Month: March 2023

Blog for Podcast #146 (How should Someone who follows Christ actually Live)

bible, Bible study, Christian, Christian Life, Dreams, General, Guide, Life, Relationship, Thoughts, , , , , , , Leave a comment

Intro

This is Dreamwalker1960. As a reminder you can read the transcripts of all my podcasts at dreamwalker1960.com. You can use most podcast platforms if you wish to listen. All you need do is do a search for Dreamwalker1960.

Discussion

1 Timothy 6:17-19 NKJV – Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Matthew 6:19-21 NKJV – “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Acts 2:44-45 NKJV – Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.

1 John 3:17 NKJV – But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?

Proverbs 30:7-9 NLT – O God, I beg two favors from you; let me have them before I die. First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, “Who is the LORD?” And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name.

How many at this very moment are saying “Who is the Lord?”

When we accept salvation, we are to leave the old world behind. Seek to be opposite the way we lived and what we sought after when we accepted the narrow and difficult path.

You know it is called “difficult” and it is “narrow” for a reason. When leaving our old lives behind. We are to repent, which means to no longer live or behave as we once did. What most don’t understand, or embrace is how they live is included in this change. This is seen straight from the Bible in the last verses we heard a bit ago from Proverbs. I will restate the core element of those verses.

“First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs.”

Any who seek more are not following Christ. Period.

Understand. Don’t go saying they were never saved in the first place. Those that say this are judging, which is again a sin against God. Christ makes it clear that if we accept Him as our Savior we are to seek to be like Jesus Christ. Living a simple lifestyle with having our basic needs met. Spreading the Word of God. Then if we are given more then what is necessary, we are to use all the extra for God. It is called stewardship. Those that horde this extra wealth for themselves are considered bad stewards and again living in sin. This is why these words were written down by Peter:

2 Peter 2:20-22 NKJV – For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A DOG RETURNS TO HIS OWN VOMIT,” and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.”

The vomit and the mire is living in the old life which is the world. Meaning those that keep and still seek after bigger, better and luxurious are wallowing through the mire and vomit. Why I say this is found here:

Luke 16:13-15 NKJV – “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him. And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

As I have established in past podcasts. The Greek word meaning “abomination” is used only six times in the New Testament. Four of those times it is used in the description of the antichrist and the apostate church which follows the antichrist. This is how those that pursue money and all it buys are seen to God. On the same level as the antichrist. Think on that as we continue.

How are we to live for God through Jesus Christ.

Romans 14:7-12 NLT – For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead. So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For the Scriptures say, “‘As surely as I live,’ says the LORD, ‘every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to God.’” Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God.

Which includes explaining why people kept their fancy and expensive items and homes instead of using their money to spread the Word of God. To help those in need. Gathering unto themselves treasures in heaven not on earth.

James 1:27 NKJV – Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

Isaiah 1:17 NKJV – Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow.

We are to give most our earthly wealth away to those in dire straits. For since we have God within us and we have our needs met then we are blessed. For if we choose to be those that are called an abomination in the sight of God we must accept what is to come.

Malachi 3:5 NKJV – And I will come near you for judgment; I will be a swift witness Against sorcerers, Against adulterers, Against perjurers, Against those who exploit wage earners and widows and orphans, And against those who turn away an alien—Because they do not fear Me,” Says the LORD of hosts.

However, Christ made it clear to us how most would act and respond to the Truth.

Matthew 7:13-14 NKJV – “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Many refuse to accept these verses are speaking about them.  Because they are saved, they are born again. They are filled with the Holy Spirit. They forget that a few verses later that Christ says this as well:

Matthew 7:21-23 NKJV – “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Again, people will protest. They insist this does not apply to them. They will insist these are not Christians Christ is referring to here. As I have established per the Words of Christ Himself in Matthew 12 only those that are followers of Christ can cast out demons. Therefore, those that said these words at the Great White Throne Judgement were at one time born again. However due to their lust for worldly rewards they turned their backs upon God. Refusing to abide upon the Vine and became the lukewarm.

James 3:14-16 NKJV – But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.

John 15:1-6 NKJV – “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 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. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 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. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 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, and they are burned.

Revelation 3:15-19 NKJV – “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.

Understand that you are upon the path to death and that you may not be victorious and have your name blotted out of the Book of Life.

Revelation 3:1-5 NKJV – “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

Time is running out. You must take action now to repent. must sell off all your possessions and truly follow Christ.

Mark 10:17-25 NKJV – Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: ‘DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY,’ ‘DO NOT MURDER,’ ‘DO NOT STEAL,’ ‘DO NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER.'” And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.” Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

“One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”

Do this now. Downsize. Move into an apartment or a RV. Sell off all the items you do not require to live day to day. Then give to those in need. Fix your relationship with Christ now. Learn the Bible for yourself and then spread the Word of God. This is your task if you profess to being a child of God. If you deny this or laugh at these words you are denying God you are mocking God. Woe unto those that do not heed these warnings. For Christ is soon to return, and if you reject these warnings. Don’t be surprised if God rejects you upon the return of His Son.

God Bless.

Blog for Podcast #145 (Study the Word and some Epiphanies)

bible, Bible study, Christian, Christian Life, General, Guide, Life, Relationship, , , , , , , Leave a comment

Intro

This is Dreamwalker1960. As a reminder you can read the transcripts of all my podcasts at dreamwalker1960.com. You can use most podcast platforms if you wish to listen. All you need do is do a search for Dreamwalker1960.

Discussion

1 Peter 4:17-19 NKJV – For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now “IF THE RIGHTEOUS ONE IS SCARCELY SAVED, WHERE WILL THE UNGODLY AND THE SINNER APPEAR?” Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

God will weed out those that do not follow His commandments in the last days before His return. They will enter into trails and tribulation like they have never seen before. Many, especially those that profess their believe and faith in Christ will be amongst them.

Those testing the ones that are truly faithful to God will insist they are right. That what they say is the truth. However, it will not stand up to Scripture. One of the biggest weeding tools will be the events that surround the tribulation period.

Why?

Because many will not accept the literality of the Bible. They will turn it into myths and fables and embrace them.

2 Timothy 4:1-5 NKJV – I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Always stick to the literal nature of Scripture. When you don’t you open yourself up to false teachings for you in essence add to and or take away from Scripture. Especially those that deal with the tribulation.

Revelation 22:18-19 NKJV – For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

How many grasp the implications of these verses? How many show their lack of understanding the Word of God which is the Bible. How many have taught false teachings about the coming tribulation period and what will occur within it? Causing many to embrace myths and fables.

It is important that each person that accepts Christ as their Savior learn the Bible for themselves. Not just read. Study and learn it. Why?

Because humans are corrupt. We are always corrupt and will remain so until we meet Christ in the clouds, for those that have proven themselves worthy in His eyes.

1 Corinthians 15:51-54 NKJV – Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY.”

Even when we accept salvation we struggle with sin unto the end. This is why we must remain vigilant. The only true way of being so is to study the Word of God. Truly study it. Dig deep into the Word and come to truly understand what is written there.

Along these lines of studying the Word of God I encountered an epiphany as I was writing this podcast and I was studying the Bible. Some podcasts ago, to be specific podcast #135, I talked about the warning given to those of the city of Laodicea. That they were warned, then an earthquake struck that city. Then they rebuilt it and returned to their sins.

But what was the epiphany?

It was this.

1906 April 18th at 5:12 AM the city of San Francisco was destroyed in an earthquake and then a fire. The city was drenched in sin and lavish wealth and luxuries. You could say that sin ran rampant throughout the city.

This city was rebuilt and grew in prosperity to the point that a bridge was built stating it was the gate way to wealth and luxury once again. Then once again it began to decline into sinfulness. Becoming the focal point of “free love” in the 1960s and the abandonment from the morals taught within the Bible. Since the 60s it declined even further into sin. From the sins in this city, it has spread into the entire state of California. Then a woman came into a place of power and shoved the immorality of this city she lived in upon the rest of the nation with the help from the platform “Twitter.” Causing the debauchery of this city to be pushed not only across the entire nation but globally. The city’s true depraved behavior has in some form influenced the entire nation of the United States of America. All due to a few pushing their lusts and desires as well as avarice upon those across this nation unaware that it was only the actions, thoughts and behavior of a few. Not the majority.

However, the majority cannot be let off the hook. For most professed to being followers of Christ. Yet their lack of truly understanding of the Word of God allowed them to be fooled into embracing sin. Supporting sin. Indulging sin. Causing the entire nation to become polluted in the mire of self-worship and self-indulgence. Sins that were seen within the Bible and made clear that those that live this way will not be allowed to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 NKJV – Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

San Francisco was the modern Laodicea. Now it is too late for redemption. For The United States has turned itself into the City of Babylon from the eighteen chapter of the book of Revelation. Which fulfills prophecy.

There is no praying for the United States of America. The United States is now prophecy coming into fulfillment. Praying for the nation to fully return to God is not being loyal to God. What is required is to bring the remnant to God. Yes, pray for the people of the nation, but not the nation itself for it is lost as was foretold by the book of Revelation.

Teach the children of God. Turn them away from what has power over this nation and will continue to have until prophecy is fully completed.

Revelation 18:2-3 NKJV – And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.”

This is what controls the United States. Therefore, we must all become Epaphras, Luke and Demas. Spreading the Word of God in the churches and the streets. We are already in the last generation that will see all the judgements be fulfilled upon those who live upon this planet.

Teach the True Word of God. Fully spreading the Gospel to all the states of this once proud nation that has forgotten where it came from and for Who.

Along this line of epiphanies an additional one occurred a bit later and is something that I will not say is truth. However, I truly feel it is something that does need to be contemplated. Too many forget the other half of Jesus Christ and what it means to all of us.

Yes, He is the Son of God. Yes, He is God. I will never deny or question this.

He walked with humans. He ate food and went to the bathroom. He was carried in the womb of a woman. Yes, He was conceived with the Holy Spirit, but it was still a human egg in a human’s ovaries.

Why push this point. I will explain.

A while back I saw that someone made a movie in which the child “Jesus” performed miracles. This is found nowhere in the Bible. We have to come to an understanding about the human half of Jesus.

Romans 5:12-19 NKJV – Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned— (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.

It was due to Jesus being conceived with the Holy Spirit is what enabled Him to live thirty years without falling into temptation. Because He was still human. His mother was born in corruption as was all of humanity. It is due to the Holy Spirit he had more knowledge of the Scripture than the Sadducees and Pharisees, which caused them to be in awe of Him when He was just a child. This is all we hear of these thirty years. For that is all that is important. We know that all other humans sinned. Yet Jesus never did. This was all due to His conception. For the Holy Spirit is not in Him for these years. This IS made clear in the Bible.

Matthew 3:13-17 NKJV – Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him. When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

“When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.”

So, from the point of His conception in the womb until His baptism the Holy Spirit was not in His life. However, He was sinless. Something no one else with a human body had accomplished. This was due to how He was conceived. The rest was His nature that existed within His human body. This is one of the factors which causes the voice of God to be heard saying this:

“This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

How can God be pleased in Him now, when at this point He has only now been baptized? It is because He got to this point sinless and overcame the nature temptations that all humans encounter.

However, when you say things like this people seem to throw hissy fits. They say Jesus was always and is always God. Yet he never performed any miracles before His baptism. The Holy Spirit did not enter Him until His baptism.

When you take the verses from Romans into consideration. We can see that there is credence to what I just said. Because Christ was sent to redeem all of the human race by the fact that He was sinless.

Now when mentioning temptation people will refer to the forty days in the desert that follows His baptism. This is a different temptation and is on an entirely different level and type. This is the devil himself tempting the Son of God in His full power that is given unto Him through the Holy Spirit being fully within Him.

But, I need to backtrack to a point I made a few moments before. It comes with understanding Christ making it thirty years without sinning in a human body. A corrupt body. Again, someone will be throwing a hissy fit here. First off by you getting upset you are letting the flesh win and not the Holy Spirit if you are a follower of Christ. Please stop and listen. This is important because it deals with our corrupt nature which ALL humanity is born with including Jesus through His mother Mary. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit it is an opening within our existence to be like Jesus Christ who lived thirty years without committing a single sin period. He accomplished it and due to doing so God His Father acclaimed Him.

“This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

God wishes to say this to us all. However, most wish to ignore this. They wish to see Jesus as Holy His entire life. This I believe defeats the task Christ came to fulfill. To be able to forgive every sin upon the cross He had to know the temptations of sin by having a corrupt body. It is only when the Holy Spirit returns to Him that His ministry as the coming of the kingdom of God begins. It is here upon His baptism that grace truly begins and the fact that He made it to this point sinless in what was corrupt and now made holy by the presence of the Holy Ghost within Him. This give all glory to God our Creator His Father as it should be.

Why?

Because if Jesus Christ could endure temptation. Once we are born again and baptized ourselves. We have no excuse to allow sin to endure within us. For we have a part in our salvation. If we do not abide in Him. He will not abide in us.

John 15:1-6 NKJV – “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 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. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 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. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 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, and they are burned.

Time is nearly up. We must all fix our relationships with the Creator of all through Jesus Christ

God Bless

Blog for Podcast #144 (The Storm of Selective Faith Part 2)

bible, Bible study, Christian, Christian Life, General, Guide, Life, Relationship, Thoughts, , , , , , Leave a comment

Intro

This is Dreamwalker1960. As a reminder you can read the transcripts of all my podcasts at dreamwalker1960.com. You can use most podcast platforms if you wish to listen. All you need do is do a search for Dreamwalker1960.

Discussion

In the last podcast I was discussing how many have decided to embrace a type of selective hearing. I mentioned in particular a woman that showed herself to be working in love and kindness. Yet she denied teachings found within the Bible because how one of the letters that now is a book within the New Testament was addressed. I once again return to scripture that per her slant upon the teachings found within the Bible would be limited to only ministers and pastors. Why I say this is because Timothy was the head of the church in Ephesus. This is reinforced by the fact that the two letter to Timothy and the letter to Titus are called the “Pastoral Epistles.” However, here is the verse:

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV – All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

This means that everything that now comprises the Bible is scripture and is for all that profess Christ as their Savior to study and come to learn. To understand that it doesn’t matter to whom the letters were originally meant for. They are now something we must learn and embrace for our betterment.

Once someone says that this is ours and this is not ours adds to creating a false gospel, a false teaching.

Deuteronomy 4:2 NKJV – You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

Galatians 1:6-10 NLT – I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ. Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you. I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed. Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.

Christ makes it totally clear where a person’s love is when they chose to have selective reading of the scriptures:

John 14:23-24 NKJV – Jesus answered and said to him, “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. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.

These Words spoken by Christ tie right back in with those for 2 Timothy so I will say them one again:

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV – All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

One of the biggest elements that fills the minds of those who choose to ignore all scripture is that they wish to believe that just because they believe they are set for true and complete salvation.

James 2:19 NKJV – You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!

Those that embrace faith alone are stating they are on the same level as demons. Could this be the reason why this is said?

James 2:26 NKJV – For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

It is here that we must once again come into an understanding of what “works” is. They are not rituals, but how we live our lives every single day as we strive to be a living example unto the world.

Titus 2:7-8 NKJV – in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.

Matthew 5:14-16 NKJV – “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

1 Timothy 4:11-13 NKJV – These things command and teach. Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

This is works going hand and hand with faith. Living the life as a child of God. Day in and day out. Following all of Gods teachings.

In the last eight years of my life God as place several people before me from all aspects. Believers and non-believers. Pastors, deacons, evangelists and your everyday person who professed to being “Christian.”

I have talked to them. Worked with them. Dined with them. Befriended them. Even Confronted them.

I came to a sad conclusion. Most were stuck in their belief and mentality of how God worked and worked with them. Most were off the mark. Some of these by only a slight degree others to the point of cultic believes that were totally counter to what is written within the Bible. Most showed their desire to chase after money more than God. Many knew more about sports than the Bible.

As to those that were non-believers, they found me an enigma. I didn’t fit their mold of what they expected someone who professing to be a “Christian” to behave and act toward them. I had a “trans” person talk to me one day as we walked to a co-worker’s anniversary party. I was friendly and cordial. The next day the person didn’t come in and was out of work for several months. Read into that what you want.

My greatest disappointment came from those that professed to being followers of Christ. They showed more of the flesh than of the Spirit they professed to follow.

Galatians 5:19-23 NKJV – Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Those that professed to being children of God were hurt and astonished by what they believed and is the Truth found within the Bible. Their actions and reactions showing more ignorance of the Word of God than some of the non-believers. They believed things in some cases that didn’t even exist within the Bible. So, this begs the question. Are they really follows of Christ? Because their believes can’t be found within the Bible but in their own image of what is found within that image.

Isaiah 29:13 NKJV – Therefore the Lord said: “Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths And honor Me with their lips, But have removed their hearts far from Me, And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men,

What they think is the Biblical, is Godly. What they believe comes from Jesus Christ isn’t. They hear all is love. All are welcome into heaven as long as they commit  to Him and of course give their 10% tithe. This by the way is not Christianity. This is religion wearing a façade of Christianity. it is this religion that says that all that is required is faith.

2 Peter 2:1-14 NKJV – But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)— then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries, whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation against them before the Lord. But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption, and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you, having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children.

Within these verses we come to understand that God through His Son will not just Save people but judge them.

2 Timothy 4:1 KJV – I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:

John 12:44-50 NKJV – Then Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. 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, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 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. For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.”

Now when we return to 2 Timothy 3:16-17 we need to come to an understanding for “all scripture.” I wish to shed a bit of light of this from another book in the New Testament:

John 1:1-5 NKJV – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

Christ is the Word, and the Word is all scripture. Not certain books within the Bible, but the entire Bible. Therefore, when someone rejects part of the Bible, they are fully rejecting He who is the Word.

Matthew 10:32-33 NKJV – “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

Christ said this:

John 14:15 NKJV – “If you love Me, keep My commandments.

Consequently, if the Bible says:

James 2:26 NKJV – For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Even though written by James it is actually Christ speaking through the Holy Spirit. Telling all that those that live by faith alone are dead. However, those that follow all the teachings given within the Bible, which includes all the commandments that pass the litmus test of Matthew 22:37-40 are works that we should strive to fulfill and complete to the best of our ability.

it is time to embrace the entire Bible and follow all the teachings within it. To be the light unto the world. Living a life that shows us to be a reflection of Christ and in no way a reflection of the world. What is truly and completely sad is most that reflect more of the world than Christ profess to being “Christian.” They are the lukewarm per Revelation 3:14-16. That Christ already sees them as dead per Revelation 3:1-5. Yet in both these letters He gives them an out. That they must repent. As seen in the last letter of the seven churches this means to get rid of worldly wealth and to seek true obedience to the Word of God. Time is nearly up. There is not more time to have a long journey of sanctification. It must happen now and must happen quickly or face eternal damnation.

God Bless.

Blog for Podcast #143 (The Storm of Selective Faith Part 1)

bible, Bible study, Christian, Christian Life, General, Guide, Life, Relationship, , , , , , Leave a comment

Intro

This is Dreamwalker1960. As a reminder you can read the transcripts of all my podcasts at dreamwalker1960.com. You can use most podcast platforms if you wish to listen. All you need do is do a search for Dreamwalker1960.

Discussion

The other day on social media a person posted a meme that said this:

“Most ‘Christians’ are going to hell.”

This caused quite a storm in the comments below it. The verses referenced in this meme were:

Matthew 7:21 NKJV – “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

and

Luke 6:46 NKJV – “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?

I learned long ago that those that protested against this meme showed one thing. I have referenced these verses in the past, but I see I must do so again:

Galatians 5:19-21 NKJV – Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

You see those that countered this meme showed hatred. They experienced an outburst of wrath. They were causing dissension.  So, in essence they pronounced to all where they were not with God through Jesus Christ and that they were on the broad road and not the narrow path.

Matthew 7:13-14 NKJV – “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Which I may add gives further support from the Word of God for the meme that started this tempest of complaints.

Now there was one slight outlier to this situation. This person didn’t truly argue, but the evidence she presented was aimed at pure faith.

I replied with one verse.

James 2:26 NKJV – For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Her response to this was truly depressing to me to say the least.

Her reply went like this:

“You do see who James was talking to here in this letter correct? ‘James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings.’ this was aimed for the twelve tribes of Israel.”

This response is how many, especially those that embrace the false teaching of “once saved always saved” think and believe. They cut themselves off from those Scriptures which shows that salvation can be lost and as a result will lead to the Lake of fire. Which again gives verification to the meme that started this entire whirlwind of complaints. It also cuts them off from teaches which instructs them to not horde or keep their worldly wealth to themselves.

My reply to her was to the point.

 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV – All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

“All Scripture.”

This means that people cannot say that this part of the Bible was aimed at this group or that group. If we accept Christ as our Savior and we choose to follow His teachings and those of His chosen apostles. Then we must follow all that is found within the Bible especially if it causes us discomfort.

For those that deny that we are required to follow all the commandments given within the Bible that were not removed by the cross and pass the litmus test of the greatest commandments:

Matthew 22:37-40 NKJV – Jesus said to him, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’  On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

When they say things like “it is by faith alone.” they are saying that Christ came to destroy the commandments, but Christ said this:

John 14:15 NKJV – “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”

and

Matthew 5:17-19 NKJV – “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

So those that deny the teachings of Christ have in essence denied Him for He is the Word of God:

John 1:1 NKJV – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

And what does Christ say about those that deny Him?

Matthew 10:33 NKJV – But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

Therefore, if Christ has denied them to His Father. Our Lord and Creator: God. Then are we not cut off from Him?

The answer is simple and goes to one of the verses referenced in the meme:

Matthew 7:21-23 NKJV – “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

As I have presented before. One of the key elements found in these verses are these words:

“Cast out demons in Your name.”

This is Christ reply for this found later in the book of Matthew:

Matthew 12:24-30 NKJV – Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, “This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.” But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house. He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.

Since they cast out demons, they were at one point “Christian.” Yet now they are not known to Christ. AKA they are no longer “Christian.”

What did Jesus Christ teach about abiding in Him:

John 15:1-6 NKJV – “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 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. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 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. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 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, and they are burned.

If you want full details about what it means to abide in Christ look to podcast #139. A key element that must be made clear though is that a person cannot be upon the True Vine unless they are born again. Also as shown in these verses if a person does not bear fruit AKA “works” like following all the teachings given by Christ and His apostles then they do not bear fruit and will be removed and allowed to enter into the Lake of Fire. This is witnessed in the fifth letter in the book of Revelation:

Revelation 3:1-5 NKJV – “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

“He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life”

Let me further translate this part of the verses I just re-read.

If you do not overcome AKA follow the teachings of Christ Jesus. He WILL blot out AKA remove that person’s name from the Book of Life. And what is the fate of those whose names are not found within the Book of Life?

Revelation 20:15 NKJV – And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

Which returns us to where we began today’s podcast:

Most of those that profess to being “Christian” are going to hell. I am not judging. I am stating facts. I am quoting the Bible, which was inspired by God.

But understand this:

Only one person can cause someone to go to hell once they have accepted Christ as their Savior, and that is themselves. When you deny any part of the teachings of Christ or when you laugh AKA mock the Word of God you are causing yourself to most likely not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. In that case there is only one other destination. The lake of fire AKA hell.

God Bless