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

One of the biggest issues I encounter within those that profess to being “Christian” is their misuse of the Word of God. They have what could be called: selective hearing. Case in point:

The other day on social media I ran into a posting of Titus 3:5 by itself. So, let’s look at it:

Titus 3:5 NKJV – not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

Many take this to mean they are not required to perform “works of righteousness.” This is a faith alone mentality. This is an OSAS way of thinking.

This is also taken totally out of context, which in turn, turns the Word of God into a lie. Let us look at it in the FULL context:

Titus 3:1-11 NKJV – Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.

This is the full context. This shows works of righteousness performed by those that profess to being followers of Jesus Christ. However, let’s look at the full perspective given by the sentence that verse five is a part of.

“But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

This sentence is referring to the coming of Jesus Christ to save all humanity. This does not tell us not to live a righteous life. It actually tells us in full context to live a righteous life through our works.

Once again rituals and works are two different things. Rituals are repetitive actions that do not require true faith. Works are how you live and act every single day. You show where you stand with God through your faith by how you live, which are works. Thus, the admonitions shown in these verses.

Admonitions most refuse to even attempt to do. Like for example following the speed limit. Yes, following the speed limit. As shown in the first verses:

Titus 3:1 NKJV – Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work,

Titus 3:1 NLT – Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good.

Any man-made law that does not go against the Word of God is to be obeyed. Why is this?

Daniel 4:17 NLT – For this has been decreed by the messengers; it is commanded by the holy ones, so that everyone may know that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world. He gives them to anyone he chooses—even to the lowliest of people.”

Because God placed them into power. Even Hitler, and Stalin as well as Napoleon. All of whom broke the laws of God. Here those that followed God should have stepped forward and stop them. In fact, many did just that. However, they were few when compared to those that went along with those rules and laws that went against the Word of God. They set in silents and allowed millions to die. All because they were living in earthly comforts and to speak out would remove these earthly riches from them.

Why this world is in the end times is because most that profess to being “Christian” refuse to live righteous lives. Mostly because they have fallen for the lies that many that standing in pulpits teach that they, those sitting in the pews, are not required to do more for God. They teach that they can have their riches and only need to give 10% of their earthly wealth. This is totally opposite what the Word of God teaches.

This is what comes when people take the Word of God out of context. This was addressed to the church in Galita, and how those of the church behaved.

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.

A key statement is made in these verses. “To a different gospel, which is not another.” What this is referring to is those that take bits and pieces of the Word of God to create a new gospel which turns it into a people pleasing message that leads people to damnation instead of salvation. This is why those that piecemeal the True Gospel are cursed.

I must note that I have encountered an occurrence where someone took verse ten out of context saying that we as Christians are not to seek to please people. Which, as I have just shown by presenting these verses in context. These verses refer to changing the Word of God.

I encountered yet another example from 2 Corinthians. The person presented just verse 9 for our consideration and even then, they did not give the entire verse.

2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV – “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

The complete verse:

2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV – And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

In full context:

2 Corinthians 12:1-10 NKJV – It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

This shows that we should be humble and not seek self-glorification. This is not a teaching about only living under God’s Grace through Christ. Those that try to teach such a message as shown earlier are to be cursed.

One of the greatest examples of misinformation comes from the gospel of John.

John 3:16 NKJV – For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

None will question this that seek to truly follow Christ. In full context:

John 3:16-21 NKJV – For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

This is a challenge to seek the light, not just to acknowledge Christ.  To acknowledge Jesus Christ as the light that has come into the world to expose evil. Also, to live again a righteous life, which is why it states: “that his deeds may be clearly seen.”

Deeds – G2041 – ergon – work, task, employment; a deed, action aka works.

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

This is how we expose evil unto the light. By how we live. Being a reflection of Christ by fulfilling His commands.

James 1:22-25 NKJV – But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

Be doers of the Word of God not just hears. Most refuse to accept this. Most would rather be hearers. Most are. Which means most are looking into an imperfect image of themselves. Believing they are destine for heaven when they are really destine for damnation.

Time is running out to repent and become doers of the law. Downsize and then give most your wealth unto those in need and into spreading the True Word of God.

God Bless