Month: May 2023

Blog for Podcast #155 (Adulterers)

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

Who are the adulterers of the book of James?

This is not referring to just those that commit adultery upon their spouse, even though, technically they are included. It is those that say that they have asked Jesus Christ to be their Savior. It is those that then instead of being a loyal bride to the Holy Bridegroom, which is who Jesus is. They turn their backs upon Him and seek after those things that they can see about them.

He tells us not to seek after things of the world. For they shall rust away and be eaten by moths or stolen by thieves.

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.

Nonetheless, this is exactly what they do seek after. They seek after wealth, and fame. They seek after the bigger, the better, and the shinier. They turn themselves into adulterers, cheating upon their Savior and rejecting those promised and cherished rewards that will come when we no longer live for up to a hundred years. But when we live for billions, upon billions of years.

This is the one concept most in the world have forgotten, that we are all to be eternal beings. We are all promised to live for billions of years. Most, however, reject this thesis. They claim that all there is, is this poultry one hundred years. And so, they seek after that which turns them into adulterers.

The Bible makes it clear. If you seek after riches, it can most likely be impossible to enter the eternal live that is to come.

Matthew 19:23-24 NKJV – Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, 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.”

We are to reject the lusts and desires of pleasing ourselves, but to humble ourselves and worship He who died upon the cross. Allowing us the ability to be seen by His Father, our Creator.

The desires of the self must die. Placing ourselves at the center of our concerns must die. For if we do not do this, we are promised to die a second time. To be dead eternally in the sight of God. Even though physically we will still be alive, but in such anguish and misery that we will have no time to know or think of anything else but that agony we will be experiencing if we do not end being adulterers to He that has called us to be His bride.

Revelation 21:8 NKJV – But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Repent of your sin. Turn your backs upon them and never return to them. For if you do not, God Himself will break you form the vine of the bridegroom and allow you to be cast into the fire (John 15:1-6).

James 4:1-10 NKJV – Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”? But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “GOD RESISTS THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.” Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

Why do people insist upon making themselves into adulterers? Because they believe it is all about themselves. They are selfish and self-serving. They believe the world revolves about them, when this is the furthest thing from the truth.

James 3:13-18 NKJV – Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 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. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

This is why they pray incorrectly. They pray for more wealth. They pray for comfort. They pray for earthly rewards. They pray for everything except that which God requires of them. The Bible teaches to seek after less and if given wealth to give it to those in need not ourselves. We are told not to seek after the things of the world. We are told we will not live in true and complete comfort, except that comfort that comes from true and complete devotion to God.

1 Timothy 6:6-10 NKJV – Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

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.

1 John 2:15-17 NLT – Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

Do you think you are one with God through Jesus Christ just because you call yourself a “Christian” and go into a building called a “church” once a week. This is the land of the “Sunday Christian” the “rice Christian.”

Just so you understand that second reference. A “rice Christian” is referring to what missionaries in China called those that went to a Christian mission because they were paid to go there with rice. Sadly this was  done and the priest or pastor that encouraged or endorsed this can be called a false teacher. So, due to this their fate has already been determined.

2 Peter 2:1-3 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.

Accordingly, a rice Christian is someone who receives earthly rewards in return for saying they follow Christ. Now think upon that a moment. Think about those that have said they turn to Christ and then seek after expensive homes, cars or trucks. That seek after enough wealth to buy fancy clothes to become members of golf courses. Live in exclusive gated communities, while all the time professing they are “Christians.”

This is what makes them adulterers. Therefore, since they are committing adultery against Jesus Christ Himself. Then they more than any other adulterer have earned their place in that judgement that Christ Himself will pass upon them.

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.

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.

What many do not understand is that true dedication to following Jesus Christ is not what has been taught for centuries. Yes, you heard that correctly: hundreds of years.

More generations have gone to the grave in a false understanding of what is required to be a follower of Christ. Yet those that lived the simple lives in rural areas came closest to true servitude to Christ’s teaches if they strived to follow them. This is witnesses here within the Bible:

Luke 21:1-4 NKJV – And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”

Why say this? It is explained to Timothy this way:

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.

Those that horde their wealth unto themselves do not willing give all their wealth unto those in 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?

 Yet most have been taught to live in this manner. For generations most seek to be wealthy and pass on this wealth to their offspring. All of which is a sin. Which labels all that seek to show and flaunt their wealth to be condoning sin instead of seeking to be disciples of Christ if they profess to the world they are “Christians.” Thus, they are adulterers and in fact hypocrites. To the point that this is said to the Pharisees that lived in this manner:

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 mammon.” 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 pointed out before. The Greek word of “abomination” is only used six times in the NT. Four of those times it describes the antichrist and those that follow and worship that person. What does that make these adulterers?

Repent and downsize NOW!

God Bless

Blog for Podcast #154 (“Why”)

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
Why.
I have started to use this word more. Why? Because I keep encountering those that profess to being follower of Jesus Christ and that they follow His teachings. Yet, when confronted with things that go counter to how they do things. These people obfuscate, they argue, they complain.
Now you have to further understand the reason I am using the word “why” more. You see I use the Word of God. Most times I use the Word’s spoken by Jesus Christ Himself. Yet, people argue and say this is not so. This is not right. They say things like this when the Bible shows what they have been doing and what they have been taught cannot be found in the Scriptures.
Case in point. How we are to pray.
Frist:
1 Thessalonians 5:17 NKJV – pray without ceasing,
Second:
Matthew 6:5-8 NKJV – “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.
Simply we are to pray constantly, but we are to not let others know we are doing so. Those that pray at restaurants, those that pray openly for all to see or even read, per Jesus Christ have been given their rewards.
People get incensed by this. They say this only applies to those that are hypocrites. Not understanding that if they insist upon praying for all to see they become hypocrites per the Words spoken by Jesus Christ Himself. When someone challenges the Words spoken by Christ Himself, they say they know better than Him, they know better than God.
I wish to look at the word “hypocrite.”
hypocrite – hupokrités – dissembler, pretender
a) dissembler – someone who hides their real feelings or intentions, or hides the true facts.
When someone disagrees with a direct command given by Jesus Christ, they are hiding the true facts. Not only from other, but from themselves and so they become a hypocrite.
As to our example I used earlier from the sermon on the mount. I will restate it, however first I will show something else Christ said.
John 14:15 NKJV – “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”
Now when giving the sermon on the mount there are several times Jesus gives out commandments that He has stated we are to follow. How we are to pray is one of them. Therefore, once again I will restate it:
Matthew 6:5-15 NKJV – “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
You can tell by the wording this is a commandment. Yet people challenge this. Once again, I return to the word of the day. Why?
Because they have been taught otherwise, they have been told they can spread the knowledge of God by praying in public. Making a show of their belief. Yet Jesus Christ made it clear. They have been given their reward, which shows it is earthly not heavenly.
If they really sought after rewards that were promised by God they would make their continual prayers in their heads and behind closed doors. They would work within the perimeters directed by our Lord and Savior and not question or challenge it just because what they have been taught does not follow what has been commanded by Him.
Why?
Because once they challenge it they show disobedience to God. They show who they are obedient too. Jesus ran into this same mentality when He walked amongst us, and how did He reply to this:
John 8:39-47 NKJV They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. You do the deeds of your father.” Then they said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father—God.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.”
Again, people will challenge this. Why? because this was not them. It was the Jewish people living in disobedience. However, there is one thing I have learned. That any who challenge the Truth given by Christ become those that do not see who He truly is. They become blind to the Truth and so they become the follows of the father of all lies. Right now someone just got upset by what was just stated here. I will remind them of what the Bible says about that type of reaction.
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.
Does their reaction not appear as hatred of the Truth? Are they not showing contention with the Word of God? Have they not reacted in an outburst of wrath? Do they not to seek to distance themselves from this message causing dissension within them? Then they are acting from the flesh and following he who governs the flesh opening the door to them not being welcomed in the kingdom of God. Thus, verifying all that has been stated here.
So, it has been established by what has been shown in this podcast as to the reason I have started this lesson with the word “why.”
Now, we can turn to the word “what.”
What can we do to address these issues?
First off people must come to an acceptance that they can be doing things that are seen a wrong in the eyes of God through His Son our Savior Jesus Christ. They can do this by actually studying the Bible for themselves. When people allow others to tell them what the Bible says that is the open door to false teachings. I have said it more than once. I will say it again. Do not take my word for it. Learn it yourself. Always verify.
1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 NKJV – Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.
Anything that does not fall in-line with the Word of God is evil it is just that simple. That is why it is so important to know the Bible for ourselves. That is why when people decide to not follow the Word because of tradition is equal to following false teachings. Taking the doctrines of humans over the Truth of God.
Matthew 15:1-9 NKJV – Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.” He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? For God commanded, saying, ‘HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER’; and, ‘HE WHO CURSES FATHER OR MOTHER, LET HIM BE PUT TO DEATH.’ But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God”— then he need not honor his father or mother.’ Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘THESE PEOPLE DRAW NEAR TO ME WITH THEIR MOUTH, AND HONOR ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR FROM ME. AND IN VAIN THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN.’ “
Yes, Christ was speaking to the Pharisees and scribes, but the mentality that existed when Christ walked amongst us has now come to those that profess to being “Christian” at this very time. Those Words spoken by Him then now apply to most that profess to follow Him now, however they have abandoned or more accurately never learned the Truth.
Haven’t people noticed how many denominations have appeared in the last three hundred years including many cults that also sprang into existence in the 1830s and 40s. Not counting the cults. How many actually follow the Truth within the Bible?
Do you know that only 2% of today’s churches within the United States actually teach the Truth. Actually teaching the need for repentance. That actually teach what is required to take the journey of the narrow and difficult path. Only 2%. That means the other 98% teach evil, under the façade of Christianity, for they are not in line with the Word of God. This is all part of the great deception. The deception that tells them they can keep their wealth and their fancy lifestyle. While all the time they are one with God, when this is the furthest thing from the Truth. They have abandoned Christ for their own wants and desire which does not come from God as shown in 1 John 2:15-16. This verifies what I am saying is the Truth. Yet most don’t want to hear this. They wish to live in their lie not realizing they listen to and worship the father of all lies.
“You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.”
Think and ponder what has been said today.
God Bless

Blog for Podcast #153 (Study the Word of God)

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

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 challenges that causes many to not accept this truth is because humans took pen to parchment. Many use this as an excuse not to accept what is written within the Bible as Truth.

Here are some facts. At the latest count there are over 5800 Greek manuscripts. The earliest of these dates to 130 AD. Of these there are 2% differences in any of these copies of the New Testament. in addition, there are over 18000 copies in Armenian and Latin. However, there has been many errors found within these versions, which is why we use only Greek when it comes to studying the New Testament.

Now there are those that do not wish to accept that only 2% of the New Testament has changed. However, this is the truth. Nearly six thousand copies and there is barely any change to the Words spoken by our Savior Jesus Christ and His chosen apostles. Part of the 2% was changing names from Jewish pronunciation to English. Like Jesus instead of Yeshua.

In 1611 the King James Bible was approved for distribution by this Scottish born Presbyterian monarch of both England and Scotland. The forty-seven scholars that started work upon this Bible in 1604 used a large number of authenticated materials including the work performed by William Tyndale who had been burned at the stake in 1536 for doing what was now approved by the king of England.

In addition to what is known as the formal cannon of sixty-six books that form both the Old and New Testament. There is the “apocrypha.” The mere fact that these writings are supported by Catholicism as well as other orthodox Christian mentalities labels these works as suspect. Only one of these I give any credence too and that is because it is made mention of within the book of Jude.

Jude 1:14-15 NKJV – Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.”

Therefore, to me the book of Enoch is worth looking at, but not to the point of discounting what is now known as the Bible, because of these words, which I will now restate:

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.

The KJV of the Bible is as good as it is because of the intense studying accomplished by those forty-seven scholars. Why? Because they studied the Word of God. That is why it is so important that all that profess to being disciples of Christ do the same.

When it comes to the Word of God and how it is accepted there are those that only accept what is written within the KJV of the Bible. Let me say I do not wish them ill for doing so. However, many of these just read the Bible, not study it. For there are truths that come to light when you truly study the Word of God. I will give you an example that I recently discussed in a past podcast (#152 The Lawless).

Matthew 7:21-23 KJV – Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

The last word in these verses is “iniquity.”

When just reading the Bible people encounter this word and they may say to themselves “what does this word mean?”

The Cambridge Dictionary says the word means this: a very wrong and unfair action or situation.

However, when you study the Word of God. The word means this: lawlessness, disobedience, sin, illegality, that is, violation of the law, unrighteousness.

These are two different meanings. Which results in ignorance. Which results in sin and the acceptance thereof.

Consequently, many insist that it must only be the KJV, and no others. Opening themselves up to living and staying in sin. Why? Because they are not studying the Word. They are just reading it and living off it at face value, which has led many to accept and follow false teachings.

On the other extreme are those that read the NIV. Within this book there are over fifty errors in what is presented within this book that equates to a people pleasing message. What does the Bible say about this?

Galatians 1:6-10 NKJV – I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

Anything that allows sin is not of God and that is what the NIV condones in the way things are presented within it. Accordingly, it is not the Bible, but an abomination, a corruption of the Word of God. It is on the same par as Latin translation of the Bible that were found so corrupt that they are not worth the effort to be pursued. So those that made this will have to account for themselves when the time comes for them to stand in the presence of the Great White Throne. For they have turned the Truth into a lie.

Revelation 21:8 NKJV – But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

But enough of the sidetrack. Let us return to the word “iniquity.” So, the Greek word which was translated to “iniquity” actually means lawlessness. Why is this important? To answer that let us look to Luke.

Luke 16:16-17 NKJV – “The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it. And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail.

Allow me to give a more modern yet accurate translation of these verses, based upon the NLT, which is actually not correct. Which again points to the importance of studying the Word of God for ourselves.

Until John the Baptist, the law of Moses and the messages of the prophets were the guides of the Jewish people. But now the Good News of the Kingdom of God has been preached, and all of humanity is now forced into the laws of Moses and the prophets. And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for the smallest part of the law to fail.

This is verified in Matthew:

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.

This is why we MUST study the Word of God. Each and every person that professes to being a “Christian.” For it is our responsibility to abide upon the Vine that is Jesus Christ.

John 15:1-10 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 abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

Now many will challenge what has been shown here, but that is to be expected because they wish to be the focal point in their lives not God through Jesus Christ. But I have discussed this many times in the past. Therefore, I will move on to trying to get people to understand how having the commandments being forced upon all humanity actually works. I will do this with how Paul addressed it in Romans.

Romans 7:4-25 NKJV – Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death. But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter. What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “YOU SHALL NOT COVET.” But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead. I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me. Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good. Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful. For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

Without knowing the commandments people sin without knowing they sin. Now through Christ’s preaching we all know the commandments and so we know sin. Through Jesus Christ Who gave us the Word of God is life. For as long as we live in sin, we are dead. Seek salvation, seek the only door to not only life but enteral, everlasting life.

God Bless

Blog for Podcast #152 (The Lawless)

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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

A few weeks back I had an encounter with a person on social media. In this encounter the person insisted that they were walking in the light of Christ. However, they felt it was not their duty to spread the Word of God. In fact, this person stated out right that the laws Christ Himself said would not end until the Great White Throne Judgement were no longer in effect. I showed this person the Words spoken by Jesus Christ Himself. Still, He was right and the Words spoken by our Savior were not true. What does Jesus Christ say?

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.

“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.”

When someone denies the existence of the commandments, they teach that we are to break them, so those that do this are seen as least in the kingdom of heaven.

This person also said it was not their duty to spread the Good News. Christ said this about that:

Matthew 25:14-30 NKJV – “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

As I have shown in past podcasts this is not about gaining wealth, but about helping people to find salvation by accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior. When this person said it was not their duty to help others to find this salvation, they became the servant that buried their talent, their salvation. They were determined to keep their “salvation” just for themselves and everyone else had to find their own way to God without this person’s help. This person would not judge those that had not found God. Simply stated He knew where the Lord sowed His seeds and so instead of helping these seeds to grow this person hid their salvation away. What was their reward in the end?

“And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

“There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Where else in the Bible do we see this description? That is explained in another parable that Jesus is asked to explain. So, He does:

Matthew 13:36-43 NKJV – Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field.” He answered and said to them: “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

“The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

So, this makes it clear that those that experience weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth are in hell. But’ there is something else that comes into perspective in these verses as well. It is this statement:

“They will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness.”

The word “lawlessness” is used another time in Matthew 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!’

What does it mean to practice lawlessness?

Lawlessness is shown as “iniquity” in the KJV in both places. Therefore, we will examine this word:

Iniquity – anomia – lawlessness, disobedience, sin, illegality, that is, violation of the law, unrighteousness.

But, if there is no laws, no commandments how can they be violated?

Jesus Christ also said this:

 Luke 16:16-17 NKJV – “The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it. And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail.

“Pressing into” as I have shown in the past this mean all are forced into the law and the prophets. Therefore, any who state there are no longer any laws or commandments are in fact living and teaching other to break the laws and the commandments. So, their destination is not in heaven but where?

Revelation 21:8 NKJV – But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

This is supported when the person I was talking about at the beginning of today’s study rejected the Word’s spoken by Jesus Christ Himself.

1 Timothy 6:3-5 NKJV – If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.

“Even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness.”

This brings me to these verses found in Hebrews:

Hebrews 6:4-6 NKJV – For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 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.

They have assigned for themselves their own fate. It is something that should cause anyone to feel discomfort and even a bit of fear that they may slide away from the Holy gifts they were so freely given. Paul wrote this about the laws and his own torment that he himself experienced. What is to follow should give all pause if they do not feel uncomfortable in how they live. For Paul an apostle chosen by Jesus Christ Himself felt he was not worthy of his calling as is seen in the verses that follow:

Romans 7:7-25 NKJV – What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “YOU SHALL NOT COVET.” But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead. I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me. Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good. Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful. For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

It is very clear that the laws, the commandments are still in effect. Any who say otherwise are in fact denying their Savior and thus their own salvation. They wear a façade of holiness, but is that all it is. The thing is God will allow them to repent to return to Him. It makes that very clear in Revelation 3:1-6, which is where I will end today’s study at.

Revelation 3:1-6 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 has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ‘

God Bless