justified

Blog for Podcast #179 (Those that Seek to Justify Their Sins)

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

Time and again I encounter those that wish to continue in their sins. They profess to being “Christian.” However, when they are confronted with how they live is not per the Bible. They become incensed. They seek to attack the human that has shown their weakness with God as shown in the Bible.

As shown in the Bible. This means the person quoting the Bible is the messenger not the judge. They are the ones presenting the message, but not the one whom sent it.

These acts of self-justification, by the person or persons feeling remorse upon their part at receiving the message. Shows that a nerve has been struck. Guilt has reared its ugly head within them. Therefore, they strike at the messenger, not realizing they are in fact attacking He who sent the message. Since the messenger quotes the Bible, then it is God through the Word of God who sent the message. Not the human they seek to attack by trying to justify themselves.

What is amazing though is how they seek to justify themselves. Let us take social media as an example. They go into the messenger’s past. A past which has been forgiven by God. They attack how their children raise their grandchildren. Forgetting this important verse.

Ephesians 5:31 NKJV – “FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH.”

This means that the father and mother no longer have say with how the man and wife raise their children.

They try to throw out sins of the past of the messenger, to justify and excuse the sins they now live in. How does that work to God’s Glory?

The answer is: it does not.

It works only for those seeking to justify themselves by allowing them to keep living in their sins. Using the past sins of the messenger as proof, in their eyes that they are right and can continue to live in sin. This also proves that they are not God focused, but self-focused. It also shows that they seek that which is esteemed by 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.

This means that they wish to justify being seen as “an abomination in the sight of God.” They wish to justify being on par with the antichrist and those that follow him. Which again shows they have no true desire to follow God but wish to live a lukewarm life.

I use the word “life” loosely here. For Christ Jesus said this about those who choose to being lukewarm:

Revelation 3:15-16 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.

To be vomited out of the Body of Christ means only one thing. They are not apart of the Body and so are not one with Christ. This also means they are not written in the Book of Life as witnessed by this letter:

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

All this spoken by the Christ Jesus. The one giving the message. However, they don’t wish to hear or accept these truths. For to do so means they must change or deny Him who sent the message.

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

The moment they are denied by His Father. Their name is not found in the Book of Life. So, then, what is their fate?

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

This is why they seek to justify themselves. For if they are not in the Book of Life. This is their fate. They must be right. They must be escaping this fate. Yet where did the message come from? Not from the messenger, but from the Word of God. And what is the purpose of 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.

For reproof. The messenger shows the Word of God. Shows they are living in sin.

Here, those given the message should seek to correct their ways, not try to justify the ways they live. For the Bible shows us how to live in righteousness. The Bible teaches us to downsize, which is the visible commentment we show the world that we seek to reflect Christ and not the world.

Those that seek to justify themselves don’t wish to hear this. They wish to have their earthly rewards. But what does the Bible teach us about earthly rewards:

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.

Therefore, those that seek worldly possessions make themselves friends of the world.

James 4:4 NKJV – Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Thus, they make themselves enemies of God. Justified enemies of God, that seek not to help others into heaven, but themselves into earthly comforts. And what does Christ say about that?

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.

Let’s return to Luke 16 once again. Jesus had just told a parable about the dishonorable land manager. He ended this parable with these words:

 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.”

This is what is said next.

Luke 16:14 NKJV – Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him.

They derided – G1592 – ekmuktérizó – scoff at, mock greatly, sneer

               Scoff – to laugh and talk about a person or idea in a way that shows that you think they are stupid or silly.

               Mock – to criticize and laugh at (someone or something) for being bad, worthless, or unimportant. If someone mocks you, they show or pretend that they think you are foolish or inferior, for example by saying something funny about you, or by imitating your behavior. Or by digging up your past and try to use it against you.

               Sneer – to talk about or look at someone or something in an unkind way that shows you do not respect or approve of him, her, or it.

Those that try to justify their sinfulness. So, they can continue in it must belittle the messenger. Not realizing that they are actually belittling God through His Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Which shows that they are blind to the Truth. For if they truly followed Christ Jesus, they would not act like those that sent Him to the cross. Therefore, those that belittle the messenger are not followers of He who sent the message. Their love is for the world and he who runs it.

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.

Satan rewards those that follow him with earthly rewards.

Luke 4:5-6 NKJV – Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 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.

“And I give it to whomever I wish.”

The mere fact that they are so open to diminishing God shows all where their loyalties lie. Which is truly sad. For they have chosen eternal death over eternal life. Just so they can live in earthly comforts. Just so they can enjoy this short temporal life of a few decades as opposed to eternal life.

But that is their choice, and it is truly and completely sad.

Repent! Downsize! Now!

God Bless

Blog for Podcast #162 (Who are Justified in the Sight of God)

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

Intro

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

Discussion

Romans 2:12-24 NKJV – For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel. Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law. You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? You who say, “Do not commit adultery,” do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? For “THE NAME OF GOD IS BLASPHEMED AMONG THE GENTILES BECAUSE OF YOU,” as it is written.

“For not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them.”

Let us look at this from a different translation:

Romans 2:13-15 AMPC – 13 For it is not merely hearing the Law [read] that makes one righteous before God, but it is the doers of the Law who will be held guiltless and acquitted and justified. When Gentiles who have not the [divine] Law do instinctively what the Law requires, they are a law to themselves, since they do not have the Law. They show that the essential requirements of the Law are written in their hearts and are operating there, with which their consciences (sense of right and wrong) also bear witness; and their [moral] decisions (their arguments of reason, their condemning or approving thoughts) will accuse or perhaps defend and excuse [them].

The key statement of these verses:

“For not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified.”

There are those in the Christian community that say all that is needed is “grace” and that “once they are saved they are always saved.” That equates to the first part of this sentence. “For not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God.”

This makes it clear that they are not right with God by this type of believe. In fact it is shown what makes them right within the very next part of the sentence. “But the doers of the law will be justified.”

Doing the law. This shows that Paul believed what Jesus Christ Himself told us:

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.

Abiding in Christ is to follow His commandments to obey the laws and the prophets that were not removed by Jesus going to the cross. Why I say this is because Jesus made it clear that He came to fulfill not replace the 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.

“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.”

Therefore, following the laws is a requirement to showing you are a true disciple of Jesus Christ. Any who say otherwise are teaching a false gospel. What does the scripture tell us about those that do 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.

Many hear the words from the Bible, but they do not hear the true gospel. They hear words like all you need is God’s grace and that you are saved forever. Both of which teach favoritism from God, but that is not what the Bible teaches:

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.

“For God does not show favoritism.”

“This doesn’t apply to me because I am saved forever.” Someone just complained.

What does it mean to be considered a favorite?

Respect of persons – G4382 – prosópolémpsia – partiality, favoritism

  1. partiality – the fact of unfairly preferring or approving of something
  2. favoritism – unfair support shown to one person or group, especially by someone in authority

Unfair is defined as not treating people in an equal way, or not morally right.

Those that support the man-made doctrines of “grace” and OSAS are insisting that God is not behaving morally correct.

Do they grasp the implication of that belief? That God is immoral. GOD?!

That just shatters the mind when it is spelled out like that. Those that embrace these man-made doctrines have made their God be immoral. I only know of one being that truly qualifies for this depiction.

John 8:44 NKJV – You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.

But no this does not equate to them they insist and start to get upset about what is happening within this podcast. I will restate the verses within John chapter eight about those others that were following their own ways over that of following God.

John 8:31-47 NKJV – Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. “I know that you are Abraham’s descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with your father.” They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. You do the deeds of your father.” Then they said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father—God.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.”

Abiding in His Word means to follow His commandments amongst other things which I have covered in a past podcast (#139 Abiding in Christ), which those that embrace grace and OSAS deny.

Abiding in His Word is to stay in His Word. Remain in His Word. Continue in His Word. Dwell in His Word. Endure through suffering, difficulties, unpleasant and painful events which will be caused by staying in His Word. These are all things that those that embrace grace do not encounter. These are things that never happen to those that will never loss their salvation. For they have been given their rewards here on earth and live in joyous comforts all in the service of their lord.

Luke 4:5-6 NKJV – Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 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.

And he gives it to whomever he wishes to give it to. So, he does because they are blessed and graced with eternal salvation. They are now perfect and glorious in the sight of their lord. They forget or don’t even know these important words found in 1 Corinthians:

1 Corinthians 15:50-54 NKJV – Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY.”

“Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.”

Even though they may deny this. This is the key to grace alone and OSAS. They are flesh yet they have already inherited the kingdom of God. Which they can’t unless they abide in Christ through Word and action. Faith and works. Repent now. Downsize now. Leave the world behind now. For tomorrow may be too late. For Jesus Christ is soon to come and in a twinkling of an eye those that don’t repent will find themselves not in immortal bodies but still in their corruption. To have to make the choice of taking the mark of the beast or not. For they did not abide in His Word.

God Bless

Insight into the Great White Throne Judgment — revisited — The Judgment Card

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This is to those that accuse someone of “judging” when in fact they are only quoting or paraphrasing from the Bible. If the person living their life through the Bible points out that you are in error understand that is all they are doing. They are not judging you. Are they saying “you will roast in hell.”? Most likely not, for that IS judging. If they are point out what God say within the Bible they are trying to teach how to live a better life. A life that could lead to a glorious, honorable and immortal life with God. So the next time you choose to throw the “Judgement Card” who is really judging who?
So the other day someone posed a question to my wife we both assumed had to do with Romans 2:13.
They presented her with:
For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.
Which is from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible. The wife and I rely upon the King James since is it closer to the original by nearly half a millennia.
I personally go to the next level which is to use Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance as well as the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Why? Because this gets me as close as possible to the original inspiration of God upon the writers of the books of the Bible, even though there are some even closer, but I have no way of seeing those. In the KJV the verse reads as such:
(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

Also you must take the whole context of the discussion going on in the letter so we must expound further:
Romans 2: 1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. 2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. 3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? 4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? 5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: 11 For there is no respect of persons with God. 12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; 13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. 14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) 16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
The actual full context of the discussion as seen above is about people judging others yet at the same time they do the exact same thing. What this indicates is those that are hypocrites before God and so whenever someone throws out the “Judgement Card” by saying you are judging them they are in fact adding to their own sins against God. Especially when the person they are accusing of judging them is only showing that the Bible states this fact or that fact. It is not the person judging them, but the Word of God through the Bible. So in reality who is judging who? The one teaching what is right and true through the Bible or the one living the sin and stating that you are judging them? I will leave you to think upon that answer.
But on to the rest of the discussion within Romans. As the verses continue it comes to an understanding of how the Great White Throne Judgment will proceed and explains how those that have never heard of God or His Son Jesus will be judged by God Himself as well as those that have heard of Him. There are those that have never heard of God. EVER. Yet they through their own conscience knew what was right and what was wrong. These are those that will be called “just” in the KJV or “righteous” in the RSV.
Yet those that have heard of God and live their life’s as is stated they should within the context of the Bible will be deemed justified for they have been good and loyal servants unto God.
What it truly boils down to is through your actions you will ultimately be judged by God and it is how you live your life is what will be judged by Him. If you read the Bible and learn what is right and what is wrong within the sight of God and you follow His instruction manual a.k.a. the Bible you will be deemed justified for you have followed God to the best of your ability by following the Bible as best you could.
Now it must be made clear. That those in today’s day and age and say they do not know God will still be judged by God as if they did know God. Why do I say this? For example everyone in the United States of America knows there is a God. They may choose not to follow Him or even deny He really is, but they have heard Him mentioned. This in itself makes them liable to follow the teaching of the Bible and to live their lives within it teaches.
I must also add that when applying Bible verses try not to take them out of context. Always make sure you have the full context of what is being discussed within the Bible verses that surround the verse you are referring because it can be twisted and preferred in a way that justifies the reader in allowing themselves to live a sinful life so remember this:
Romans 2: 8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;