bible

Blog for Podcast #199 (Selling the Soul)

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 to do is do a search for Dreamwalker1960.

Discussion

Selling the soul.

It is much easier than most want to say or accept. It is written about even though not clearly stated in the NT. First, we must accept these facts about salvation.

Romans 10:13 NKJV – For “WHOEVER CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED.”

This is why these words appear in the second letter of 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.”

Christ makes it clear that most choose the wide 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.

They pick the wide path, thus selling their souls because of the comforts found within this world that do not belong to God.

1 John 2:15-16 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.

The fact that they sold their souls comes from those that receive worldly possessions, wealth and comforts. For all this is given to those that follow this one being who has control of this world.

2 Corinthians 4:4 NLT – Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.

Luke 4:6 NKJV – And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.

As was witnessed from the Word of God from Jesus Christ Himself. It says that to live for God through Christ as taught within and by the Bible is difficult. The Bible makes it clear that those that worship the world and themselves are not going to the kingdom of heaven. This means they have sold their souls to the world and he who controls it. Their sins become visible for all to see.

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.

If at any time they professed to being “Christian” they have sold their souls and now no longer welcome in heaven. For they allowed the flesh to win over following the Spirit as shown a few verses earlier:

Galatians 5:16-18 NKJV – I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Most believe they are going to heaven. However, the Bible makes it clear that they are not welcome there. Therefore, they have sold their souls and don’t wish to hear or accept this truth.

However, Christ makes it very clear that many that said they knew Him will not be known by Him.

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 taught in the past none can cast out demons unless they are born again. Nevertheless, they practice lawlessness because they have sold their souls. Their earthly comforts are more important to them than living an eternal life. Most can’t even grasp this concept. It is beyond their understanding mainly due to not knowing the Word of God.

Time and again it is shown and taught that we must know the Word of God. To know the Word is done through studying it not just reading it. Each person is responsible for learning it for themselves. It is a responsibility because if they don’t, they will sell their souls without realizing it.

Then we come to those that know without question that they are selling their souls. They know that if they make a certain choice they will not be welcomed before God but chose to live with the pain of the worm eating their flesh and the fire burning what is left of their skin. However, they still willingly chose damnation.

Many popes have chosen this path. Many pastor, ministers and priests have done the same. The higher demand to tell the truth of the Word of God the higher the temptation. The more it is they make it an open decision and choose to commit a sin. Knowing they are going to damnation yet still they make this willing decision.

Why do they turn from God? I can’t answer that. Only that person can answer that. Only you can answer that question for yourself if you willing know that you are entering into a sin that will lead to damnation.

What is known is this. The more earthly treasures in someone’s possession the more evidence shows they have sold their souls no matter what they may say and insist is opposite this Truth. This why Jesus Christ Himself insisted that we seek after no earthly treasures.

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.

This is why we are told and encouraged to live a needs only existence:

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.

These many sorrows include eternal damnation. They will also notice that even with all these earthly comforts something is missing. Their desire to be happy will never truly be met. Money. The lust for it has caused murder, wars and other sorrows. Sorrows that occurred for thousands of years.

As we come to the end of this era. We find more and more that have sold their souls so completely that they openly parade who they worship. Those people that call themselves “celebrities” openly dress and admit that they follow and worship the being in control of this temporal plain.

They try to have others join them. This has gone on since Peter wrote this in 2 Peter:

2 Peter 2:15-19 NKJV – They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man’s voice restrained the madness of the prophet. These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage.

Where does all this lead.

Isaiah 66:24 NKJV – “And they shall go forth and look Upon the corpses of the men Who have transgressed against Me. For their worm does not die, And their fire is not quenched. They shall be an abhorrence to all flesh.

Then those that think they are saved yet do nothing for God. Jesus Christ said this:

Matthew 25:29-30 NKJV – ‘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.’

They will face the White Throne Judgment:

Revelation 20:11-15 NKJV – Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

Time Is quickly coming to an end. Many will see that they are not heading to the kingdom of heaven. They will know this because they will find themselves left behind. They can redeem themselves and many will. However, others will be more interested in their earthly pleasures and comforts. This will lead them to taking the mark of the beast and undying worms and burning flames resulting in gnashing of teeth.

God Bless

Blog for Podcast #198 (Challenging Those that say They are Christian however deny the Bible)

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 to do is do a search for Dreamwalker1960.

Discussion

People need to come to a realization that will upset them, but we need to bring it into the light. Saying the words “I am a Christian,” or “I believe in Jesus Christ,” doesn’t guarantee you a place in heaven.

Were you saved? Per the Bible yes you were. Are you still saved? That is the question isn’t.

I will now approach this from a different angle.

I was talking to someone the other day and he mentioned how someone said that they were a Christian, but refused to accept what is found within the Bible. Now let that sink in a bit.

Now that it has hopefully sunk in let’s look to the Word of God:

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.

God placed the words into people’s heads and then they picked up a pen and wrote it down on parchment. These pages or parchment was turned into the Tanach. Into letters, that were then formed into the book called the Bible. In essence the Bible is God, is Jesus Christ and so if someone denies the Bible, they deny God, they deny Jesus Christ.

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

If Christ has denied them to God, then they are not Christian. They are not welcome in the kingdom of heaven.

This is why Paul writes this to the Galatians because they had turned their backs upon the True Gospel:

Galatians 5:4-26 AMP – If you seek to be justified and declared righteous and to be given a right standing with God through the Law, you are brought to nothing and so separated (severed) from Christ. You have fallen away from grace (from God’s gracious favor and unmerited blessing). For we, [not relying on the Law but] through the [Holy] Spirit’s [help], by faith anticipate and wait for the blessing and good for which our righteousness and right standing with God [our conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action, causes us] to hope. For [if we are] in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through love. You were running the race nobly. Who has interfered in (hindered and stopped you from) your heeding and following the Truth? This [evil] persuasion is not from Him Who called you [Who invited you to freedom in Christ]. A little leaven (a slight inclination to error, or a few false teachers) leavens the whole lump [it perverts the whole conception of faith or misleads the whole church]. [For my part] I have confidence [toward you] in the Lord that you will take no contrary view of the matter but will come to think with me. But he who is unsettling you, whoever he is, will have to bear the penalty. But, brethren, if I still preach circumcision [as some accuse me of doing, as necessary to salvation], why am I still suffering persecution? In that case the cross has ceased to be a stumbling block and is made meaningless (done away). I wish those who unsettle and confuse you would [go all the way and] cut themselves off! For you, brethren, were [indeed] called to freedom; only [do not let your] freedom be an incentive to your flesh and an opportunity or excuse [for selfishness], but through love you should serve one another. For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is complied with in the one precept, You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself. [Lev. 19:18.] But if you bite and devour one another [in partisan strife], be careful that you [and your whole fellowship] are not consumed by one another. But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God). For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do. But if you are guided (led) by the [Holy] Spirit, you are not subject to the Law. Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency, Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies), Envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge]. And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires. If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.] Let us not become vainglorious and self-conceited, competitive and challenging and provoking and irritating to one another, envying and being jealous of one another.

I used the amplified for a reason. Because many get confused with these verses. Many assume that it is through faith alone with how these verses are written. However, let me put forth these verses once again:

“But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God).”

In the next verses we have this said:

“For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do. But if you are guided (led) by the [Holy] Spirit, you are not subject to the Law.”

Most that say they are “Christian” yet deny the Bible and what is taught within it. Live for and by their flesh. This is why this is said next:

“Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency, Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies), Envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”

I know many that say they are “Christian” yet time and again they indulge in these behaviors. However, note the end of the verse:

“Those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”

This means they are not Christian no matter how much they profess or protest. I didn’t say it. The book they deny and refuse to follow says. Why? Because it is Words given by God for all of humanity to follow.

Yes, follow. Do. Take action to adhere to. Otherwise known as “works.”

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

This all fits in with what is taught in Galatians. Again, this is something most do not want to hear. This is why Jesus said this:

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.

Why it is difficult is because we have to actually do what is taught within the Word of God. Which is why each individual person is required to study the Word of God for themselves. Not read, study. For as was shown earlier they can come to understand what is actually taught within the Bible and come to follow and honor their Creator.

They must also come to the realization that it is not God they worship as their god, but themselves as their own god. The god that allows them to live their lives as they see fit, which is opposite what is taught within the Word of God. In fact, what is clearly stated within the Bible:

Galatians 5:14 NKJV – For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”

What does it mean to love your neighbor as yourself? It is very simple. How you desire to be treated by all others you treat others that way. You don’t like to be treated like garbage you don’t treat others like garbage. You don’t like to be looked down upon, you don’t look down upon others. You don’t want someone to treat you like they are superior to you, don’t act superior to others.

This is why when you truly strive to reflect the Holy Spirit you will live and act in this manner:

Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Living this way is not easy. Trust me. I know this from personal experience. Striving to seek satisfaction is not easy. It is a lifelong journey. Full of ups and downs. Trials and tribulations. Which is why Daivd wrote this Psalm:

Psalms 23:1-6 NKJV – A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.

Also, when you say this prayer, you say it inside if you are in public or say it behind closed doors. For that is what we are told to do by Christ Himself.

Matthew 6:5-6 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.

Truly seek to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Not in name only as most do now, but someone who lives as the Word of God teaches them to do. Time is quickly running out to change your ways for Jesus Christ is soon to return.

God Bless

Blog for Podcast #197 (The Battle Not to Be Haughty)

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 to do is do a search for Dreamwalker1960.

Discussion

We are all warned:

Romans 11:17-21 NKJV – And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either.

“Do not be haughty but fear.”

He warns us of this in many ways and many times. It is a warning because we can fall into this trap more than once. It hardens our hearts and makes it impossible to truly improve our relationship with Christ. It is one of the struggles that we are forced to endure due to having free-will. It is the reason we are to seek sanctification. It is why we are told to always seek to become a reflection of Christ. We do not automatically become His reflection. We must strive, struggle, and search our souls to become sanctified.

What does it mean to “sanctify?”

Sanctify – G37 – hagiazó – make holy, treat as holy, set apart as holy, hallow, purify, consecrate, venerate.

  1. Hallow – to make something holy.
  2. Purify – to remove immoral thoughts or acts from something.
  3. Consecrate – to officially make something holy and suitable to be used for religious ceremonies.
  4. Venerate – to honor or very much respect a person or thing.

All of these definitions show actions. Actions are works. To seek after sanctification is a works-oriented endeavor filled with faith and belief in our Savior Jesus Christ. It is something that is ongoing and never-ending until the day we leave this temporal plain of existence. Always seeking to be like Jesus Christ is the true signifying of faith through works.

James 2:18 NKJV – But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

As we journey through our trials and tribulation to be like our Savior, we will have events that will cause us to have difficulties. I have encountered haughtiness within myself more than once as an example.

I guess I get this way by accident as I try and help people to see the Truth. However, God does things in my life to get my attention. To awaken me to my arrogance. It usually works before things get drastic. However, this is not always the case. Sometimes I must suffer. I must feel the pruning of my branch and let me tell you it hurts. Not physically, but emotionally. As most trials are. Within ourselves for we must come to confront our flaws. Because we will always have flaws. For this is made very clear within the Word of God.

1 John 1:8-10 NKJV – If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

This wording shows that this a clear statement to any that calls themselves a follower of Christ. They still sin. It also makes it clear that we must confess our sins unto God through Jesus Christ. Again, an action of works unto God through faith. It also states clearly that any who says they do not sin does not have the Holy Spirit within them.

We must also remember this spoken in Hebrews:

Hebrews 10:26-29 NKJV – For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?

In treating Christ’s sacrifice for our salvation as common is an act of arrogance. What constitutes commonality?

Common – unholy thing – G2839 – koinos – profane; dirty, unclean, unwashed.

Making Christ’s sacrifice upon the cross unclean is not just achieved through arrogance in attitude but taking your salvation for granted. This is shown in those that say things like:

“I can achieve anything for God is within me!”

The moment these words enter into someone’s mind they soil the Holy Ghost. For once we have the Holy Spirit within us, we must strive to keep ourselves free of sin and not seeking after those things of the world. This is why this is said in 1 John:

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.

Any who pursue worldly possessions and how they look to others in this world if they have the Holy Spirit within them have made it unclean, dirty……. common. This is why this is said in Luke:

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.

Those that taint the Holy Spirit, and thus defile it, are seen as an abomination in the sight of God. This is obvious to those that actually have the Holy Ghost within them. For those that do know, by His presence within them, that they are best served by ending sin. Yet there are times we err, for humans are always corrupt even after becoming temples of the Holy Spirit. As witnessed by this verse:

1 Corinthians 15:53 NKJV – For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

When people challenge the Bible, they show arrogance and self-serving pride. This is why we must study the Word of God for ourselves. For as long as we allow others to tell us what is in the Word of God, we are open to making the Holy Spirit unholy. What does the Bible say on these lines:

Matthew 12:31 NKJV – “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.

Now you start to see why fighting haughtiness is so important.

Philippians 2:3 NKJV – Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

“Let each esteem others better than himself.”

All humanity is equal. But we as servants of Christ are to see others as better than ourselves. Not to the point of bowing down and worshipping other humans, but in seeking to help them achieve salvation. Helping humanity to seek to be seen by God is why Christ Himself humbled Himself:

Philippians 2:5-8 NLT – You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.”

An attitude of humility is what we are told we must do and have. Yet many celebrate and are jubilant that they are filled with the Holy Spirit. This, as was mentioned earlier, defiles and dishonors the Holy Ghost. Blaspheming the Holy Spirit, and thus condemning those that habitually practice this behavior.

There are those that challenge this Truth. When they do so they think themselves better than God. They show themselves to be prideful and in turn arrogant.

Proverbs 16:18-20 NKJV – Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud. He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he.

Time is running out. Time for this type of behavior must end in all that act this way. For it is made clear that they will not make the first Rapture.

Revelation 3:15-17 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—

This is why Christ says this next:

Revelation 3:18-21 NKJV – 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. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

To overcome requires humility, amongst other things, by seeking to emulate our Savior Jesus Christ. Repent now if you profess to being a child of God. Ask Christ into your life if you have not already done so. For the first Rapture is very near.

God Bless

Blog for Podcast #196 (The Valley of the Shadow of Death)

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 to do is do a search for Dreamwalker1960.

Discussion

Psalms 23:1-6 NKJV – A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.

What I just read is a prayer and a song that is one of the most misused verses from the Word of God.

Most associate it with death of the body. The ending of life in this temporal existence. This is the furthest thing from the Truth. This has to do with daily life. This has to do with actually hitting rock bottom when we are confronted with a sin within us.

How do I know if this is true? For I had been struggling through my own valley of death recently.

The pretext of this prayer/song is established in the very first sentence.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

Want – H2637 – be lacking, decrease, make lower, (cause to) fail. Be abated.

               Abated – to become less strong.

Daivid was asking God to keep him strong in his faith.

Another key part that is misunderstood is:

“Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

A rod is used to discipline as verified in Proverbs:

Proverbs 13:24 NKJV – He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.

While the staff is used to attack those things which threaten to kill our souls.

This is a prayer to help us when we reach the bottom. This is a prayer to help bring us out of the valley to glorify and worship our Lord God through our Savior Jesus Christ. For this is a prayer to lead us away from sin, which all will encounter even after becoming born-again.

The rod punishes us for turning away from our Savior. This is why Jesus Christ says this:

Revelation 3:19 NKJV – As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.

The rod is calling us to zealously repent. To quickly leave the sin behind and look to the face of our Savior and remember it is He that is to be glorified and He alone.

I wish to change directions here. For as I said this is partly about the journey through the valley of death I have personally encountered.

I asked myself is it worth spending all eternity in the Pit of Fire?

Now I recently heard this question posed to people partying at some event somewhere. One person gleefully shouted out yes it was worth that price.

Let’s look at the verses that describe the Pit of Fire:

Isaiah 66:24 NKJV – “And they shall go forth and look Upon the corpses of the men Who have transgressed against Me. For their worm does not die, And their fire is not quenched. They shall be an abhorrence to all flesh.

Matthew 25:30 NKJV – And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Now think on this imagery for a moment. Undying worms that eat upon your flesh. Giving you constant internal pain. Fire burning your outer flesh that makes you unrecognizable. Additionally, from accounts from people that have suffered burns in fires. It is said to be extremely painful.

Now add to this, that this pain never ends. It is ongoing and continual day after day. Week after week. Month after month. Year after year. Decade after decade. Century after century. For billions, upon billions, upon billions of years.

Is anything REALLY worth this price?

That is for those reading or listening to decide for themselves.

I personally decided that no it is not worth this price. I would rather be the least in heaven than the most in the pit of fire.

However, most people these days seek after the pit of fire and not a place in heaven. What is worst of all is many of these profess that they are “Christian.”

Revelation 3:14-17 NKJV – “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: “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—

Recently someone said to me that I have no moral high ground. I never did, nor ever will as long I walk and live in this temporal existence. I deserve nor seek after any place of superiority over anyone. None can say they are better than anyone else. God made that clear to those that called themselves “Christians” in Rome:

Romans 2:1-11 AMP – THEREFORE YOU have no excuse or defense or justification, O man, whoever you are who judges and condemns another. For in posing as judge and passing sentence on another, you condemn yourself, because you who judge are habitually practicing the very same things [that you censure and denounce]. [But] we know that the judgment (adverse verdict, sentence) of God falls justly and in accordance with truth upon those who practice such things. And do you think or imagine, O man, when you judge and condemn those who practice such things and yet do them yourself, that you will escape God’s judgment and elude His sentence and adverse verdict? Or are you [so blind as to] trifle with and presume upon and despise and underestimate the wealth of His kindness and forbearance and long-suffering patience? Are you unmindful or actually ignorant [of the fact] that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repent (to change your mind and inner man to accept God’s will)? But by your callous stubbornness and impenitence of heart you are storing up wrath and indignation for yourself on the day of wrath and indignation, when God’s righteous judgment (just doom) will be revealed. For He will render to every man according to his works [justly, as his deeds deserve]: [Ps. 62:12.] To those who by patient persistence in well-doing [springing from piety] seek [unseen but sure] glory and honor and [the eternal blessedness of] immortality, He will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and self-willed and disobedient to the Truth but responsive to wickedness, there will be indignation and wrath. [And] there will be tribulation and anguish and calamity and constraint for every soul of man who [habitually] does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek (Gentile). But glory and honor and [heart] peace shall be awarded to everyone who [habitually] does good, the Jew first and also the Greek (Gentile). For God shows no partiality [undue favor or unfairness; with Him one man is not different from another]. [Deut. 10:17; II Chron. 19:7.]

All fall short, and I claim no partiality from God. I just want to Glorify Him. For only He is worthy. All I desire is to leave the valley of death. I wish to not lose my salvation and be worthy to stand before God and worship Him. Not before the Great White Throne.

More are heading to stand before the Great White Throne than they think or believe. Many more aren’t even on this path. They are not even welcome in the Kingdom of God at all. They are destined to the pit of fire by their own hands and action. For they have been warned but refuse to heed the warnings. For we are in the days of Noah.

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!’

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.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 NKJV – But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

“And from such people turn away!”

Never have these words been more revealing to me than now. I must turn away from those that I call family. For a line has been drawn. Our free-will choices are coming to a head. We must choose whom we wish to worship.

Ourselves or God.

I wish to choose to God. I will only know if I succeed when that 2nd trumpet blast is heard all over the globe. If I am here or standing before Him in the sky above. Still in my corruptible or in my incorruptible. Still in my mortality or I am in my immortality.

I pray to be in the immortality, for then I know I will not encounter billions of years of torment in the pit of fire.

God Bless

Blog for Podcast #195 (The Love-fest)

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 to do is do a search for Dreamwalker1960.

Discussion

Time to time I dig up one of my old blog posts. This is one of those times. This one is how people present the love of Jesus Christ.

Message after message from the dais in the buildings called “churches” is “Jesus loves you” or “Jesus loves you as you are.”

It is true that yes both Jesus and His Father love you, but here is the problem with these messages, especially the latter one.

Because of this love if you come to Jesus as you are, He will accept you, but if you truly ask Jesus Christ into your life, you will learn that “as you are” in all cases is not enough to maintain your salvation.

Many at this point will scoff and bluster but it is true.

1 John 3:6-10 NKJV – Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.

Hebrews 10:26-27 NKJV – For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.

1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV – No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

1 John 2:3-6 NKJV – Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

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 you have read or just heard did not come from me. These are the Bible. This is what those on the dais should be telling you. They should say, yes God loves you, but once Jesus is TRULY in you sin will bring great inner conflict at times, remorse and sorrow at the least, if you continue to live in any sin. Will we be able to shed all sin? No, for we are imperfect beings. But major sins will be a burden upon us to cast away.

Any that say “Jesus will love you exactly as you are forever” is a liar and they have shown who they truly follow, and it is not Jesus Christ.

Proverbs 13:24 NKJV – He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.

Any parent that does not spank their child when they have done wrong hates them and wishes them to be dead. Dead as in not alive with the love of Jesus Christ and have the ability through His salvation to live an eternal life.

Now spankings come in many forms. Not just a hit on the rear end. It is also to be verbally scolded when you do wrong and sins are wrong, ALL sin. If you are not admonished, then they truly do not desire you to have eternal joy and happiness. This is what this means that they hate you.

This also goes to teaching people the Bible. If you do not do as the Bible says to teach them all that is within the Bible. To tell them that if they live in sin they will never be welcomed into heaven, then those that do not teach the Bible or teach the Bible correctly have only one goal in mind. To have you join them in the pit of fire in eternal agony and pain as worms eat upon your undying flesh as it is lashed with fire.

Many misuse the word “love” this way. This caused me to write another posting:

There is a big misconception going about that needs to be addressed. In one of my previous posts “The hippie Jesus is alive and well but the true Christ is hard to find.” I tried to point out that love is not all happiness and joy and all is right with the world.

First, we must remember that in proverbs it states that if a parent truly loves their child they would not spare the rod. I.e. spank them. Yet in today’s society that is something that is evil and taboo. It is amazing how what is right and good is suddenly the opposite. Big sign of troubles coming to this world, yet most will just laugh it off and stop reading or listening here just because I worded my sentence that way.

True love from a parent is not easy. They suffer as much as the child when they are forced to punish them, do you think God is any less upset?

When you allow a sin to grow. All those that allow it to grow actually say they hate the world and those they allow to sin. Now I am not saying go out and force people not to sin. That will never happen and then I would be the fanatic some of you already think I am.

A new awakening is now taking place. The world is now drawing the lines between those that will choose God and those that will choose sin. This line is not a straight line as many would assume but it cuts throughout groups that though themselves to be churches and those that have always thought they were not. It cuts across races, creeds and sexes.

What you need to understand is that those that are truly “Loved” by God avoid sin, for they have felt the guilt and discomfort sin brings into their lives. Those that deny God’s love embrace sin and embrace those that embrace sin. Once again, the world is returning to black and white, sinner and saint, bad and good. Which side of the line do you stand upon?

If you stand with God and place Him first, you have only one choice. Reject the sin and accept God.

Matthew 12:30 NKJV – He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.

One of the greatest verses to me personally about love is found in Revelation.

Revelation 3:19 NKJV – As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.

Rebuke – G1651 – elegchó – to expose, convict, admonish.

Chasten – G3811 – paideuó – discipline (by punishment), educate, train, correct, learn.

If those upon the dais and behind the pulpit only teach love and nothing else. They are not teaching love; they are teaching hate. For they hate and wish all to join them in the second death.

Any who continually says love, love, love. Despise and truly wish you to experience eternal damnation.

If they truly love you, they will strive to tell you that to live in sin is bad. They will strive to help you to follow the laws found and taught within the Word of God.

Along these lines. Those that push not to fear also are teaching those that listen to live in sin. For this breeds pride and a haughty attitude. What does the Bible tell us when this occurs?

Proverbs 8:13 NKJV – The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.

By fearing God, we hate evil, pride and arrogance. Yet I know of many that take extreme pride to the point of arrogance. For having the Lord within them makes them gods on earth and they can achieve anything they desire here on earth.

By thinking they can receive and achieve anything here on earth this shows one thing. They are not worshipping God through Jesus Christ. Then who are they worshipping?

Luke 4:6 NKJV – And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.

Any who receives earthly rewards are receiving their rewards from the father of all lies himself and it is he they worship. For they are rewarded with earthly treasures.

1 John 2:15-16 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.

When people teach messages like this. This is love. For they are striving to rebuke and chasten those listening or reading with the Truth of the Word of God.

So, what is the fate of those that do nothing but teach love, love, love and you can receive anything through God being within 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.

They are twice over cursed. Cursed to damnation. Repent for time is running out.

God Bless

Blog for Podcast #194 (Are there Works in the Book of Acts)

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 to do is do a search for Dreamwalker1960.

Discussion

Recently I encountered someone who insisted that within the book the “Acts of the Apostles” there were no teachings about “works” within it. Well, let’s look at what has been sectioned into the second chapter of this book:

Acts 2:42-47 NKJV – And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 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. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

Let’s look at this from another translation to expand upon what is stated here:

Acts 2:42-47 AMP – And they steadfastly persevered, devoting themselves constantly to the instruction and fellowship of the apostles, to the breaking of bread [including the Lord’s Supper] and prayers. And a sense of awe (reverential fear) came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were performed through the apostles (the special messengers). And all who believed (who adhered to and trusted in and relied on Jesus Christ) were united and [together] they had everything in common; And they sold their possessions (both their landed property and their movable goods) and distributed the price among all, according as any had need. And day after day they regularly assembled in the temple with united purpose, and in their homes they broke bread [including the Lord’s Supper]. They partook of their food with gladness and simplicity and generous hearts, Constantly praising God and being in favor and goodwill with all the people; and the Lord kept adding [to their number] daily those who were being saved [from spiritual death].

“And they sold their possessions (both their landed property and their movable goods) and distributed the price among all, according as any had need. And day after day they regularly assembled in the temple with united purpose, and in their homes they broke bread [including the Lord’s Supper]. They partook of their food with gladness and simplicity and generous hearts, Constantly praising God and being in favor and goodwill with all the people.”

  1. Sold their possessions.
  2. Distributed the money amongst all according to their need.
  3. They assembled in the temple with a united purpose.
  4. They performed the Lord’s Supper.
  5. Partook of their food with gladness, simplicity and a generous heart.
  6. Constantly praising God.
  7. Being in favor and goodwill with all people.

These seven items listed were and are “works.” This is also how all that profess to being “Christian” should still seek after. Most don’t. Which is why Jesus Christ said this:

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.

And a bit later also said this:

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!’

Those seven actions are behavior that are considered “works” – “laws” – “commandments.” Things which most deny and thus must be done and followed or they are taking the wide path and not the narrow.

Yes. I did say the word “must.” Additionally, we see that Luke did mention “works” in the book of Acts. Therefore, any who say that it is by “faith alone” teach opposite what is shown in these verses. For these people lived by works in faith in the book of Acts.

Now why did I say that last sentence once again. What does the word “acts” define as?

Act – something that someone does.

Which also means “works.” Therefore, this book could legitimately be called the “Works of the Apostles.” Meaning this entire book shows and teaches “works.” Indicating those that decided upon naming this letter by the name given were in fact emphasizing that Jesus Christ taught those that followed Him must live their lives in both faith and works. Therefore, those that teach the people pleasing messages like faith alone, teach death.

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

It just amazes me how people wish to overlook the simplicity of the Truth taught and in plain sight in the Word of God. They complicate and convolute the Truth of the Word of God just so they can live within their sins. That is why “faith alone” is so important to them, because it allows them to live in sin, which as you read through the book of Acts, we see time and again those that repent and end living in their sins. For that is what is required by all.

Five times the word “repent” and six time the word “repentance” appears in the book of Acts. What does it mean to repent?

Repent – G3340 – metanoeó – change my mind, change the inner man (particularly with reference to acceptance of the will of God.) To think differently or afterwards, reconsider morally.

What follows is what the TDNT says about the this:

In the teaching of Jesus according to the Synoptists “repent” is again the imperative which is indissolubly bound up with the indicative of the message of the “kingdom” (Mk. 1:15; Mt. 4:17). But Jesus does not merely repeat the call of John the Baptist. He modifies and transcends it by making conversion a fundamental requirement which necessarily follows from the present reality of the eschatological “kingdom” in His own person (→ I, 588 f.). To call to conversion is the purpose of His sending (Lk. 5:32). His preaching of conversion far surpasses even the most powerful of such preaching before (Mt. 12:39 ff. par.: Jonah).

So, within the TDNT we see the word “conversion” used multiple times. Therefore, let us define this word.

Conversion – the process of converting something from one thing to another.

  1. Converting – convert – to (cause something or someone to) change in form or character.

What this boils down to is a new being. A new creation. However, we must remember this important fact taught in 1 Corinthians:

1 Corinthians 15:53 NKJV – For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

Even though we are a new beings once we are born-again, we are not perfect, nor will we be until we stand before Jesus Christ.

With all this in mind we come to the understanding that “repentance” is the creation of a new being that occupies the same physical body. However, their soul and spirit are a new creation, that must strive to follow the teachings found within the Word of God. Yet, we must strive and learn to avoid sin, for we will always be plagued by it.

The act of repentance can also be called a “work.” For to repent to be converted is an action word. So, let me restate this once again. The entire book called the “Acts of the Apostles” is showing continual and ongoing actions of works for the glory of God. Any who says the Bible does not teach works through faith are not teaching the Word of God, but a people pleasing message. They are then cursing themselves:

Galatians 1:6-12 AMP – I am surprised and astonished that you are so quickly turning renegade and deserting Him Who invited and called you by the grace (unmerited favor) of Christ (the Messiah) [and that you are transferring your allegiance] to a different [even an opposition] gospel. Not that there is [or could be] any other [genuine Gospel], but there are [obviously] some who are troubling and disturbing and bewildering you [with a different kind of teaching which they offer as a gospel] and want to pervert and distort the Gospel of Christ (the Messiah) [into something which it absolutely is not]. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to and different from that which we preached to you, let him be accursed (anathema, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment)! As we said before, so I now say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel different from or contrary to that which you received [from us], let him be accursed (anathema, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment)! Now am I trying to win the favor of men, or of God? Do I seek to please men? If I were still seeking popularity with men, I should not be a bond servant of Christ (the Messiah). For I want you to know, brethren, that the Gospel which was proclaimed and made known by me is not man’s gospel [a human invention, according to or patterned after any human standard]. For indeed I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but [it came to me] through a [direct] revelation [given] by Jesus Christ (the Messiah).

We too can receive a revelation from Jesus Christ via the Holy Spirit. I know this, for this is how these podcasts are written and presented to the world at large.

However, time is quickly running out. The adversary has increased his attacks against all that strive to overcome. For he is growing desperate and wishes to take as many with him as possible. Even those that have done their best to be the good and loyal servants of their Creator through His Son our Savior Jesus Christ.

We must do as we are commanded within the Word of God to sperate ourselves for those that would lead us away from our Savior.

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.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 NKJV – But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

For they are of the world and the world is dead.

Turn from them now. Place God at the center of your life… forget the world about you, for if God is not within it……. It is dead as are those that stay within it.

God Bless

Blog for Podcast #193 (By Their Works)

bible, 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 to do is do a search for Dreamwalker1960.

Discussion

One of the biggest problems with faith alone beliefs, other than the fact that they call Jesus Christ a liar, is they say that works are in no way required to allow them into heaven. Now why did I say they made Jesus Himself a liar. Well let’s hear from the only way into heaven:

Matthew 16:27 NKJV – For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.

“Then He will reward each according to his works.”

There is somewhere else this is stated:

Revelation 20:11-13 NKJV – Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works.

“And they were judged, each one according to his works.”

Therefore, let us look to James now:

James 2:14-26 NKJV – What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS ACCOUNTED TO HIM FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

“So faith without works is dead also.”

This is why faith alone is dead. Why it is dead is because it is a people pleasing message. This is discussed in Galatians:

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.

Notice the wording in these verses. Many in Galita turned away from their grace, their salvation, to listen to a people pleasing message. This is their work, which they will be judged. Those that teach these false messages. Their works causes them to be cursed.

Jesus tells us that we are to follow His commandments.

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

That is an action and so is considered “works.”

The struggle to overcome our sinful natures even after we are born again is “works.” For we are to ever seek to be a True reflection of our Savior Jesus Christ.

There are times when this is not easy. This is what is taught within the book of Job.

However, we are getting off track a bit.

In the first verses I showed that when Christ first returns, He will then reward those that are loyal to Him. The second verses I show that once His thousand years is finished the Great White Throne Judgement. Here Christ will judge those that did not make the raptures and they will be judged by how they lived their lives, which is their works.

We have Words spoken by our Savior about what to expect. He clearly states a person’s “works” will be the only thing He will use as a gauge to receive rewards. Then we have verses talking about His judgement over humanity that failed to align themselves with God. They are judged per their works, again the only requirement “works.”

Most that profess to being “Christian” do not want to hear this word. For that would mean they have been living a lie. Well, they have been. This is proven by their earthly rewards which they receive with joy and glee.

Luke 4:6 NKJV – And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.

1 John 2:15-16 NKJV – Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.

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.

By this time many will be going nuts about how this podcast has been pointing to “works.” They will be screaming it is not “works” alone.

Well, you know what I totally agree, and so does the Bible. Therefore, I will say those verses that are in agreement once again:

James 2:14-26 NKJV – What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS ACCOUNTED TO HIM FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

“Faith without works is dead.” This means that it requires both faith with works, which is taught by Jesus Christ over and over again. Having faith and going hand in hand with following Christ’s teachings and following the laws not removed by the cross. These are works. This behavior leads to rewards.

Those that ignore “works” are stating that they have a special place with God. They have favoritism.

Romans 2:5-11 NLT – But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will judge everyone according to what they have done. He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness. There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.

Note the key verse in this teaching written by Paul to the Romans:

“He will judge everyone according to what they have done.”

He will judge everyone according to their “works.”

I recently had an encounter with someone that tried to throw the weight of the Truth off themselves by saying “Does Paul teach works?” I said:” yes.” As you just read or heard Paul did teach the need for “works.” Any who say otherwise call the Bible itself a lie. Any who call the Bible a lie work for the father of all lies. No matter what they believe in themselves. This is because they have closed their eyes and ears to the Truth because they wish to hear the pleasing message they have embraced.

Yes, you heard that correctly, pleasing message. What is taught about people pleasing messages? Once again I will repeat this as well:

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.

Paul marveled that they turned away so soon from Him who called them in the grace of Christ. They abandoned their grace, they turned away from their salvation. Turning away from grace is an act, an action. “Works.”

Time is running out. Repent, do works in faith.

God Bless

Blog for Podcast #192 (Some Hard Truth)

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

Several years ago, I made a blog post entitled “The Hard Truth.” This ended up in three posts, because as usual those that embrace the false doctrines of OSAS and all you need is faith challenged what was posted. So. Let us begin this retrospect.

Day 1

Most that attempt to read or listen to this won’t like it. However, it is not my mission to make you comfortable, but it is to challenge all willing to listen to improve their standing with God.

Right here someone will scoff, saying that we are not required to increase this standing. That God loves us as we are. Then you have just made the Bible moot, and the crucifixion a waste of time.

Matthew 16:24-27 NKJV – Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.  For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.

So, what does it mean to “let him deny himself….”

Let him deny – G533– aparneomai – to deny, looking back to what was originally refused; “strongly reject” (especially the source). That is, utterly refusing to recognize the original source involved. Can imply “ignore, disown, or repudiate”

Now as we live our lives all of us make plans and have desires. Many of these desires are focused upon one thing. Us.

The desires for wealth, for luxuries, for leisure. These are all things that become something to not continue to seek after, but to, if not totally reject, lower its import in our lives.

Why?

Because you are hanging on to your life, and Jesus Christ made it clear, doing so will lead to you losing your soul, not saving it. This is fortified by 2 Peter 2:

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.”

Humanity will always seek after the here, the now. Yet Christ made it clear that we are not to do this.

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.

To store up treasures is seeking to have more money than you need to live. This is not what Christ tells us how to live. We are not to seek after a comfortable life, but a life that will sustain our existence till we are called unto the next life. To seek after fancy clothing, and fancy vehicles are things that are able to be eaten by moths and rust away. Fancy possessions that others would seek to steal are of the world and not needed by those that truly seek to follow Jesus Christ.

1 John 3:16-24 NKJV – By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 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? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

“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?” 

The answer is: It does not. Therefore, if God’s love is not in this person are they still of the vine of Jesus Christ?

John 15:1-8 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.

Many think they are a part of the Vine. Yet due to not following the commandments of the Bible are not bearing fruit upon the Vine. God Himself cuts them from the Vine and they are burnt within the fire. They are no longer apart of Jesus Christ, they are no longer saved, but are of the world. They are cast into the fire of damnation by their own actions and desires for worldly wealth and possessions. The very things they are required to give unto their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, then unto those of the rest of humanity that are in need. They, however, keep and horde it for themselves.

This is how most that call themselves “Christian” are today, and they are blind unto the Truth, and it is truly something to weep about. For they are the lukewarm and spit out of the Body of Christ.

Revelation 3:15-22 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. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Follow the commandments of the Bible as commanded by Jesus Christ Himself. Live modestly, do not break the laws of man that do not go against the Bible and change those that do. Stop seeking after the here, the now, the contemporary. Seek after the eternal life that we are promised by Jesus Christ and not after the riches of the world. For as long as you do, you seek to lose your salvation, by your own hand.

Day 2

In yesterday’s post I spelled out the need to follow the commandments in the Bible and showed with the Bible the foundation for this belief. I received a response by someone challenging the Word of God.

Part of my response to one challenge was as follows:

“Due to how my post was received yesterday someone used a quote from John MacArthur:

‘I cannot be saved by keeping the law, and I will not be sanctified by ignoring the law.’

“Just following the commandments alone cannot save you. I completely agree.”

He goes on to say this important statement: “I will not be sanctified by ignoring the law.”

What does this mean?

It is very simple. Everything I discussed in yesterday’s post fits perfectly with this.

Only through accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior can we be saved. However once saved and to grow in our sanctification we must follow the commandments, as Jesus Christ Himself said we must do.

As was witnessed by the response I received, most do not wish to grow in their sanctification. They would rather live their lives as they deem to be enough. This again is counter to the teachings of the Bible, as I have been trying to point out for years.

There is only one destination with this type of mentality, and it is a place that most think they will never encounter, yet as I have made clear this is the furthest thing from the truth. Thus, why these articles have been entitled “The Hard Truth.”

Ponder and think readers, ponder and think.

Day 3

Today’s society is a culture that in reality no longer qualifies as the word “society.”

Society as defined in the Cambridge dictionary as: people considered as a group, or a group of people who live together in a particular social system.

Today in the United States as well as in Europe, in addition to other countries throughout the world, people may live in the same geographical regions, but they no longer follow the same social system.

A social system or social structure is described as: the internal institutionalized relationships built up by persons living within a group (such as a family or community) especially with regard to the hierarchical organization of status and to the rules and principles regulating behavior per the Marion- Webster dictionary.

What is lacking in today’s society is the “principles regulating behavior.”

What were these principles?

They are what is referred to as ethics.

The defining ethical code that originally controlled and governed these nations was Christianity. Christianity works from the Bible. Within the Bible are a list of rules and regulations that are called commandments. Yet most have decided these commandments are antiquated and useless so as a result nations around the world are falling into chaos and disorder, which results in the beginning sentence of this days post.

Jesus Christ said this about the commandments and laws:

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.

“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.”

So, the commandments for the most part are still in effect. This does not mean we are to stone people for their sins. That was taken out of our hands by Jesus Himself hanging upon the cross. However, we are to follow those commandments or laws as they were defined by Jesus and His apostles within the New Testament, and if they were not listed in the New Testament we were to refer to how they were originally addressed for the most part in the Old Testament. Especially those that deal with personal interaction with others within a society.

Most in today’s world diminish the commandments and their meanings especially within the “societies” we live within. This is witnessed daily as people speed down the roads and highways going faster than the posted speed limit. This is just one minor example of how the commandments of the Bible have become irrelevant. But what did Jesus say was the result of doing this?

“Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven.”

You are making of yourself to be the “least in the Kingdom of Heaven.”

Yet millions if not billions do this very thing and think nothing of it. In fact, they go about saying that those that say you should follow the commandments are teaching “legalism.”

Yet the true meaning of legalism is to go about performing rituals without knowing or even caring why these rituals are done. A very visual example of this is found within the Catholic Church and the Greek Orthodox Church.

However, why do these two churches now have these rituals? Both of these churches date back to the beginnings of Christianity. So, in some way they recognize the need to follow the commandments, even though they have lost their way.

Following the commandments does not require nor is legalism. It required love of God and His Son the Lord Jesus Christ.

John 14:15-21 NKJV – “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”

Jesus knows that we cannot do this fully on our own, which is why being filled with the Holy Spirit is something we should seek after. For it will help us to fulfil and follow the commandments. For Jesus makes it clear that we must accept the commandments and obey them.

“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me.” (KJV)

He that hath – echo – I have, hold, possess

Possess – to have or own something, or to have a particular quality.

We are to not just accept but to take as our own the commandments that are within the Bible. To live them and reflect them. Yet most reject this. Most per Jesus Himself are saying that they do not love Him, but in fact love themselves more. They refuse ownership of the commandments and choose to live their lives as they see fit to live it.

They embrace chaos over order and as a result we have the world we now live within. For all evil comes from humanity, while all love and peace comes from God.

So, this is the end of the look into the past. Those with an ear will hear. While those that still embrace the World will not take ownership and openly reject God.

God Bless

Blog for Podcast #191 (The Sin within Us)

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 to do is do a search for Dreamwalker1960.

Discussion

One of the greatest challenges that face all of humanity be they saved or unsaved is the struggle with sin. When we become saved, we have an ally. Many think this ally is a catch all. They are no longer responsible for how they now live. This goes counter to what is taught within the Bible.

Case in point:

In the first chapter of Romans, it describes those that reject the reality of God. Then we come to the second chapter of Romans. This chapter is addressed to those that call themselves “Christian.” Let’s look at what is said:

I will look at this in two parts:

Romans 2:1-11 NLT – You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will judge everyone according to what they have done. He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness. There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.

“But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.”

This makes it clear that there is still sin within us even after receiving salvation. This is made even more clear in Corinthians:

 1 Corinthians 15:53 NKJV – For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

Many that think they have no sin within them see themselves as favored by God. So, they hold on stubbornly to the sin or sins within them. Thus, walking further and further away from their salvation. which is why it states this:

“You are storing up terrible punishment for yourself.”

Those that see themselves as favored, and in turn call the words shown in verse eleven a lie. They cannot understand that they bring the truth to these words spoken by Christ.

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!’

It is a daily challenge to overcome the sin we struggle with. In my personal experience several sins that plagued me died upon my salvation. Yet others stayed. Some slowly left. Others left in another moment of striving, struggles and prayer. It is called sanctification.

Let me share with you a blog post I wrote on this journey we all must take in our salvation:

A study of the book “The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification” By Walter Marshall – part one

As I grow in my faith and dare I say “sanctification.” I have been led by the spirit to take a more in-depth look into this part of being a Christian. My research led me to the book written by Marshall which was published in 1692. He was a Puritan and suffered persecution by the Church of England when they demanded that only certain teachings be done. He and several other ministers refused to sign the “Book of Common Prayer” and as a result he lost his parishes on Black Bartholomew’s Day in 1662.

After his own struggles with faith and belief as well as fought the hard fight against those teachings that are called Antinomianism. That being the belief that faith alone is all you need to be saved. As well as Neonomianism, which is the legalistic following of the Bible. He reached the point of writing the book entitled above.

Direction # 1 – That we may acceptably perform the duties of Holiness and Righteousness required in the Law, our first works is, to learn the powerful and effectual Means whereby we may attain to so great an End.

What struck me the most was his approach to the greatest commandment, which is to love God with all your heart, mind and soul. He states that if you love God, you will be willing to sacrifice all, to the point of even abandoning your own desires and wishes. You would follow to the best of your ability all the commandments within the Bible. For as he puts it, are a guideline to the second greatest commandment of love thy neighbor. For by practicing and obeying all the commandments that deal with social interaction and behavior you show your love towards God.

Even I fall short in this department. Why?

Because in today’s society and culture we no longer follow the majority of, as Marshall puts it, the Laws of the Bible. This is not totally our own fault, but those of our parents and their parents. This is something that does not happen overnight, over a few years, but over decades and through generations.

To correct this is to first acknowledge there is a problem with not just how the Bible is taught, but read. Most in today’s society have an Antinomianism, or faith alone, understanding of the Bible. This as a result is a key factor in the disintegration of social and cultural behavior in Europe and the United States.

Can it be corrected on the whole?

From the way the Bible is written, I would say no. However, for those willing to listen. For those willing to understand that by accepting this path towards sanctification they are in essence signing their own death warrant upon this temporal life we now live.

Is this a drastic statement?

Most definitely, but we must come to that understanding.

Look to what happened to Walter Marshall when He refused to sign the conformity requirements that the Church of England forced upon their clergy in 1652. His life for a short time was shattered. However, he did find a new parish and continued in the good works towards his own sanctification.

As we come into this age that is actually described within the Bible as the signs of the soon return of Jesus Christ. We must accept that by adopting to truly seek after sanctification. By following the commandments, which are in reality laws given to those willing to listen, by God and through His Son Jesus Christ. We face the fact that society on whole will reject us to the point of martyrdom, as is written within the Bible.

John MacArthur said, and I paraphrase, that to live the commandments and not accept Jesus, will not lead to salvation. However, once we are saved we cannot ignore the commandments if we seek after sanctification.

Yet, as mentioned above, most do not even attempt to follow just the Ten Commandments let alone all we truly are required which are in Leviticus and Deuteronomy, which have not been made void by Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. There are many laws that deal with everyday life and interaction with others. Most have in actuality been turned into human laws in most Christian based nations. However, the majority now take them for granted or are totally ignored.

Few people attempt to gain sanctification. Mostly due to not being aware that it is something that is required of all when accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior. I myself was under this same misunderstanding for decades. As a result, I drifted further and further away from God and my Savior, Jesus.

It took God literally destroying my life in 2013. Since that “year of Job,” as I call it, returning to God through Jesus Christ as been a goal that has taken me down a road, I never thought I would ever see in my lifetime. A life with true happiness, due to God’s blessing as I endeavor to travel down the narrow and least traveled path towards Him.

I have been on a journey within my faith that has led me ever closer to our Creator. The scales have fallen from my eyes, and I now see what is causing all the strife and turmoil in the world at large. I know it is due to the abandonment of God by most within this world, and especially those that live within the United States of America.

Most do not even know what “sanctification” is or truly means. I know, because I was one of them.

When I read the words of a man that has been dead for nearly four hundred years and seeing that his thoughts echoed my own. I came to the realization that God’s promise is never ending, never changing. Only humanity forgets this and must learn it all over again. Time and time again. As the Israelites learned to their dismay, over and over.

Comprehending that in the 1600’s people were struggling with the same issues we are today. That his teachings helped become the core of the Puritan’s religious beliefs. A group that led to factions like the Quakers, which led one of these Quakers to be given a land grant by the British king. Which allowed this Quaker to form the colony that came to be known as the state of Pennsylvania. His faith that from his beliefs became that colonies constitution, which led to the lion share of what is now the Constitution of the United States.

This trail should make people reawaken to the need to seek out sanctification by returning to the laws within the Bible and obeying them. Not in a legalistic way like the Catholic and Greek Orthodox Churches, but truly following and living all the commandments in the Bible. In faith and love of God and His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. To once again treat them, not as suggestions, but what they are: laws, we are to adhere to and follow to the best of our abilities.

God Bless.

Blog for Podcast #190 (The Misconception of Grace)

bible, 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 to do is do a search for Dreamwalker1960.

Discussion

Misunderstanding the use of verses that contain the word “grace” within them. That is today’s topic.

One of the biggest of these verses is Romans 11:6. Why this particular one is one of the biggest is because it is taken totally out of context. Listen to it in context:

Romans 11:1-10 NKJV – I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying, “LORD, THEY HAVE KILLED YOUR PROPHETS AND TORN DOWN YOUR ALTARS, AND I ALONE AM LEFT, AND THEY SEEK MY LIFE”? But what does the divine response say to him? “I HAVE RESERVED FOR MYSELF SEVEN THOUSAND MEN WHO HAVE NOT BOWED THE KNEE TO BAAL.” Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work. What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded. Just as it is written: “GOD HAS GIVEN THEM A SPIRIT OF STUPOR, EYES THAT THEY SHOULD NOT SEE AND EARS THAT THEY SHOULD NOT HEAR, TO THIS VERY DAY.” And David says: “LET THEIR TABLE BECOME A SNARE AND A TRAP, A STUMBLING BLOCK AND A RECOMPENSE TO THEM. LET THEIR EYES BE DARKENED, SO THAT THEY DO NOT SEE, AND BOW DOWN THEIR BACK ALWAYS.”

As you just heard or read this is specifically aimed at what has been done to the tribes of Israel for rejecting Jesus as their Messiah.

Let’s look at another example:

1 Corinthians 15:1-11 NKJV – Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

Now let’s look once again where the topic is those that are the tribes of Israel.

Galatians 2:11-21 NKJV – Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, “If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews? We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. “But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”

Here again we have a discussion about the tribes of Israel. In verse twenty-one the people again misuse this verse to give themselves permission to live in sin. The Bible does not contradict itself ever. Those that twist the Bible to suit their want to sin are the ones that cause the opposition. This verse is just stating that we must accept Jesus Christ as our Savior not just follow the law by itself. This is explained in James:

James 2:14-26 NKJV – What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS ACCOUNTED TO HIM FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

“But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”

“I will show you my faith by my works.”

Christ said this in John fourteen:

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

His commandments are the laws which were not removed by Christ going to the cross. This is not all the laws, for Jesus also said this:

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.

The laws will not be fulfilled until the Great White Throne Judgment. Does not a judgement require laws to be able to accomplish a verdict? The answer is yes.

Any who says there is no laws, no commandments show they desire to receive a negative verdict from the judgement. It is as simple as that. What is this ruling?

 Revelation 20:11-15 NKJV – Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

Now here many will be in an uproar. Why? Because of their dependence upon grace without works has been shown to be heading them towards the lake of fire. Let us now fortify 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.

“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.”

This clearly states that people received grace and then rejected it to seek after listening to a people pleasing gospel formed from the True Gospel. Simply, they turn their backs upon their salvation so they can continue to live in the sins they do not wish to abandon. They do this because it pleases them. So that they can continue to live in their sins and still think they are one with Christ.

This is why the Glorified Christ said this:

Revelation 3:15-17 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—

They are vomited from the Body of Christ, which is why those that teach the people pleasing gospel of faith alone are cursed. For they have led millions to being vomited from the Body and unless they repent NOW they will be cast into the lake of fire. Which will occur when the commandments finally come to an end at the Great White Throne Judgement.

As stated in James we show our grace we have received by our works. How we live and strive to follow Our Savior Jesus Christ by doing as he said we are to do… follow His commandments. The greatest of these is:

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.”

“On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

God Bless