works

Ok time to listen

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Do not assume.
Read the Bible yourself
I don’t mean read a verse here or there. I mean READ the Bible.
Learn the meaning of the words as they were originally written in the Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. (Bet you didn’t know parts of the Old Testament were not all in Hebrew.)
Take them in context to the events and teachings be taught by Christ or the writers of the books within the Bible. The only exception to this is Proverbs.
An example of context: This woman I encountered kept throwing out to me “Go sell all your good and give to the poor!”
She had no concept of that within what it was referring to within the Bible.
Another example: “You shall not judge!”
Again out of context.
The first was the story of the rich man and Jesus. The rich man said he followed all the commandments. Christ believed him. Jesus said that he needed to do one more thing, go sell all his property and possessions, give them to the poor and follow Him. By the way the guy didn’t.
As to the “judgment card” as I love to call it.
In 2 Timothy 4:1-5 we are instructed to reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. This, people take as “judging.”
The verse that discusses “judging” is about hypocrisy. The person accusing his fellow of sin was living in the same exact sin. Christ instructed the person to remove their own sin before confronting others.
I must add that when you reprove, rebuke, and exhort, you are doing so using the Bible as a foundation thus the word “doctrine.” So when someone actually accuses you of “judging” they are in actuality accusing God of judging them, not you, when you are grounded in your stance with the Bible. These are just two examples, yet there are many more. Too many more.
To know you are on the right path. You must be willing to accept that even though saved you will still sin. However this is not a license to remain in this sin. You must strive to remove this sin from your life. Some sins will be easy to get rid of. Other sins, especially sin that actually not only affect you but those that you have ever been in contact with or ever will be in contact with. Sins I have called “overwhelming sin,” are sins that can be extremely difficult to leave behind.
When we are instructed to repent. We must understand that repentance is an action that God requires those committing the sin to do to show that they truly seek to place God at the core of their life.
In the New Testament there are two versions of the word repent used.
Most of the time it is the word “metanoeo” defined as:
“I repent, change my mind, change the inner man (particularly with reference to acceptance of the will of God), repent.” From Biblehub
The other version is “metamellomai” again from Biblehub it is translated as:
“I change my mind (generally for the better), repent, regret”
Note both times it is the person making the change, not God, but the person turning to God through Jesus Christ.
Once someone with all their heart commits to following God and ask Christ to be their Savior, just accepting the salvation is not enough. It requires works.
The Bible states faith alone is not enough it is faith and works.
James 2:14 – What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? 15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 16 and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? 17 So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. 18 Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.” 19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. 20 How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless? 21 Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. 23 And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God. 24 So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone. 25 Rahab the prostitute is another example. She was shown to be right with God by her actions when she hid those messengers and sent them safely away by a different road. 26 Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.
Any who tell you all you need is to believe and nothing else is sentencing you to damnation, not salvation.
If you live in sin and have no desire to remove the sin from your life, then the question must be asked: Are you even really saved?
When you are manifestly changed by your broken and heartfelt choice to follow Christ. You will choose on your own to turn from sin.
The Bible shows prove of this:
1 Corinthians 6:9 – Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, 10 or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. 11 Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
If two thousand years ago these people could turn from their sins, some very extreme sins, why can’t you?
The answer is you can and will desire to do so if you truly accept Jesus Christ as your Savior.

Confessions of a screwed up middle age man: assumptions

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Within this last week I had two encounters with two different people. Both made an assumption about where I stand in my belief in God and an assumption and where I stand in my faith. They assumed I was arrogant and self-serving. This is the furthest thing from my mind.
As the title of this article shows I know I am far from perfect. I know that I am human and I do have human failings. Yes I know at times I can push hard in my wording as well.
Here is the thing that neither of these people wanted to hear. The way I present my message at time is not only out of love, but it is out of desperation. Why desperation?
Because time is running out. As I pointed out to one this people it is only 17 years till the two thousand year anniversary of the death and resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. It is clear if you just open your eyes and your ears. If you listen to those about you, if you see how they act and live. It is obvious to any willing to see. We are coming to the end of gentile leadership of this world. The Bride is nearly ready, but there is still room for a few more.
I do not wish for those that think they are right with God to awaken someday in the near future and find they are left behind in bewilderment and sorrow. Not understanding that it was due to their own self-imposed ignorance that left them here upon this planet; because they loved it more than they loved God.
I know that after the Rapture which will be much smaller than many expect, and to be honest I will be surprised if even I make that blessed event, that millions will awaken to the truth of God’s love and warning to them to awaken. It will not be too late for them to join God, but they will be required to do the works they have refused to do until this point.
They will have to show their faith in God through the works they said were not needed or required. But what will these works be?
Frist and foremost they cannot take the mark, which will be a chip implanted into their skin and most likely a tattoo as well.
They will have to starve for they will not be able to buy food due to not having the mark.
They will have physical pain and anguish as they are beaten and ridiculed.
They will have to face a martyr’s death be it thorough starvation, or beheading.
Once they live the works they refused to do when they had the chance to do them and join those in the Rapture. Then through their works of their faith in God will they be welcome to stand before God.
Is this what you want? The Rapture has not taken place yet. There is still time. You can still become truly repentant. You can turn from the materialism, you can turn from your selfish desire and lust. You can place God at the center of your life now when it has more value unto God.
For once the Rapture happens people will begin seeing with their eyes and not their hearts and they will be like Thomas.
John 20:24 – One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. 25 They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.” 26 Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” 28 “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. 29 Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

The swing of the pendulum

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When Christianity began to grow after Jesus ascended to His Father Christianity was in balance. Then as it grew and men started to think they knew more than God and changed the Bible to their suiting it became all about works. To this day still some think this way. Then Martin Luther came along and split the church, but he went to the other extreme of all faith, and that too has been corrupted by the insistence of humanity.
Here is what that Bible states though:
James 2:14 – What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
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.
So we cannot live in faith alone which many now use the word “love” as the meaning of this faith. True we are to love all, but we are to do good works as well and this is not only our actions but how we say certain things to be people.
You see we you say you love someone, but you allow them to live in a sin that will mean their eternal death, this is not love, but selfishness. For you do not wish to truly share the love of God with any other. You see if you did, in love, you would go to this sinner and show your true love for them and tell them that if they stay in their sin they shall be dead in the eye of the Lord. This action, these words, are works.
Note the last verse:
“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
This tells you in no uncertain terms that those without salvation are without a spirit and so are destine to death, which is the pit of fire. So you must through your faith act upon their sins and help them to find the true love of our Lord the Jesus Christ and to be reborn in true repentance, which is also works that are done with eternal love.
So in the future remember that it is not good enough just to love everyone, but you must love them enough to let them know how to get to God, through Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 4:1 – I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

“Once saved always saved” verses “faith without works is dead.”

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This is something that is extremely important for all to understand. The Bible does not work against itself.
So if the Bible makes it extremely clear that faith alone is not enough. How is the statement “once saved always saved” possible?
The answer is simple it is not.
This man-made doctrine would also negate the term “lukewarm,” which is exactly what those promoting this wish to have happen.
You see we are in the age of the “lukewarm,” per the book of Revelation. You see the order in which each letter to the churches by Jesus Christ in the book of Revelation is also chronological. The last church is the lukewarm church. Yes these churches can exist concurrently at this very moment, but if you really look into the situation each church reflection can been seen throughout history.
You see a “lukewarm” is someone that believes in Jesus, but lives within the world. This lifestyle is allowed to exist because of this concept of “once saved always saved.”
If you think you are saved then you are free to live however you wish, which gives those that follow this a false sense of security.
The best way to explain this is say you are in school and get an “F.” Your parents say you cannot go on any field trips until your grades improve. So here comes this great field trip to heaven, and you want to go so you defy your parents (God) and forge the permission slip to go on the trip, (by the way your signature for God is terrible so you get caught).
Do you get to make this field trip? No you don’t.
This is what “once saved always saved” is, a horrible child’s attempt to forge the name of God on the permission slip into heaven.
Yes you must have “faith.” Yes you must believe in God and that His Son is Jesus Christ. However, if you do not follow the teachings of the Bible, which is the “works” part, you are defying God and choosing yourself over Him. Since we are to love and honor God with all our heart, mind and soul, is this not a sin against God? The answer is yes.
So since the Bible states that faith without works is dead, then “once saved always saves” is death since it does not outright state you must do “works.”
NOTE: if you study the word “works” it does not mean give to charity, or volunteer, it truly means to follow the instructions in the Bible.

Yes by Grace, but………

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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.