Grace

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

Blog for Podcast #182 (Context, Context, Context)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The complete verse:

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

In full context:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

God Bless

Blog for Podcast #150 (The Wolves tear at their leg that is in the Trap)

bible, Bible study, Christian, Christian Life, Dreams, General, Guide, 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

One of my greatest sorrows is having someone reject the Truth just because another human shows them the Truth and they decide to reject the Word of God even the Word’s of Jesus Christ Himself.

One of the greatest false teachings that is going around is that all that is needed is God’s grace, and that is all that is required. They say this is the new covenant. The core of the new covenant is found in Luke chapter sixteen.

Luke 16:16 NKJV – “The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.

Here there is a problem. Because those that use this verse and then accuse those that show the error of their ways of not using the Bible in context. So, let us look at this in context.

Christ had just given a parable about caring for the money and property which belongs to someone else. As we actually study this parable the master is God and the money and property are His as well. The core of this message is we are not to keep our wealth unto ourselves but use it for God since it is truly His money and property that we are given stewardship over.

This leads to this being said by Jesus:

Luke 16:13 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.”

Which leads to this action by the Pharisees and Christ response.

Luke 16:14-17 NKJV – 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. “The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it. And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail.

Let’s look deeper into parts of this.

“Everyone is pressing into it.”

Passeth – G971 – biazó – to force, to crowd oneself into, come forward violently.

What this is saying is that all have now been forced into the law that was originally only for the Jewish people. This is made very clear in the next verse:

“And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail.”

This is saying that the laws are given to all humanity, and they must follow them as well. This new covenant is for ALL and ALL are required to follow those laws which were not taken away by the death and resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. These laws are governed by these verses:

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.”

Yet millions misquote Luke 16:16, take it out of context. Because they don’t understand all the words within it. Or more accurately denying the truth so it would allow them to sin freely. Believing they were one with God through their faith in grace.

All the while denying what we are taught in the book of 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.

What this means is that once we receive God’s grace by accepting Christ as our Savior. We are required to take an active role in our part of our salvation. This is shown in John 15.

John 15:1-10 NKJV – “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

However, many would rather attack and belittle those speaking the Truth rather than accept what the Bible teaches. They get angry and cause conflict because what is being said means they have been wrong. They don’t want to accept the trap they have made for themselves. A trap much like a bear trap, but instead of entrapping their leg it has ensnared their very soul. Their anger against those speaking the Truth is like they are biting and tearing at their own limb that is stuck in the trap. Tearing at it to free themselves from the steel jaws trapping them.

What is worse is their emotional response is verification that what they have accepted is a lie that is truly leading them to damnation instead of toward the salvation they imaged they were headed toward. Here are the verses giving this validation.

 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.

They show hatred for those that tells them the Truth. They respond in an outburst of wrath. They cause contention between others that are seeking the Truth making it nearly impossible for people to communicate as equals. Each of these actions is a bite and a tear into their leg that is caught in the trap of damnation instead of on the journey to salvation they thought they were upon.

They must study the Bible. Not read it study it. They must accept the Truth.

First, salvation can be lost.

Second, they are not the center of the universe. God is.

They must surrender to God and make Him the center of their life. They must follow the teachings of Jesus Christ when it comes to discipleship. They must truly count the cost and pay the price required.

Luke 14:26-33 NKJV – “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.

“So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.”

What is all they have?

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.

They must surrender what the world offers.

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.

James 3:13-17 NKJV – Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

I pray they will awaken. I pray they will come to hear the real and complete Truth. Sooner rather than later. For time is running out. Christ is soon to return. So many will be left behind. I know this already, but I don’t want to accept this. I must try to help. I must try to awaken them to the True Word of God. Accepting that salvation can be lost. I don’t wish any to have their names removed from the Book of Life. I know the first rapture will be small. I know the next will be in the billions. It is still sad that they must suffer in the tribulation, but that is their choice. As it should be. All due to free-will.

God Bless

Yes by Grace, but………

Christian, General, Guide, Life, Relationship, Thoughts, , , , , Leave a comment

In Romans 2:13 a statement is made that many ignore or don’t know. It says to be Justified you are to follow the “law.” Now remember all the letters were written for those that called themselves “Christian.”
My point being if you are covered by Christ’s blood why worry about the law?
Because Jesus Himself made it clear He was brought into this world to fulfill the law NOT REPLACE IT. This is what people don’t want to acknowledge. People say things that imply Christ replaced the law and so now it is unimportant to follow it.
John 14:15 – If ye love me, keep my commandments.
John 14: 21 – He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
2 Corinthians 2: 9 – For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.
James 2: 24 – Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Matthew 7: 21 – Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Now we must come to an understanding here. Jesus came into this reality and died upon the cross giving His blood to fulfill the law and the prophets:
Matthew 5: 17- Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
This is where people start to mess up. They take the word “fulfill” and replace it with “replace.” Do you know that Jesus actually added to the law he came to fulfill?
The Ten commandants are a preamble of the law. The book of Leviticus is the law. Christ added Love God with all your mind and heart and to love your neighbor as you would love yourself. So in actuality there are 12 commandants with the last two I just stated as number one and two.
Now as I said the actual law in Leviticus, what Jesus Christ fulfilled was the blood sacrifice he endured so we were no longer bound to make these sacrifices as called out in the book. Here is the kicker though that most try to avoid, don’t know or even care to know in many cases. The sins listed in the book of Leviticus which required the blood sacrifices is still there and still accountable thus Christ fulfilling the blood sacrifice allowing all that choose to honor and SERVE Him to wash us clean of our sin.
Mark 12:29 – And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: 30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
Does this mean we are free to continue to live in this sin? No we cannot.
In John “keep my commandments” … “hath my commandments and keepeth them”
Really note James 2:24 – faith alone is not enough but actions as well. Well what are these actions? The commandments and turning from all the sins listed in Leviticus.
In Matthew 7:21 it states that you must do the will of Christ’s Father who is in Heaven. That is God, the Lord Almighty.
Do you know Lord is mentioned 278 times in Leviticus and many of the time it is statements like: “The Lord spoke to Moses” This means this is the will of God, will of the Father. Yet most refuse to accept and acknowledge this. They just want the Grace but not the obedience God asks for. This leads to the results of Matthew 7:21 of “Not everyone that says unto Christ: ‘Lord Lord’ shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.
In Matthew 5:18 it states clearly that the law is still present till every aspect of it is fulfilled. Since the Great White Throne Judgment has not transpired then aspects of the law still pertain like what the law was created to allow to happen namely a blood sacrifice to clean the person that sinned an avenue to be seen by God.
1 John 2:15 – Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
Once again I return to the black and the white. This is not the only verse in the Bible that makes this distinction yet people just do not want to hear it. They want to live in their sin which is of the world and say they love God, but as you can plainly see in the verse above this is not possible. Yet those that say Grace does it all and you do not have to answer to what is called a sin keep not telling you this important information. They are changing the Bible to suit their needs and desires. They are using Grace as a pawn to allow them to sin.
We are to be God’s obedient servant. God is not our servant yet this is what many teach. This is a new Gospel a new Bible. It is something we are told to avoid and to chastise those that do it, yet instead they are celebrated as recent event are showing all.
Galatians 1:8 – But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we preached unto you, let him be accursed.
More and more people are choosing to love the world and not God, but what is sad is due to those that have not correctly taught God’s Word many are ignorant to this very thing, ignorance which in itself is a sin.
You must learn what is called a sin. You can only find this is the book of Leviticus. Now once again, due to Christ going upon the cross we are not bound to do a sacrifice, but the sins requiring the sacrifice are still present. If you learn these sins and avoid doing them and have asked Christ into your heart you are doing both works and faith.
You cannot expect to enter into heaven by faith alone. That is made extremely clear, yet how many truly know this?
Now a point that needs re-emphasizing. Jesus dying upon the cross removed the need to follow the laws of sacrifice, but it never removed the laws of sin. Humans are imperfect and sinful and from humans is where all horror, evil and atrocities come from. It is the fact that we have free will and can think upon our own that murder takes place. It is due to the base human nature that caused the Holocaust. Humans have only one goal in mind for themselves…. their own personal happiness not caring if any other gets hurt.
A prime example… Planned Parenthood selling aborted baby body parts. This is hideous and heinous, but this is what happens when you say there is no God or think there is and live in sin. Evil begets evil and humans are evil. Only God begets good and only salvation comes through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ.
It must also be made clear, that if you truly love God and truly honor God you will willingly turn from sin and as I said a sin is anything in Leviticus God told Moses is something that cannot be done and is against God. If you cannot reject the sin then you love the world for that sin is a part of the world.
Repentance for the turning away from sin IS MANDATORY not an elective and any saying otherwise is lying to you. By the way lying is considered one of the worst of sins. Why? Because the person called the father of lies is Lucifer a.k.a. Satan.
So if you are being lied to how can you turn from a sin if you don’t know it is one? It is your responsibility, your works, to pick up a Bible and read it. Learn what is bad and good, wrong and right, black and white, cold and hot. For it is better to reject God altogether then to say you are His child and live in sin.
Revelation 3:15 – I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.