Tue, May 26th - 9:09PM

THE MEASURE OF CHRIST

Praise Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour for the multitude of wise ministers who along with sound, consistent preaching and teaching instruct their whole congregations to form Bible study groups that meet throughout the week to also study the word for themselves. Let us hold them in our prayers, brethren, that the word of God will enrich and build them up greatly in as much as Jesus Christ is our sure and only foundation. This will God surely do.

Brothers and sisters, again we know that God understands that although His babies start out crawling, He expects that they will eventually learn how to walk. Just as people learn to walk in the natural so we should find it absolutely right and acceptable that we should and will be able to learn to walk after the Spirit as God commands and empowers. Again and again, holy people, we don’t have to reinvent the wheel, There is no need to freak out or despair, saints (G40 hagios) or have fear of failing, we are all in this together, resting in the comfort and care of  our good shepherd who promises: Jhn 14: 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.        

COMFORTLESS:  bereft (of a father, of parents)

A. of those bereft of a teacher, guide, guardian

B. orphaned

Holy people we cannot make it without God, but He knew that before He created us. That is why Lord Jesus lives in all of us His people with God and the Holy Spirit of truth to lead us safely all the way home. Some of us might stumble along the way, however, He will pick us up and discipline, encourage and comfort us; but He will never let us fall: Jude 1: 24Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Let us be convicted, convinced and fully persuaded that God is faithful and worthy of our trust, let us cheerfully obey Him out of love for Him and His eternal truth.

Eph 4: 31Let all bitterness, fierceness and wrath, roaring and cursed speaking, be put away from you, with all maliciousness. 32Be ye courteous one to another, be merciful forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake forgave you.

Thank God that not only is our identity clearly laid out in Lord Jesus Christ, but our walk in Him is clearly laid out as well. Let us keep in remembrance, holy people, God’s one step solution for dealing with our old man, is the only solution that will work and it is by God’s power in each and every one of us.

Dearly beloveds, the above verses speak for themselves. But it is necessary to say that some apply forgiveness to those whom God forbids it, the unrepentant, and those who defy the biblical teachings of God in the church. Here is one example: A little 9 y/o girl had been sexually abused by a relative and subsequently the relative was tried, convicted and sentenced to prison. The child was taken from the parents and another relative was assigned to be the caretaker of the little girl.

The caretaker went to the pastor for counseling for the little girl. The pastor, to “heal” the child, took her to the prison to forgive the relative who had sexually abused her. Subsequently, the little girl continued to be taken regularly by the pastor to see the relative so that she could be made to express her love and forgiveness to him to “heal” her.

The little girl started to become very angry and violent in school striking out at the other children. She put dirt on her face and even when fresh clothing was put on her she would find dirt to rub all over her clothing. If she couldn’t find dirt she would roll on the ground until her clothing was soiled. One day the little girl showed up in school with a letter that was sent to her by the relative that had sexually abused her saying how much he loved her, would never hurt her and that everyone who had accused him were lying.  The teacher notified child protective services at once. A newspaper article questioned the judgment of the prison officials, the pastor and the relative caretaker, since there was a court order forbidding any contact between the little girl and the relative who had sexually abused her. The child was put in foster care with a family that happened to be devout Christians who later went on to adopt her, and flourished in their excellent care.  Luke 17: 2

Yes, dearly beloveds, we should forgive, but not every situation is about forgiveness. Not to hold people accountable or to have no consequences for their behavior is enabling evil to exist and continue to do harm. Look at 1 Co 5: 11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. 12For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 13But them that are without God judgeth {5719}. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

Notice nothing about forgiveness is mentioned here.

The Bible clearly fine tunes the applicability of forgiveness for the church, for it teaches that there are situations where forgiveness is contingent on the offender repenting as a condition of forgiveness: Luke 17:3Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.…

Then there are situations where forgiveness is to be freely given, and some situations where it is not to be offered at all. Please feel free to study this further on your own.

love

serola

Sat, May 23rd - 11:25AM

THE MEASURE OF CHRIST

Brothers and sisters, God through His word continually offers His explicit, frank, no bulling around one step solution to dealing with our old man, aka the flesh, carnality. Why? Because God’s way is the only one that will work effectually, efficiently to subdue, nullify, and destroy the works of the flesh, through the power of the Spirit, which we have all received through believing in and on Jesus Christ our Lord. This process, holy people, is not necessarily instant, and many times accompanied by suffering and pain on emotional and even physical levels. Yet this is a part of the healing process too as we with vigorous intent reject those things that God forbids, because we are strengthened and become more experienced in employing our God given powers of self- control to resist yielding to temptations.

We have strange creatures, dearly beloveds, that have arisen called television pastors who proclaim themselves to be pastors. These pastors have a virtual flock whom they have no direct person to person contact with in terms of being a true under shepherd. Their sheep come and go, some get sick, some die, some are hungry, poor and or in need, and are left to sink or swim on their own and none of it matters to these false shepherds. I hear some of you say that there are also some false shepherds like that over some local churches as well, I get that, and they will all answer to God, let us pray they will repent, before it is too late.

Dearly beloveds, we know without a doubt Lord Jesus is not like them. I praise Him our Head of the church and thank Him for His direct care and for the multitude of true faithful ministers who faithfully serve Him on earth in the care of His church, His flock.  I know I am not alone in remembrance of these faithful under-shepherds past, and present who loved me in the person of Christ, and taught me Jesus Christ until Jesus became my first love forever. Even with tears I know many of us are grateful to God for their carefully fostering out first tentative walks in Christ when we were babes in Him, until we could walk on our own. We certainly appreciate the great zeal with which they consistently and faithfully taught us scripture and strengthened us to take up the word too and study it with others and for ourselves as well to walk and live it daily out of love for our Saviour Jesus Christ.  They were not content until they saw us bear fruit not only in good works, but in finding our gifts to use in edifying the church in love. Holy people, let us keep them in our prayers and consistently support their ministries for their care in caring for the flock of God.

Brothers and sisters, what training does not include confrontation, and challenge as well as encouragement? What training does not include extra teaching as needed, and responsibility and accountability for the teacher teaching correctly and the student actually carrying out his or her assignments? What training does not include a standard of pass or fail for either teacher or student? What training does not include discipline and if necessary, expulsion if needed temporarily or permanently of either the student or the teacher? What training does not include a goal that ends in student becoming skillful/competent to go on and teach others too? The Holy Spirit of Truth, our teacher includes all of this above, and so much more; more than just rote learning, but learning sealed in our hearts so we can truly know how to live and please our God.

Eph 4:  26Be angry, but sin not: let not the sun go down upon your your wrath: 27Neither give place to the devil. 28Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. 29Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 30And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

The apostle Paul is literally handing to us on a silver platter, God’s easy and practical ways to understand what is not correct and to do that which is correct in living in God’s kingdom, as ambassadors for Christ. Look how God recognizes we have powerful emotions and feelings yet we are not to allow them to take control over us but to be in control of them, by His power. Look how practical God addresses those who had been thieves saying literally bro stop stealing and get a job and start giving back. Notice there is no syrupy sentimentality, no psychobabble, no touchy feeliness, but instead the exhortation to both hear and do the word, because this is what works in God’s kingdom in behalf of His people. It is plain to see that our disobedience grieves our Teacher the Holy Spirit, who still remains in us until the day of redemption. Upholding all of this is:  1Jo 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

love

serola

Fri, May 22nd - 2:57PM

THE MEASURE OF CHRIST

The Bible makes it clear, holy people, that saved people don’t automatically without any teaching know how to live in the way that God wants.   The Bible teaches that a person with faith in Jesus will lead a progressively changed life. Salvation is a free gift from God to those who believe, and discipleship and obedience are the response that will no doubt occur when those who have come to Christ are diligently taught how to live in the way that God wants. God starts all of His babies out on milk, initially all they know is that they are saved and that Jesus loves them, however, as they are strengthened by milk in time, God feeds them on the strong meat of the word to bring them to maturity.

Look at this holy people: We are not to be lazy and passive in receiving instruction in righteousness, but all are to apply the word, put it in practice and gain experience that comes with that to mature in our faith.
 Heb 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

God’ word trans: Heb 5:12By now you should be teachers. Instead, you still need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word. You need milk, not solid food. 13All those who live on milk lack the experience to talk about what is right. They are still babies. 14However, solid food is for mature people, whose minds are trained by practice to know the difference between good and evil.

1 Corinthians 13:11

Tit 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

TEACHING: to train children

A. to be instructed or taught or learn

B. to cause one to learn

2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Jhn 1:12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Received: as having  obtained something previously, which is fully understood and ultimately apprehended within the context of the new covenant of  sinners who by faith, believe and trust  in the free gift of the works of  God alone in Christ’s complete atoning work of grace, to cleanse sinners, and grant them forgiveness of all their sins forever, and translating them from dead sinners to beings completely  new spiritual creatures, saints (G40 hagios) into the kingdom of God.

 RECEIVED: To receive (what is given previously), of that which when taken is not let go, to seize, to lay hold of, apprehend, to take to one's self, lay hold upon, take possession of, i.e. to appropriate to one's self, to take, to admit, receive, to receive what is offered, not to refuse or reject, to receive a person, give him access to one's self.

POWER: authority, right, liberty, jurisdiction, strength. All Christians have God-given power to walk in the light, we do not have to practice sin and are not the slaves of sin.

 Jhn 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Again, Christians are absolutely not schizophrenic half spiritual and half old man or the flesh. All Christians are spirit and born of the Spirit.

Dearly beloveds, we all have great and powerful help in accomplishing God’s commands: Rom 8:13For 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.

DIE: ; to die off (literally or figuratively):—be dead, death, die, lie a-dying.

A. MORTIFY:  to kill (literally or figuratively):become dead, (cause to be) put to death, kill, mortify. to put to death, metaph. to make to die i.e. destroy, render extinct. by death meaning to be liberated from the bond of anything, literally to be made dead in relation to (something)

 DEEDS OF THE BODY: a dead body or corpse whose deeds are all in a bad sense, wicked deed, crime, wicked doings (our practices i.e. trickery) a doing, a mode of acting, a deal, a transaction.

I.YE SHALL LIVE: to live, breathe, be among the living (not lifeless, not dead)

II.to enjoy real life

A. to have true life and worthy of the name

B. active, blessed, endless in the kingdom of God

III.to live i.e. pass life in the manner of the living and acting

 . of mortals or character

IV.living water, having vital power in itself and exerting the same upon the soul

V.metaph. to be in full vigour

 . to be fresh, strong, efficient,

A. as adj. active, powerful, efficacious.

Again, holy people, no one will overcome sin or the old man by human power, reasonings, pleadings, or gradual steps to deal with it. Jesus explicitly confirms God’s one step solution to deal with the old man or the flesh, which is not touchy feely, warm and fuzzy or wishy washy, but frank, explicit and direct.

Mat 5:30

And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

 Mat 18:8Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.

Gal 5:24And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

I.CRUCIFIED: to stake, drive down stakes, extinguish (subdue) passion or selfishness:—crucify. Metaph. to crucify the flesh, destroy its power utterly (the nature of the figure implying that the destruction is attended with intense pain).

This cutting off, sometimes it can be painful struggle, brethren, yet we learn through experience,  to flat out reject using our bodies to carry out sin, and stamping out as they arise, all mentation’s, thoughts, feelings and emotions that entertain lusts as something to be desired and instead  see lusts for what they truly are- alien not belonging to us ever again or to the body of Christ.

love

serola

Mon, May 18th - 8:21AM

THE MEASURE OF CHRIST

As stated earlier, holy people, we are never to identify with or as the old man, for it is alien and dead. Dead in every since of the word, as all it can produce is death. What then? What then, indeed, brothers and sisters?  What we should never do is to rebel, by stumbling over Lord Jesus Christ, as some do think and instruct in gross error that Christians must ask, beg God for forgiveness each time we sin

Instead let us steadfast and immovably, holy people,  stand on the Rock of Truth and Trust in that we know from Him without a doubt: 1 John 3: 4Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 5And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. 7Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 9Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 10In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

The whole absolute truth of the new covenant, dearly beloveds, totally confirms and declares the eternally final, finished, and complete atoning work of Jesus Christ our Saviour who took all of our sins away for all who believe in Him: Heb 8:12; Heb 10:17.

God no longer sees His people as sinners. His forgiveness for all who believe is done once through the sinless Blood of Jesus forever. The Blood of Jesus is the only thing that has power to wash away all sins forever, therefore we are forgiven forever. God does not need to explain Himself, but He has declared this truth of the gospel message for all and to all forever.

We know without a doubt that God did not leave any sins behind for His people to be forgiven of by their own works: in His omniscience, omnipotence and omnipresence He is never bound by time, but made time for His purposes and went through it and thoroughly found all deeds of sins of the body, mind and thoughts and laid them on His Son and sinless Saviour Jesus Christ, who shed His blood and died on the cross to pay for all of them once and for all, and rose again for our complete salvation, justification, sanctification  for all who believe:  Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

The sinless Blood of our Sinless Saviour Jesus Christ as Himself also saw absolutely no corruption in His death:   Psa 16:10;  Act 2:27;  Heb 13:20;   1Co 11:25.    Therefore, Lord Jesus, in His eternal resurrection, the power of His sinless Blood ever retains its total power, effectiveness, efficiency, and effectualness in forever cleansing them who believe in Him, that is who lean on rely on Him for their spiritual wellbeing and entrance into salvation. All such can have total confidence that the gifts and calling of God is without repentance.

Therefore, God does not need nor command His people to ask or beg Him for forgiveness over and over again each time we sin. Some in error, turn away from God, mistakenly seeing this as easy-believe-ism and a refusal to hold people accountable for their sins or deeds of unrighteousness. Some do this in ignorance, but the ignorant will accept the truth when they learn of it. Some misinterpret this by mistake, but will receive the truth when they are corrected. However, the, wicked even when they know the truth will never accept it nor receive it.

Holy people, we believe and know it is impossible for God to lie, for He is eternal truth and love: 1Pe 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient,  the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

 1Pe 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient:  whereunto also they were appointed.

I.DISOBEDIENT: not to allow one's self to be persuaded

A. to refuse or withhold belief, opposed to Christ, and the gospel.

B. to refuse belief and obedience

II.not to comply with

 to disbelieve (wilfully and perversely):—not believe, disobedient, obey not, unbelieving.
 Jhn 3:36

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

By the power of God, brothers and sisters, we who believe and trust in Lord Jesus Christ obey Him out of love cheerfully submitting to His leading and His care over the whole flock of God. Having our understanding opened, prepared by Him and trusting in His leadings and commands, holy people we stand:  Phl 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

2Co 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Heb 13:21Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Dearly beloveds, God does not use a blunt instrument, but the word of God as wrought in the Holy hands of our Supremely Skilled Healer Jesus Christ to purge and excise from us all that is injurious and harmful. It is a normal part of Christian everyday life to live consciously in Him and in His word. We vigorously put on our new self every day, renewing our minds, and bearing our cross daily right along with all of the other activities we do privately and publicly, which is our reasonable service. We find God through His word showing, commanding, guiding, leading and instructing us in meticulous,  even surgical detail in how we should live unto Him: Eph 4:25Wherefore put away lying, and speak every man truth unto his neighbor, for as much as we are members one of another.

Holy people we belong to our great God, and we belong to one another in Him.

love

serola

Fri, May 15th - 5:59PM

THE MEASURE OF CHRIST

Brothers and sisters, God diligently helps us to know and understand our identity in Jesus Christ as Christians in great detail. God also explicitly and in great detail prepares, equips and helps us to understand, deal with and know our old man too. We don’t have to fear dealing with the old man or old nature aka the natural man. The most powerful beings in the entire universe who are impossible to subdue or defeat, yet who alone are able to subdue, defeat and destroy any foe is on our side in heaven, and indwelling us:The Holy Spirit: Rom 8:26Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Jesus Christ: Saviour, High Priest, Mediator:  Rom 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Dearly beloveds, we know from the Bible that we were born as natural people first, and after salvation  we are born spiritually and are taught of God that He empowers us to live according to our divine nature over time.

Eph 2:1And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 

Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

NATURAL MAN: of or belonging to breath

A. having the nature and characteristics of the breath

i.the principal of animal life, which men have in common with the brutes

B. governed by breath

The sensuous nature with its subjection to appetite and passion

CARNAL: fleshly, carnal

A. having the nature of flesh, i.e. under the control of the animal appetites

i.governed by mere human nature, fleshly mind, fleshly wisdom, fleshly or carnal mind not by the Spirit of God

ii.having its seat in the animal nature or aroused by the animal nature.

iii.human: with the included idea of depravity, unregenerate, corrupt.

OLD MAN:

I.old, ancient, given long since

II.no longer new, worn by use, the worse for wear, old.

Dearly beloveds, we inherited our old man from Adam, we did not have any choice in the matter. Saved people, however, are not split or of two natures i.e. carnal and spiritual.

Lord Jesus made sure of that in His final finished and complete work of atonement. He completely took all of our sins away and destroyed the old man, and raised us up as new creatures, with a new spirit, heart, mind, new conscience and partakers of His divine nature: Rom 6:6; Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

See: 1Co 5:7; Eph 4:22; Col 3:9;

DESTROYED:

I.to render idle, unemployed, inactivate, inoperative

A. to cause a person or thing to have no further efficiency

B. to deprive of force, influence, power

II.to cause to cease, put an end to, do away with, annul, abolish

A.to cease, to pass away, be done away

B.to be severed from, separated from, discharged from, loosed from any one.

NEW MAN:2 Pe 1:3According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

I.new

A. as respects form

i.recently made, fresh, recent, unused, unworn

B. as respects substance

of a new kind, unprecedented, novel, uncommon, unheard of

 Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

2Co 5:17

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

All things: means absolutely all things are become new.

 Rom 8:12Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 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. 14For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

 Rom 8:16

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Brethren, we all have received a mind like that of Christ who has redeemed our consciences, and hearts, made them new actually. We don’t obey God out of fear of punishment but out of love for Him and trust in His eternal truth as set forth in the new covenant whose standard is Jesus Christ. The Bible sets Jesus as our standard for living within the boundaries of the new covenant: 1Pe 2:21

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

We are more than connected to the vine, that is Jesus Christ, we are indwelt by Jesus Christ, God our Father and the Holy Spirit. We are not passive robots acted upon, instead by the power of God who indwells us we are to vigorously put on the new man described previously. When we go forth in inclement weather, we take our coats and put them on. In the same way we consciously put on the new man in our thinking, feelings, and conduct. We don’t have to reinvent the wheel; God has laid the path out explicitly for us all in His Son’s new covenant. We do the word and the word works that which God desires in us.

Holy people, let us continually keep in mind that through the complete, final, finished atoning work of Jesus Christ. He has capped the old man; it is a corpse that is dead. Lord Jesus teaches us how to recognize it by its deeds, and what the deeds are. The Bible is explicit that the old man has a mind, has deeds, and is incurably corrupt, depraved, tricky and ruled by lust. Therefore, Lord Jesus does not instruct us to try to control it, reason with it, debate with it, or ignore it, none of that works. We are never to identify with or as the old man, for it is alien and dead. Dead in every since of the word, as all it can produce is death. What then?

love

serola

Mon, May 11th - 1:38PM

THE MEASURE OF CHRIST

Brothers and sisters, let us continually praise our glorious Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ for His eternal love and mercy to us and indeed to all who believe in Him. How pleasant it is to go into His presence in fellowship with Him and one another. Thanks, be to His magnificent grace and infinite kindness that He is always available and welcoming to each of us also in private communion with Him. God has blessed us with the Bible wherein we can dig deep within its treasury to bask in the knowledge of all that He is, and smell the sweet perfume of His holiness and the wonder of His great wisdom. Blessed be Jesus Christ,  our Rock our perpetual Shepherd, Saviour, High Priest, God, Guard and Guide.

Brethren it is dangerous to be biblically ignorant. A young lady proudly felt that she had “proved her faith” by walking out into heavy traffic against the light and suffered no injury.  Certain men handle snakes and drink poisons to “prove their faith”. This is due to biblical ignorance, and also false teachers. Needless to say, some have died following false teachers. Countless false churches have arisen they all have one thing in common, they falsely claim that men can only be saved through their particular denomination, organization, institution, or other false doctrine.

Nevertheless, holy people, God has a multitude of faithful overseers, teachers and the body general continually bringing forth the light of the true gospel in this present dark world. We give God thanks for multitudes of faithful ministers through whom we first heard the gospel and believed unto salvation. Many of us first learned to witness, because they took us out to do it, then stayed with us to ensure that we were rooted in scripture. I know I am not alone in giving thanks to our great Saviour who gave them to us, and that they loved us in the person of Jesus Christ, until the reality of the Christ was made flesh to us all. They having taught us to walk, gladly rejoiced with us as they let us go to run to Lord Jesus for ourselves, and they rejoiced as we went on to fervently love and help the faith of others even as they had taught and helped us. There names may never be written in the lime light of marquees on earth, but their names are writ large in many hearts and in God’s book of life in heaven forever.

Dearly beloveds, God wants us to understand, and fully know our spiritual DNA and spiritual anatomy that He has given us through the free gift of faith in the final finished and complete atoning work of our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ.  One-night, holy people, my phone rang off the hook. It was late and I was preparing for bed I thought not to answer in the hopes the caller would give up and go away. That was not the case as the caller kept calling. I thought probably somebody trying to sell me something. Instead it was a brother in the Lord. He was frantic with dismay, puzzlement, and great anxiety. He had a disagreement with someone and went over the edge in anger. He had never felt or acted in that way before.  He felt he was on the outside looking at a crazed dangerous stranger who was capable of really hurting someone. Fortunately, the other person ended the whole thing by wisely and swiftly leaving the scene. He was badly shaken, afraid, embarrassed, he wanted to know who that was, he did not feel that was him.

Brethren, we often hear of heart- warming stories of how we met our first loves, but nobody writes about the first time they met their “old man”, that old nature aka the Adamic sin nature that although dead seems to be pretty lively at times, to our dismay. God certainly warns us about the world and the devil, but God also warns us about the old man. Can we talk, brothers and sisters? The Bible makes it clear that the old nature is tethered to operating on the principal of pleasing itself, fulfilling its lusts regardless of consequences for what is expressly forbidden by God, it is truly the Adamic sin nature, often characterized by excess and an inability to self- moderate.

Notice, brethren, how much scripture is devoted to teaching the saints (G40 hagios) that God has given us power to live above our old sin natures. Notice, that the Bible does not assume saved people know, understand or recognize who and what the old man is, but teaches us what it is in general, specific and minute detail by description, nature, conduct and deeds of the Adamic sin nature, the old man. Raise your hand if God has ever revealed to you areas in your life where you were operating out of your old nature. ( I raised mine more than once). However, none of us are stuck, nor are we hapless, helpless victims of our old nature. Keep in mind, dearly beloveds, we are dealing here, frankly in truth as God commands, with our own lusts that arise out of us i.e. the old nature.

love

serola

Sat, May 9th - 12:38AM

THE MEASURE OF CHRIST

Brothers and sisters, some falsely teach that before anyone can be saved, they must first repent of their sins, and turn from their sins to God, by their own power. The Bible teaches the eternal truth that man in his fallen state of being spiritually dead is powerless, and unable to save himself. To falsely teach that people have to repent of their sins before being saved is works salvation, a false salvation that saves no one. Salvation is complete from start to finish.

Anyone who in error thinks human effort is necessary to be saved is still dead in their sins. Instead all are commanded by God to understand and believe that Jesus Christ finished His atoning work of salvation forever, He left nothing else to be done. Again, and again, the Bible tells us the absolute truth that the gospel of Jesus Christ is explicit, exclusive, exhaustive, complete final, finished for all eternity and direct to the whole world. Direct in that:  Jhn 14:6

Salvation we know, brethren, that the Bible teaches it is for the whole world but not automatic. All, everyone, upon the hearing of the gospel have their eyes opened and enabled by God to plainly see its eternal truth. The hearer either receives it as the truth or rejects it. Jhn 1:12

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

TO RECEIVE: to take, to admit, receive, to receive what is offered, not to refuse or reject, to receive a person, give him access to one's self.

 Jhn 12:48

He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

 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.

There is a price to pay for any who impenitently pervert the truth of the gospel message:

Gal 1:9As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

The Bible teaches that salvation is the work of God His free gift from start to finish, none of it through human works or efforts.

Rom 5:6 KJV - 6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

WITHOUT STRENGTH: destitute of strength, powerless.

Eph 2:1And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

Col 2:13And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

Let us look at the teachings of our Saviour Jesus Christ:

Mar 1:14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

Mar 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

 Luk 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

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

Luk 11:32The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.

Jesus teaches the absolute truth; people first must hear the gospel message. It is through faith in Jesus Christ that people receive the power to repent and believe the gospel message.

The Bible teaches the purposes of the gospel.

In Acts 26 The Risen Saviour Jesus Christ commissions Paul, then known as Saul to preach the gospel for the purpose of:

 Act 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

The gospel message opens up the eyes of the hearer.

The Bible teaches that through preaching of the gospel message God leads people to repent, it is not an act of the dead fallen powerless human will:

 Rom 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

REPENTANCE: a change of mind, as it appears to one who repents, of a purpose he has formed or of something he has done

Phl 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

 Rom 10:14How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

 Even our faith is the work of God through the gospel:

Rom 10:17

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

 Gal 2:20

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

 Gal 3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

 Gal 5:22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Jas 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. This doesn’t mean that works saves anyone, but those who are saved are empowered by God to bear fruit, i.e. do good works.

The gospel without fail brings forth good fruit in those who receive Jesus Christ as Saviour.

 Mat 3:10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

 Mat 7:17Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

 Mat 7:18A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

 Mat 7:19Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Mat 13:23But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Faith, again, holy people, is the work of salvation not by our works:

Col 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

God gets even more explicit here: 2 Pe 1:  2Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

3According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that [pertain] unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Brethren, raise your hand if you are fully convinced, convicted and fully persuaded to rest in the sure promises of God, apart from human works of righteousness. (I raised both of mine).

Suppression of the gospel:

God forbids suppression of the whole truth of the gospel message. No one has authority from God to censor, edit or suppress the gospel message because they believe falsely it will turn people away from God, or to pervert the gospel to bring people in bondage to be misused by men. All false teaching is straight from the devil himself. False teachings cause people to stumble and hinder them from receiving the eternal truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ so that they can be saved.

Those who are ignorant will learn and accept the truth. Those who have mistakenly interpreted scripture will learn and receive correction. The wicked however will never receive correction. The scriptures speaks of the impenitent: 1Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

NKJV Rom 1:18

KJV Rom 1:18

God’s word trans Ro 1: 18

WHAT SHOULD THE CHRISTIAN DO?

 2Jo 1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

love

serola

Tue, May 5th - 7:57PM

THE MEASURE OF CHRIST

Brothers and sisters, we know the message of salvation does not change. Lord Jesus Christ in His word uncompromisingly instructs/commands His people and tells the whole world, that the gospel message is eternally unchanging, explicit, exclusive, exhaustive, complete, final, and finished for all time. The message is easy to understand that not only adults, but even kids can know it, be saved and preach it.

Hear the gospel of Jesus Christ:   Rom 1:4; 1Co 15:3; 1Co 15:4.

Believe in our heart the gospel of Jesus Christ: Rom 10:8; Rom 10:9; Rom 10:10; Rom 10:11

Confess with our mouth the gospel of Jesus Christ: Rom 10:13

CONFESS: TO ABSOLUTELY AGREE OR COVENANT THAT WHAT ONE HAS HEARD IS ABSOLUTELY TRUE.

Salvation is the free gift of God to all that hear and believe in Jesus Christ the only appointed Saviour, and not by any works or so- called good deeds that we have done. When God declares it is free, God means free. The gospel is unbuyable, unrepayable, unearnable.

All who die at any time having rejected the gospel of Jesus Christ will awaken in hell to await the final judgement of the wicked which is the wrath of God,  everlasting punishment and torment in the lake of fire where with the devil and his angels,  they will all burn forever in everlasting separation from God, because they rejected the only Son the only Saviour and source of salvation.

We know, brethren, none of the gospel is separate, but the whole of the gospel message of salvation to the whole world.

Raise your hand, brethren, if you heard, believed, confessed, been forgiven of all your sins and saved for all eternity by the mercy of God in Christ and not by any of your own so-called good deeds. (I raised both of mine),

Saints (G40 hagios) there is a war going on since the beginning, and it will get even more fierce and deadly. Spiritual warfare is a normal part of the Christian life. This war, holy people, is fueled by none other than the devil against God’s plan of salvation to save all who believe:  Acts 26:18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ -.

The devil is also using every trick, wiles, deceptions, scheme, plans, plots, machinations and more to continually slander God and His people. The devil is the accuser of the brethren, and arch enemy of God and all that is holy: Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

The Bible is teaching us, brothers and sisters, that these are dedicated, UNIFIED wicked powerful supernatural evil demons or wicked spirits under the command of the arc demon the devil, ruler of the kingdom of darkness. They are of a more refined acumen of total evil beyond that of any wicked human being.   No Christian, no human being can fight the devil or his evil kingdom with material weapons, including hand to hand combat commonly used by human armies to defeat their enemies in warfare. Only by the power of God through the word of God will we defeat the devil. This is why the devil fights relentlessly to destroy the preaching, teaching, written, and all forms of the gospel on earth, howbeit in vain to establish himself as God: Isa 14:13;  Isa 14:14. This warfare is spiritual and personal against God and His people therefore: Jas 4:7

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Now, dearly beloveds, the Bible is not teaching that Christians do not have human enemies, for according to the word of God many anti- Christs are in the world: Mat 24:24; Mar 13:22. Unlike the kingdom of the devil there is no unified world- wide human organizations dedicated to the destruction of God and His people, although many individual anti- Christs are scattered in various places in the world some with followers, and able to impact some local and even national governments. These are people who do understand yet reject the gospel, because they see it as utter nonsense. Furthermore, they hate God, and His people. They desire and will actively to some degree or other work against God, in vain hopes to see God’s kingdom destroyed: 1 Ti 4: 1Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

God does not command Christians to form an army to specifically wipe out evil people, although God gives us the right to protect ourselves and our families and others from the violence of the wicked if there is no other civil help available and in a timely way. Christians are not forbidden to fight in national war. Nevertheless, Christians are to expose and reprove evil people, and to have no fellowship with them.

 Those who unrepentantly reject Jesus Christ have no excuse: Rom 1:20. They are not deceived and will not escape the eternal judgment and punishment of God: Mat 25:46.  Their doom is absolutely certain: 2 Thessalonians 1:9

Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction
With destruction both of soul and body, though not with the annihilation of either; their gnawing worm of conscience will never die, and the fire of divine wrath will never be quenched; the smoke of their torment will ascend for ever. Sin being committed against an infinite and eternal Being, will be infinite in its duration; nor will it cease to be in the persons punished, who will not be in the least reformed or purged from sin by punishment; which will make the continuance of it just and necessary.

Feel free to study on your own the devil being defeated in heaven and cast down to earth where he unifies human followers in warfare against God and His people.

All and all, Christians love God, one another and all men, and we keep preaching the gospel in partnership with God who desires that none perish but that all shall be saved, although we know some will unrepentantly reject God and die in their sins and face the eternal wrath and indignation of God. What about those who feel the gospel is too harsh so they choose to censor anything they feel is too harsh and/or will turn people off or frighten them? Brothers and sisters, let us remain steadfast and unmovable in these last days knowing that our Lord and Saviour is with us even until the end of the age:

Say it with me, brethren, 1Jo 4:4

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

love

serola