Sun, Jan 31st - 12:19AM

MT 12:30 HE THAT IS NOT WITH ME IS AGAINST ME…

I loved my mom and dad so much. They were a real husband and wife team in raising us kids. Dad had one rule though that mom did not like or agree with. Dad forbade spanking or hitting us kids when we did wrong. He carefully told mom how to talk to us and if needed take away some privilege. Mom did spank us and saw nothing wrong with it, but she was careful to do it when dad was away. Mom threatened worse if we ever told dad. Now spankings were rare, and mom would do anything for us kids. Mom was very careful how she spanked, with a light weight strap applied to our legs only a few times, and we never had any marks or welts as a result, but it still hurt.

Those spankings left me feeling somehow rejected and dejected, deeply fearful, and shaken, mainly in apprehension of the next time she got angry or felt I needed another spanking. I obeyed her out of sheer fear of punishment nothing else. When I did do wrong as a kid I made sure to hide it or just lied to evade a whipping. Most times I had deep fear and anxiety and wore it like the clothing on my back, but as a kid I did not know why then.

One-day dad came home from work early, and caught mom in the act of spanking me. I know he probably heard me screaming in protest when he got to the door. Dad told mom to stop immediately and open the door. Mom hollered back and said no this was the way to correct kids, so we would not wind up in prison. Dad broke down the door, took away the strap and spanked mom’s legs a few times asking her how it made her feel and if she liked it. Mom cried like a baby and dad gently took her in his arms as she choked out the words that she finally did understand how truly hurtful it was to be treated like that. Mom took me in her arms and we both cried, I told her I was sorry she had to get a spanking from dad. Dad was a gentle man and that was the only and last time he ever laid a hand on mom.

Mom assured dad that he no longer had to worry about her beating us. Mom kept her word, and never laid a hand on us kids again. Most importantly, I no longer lived in fear of her. Our home became harmonious and us kids actually stopped acting out less and less. Instead of beating us when we did wrong, mom would scold us and tell us what she expected of us, and if needed would take away a privilege. I found myself growing closer to mom as I did with dad. We developed a great relationship and I went out of my way to please mom and help her out anyway I could. Not out of fear, but love.

 I knew so much about my dad’s early life and it was such a pleasure for her to open up to us and to hear about her early years. They went home years ago, but the love they poured out on me and into my life remains with me today, a living treasure still in my heart. I believe it is true that real love never dies. They were devout Christians, and because of Jesus I know I will see them again one day.

I am thankful for my earthly parents, however, Lord Jesus Christ is beyond any human parent. When I understood repentance, the Holy Spirit taught my heart that I was not coming to someone  I had to be afraid of who would hurt me, or reject me by turning away from me when I repented before Him.

I don’t know what your lives have been like, brothers and sisters, when your parents or caretakers had to correct you. I do know that our Saviour Jesus Christ, will never leave or forsake you when you come to Him in repentance. Lord Jesus will keep on loving you, and will guide you into the correct path. Jesus Christ will not make fun of you, but will cherish you and help you choose to please Him rather than yourself. His love for you will never die, grow cold or old.

All of our trials and temptations NEVER COME FROM God: Jas. 1: 13 13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. 16Do not err, my beloved brethren. 17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 18Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. Feel free to study further on your own the various sources of temptations such as those resulting from our own lusts; satan, the world etc.

God allows these temptations and trials for His glory our good, and they fully serve God’s purposes.

Jas. 1:2My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3Knowing [this], that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4But let patience have [her] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. See the whole chapter of James 1). 

Brothers and sisters we can rejoice always, that the Almighty Creator, Maker of all things loves me, you and all of us. So yes, we can absolutely count it all joy that in His loving arms, He will lead us, empower us to keep to His path of truth and love.

love

serola

Fri, Jan 29th - 3:42PM

Mt. 12:30 HE THAT IS NOT WITH ME IS AGAINST ME…

Jesus Christ makes absolutely no commands for Christians to beg for forgiveness in the book of revelation, because He has already accomplished that for us for all eternity. In fact, you will not be able to find one instance in the New Covenant of God or His Son Jesus Christ commanding any Christian to perpetually beg for forgiveness over and over again. This is gross error, because God through His Son has finished His work and gained eternal forgiveness for all that believe and trust in Him. This eternal fact cannot be said often enough, it is the core of the salvation and the absolute truth declared of our Triune God.

Repentance towards God for the believer, brings growth and strength, and power to resist sin and temptations on-going, until He takes us home. Initially, when we are faced with God's command to correct ourselves and face our own wrong doing, sins or missing the mark we do feel sad or dejected for a time only. Through repentance before almighty God we find His eternal truth that He has empowered us so that we can choose we can change our minds, hearts and behaviors away from practicing those things that displease Him.

Then holy brothers and sisters, because we obey His voice you, me all believers,  will take off our garments of mourning and a spirit of heaviness, for our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ will pour out  the oil of joy for us  and ever keep us in remembrance of the good news of  His Everlasting New Covenant even as He promised throughout the Bible: Isaiah 61: 1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

It is God, brothers and sisters, who has delivered you, me, even all who believe on Him, out of the house of bondage of sin, death, the curse of the Law and corruption in which you were once held under the Law, so that now you will truly eternally live through His New Covenant of grace. To be continued.

love

serola

Thu, Jan 28th - 11:35AM

Mt. 12:30 He that is not with me is against me….

Repentance is never a means of returning to keep short accounts as those commanded by God, under the Mosaic Law; since God already knows all the sins that we have done or will do and has already forgiven every one of them forever through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Repentance does not mean separation from God, or a loss of salvation, or forgiveness and fellowship with God. Repentance is not condemnation; it is not merely lip service alone or merely feeling sorry for our sins, but gladly turning away from them rather than practicing them as God commands and enables New Covenant believers.

In relation to God, it is the evidence of the indwelling Holy Spirit that we obey and agree with God out of love for Him, to see sin as totally out of line with holiness.

Ro. 6: 15What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 16Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17But God be thanked, that ye were (G2258  was) the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18Being then made free  (G1659)  from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

G1659 – eleuthero, I.to make free. II. set at liberty: from the dominion of sin. .

Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free (G1659) from the law of sin and death.

love

serola

Wed, Jan 27th - 11:10AM

Mt. 12:30 He that is not with me is against me….

LIFE AFTER ETERNALLY SECURED SALVATION FOR THE CHRISTIAN MEANS ETERNAL RECONCIALIATION, PEACE WITH GOD, UNEXPIRING ETERNAL FORGIVENESS THROUGH THE FINAL FINISHED WORK OF THE SINLESS BODY AND BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST THE SON OF GOD.

Lord Jesus we are thankful that your sinless blood has obtained permanent eternal forgiveness for those who believe. So there is no validity for anyone claiming to be a Christian begging Lord Jesus for forgiveness over and over.  This ignorance is healed through the infallible word of God. Heb 9:22And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

Strong's G859 - remission means: aphesis

I.release from bondage or imprisonment. II.forgiveness or pardon, of sins (letting them go as if they had never been committed), remission of the penalty of sin.

God has given us the power of repentance, through Jesus Christ:  We are given the privilege, opportunity, and commandment to repent, because we have power over sin through Jesus. This is the sole acceptable, and absolute attitude and spiritual stance we take regarding sin. We also have the command, privilege, and blessing to take the Gospel message to a fallen world, and to demonstrate it in our everyday lives consistently, because we have power over sin.

When it comes to the sinless blood of Jesus Christ, God the Father speaks eternally in absolutes of what His Son's blood has accomplished for all who believe in Him. We who believe must absolutely do the same.

To be continued.

love

serola 

Tue, Jan 26th - 3:56PM

Mt. 12:30 He that is not with me is against me….

Please note dear children of light, eternally secured salvation is the only kind of salvation available through the Son of God. We come to Him trusting in Him, for He has said He will never leave us nor forsake us nor separate Himself from us in anyway whatsoever. In the presence of Lord Jesus Christ, we find eternal love, rest, peace, all the help that we need, and happiness with gratefulness for all He has done for us.  

The Christian finds eternal relief from tears and fears of separation; loss of God’s forgiveness, fellowship, or salvation.

Because of Jesus Christ Christians are forever indwelt and Illuminated within through the Holy Spirit with the everlasting truth and love of Jesus Christ, that His sinless body and blood has given us the atonement through faith in Him. We understand that He has left us in mortal bodies as those made just and forgiven by Him to live by faith and walk by faith. However, we know full well that He has also filled us with the Holy Spirit of truth who empowers us as new creatures in Him to have power over sin that it shall not rule over us.

We know that God’s standard for imputing sins and keeping a record of them is the Mosaic Law, that those who believe are eternally forgiven and released from the Law and brought into the New Covenant. Therefore, He neither keeps a record of our sins nor remembers them against us anymore. We believe God exactly as He commands under the New Covenant.  To be continued.

love

serola

Wed, Jan 20th - 12:34PM

Mt. 12:30 He that is not with me is against me….

WHEN CHRISTIANS SIN AGAINST GOD?

Earlier these questions were posed: Does the Christian still sin after salvation? Better is the Christian a sinner still, after salvation?

What does the New Covenant define as sin?

Will the Christian who sins be lost?  Brothers and sisters those of you who have fellowshipped with me from the beginning in this particular study already know the answers from the infallible word of God. Brothers and sisters if we ask the wrong question we wind up with the wrong answers. Rather than continue to pose the question:

WHEN CHRISTIANS SIN AGAINST GOD? The real truth and only question that matters for all eternity and always deserves an absolute yes is:

Does God alone set forth through the Bible the sole and eternal standard for forgiveness of all sins, and righteousness?

If your answer is yes as God commands then as we head into the next study we easily find ourselves well rooted and grounded in the Message of the New Covenant of Jesus Christ His final and finished work for all eternity. God’s way is the only right way and the only right way is God’s way.

Eph. 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Praise God who speaks so plainly: After we heard the gospel we trusted that God's word was absolutely true. After we heard the gospel we ALSO believed-Then we were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise. What about those who also heard the gospel and neither trusted  God nor believed that God told them the truth. Come on brothers and sisters, we must face the truth that  these are unbelievers who were never sealed with the holy Spirit of promise. Such persons who go on unrepentant will continue to concoct a "gospel" of personal opinions; a "gospel" cobbled together of the perverse false  doctrines of men and also of devils and seducing spirits.

Jhn 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify ME: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

Holy brethren, let us glorify Jesus Christ in all we say and do. By the power of God we will never allow anyone nor anything to cause us to swerve or turn away from the eternal love and truth of our God. If it is not about Jesus Christ, it is about nothing at all.

Truth:  Strong's G225 - alētheia-the truth as taught in the Bible respecting God and the execution of his purposes through Christ, and respecting the duties of man, opposing alike to the superstitions of the Gentiles and the inventions of the Jews, and the corrupt opinions and precepts of false teachers.

Heb 6:18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 19Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; 20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

 1Th 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

However those whose answer is no, in error willfully or not try to substitute their personal opinions, denominations, or philosophies of mere men in place of the everlasting truth; furthermore they commit blasphemy against God in calling Him a liar. Their ultimate goal is to glorify men rather than God.

love

serola

Mon, Jan 18th - 1:53PM

WHEN OUR BROTHER OR SISTER SINS AGAINST US

Mat 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

2 Jhn. 1:6; 3: Jhn. 1:11. Feel free to look up so much more on your own than I can post here. Next when Christians sin against God?

love

serola

Sat, Jan 16th - 7:49AM

WHEN OUR BROTHER OR SISTER SINS AGAINST US

Mat 18:21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Holy brethren, it is an inaccuracy to think that Jesus Christ is saying that forgiveness amongst believers is to be seen as a blank check that does not require any form of repentance or reformation on our part when we offend or sin against our brethren. Our Lord tells us fully that while forgiving is the hallmark of the believer, true repentance is the hallmark or standard for us as believers- to truly change and make amends to those whom we have sinned against.

Luk 17:3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

Who among us, brothers and sisters that over the course of time shall not have sinned, done something wrong against a brother or sister?

When we repent of something it is not merely a verbal admission of wrong doing or just making excuses for our bad behavior, but a change of heart, mind and behavior towards those whom we have offended. Also true repentance means that we will not go on to do the same thing habitually to others either.

God makes it clear those who sin against other Christians, refusing to repent after being biblically confronted must be rejected, regardless of their rank. No one is above church discipline. Repentance leads to restoration in the body  which is the main reason why we confront those who have sinned against us.

Those who habitually reject repentance towards those whom they have offended or have sinned against are not to be given a place in the body to continue to harm others, influence others in an evil way, and bring the gospel into question in any way.

Over time by the grace of God, we grow more and more, forgive more and more, and offend one another less and less, out of love for God, walking in His truth in peace and love for one another.

Please feel free to study on your own that Christians even forgive their enemies. However, forgiveness from God and His people, is absolutely off the table for our enemy the devil and his followers for all eternity. 

love

serola

Sun, Jan 10th - 6:48AM

WHEN OUR BROTHER OR SISTER SINS AGAINST US

Mt. 18:  15Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16But if he will not hear [thee, then] take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell [it] unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. 

Trepass means: Strong's G264 – hamartanō to miss the mark, do wrong, sin.

Neglect means: Strong's G3878 – parakouō,

I.to hear aside.

A.causally or carelessly or amiss.

II.to be unwilling to hear.

A. on hearing to neglect, to pay no heed to.

B.to refuse to hear, pay no regard to, disobey.

Church means: Strong's G1577 – ekklēsia -in a Christian (NEW COVENANT) sense an assembly of Christians gathered for worship in a religious meeting ;a company of Christians, or of those who, hoping for eternal salvation through Jesus Christ, observe their own religious rites, hold their own religious meetings, and manage their own affairs, according to regulations prescribed for the body for order's sake; those who anywhere, in a city, village, constitute such a company and are united into one body; the whole body of Christians scattered throughout the earth;the assembly of faithful Christians already dead and received into heaven. 

The Bible never depersonalizes, dehumanizes, reduces or defines the church in any sense whatsoever to mean an inanimate thing or  place made of bricks and stones; it always refers to the people of God. Of course the place where Christians meet is more often than not called “the church” While it is true Christians meet, gather or assemble in buildings, ( but are not limited within them) to carry out the work of the ministry, preaching and teaching the word and building up the people, God is never coming back for a building, but for the called out ones His people the true and only church. Certainly we ought to cheerfully and consistently support the overseers and the work of the ministry within and without the local facility of the church.

It is always a tragedy when a building is more cared for than the people of God. The back story behind some of these buildings is they are man's attempt to build up the kingdom of men to glorify men, not God. Sadly some invest so heavily in some of these buildings that the church meets in that they come to financial ruin and bring the people to financial ruin too.

When building up a building becomes the focus, the people become servants to the building. It is good to have a place to meet in and to maintain it,  as long as we keep the purpose clear that it is for service to the people, never to be served of itself making it an idol.

The glorious and true temple to come, for all the nations to worship in,  will never be built of brick and stone, it will never have to be maintained to prevent deterioration, there will never be a "building fund drive" for it. There will never be any need of accident, injury or fire insurance for it. There will never be any need to adorn it with artificial lights or fixtures to make it beautiful. There will never be any need of security guards to protect it from those seeking to do it and the people within it harm. The true temple will last for ever, world without end. Amen. 

Act 7:48  Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet…

1 Co. 6: 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

 2Co 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 

There is no such place  on this present earth called a temple where all the people of God are commanded and  can come in to worship. However, it will come when God makes the new heaven and earth. The Bible is absolutely clear that there will be a holy Jerusalem built by God and never man. This holy city built by God will have the true temple in it, where all of God’s people can freely come day or night to worship, and it will never be closed: (For there will be no night there).

( To be continued).

love

serola

Sat, Jan 9th - 1:53AM

MT. 4:4 IT IS WRITTEN MAN SHALL NOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONE, BUT BY EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS FROM THE MOUTH OF GOD.

Matthew 4:4: It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.

WHEN OUR BROTHER OR SISTER SINS AGAINST US

When we have done our work on ourselves, beloveds, in the prayer and the counsel of God; is a good time to go forth in self-control with a level and cool head, in love and in the truth of the scriptures, to confront the brother or sister who has sinned against us.

 Maybe, this might seem petrifying, difficult, challenging to some. Perhaps some might feel upset or distressed or apprehensive that the outcome will be made worse or will not be resolved. Others might be avoidant or in the habit of just sucking things up rather than confront a brother or sister. This usually results in a simmering resentment towards the offenders.

Only God who is omniscient knows what will be the outcome of us taking the challenge in love and truth to confront a brother or sister. Therefore, the Christian has done no wrong in handling things God’s way in confronting a brother or sister who has offended or are offending them.

 2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Fear means here: Strong's G1167 – deilia, I. timidity, fearfulness, cowardice.

Sound mind means: Strong's G4995 – sōphronismos, 

I.an admonishing or calling to soundness of mind, to moderation and self-control.

II. self-control, moderation.

Our wonderful, and dear Saviour Lord Jesus Christ amply supplies us with the power and love and the ability to be of and to have a sound mind. Be greatly assured brothers and sisters to trust and have complete confidence in God for whom it is IMPOSSIBLE TO LIE. Never be cowardly or fearful to do things in the way that God has commanded of all His people. God’s way is the only right way and the only right way is God’s way. (To be continued).

love

serola

Thu, Jan 7th - 11:47AM

MT. 12:30 HE THAT IS NOT WITH ME IS AGAINST ME...

WHEN OUR BROTHER OR SISTER  SINS AGAINST US

It truly feels good and even brings relief when those whom we have offended forgive us. God is well pleased when we forgive others too, because through His Son Jesus Christ we are a forgiven peoples.

Through the experience of having received our brothers or sisters forgiveness we ought to relish the opportunity to offer the same to others. The lessons we learn are to be careful and thoughtful in our treatment of the brethren and all men, out of love for God and them. We earnestly desire to reflect the New Man with the New Nature to honor and glorify God in all we say and do, by His power. We gain better skills over time to live more harmoniously with our brothers and sisters. Over the course of time we find we offend less and less.

There are people of whom it is said, (with sarcasm) that they never have and never will apologize to anybody for anything. Such persons stubbornly and falsely claim that they have no reason to ever apologize to anyone because they have never done anything to anyone that warrants an apology. No Christian should ever be bound in this category, because it might signify they are not actually a Christian.

Over the course of time just as we have sinned against our brethren our brother or sister is going to sin against us too, that is do something hurtful or wrong against us. Perhaps we have been waiting in hopes that our brother or sister will come forth with an apology, but after a while this seems unlikely.  

Beloveds our purposes have to be clear in dealing with those who have hurt us. It is extremely important to confront and deal with our own anger before dealing with those who hurt us. Anger greatly clouds good judgement, and tempts people to act in damaging ways, evening worsening things:

Eph 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

Wrath meaning: Strong's G3709 – orgē

I .anger, the natural disposition, temper, character.

II. Movement or agitation of the soul, impulse, desire, any violent emotion, but esp. anger.

III. Anger, wrath, indignation.

IV. Anger exhibited in punishment, hence used for punishment or revenge itself.

Feeling anger is not wrong in and of itself. Anger is one of the emotions that God has granted to His human beings in general. However, the emotions serve the purpose of messengers that let us know something is going on with us. We understand the message is about how we feel about what has happened to us, and work it through in the presence of our Lord.

The emotions are good messengers, and are  not set up by God for us to follow them blindly as leaders. (*Think about what ails the "hot head").

We can feel all kinds of emotions when someone hurts us besides anger such as being devalued or belittled, embarrassed or shamed, sadness, fear or anxiety, and disgust, etc. God can and will help us to handle our emotions so that we are comforted through the Holy Spirit. God will enable us to focus with a clear head to go to our brother or sister who has offended us. This will be done in a godly way, and we will not add to the issue by acting in a way we will regret and even worsen things.. (to be continued).

love

serola

Wed, Jan 6th - 11:17AM

MT. 12:30 HE THAT IS NOT WITH US IS AGAINST US...

IF WE SIN AGAINST OUR BROTHER

Praise God, He teaches us full well that when we do wrong or sin against a brother or sister we can and must make it right. We have redeemed consciences, and when we are aware that we have sinned against a brother or sister, we must repent- take full responsibility/accountability and go directly to them to put things right, not continuing the offense and seek their forgiveness.

Bible notes that: Prov. 18: 19A brother offended [is harder to be won] than a strong city: and [their] contentions [are] like the bars of a castle. Our sins have consequences and forgiveness from those whom we have offended does not ensure that they will trust in us, again or right away.

Those offended have a God given right to weigh, to consider what level of trust and association there is to be had with us again.

 Act 15:38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. 39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; 40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.

Later on we see Paul had a change of heart:  2Ti 4:11Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.

Obviously John Mark had repented earlier and gained forgiveness from these men, but it would be found through his faithful return to work in the ministry that he gained Paul’s trust to continue on with him again. Most certainly Christians can, and do forgive one another. But trust is not automatic.

If I borrowed a sisters car and wrecked it while illegally texting, I have no doubt my sister would love and forgive me. However, it would be highly unlikely that she would trust me to loan me her car again, even if I had the gumption to ask. It would also not be wrong for my sister to expect me to make financial amends for the damage I negligently caused.

I pray we will apply the word and seek to make amends and seek forgiveness from those whom we have offended. Lord Jesus expects, commands and empowers us to will and to do.

It can be painful and very uncomfortable to admit wrong doing against a brother or sister, or family. We have to face the facts that our admission can sometimes result in having to face the offended brother's or sister's anger and possible rejection. To avoid this we can be tempted to do nothing, and hope that things will just blow over and go away. This is highly unlikely and it will remain the elephant in the room between us and the offended party.

I think it would be good to start off going to the offended person(s) naming the offense, apologizing, let them know that we want to make things right, even seeking to know from them how they would like for us to make things right. Some relationships take time to heal even if we are forgiven.  Sadly, even if we are forgiven restoration of some associations will not be restored, but lost.

Let us make our very best efforts to make things right with those whom we have offended out of love for God and them.

God clearly states in the Bible that there are certain persons that neither have nor warrant forgiveness due to unrepentant heresy; unrepentant and relentless doing of evil: Tit. 3:10; Heb. 10:29; 2 Pe. 2:12; Jde. 1:10. 

love

serola 

Tue, Jan 5th - 7:43AM

MT 12:30 HE THAT IS NOT WITH ME IS AGAINST ME...

1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

BROTHERLY RESTORATION IN THE BODY

The brotherly restoration that takes place amongst God’s people is necessary and to be done in the spirit of meekness:

Gal. 6:1: Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.  There is that word again, “spiritual”.

Those brothers and sisters who are spiritually mature can mercifully and humbly reach out to help those caught up in anything not God pleasing or honoring to turn them from self created calamity, rather than condemn and turn away from them, as though they were two headed aliens. Beloveds, we are our brothers and sisters keepers.

We can abundantly understand from God’s word, the ingredients of true helping a brother or sister: self-examination, and meekness in confrontation for restoring another in the spirit of meekness, and learning to avoid this same temptation, having seen its bad effect on another.

love

serola

Mon, Jan 4th - 2:55AM

MT 12:30 HE THAT IS NOT WITH ME IS AGAINST ME...

1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

It would be a big mistake and flawed understanding to think that the word spiritual here means that God’s people are disembodied spirits flitting here and there, doing nothing.

Strong's G4152 – pneumatikos (spiritual) belonging to the Divine Spirit: of God the Holy Spirit. One who is filled with and governed by the Spirit of God.

Beloveds, God’s spiritual house is composed of believers whose will and purpose is fully dedicated and governed to carry out and live according to God’s will and not their own.

Here is what God says of the spiritual man: 1Co 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

Here is what God says of the unspiritual man: 1Co 3:1And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.  These are Christians who still want to operate according to their own will and the ways of the world, and are like babes in Christ.

This carnal attitude becomes a hindrance in understanding God's will for all believers. However, praise God, that by His grace our growth is steadily from the carnal, which is like being babies, only desiring to love our wants and will to become the spiritually mature,  loving understanding/trusting/ believing and doing God’s will first and by choice.

Let us look further at mutual confession between brothers and sisters. This (G1873 exhomologeo) confession is authorized by God  solely within the context of the New Covenant,  in which Christians confess  their faults to one another, in mutuality for the purpose of overcoming some particular sin and NEVER  endlessly (G3470) confession over and over for Salvation or further forgiveness from God.

Needless to say Christians are commanded to forgive one another. 

 However, God has not given any authority to any mere human being to establish a “confessional”  unilaterally where other men are compelled to  go through them to confess sins to gain forgiveness from God through their human works. Christians do not have a pope. There is only One Mediator between men and God:  1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man. He preached the gospel in the body, died in the body, and was raised bodily from the grave with a spiritual imperishable body that lives forever and shall never die again. The Bible is replete about all that our Lord is eternally and in every way. Lord willing I hope to post more on this at another time.  

I do thank God that He has allowed me to witness to  persons involved in cults that falsely taught Jesus Christ as a disembodied spirit that never came in the flesh. I am grateful to say that every last one of them believed on Jesus Christ once they heard the truth and turned away from false teaching. Thank God we have the right and the power to take the gospel message out into the whole world.

love

serola  

Sat, Jan 2nd - 6:38AM

MT. 12:30 HE THAT IS NOT WITH ME IS AGAINST ME...

1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

CONFESSION OF SIN AFTER SALVATION

Brothers and sisters, everyone knows what is meant when we say HAPPY NEW YEAR! We would certainly find it strange for anyone to persist in saying it is still the same year, just having given it a new name. Just think of what would happen if such persons signed a new contract for services insisting that it would be for the new year with last year’s dates from beginning to end! Such a contract would never be legally binding.

Such persons calling for service would receive no services having no new contract. In cases where such persons attempted to sue, the case would have no legal standing since the old contract had expired and there was no new valid contract with the servicing party.

Praise God, holy brethren, we indeed have a new year, and the old year has expired. In this same way,  we greatly rejoice, because of Jesus Christ we have a New Contract that will never expire, nor lose its validity for all who have ( believed/trusted) on Him, through faith in His name. Because of Jesus Christ our old contract with God under the Law, has been permanently abolished for those who believe in His Son Jesus Christ.

Brethren my prayer for you, for me, for all of us is that we shall grow in the grace of our Saviour Jesus Christ Author of the New Covenant written in His sinless blood. I pray that we will be filled with His love, joy and eternal truth of the New Covenant of Jesus Christ always. And this we will do by His power.

When Christians sin, God provides help for us directly and also through our brothers and sisters. There is a second type of confession that must be addressed and understood among believers.

Holy brothers and sisters, earlier we have examined and understood the one time confession (G3470 homologeo) unto salvation: Ro. 10: 8-13, which must be held steadfast by the church as the final, necessary and complete command of God to BE PERMANENTLY FORGIVEN OF ALL SINS and enter into His kingdom through Jesus Christ.

The second confession (G1843 exhomologeo) commanded by God regarding sin is solely limited to relationship between believers.  Believers can mutually confess sin, for the healing/recovery and turning away from it. 

The scriptures command us that we should confess (G1843) exomologeo—to acknowledge or by implication of assent agree fully: - confess, profess, our faults one to another, and pray for one another that in doing so we may be healed or overcome any sin.

Jas. 5:15 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

It is very healing when we see, we find that we are not alone in our difficulties, and can share and offer to one another the healing balm of mutual love, understanding, and fervent help for one another in prayer.

love

serola

Fri, Jan 1st - 2:45PM

MT. 12:30 HE THAT IS NOT WITH ME IS AGAINST ME...

1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

5.Those persons who are expelled from the church are not to be considered an enemy, but can return and be received as a brother or sister again in love, if truly repentant, in word and deed.

In essence church discipline or correction is restorative in nature, and disciplinary in action. Church discipline inflicts punishment upon the conscience with the intent to bring forth godly repentance. However, it can permanently remove people who reject sound church discipline and doctrine, in remaining unrepentant..

6. The church is never to allow unrepentant sinners who reject church discipline and doctrine to remain amongst the body to tempt others to sin and pervert or bring blame upon the gospel of Jesus Christ. God commands discipline and consistent right living in the body of Christ. Again, holy brethren, the whole church has authority from God to admonish and correct one another.

love

serola