.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; ... ~ Proverbs 3:5
Thus says the LORD: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the LORD. ~ Jeremiah 17:5
Trust in what God has delivered, not in what man fictitiously proclaims.
... Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. ~ James 1:16-18
He calls us to be individually planted in His way.
That we become what He has called out for.
For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. ~ Romans 8:22
... we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. ~ Romans 8:23
Something spectacular awaits all creation, our beginning in life.
"... To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God." ~ Revelation 2:7
He asks that we resist the world, fleshly desires, and slides of sin.
"... In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." ~ John 16:33
Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter ... ~ Revelation 22:14
For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. ~ Romans 11:29
God calls us to pursue obedience to His binding word.
"He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him - the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day." ~ John 12:48
"... I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star." ~ Revelation 22:16
Jesus declares His origin and calls us to join in Him.
"He who believes and is baptized will be saved; ..." ~ Mark 16:16
His word is without argument.
Things to consider for being Planted in Him
SEEK HIM
FEAR HIM
HUMBLE SPIRIT
HOPE IN HIS MERCY
GROPE AFTER HIM
FIND HIM
OUR WILL HAS TO BE FOR GOD
COMMIT YOUR WORKS TO THE LORD
ABIDE IN CHRIST
COME TO HIS LIGHT
BEAR THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT
7 CHRISTIAN VIRTUES
FAITH IN THE POWER OF GOD
TURN TO HIM WITH ALL YOUR HEART
PATIENT CONTINUANCE IN DOING GOOD
SEEK FOR GLORY, HONOR, AND IMMORTALITY
NOT GROW WEARY WHILE DOING GOOD
DO NOT LOSE HEART
LOVE HIM
TRUST HIM
Strength in overwhelming afflictions
can only be found in personal spiritual fortitude;
Finding strength in His root of truth.
... it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, ... ~ Hebrews 9:27
... Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt. ~ Daniel 12:2
The LORD looks from heaven; ... He considers all their works. ~ Psalms 33:13-15
LIFE
↓
DEATH
⭩
⭨
EVERLASTING CONTEMPT
EVERLASTING LIFE
The LORD has made all for Himself, Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom. ~ Proverbs 16:4
For the wicked are reserved for the day of doom; They shall be brought out on the day of wrath. ~ Job 21:30
Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death. ~ Proverbs 11:4
... He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. ... ~ Acts 17:30-31
"But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." ~ Mark 13:32
... when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, ... ~ 2nd Thessalonians 1:6-10
... it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. ~ Acts 10:42
"I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings." ~ Jeremiah 17:10
... to give everyone according to his ways and according to the fruit of his doings. ~ Jeremiah 32:19
"... And I will give to each one of you according to your works." ~ Revelation 2:23
Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent." ~ John 6:29
... as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. ~ James 2:17-26
Our works must interweave with our faith.
Righteousness must maintain the pursuit of works called for by God.
And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. ~ Hebrews 4:13
... who "will render to each one according to his deeds": ... ~ Romans 2:6-10
... they were judged, each one according to his works. ... ~ Revelation 20:12-15
"... all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up," ~ Malachi 4:1
Why do the wicked renounce God? He has said in his heart, "You will not require an account." ~ Psalm 10:13
"So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. ... ~ Matthew 13:49-50
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, ... ~ 2nd Peter 3:10-12
"... when the wicked turns from his wickedness and does what is lawful and right, he shall live because of it." ~ Ezekiel 33:18-20
RIGHTEOUSNESS → WICKEDNESS → DEATH
WICKEDNESS → RIGHTEOUSNESS → LIFE
If you say, "Surely we did not know this," Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? ... ~ Proverbs 24:12
For I know nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. ~ 1st Corinthians 4:4
"For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies," says the Lord GOD. "Therefore turn and live!" ~ Ezekiel 18:32
God will only accept those found righteous.
... that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, ... ~ Mark 8:31
One must read the Bible to be enriched with God's own enlightenment.
"... if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it - lest you even be found to fight against God." ~ Acts 5:38-39
"... everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day." ~ John 6:40
"But he who endures to the end shall be saved." ~ Matthew 24:13
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts." ~ Isaiah 55:9
Let the heavens declare His righteousness, For God Himself is Judge. ... ~ Psalm 50:6
The LORD knows the days of the upright, And their inheritance shall be forever. ~ Psalm 37:18
... each of us shall give account of himself to God. ... ~ Romans 14:7-13
For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. ~ 1st Corinthians 11:31
... Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? ... ~ 1st Corinthians 6:1-3
It is our conduct that will reveal the judgment.
... when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. ~ 1st Peter 2:12
... the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, ... ~ 1st Peter 1:17
... there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. ... ~ Acts 24:15-16
"... those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation." ~ John 5:28-29
... to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ... to be revealed in the last time. ~ 1st Peter 1:3-5
"... pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man." ~ Luke 21:33-36
"... the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day." ~ John 12:48
"... he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life." ~ John 5:24
"But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment." ~ Matthew 12:36
"Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." ~ John 6:54
Immersed in all that His life is enables us to stand under His sacrifice.
His life lights the path to eternity. †
We are all part of Him.
To deny Him is to reject yourself.
... He shall judge the world in righteousness, And He shall administer judgment for the peoples in uprightness. ~ Psalms 9:7-8
"... He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats." ~ Matthew 25:31-32
"... He will reward each according to his works." ~ Matthew 16:27
Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy; For You render to each one according to his work. ~ Psalm 62:12
... seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. ~ 2nd Corinthians 5:10
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, ... ~ Ephesians 2:10
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. ~ Galatians 5:16
... for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. ... ~ Galatians 6:7-8
"And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give every one according to his work." ~ Revelation 22:12
... when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. ~ 1st John 3:2
Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. ~ 1st John 4:17
... much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, ... ~ Hebrews 12:25
THE JUDGMENT
THAT DAY
Last
Day
Day of God
Day of Doom
Day of Wrath
End of the Age
Day of the Lord
Day of Visitation
Day of Judgment
THE END
... The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. ~ 1st Corinthians 15:24-26
In life our opportunity is to avoid eternal death.
... For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil. ~ Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
O LORD, ... In wrath remember mercy. ~ Habakkuk 3:2
THE LORD'S FINAL JUDGMENT WILL ESTABLISH SPIRITUAL LIFE OR DEATH.
... All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, ... that the man of God may be complete, ... ~ 2nd Timothy 3:16-17
The man of God. … what character traits does God call out for?
It is from the Bible that we must seek for these calling truths.
What pinnacle approach does God call out for?
... If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. ... ~ 1st Timothy 3:1-7
BLAMELESS
HUSBAND OF ONE WIFE
TEMPERATE
SOBER-MINDED
OF GOOD BEHAVIOR
HOSPITABLE
ABLE TO TEACH
NOT GIVEN TO WINE
NOT VIOLENT
NOT GREEDY FOR MONEY
GENTLE
NOT QUARRELSOME
NOT COVETOUS
MAN OF GOD
ONE WHO RULES HIS OWN HOUSE WELL
CHILDREN IN SUBMISSION WITH ALL REVERENCE
NOT A NOVICE
GOOD TESTIMONY AMONG THOSE WHO ARE OUTSIDE
Besides listed noble character traits, character warnings fill the Bible.
PUFFED UP WITH PRIDE
WISE IN THEIR OWN EYES
PRUDENT IN THEIR OWN SIGHT
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, And prudent in their own sight! ~ Isaiah 5:21
As mature Christians, we should strive after what He declares
and be always mindful of those things He considers Holy.
... that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. ~ Titus 1:4-9
STEWARD OF GOD
NOT SELF-WILLED
NOT QUICK-TEMPERED
A LOVER OF WHAT IS GOOD
JUST
HOLY
SELF-CONTROLLED
HOLDING FAST THE FAITHFUL WORD
ABLE, BY SOUND DOCTRINE, BOTH TO
EXHORT AND CONVICT THOSE WHO CONTRADICT
... willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; ~ 1st Peter 5:1-3
Peter exhorts us, encourages us, to do more, not less.
... lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; ... ~ Matthew 20:25-28
We are told not to Lord over others.
Superiority has the flavor of arrogance and it does alienate the meek.
PURSUE PEACE WITH ALL PEOPLE, AND HOLINESS
... fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; ~ Hebrews 12:14-15
Bitterness is the cancer of peace. Pure worship involves peace.
"... wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man." ~ Mark 7:21-23
EVIL THOUGHTS
ADULTERIES
FORNICATIONS
MURDERS
THEFTS
COVETOUSNESS
WICKEDNESS
DECEIT
LEWDNESS
AN EVIL EYE
BLASPHEMY
PRIDE
FOOLISHNESS
Who among us can say we are not guilty?
None of us are able to throw that first stone. ~ We all fall short.
The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate. ~ Proverbs 8:13
ARROGANCE
THE EVIL WAY
PERVERSE MOUTH
Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! ~ James 3:5
"But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment." ~ Matthew 12:36
But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! ~ Galatians 5:15
Words often can wound if rashly spoken.
Do we at times forget God as we speak?
Even so, God calls us individually to come completely to Him,
and not to any mere mortal man. It is not a competition between men
but a call from our Lord to Come to Him with all that we are,
- regarding His ways.
... let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts ... ~ Philippians 4:4-7
REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS
LET YOUR GENTLENESS BE KNOWN TO ALL MEN
BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING
IN EVERYTHING BY PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION
WITH THANKSGIVING
LET YOUR REQUESTS BE MADE KNOWN TO GOD
There are many principles the Lord calls us to live by and this oration
is unable to cover the many of them, but diligent study reveals it to each.
... "We ought to obey God rather than men." ~ Acts 5:29
It is better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in man. ~ Psalms 118:8
TRUST IN THE LORD
"... when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth? ... everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, ..." ~ Luke 18:7-14
We all have challenges and must consider our own short-comings
rather than condemning others in order to satisfy an exalted self.
... where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, ... ~ James 3:13-18
MEEKNESS OF WISDOM
PEACEABLE
GENTLE
WILLING TO YIELD
FULL OF MERCY AND GOOD FRUITS
WITHOUT PARTIALITY
WITHOUT HYPOCRISY
MAKE PEACE
BITTER ENVY
SELF-SEEKING
... walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; ... ~ Colossians 1:10-12
WALK WORTHY OF THE LORD
FULLY PLEASING HIM
FRUITFUL IN EVERY GOOD WORK
INCREASING IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD
PATIENCE AND LONGSUFFERING WITH JOY
As saints in the light,
God desires that we humbly be in Him, His word,
- over the pursuits of human controls.
Doctrines of man blur the truth of God.
It is God’s word that shows us the way.
Jesus used the cross as a platform of instruction.
A reminiscent feeling many if us have encountered.
My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, And from the words of My groaning? ... ~ Psalms 22:1-11
Each one of us can only be helped by submitting to the will of God.
A surrender of self reaches out to the heights of heaven.
... according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ... ~ 1st Peter 1:3-9
Our living hope is the salvation of our souls.
... For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. ... ~ 1st Peter 3:15-22
Let no one deceive you by any means; ... those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. ... ~ 2nd Thessalonians 2:3-10
BLAMELESS
HUSBAND OF ONE WIFE
TEMPERATE
SOBER-MINDED
OF GOOD BEHAVIOR
HOSPITABLE
ABLE TO TEACH
NOT GIVEN TO WINE
NOT VIOLENT
NOT GREEDY FOR MONEY
GENTLE
NOT QUARRELSOME
NOT COVETOUS
MAN OF GOD
ONE WHO RULES HIS OWN HOUSE WELL
CHILDREN IN SUBMISSION WITH ALL REVERENCE
NOT A NOVICE
GOOD TESTIMONY AMONG THOSE WHO ARE OUTSIDE
STEWARD OF GOD
NOT SELF-WILLED
NOT QUICK-TEMPERED
A LOVER OF WHAT IS GOOD
JUST
HOLY
SELF-CONTROLLED
HOLDING FAST THE FAITHFUL WORD
ABLE, BY SOUND DOCTRINE, BOTH TO
EXHORT AND CONVICT THOSE WHO CONTRADICT
PURSUE PEACE WITH ALL PEOPLE, AND HOLINESS
REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS
LET YOUR GENTLENESS BE KNOWN TO ALL MEN
BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING
IN EVERYTHING BY PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION
WITH THANKSGIVING
LET YOUR REQUESTS BE MADE KNOWN TO GOD
TRUST IN THE LORD
MEEKNESS OF WISDOM
PEACEABLE
GENTLE
WILLING TO YIELD
FULL OF MERCY AND GOOD FRUITS
WITHOUT PARTIALITY
WITHOUT HYPOCRISY
MAKE PEACE
WALK WORTHY OF THE LORD
FULLY PLEASING HIM
FRUITFUL IN EVERY GOOD WORK
INCREASING IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD
PATIENCE AND LONGSUFFERING WITH JOY
EVIL THOUGHTS
ADULTERIES
FORNICATIONS
MURDERS
THEFTS
COVETOUSNESS
WICKEDNESS
DECEIT
LEWDNESS
AN EVIL EYE
BLASPHEMY
PRIDE
FOOLISHNESS
MAN OF SIN
PUFFED UP WITH PRIDE
WISE IN THEIR OWN EYES
PRUDENT IN THEIR OWN SIGHT
ARROGANCE
THE EVIL WAY
PERVERSE MOUTH
BITTER ENVY
SELF-SEEKING
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. ~ 2nd Peter 3:9
The man of God needs to stand ready in service to Him.
God’s own holiness dwells in the hearts of those who commit to Him.
True creatures of God submit to Him.
Sermon Audio added 6/2/2019 on the event the overhead projector bulb failed
Acknowledging sin confronts each faithful humble heart.
Either a soul recognizes shortcomings or arrogantly denies them.
Extremes range between light’s awareness to darkness’s ignorance.
A choice to pursue God or not confronts each spirit of a soul.
Faith in divine awareness or a quasi-random isolated chaos ensues;
~ a trusting believer or non-trusting non-believer.
● Control over self indulgence or anything goes.
Sin is most heinous without Godly fear.
... to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. ~ James 4:17
NOT PURSUING GOOD WORKS = SIN
Righteousness is found in acts of pursuing
goodness and general improvement.
Sin most often spews from ones own mouth.
In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, ... ~ Proverbs 10:19
SIN = LOOSE LIPS
CAUTIOUS SPEECH = WISE
Many times one would like to lash out with the frankness of honesty
for being done wrong, however, caution due to adverse responses
keeps those thoughts to the self. Truth more often invokes anger with
unjustified retaliation as the result. Evil hold no rational behaviors
of respect. Diplomacy’s best color is often what is hidden.
Sin is definite in its’ blatant nature.
A haughty look, a proud heart, And the plowing of the wicked are sin. ~ Proverbs 21:4
A PROUD HEART
=
SIN
A HAUGHTY LOOK
PLOWING WICKEDNESS
Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. ~ 1st John 3:4
SIN = LAWLESSNESS
Law establishes separation from the light and dark; goodness from evil.
... by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is knowledge of sin. ~ Romans 3:20
LAW = KNOWLEDGE OF SIN
For there is not a just man on earth who does good And does not sin. ~ Ecclesiastes 7:20
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ~ 1st John 1:8
... my sin is always before me. ~ Psalm 51:3
No one can pass the conviction each of us bears for sin.
The problem arises when we do not acknowledge the sins we bear.
Knowledge involves self awareness to the truth
of who we are and how we treat others.
... the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression. ~ Romans 4:15
LAW = WRATH AGAINST SIN
(For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. ... ~ Romans 5:12-13
He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. ... ~ 1st John 3:8
Sin has been with us since the beginning.
God has manifested Himself in the flesh to emancipate us from sin.
... does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. ... ~ John 8:44
People hide behind the guilt of their lies. The stem of sin is the lies
one perpetuates upon deceiving others. Honesty is where love begins.
The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. ... ~ Ezekiel 18:20
Sin is on all of our body tags. Without Christ to bear our guilt,
salvation melts to the darkness of death.
... by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous. ... ~ Romans 5:18-21
Through offense
⮡ Judgment came to all → many made sinners
♢ Resulting in condemnation
Through one Man's obedience
⮡ Free gift came to all → many made righteous
♢ Resulting in justification of life
Sin = death
Grace = Righteousness to eternal life in Christ
Sin is not inherited.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~ Romans 6:23
WAGES OF SIN = DEATH
The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. ~ 1st Corinthians 15:56
STING OF DEATH = SIN
Death is always a shock that stings all caring hearts involved.
Sin’s most atrocious acts are actually condoned by mankind’s
legal follies to pursue his desires over God’s. Having laws
supporting sin bolsters it’s lawlessness as acceptable.
Legalizing abortion gives strength to sin
through the weakness of man. The injustice man
inflicts will be sheared away by God’s light.
... No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; ... make the way of escape, ... ~ 1st Corinthians 10:12-13
└─> Our prayers for an escape should never cease.
TEMPTATION
Luke 11:4
└─SIN
───┐
GROWING SIN
⭨
HABIT
⭨
James 1:12-15
DEATH
... when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. ~ James 1:12-15
The sentence for sin is death.
Our only escape from sin is by the Grace of God.
... each one shall bear his own load. ~ Galatians 6:2-5
... if you show partiality, you commit sin, ... ~ James 2:8-9
SHOW PARTIALITY = SIN
Sin has subtleties none are able to become totally free of.
We can become more aware of sin as we stumble over mistakes made.
Battling sin is a refinement of the spirit while we draw closer to God.
Prejudice has no walls to stop the focus of its’ hate, other than God’s
word declaring it as a sin of choice. Prejudice is an act that violates the
word of God. Who would hate a child of any race or color but the most
despicable of humans. Hate’s upward escalation, including all the other
advancing carnal sins, is the root of all divisions among souls.
"If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it." ~ Genesis 4:7
No one has not struggles or battles in finding the spirit of truth.
To get back to the sanctuary of true peace, it has
to be made through God in His vision of faith.
But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. ... ~ Galatians 3:22-25
Before faith came
⭨
Kept under guard by the law (tutor)
↓
All under sin
☆ Promise by faith in Jesus Christ
⮡ Given to those who believe
↕
Might be justified by faith
Faith in Christ allows us to become free from the law of sin and death.
It is God who loves us beyond the measure of our sin
● Knowing to do good and not doing it is sin
● A haughty look, proud heart, evil pursuits, - are sin
● Sin is lawlessness without regard for goodness
● It is untruthful to deny that one has sinned
● Sin enters a life through acts of disobedience
● The root of sin is held in the heart of a liar
● Faith in Jesus results in the justification of life
● Knowing right from wrong is strength we all seek
● A shallow character holds unforgiveness close
● Desire gives sin’s unrestrained rise leading to death
● Judging one’s self as superior is a sin of prejudice
● His word calls for us to rule over our temptations
● Forgiveness through Christ heals us from sin
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. ~ Romans 8:2
... if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. ~ Romans 8:10
If Christ is in you
Body = Dead because of sin
Spirit = Life because of righteousness
To make Christ our divine savior from the heart, He recognizes
this worship and extends the promise of His protective powers in to
eternal life. God puts value on hearts that hold external love for Him,
rather than exclusively self-centered focus on the self.
It regards thankfulness over selfishness.
... Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. ... ~ Hebrews 9:27-28
Apart from sin for salvation
Appear a second time
Judgment
↑
Who eagerly wait for Him
↑
Appointed for men to die once
⭦ Christ was offered once ⭧
To bear the sins of many
The explanation of God’s promise and plan are clear for all to understand.
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God ... ~ 1st Peter 3:18
It is the Spirit that instructs us to become larger than just ourselves.
To embrace the Creator who offers Grace, in a miraculous immeasurable
way, delivers a higher peace that cannot be found alone.
⭨
⭩
⭨
⭩
All past sinners and believers
⭨
⭩
All future sinners and faithful
↔
†
↔
⭧
⭦
⭧
⭦
⭧
⭦
... And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. ~ Isaiah 53:6
Jesus allows our sins to be expunged
by bearing them upon His forgiving heart.
the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. ~ 1st John 1:7
HIS BLOOD = CLEANSES OUR SINS
And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission. ~ Hebrews 9:22
... To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, ... ~ Revelation 1:5
As Christ gave His life for ours, in turn, we must turn to love Him as He
loved us with no end. Eternity is truly an expression of His absolute love.
For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." ~ Matthew 26:28
"To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive the remission of sins." ~ Acts 10:43
Believe in Christ → Receive Remission of sins
To accept Christ’s mercy as a personal sacrifice for one’s own sin
is to believe in His sacrificed blood, His given body, and join in His life.
... and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. ... ~ Luke 24:44-49
We believe and trust in Christ for the remission of our sins.
Scripture has been given that we may know His word transcends time,
where He tests our character as to if we care to know and practice truth.
To receive the blessings of the Holy Spirit,
the truth of His promise must be accepted.
... "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; ... ~ Acts 2:38
Repent + Baptized in Christ
=
Remission of sins + Holy Spirit gift
To rise to the promise of salvation, we have to respond to the call of Jesus.
"Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, ..." ~ Acts 3:19-21
... Blot out ... Wash away ...
'... Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.' ~ Acts 22:16
... to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgivness of sins ... ~ Acts 26:18
He calls for us to be immersed in the power of Him
... baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurection of Jesus Christ, ... ~ 1st Peter 3:21-22
There is only one plan of God presented to man for the salvation
of the soul. As many will argue to multiple co-existing avenues,
His declaration and answer calls to One Way. We should not
remain in the convolutions of man where fantasy and tolerance
embrace the sinfulness that follows all false doctrines.
To be forgiven from sin, one must enter through the Spirit of Christ.
This involves are ability to abide in His word.
~ For it to become the LIVING WORD.
Where opens a souls passion?
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ~ 1st John 1:9
● He is faithful
● To forgive us our sins
● To cleanse us from
all unrighteousness
→ Confess our sins
One has to empty one's all to Him and follow His word.
Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. ... ~ 2nd John 1:9
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered. ~ Psalm 32:1
There is only one way to cover the sins of a soul, and that is
to give them to Christ so He may carry them over to forgotten.
FURIOUS WRATH OF GOD
/
CHRIST
\
/
FAITHFUL TRANSGRESSOR
\
⭨
UNBELIEVING TRANSGRESSOR
LAW OF SIN/DEATH
Both transgressors are condemned to death for sin.
Truly, for salvations quest, is Christ your shield?
Good love is defined by honesty
● Belief in Christ frees us from the bondage of flesh
● Righteousness of belief in Christ overwhelms sin
● It is Christ who bears the sins of all true believers
● God wills for us to be alive in His Spirit
● Christ’s sacrifice in blood cleanses us from sin
● Christ had to sacrifice His life that we might find life
● God now employs Christ for our remission of sins
● God’s promise is forgiveness to who act on belief
● Regret is the healing key as God forgets prior sins
● God came in Christ to free us from the lies of Satan
● Faith in obedience to His baptismal call saves a soul
● Without honest confession no forgiveness is given
● God’s truth in Christ has to be acknowledged
"Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." ~ John 8:24
Not believe in Christ = Die in your sins
... "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." ~ John 20:21-23
Without His Holy Spirit it is impossible for sins to be forgiven.
To have the Spirit of God, and establishing the church with believing
seeking holy members, is to find that forgiveness from the thorns of sin.
For those that do not comply with the will of God will keep to the sin
they are mired in. Denial will not excuse God’s convictions.
... while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? ... ~ Galatians 2:17-21
... with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. ~ Romans 7:14-25
With the mind → Serve the law of God
With the flesh → The law of sin
We are all on precarious paths walking in both spirit and flesh.
... flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. ~ Galatians 5:17
The Law of God (conviction) will not passover those without Christ.
Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. ~ 1st John 3:9
Restraint against previous habitual sin is the battle for each true
believer. To be born of God is to live under His Grace where Jesus
bears the load of unforgivable sins. Through faith in Jesus we are made
clean, as one chases after Him turning crimson into white as snow.
For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. ~ Romans 6:14
Our faith lifts us into His purity.
"For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, ..." ~ Hebrews 8:12
... whatever is not from faith is sin. ~ Romans 14:23
NOT FROM FAITH = SIN
A believing trust aids the soul in overcoming previous
and current sins; accepting the Grace of God.
We have faith in His saving Grace over our failures.
Sin’s appeal is that it’s pleasurable to the flesh.
... to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, ... ~ Hebrews 11:24-25
If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. ~ 1st John 1:10
While we live in the corruption of this world,
an incorruptible offer is made to each to be in Christ.
●
○
Many ask, how can I, a sinner, be saved? Doubt is the discouragement of the soul.
Strength is defined by our ability to persevere the climb home.
Only an honest heart can find the humble truth of falling short.
We all reach forward hoping for better conditions, and those in
denial exemplify arrogance. To receive the implanted word
benefits all who are able to find these God given truths.
... I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. ~ 1st John 2:1
Things written
↓
That you may not sin
↕
If anyone sins
⮡ We have an Advocate
⮡ Jesus Christ
... Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. ~ 1st Timothy 1:15
"... I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." ~ Matthew 9:13
God desires we care for others more than just
exclusively seeking those things for the self.
For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. ~ James 2:13
To love sets the heart free from unjustified opinions that fog the mind.
Love triumphs over contempt.
And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, ... ~ Romans 6:13
→ Do not present your members
As instruments of unrighteousness
but
→ Present yourselves to God
Alive from the dead
As instruments of righteousness
To have God one must submit to His will
● Death in sins comes by disbelief in Christ’s message
● To live to God knows His sacrifice for our life
● While we sin our advocacy is through Christ
● A spirit of good wars against the desires of flesh
● Grace supersedes the law no one can achieve
● God declares He will dismiss the sins of the faithful
● Whatever is not from faith is sin
● Denying sin, and needing Him, makes God a liar
● It is the word of God that assists us in not sinning
● God came in Christ to deliver truth and save sinners
● God desires mercy over excuses of sacrifice
● Mercy triumphs over judgment
● God looks for us to present ourselves as righteous
... put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness ... "Be angry, and do not sin" ... ~ Ephesians 4:22-27
● Old man
⮡ Former corrupt conduct
⮡ Deceitful lusts
● Renewed in the spirit
⮡ Created according to God
⮡ Righteousness and holiness
⮡ New man
God does not want wrath to overtake our lives where
festering brings only the hollow darkness sin delivers.
Our anger should be for the sin that divides us.
... slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness ... ~ Romans 6:19
Righteousness.
The Bible instructs us how to grow in our individual faith.
Milk inevitably leads to meat if the bottle is not thrown away.
○ Confidence over Confusion ●
Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. ~ 1st John 3:20-22
Guilt is the voice of conscience, and if responded to with a heart of regret,
one may lift in spirit to find the free confidence found
in the forgiveness of God’s own promise.
Knowing God forgives us delivers blessings for the mature Christian when
responded to by actions of spirit; to do His will. This comes by receiving that
most simplest of all possession’s, one above all value; peace. God wills we
live lives of decency, and this is the action He calls for, that sets a soul free.
Peace comes by the love we give, and are able to receive.
... who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. ~ 1stJohn 3:23-24
Random acts of kindness are for temporary Christians.
Our lives must be purposed as we confidently walk with Him;
Always called to do good works as holding doors open for strangers.
For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, ... ~ Hebrews 10:26-27
... "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. ... ~ John 8:34-36
WHOEVER COMMITS SIN = SLAVE OF SIN
God has delivered His own truth to the earth.
Will we choose His way or something else of self construction?
... Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. ~ 1st Corinthians 6:18
Sin has both external and internal characteristics. Adultery or sexual
immorality is of the most heinous of sins. It is an act of betrayal and sheer
lack of any kind of honest loyalty. Does one just live to lust or love?
The devising of foolishness is sin, ... ~ Proverbs 24:9
DEVISING OF FOOLISHNESS = SIN
If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, ... ~ 1st John 5:16-17
God has an outstanding call for sympathy; an intercessionary force of
understanding and forgiveness for ignorance or mild stumbling’s; accidents,
vs. heinous acts of incest, greed, or murder --- pardon to those who regret vs.
no pardon to the unrepentful. Praying for a reversal of a just conviction is
useless and goes against righteous judgment. One does not pray for Satan to
be forgiven. Let justice be served. God will choose penitent repenters over
the unremorseful. One should not argue over what is obvious, and due
punishment. To be or not to be is a question of having an accountable
conscience over not having one riddled in excuses or just oblivious.
ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS = SIN
Maturing Christians help one another reach greater heights for His glory.
Now "If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and sinner appear?" ~ 1st Peter 4:18
The ungodly have no sympathy in their selfish scheming.
Righteousness begins by believing God has brought salvation upon us
through faith in His Son, Jesus the Christ. It is a delicate path as each
of us battle those individual sins of the flesh. God devised mortal life to
see how we respond to the absolute power He has handed over to us;
as He stands aside waiting. Do we choose kind hearts over vicious
ones? Drinking sin wholeheartedly holds no repentance.
... caught in the cords of his sin. He shall die for lack of instruction, And in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray. ~ Proverbs 5:22-23
God’s severity is inevitable as He purges wickedness from His kingdom.
... if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, he shall die ... ~ Ezekiel 33:8-9
If you do not warn the wicked ⮧
| He shall die in his iniquity
↓
But his blood I require at your hand
If you warn the wicked to turn ⮧
| He does not turn from his way
| ⮡ He shall die in his iniquity
↓
But you have delivered your soul
For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, ... ~ 2nd Peter 2:4
"For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." ~ Mark 8:38
The written truth stands over the imaginary doctrines of man.
If we as a people are to find favor with God, our cries must be heard.
The words of God will become extremely important when each of us comes
to His presence. The preacher will not save you, and no note from mommy will excuse the consequences of who each of us has chosen to be.
Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people. ~ Proverbs 14:34
SIN = REPROACH TO ANY PEOPLE
Sin is collectively destructive and brings civilizations to their knees.
Sin is the curse that has brought empires to more than their knees, and
destroyed many a peoples’ livelihoods. When sin becomes the banner
of a people, the substance of honor and truth is abandoned.
... when a land sins against Me by persistent unfaithfulness, I will stretch out My hand against it; I will cut off its supply ... ~ Ezekiel 14:13-14
A small handful of righteous will not halt the avalanche of
overwhelming wickedness from collapsing decency for all.
We can only pray as individuals that the hand of God restores
our country/world to an upright decency in the light of His truth. Honest Prayer is what saves a people.
... pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin ... ~ 2nd Chronicles 7:14-15
Many only return to the wicked fruits of their disgust. Without turning
back to pursuing God’s will, His help will be futile. Vomit can
only be made clean by responding to His word.
Awareness is a sign of growing wisdom, which is challenged for many.
Lazy minds believe remaining ignorant and complacent at best,
~ but it is not what God calls for.
"Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, ..." ~ Acts 17:30
Ignorance leads to destruction and will not save our children.
God looks to all the corners of the earth to find the upright.
God calls for us to believe it is He, to repent of our sins, to
confess Him and self, and to be immersed in the name of His Son.
*
\
I AM
*
\
Hear Now Know Good and Bad
Belief
*
Repent
*
\
Confess
*
Immersed
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you ... ~ Hosea 4:6
People are destroyed
⮡ For lack of knowledge
Because of rejected knowledge
⮡ Forgotten the law of God
↕
Children will forget
To regard decency is to respect others, not to flaunt attacking vulgarities.
People and civilizations are destroyed for the lack of honest compassion for
one another. The disregard in contempt divides all sensibility to understand
peace and love, for the furtherment of truth, for the sake of truth, peace,
and love. Forgetting is the excuse of fools who decide not to feel. If the
keys to the truth are abandoned, only the lies that deceive will remain.
True awareness is to not miss out on God’s blessings
● God wills our knowledge in Him over man’s deceit
● God calls for honesty without anger
● God knowing all things will render justice
● Slavery to sin is set free by Christ’s favor
● Sexual immorality sins against one’s own body
● God calls for sympathetic intervention for mild sins
● We should not pray for those guilty of heinous acts
● Habitual sin traps a soul to falling away from God
● Sinners are reserved in darkness for judgment
● The darkness of sin is repulsive to all decent
● A land that blatantly sins denying Him will suffer
● Ignorance is unacceptable as God calls for control
● It is knowledge of God that emancipates the soul
SIN
Accountability
encourages noble qualities.
● Recklessness honors no one.
In the truth of the shortness of life,
we all endure under the hand of oppression.
Liberty can not endure without truth at her side.
God thunders marvelously with His voice; He does great things which we cannot comprehend. ~ Job 37:5
How can the expression of reality be explained? From all the
waterfalls to pastures of every element, in the sight of the infinite
void of stars and countless ongoings, how is a gift of inspiration,
and why is the presence of being. God is the Awe in front of us all.
If is such a small word with huge implications.
There are over 1,400 if(s) in the Bible.
Below is a listing of several hundred
followed by review tables for all to consider.
"If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. ..." ~ Genesis 4:7
... if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me ... ~ Exodus 19:5
... if you by any means forget the LORD your God, and follow other gods, and serve them and worship them, ... you shall surely perish. ~ Deuteronomy 8:19
"If one man sins against another, God will judge him. ..." ~ 1st Samuel 2:25
... if you do not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then the hand of the LORD will be against you, ... ~ 1st Samuel 12:14-15
"... If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever." ~ 1st Chronicles 28:9
... if indeed I have erred, My error remains with me. ~ Job 19:4
If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear. ~ Psalms 66:18
If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. ~ Psalms 139:8
... if sinners entice you, Do not consent. ~ Proverbs 1:10
... if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you ... Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God. ~ Proverbs 2:1-5
"If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, And if you scoff, you will bear it alone." ~ Proverbs 9:12
... if your heart is wise, My heart will rejoice-indeed, ... ~ Proverbs 23:15-16
If you faint in the day of adversity, Your strength is small. ~ Proverbs 24:10
If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; ~ Proverbs 25:21
If the ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success. ~ Ecclesiastes 10:10
If you extend your soul to the hungry And satisfy the afflicted soul, Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, ... ~ Isaiah 58:10
... if you will not hear it, My soul will weep in secret for your pride; ... ~ Jeremiah 13:17
... if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die ... ~ Ezekiel 3:19
... if you warn the righteous man that the righteous should not sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live ... ~ Ezekiel 3:21
"... if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness," ... ~ Ezekiel 14:13-14
... 'If you will walk in My ways, And if you will keep My command, Then you shall also judge My house, ... ~ Zechariah 3:6-7
"If you will not hear, And if you will not take it to heart, To give glory to My name," Says the LORD of hosts, ... ~ Malachi 2:2
... if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift ... ~ Matthew 5:23-24
"If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; ..." ~ Matthew 5:29
"... if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; ..." ~ Matthew 5:30
"If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also." ~ Matthew 5:40
"... if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." ~ Matthew 6:14
"... if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ~ Matthew 6:15
"... If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light." ~ Matthew 6:22
"... if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. ~ Matthew 6:23
"... if God so clothes the grass of the field, ... will He not much more clothe you, ..." ~ Matthew 6:30
"If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you." ~ Matthew 10:13
"... if you had known what this means, I desire mercy and not sacrifice, you would not have condemned the guiltless." ~ Matthew 12:7
"... if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch." ~ Matthew 15:14
... "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." ~ Matthew 16:24
"... if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" ~ Matthew 16:26
"... if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; ..." ~ Matthew 17:20
"... if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. ..." ~ Matthew 18:15
... if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word ...' ~ Matthew 18:16-17
"... if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven." ~ Matthew 18:19
"... if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments." ~ Matthew 19:17
"... if you have faith and do not doubt, ... it will be done." ~ Matthew 21:21
"If David then calls Him 'Lord,' how is He his Son?" ~ Matthew 22:45
... if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There!' do not believe it. ... ~ Matthew 24:23-24
"... if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done." ~ Matthew 26:42
"If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand." ~ Mark 3:24
"... if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand." ~ Mark 3:25
"... if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end." ~ Mark 3:26
"If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear." ~ Mark 4:23
... "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." ~ Mark 9:23
... "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all." ~ Mark 9:35
"... if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. ..." ~ Mark 9:45
"... if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? ..." ~ Mark 9:50
"... if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you ..." ~ Mark 11:25-26
"... if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery." ~ Mark 10:11-12
"... if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? ..." ~ Luke 6:32-35
"... If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" ~ Luke 11:11-13
"... if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. ..." ~ Luke 12:37-40
"If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, ... and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple." ~ Luke 14:26
"... if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?" ~ Luke 16:11
"... if you have not been faithful in what is another man's, who will give you what is your own?"~ Luke 16:12
"... If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. ..." ~ Luke 17:3-4
... "If you knew the gift of God, ... He would have given you living water." ~ John 4:10
"... If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; ..." ~ John 6:51
"... If You do these things, show Yourself to the world." ~ John 7:4
"If anyone wants to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God ..." ~ John 7:17-18
"If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink." ~ John 7:37
"... if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." ~ John 8:24
... "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed." ~ John 8:31
"... if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." ~ John 8:36
... "If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham." ~ John 8:39
... "If God were your Father, you would love Me, ..." ~ John 8:42
"... if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me?" ~ John 8:46
"... if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death." ~ John 8:51
"... if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him." ~ John 9:31
"... If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing." ~ John 9:32-33
"... If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, ..." ~ John 10:9
"If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; ... If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor." ~ John 12:26
"... if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself." ~ John 12:32
"... if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; ..." ~ John 12:47
... "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me." ~ John 13:8
"If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them." ~ John 13:17
"... all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." ~ John 13:35
"... if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." ~ John 14:2-3
"If you ask anything in My name, I will do it." ~ John 14:13-14
"If you love Me, keep My commandments." ~ John 14:15
"... "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; ..." ~ John 14:23
"If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, ..." ~ John 15:6
"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you." ~ John 15:7
"If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, ..." ~ John 15:10
You are My friends if you do whatever I command you." ~ John 15:14
"... If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also." ~ John 15:20
"... if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you." ~ John 16:7
"... If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, ..." ~ John 18:36
"If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." ~ John 20:23
... if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; ... ~ Acts 5:38
"... if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it - lest you even be found to fight against God." ~ Acts 5:39
"... if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you." ~ Acts 8:22
... "If you believe with all your heart, you may." ... ~ Acts 8:37
... If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.~ Acts 15:29
... if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, ... ~ Romans 6:5
... if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, ... ~ Romans 6:8
... if her husband dies, she is free from that law, ... ~ Romans 7:3
... if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. ... ~ Romans 7:15-25
... if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. ~ Romans 8:9
... if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. ~ Romans 8:10
... if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. ~ Romans 8:11
... if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. ~ Romans 8:13
... if children, then heirs ... if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. ~ Romans 8:17
... If God is for us, who can be against us? ~ Romans 8:31
... if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ~ Romans 10:9
... goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. ... ~ Romans 11:15-24
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. ~ Romans 12:18
... if you do evil, be afraid; ... ~ Romans 13:4
... if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. ... ~ Romans 14:8
If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. ~ 1st Corinthians 3:14
If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; ... ~ 1st Corinthians 3:15
If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. ~ 1st Corinthians 3:16-17
... if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. ... ~ 1st Corinthians 7:9
... if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; ... ~ 1st Corinthians 7:15
... her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. ~ 1st Corinthians 7:39
... if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. ~ 1st Corinthians 8:2
... if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him. ~ 1st Corinthians 8:3
If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? ~ 1st Corinthians 9:11
... woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! ... ~ 1st Corinthians 9:16-17
... if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him? ~ 1st Corinthians 11:14
... if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given to her for a covering. ~ 1st Corinthians 11:15
... if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God. ~ 1st Corinthians 11:16
... if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. ~ 1st Corinthians 11:31
... if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. ... ~ 1st Corinthians 11:34
... if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; ... ~ 1st Corinthians 12:26
If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. ~ 1st Corinthians 14:37
... if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! ... ~ 1st Corinthians 15:12-22
If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. ... ~ 1st Corinthians 16:22
... if what is passing away was glorious, what remains is much more glorious. ~ 2nd Corinthians 3:11
... if One died for all, then all died; ... ~ 2nd Corinthians 5:14
... if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; ... ~ 2nd Corinthians 5:17
... if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have. ~ 2nd Corinthians 8:12
... if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit ... ~ 2nd Corinthians 11:3-4
... if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. ... ~ Galatians 1:8-9
... if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. ... ~ Galatians 2:18-21
... if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, ~ Galatians 3:29
... if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. ~ Galatians 4:7
... if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! ~ Galatians 5:15
... if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. ~ Galatians 5:18
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. ~ Galatians 5:25
if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, ... ~ Galatians 6:1
... if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. ~ Galatians 6:3
... in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. ~ Galatians 6:9
... if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. ~ Philippians 2:1-2
... if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things. ~ Philippians 4:8
... if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from hope of the gospel which you heard, ... ~ Colossians 1:21-23
If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, ... ~ Colossians 3:1
... If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. ~ 2nd Thessalonians 3:10
... if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, ... ~ 2nd Thessalonians 3:14
... if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God ... ~ 1st Timothy 1:8-11
... If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. ~ 1st Timothy 3:1
... if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); ~ 1st Timothy 3:5
... If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, ... ~ 1st Timothy 4:1-6
... if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith. ... ~ 1st Timothy 5:8
... If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, ... ~ 1st Timothy 5:16
... If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, ... From such withdraw yourself. ~ 1st Timothy 6:3-5
... if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. ~ 2nd Timothy 2:11
If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. ~ 2nd Timothy 2:12
... If we are faithless, He remains faithful; ... ~ 2nd Timothy 2:13
... how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, ... ~ Hebrews 2:2-4
... if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, ... ~ Hebrews 3:7-8
... we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, ... ~ Hebrews 3:14
... if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. ~ Hebrews 6:4-6
... if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, ... ~ Hebrews 8:4
... if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. ~ Hebrews 8:7
... if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,~ Hebrews 10:26-27
"... if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him." ~ Hebrews 10:38
... If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? ... ~ Hebrews 12:7-8
... if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, ... ~ Hebrews 12:25
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. ~ James 1:5
... if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; ... ~ James 1:22-24
If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless. ~ James 1:26
... if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. ~ James 2:8-9
... faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. ~ James 2:17
... If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, ... ~ James 3:2
... if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. ~ James 3:14
... "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that." ~ James 4:15
... if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from error ... ~ James 5:19-20
... if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, ... ~ 1st Peter 1:17
... if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. ~ 1st Peter 2:1-3
... when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. ~ 1st Peter 2:19-20
... if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. ... ~ 1st Peter 3:13-14
If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, ... ~ 1st Peter 4:11
If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, ... ~ 1st Peter 4:14
... if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. ... ~ 1st Peter 4:16
... "If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?" ~ 1st Peter 4:17-18
... if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ~ 2nd Peter 1:5-8
... if you do these things you will never stumble; ... ~ 2nd Peter 1:10
... if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, ... ~ 2nd Peter 2:20
If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. ~ 1st John 1:6
... if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, ~ 1st John 1:7
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ~ 1st John 1:8
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ~ 1st John 1:9
If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. ~ 1st John 1:10
... if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. ~ 1st John 2:1
... If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ~ 1st John 2:15
... if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; ... ~ 1st John 2:19
... If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him. ~ 1st John 2:29
Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. ~ 1st John 3:13
... if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. ~ 1st John 3:20
... if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. ~ 1st John 3:21
... if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. ~ 1st John 4:11
... If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. ~ 1st John 4:12
If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; ... ~ 1st John 4:20
... if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. ~ 1st John 5:14-15
"... If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." ~ Revelation 3:20
... If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; ~ 2nd John 1:9-10
... If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; ... ~ Revelation 22:18
... if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, ... ~ Revelation 22:19
If anyone thinks himself something, when he is nothing
He deceives himself
If we would judge ourselves
We would not be judged
If anyone defiles the temple of God
God will destroy him
If we say that we have no sin
We deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us
If we confess our sins
He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins
If we say that we have not sinned
We make Him a liar, and His word is not in us
If I do what I will not to do
It is not I but sin that dwells in me
If I build again those things which I destroyed
I make myself a transgressor
If you show partiality
You commit sin
If we sin willfully after receiving the knowledge of truth
There no longer remains a sacrifice for sins
If the righteous one is scarcely saved
Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?
If anyone sins
We have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ
Relationships
IF CONDITION
SITUATION RESULT
If your enemy is hungry
Give him bread to eat
If your enemy is thirsty
Give him water to drink
If you love your enemies hoping for nothing in return
Your reward will be great
If your soul satisfies the hungry afflicted soul
Then your light shall dawn in the darkness
If a man is overtaken in any trespass
You who are spiritual restore such a one
If anyone among you wanders from the truth
He who turns a sinner from error saves a soul
If you warn the wicked, and he does not turn
He shall die in his iniquity; but you deliver your soul
If you warn the righteous and he takes warning
He shall live; also you will have delivered your soul
If they cannot exercise self-control
Let them marry
If a woman divorces her husband and marries another
She commits adultery
If her husband dies
She is free from that law
If her husband dies
She is at liberty to be married
If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother
He is a liar
If your brother sins against you
Rebuke him
If your brother repents
Forgive him
If at the alter you remember your brother has something against you
First be reconciled to your brother, then come and offer your gift
If your brother sins against you
Tell him between you and him alone
If your brother will not hear
Take one or more witnesses to establish every word
If your brother will not hear brethren
Tell it to the church
If he refuses even to hear the church
Let him be to you like a heathen
If anyone does not provide for his own
He has denied the faith
If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic
Let him have your cloak also
If it is possible, as much as depends on you
Live peaceably with all men
If God so loved us
We also ought to love one another
Principles
IF CONDITION
SITUATION RESULT
If blind leads the blind
Both will fall into a ditch
If your eye is good
Your whole body will be full of light
If your eye is bad
Your body will be full of darkness
If your right eye causes you to sin
Pluck it out and cast it from you
If your right hand causes you to sin
Cut it off and cast it from you
If your foot causes you to sin
Cut it off
If anyone has ears to hear
Let him hear
If a man has long hair
It is a dishonor to him
If a woman has long hair
It is a glory to her; as a covering
If sinners entice you
Do not consent
If the thought of your heart is wicked
Pray God it may be forgiven you
If you forgive the sins of any
They are forgiven them
If you retain the sins of any
They are retained
If one uses it lawfully
The law is good
If a kingdom is divided against itself
That kingdom cannot stand
If a house is divided against itself
That house cannot stand
If Satan rises against himself, and is divided
He cannot stand, but has an end
If you knew I desire mercy and not sacrifice
You would not have condemned the guiltless
If anyone desires to be first
He shall be last of all and servant of all
If you are a watchful servant
You will be blessed
If you keep yourselves from these
You will do well
If this plan or this work is of men
It will come to nothing
If anyone will not work
Neither shall he eat
If the salt loses its flavor
How will you season it?
If he gains the whole world
What profit is there if he loses his own soul
If after escaping worldly pollutions and being overcome again
The latter end is worse for them than the beginning
If you do evil
Be afraid
Rewards of Heart
IF CONDITION
SITUATION RESULT
If there is anything praiseworthy
Meditate on these things
If you know these things
Blessed are you if you do them
If You do these things
Show Yourself to the world
If these things are yours and abound
You will be fruitful in the knowledge of Christ
If anyone's work which he has built on it endures
He will receive a reward
If anyone's work is burned
He will suffer loss
If our heart condemns us
God is greater than our heart
If our heart does not condemn us
We have confidence toward God
If you should suffer for righteousness' sake
You are blessed
If you do good and suffer taking it patiently
This is commendable before God
If you endure chastening
God deals with you as with sons
If you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts
Do not boast and lie against the truth
If we do not lose heart
In due season we shall reap
Faith
IF CONDITION
SITUATION RESULT
If you can believe
All things are possible
If you have faith as a mustard seed
Nothing will be impossible for you
If you have faith and do not doubt
It will be done
If two of you agree on earth in what they ask
It will be done for them
If indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast
He presents you holy, and blameless, and above reproach
If anyone draws back
My soul has no pleasure in him
If you've not been faithful in unrighteous mammon
Who will commit to your trust the true riches
If you've not been faithful in what is another man's
Who will give you what is your own?
If a land sins against Me by persistent unfaithfulness
I will stretch out My hand against it
If anyone thinks he is religious not bridling his tongue deceives his own heart
This one's religion is useless
If it does not have works
Faith is dead
God
IF CONDITION
SITUATION RESULT
If anyone loves God
This one is known by Him
If you love Me
Keep My commandments
If you want to enter into life
Keep the commandments
If you obey My voice
You shall be a special treasure
If you seek Him
He will be found by you
If you forsake Him
He will cast you off forever
If you forget God
You shall perish
If we are faithless
He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself
If we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven
We shall not escape
If you rebel against the commandment of the LORD
The hand of the LORD will be against you
If anyone loves the world
The love of the Father is not in him
If your heart will not give glory to My name
I will send a curse upon you
If you have anything against anyone, forgive him
That your Father in heaven may also forgive you
If you forgive men their trespasses
Your heavenly Father will also forgive you
If you do not forgive men their trespasses
Your heavenly Father will not forgive you
If you call on the Father
Conduct yourselves throughout the time here in fear
If it is of God
You cannot overthrow it
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God
It will be given to him
If children of God
Heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ
If a son
Then an heir of God through Christ
If God is for us
Who can be against us?
If God so clothes the grass of the field
Will He not much more clothe you?
If the Lord wills
We shall live and do this or that
If that first covenant had been faultless
No place would have been sought for a second
If what is passing away was glorious
What remains is much more glorious
Jesus Christ
IF CONDITION
SITUATION RESULT
If He were on earth
He would not be a priest
If David then calls Him 'Lord'
How is He his Son?
If My kingdom were of this world
My servants would fight
If I am lifted up from the earth
Will draw all peoples to Myself
If I go and prepare a place for you
I will come again and receive you to Myself
If I do not go away
The Helper will not come to you
If this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it
Your will be done
If anyone thirsts
Let him come to Me and drink
If you knew the gift of God
He would have given you living water
If anyone eats of this living bread
He will live forever
If anyone enters by Me
He will be saved
If you confess Jesus and believe God raised Him
You will be saved
If Christ is not risen
Your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!
If you do not believe that I am He
You will die in your sins
If anyone desires to come after Me
Let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me
If anyone hears My voice and opens the door
I will come in to him
If anyone comes to me loving self or someone else more
He cannot be my disciple
If anyone is in Christ
He is a new creation
If the Son makes you free
You shall be free indeed
If this Man were not from God
He could do nothing
If indeed we suffer with Him
We may also be glorified together
If we endure
We shall also reign with Him
If we deny Him
He also will deny us
If I tell the truth
Why do you not believe Me?
If I do not wash you
You have no part with Me
If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ
Let him be accursed
If God were your Father
You would love Me
Jesus Christ's Followers
IF CONDITION
SITUATION RESULT
If you are Christ's
Then you are Abraham's seed
If you were Abraham's children
You would do the works of Abraham
If there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, If any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy
Fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love being of one accord, of one mind
If you believe with all your heart
You may
If we have been united in the likeness of His death
We also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection
If One died for all
Then all died
If we died with Christ
We believe that we shall also live with Him
If we died with Him
We shall also live with Him
If then you were raised with Christ
Seek those things which are above
If you know that He is righteous
You know everyone righteous is born of Him
If you do not continue in His goodness
You also will be cut off
If anyone does not abide in Me
Is cast out as a withered branch and burned
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you
Ask what you desire, and it shall be done
If we ask anything according to His will
He hears us
If you ask anything in My name
I will do it
If you keep My commandments
You will abide in My love
If you do whatever I command you
You are My friends
If anyone serves Me
Let him follow Me and My Father will honor him
If we hold our confidence steadfast to the end
We have become partakers of Christ
If you are reproached for the name of Christ
Blessed are you
If they persecuted Me
They will also persecute you
If anyone says here is the Christ
Do not believe it
Spirit
IF CONDITION
SITUATION RESULT
If you live according to the flesh
You will die
If you live by the Spirit
You shed the deeds of the body and will live
If we live in the Spirit
Let us also walk in the Spirit
If you are led by the Spirit
You are not under the law
If the Spirit dwells in you
He will give you life through His Spirit
If Christ is in you
The body is dead because of sin; the Spirit is life because of righteousness
If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ
He is not His
If you then, being evil, give good gifts to your children
Your Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask
If you will hear His voice
Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion
Word
IF CONDITION
SITUATION RESULT
If you receive my words, And treasure my commands
Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God
If you abide in My word
You are My disciples indeed
If anyone keeps My word
He shall never see death
If anyone hears My words and does not believe
I do not judge him
If anyone loves Me
He will keep My word
If anyone thinks himself a prophet or spiritual
Acknowledge these writings as God's commandments
If anyone preaches another Jesus or a different spirit or gospel
You may well put up with it!
If anyone teaches otherwise the words of our Lord Jesus Christ
From such withdraw yourself
If anyone comes to you not bringing this doctrine
Do not receive him
If we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel
Let him be accursed
If we neglect so great a salvation
How shall we escape
If anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer
He forgets what kind of man he was
If anyone does not obey our word
Don't keep company with him, that he may be ashamed
If the enlightened fall away
It is impossible to renew them again to repentance
If anyone does not stumble in word
He is a perfect man
If anyone speaks
Let him speak as the oracles of God
If anyone ministers
Let him do it as with the ability which God supplies
If they kept My word
They will keep yours also
If anyone wants to do His will
He shall know concerning the doctrine
If anyone adds to these things
God will add to him the plagues written in this book
If anyone takes away from the words of the book
God shall take away his part from the Book of Life
If I do not preach the gospel
Woe is me
If I do this willingly
I have a reward
If against my will
I have been entrusted with a stewardship
If indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious
Desire the pure milk of the word
Congregations
IF CONDITION
SITUATION RESULT
If you walk in My ways and keep My command
Then you shall also judge My house
If a man desires the position of a bishop
He desires a good work
If a man does not know how to rule his own house
How will he take care of the church of God?
If there is first a willing mind
It's accepted for what one has, not for what one doesn't
If one member suffers
All the members suffer with it
If one member is honored
All the members rejoice with it
If any believing man or woman has widows
Let them relieve them and not burden the church
If you bite and devour one another
Beware lest you be consumed by one another!
If we claim fellowship in Him walking in darkness
We lie and do not practice the truth
If we walk in the light as He is in the light
We have fellowship with one another
If you have love for one another
All will know that you are My disciples
If we love one another
God abides in us
If anyone suffers as a Christian
Let him not be ashamed
If anyone seems to be contentious
We have no such custom, nor do the churches of God
If anyone is hungry
Let him eat at home
If they had been of us
They would have continued with us
If you instruct the brethren in these things
You will be a good minister of Jesus Christ
If we have sown spiritual things for you
Is it a great thing if we reap your material things?
If the household is worthy
Let your peace come upon it
If the household is not worthy
Let your peace return to you
If the unbeliever departs
Let him depart
If the world hates you
Do not marvel
Is it our deep desire to approach Him or do we hide
from knowing what can sometimes be hard to know.
Confronting truth can be filled with painful fears.
Anger and blaming life is the curse of our souls.
To know Him is to love Him.
If only we could all live under the One God of our salvation!
┌─> Lack of interest.
Many hold the position of indifference.
Some can’t believe one can believe in God.
Some can’t believe one does not believe in God.
It is more common for people not to believe, to be unsure.
... "Is the LORD among us or not?" ~ Exodus 17:3-7
... And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them. ~ Luke 24:11
Either despair or anger often dictates alienation
in an isolation of non-engagement.
● Unbelief occurs alone.
TRUST NO ONE
"But God draws the mighty away with His power; He rises up, but no man is sure of life." ~ Job 24:22 \ | /
No man can be sure, it is a matter of choice all have been left to.
Either one has an open heart or a closed one for the Lord's wealth.
The rich and the poor have this in common, The LORD is the maker of them all. ~ Proverbs 22:2
Atheists
believe
no God
Faithful
in God
Societal issues have left many disgusted
- lost feeling goodness has been abandoned.
A yearning for truth grips a spirit of suffocation.
Times of great tribulation repeat themselves when people loose faith.
/ | \ ... For they are a perverse generation, Children in whom is no faith. ~ Deuteronomy 32:20
When has there been a time without a perverse generation?
"... we will walk according to our own plans, and we will every one obey the dictates of his evil heart." ~ Jeremiah 18:12
Things can appear hopeless, and perhaps they are.
... to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; ... ~ Titus 1:15
Unbelief can be masked by passionate belief in a lie over truth.
● Do we cater to our culture or regard the word?
Believing unbelieving doctrines pollutes the truth of God.
... should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. ~ 2nd Thessalonians 2:11-12
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, ... ~ Isaiah 5:20-23
... who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel ... ~ 2nd Corinthians 4:3-4
Truth is often obscured when the majority chooses paths of self interest.
On the one side of the coin, there are those passionate against God. ⭨ Why do the wicked renounce God? He has said in his heart, "You will not require an account." ~ Psalm 10:13
The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." ... ~ Psalms 53:1
... Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? And what profit do we have if we pray to Him?' ~ Job 21:14-15
They said to God, 'Depart from us! What can the Almighty do to them?' ~ Job 22:17
For he has said, 'It profits a man nothing That he should delight in God.' ~ Job 34:9
There are those that will never turn from bitter hearts plowing evil ways.
Small minds miss the scope of a grander universal purpose of living.
~ And to the dust they return.
Unbelief can result in a split personality not knowing what to believe.
Many just struggle tortured in hopingto believe.
Searching ↓ ... "What is truth?" ... ~ John 18:38 †
It is hard for some to believe in that which is unseen and eternal.
Grappling with such vast unknowns challenges all those caring to know.
... For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. ~ 1st Corinthians 13:11-13
It is disbelief that we strive to overcome.
When one comes to one's own self, a decision is made.
BELIEF OR UNBELIEF
Fear builds both the saints in the light and demons in the dark.
The difference is the end each meets.
... "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?" ~ Mark 4:40
"... Do not be unbelieving, but believing." ~ John 20:27
The test in faith is being true to yourself.
For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? Certainly not! ... ~ Romans 3:3-4
... how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? ... ~ Romans 10:13-17
It is a choice to hear His entire word or not.
"... But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?" ~ John 5:46-47
And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. ~ Acts 28:24
But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren. ~ Acts 14:2
"... testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness." ~ John 3:11
There is always someone trying to convince you of one thing or another.
... do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. ~ 1st John 4:1
It is Jesus that stands before us all as He is.
"But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe." ~ John 6:36
Then they said to Him, "Where is Your Father?" Jesus answered, "You know neither Me nor My Father. ..." ~ John 8:19
... "If I tell you, you will by no means believe." ~ Luke 22:67
Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief. ~ Matthew 13:58
Lack of faith shows one less, not more.
... He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe ... ~ Mark 16:14
So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; ..." ~ Matthew 17:20
So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. ~ Hebrews 3:19
Without a strong believing faith, life is made more difficult.
He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. ~ Romans 4:20-21
There is no unbelief in sincere faith.
... Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. ... ~ Romans 11:20-23
We see that one can come back to the Lord if choosing to believe in His given truth.
T R U T H
Faith
●
●
Belief
Unbelief
It is also abundantly clear that if one does not remain in His truth, he will be cut off.
"Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit." ~ John 15:2
... having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. ~ Jude 1:5
... I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. ~ 1st Timothy 1:13
God is merciful on former unbelievers.
Mend your ways and turn from your mistakes.
"Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? ..." ~ John 14:10
"... if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." ~ John 8:24
Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; ~ Hebrews 3:12
And the apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith." ~ Luke 17:5
I desire therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; ... ~ 1st Timothy 2:8
Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. ... what communion has light with darkness? ~ 2nd Corinthians 6:14
BELIEF
E T E R N A L
UNBELIEF
F I N I T E
.
L A C K I N G
DARKNESS
F A I T H
LIGHT
"I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, ..." ~ John 12:46-48
"... 'to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, ..." ~ Acts 26:18
"But the cowardly, unbelieving, ... shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, ... ~ Revelation 21:8
... Even the demons believe--and tremble! ~ James 2:19
TRUST GOD
"... he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." ~ John 3:36
"He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." ~ Mark 16:16
"But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. ..." ~ John 8:45-46
TRUTH
⭩
⭨
BELIEF
→ ←
UNBELIEF
↓
⭧
↓
BAPTISM
LOST
⭩
⭨
SAVED
GOD'S WRATH
⭩
"... Do not be unbelieving, but believing." ~ John 20:27
Fear came upon me, and trembling, Which made all my bones shake. ~ Job 4:14
Fear has both external and internal characteristics.
Fear of Man
Fear of God
A paradox of extremes gauge the extent and intensity of thoughts.
Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad. ~ Proverbs 12:25
Fear encompasses a spectrum of conditions
defined by those experiencing or by those observing.
~ Books are written …
The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe. ~ Proverbs 29:25
Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil. ~ Proverbs 3:7
Let all the earth fear the Lord; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. ~ Psalm 33:8
And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation. ~ Luke 1:50
The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; ... ~ Proverbs 8:13
Fear of the Lord = To Hate Evil
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, ... ~ Proverbs 1:7
Fear of the Lord = Beginning of Knowledge
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, ... ~ Proverbs 9:10
Fear of the Lord = Beginning of Wisdom
The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom ... ~ Proverbs 15:33
Fear of the Lord = The Instruction of Wisdom
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life ... ~ Proverbs 14:27
Fear of the Lord = A Fountain of Life
... The fear of the LORD is His treasure ~ Isaiah 33:6
Fear of the Lord = His Treasure
The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy. ~ Psalm 147:11
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; ... ~ Psalm 19:9
Fear is healthy if God regarded diminishing man’s manipulations.
... be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day; For surely there is a hereafter, ... ~ Proverbs 23:17-18
He will bless those who fear the Lord, Both small and great. ~ Psalm 115:13
Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways. ~ Psalm 128:1
The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? ... ~ Psalm 27:1
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? ~ Psalm 118:6
It is by the fear of God that we are set free from the fear of man.
Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. ~ Psalm 34:9
Fear of the Lord = No Want
Acknowledging God is releasing desire to His will be done.
Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; ~ Proverbs 3:25
Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors. ~ Psalm 73:19
Put them in fear, O LORD, That the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah ~ Psalm 9:20
When men exalt themselves above fearing God, calamities increase.
Serve the Lord with fear, And rejoice with trembling. ~ Psalm 2:11
"But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, And will be secure, without fear of evil." ~ Proverbs 1:33
I sought the LORD, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. ~ Psalm 34:4
Embracing the fear, awe of God overpowers the fear of man.
~ An avalanche of faith …
... God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ... ~ Isaiah 12:2
"For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.' " ~ Isaiah 41:13
... Who are you that you should be afraid Of a man who will die, ... ~ Isaiah 51:12-13
So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" ~ Hebrews 13:6
It can be a challenge to be fearless in the face of human atrocities.
"Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?" ~ Mark 4:40
"... Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." ~ John 14:27
"... do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled." ... ~ 1st Peter 3:13-17
Eternal life is stamped on each believing heart.
"... Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." ~ Luke 12:4-7
For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, ... ~ Romans 8:15
... release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. ~ Hebrews 2:14-15
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. ~ 2nd Timothy 1:7
Key to overcoming fearfulness is our love of God and peace with all men.
Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: ~ Hebrews 12:14
... perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. ~ 1st John 4:18
Tortured hearts is a common condition of man.
There is no release without submission to God.
[Fear = Torment] ≠ Love
... work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; ~ Philippians 2:12
... conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; ~ 1st Peter 1:17
Disregarding God will reap unfavorable consequences.
"... fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." ~ Matthew 10:28
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. ~ Hebrews 10:31
Judge not = You Shall Not Be Judged Condemn not = You Shall Not Be Condemned Forgive = You Will be Forgiven
"Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." ~ Luke 6:37
Judge, condemn, forgive, which is the best position to assume?
"... if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses." ~ Mark 11:25-26
Forgiveness does not come by the hand of prejudice or bias.
● There is no light where the haughty hover over the humble.
Undue accusations and criticisms plague encouragement all seek.
The arrogant would rather blame than take responsibility.
"... pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, ..." ~ Matthew 5:44-45
Forgiveness heals the wounds of heart hoping to seize peace of mind.
Without a forgiving heart only turmoil and suffering prevails.
One forgives to find a revival of self.
Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. ~ Luke 17:3
Confronting pain is the first step in acknowledging sin with all involved.
Judgmental prisons can be created by those in denial oppressing truth.
Halfhearted sympathy arrogantly weights a shallow pail upon a spirits gut.
Pious accusing hearts over penitent God fearing ones invokes alienation.
└─> Holier-than-thou.↓
"... 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' " ~ Luke 18:13
A humble honest heart is a Christian prerequisite.
Do not say, "I will recompense evil"; Wait for the LORD, and He will save you. ~ Proverbs 20:22
"... to seventy times seven." ~ Matthew 18:21-22
Patience until the end of time reveals understanding.
We must endure what He sends us.
A forgiving heart is a free heart.
... bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, ... even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. ~ Colossians 3:13
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you. ~ Ephesians 4:32
Truly, it is through the Lord that we find the ultimate forgiveness.
But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared. I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope. ~ Psalms 130:4-5
THE WORD ⭨
FORGIVENESS / | \
AWE THANKFULNESS
\ | / FEARS/HOPES
"... through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins;" ~ Acts 13:38 ⭨ ... the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. ... ~ Colossians 1:13-15
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ~ 1st John 1:9
" '... that they may receive forgivness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.' " ~ Acts 26:18
It is all about being saved through Jesus Christ
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! ~ 2nd Corinthians 9:15
Offer to God thanksgiving, ... ~ Psalm 50:14
... It is good to give thanks to the LORD ... ~ Psalm 92:1
Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; ... ~ Psalm 95:2
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. ~ Psalm 100:4
To show thankfulness and the highest of honor for all that is His glory. \ | / Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ~ Philippians 4:6
... giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, ... ~ Ephesians 5:20 \ | / Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; ... ~ Colossians 4:2 \ | / Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ~ 1st Thessalonians 5:16-18
We are asked not to abandon our efforts to talk intimately with God.
That we speak out-loud unashamed of His glorious name.
... the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. ~ Hebrews 13:15
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. ~ 1st Corinthians 15:57
... that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. ~ 2nd Corinthians 4:15
... built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving ... ~ Colossians 2:6-8
Through the grace of what the Bible teaches we are made more thankful.
... count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ... ~ James 1:2-4
VARIOUS TRIALS ⭨
1st Peter 1:6-9
TESTING OF FAITH ⭨
James 1:2-4
PATIENCE ⭨
PERFECT WORK ⭨
COMPLETE
It is by the challenges that we face in which He refines us.
Life can either be mortally invading or comforted by God’s embrace.
It is a question of singing His song or moaning over sorrows.
And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. ~ Romans 5:3-4
TRIBULATIONS ⭨
PERSEVERANCE ⭨
Romans 5:3-4
CHARACTER ⭨
HOPE
... But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. ~ Romans 8:18-25
... after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. ~ 1st Peter 5:10
Trust in God is part of the thankfulness that overcomes earthly fears.
"... Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen." ~ Revelation 7:12
OVERCOMING FEAR BY ACCEPTING
HIS FORGIVENESS SPEAKS OF THANKFULNESS
What practices are acceptable to God?
To begin, if we are to worship in spirit and truth we must acknowledge
the truth of what God Himself has delivered for us all to know.
"God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." ~ John 4:24
HEART
MIND
\ | /
– GOD – / | \
SOUL
SPIRIT
"Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; ..." ~ Isaiah 46:9-10
God asks that we pay attention to His council.
We should cleave to the larger picture enlightened
by the common sense of all the occurrences given.
Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. ~ 2nd Corinthians 3:17
He has created a universe of freedom and allows us to freely choose.
... do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. ~ Galatians 5:13
God asks us most personally to serve rather than to be served. Heserves us.
'... with all My heart and with all My soul.' ~ Jeremiah 32:41
God has he♥rt and soul.
... The LORD tests the righteous, But the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates. ~ Psalms 11:4-5
... My soul shall not abhor you. I will walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people. ~ Leviticus 26:11-12
The closest thing we have to the mind of God is the mind of Christ.
For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ. ~ 1st Corinthians 2:16
"... My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased! I will put My Spirit upon Him, ... " ~ Matthew 12:18
We are blessed to have the Spirit of God with us. ~
Let us not depersonalize God by placing self over Him.
HEART
MIND
\ | /
– SELF – / | \
SOUL
SPIRIT
Do we choose to serve self or God?
We need God to find and to show us the way.
There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. ~ Proverbs 16:25
For one to believe in this discourse, there must be agreement
that all of the Bible is in fact the inspired word of God Almighty.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction, ... ~ 2nd Timothy 3:16-17
Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. ~ 1st Timothy 4:16
So then, the words of truth have been given to us to know truth.
Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. ... ~ 2nd John 1:9
... if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. ~ Galatians 1:6-9
Following later. <─┐
He commands us to receive His word, not that of subsequent creations.
~ To hear what He tells us in order that we offer what is acceptable. ⭨ ⭩ ... "Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion." ~ Hebrews 3:15
The word is declared complete and sufficient for our salvation. ↓ For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. ~ Acts 20:27
... acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. ~ 1st Corinthians 14:37 ⭩ ⭨
God commissioned Paul to deliver the Almighty’s own ways for us.
Some choose to disregard Paul’s writings as not God’s instructions for us. ↑ ... you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you ... ~ 1st Thessalonians 2:13
Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead), ... ~ Galatians 1:1
This would be the choice all face, to believe or not to believe.
● Faith is based on actions of commitment.
If one’s intent is to please the Lord, for conscience sake,
His word must be obeyed and pursued to the best of ones ability.
Discarding parts of the Bible voids the goals completion.
"If you love Me, keep My commandments." ~ John 14:15
... not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, ... ~ Ephesians 6:6-7
And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, ... ~ Colossians 3:23
Extremes and contentions exist amid churches over details of conduct.
~ It is for this reason that this treatise has been constructed.
┌─> We are commanded to assemble together. ... not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together ... ~ Hebrews 10:24-25
Expediency is a term used to make understood those things done to
enact a convenience assisting the ability to worship easily while not
adding to or taking away from those things written in the Bible.
... in the upper room where they were gathered together. ~ Acts 20:7-8
All should agree, buildings were used for the faithful to gather.
Buildings used to further the pursuit of worship should be agreeable.
... Solomon built Him a house. However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, ... ~ Acts 7:44-50
For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God. ~ Hebrews 3:4
In times past steeples were built housing bells to announce a gathering.
Their visual purpose was more expedient in those pre-digital days.
Today they have become more a traditional edifice from days of old.
A building however is not necessary for worshipping God.
"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." ~ Matthew 18:20
~ He simply asks that we gather in Him.
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ..." ~ Matthew 11:28-29
It is His call to hearts that takes precedence over all else.
But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, ... ~ Jeremiah 9:24
One’s glory should be in the Lord and not any specific building.
... "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD." ~ 1st Corinthians 1:31
If one comes to glory in a man made building,
this would be an improper attitude for worship.
"... let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah" ... ~ Mark 9:4-9
Christ did not ask for an elaborate temple to be built in His honor.
Great edifices are made for the amazement of man and not for God.
"God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands." ~ Acts 17:24
↑
OF NEED Place of Worship
OF DESIRE Ornate Buildings
↓
It is in the amenities a church holds that there is current controversy.
Toilets are not spoken of in the Bible but we know it as a human function.
... where there was a cave; and Saul went in to attend to his needs. ~ 1st Samuel 24:3
I do not believe that people look forward to coming to church
to use the restroom facilities, and in actuality, to the contrary.
● Need over desire.
"... attending to his needs in the cool chamber." ~ Judges 3:24
A toilet should be considered as expedient helping those in need to
remain at services and not as an interference altering the word of God.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled." ~ Matthew 5:6
The question arises as to eating when one assembles to worship God.
Does the serving of donuts and such violate what God calls out for?
~ It is Jesus Himself who enlightens us.
┌─> He fed a multitude of 5000. ... when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, "This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world." ~ John 6:10-14
└─> Wanted to make Him king.
┌─> A larger crowd sought Him out. ... "Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled." ~ John 6:23-26
└─> Jesus does not want us to seek Him through our bellies.
"Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, ..." ~ John 6:27-29
... "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst." ~ John 6:35
"Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." ~ John 6:54
Gift of His Life \ | /
Jesus died for us to have
spiritual
sustenance.
His life in the Light. <─┘
From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. ~ John 6:66
└─> The crowds dwindled without food to satisfy their flesh.
When Jesus offered Himself and did not feed the crowd, they left.
In Jesus’ service, He serves us all.
... those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. ... ~ Romans 8:1-2
The Bible teaches us to pursue the spirit over the flesh.
... For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of Spirit. ~ Romans 8:5-8
For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. ~ Romans 8:13
Indulging the flesh does not regard reverence for the Lord.
↑
SPIRIT Christ
FLESH Self
↓
The worship of God is a purging of fleshly desires drawing upon
a true spiritual relationship leaving those things of the earth behind.
... Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. ~ Colossians 3:1-2
God asks observance of Him over any self desire that we may have.
Churches that cater to the flesh do not hold the true intent of worship.
... puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together ... ~ Colossians 2:18-19
Those that lead by their self interests disavow our Lord’s instructions.
~ Ask, do we choose the mouth of man over the mouth of God?
It is simpler to satisfy the flesh than to challenge the mind’s spirit.
... do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive ... ~ Romans 16:17-18
... whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame -- who set their mind on earthly things. ~ Philippians 3:19
... headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ... ~ 2nd Timothy 3:4
→ God wants our undivided attention.
... that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind ... ~ 1st Corinthians 1:10
... when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. ~ 1st Corinthians 11:17-18
You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. ~ 2nd Corinthians 6:12
An example has been given not to eat upon gathering to worship.
... Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? ... ~ 1st Corinthians 11:20-22
But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. ... ~ 1st Corinthians 11:34
He asks we leave fleshly desires behind when we approach His Holiness.
Adherence to His word is found in all the subtleties written of.
Faithful must ask, do I attend church for the social aspect or for God?
Glory to God is found in all of which He gives us through His word.
Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? ~ James 4:1
Christianity is more often at war with itself because people pursue
their own interests and pleasures over what the Bible instructs.
↑
OF NEED Toilets
OF DESIRE Food
↓
... I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words ... ~ 1st Corinthians 14:19-20
Understanding the given word is more important than lengthy
argumentations justifying various actions blurring obvious truth.
Truth is simple in its' highest evaluation.
For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. ~ 1st Corinthians 14:33
└─> Instructions for all the churches of the saints.
Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; ... ~ 1st Corinthians 14:34
God declares that woman remain quiet during formal worship.
Those that would practice otherwise violate the plain word of God.
Cultural traditions skewing from God’s word have no excuse.
... "Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? ...' their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' " ~ Matthew 15:3-9
Assemblies choose to do things that the Bible instructs us not to do.
Gatherings practice other various things not written about in His word.
... who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, ... ~ Romans 1:25
Are we a called for worshipping body or a Rotary Club extravaganza?
Fear of God demands that we not take our worship of Him casually.
As God calls His children to His Light, social extras distort His plan.
└─> In worship of Him.
... outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness." ~ Matthew 23:23-28
↑
OF NEED Inward
OF DESIRE Outward
↓
For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, ... a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God. ~ Romans 2:28-29
... For we walk by faith, not by sight ... ~ 2nd Corinthians 1:1-10
How much do you give yourself to: self or God?
If we sacrifice the inward man for outward pleasures, the soul dies.
ALL STRUGGLE AS WE SEARCH FOR LIFE.
Some principles instructed in the Bible are clear and
not open for interpretation as many would claim. ●
Baptism is clearly a requirement and as few as three scriptures
are more than sufficient in supporting this belief.
"He who believes and is baptized will be saved; ... ~ Mark 16:16 ↑
Jesus spoke it.
... "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; ..." ~ Acts 2:38 ↑
Peter proclaimed it.
... baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), ... ~ 1st Peter 3:21 ↑
Paul declared it ... ⭩ explained it.
... Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, ... ~ Colossians 2:11-12
└─> The workings by God's own design.
... down into the water and baptized him. ~ Acts 8:38 ⭨ ⭩
In previous times rivers were used, but it is a common practice
today for a baptistery to be installed in many church buildings.
This is done for expediency and assists in the fulfillment of His will.
Clearly, sprinkling babies for remission of sins is not taught in His word.
Do we heartfully pursue God's will or do we reduce to our own whims?
... "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition." ~ Mark 7:9
↑
OF NEED Baptistery
OF DESIRE Human Tradition
↓
┌─> The faith. "... when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" ~ Luke 18:8
Can we become the children of light God calls us out to be?
No one else can answer for you when God judges us by His word.
THE WORD SPEAKS FOR ITSELF.
~ ARE WE TRANSFORMED BY IT OR
DO WE TRANSFORM IT TO FIT OUR DESIRES?
MAN \ | / WOMAN God’s word trumpets clear for all saints to hear. / | \
"... what God has joined together, let not man separate." ~ Matthew 19:3-9
The Supreme Court of the United States has rendered an ungodly law.
Our government was established to secure the country, not the people.
By approving of the immoral union of homosexuals,
affording them legal rights to obtain tax payers monies and benefits
is no less than legalizing sin and blatantly accepting evil practices.
We decree ungodly sexual behavior over merely adjusting tax codes?
┌─> For all.
It is not a matter of social injustice
but that of an open public prison of lawlessness.
Legalized perversity digresses away
from the noble goodness all civilizations aspire to be; - purging evil.
... "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. ..." ~ Matthew 12:22-30
There is no union in the criminality of mans godless injustice.
Plainly division exists between the immoral and moral of this world.
~ Man's convolutions over God's expediency.
... the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, ... ~ 1st Corinthians 6:9-11
The Bible is unambiguously clear.
… And for those dismissing Paul’s writings as opinion will
have to contend with what has been written as the Word of God is. ↓ ... acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. ~ 1st Corinthians 14:37
... men, leaving the natural use of the women, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, ... ~ Romans 1:26-27
HOMOSEXUALITY = SHAMEFUL
You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination. ... ~ Leviticus 18:22
The Bible proclaims that homosexuality is shameful.
By removing shame from sin we applaud tolerance with anything goes.
We mock God claiming to live by our own will over that by the will of God.
... everyone did what was right in his own eyes. ~ Judges 17:6
Without Godly rule of law societies reduce to desolation.
... But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. ~ Revelation 22:14-15
The city of God will not accept male prostitutes or anything that defiles.
"You shall not bring the wages of a harlot or the price of a dog to the house of the LORD your God ..." ~ Deuteronomy 23:18
A dog refers to one who is a sexual pervert or sexually promiscuous.
Wickedness and contempt for all holiness is part of this “dog” position.
God seeks godly offspring through His Holy institutions over hypocrites.
... you say, "Everyone who does evil Is good in the sight of the LORD, And He delights in them," Or, "Where is the God of justice?" ~ Malachi 2:10-17
Man does not define God.
God does not delight in the lawlessness of man or his faithless impatience.
... "It is not lawful for you to have her." ... ~ Matthew 14:3-5
Just because desire entices someone to do a thing does not make it lawful, even if the leader approves of it.
... as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, ... ~ Romans 1:28-2:2
God's position is that of helper of all, not controller.
Our choice is our life and how we choose to conduct our spirit.
Homosexual behavior is a choice of self over that of God’s will.
... whose glory is in their shame--who set their mind on earthly things. ... ~ Philippians 3:17-4:1
* No excuse will pardon a soul from the law of God.
Fools celebrate in the diversity of their ignorant folly.
There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. ~ Proverbs 14:12
... do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? ... ~ Romans 2:3-11
Repentance is a change in the self’s way to the way of God.
You have plowed wickedness; You have reaped iniquity. You have eaten the fruit of lies, Because you trusted in your own way, ... ~ Hosea 10:13
We should not allow our trust in man (self) to supersede our trust in God.
Thus says the LORD: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the LORD. ~ Jeremiah 17:5
All have descended to what is shameful in discovery of the self.
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, ... ~ Titus 2:11-14
God accepts all those who turn back to Him and His way.
Pray for an escape to Him and forgiveness of the thoughts of your heart.
For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, ... ~ Titus 3:3
God demands righteousness over well defined unrighteousness.
Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. ~ 2nd Timothy 2:22
... abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, ... ~ 1st Peter 2:11
... you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. ~ 2nd Peter 1:4
LUST LEADS TO CORRUPTION
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you, ... ~ James 4:7-10
He listens for a heart’s empty humble plea greater than self imposed edicts.
"If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it." ~ Genesis 4:7
God asks us to have control over our physical desires
with the purpose of desiring a higher spiritual way.
For all that is in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life - is not of the Father but of the world. ~ 1st John 2:16
Worldliness can only fill one with emptiness.
LUST OF THE EYES LUST OF THE FLESH PRIDE OF LIFE
=
WORLDLINESS NOT OF GOD
His creation offers eternal life over that of dark fleeting emotions.
... it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil. ~ Proverbs 13:19
Hardened hearts will not embrace divine revelations over themselves.
⭩
... Sodom and Gomorrah ... given themselves over to sexual immorality ... set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. ~ Jude 1:7
God decrees the eternal destruction of the sexually immoral.
GOD’S WILL = ABSTAIN FROM SEXUAL IMMORALITY
Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge. ~ Hebrews 13:4
... God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, ... ~ 1st Thessalonians 4:3-8
... do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, ... ~ Galatians 5:13
Liberty for all should not include those that would forfeit what is right.
Liberty is meant for the just, not for the excessiveness of all liberality.
As living together and divorce is commonplace, murderers are tolerated. ~
One must pursue a true relationship with God in such a godless world. Individually God is a choice with eternal consequences.
... to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life ... ~ Romans 8:5-8
It is a question of rising to Him or descending to whims of the flesh.
If you choose to be earthly indulging in perverse sensual pleasures
you deny the will of God to control your flesh with your spirit.
Is self satisfaction more important than God’s commands to enter His eternity?
I would like to give thanks for the inspiration of my brother in Christ, Paul Finney.
... "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." ~ Mark 16:15
The Bible has one theme, the salvation of the soul.
With the knowledge of the gospel, each of us is commanded
to share this message of God’s salvation brought to man.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, ... ~ Romans 1:16
A Glorious Word housing no shame.
GOSPEL OF CHRIST
→ GOD's POWER → SALVATION
The Gospel - It reveals the power of God. ● It speaks to the individual.
... do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord ... ~ 2nd Thessalonians 1:7-9
The Gospel must be obeyed if one seeks eternal salvation.
I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, ... ~ Galatians 1:6-12
All Christians are warned not to turn to "different gospels".
⭧ "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, ..." ~ Acts 20:28
How can we begin to understand the sure truth of God?
For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, ... ~ Romans 15:4
Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, ... ~ 1st Corinthians 10:11
Any slight variation in the word is a Different Gospel.
... you must continue in the things which you have learned ... ~ 2nd Timothy 3:14-15
God’s fishing rod
OLD LAW
→
TEACHER
→
TO BRING US TO CHRIST
→
JUSTIFIED BY FAITH
Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. ~ Galatians 3:24
Christ has always been God’s redeeming force.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. ~ Hebrews 13:8
... He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, ... ~ Ephesians 1:3-6
Psalms 90:2
B E F O R E
T I M E
BEFORE TIME 2nd Timothy 1:8-11
... TIME ... Psalms 104:19
LIFE ON
EARTH Genesis 8:22
~ AND SPACE ~ Amos 5:8
Prov.8:25-26
B E F O R E
T I M E
HOLY Ep.1:3-6
CHRIST WAS John 1:2-3
PROMISED Titus 1:2-3
Omnipresent(here) + Omnipotent(commands) + Omniscient(knowing) = He Is
The eternal plan is for free willed creatures to unconditionally love God.
~ FREE WILL ~
It is about regarding God as Holy.
... all His work is done in truth. He loves righteousness and justice; ... ~ Psalms 33:4-5
God’s holiness is demonstrated in His justice and love toward His creation.
JUSTICE
LOVE
A Steadfast Universe
'And you shall be holy to Me, for I the LORD am holy, ...' ~ Leviticus 20:26
God demands moral uprightness in His creatures because He is Holy. \ | / → He desires a relationship; a spiritual fellowship with a Holy God.
God abhors all things that are wrong.
You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, And cannot look on wickedness. ... ~ Habakkuk 1:13
It is sin that separates us from God.
But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear. ~ Isaiah 59:2
SPIRITUAL DEATH = SEPARATION FROM GOD
... dead in trespasses and sins, ... ~ Ephesians 2:1
SIN ↔ DEATH
... for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ... ~ Romans 3:23
If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. ~ 1st John 1:10
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~ Romans 6:23
WAGES OF SIN = DEATH
GIFT OF GOD = ETERNAL LIFE IN CHRIST
"... For dust you are, And to dust you shall return." ~ Genesis 3:19
The CONSEQUENCES of Sin
The PRICE for Sin
DEATH
⭧ ⭨
SPIRITUAL
→
MORTAL
LIFE
... without shedding of blood there is no remission. ~ Hebrews 9:22
The judgment of God is that every sinner must die.
~ Life is required for payment for sin.
SINNER = BREAKER OF GOD'S LAW
... no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is knowledge of sin. ~ Romans 3:20
God’ Love provides a way to pay the price.
GRACE
MERCY
BLOOD
... by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, ... ~ Romans 3:23-26
... justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. ... ~ Romans 5:6-11
A fiery indignation awaits all unrighteousness.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth ... ~ Romans 1:18
● All sinners are deserving of shocking death.
... God who shows mercy. ~ Romans 9:15-16
Amazingly, the life, death, and resurrection of JESUS CHRIST
reconciles us with our merciful Holy God.
LIFE IS IN THE BLOOD
This mercy is defined through the Blood.
* A sinner must acquire atonement to regain Holiness.
God made provisions for atonement exposed in the Old Testament.
... that you may be clean from all your sins ... ~ Leviticus 16:30
SANCTIFICATION → RECONCILIATION
'... life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the alter to make atonement for your souls; ...' ~ Leviticus 17:11
... without shedding of blood there is no remission. ~ Hebrews 9:22 ⭧
Openly, blood is required for remission of sins.
At some point, animal sacrifice began as an atonement for sin.
Faith is part of sacrifice, which is a two way street.
FAITH ↔ BELIEF
... without faith it is impossible to please Him, ... ~ Hebrews 11:6
God has made it clear that action is part of faith.
Belief that sacrfice sanctifies has been established.
Sacrifice may have started during Adam and Eve’s fall,
and then passed on to succeeding generations as required.
... And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering. ... ~ Genesis 4:3-5
... deliver us, and provide atonement for our sins ... ~ Psalm 79:9
Shadow of things to come
Animal Sacrifice
GOD
← SINS ←
↕
↓
↑
JUSTICE
INNOCENT SACRIFICE (Lamb)
LIFE → (FOR SIN)
SINNER (Guilty)
(RECONCILED) (JUSTIFIED) SANCTIFIED
MERCY
→
↓
↑
→ REPRESENTATIVE DEATH →
In mercy and truth Atonement is provided for iniquity; And by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil. ~ Proverbs 16:6
... in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. ... ~ Hebrews 10:1-9
Instructions were given to be obeyed.
Payment
BLOOD
REPRESENTS →
LIFE
INNOCENT LIFE
ATONES FOR →
SINNER
INNOCENT LIFE
REPRESENTS →
GUILTY LIFE
It was by faith that animal sacrifice worked.
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. ~ Romans 10:17
By Faith ...
Abel
OFFERED
Noah
PREPARED
Abraham
OBEYED
Abraham
LIVED
Sarah
CONCEIVED
Abraham
OFFERED
Isaac
BLESSED
Israelites
PASSED THROUGH
Walls of Jericho
ENCIRCLED
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. ~ Hebrews 11:1-2
Genuine FAITH requires Belief-based ACTION
TRUE FAITH = REAL ACTION
On the pivot of faith, extremes can blur sensibility.
Saving Faith
WORKS ALONE (Obedience)
BELIEF ALONE (HEART)
────────────┬──────────── ▲
"Balanced Faith" James 2:14-26
... if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? ~ James 2:14
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. ... ~ James 1:22-25
You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. ~ James 2:24
... Even the demons believe -- and tremble! ... ~ James 2:14-26
The Old Testament was our teacher to understand God's Plan.
... the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. ~ Galatians 3:24
SIN
HOLINESS
SACRIFICE
FAITH
GRACE
JUSTICE
ATONEMENT
REDEMPTION
TEACHER (Galatians 3:24)
MERCY
RECONCILIATION
BLOOD
SANCTIFICATION
REPRESENTATIVE DEATH
Christ came to earth to offer the cup of His life.
... "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" ~ John 1:29
The sacrifice of Jesus was no accidental death.
... we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. ~ Hebrews 10:10
"... the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." ~ Matthew 20:28
He was as pure as an innocent lamb.
And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. ~ 1st John 3:5
It is Jesus that removes our sins.
... without shedding of blood there is no remission. ~ Hebrews 9:22 ⭧ "For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." ~ Matthew 26:28
750 years before Christ, Isaiah wrote of Him.
That He would take our punishment as our sin offering.
... And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors. ~ Isaiah 53:4-12
God's Service to man
Christ's Sacrifice
GOD
← SINS ←
↕
↓
↑
Heb.7:26-27 JUSTICE Heb.9:11-14
INNOCENT SACRIFICE (Lamb of God)
LIFE → (FOR SIN)
SINNER (Guilty)
(RECONCILED) (JUSTIFIED) SANCTIFIED
MERCY
→
↓
↑
→ REPRESENTATIVE DEATH →
Proverbs 21:3
James 2:13
God opens our eyes to see His Love
... who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, ... ~ 1st Peter 2:24
... redeemed ... with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. ~ 1st Peter 1:18-19
"... I did not come to destroy but to fulfill." ~ Matthew 5:17
... He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, ... ~ 2nd Corinthians 5:21
... so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. ~ Hebrews 9:28
... that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. ~ Romans 6:6
... in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight -- ~ Colossians 1:22
The Death & Burial & Resurection of Christ (1st Corinthians 15:1-8)
(1st Peter 2:24)
APPEARANCES
†DEATH
R E S U R E C T I O N
↑
LIFE
(Ephesians 2:15-16)
↓
(Revelation 1:18)
(Matthew 12:40)
(Romans 6:10)
(Romans 1:4)
BURIAL
(1st Corinthians 15:4)
A main goal is Love of God over the hatred of man.
... Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, ... ~ 1st Corinthians 15:1-8
... declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. ~ Romans 1:4
For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. ~ Romans 6:10
... He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. ~ Ephesians 2:15-16
Christ’s death reresents the death of a believer.
Our sins will not be forgiven unless we allow Jesus to be our savior
Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~ Romans 6:11
CONDITIONS MUST BE MET: ● Die with Him – To Live with Him ● Crucified with Him ● Dead to Sin – Alive to God in Christ
This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. ~ 2nd Timothy 2:11
I have been crucified with Christ; ... ~ Galatians 2:20
... For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; ... ~ 2nd Corinthians 5:14
HIS DEATH PAYS THE PRICE FOR ALL
WHEN are these conditions met to be in this salvation plan of Christ?
~ Defining faith is a most spiritual introspection.
When do I die to sin?
When do I die with Christ?
When does God view me in Christ?
We can not rely on ourselves for these most crucial answers.
We must look to the Bible for what God declares His truth is.
... Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? ~ Romans 6:1-2
Romans 6:1-2 speaks of being dead to sin as in past tense.
Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? ~ Romans 6:3
Or do you not know ...?
Baptized into Christ Jesus = Baptized into His DEATH
... we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. ~ Romans 6:4
Buried with Him
through Baptism
into DEATH
=
We also should
walk in newness
of LIFE
=
NEW BIRTH NEW CREATION
Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." ~ John 3:5
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. ~ 2nd Corinthians 5:17
God calls for us to come to Him
Entering into Christ’s Eternal Plan (Romans 6:1-23)
(Galatians 2:20)
Ephesians 5:1-2
†DEATH
R E S U R E C T I O N
↑
LIFE
2nd Cor. 5:17
(Romans 5:10)
INTO DEATH ↓
↓
(Titus 3:7)
(Hebrews 10:14)
(Hebrews 10:10)
(Romans 6:4)
(Ephesians 2:1)
(Colossians 2:13)
(Romans 5:11)
(Romans 6:5)
↑ NEW LIFE
Romans 6:8
Colossians 1:23
John 3:5BURIAL
(1st Corinthians 6:11 )
... For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~ Romans 6:1-23
And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, ... ~ Ephesians 2:1
... He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, ... ~ Colossians 2:13
... But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. ~ 1st Cor. 6:11
For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, ... ~ Romans 6:5
Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, ... ~ Romans 6:8
For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. ~ Romans 5:10
... Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. ~ Romans 5:11
... that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. ~ Titus 3:7
For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. ~ Hebrews 10:14
... be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, ... ~ Ephesians 5:1-2
GOSPEL
=
DEATH, BURIAL, & RESURECTION
In example: when was the apostle Paul saved?
"... 'What shall I do, Lord?' And the Lord said to me, 'Arise and go into Damascus, ...' " ~ Acts 22:10
● Believed ("What shall I do, …") ● Confessed ("What shall I do, Lord?")
... being led by the hand of those who were with me, I came into Damascus. ~ Acts 22:11
● Obeyed ("... go into Damascus")
... he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. ~ Acts 9:8-9
● Fasted (neither ate nor drank)
"... Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying." ~ Acts 9:11
● Prayed (for he is praying)
" '... receive your sight.' And at that same hour I looked up at him." ~ Acts 22:12-13
● Repentance and a miraculous healing ("I looked up")
↓ Commanded ↓
'And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.' ~ Acts 22:16
↑
Clearly, sins are retained untilthrough baptism they are released.
Not only does it follow Old Testament patterns, Jesus proclaims it.
... "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." ~ John 20:22-23
When was the apostle Paul saved?
ENCOUNTERED JESUS?
X
BELIEVED?
X
CONFESSED?
X
OBEYED?
X
FASTED, SACRIFICED?
X
PRAYED?
X
REPENTANCE?
X
MIRACULOUS HEALING?
X
BAPTIZED
√
"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; ..." ~ Mark 16:15-16
"... make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you;" ~ Matthew 28:19-20
INACTION ≠ ACTION
God used the Apostles through Jesus Christ to establish His church.
"... the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things ..." ~ John 14:25-26
... when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; ... ~ John 16:12-13
... to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles ... ~ Acts 1:1-2
... be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord ... ~ 2nd Peter 3:2
The Apostles were given God inspired instructions by Jesus Himself
and the Power of the Holy Spirit; that we may know the will of God.
The ageless fulfillment of God’s salvation plan for all of mankind
is found in the crosshairs of His sacrificial death upon the cross.
C R E A T I O N
OLD TESTAMENT PERIOD
┬
↕ †
↕
┴
NEW TESTAMENT PERIOD
J U D G M E N T
PATRIARCHAL →
MOSAIC →
CHRISTIAN →
← ← ←
→ → →
If God so gave His life for ours, we ought to give our life to Him.
... the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. ~ Galatians 3:22-27
If you want to die with Christ that you may have eternal life,
one must follow the Word of God to inherit this blessing. → Justified through faith in His called for way.
... by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. ~ Colossians 2:1-12
BAPTISM
Working of God
There is also an antitype which now saves us - baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, ... ~ 1st Peter 3:21
Plainly, infant baptisms are invalid as conscience is required.
Personal Note:
I was baptized as an infant and have no memory of this event.
I did not know the pastor that certified my official certificate.
I was raised told of my baptism but not of my conscious choice.
Commitment of faith is made by the individual, never by another.
Christ’s church is sanctified by the
washing of water by the word.
... Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, ... ~ Ephesians 5:25-27
1. ● one body
2. ● one Spirit
3. ● one hope
4. ● one Lord
5. ● one faith
6. ● one baptism
7. ● one God and Father of all
Historically, immersion baptism has not been disputed,
until the introduction of the multiple methods of recent times.
This Biblical list declares unequivocally one baptism and
not the many whimsical constructions devised by man.
... one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, ... ~ Ephesians 4:3-6
A most personal question for each is what does one need to do.
~ To be in unity with God’s Spirit.
... and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren what shall we do?" ~ Acts 2:36-37
The answer is clear.
... "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; ... ~ Acts 2:38
... What hinders me from being baptized?" Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." ... ~ Acts 8:35-39
Preaching God’s Word is His underlining choice.
... believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God ... name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. ~ Acts 8:5-13
... by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body ... all been made to drink into one Spirit. ~ 1st Corinthians 12:12-13
Though we are a diverse lot of people,
God calls for us to drink into one way; His way.
Would you not choose to enjoy
the blessing over inviting the damnation?
Ask, when does opinion change to belief? ~
Opinion is less than belief.
Belief is more than opinion.
Submission to God holds truth.
Fundamentals are not so hard to understand,
it is in their application that difficulty arises.
Trust in Him and He will reveal it.
I would like to give thanks to my extraordinary brother in Christ, Ken Craig.
In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, ... ~ Genesis 3:19
As men, God tells us that we will face hard work.
"... ask the beasts, and they will teach you; And the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you; And the fish of the sea will explain to you." ~ Job 12:7-8
The clues to life and wisdom are written in nature.
Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, ... ~ Proverbs 6:6-11
Steady progress seeking out rewards is part of God’s plan.
As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, So is the lazy man to those who send him. ~ Proverbs 10:26
It is a fact that working people do not want lazy people around them. ● Lazy people are not well liked.
He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding. ~ Proverbs 12:11
└─> The Party.
He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough! ~ Proverbs 28:19
Always searching and never finding holds a hollow emptiness.
Not gaining understanding will leave one in all encompassing poverty.
Laziness casts one into a deep sleep, And an idle person will suffer hunger. ~ Proverbs 19:15
Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty; Open your eyes, ... ~ Proverbs 20:13
A choice needs to be made whether:
… one stays lonely lost at the pity party … or
… understanding turns the depth of character.
Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men. ~ Proverbs 22:29
A worker is someone that will be known and respected.
For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. ~ 2nd Thessalonians 3:10
Not only is work commanded, it is necessary for a whole life.
But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. ~ 1st Timothy 5:8
As living creatures, working develops all aspects of our lives.
IN LIFE, WE SEARCH FOR REST.
Payment
Path
Goal
Predicament
Outcome
TIME
EDUCATION
OCCUPATION
⭧ ⭨
BY CHOICE →
BY FORCE →
REST
STRUGGLES
TIME
PERSONAL
CONTENTMENT
⭧ ⭨
OBTAINED →
DENIED →
REST
DISSATISFIED
TIME
FAMILY
COMMITMENT
⭧ ⭨
SECURITY →
LONLINESS →
REST
INSINCERE
TIME
SPIRITUAL
LOVE
⭧ ⭨
CONFIDENT →
FEARFUL →
REST
TORMENT
The Higher Road is the one less traveled.
Commit your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established. ~ Proverbs 16:3
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, ... ~ 2nd Timothy 2:15
One's life sins must be recognized as shameful.
... learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, ... ~ 1st Timothy 5:13
Not having a working purpose can lead to out of place meddling.
... some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. ... ~ 2nd Thessalonians 3:11
For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. ~ James 3:2
Part of being a good worker is having command over what you say.
... that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded ... ~ 1st Thessalonians 4:11
... that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, ... ~ Titus 2:4
The unity of marriage and loving is a never-ending working challenge.
Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. ~ Ephesians 4:28
TAKER vs. GIVER
It is a waking moment when one moves from self-seeking to empathy.
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. ~ Colossians 3:17
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; ... ~ Ecclesiastes 9:10
Purpose delivers direction.
Thankfulness is key; discontent stirs the troubles of the heart.
The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns, But the way of the upright is a highway. ~ Proverbs 15:19
And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, ... ~ Colossians 3:23
Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. ~ Colossians 3:1-2
┌─> Life.
Contemplating the higher values in life makes for a better worker.
... if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? ~ James 2:14
... faith without works is dead also. ~ James 2:26
Helping others helps yourself.
"Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you." ~ Deuteronomy 16:17
Each one has been given unique talents to be developed.
"... 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.' " "Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them." ~ Revelation 14:13
Our labors expose our staircases descending or rising to the call.
GOD CALLS
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, ... ~ Ephesians 2:10
COMMITMENT TO GOD
ALLOWS FOR EASIER WORKING ENCOUNTERS
~ AND PEACEFUL LIVES.
For many entangled in gadgets, contrivances, and techno-wizardry,
A war can rage between self pursuits and God’s call to be.
... those who are in the flesh cannot please God. ~ Romans 8:5-8
TO LIVE
MIND SET
OUTCOME
RESULT
According to the Flesh
On Things of the Flesh
Death (Concrete)
Displeases God
According to the Spirit
The Things of the Spirit
Life and Peace (Abstract)
Pleases God
It is essentially substance which we strive for.
Substance maintains both concrete and abstract values.
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen. ~ Hebrews 11:1
Temporary Events
The Ultimate Truth is Unknowable
───
Ultimate Truth is Obtained Through Speculative Means
Eternal Events
Confined in a Finite Box
CONCRETE
ABSTRACT
An Infinite Open-ended Box
Faithless
Reality is Guided by Only that which is Perceivable
Most of All is Unperceivable and Therefore only Obtainable by Leaps of Imagination
Faithful
... the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. ~ 2nd Corinthians 4:18
Choice is a soul’s unique privilege.
One’s beliefs reflect the heart's character.
"And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, ..." ~ Joshua 24:15
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! ~ Isaiah 5:20
God’s word commands truth.
Without an endearing relationship with God, only clamorous times ensue.
To be healed, one must obtain understanding delivered by God’s word.
God tells us to never abandon our pursuit of Him.
To always be together with Him. <─┐ "... these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, ..." ~ Deuteronomy 6:5-7
● Leaving God to the wayside is not one of His options.
People more often do not acknowledge the blessings from God,
To the detriment of living …
WHY?
⭩ "Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joy and gladness of heart, for the abundance of everything, ..." ~ Deuteronomy 28:47
(Instructions of Heart)
Troubling times advance on all void of God’s insightful wisdom.
Concern of ownership over thankfulness of purpose
has consumed many a multitude.
Ignored the Lord. <─┐ ... "Because of My house that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house." ~ Haggai 1:2-9 Freely pursued their own interests. <─┘
... They all look to their own way, Every one for his own gain, ... ~ Isaiah 56:11
Spiritual death is experienced by all those desperately seeking more.
Hell and Destruction are never full; So the eyes of man are never satisfied. ~ Proverbs 27:20
A steamroller that never stops crushing self along with all others.
... They were not at all ashamed, Nor did they know how to blush. ... ~ Jeremiah 8:12
The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?" ~ Jeremiah 17:9
... having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, ... a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children. ~ 2nd Peter 2:14 ⭧
It is about the nasty habit of always taking and never giving.
... men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ... ~ 2nd Timothy 3:1-4
The Spirals of Spiritual Death
Unholy Unloving Unthankful Unmerciful Unforgiving The Ungodly Undiscerning Untrustworthy
Lovers of Themselves Headstrong Haughty Boasters Proud
Lovers of Pleasure rather Than Lovers of God
Lovers of Money Greedy Idolatry Covetous Jealousies Bitter Envy
Brutal Violent Murderers Manslayers Outbursts of Wrath Hatred
Haters of God
Despisers of Good
The Unrighteous
No Shame No self-control Sexual Immorality Eyes Full of Adultery Fornicators Lewdness
Self-Seeking
Sorcery
Wickedness Evil-mindedness Inventors of Evil Things
The world is filled with those hindered in the despicable.
... put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, ... passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. ~ Colossians 3:5
Sex, stuff, lust, one’s consumption images fate.
In our frantic lifestyles, turmoil invades the faint of heart …
For those that would pursue their own interests
~ over that of submitting to the will of God.
... bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, ... is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. ~ James 3:14-16
Material Mongering is a Twisting Evil
ENVY + SELF-SEEKING = CONFUSION + EVIL
As coughing on one’s own death,
Always wanting more of the tangible can only leave one empty.
It appears that for many, the more we have, the less content we are.
└─> (Howard Hughes Syndrome)
┌─> Self Control (Genesis 4:7) Learning to be content has more value than all of the world’s riches.
└─> Love of God (John 14:23)
"For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?" ~ Luke 9:25
... Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: ... ~ Philippians 4:11
Be anxious for nothing, ... and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:6-7
One can only know the bottom of one’s own heart and no other.
Without submission to God, peace of mind will only elude your heart.
And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. ~ 1st Timothy 6:8
God does not promise us a lifestyle in His simple calling for thankfulness.
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. ~ Colossians 3:17
~ Do you ask for too much? (Most of us do)
... "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses." ~ Luke 12:15
Possessions will not fulfill one's life's quest to be.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. ~ Psalms 23:2
→ Without God, nothing will satisfy you.
In His bosom is the source of the peace we all seek.
└─> Helping others and self.
There are those that deny the power of God and rely on self.
All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, ... ~ Proverbs 16:2
There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. ~ Proverbs 16:25
The foolishness of a man twists his way, And his heart frets against the LORD. ~ Proverbs 19:3
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret - it only causes harm. ~ Psalm 37:8
... Trust in the LORD, and do good; ... feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. ~ Psalms 37:1-4
Ours can be an overwhelming fretful world.
To fully trust in God, one must embrace all of His word.
... The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. ... ~ Psalms 18:30-31
It is by not paying attention to the word of God that humanity fails. ○ God does not call us to be divided. ↓
FALLS ... that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, ... ~ 1st Corinthians 1:10
"No one can serve two masters; ..." ~ Matthew 6:24
⭦
↑
⭧
←
ME
→
⭩
↓
⭨
With so many directions, having too many irons in the fire
at once can make the definitive and decisive path unclear.
... the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps. ~ Jeremiah 10:23
Man's modern ascension is to conquer both nature and self?
Perceptions can be the most difficult to decipher attaining unity.
Some believe that knowledge and endless studies will deliver satisfaction.
For in much wisdom is much grief, And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow. ~ Ecclesiastes 1:18
Some of the most advanced degreed people lack the simplest of abilities.
... Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh. ~ Ecclesiastes 12:12
Understanding is more important than knowledge.
Get wisdom! ... in all your getting, get understanding. ~ Proverbs 4:5-7
Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. ~ Ephesians 5:17
In our quest to be, multiple hectic schemes can pierce the heart.
"Truly, this only I have found: That God made man upright, But they have sought out many schemes." ~ Ecclesiastes 7:29
Consumed in an economic furnace lacking loyalty and honor,
Many of us are now asked to do more with less. We are unable to give full attention to our tasks at hand. <─┘
Our excellence is compromised when demands exceed ability.
┌─> Arrogance blinds the spirit.
Some pride themselves on being able to efficiently get it all done. ● Consciousness can only focus on one task in any given moment.
This "Multitasking" is an imaginary construct.
┌─> Alone and Lonely. ... "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things." ~ Luke 10:40-41
Busyness can be a selfish means of social avoidance.
Over-achieving can lead to unhealthy isolation and burdening
narcissists are emotionally fragile requiring constant affirmations.
MULTITASKING = MANY TROUBLES
Fragmented focus leads to inattentiveness and carelessness,
increasing stress for lack of controlled timely conclusiveness.
Truly, one cannot chew gum and talk at the same time.
In this fast paced “got to get it done yesterday” arena,
People are irritated with interruptions; impatience is invasive.
Many are so absorbed they are unaware of their own duplicity. The obsessive delusion. <─┘
To fully live in the moment, one has to get off the
r
o
l
l
e
r
c
o
a
s
t
e
r.
~ Spirit is the presence of the soul.
In both action and word, all that we are is in one presence.
To have a healthy living presence, one must employ empathy.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. ... ~ Galatians 5:22-25
Isolated self-centered scheming disconnects the surety of a soul.
... wickedness will not deliver those who are given to it. ~ Ecclesiastes 8:8
... he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. ~ James 1:8
DOUBLE MINDED = ½ OF A PERSON
Only a whole (spiritual) person may obtain peace.
Commotion’s noise holds no restful peace.
In a miserable mad race to achieve more, what is true value?
As the overwhelming suffocating throbs steal a spirit’s sanctuary,
when the crunch is felt like a hammer, backpedaling occurs
more often in a vague panic, as the sure course is lost.
Busy scramblings blur the dock-less horizon in a fog.
Are we rats or humans?
Are we led or do we lead the desires of our hearts?
It is a question of what we choose to anchor to; God or self?
This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, ... ~ Hebrews 6:19-20
Our dependence on technology reduces
many of us to tunnel-vision materialists.
Many passively accept this continual onslaught.
In a frantic search,
Many are swift to obtain that next time-saving novelty.
Planned obsolescence increases the desperation.
Some suggest that inventions such as the television cripple
young flourishing imaginations and that intelligence is stifled.
It's claimed that casual Internet anonymity curtails genuine associations.
Do not say, "Why were the former days better than these?" For you do not inquire wisely concerning this. ~ Ecclesiastes 7:10
With all the modern day innovations,
some maintain that the times are worse today,
but the methods of sin have always been convenient.
MUSE =
To Ponder Deeply upon
AMUSE =
Distract from Serious Thought
THEIST =
Belief in one Creator God
ATHEIST =
Denies Existence of God
As is a coin, hypocrisy can be a two sided wobbling fence.
... I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your hands. ~ Psalms 143:5
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. ~ Psalms 1:2
... any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things. ~ Philippians 4:8
God tells us His word saves.
Many are divided without passion for the whole word of God.
... receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. ~ James 1:21
Solutions can only work when they are applied.
Do Not Neglect to Meditate on These Things
BE AN EXAMPLE
GIVE ATTENTION
TAKE HEED
IN WORD IN CONDUCT IN LOVE IN SPIRIT IN FAITH IN PURITY
TO READING TO EXHORTATION TO DOCTRINE
TO YOURSELVES TO THE DOCTRINE
1st Timothy 4:12-16
... in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. ~ 1st Timothy 4:12-16
┌─> Sons of Light. ... let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. ... ~ 1st Thessalonians 5:5-10
One's life application holds the keys to success.
Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with longsuffering and teaching. ~ 2nd Timothy 4:2
Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. ~ 1st Corinthians 16:13
A strong heart is one ready to sacrifice for another.
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. ... ~ Philippians 2:3-4
Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being. ~ 1st Corinthians 10:24
... warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. ~ 1st Thessalonians 5:14
"And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two." ~ Matthew 5:41
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. ~ Romans 13:14
An upward draw avoids practices mired in the flesh.
Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits." ~ 1st Corinthians 15:33
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, ... ~ Romans 12:2
Materialism is Satan’s oppressive tool binding us to the mundane.
┌─> Satan's Manipulations ... whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. ~ 2nd Corinthians 4:4 ⭩ ↓ ⭨
The light of the truth calms the raging inferno.
... without Christ, being aliens ... and strangers ... having no hope and without God ... ~ Ephesians 2:12
Without faith beyond all, life can only end up meaningless.
"... the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." ~ Luke 19:2-10 \ | /
Many seek a means of escape, and it is here, in the word of God. / | \ Test all things; hold fast what is good. ~ 1st Thessalonians 5:21
... Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? - unless indeed you are disqualified. ~ 2nd Corinthians 13:5
If you have the passion to take the good path less taken,
to seize faith and stand for what you believe in serving Him,
Come to Him now and forever.
I did not sit in the assembly of the mockers, Nor did I rejoice; I sat alone because of Your hand, ... ~ Jeremiah 15:17
It is the self that stands up for righteousness.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. ~ Philippians 4:13
And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, ... ~ Colossians 3:23
Wanting is more potent than needing.
... The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, ... But time and chance happen to them all. ~ Ecclesiastes 9:11
It takes courage and conviction to put the bitterness of life away.
... lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; ... ~ Hebrews 12:14-15
Life’s intrinsic call is to rise.
... the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. ~ 1st Corinthians 15:42-49
FIRST
AFTERWARD
BODY
Sown in Corruption
Raised in Incorruption
Sown in Dishonor
Raised in Glory
Sown in Weakness
Raised in Power
Sown in Natural Body
Raised a Spiritual Body
Man of Dust
Heavenly Man
To more than just live, one must take on the principles of Christ to be alive
FIRST MAN ADAM = A LIVING BEING LAST ADAM (JESUS) = A LIFE-GIVING SPIRIT
"... come, take up the cross, and follow Me." But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. ... ~ Mark 10:17-23
"If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, ... yes, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. ..." ~ Luke 14:26-27
"... whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple." ~ Luke 14:33
In the metamorphosis of conscious life, God’s wisdom prevails.
In truth, awakening to our Creator’s gift of creation of all
is no less than a humbling speechless revelation.
He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it." ~ Matthew 10:37-39
Having things is not bad in itself.
It is all about what your heart is attached to.
"... For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." ~ Matthew 6:19-21
If Christ is not cherished in your heart, oblivion in self destruction looms.
... if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. ~ Hebrews 10:26-27
What attachment on Earth could ever compare with the
wonders of eternal life in the presence of God Himself?
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, ... ~ 2nd Corinthians 4:17-18
Heavenly anchors are eternal as all shallow earthly ones perish.
The ladder to heaven starts with one step followed by another.
Baby Steps:
● Pray/Study Luke 18:1 ● Think about your life James 1:23-25 ● Be with other Christians Hebrews 10:24-25 ● Start small (Pull the easiest weed) 1st Corinthians 10:13
└─> Be ready for resistance
└─> From self and others ● Stop being selfish Philippians 2:4 ● Get a sense of humor Proverbs 17:22 ● Focus on relationships 1st Peter 3:8
└─> Time ● Listen James 1:19 ● Fast – Give up something Matthew 16:24 ● Play the “Why Game” Psalms 42:11 ● Announce your convictions Romans 10:10 ● Ask someone else about character improvement Romans 5:3-4
Do not let this world steal the life given to you, to be.
"... I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." ~ John 10:10
His sacrificial offering covers our penitent sins in His Love.
Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins. ~ Proverbs 10:12
GOD’S LOVE HOLDS INCOMPARABLE COMFORT
♥ HE TEACHES US HOW TO TRULY LOVE ♥
I would like to thank my dear acquaintance and brother in Christ, Bret Carter.
What we have in common is we l♥ve the Lord and have His word.
● We need to know why we are here and whatwe are about, as New Testament Christians.
Ephesians is a letter referred to as the Grand Canyon of the Scriptures.
Ep.2:6
Ep.1:20
|
Ep.3:10
Ep.1:3
\
|
/
Ep.6:12
┌─> Because of the focus on the “heavenly” realm.
It is Paul’s “revelation” as the Book of Revelation was to John. ⭨
It is written for: → The unity of the saints → The characteristics of the saints. → Purposeful prayers. (
Ep.1:15-19),(
Ep.3:14-21)
EPHESIANS: Six potent chapters with distinction.
1-3 =
The work of God – What He has done through Jesus Christ – Privileges of being a Christian – The calling
4-6 =
Our work – Responsibilities; - The walk - Be worthy of the calling
Many students focus more on the last chapters concerning conduct.
DEVOTION
┌─> A personal key of commitment for many. I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, ... ~ Ephesians 4:1
└─> Paul’s now going to talk of the worthy walk.
Actually, it is in the first chapters that God reveals His Holiness and purpose to us.
Summarizes the calling. <─┐
┌─> Called to glorify God. ... according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. ~ Ephesians 3:20-21 ⭧
He is Glorified in every generation forever and ever.
Defines the book. ⭩ ↓ ⭨
┌─> He is blessed.He blesses us. <─┐ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, ~ Ephesians 1:3 ⭨ All blessings are in Christ.
┌─> His will is for us to live. "... that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." ~ Matthew 5:45 \ | /
We are all blessed by God’s physical creation bestowing the light of life.
There are no spiritual blessings outside of Christ.
1-3 =
How God blesses us - US IN CHRIST
4-6 =
How we bless Him - CHRIST IN US
● He chose us in Him.
... just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, ... ~ Ephesians 1:4
● Predestined us to adoption as sons.
... having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, ... ~ Ephesians 1:5
● His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.
... to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. ~ Ephesians 1:6
● In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace ... ~ Ephesians 1:7 ↕
Blessings of what He did for us.
He chose us in Him
To Himself
His grace
His blood
In Him
His will
His glory
THE CALLING
TO THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY = PURPOSE OF THE CHRISTIAN
... in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. ~ Ephesians 1:12 /|\ ... with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. ~ Ephesians 1:13-14
A prayer for all of us.
↓ ... that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, ... ~ Ep. 1:17
A prayer plea for deeper than knowledge understanding:
... the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, ... ~ Ephesians 1:18
→ Look with your Hearts Eye.
... and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power ... ~ Ephesians 1:19
God’s prayer for us.
1. Know what is the hope of His calling
2. Riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints
3. (Surpassing) Exceeding greatness of His power toward those that believe
What God hopes for us.
SURPASSING
GOD ↓ HOPE ↑ MEN
GREATNESS
God’s wisdom meets us in a mutual hope.
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, ... ~ Ephesians 3:20
... and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:7
Does God have a hope? Yes, ~ us. /|\ God looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God. ~ Psalms 53:2
To remain ignorant of the calling of God is to the determent of us all.
Without Christ
Aliens
Strangers
No hope
... without Christ, being aliens ... and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. ~ Ephesians 2:12
An emptiness with no real purpose.
As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, So is the lazy man to those who send him. ~ Proverbs 10:26
Laziness is the wasting of life oh all sluggards!
One must awaken a passion to know God over Satan’s tool of apathy.
... that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. ~ 2nd Timothy 2:24-26
... "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light." ~ Ephesians 5:14
The meaning of life is to know life’s purpose in God.
Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. ~ Revelation 21:2
The Bible tells us of the greatness of each of us getting married to God.
┌─> Called. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, ... ~ Ephesians 1:11
It is our destiny, legacy as Christians, to live eternally with Him.
... who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. ~ Ephesians 1:14
... For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, ... great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. ~ Ep. 5:25-32
┌─> All that we are.
Christ offered His all that He may redeem our all.
To be in His church, commitment has to be 100%.
"If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple." ~ Luke 14:26
One can truly only love if a release of self frees one
- to live through His love.
It is told to us in the Glory of Him.
For your Maker is your husband, The LORD of hosts is His name; And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; He is called the God of the whole earth. ~ Isaiah 54:5
... walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, ... ~ Ephesians 4:1
We have been called to be the bride of Christ.
... If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. ~ 2nd Timothy 2:13
... I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, ... in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; ... ~ Romans 1:16-17 From Him to us. <─┘└─> Generation to generation.
Living in us is His power of resurrection. / | \ ... which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, ... ~ Ephesians 1:20
It is His Spirit we strive to be in.
... that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, ... ~ Philippians 3:10
... in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, ... to the praise of His glory. ~ Ephesians 1:13-14
It is by His holiness that we are raised to meet His calling.
... with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. ... whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; ~ Romans 1:3-6
And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, ... ~ Ephesians 2:1-2
It is all about the power of resurrection, to become alive again.
"...'O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: "Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live."'" ~ Ezekiel 37:3-5
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, .. ~ Ephesians 2:4
What is the work of God? ~ Resurrection – because He loves us.
┌─> Generation to generation. ... that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. ~ Ephesians 2:7
└─> Willingness to forgive us.
(Newness) Death → Life → To Him in Heaven (Sinner)
... alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~ Romans 6:3-11
His kindness is that He redeems us. ↔ Our purpose is to be redeemed. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Many will miss the calling rather blaming God as cruel.
So chaos plagues humanity and God is accused to be a monster;
Events such as tsunamis, sweeping hurricanes, solar storms,
infant deaths, heinous deformities, terrorists, cancers, etc.
└─> All hard questions. <─┘
● God counters every generation’s disgust with a
steadfast revival offer found in His eternal calling.
→ Life is hard, it will kill you in bitterness and take away your joy. God gives back peace the world can not offer.
He asks us to join in Him.
... in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. ~ Ephesians 2:19-22
No longer strangers or aliens but members of His household.
... no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, ... ~ Ephesians 2:19
God welcomes us as part of His own eternal family.
"New Jerusalem"
... in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, ... ~ Ephesians 2:21
A building construction of God, and for God!
A temple with us as the building stones.
... as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ... ~ 1st Peter 2:4-7
A house without God is desolate and in trouble. ● The main point is to walk worthy so as to be with God.
└─> By our own changed life we show God.
A battle much larger than we are able to comprehend has occurred.
A mystery revealed that has changed all of God’s universe at large. <─┐ ... to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ, ... ~ Ephesians 3:9-12
So that all of the spiritual hierarchy is now enlightened.
... to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, ... ~ Ephesians 3:10
By the nature of His church, all can know
His all encompassing saving wisdom.
... reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven--things which angels desire to look into. ~ 1st Peter 1:12
It speaks of the redemption of mankind
and the destruction of the works of Satan.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. ~ Ephesians 6:12
He has chosen us as the messengers of His winning message.
... So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, ... ~ Revelation 12:5-9
... "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven." ~ Luke 10:18
┌─> Satan. "... the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down." ~ Revelation 12:10
Sin → Accuser → Saved by His Blood
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death." ~ Revelation 12:11
VICTORY FOR MANKIND.
1. By the blood of the Lamb
2. The word of their (us) testimony
3. Forever till death for love of Him
God is vindicated when we love Him while the angels rejoice.
"... there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." ~ Luke 15:10
God has called us out of darkness to become part of His marvelous light.
... His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; ... ~ 1st Peter 2:9
We are put on display to expose His redeeming wisdom.
The calling – we are the witnesses as seen by His spiritual realm.
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. ~ Ephesians 2:10
We are all suffering Jobs, mere creatures created of God’s hope
for us and Himself. Can we endure and maintain the hope that saves?
Eternity beckons ...
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. ... For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; ... ~ Romans 8:18-21
Do you hear the call?
He shows His love and kindness by offering
life to us throughout the generations.
I would like to thank my exceptionally passionate and astute brother in Christ, Andy Cantrell.
Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it. ~ Psalm 34:14
God calls us out to do good works.
We need to be conscious of good deeds. ⭨
┌─> All souls are mine. (Ezekiel 18:4) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. ~ Ephesians 2:10
└─> Victory for God in His salvation plan through Christ’s coming.
● We are recreated with a new life in Christ.
... made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, ... ~ Ephesians 2:4-9
GOD
CREATOR OF ALL
/ | \
HE IS
HIS SPIRIT
HIS SON -
| | | ⭨
God of this age
- SATAN -
Father of lies
⭩ ↓ ⭨
↓
Sinners
†
←
Adam & Eve
Believers waiting for the light
→
←
Faithful in the light
We are more than just His art,
we are His workmanship created for His good pleasure.
We need to remain mindful that He created us and that He watches us.
... O LORD, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand. ~ Isaiah 64:8
Denies the maker!? <─┐ ... shall the thing made say of him who made it, "He did not make me"? ... ~ Isaiah 29:15-16
"For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light." ~ Mark 4:22
Light will bear witness as the works of darkness fade.
For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil. ~ Ecclesiastes 12:14
God is not of our making.
To listen to Him is to know Him and our purpose in Him.
We are His tools, His vessels to be used in His grand plan of becoming.
Examples have been given to enlighten us to know how to help anyone. ● It is what God calls for.
... in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, ... ~ Titus 1:5
One of them, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons." ~ Titus 1:12
└─> Hyperbole declaring all in Crete despicable and detestable.
How do you bring God to a detestable people? ⭨ ↓ ⭩
~ By learning to engage in good deeds.
And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful. ~ Titus 3:14
└─> Be fruitful.
SUMMATION OF CHRISTIAN LIVING IN A PERVERSE WORLD
BY LEARNING TO ENGAGE IN GOOD DEEDS
Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. ~ James 4:17
┌─> (Galatians 6:10)
To always do good reveals awareness of His will without hesitation.
We all need to learn how overcome the obstacles of fear. ● It is what God calls for.
... those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. ... ~ Titus 3:8
BASIS OF OUR SALVATION
CAREFUL TO MAINTAIN GOOD WORKS
People that believe in God need to be careful.
Carelessness has no honor in glorifying He who carefully made us.
It is careless to assume glory for actions that should be to glorify Him.
"... when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.' " ~ Luke 17:7-10
Works can not save us and especially if we expect them to.
As servants, our good works are required through our faith. ● It is what God calls for.
... by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. ~ Romans 12:1
How we offer exposes our hearts to God.
But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. ~ Hebrews 13:16
(Galatians 5:22-24)(John 14:15)(Ephesians 5:8-11)
God has made it abundantly clear what He asks of us.
He will have mercy on whom He will and
He knows those who are His.
\
ALIVE IN CHRIST
/
MERCY
Works Alone Will Not Free us From Deserving Death
GRACE
/
GIFT OF GOD
\
... it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. ~ Romans 9:15-16
... not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, ... ~ Titus 3:5-7
Not By Our Works → By His Mercy → By His Grace → Through Jesus
┌─> Prepared as opportunities arise. ... authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. ~ Titus 3:1-2 ⭦ ↑ ⭧
Challenging teachings for all.
Are we ready? - Vigilant for God?
Our attitude should be: "I want to be ready (prepared)".
WORK ORDERS
READY CAREFUL ZEALOUS (EAGAR)
... who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. ~ Titus 2:14
He redeemed us from lawless deeds that we would pursue good works.
Doing good deeds is effective in healing the wicked.
Light is always brighter than the darkness.
THE CHRISTIAN LIGHT
Created for Good Works
Humble
Sin Likes to Hide.
Pattern of Good Works
Obey
Reverence
Gentle Peaceable
Do Good and To Share
Hidden
Works in the Dark
Liars
Sin
Evil Beasts Lazy Gluttons
Secret Evil
Integrity
Speak Evil of No One
Incorruptibility
Zealous for Good Works
Learn to Maintain Good Works
Ready for Every Good Work
Careful to Maintain Good Works
... in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, ... ~ Titus 2:7
In all we do, God wants us to be engaged in good works.
Detestable <─┐ They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work. ~ Titus 1:16 Worthless for doing any good deeds. <─┘
Claiming to be good and practicing wickedness is hypocrisy.
... "the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you," ~ Romans 2: 21-24
●
Counting on good deeds to redeem us is a worthless self centered endeavor.
→ It is where our good deeds inhibit a true humble serving nature for His glory.
If it is not meant to glorify God, it is something else.
"So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth." ~ Revelation 3:16
Hypocrisy uncovered is always repulsive.
"He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters." ~ Luke 11:23
When answering the call of God, there is no no in yes.
A little Christianity is worthless in the eyes of God.
"You are the salt of the earth; ... You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. ..." ~ Matthew 5:13-16
Our actions reflect what we are.
If God is not in us, God has no use for us.
┌─> Good for nothing. ... Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. ... ~ Luke 14:33-35
Actually, being of a saltless (un-flavorful, impotent)
nature can be dangerous for all involved.
Militant atheists personify hateful hearts.
When we say we are a Christian,
we stand out on top of a hill for all to see.
We are representatives of God’s word and
He does not care to be made to look foolish.
Confession without good deeds is hypocrisy.
... whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God. ~ Luke 12:8-9
Good deeds without confession is self promotion. ● The purpose of good deeds is to glorify God.
X
CONFESSION –
GOOD DEEDS =
HYPOCRISY
X
GOOD DEEDS –
CONFESSION =
SELF PROMOTION
√
CONFESSION +
GOOD DEEDS =
GLORIFIES GOD
... "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. ..." ~ John 14:23-24
Belief in action defines our immortal bond.
... but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. ~ Philippians 1:20
In all that we are, stand unashamed.
... adorn the doctrine of our God our Savior in all things. ~ Titus 2:9-10
Adorn the doctrine of God.
Embrace all that He is applying it to one’s best abilities.
Do not be ashamed to humbly wear His light for all to see.
┌─> Trim = Adorn "Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps." ~ Matthew 25:7
└─> Knowing without preparing halts deliverance.
When the call comes, be ready (prepared) to respond.
Jesus asks us to go that extra mile in all that we do.
Without depth of purpose,
only a shallow response remains.
FOLLOW HIM FOR HIM.
I would like to again thank my exceptionally passionate and astute brother in Christ, Andy Cantrell.
┌─> Love of.
To obtain unity in God, it has to be individually in Him.
... till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, ... ~ Ephesians 4:13
└─> God’s goal for each one of us.
To personally know Christ from every angle. <─┐ ... be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height - to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. ~ Ephesians 3:17-19
For each of us to be filed in the fullness of Him past knowledge.
┌─> Beyond.
It is through Jesus that we discover ourselves.
The actions of Jesus declare what God wants for us.
Each of us needs to pay attention to His teachings to know Him.
... "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. ~ Matthew 16:15-17
└─> Beyond knowledge.
Peter closely paid attention to all Jesus taught and he knew Him.
┌─> Evidence that Jesus is the Christ and that He is knowable. ... I know who You are--the Holy One of God!" But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be quiet, and come out of him!" ... ~ Mark 1:22-28
... He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him. ~ Mark 1:32-34
The demons He cast out knew Him.
Jesus evangelized where people gathered to worship God.
And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons. ~ Mark 1:39
And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, "He has Beelzebub," and, "By the ruler of the demons He casts out demons." ~ Mark 3:22 ↑
Jesus’ enemies never denied His miracles.
... if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end. ... ~ Mark 3:23-27
└─> No general wins a war by killing his own.
If He casts out Satan, He is greater than Satan. /|\ "But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you." ~ Luke 11:20
It was foretold that the evil spirits would be driven out of the land. ↓ "It shall be in that day," says the Lord of hosts, "that I will cut off the names of the idols from the land, and they shall no longer be remembered. I will also cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to depart from the land." ~ Zechariah 13:2
Today, no ancient names of gods are taken seriously beyond folklore. ● Jehovah is the One God known by all.
"Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow." ~ Mark 4:3
LISTEN IS A COMMAND
Mark 4:20
Mark 4:16-17Mark 4:18-19 LISTEN Mark 4:9Mark 4:23
Mark 4:24
... "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" ~ Mark 4:9
"If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear." ~ Mark 4:23
... "Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given." ~ Mark 4:24
Jesus emphasizes that it is crucial to hear what is being taught.
Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word." ~ John 8:43
It is plain that we at times have problems listening to God.
└─> Trusting
If it is spoken by God, it is so.
It is the resounding announcement of God. ⭨ ... "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!" ~ Matthew 17:5
... "Let us cross over to the other side." ... "How is it that you have no faith?" ~ Mark 4:35-41
Trust is the rock of faith, truth comes by hearing.
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. ~ Romans 10:17
A story told more than once has especially important messages.
... But He said to them, "Where is your faith?" ... ~ Luke 8:22-39
Storms in our life can miss sight of the distant shore Jesus has promised.
Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. ... ~ Mark 5:1-20
How did Jesus evangelize and share with others?
There is no place for fear in evangelism or when speaking God’s truth.
Jesus was not afraid to help all.
Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, ... ~ Philippians 1:27-28
FORCEFULNESS OF RELYING ON GOD’S WORD
1. STAND FIRM IN ONE SPIRIT
2. ONE MIND STRIVING TOGETHER
3. NOT ALARMED BY OPPONENTS
Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. ... ~ Mark 5:15
└─> This man had been naked. \ | /
Jesus had extraordinary compassion on someone all were afraid of. / | \
┌─> Wanted to know him and compassionate enough to ask his name. Then He asked him, "What is your name?" And he answered, saying, "My name is Legion; for we are many." ~ Mark 5:9
People are often afraid to even say hello.
Jesus tells us there is no place for fear and that there is no case to hard.
Do the one thing rarely done in our "me" world, think of others.
A righteous man regards the life of his animal, But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. ~ Proverbs 12:10 ⭦
Though 2000 swine plunged to there deaths, His word
tells us to care about the welfare of animals as well as men.
... to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine. Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region. ~ Mark 5:16-17
└─> Go away Jesus!
Sending the demons into the swine shows that
Jesus cares more for people than animals (swine).
However, it was a herd of potentially great value,
especially on the "Black-Market".
┌─> Gratefully humbled in His love. ... he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. ~ Mark 5:18
The healed man wanted to go with Jesus. To know Him is to Love Him.
... However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, "Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you." ~ Mark 5:19
Jesus wants us to accept His forgiveness where we are.
Though we may at times want out of our current situation,
His will and purpose for us is greater than we can know.
In Him, we are where He wants us to be.
We are His testimonials. ⭨ And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled. ~ Mark 5:20
Hearts influenced by being forgiven the most have
a greater resolved conviction to proclaim their salvation.
"... which of them will love him more?" Simon answered and said, "I suppose the one whom he forgave more." ~ Luke 7:41-43
Most grateful. <─┐
Those farthest away upon returning are forgiven the most.
└─> Scourge of the earth.
... He came through the midst of the region of Decapolis ... ~ Mark 7:31
Later, Jesus returned to Decapolis.
... Now those who had eaten were about four thousand. ... ~ Mark 8:6-9 \ | /
One has to wonder how many of the 4000 fed had been of those
originally pleading with Jesus to go away and what influence the
testimonial of healed demon-possessed man had on Decapolis.
God wills to accomplish His message in us.
He wants us to boldly proclaim who we are.
In our nobly changed new person, witnessed by all
previous associations, we become His enduring testimonial.
Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. ~ 1st Timothy 4:15
Above all, He wants us to know Him.
"And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." ~ John 17:3
To know Him, we need to examine what has been given to know.
Without paying attention to what has come, we will be left questioning.
... Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or ..." ~ Matthew 16:13-17
The best one can achieve is to seize the truth.
Jesus taught where those gathered to know God. ⭩ ... as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. the book of the prophet Isaiah ... ~ Luke 4:16-19
Jesus announces His coming. ↓ ... "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, "Is this not Joseph's son?" ~ Luke 4:20-22
┌─> Hearing
Truth often incites murderous outrage if against one’s false beliefs. ⭨ So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, and rose up and thrust Him out of the city; ... ~ Luke 4:28-30
What was it exactly that outraged them so?
It involved exactly where Jesus had read from in Isaiah.
"... That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified." ~ Isaiah 61:1-3
It is about what Messiah (Jesus) does for us.
┌─> Gospel truth.
1. To bring good news to the afflicted
2. To heal the brokenhearted
3. To proclaim liberty to captives
└─> Set free from sin.
Hearts are broken because of loss of attachment.
Our separation from God punishes each soul that experiences this.
... For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery for burnt offering; I will direct their work in truth, And will make with them an everlasting covenant. ~ Isaiah 61:4-11 ↑
Also, convincing prophesizing testimony has been given
for what we are today and what Messiah (Jesus) does through us.
"Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, And instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; And it shall be to the LORD for a name,For an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off." ~ Isaiah 55:13
It is told that goodness will forever rise above evil
through living monuments, memorials, the oaks in us.
Jesus came to plant trees of righteousness (people); ● To be Large in Him.
To repair the desolations of many generations.
... they shall repair the ruined cities, The desolations of many generations. ... ~ Isaiah 61:4-5
But you shall be named the priests of the LORD, They shall call you the servants of our God. ... ~ Isaiah 61:6
~ To be great servants in and of the Lord.
... All who see them shall acknowledge them, ... ~ Isaiah 61:9
~ To be acknowledged by all.
... By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities. ~ Isaiah 53:11
The knowledge of and from Messiah (Jesus) is what justifies us.
... the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations. ~ Isaiah 61:10-11
ISAIAH 61:4-11
1. Promise of the restoration of God’s people
2. Gentiles shall announce God’s word
3. God’s own will embrace unsurpassed glory
4. Honor with joy in clarity instead of shame
5. Works in truth as an everlasting covenant
6. All will know them as God’s good people
7. Joyful souls will rejoice in righteousness
8. God own will bud forth for all mankind
... The LORD shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of Your enemies! ~ Psalms 110:1-2
From the cold winter of mankind springs forth the lasting will of God.
Your people shall be volunteers In the day of Your power; ... ~ Psalms 110:3
┌─> His Glory. ┌─> of Heart.
God wants us to voluntarily be in His service.
~ Out of darkness into a world of joy and service.
... For when Your judgments are in the earth, The inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. ~ Isaiah 26:9
Righteousness will shine as the sky turns bright.
The truth is the radiant pinnacle of glory.
Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. ~ Isaiah 60:1
Honor and glory will come upon the peaceful people of God.
"... I will also make your officers peace, And your magistrates righteousness." ~ Isaiah 60:17
God desires that we humble ourselves for Him in thankfulness.
~ If you won’t let Me help you, you will watch Me help others.
"... to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath, in the region of Sidon, ... And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian." ~ Luke 4:24-27
And so, when Jesus announces that God has honored Gentiles
over them, for they have denied Him, they are murderously
insulted for His accusation that they are not the chosen ones.
God’s will is for us to overcome our pride and come to Him.
Many churches today claim to be God’s own.
God looks for individuals to enter His church.
Through Jesus, God has His church on earth.
HE CALLS TO KNOW TO HIM.
GOD CAN HELP ANYONE.
SPEAK OF HIS WORKS.
I would like to again thank my exceptionally passionate and astute brother in Christ, Andy Cantrell.
10/20/2013 ~ Whole Encompassing Salvation of Christ
When gluing a plastic model or assembling a Lego monstrosity,
there are many parts.
○ ▲ ► ▼ ▬ ●
Instructions are given to fit all the pieces ... together,
one small picture at a time.
The undertaking can not be finished without all the pieces included.
True appreciation is only realized after all is completed.
A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul, ... ~ Proverbs 13:19
So too, one needs to see the whole picture of the word of God.
One must reckon with the entire word of God
to obtain a complete finished clarity.
The word additively pieces together to achieve this greatest of truths;
His Perfect Word.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ~ Romans 5:8
God's love for each one of us has delivered for us His perfect word.
(1st Corinthians 14:21-22) 1st century feat to awaken unbelievers to His word. <─┐
┌─> Many falsely believe noise making is the Holy Spirit speaking through them. ... tongues, they will cease; ... knowledge, it will vanish away ... But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. ~ 1st Corinthians 13:8-10
For God is not the author of confusion ... ~ 1st Corinthians 14:33
Understanding takes precedence over nonsense.
Those miraculous things that were necessary to establish His word are
no longer needed parts as His delivered salvation plan is now instituted.
It is all about getting into Jesus, not the self.
Proof that there is no progressive revelation. <─┐ ... contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. ~ Jude 1:3
It is through His word that we must discover His plan for our salvation.
... "Lord, are there few who are saved?" And He said to them, "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, ... will not be able." ~ Luke 13:23-24
In truth, many will seek salvation but most will not find it.
The fundamental conditions of God must be met
- over the fabrications of man.
"I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, ..." ~ John 10:9
ENTER THROUGH CHRIST = SAVED
"Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." ~ Acts 4:12
SALVATION THROUGH CHRIST = ONLY SALVATION
... who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. ... ~ 1st Timothy 2:4-5
The truth has been delivered for each of to know.
God ↑ Christ Jesus ↑ Men
COME TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH = SAVED
... they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. ... ~ 2nd Thessalonians 2:10-12
RECEIVE THE LOVE OF THE TRUTH = SAVED
BELIEVE THE LIE PLEASURE IN UNRIGHTEOUSNESS = CONDEMNED NOT BELIEVE THE TRUTH
UNRIGHTEOUS = WILL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD
... But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus ... ~ 1st Corinthians 6:9-11
WASHED → SANCTIFIED → JUSTIFIED IN HIS NAME AND SPIRIT
The word cross references itself in repetition.
His examples and instructions must be
observed and followed all inclusively.
Isolated pieces must maintain unity with the sum total.
"... and said to me, 'Go to the pool of Siloam and wash.' So I went and washed, and I received sight." ~ John 9:5-11
RECEIVED INSTRUCTIONS
→
OBEYED BY WASHING
=
RECEIVED BLESSING
Action is required to receive the results God proclaims.
Man by himself can not declare his own salvation;
→ he must follow the word of God to achieve this.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; ... ~ Proverbs 3:5
... in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. ... ~ Colossians 1:13-15
... having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. ... ~ Romans 5:9-10
JUSTIFIED BY HIS BLOOD = SAVED FROM WRATH
... Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, ... ~ Revelation 1:5
When are we justified and our sins washed away by the blood of Jesus?
'... Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.' ~ Acts 22:16
BE BAPTISED → WASHS AWAY SINS = CALLING ON HIS NAME
And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved. ~ Acts 2:21
CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD = SAVED
To call out to Him is to want all of His saving instructions. ● Many mistakenly use this previous verse
to justify that only calling out saves.
Faith is not a single isolated event but a
lifelong practice of furthering understanding.
One cannot remain stationary and be a Christian.
The basics have been presented to be received by all.
Much of His truth is simple and clearly stated.
There is also an antitype which now saves us - baptism ... ~ 1st Peter 3:21
"He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." ~ Mark 16:16
BELIEVES AND IS BAPTIZED = SAVED
DOES NOT BELIEVE = CONDEMNED
For anyone claiming that baptism does not save
certainly denies the clear written word of God.
Shallow un-submitting fools argue arrogantly how to do the least.
It is better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in man. ~ Psalms 118:8
... "We ought to obey God rather than men." ~ Acts 5:29
... he who comes to God must believe that He is, ... ~ Hebrews 11:6
Belief in God is not casual event; He commands us to be of serious heart.
... "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, ..." ~ Acts 16:30-33
I MUST DO TO BE SAVED = BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
To believe in Him is to work to obey Him.
... "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent." ~ John 6:28-29
WORK OF GOD = BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST
"If you love Me, keep My commandments." ~ John 14:15
We must believe in all the instructions given to be in unity with God.
To fight against His instructions is to deny Him.
Many choose false doctrines comforted by self-exaltation.
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, ... ~ 2nd Timothy 4:3
For the seasoned Christian, this has merely been a review.
However, many are deceived dwelling in self oblivious ditches.
In the pursuit of God, men are left behind.
"... he who endures to the end will be saved." ~ Matthew 10:22
ENDURE TO THE END = SAVED
... eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, ... ~ Romans 8:18-25
PATIENTLY HOPE TO BE PART OF HIM = SAVED
A new life is coming for each one of us,
and it will either be with God or not.
To be saved from this perverse world one must
continue to take action to receive the blessing.
... "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, ..." ~ Acts 2:36-41
What must I do to be saved from this perverse generation
=
Repent + Be Baptized ↓ Remission of sins
←
Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit
The gift of the Holy Spirit is to receive what Jesus Christ did for each of us.
... gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~ Romans 6:23
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! ~ 2nd Corinthians 9:15
"... whoever believes in Him will receive the remission of sins." ~ Acts 10:43
BELIEVE IN HIM = REMISSION OF SINS
... if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, ... ~ Hebrews 10:26-27
It is not about just believing to get an eternal "get out of jail for free" ticket.
... Even the demons believe--and tremble! ~ James 2:19
Character flaws must be addressed with an upward draw toward His ways.
One must pursue life in Him and grow in His good soil.
Belief is a measure of seeing all of His instructions.
THE WHOLE BAD PICTURE
BELIEVE THE LIE
NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM
NOT BELIEVE THE TRUTH
WILLFUL SINNER
\
| CONDEMNED |
/
DEMONS
–
–
/
\
DOES NOT BELIEVE
THE DECEIVED
PLEASURE IN UNRIGHTEOUSNESS
THE WHOLE GOOD PICTURE
ENTER THROUGH CHRIST
ENDURE TO THE END
COME TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH
ONLY SALVATION THROUGH CHRIST
REPENT
\
| SAVED |
/
MUST BELIEVE
–
–
CALL ON HIS NAME
/
\
MUST DO
BELIEVES AND IS BAPTIZED
JUSTIFIED IN HIS NAME AND SPIRIT
RECEIVE THE LOVE OF THE TRUTH
PATIENTLY HOPE TO BE PART OF HIM
For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." ~ John 3:17
Do not waste your time thinking of those things that might be ...
Be sure of the Given Word that has been delivered to each one of us.
†
It is between you and Him.
Reactor
