Thu, Apr 30th - 5:37PM

THE MEASURE OF Christ

Brothers and sisters, let us keep on warning one another and the whole world that there are those who are falsely teaching that this present world’s ills are God’s punishment due to Christians being wicked and sinning, and that healing of these ills will come only when all the sinning Christians repent. Brothers and sisters, let us boldly answer and demolish these devilish lies with God’s everlasting truth, say it with me, holy people:

1Jo 5:19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

 1Th 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

Through faith in Jesus Christ His people are forever forgiven, signed,filled, sealed and delivered:

From the power of darkness: Col 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

From condemnation and death to eternal life: Jhn 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

From the wrath of God to come: 1Th 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

Forever delivered from the Law:  Rom 7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the law.

No one, holy people, absolutely no one can ever be saved, justified, or be declared righteous, or please God by trying to keep the law, Ro 3:20, because by the works of the Law no flesh (person) shall be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. God’s purpose of giving the Law was to show that no one can keep it perfectly.

So then, brethren, there is no justification for any of us who belong to Christ  to keep looking back at the nation of Israel under the Old Covenant of the Law who often sinned and needed to repent as a nation to regain God’s forgiveness, and misapply this to Christians both Jew and gentile, who are all under the grace of the New Covenant of Jesus Christ, and are no longer even of this present evil world.

 Instead, dearly beloveds, let us teach the absolute eternal truth of the Bible, that Christians are the light of this present world not the cause of its darkness, and are left here, in partnership with God, to bring people out of darkness through the preaching of the gospel: Jesus plainly declares of all of  His people: Jhn 17:14 - I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

Phl 2:15 - That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

We are living in the end times, saints (G40 hagios), God has given us a heads up, and even the whole world that He will return. He has given specific signs to us which reminds us of this very thing. Christians are not to be fear filled when we see all these signs and wonders from God: Mar 13:7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.

God’s word trans Judgement has already began in the house of God, why? 1 Cor 11:31If we were judging ourselves correctly, we would not be judged. 32But when the Lord judges us, he disciplines us so that we won't be condemned along with the rest of the world.

Holy people, please feel free to study further on your own the truth that only Christians will stand before the judgement seat of Christ. Christians through the eternally effectual final atoning work of Jesus Christ will never be judged for sins:  Heb 8: 12For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

There is a totally separate judgment of condemnation for all who have rejected the salvation of Jesus Christ. This separate judgement of condemnation of unbelievers, has absolutely nothing to do with the people of God.

We know, dearly beloveds, that when we admonish one another for sins and when God chastens us, it is not for punishment or to destroy us, but for loving correction and discipline which no one in the body of Christ is above.

Brothers and sisters, let us thank God and enter boldly into the very throne room of God, to bring to Him and to our Saviour our sweet sacrifices of praise, thanks and love offerings, with the totality of our worship, which belong to God alone. Let us pray for one another and love God and one another fervently in these last days and always. 

 love, 

serola

Fri, Apr 24th - 10:13PM

THE MEASURE OF CHRIST

Brothers and sisters, we have to continually remind one another that Jesus clearly teaches that pestilences and earthly disasters are not the punishment of God due to Christians sinning, but are of the signs of His coming return and the end of the world:  Mat 24:3 - And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?; Mat 24:7 - For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

While the door is still opened, brethren, God’s  command to the whole world is to be saved through faith in His Son and only Saviour Jesus Christ. Lord Jesus upon His return will deal with the unsaved nations as we clearly see in Revelation. Those who die unsaved now or later will be condemned to hell to await the final judgement in the lake of fire.

Holy people, rather than accept the lie that world troubles are punishment due to sinning Christians let us boldly declare the absolute truth, SAY IT WITH ME BRETHREN! 1Jo 5:18 - We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. 19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

What this means is that as Christians we know we cannot handle sin in our own power. Instead, Christians, through faith in Jesus Christ, are made new, have a new identity, new nature, a new conscience that finds no comfort in continuing to practice any sin. Rom 8:13 - For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Rom 13:14 - But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

The recovery movements have a long history and arose trying to help people escape being trapped in specific addictions such as drugs, alcohol, sex, gluttony, gambling, emotions such as rage- a- holics, etc., you name it. Many of these movements were private entities, but now the government is a large part of this through various programs. Many things have been thrown at these addictions in hopes of aiding people in overcoming them, i.e. science, psychotherapy, group treatment, in and out patient rehab, science, medical drugs, although it came to pass that many became addicted to these drugs.

 Dearly beloveds, as of 2017 700,000 have died due to drug addiction alone. Each year alcoholism cost the American economy 600 billion dollars a year.  More people die of addiction to cigarette smoking than all of that of alcoholism and drugs. Unhealthy eating habits is blamed for the deaths of 400,000 a year from heart disease and other related illnesses. All these addictions have collateral damage from the children born with developmental defects from users of drugs, alcohol and other addictions, to people being killed by drunk drivers, impaired caregivers on every level causing injury to those under their care, to various diseases of addictions passed on to innocent people.

The recovery movement, dearly beloveds, has even thrown gurus, religious pundits, and even appropriated bits and pieces of the Bible, along with secular doctrines, and rituals trying to help people escape being trapped in addictions.

Now the recovery movement does not teach recovery, since nothing has actually worked, now the best they hope for is to reduce days in rehab, and reduces instances of relapses, hoping the person will somehow be able to resist the temptation of going back to the addiction. Sadly, false conversions, have arisen from those who appropriate bits of the Bible mixed with secular rituals, who falsely believe they are saved by making a deal with God to heal them as a condition of their accepting God. Some, instead of trusting in the word of God, have set up “recovery” groups in their churches and they fare no better, and perhaps worse than secular so called recovery groups.

Addictions, brothers and sisters, we know are of many kinds with many names, but all of them have one source SIN that arises out of the degenerate  Adamic sin nature. Brothers and sisters, the Bible addresses the temptation to sin arising out of the world, and the devil, however the Bible also addresses the sin that arises out of our own lustful, trickey, deceitful old natures of excessive desires that only seek to please ourselves with what God forbids, or in a way or manner that God forbids. Again, even though we are Christians, we are not to allow ourselves to be entrapped by the sins arising out of our own flesh, aka old man, old natures, or flesh. God tells us the truth, SIN INJURES, SIN KILLS, SIN DESTROYS THOSE WHO SEEK TO LIVE IN IT.

Rom 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.;  Rom 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

Some may have become so disgusted and disappointed in failing to overcome some sin in their own power that they are thinking of punishing themselves in some way or even taking their own lives. God knows that sin cannot be overcome by human power. We never have to do anything like that to ourselves, instead, let us all take comfort in the absolute encouragement, assurance and power of God, dear friends of Jesus, for He declares in His word:    1Co 10:13

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

love

serola

Sat, Apr 18th - 5:32AM

THE MEASURE OF CHRIST

Brothers and sisters, sadly, in ignorance there are those who preach that the answer to the church for overcoming the sin nature is to be found in:  2Ch 7:14

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 5Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place. 16For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.

Now, brethren, some Christians say and sincerely believe this pertains to Christians today, but they fail to understand that God was speaking to the nation of Israel, and that is not all He said to them, for we see the rest of the story: 2Chron 7: 19But if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them; 20Then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have sanctified for my name, will I cast out of my sight, and will make it to be a proverb and a byword among all nations. 21And this house, which is high, shall be an astonishment to every one that passeth by it; so that he shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and unto this house? 22And it shall be answered, Because they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, and laid hold on other gods, and worshipped them, and served them: therefore hath he brought all this evil upon them.

Dearly beloveds, we know all too well from the record that God has left us in the Bible that although there were many faithful, the nation as a whole did not keep God’s commands as required under the Law. So much for the house that Solomon built.

Holy people, in love and truth, we have to break the good news to those who in ignorance identify with the nation of Israel under the Law, because Christians are not even of this present wicked world, although we are in it:  Jhn 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

 Yes, Solomon built God a temporary earthly house that did not stand. However, Jesus Christ built God a permanent spiritual home in all who are redeemed through faith in His sinless blood. That is that the triune God in His omniscience indwells His people.  Therefore, it is blasphemy to condemn the world wide body of Jesus Christ as wicked. God Himself has eternally declared of His people:  1Co 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 

Anybody willfully and unrepentantly slandering God’s people as wicked be warned, watch out:  1Co 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

Look, brethren, God is explicit, if anybody weakens, or causes His people to stumble by teaching them a false gospel, He will destroy them. Howbeit, the ignorant will learn, the mistaken will repent, but the wicked never will and will bear the consequences.

Brothers and sisters, the answer to how do we put on the new man is that we first without wavering or doubting put on our permanent new identity in Jesus Christ. Whether we are Jew, gentile, male or female we are all God’s chosen people now and forever in the kingdom of our Almighty God, although we are in this present evil world.

Rom 9:25 As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. 26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.

1Pe 2:9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

 Phl 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

MURMURINGS: a secret debate.

DISPUTINGS: a deliberating, questioning about what is true, hesitation, doubting.

 Mat 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

 1Jo 3:1Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

He has rooted us in Himself. None who rejects the identity He has given to His people will receive any of the benefits of His power in living to, for and through Him.

love

serola

Tue, Apr 14th - 12:21AM

THE MEASURE OF CHRIST

(See God’s word trans Gal 5: 16- 24)

God’s word trans Eph 4: 21You have certainly heard his message and have been taught his ways. The truth is in Jesus. 22You were taught to change the way you were living. The person you used to be will ruin you through desires that deceive you. 23However, you were taught to have a new attitude. 24You were also taught to become a new person created to be like God, truly righteous and holy.

KJV Eph 4: 21If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Brothers and sisters, some tend to get wishy washy, touchy feely, warm and fuzzy towards God’s commands to His children to put off the old man and not practice sin. Some even present straw men arguments that since we aren’t saved by works, no works are necessary. Yes, it is true we are not saved by works our salvation is the gift of Christ. So, dearly beloveds, let’s just blow that straw man away and cut to what the scriptures is actually teaching us about putting off that old man or Adamic nature.  After we are saved, through obeying the word of God we are expected to bear fruit though-GOOD FRUIT.

God knows and gives us the clear understanding that our old natures are totally deceptive, tricky, corrupt and depraved. We will not be able to deal with or overcome our old natures by trying to negotiate, bargain, treat gently, overcome in increments over time, or allow for planned “slips” in coping with our short comings. Nope, none of that is going to work on dealing with our old natures.

We shouldn’t use straw arguments that God understands “stuff happens”, or God forgave Israel so we have no worries. Here is what God said to Israel concerning sexual immorality: Jer 5:7 How shall I pardon thee for this? thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by them that are no gods: when I had fed them to the full, they then committed adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots' houses.

Humm, brethren, looks like God is not speaking warm and fuzzy to Israel here either: Eze 16:33 They give gifts to all whores: but thou givest thy gifts to all thy lovers, and hirest them, that they may come unto thee on every side for thy whoredom.

God’s word trans Eze 16: 33All prostitutes get paid. But you give gifts to all your lovers and bribe them to come to you from all directions to have sex with you. 34You are a different kind of prostitute. No one goes after you for favors. You are the opposite. You pay them, and you don't accept payment.

God punished Israel when they refused to turn from practicing their sins. It is therefore, dangerous to teach any Christian that God will not allow consequences for willful disobedience. God does not have to play nice because God does not play.  So, brothers and sisters, what are we going to do about our deceptive, tricky, corrupt, and depraved old natures? We are commanded to put on the new nature. But how? Why do we have to struggle so hard against our old natures?

love

serola

Sun, Apr 12th - 2:50AM

THE MEASURE OF CHRIST

God’s word trans Eph 4: 17So I tell you and encourage you in the Lord's name not to live any longer like other people in the world. Their minds are set on worthless things. 18They can't understand because they are in the dark. They are excluded from the life that God approves of because of their ignorance and stubbornness. 19Since they no longer have any sense of shame, they have become promiscuous. They practice every kind of sexual perversion with a constant desire for more. 20But that is not what you learned from Christ's teachings. 

KJV Eph 4: 17This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20But ye have not so learned Christ; 

Saints (G40 hagios), the scriptures teach relentlessly, explicitly, continually that God’s people are not to live like the ungodly in the world who reject the spiritual, and embrace with greed every manner of immorality, and sexual impurity.  They no longer feel any shame in doing these deeds, but find pleasure in them.

Some might say that it is too hard for any Christian to live chaste in the midst of a sexually impure and immoral world, the temptation is too great to overcome without a great struggle, even then we will fail more often than not, so God understands we are but weak flesh. This is a straw man argument for those still walking in and under the control of their flesh. The Bible uncompromisingly teaches that God commands and empowers His people not to live according to the flesh, but to the Spirit.

God’s word trans 1 Cor 6: 9Don't you know that wicked people won't inherit the kingdom of God? Stop deceiving yourselves! People who continue to commit sexual sins, who worship false gods, those who commit adultery, homosexuals, 10or thieves, those who are greedy or drunk, who use abusive language, or who rob people will not inherit the kingdom of God. 11That's what some of you were! But you have been washed and made holy, and you have received God's approval in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.

12Someone may say, "I'm allowed to do anything," but not everything is helpful. I'm allowed to do anything, but I won't allow anything to gain control over my life.

KJV 1Cor 6: 9Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

love

serola

Thu, Apr 9th - 11:42PM

THE MEASURE OF CHRIST

Eph 4: 14That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

God’s word trans. Eph 4: 14Then we will no longer be little children, tossed and carried about by all kinds of teachings that change like the wind. We will no longer be influenced by people who use cunning and clever strategies to lead us astray. 15Instead, as we lovingly speak the truth, we will grow up completely in our relationship to Christ, who is the head. 16He makes the whole body fit together and unites it through the support of every joint. As each and every part does its job, he makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

 1Co 14:20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

UNDERSTANDING: the mind; the faculty of perceiving and judging.

Brothers and sisters, we are all in this together, by the will of God. We cannot do anything without Jesus, which is a good thing, because He will never lead us astray. The plan of God is clear here, He wants us all together to grow up, mature, be perfect. God does not want any of His people left gullible, stumbling and deceived by wicked people seeking their destruction and to turn them away from God. The church will not be built any other way, therefore we should and really, dear friends of Jesus, we are commanded to understand that God’s way is the only right way and the only right way is God’s way. Christians don’t have to wonder how to please God, how to touch the heart of God. He has made it clear that the way to His heart and to please Him is for us to trust and obey Him out of love. If we do His will, the understanding will follow, although we might not understand at first.

DOUBT FORBIDDEN BY GOD

Brothers and sisters, we know that early in our faith we can have doubts, mainly out of ignorance of the word, but we are not to stay that way. Those who still doubt God after understanding the gospel message and think its okay with God, are greatly mistaken.  The truth is such persons are called unstable or double minded by God, who takes no pleasure in such. God speaks explicitly that those who willfully choose to doubt Him cannot please Him and will receive nothing from Him: Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Jas 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Holy people, we know that doubt is unbelief and God makes it absolutely clear about how He sees it: 1Jo 5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.  11And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

Dearly beloveds, it is gross error for anyone to think that their doubt, lack of faith, or unbelief can in anyway nullify the word of God or have any impact on its eternal, indestructible truth: Rom 3:3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?

 Rom 3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

Heb 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13  But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; 15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. (See this whole chapter).

Dearly beloveds, nothing here is teaching that Christians can lose their salvation. This is teaching that an authentic Christian remains steadfast unto the end and no one walking in unbelief regardless of what they call themselves will ever enter the kingdom of God. However, those who doubt are urged to repent and come steadfastly believing and trusting in the faithfulness and inerrant truth of God.

Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

love

serola

Sat, Apr 4th - 6:49PM

THE MEASURE OF CHRIST

Brothers and sisters, our perfection-spiritual maturity in Christ can only come from understanding the Bible as finished in the new covenant for all time. If we know Christ’s work is finished for all eternity and we are complete in Him, if we know that He is fully man and God the Son and only Saviour, all which is absolutely true, why are there those who stir up arguments that no Christian is or can attain perfection in contradiction of scripture? These disputers choose to teach the lies that God’s holy people are still sinners until death, who like animals have no power, accountability, nor responsibility to God to live according to God and not the flesh, as He commands throughout scripture. in this age of rampant sexual immorality, they justify those living in it by falsely teaching them that God understands people are all just but flesh. They will buttress these false teachings by telling people that the nation of Israel had that problem, and God understood and forgave them. They fail to tell them that God held Israel accountable and responsible to Him, and punished them many times for their sins until they repented.

 Heb 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

PERFECTED: to carry through completely, to accomplish, finish, bring to an end, to complete (perfect), add what is yet wanting in order to render a thing full,to be found perfect,to bring to the end (goal) proposed,to accomplish, bring to a close or fulfilment by event, of the prophecies of the scriptures, to complete, i.e. (literally) accomplish, or (figuratively) consummate (in character):—consecrate, finish, fulfil, make) perfect.

Holy people, the reason that some have so much trouble with the above verse and other verses on perfection is because God is not speaking to such people. To whom then is God speaking? KJV 1Co 2 1Co 2:6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

God’s word trans: 1 cor 2: 13We don't speak about these things using teachings that are based on intellectual arguments like people do. Instead, we use the Spirit's teachings. We explain spiritual things to those who have the Spirit. 14A person who isn't spiritual doesn't accept the teachings of God's Spirit. He thinks they're nonsense. He can't understand them because a person must be spiritual to evaluate them.

THE WORK OF ALL MEMBERS IN THE BODY OF CHRIST

Eph 4: 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

PERFECTING: complete furnishing, equipping.

God’s word translation Eph 4: 12Their purpose is to prepare God's people to serve and to build up the body of Christ. 13This is to continue until all of us are united in our faith and in our knowledge about God's Son, until we become mature, until we measure up to Christ, who is the standard.

People are continually being saved all the time, brothers and sisters, and we need to perfect them in the faith, and keep our knowledge of Lord Jesus fresh in living it and not letting any of it slip as we mature in the word, remaining steadfast in Him. Without making this a study within a study, the so called doctrine of sinless perfection is a straw man erected by them who live in sin, love their sin more than our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who paid the price for the sins of all who believe in Him.

love

serola 

Thu, Apr 2nd - 1:29PM

THE MEASURE OF CHRIST

All praises, thanks, honor and glory to Lord Jesus Christ who has abolished death and given His perfect grace and eternal life to all who will believe on Him. Brothers and sisters, the false teachers that we must be wary of and who are just as dangerous as all false teachers are dangerous, are the “nice” false teachers/ministers. These are religious, pious, and “nice”, but nevertheless false. They preach a “nice”, but still false gospel, so it doesn’t “scare” the people away. They know how to tell a good joke to bring a chuckle or two to their hearers-kitchy, kitchy cooing people into not taking the gospel message seriously. These “nice” false teachers/ministers wrap themselves in the Bible, but see the whole gospel as a threat to their ministry, in error believing the gospel chases people away from God, contrary to the truth of scripture for Jesus preaches: Jhn 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.   

They operate contrary to scripture, they tell unbelievers that if one day they feel very sorry for their sins and or remember a certain prayer they can be saved in the future or before they die. Therefore these wicked disputers nullify the absolute teachings of Jesus Christ: Heb 3:15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

Brothers and sisters, we have to tell people the absolute truth. We absolutely have to as God commands us. The Bible is absolutely clear tomorrow is not promised by God. People, even healthy people are dying and dropping dead every day. The gospel message is urgent, there is never a time for any delay.

These “nice” false teachers/ministers will attract those who are offended by the whole gospel message; therefore, such will and do seek out many false teachers because they only want to hear a “nice” gospel:

 ESV 2 Ti  4:1I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3For the time is coming when people will not endure sound^a teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry:  1Co 3:10; Col 4:17; 1Ti 4:16.

ITCHING EARS: to itch, to scratch, tickle, make to itch- desirous of hearing something pleasant.

Dearly beloveds, the gullible, can be tricked by false teachers:  Rom 16:18

For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

FAIR SPEECHES: in a bad sense, language artfully adapted to captivate the hearer.

SIMPLE: not bad, i.e. (objectively) innocent or (subjectively) unsuspecting: harmless, simple.

Eph 4: 11And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds^c and teachers,^d 12to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood,^e to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,

There is to be in Christ’s body an absolute unity in the correct interpretation/teaching and living of scripture. Dearly beloveds this it is the work and purpose of the whole body in obedience to God, without exception.

Saints (G40 hagios), absolutely no one claiming to have spiritual gifts calling Lord Jesus a liar or teaching false doctrines is a Christian: 1 Cor 12:1Now concerning^a spiritual gifts,^b brothers,^c I do not want you to be uninformed. 2You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. 3Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.

Lord Jesus liberally gifted every believer, although each have different operations and functions for the care and health of the church, EVERY SINGLE ONE IS NECESSARY TO AND FOR THE BODY OF CHRIST: ESV 1 Cor 12:4Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.