lawless

Blog for Podcast #184 (Challenging 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 to do is do a search for Dreamwalker1960.

Discussion

There are still too many wearing blinders. There are still many that wish to challenge God.

Yes, you heard me correctly, challenge God.

How does someone challenge God? That is simple to address.

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.

“ALL SCRIPTURE!”

Time and again I encounter those that say, “show me in the Bible where something is stated.”

I show it. They deny what is shown. They insist that they are right, and the Bible verses have no meaning. This is a challenge to God. Not me providing the Bible verses, but them rejecting them and adhering to what they insist is the truth in their eyes.

That is a challenge to God. This is arguing with God.

They do not wish to face the Truth that they are living a lie. If they accept the Truth that would mean they have been living falsely all these years. That their entire life has been for nothing in their eyes. Which again shows their vein selfish perspective of the situation.

It is all about them. They are right and everyone else is wrong. Why? Because they are their own god.

Exodus 20:3 NKJV – “You shall have no other gods before Me.

Most don’t realize that they themselves make themselves their own “god.” It must be their way or the highway. They are unyielding to the Truth, because it is not what they have been taught for years if not decades. From one generation to the next. Yes, you read or heard that correctly. From one generation to the next.

You see most of the people pleasing teachings that have perverted the gospel entered into our belief systems at the beginning of the Reformation. For Martin Luther, even though mostly correct for challenging the Catholic Church, went too far. Ending the demand of following rituals was totally correct, but to go to the other extreme of “faith alone,” which is the total opposite extreme.

This is what the Bible teaches:

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

Now, once again works is not the rituals that were being pushed by the Catholics. Then what is “works?”

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.”

This is the key to works as taught by Christ Himself. As you can tell from these verses this is both faith and works combined. Faith by itself is dead. Works without faith are dead as well. It must be both.

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.

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

By following the laws not removed by Christ going to the cross. For to be lawless is how those that live by faith alone live and in turn sin. For they refuse to follow the laws, therefore, all that is required by them is faith alone.

Once again:

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

Why is it they are dead? Because they must have it their way and not God’s way. They make themselves their own god as mentioned earlier. They worship themselves and reward themselves. For they are worthy of this worship, because they are righteous and good. For they say there is a God and they believe in Him.

James 2:19-20 NKJV – 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?

All who demand it is faith alone show arrogance and pride, for they do not tremble. This brings us to looking at who else challenged God.

John 8:48-59 NKJV – Then the Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?” Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me. And I do not seek My own glory; there is One who seeks and judges. Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.” Then the Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You have a demon! Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and You say, ‘If anyone keeps My word he shall never taste death.’ Are You greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead. Who do You make Yourself out to be?” Jesus answered, “If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing. It is My Father who honors Me, of whom you say that He is your God. Yet you have not known Him, but I know Him. And if I say, ‘I do not know Him,’ I shall be a liar like you; but I do know Him and keep His word. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.” Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

Those that insist it is by faith alone, which goes totally against what is taught within the Bible, are like these Israelites nearly two thousand years ago. This is verified in these verses from Jesus Christ who said this:

“Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.”

To keep His Word is done by following the commandments and living as we are taught to live within the Bible. Those who insist that all they need is faith brings a lie to these Words spoken by Christ, just as these people did. It is shown clearly that not only did these people challenge Christ they also sought His death.

Those that embrace faith alone also seek after Christ’s death. If they accept His life is ongoing and eternal they must accept His commands and follow them. As long as Christ is dead to them the commandments are not law but suggestions. Suggestions which can be ignored because they have faith. However, as is shown in the Word of God, this is not the Truth. True faith is reflected by our works which work within the boundaries of the law and the prophets not removed by the cross. This is shown in Galatians chapter five:

Galatians 5:16-26 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. 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. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

What does the word “conceited” mean?

Conceited – desirous of vain glory – G2755 – kenodoxos – vainglorious, boastful.

  1. Vainglorious – showing too much pride in your own abilities or achievements.

When people believe that they can do anything because God is inside them. This is vanity and conceit.

Now don’t misunderstand me. For the Bible makes clear that we are the temples of the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 6:17-20 NKJV – But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Having the Holy Spirit within us means we have Christ within us. This, however, does not give us a license to do as we please. In fact, those that truly have the Holy Ghost within know that to enter into sin would desecrate and defile the Spirit of God. So, consequently, they seek never to sin for it would shame Christ.

Those that challenge Christ insisting they are covered by Grace. They can live as they desire and wish. So, they do not care that they defile the Holy Spirit for their god is not The God, but themselves and they relish living as they so desire and wish.

Christ ran into those like this as well. This led Him to tell the parable of the bad land manager which ended with this:

Luke 16:13-17 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. “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.

Those that embrace faith alone love money and care nothing about the law and the prophets. For them the laws and the prophets are dead. All taken away by Christ, which Jesus never taught. In fact He clear said the opposite:

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.

Those that teach faith alone teach people to break commandments. You can’t have it both ways. You either challenge God or live by both faith and works as is clearly taught by the Bible and in turn God through Jesus Christ via the Holy Spirit.

Repent, return to Christ or stay in the dark till the light shines and exposes your sins.

God Bless

Blog for Podcast #152 (The Lawless)

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

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

Matthew 5:17-19 NKJV – “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

“Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

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

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

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

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

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

“There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

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

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

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

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

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

The word “lawlessness” is used another time in Matthew as well:

Matthew 7:21-23 NKJV – “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

What does it mean to practice lawlessness?

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

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

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

Jesus Christ also said this:

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

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

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

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

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

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

This brings me to these verses found in Hebrews:

Hebrews 6:4-6 NKJV – For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.

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

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

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

Revelation 3:1-6 NKJV – “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ‘

God Bless