Justified

As believers, we are justified by the blood of Christ, as well as His resurrection by faith.

Romans 5:1:

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Romans 5:9:

Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Romans 4:25:

Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Philippians 2:

⁹ Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

¹⁰ That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

¹¹ And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

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This is what Calvin’s Unconditional Election looks like

Christ Paid For Sins

One comes to the realisation that someone can pay for one’s vacation, including one’s meals, one’s transport and entertainment, but if one does not accept it, it isn’t yours, and never was, so if it was never yours to begin with, you cannot give it back…

The offer, however, still stands – up to a point, that is, until it is withdrawn.

So if one does not receive/believe/accept God’s provision for one’s sins on Calvary’s Cross almost 2000 years ago, forgiveness isn’t yours, never was… as you never claimed it through faith.

A lot of people do not understand the concept of a provision, nor the acceptance or rejection of same.

In essence, it is a gift. A gift is offered, given, and it can either be accepted or rejected…

Forgiveness/salvation is a gift of God. It is only through Him that we can be made free of sin – can be made righteous.

Ephesians 1 KJB

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Paid For/Forgiven

Keywords:

PROVISION (God made provision for Man’s sin almost 2000 years ago on the Cross).

PROVIDED (God provided the forgiveness of Man’s sins, He provided a way out of the problem initially created by Adam & Eve in the Garden of Eden).

BUT do you believe that He provided the SOLUTION to your sin, and since there is now a solution to all of men’s sins, sin is no longer THE problem… when a solution has been provided, one no longer looks at the problem…. one obviously looks to the solution…

Do you believe Christ died for your sins, was buried and rose again for your salvation, rather than looking at it as just historical fact?

If you do, you are saved because you (have) accepted – believed – received – God’s solution to your problem (sin).

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 – The good news which saves men’s souls today.

Ephesians 2:8-9 – One’s works cannot save you.

Ephesians 1:13 – Faith pleases God.

Titus 3:5 – One’s good works do not feature in the plan for salvation.

The reason Man cannot stand before a righteous, holy God is because of sin (unrighteousness).

When Man does not accept God’s provision for his sin, he dies in those sins because they weren’t imputed to Christ’s account, because of his (man’s) unbelief.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 – But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

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Member of the Body “Bill of Rights”

1. You have a right to believe the gospel of Christ unto salvation – Romans 1:16, Ephesians 1:13

2. Christ is your one Lord and head, and you are answerable to him above all – Colossians 2:10, 1 Timothy  2:5

3. Your salvation cannot be revoked by anyone or by any work you do under grace – Ephesians 2:8, Titus 3:5

4. You are forgiven of Christ for all your sins – Colossians 2:13

5. You are justified before God by faith and are at peace with God – Romans 5:1

6. Your responsibility is to show yourself approved unto God and not unto men – Galatians 1:10, 2 Timothy 2:15

7. You are not under law, but under grace; you can stand fast in liberty – Galatians 5:1, Romans 6:14

8. You can avoid those who teach wrong doctrine – 1 Timothy 6:5, Romans 16:17

9. You can withdraw yourself from disorderly behavior – 2 Thessalonians 3:6

10. You can identify corruption among elders – 1 Timothy 5:1, 5:19

11. Let no one despise your youth – 1 Timothy 4:12

12. You have a right to purpose in your own heart about giving – 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

13. You need not follow circumcisions, rituals, prohibitions, holy days, Sabbaths, fastings to be in Christ – Colossians 2:16

14. You have a right to the rewards granted by virtue of being in Christ – Colossians 2:18

15. You have the right to be persuaded in your own mind, your own conscience – Romans 14:5

16. You can appeal to the judgment seat of Christ where you will stand alone – Romans 14:12

17. You can bear fruits of the Spirit at any time – Galatians 5:22-23

~ written by Justin Johnson, Grace Ambassadors

God’s Nature Expressed in His Names

GOD IN THREE PERSONS:

“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: …” ~ Genesis 1:26

“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:” ~ Romans 1:20

“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” ~ 1 John 5:7

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  The same was in the beginning with God.” ~ John 1:1-2

THE GREAT GOD:

“For the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:” ~ Deuteronomy 10:17.

“O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.” ~ Psalm 136:3

THE GOD OF THE BEGINNING:

“The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.” ~ Deuteronomy 33:27

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” ~ Genesis 1:1

“And Abraham planted a grove in Beer-sheba, and called there on the name of the Lord , the everlasting God.” ~ Genesis 21:33

THE GOD OF JUSTICE:

“And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.” ~ Isaiah 30:18

“Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” ~ Romans 1:32″

“And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?” ~ Romans 2:3

“But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” ~ Romans 14:10-11

THE MERCIFUL AND FORGIVING GOD:

“And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.” ~ Nehemiah 9:17

“To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him;” ~ Daniel 9:9

“Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” ~ Acts 13:38-39

“For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.” ~ Romans 11:30-32

THE MOST HIGH GOD:

“Wherewith shall I come before the Lord , and bow myself before the high God?…” ~ Micah 6:6.

“And blessed be the most high God, …” ~ Genesis 14:20

The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.” ~ Acts 16:17

THE GOD WHO IS NEAR:

“Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off?” ~ Jeremiah 23:23

“But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” ~ Ephesians 2:13

THE GOD OF MY STRENGTH:

“For thou art the God of my strength: …” ~ Psalm 43:2

“Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.” ~ 2 Timothy 4:17

THE GOD OF MY PRAISE:

“Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise;” ~ Psalm 109:1

“And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people” ~ Romans 15:11

“Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.” ~ Philippians 1:11

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” ~ Titus 3:5

~ and for that I praise Him.

THE GOD OF MY SALVATION:

“The Lord liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.” ~ Psalm 18:46.

“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. ~ Isaiah 12:2

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,” ~ Titus 2:11

A HOLY AND JEALOUS GOD:

“For I am the Lord that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.” ~ Leviticus 11:45.

“And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the Lord : for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; …” ~ Joshua 24:19

HE IS THE LIVING GOD:

“But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.” ~ Jeremiah 10:10.

THE FAITHFUL GOD:

“Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;” ~ Deuteronomy 7:9

“To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;” ~ Luke 1:72

THE GOD OF HEAVEN:

“O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.” ~ Psalm 136:26

THE GOD OF KNOWLEDGE:

“Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.” ~ 1 Samuel 2:3

THE GOD OF TRUTH:

“Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.” ~ Psalm 31:5

EMMANU EL:

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14;

“And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.” ~ Isaiah 8:8.

“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” ~ Matthew 1:23

THE ONE GOD:

“Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?” ~ Malachi 2:10.

HE IS THE GOD OF JERUSALEM:

“The vessels also that are given thee for the service of the house of thy God, those deliver thou before the God of Jerusalem.” ~ Ezra 7:19.

“Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.” ~ Matthew 5:35

HE IS THE GOD OF YISRAEL:

“Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them.” ~ Ezra 5:1

“O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.” ~ Psalm 68:35

“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:” ~ Hebrews 8:10

THE GOD OF HEAVEN AND EARTH:

“And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded and set up.” ~ Ezra 5:11.

I AM:

“And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” ~ Exodus 3:14

JEHOVAH:

“And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name Jehovah was I not known to them.” ~ Exodus 6:3

“That men may know that thou, whose name alone is Jehovah , art the most high over all the earth.” ~ Psalm 83:18

REDEEMER:

“For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:” ~ Job 19:25

“Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;” ~ Romans 3:25

“And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord.” ~ Isaiah 59:20

SAVIOUR:

“I, even I, am the Lord ; and beside me there is no saviour.” ~ Isaiah 43:11

“To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.” ~ Titus 1:4″

“For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;” ~ 1 Timothy 2:3

God will one day judge the world in righteousness because He is holy and just:

“And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.” ~ Psalm 9:8

“Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men , in that he hath raised him from the dead.” ~ Acts 17:31

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.” ~ Revelation 19:11

BISHOPS, DEACONS, ELDERS … OH, MY!

PAULINE POSITIONS IN THE CHURCH

“Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.” ~ Phil 3:17

1. The Problems with Positions

a. It is easy to tear down corrupt religious authority, but hard to build something true
b. Building should be according to blueprint: Paul’s pattern – 1 Tim 1:1-16
c. We are talking about order in the assembly, not lords over your souls, or a vicar
d. An old debate: Congregational (deacons), Episcopal (bishops), Presbyterian (elders)
i. The problem with positions/offices is primarily a failure to rightly divide
e. In time past: priests, judges, kings – Lev 4:20, John 20:23, Matt 16:19, 19:28
f. But now, only one mediator between God and man (not the Pope) – 1 Tim 2:5
g. We are not in a kingdom, not Israel, not a building, Heb 10:25, 13:17 is not ours
h. Pastors of music, children, counseling; worship leaders, priests are not Pauline.
i. Eph 4:11 were gifts of the Holy Spirit, and does not describe church structure now

2. Members

a. Membership is by faith, not denomination decree, certificate, or money – Eph 5:30
b. Ministry is done by everyone and not just those in ordained offices – Titus 2
c. There are young men, aged men, young women, aged women – not all are strong
d. There are weak and strong – the new are all weak, the aged are not all strong
e. We should all strive to grow to be an elder: its not about elections and paychecks

3. Elders = those ordained to set things in order doctrinally / behaviorally – Titus 1:5

a. Not just aged, but fathers, rulers, those who came before – 1Cor 4:15, 1Pet 5:1
b. They are stronger in faith and purchase to themselves a good degree – 1 Tim 3:13
c. Ordained in every church – Acts 14:23; two kinds of elders: bishops & deacons

4. Deacons = the elders that minister to every member

a. Tradition says if you want to change the church be a deacon (voting member)
b. The office of a deacon is not about control – they are the local ministers, servants
c. All apostles, bishops, ministers, servants should qualify for this office
d. You must FIRST be proved before having the office – 1 Tim 3:8-10
e. Holding the mystery of the faith (doctrine) in pure conscience (integrity) 1Tim 3:9
f. They show great boldness in the faith (desire/zeal) – 1 Tim 3:13, 1 Cor 16:15-16

5. Bishops = the inspecting, overseeing, ruling elders

a. Paul calls some elders together and calls them overseers – Acts 20:17, 28
b. There is a need for confirmation/exhortation in churches –Acts 14:22, 15:41, 18:23
c. The bishops are the elders that keep order and rule – Titus 1:5-9
d. They are the caretakers and rulers of the local church – 1 Tim 3:5
e. These desire the office, not “called by God” or voted, but come from the deacons
f. Timothy was a bishop and was told to warn, command, teach, preach 1 Tim 4:6,11
g. The way to rule well is to heed yourself, the doctrine, and continue in them not being ashamed – 1 Tim 4:16

Written by Justin Johnson, Grace Ambassadors

 

Happiness

Has one ever “removed” oneself from the hum-drum and the “social speak” of this world and analysed situations, people and places for who and what they truly are?  Everywhere one goes today, people want only to be happy…

Mainline denominationalism professes to having the key to happiness as it not only claims to preach the prosperity gospel, but also the happiness gospel.

Feeling depressed? Pentecostals say “Christ” will automatically make one happy, one should just follow their “Christ formula” for happiness.  Happiness in 3 easy (“Christian psychology”) steps…

The world says, “Smile and be happy, it drives people crazy”, given the world has a large percentage of people who are taking prescription “happy pills”, where moral values are virtually non-existent and people are their own final authority, it’s truly a depressing situation…

Yet, the world proves without fail how happy it really is each year between 25 December and 1 January, where happiness is found at the bottom of countless bottles, gift wrap, tinsel and decorated Baal bushes, and it’s all summed up in three words, “Merry Christ Mass!”

However, when all is said and done, can saved and sealed members of the body of Christ be truly happy in this world?

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Does Christ Make You Happy?

The ultimate goal in life for many is to be happy. Advice to be happy is so ubiquitous as to be cliché. Even some Christians have fallen for this trap of thinking.

“Do what makes you happy!”
“Avoid people that rob your happiness.”
“Smile.”

As along as they are happy, life is good. Unhappiness is the enemy. They sacrifice all for happiness, without which life would have no real purpose.

But if this were right, then why would we need Christ to be happy? You can be happy without him. In fact, many are happier without him.

Jesus Christ lived a shorter life than the average rock star, and died by crucifixion without saying a word in his own defense. Was Christ happy on the cross?

People who name Christ are slaughtered, chased from their house, tortured, and starved in some countries. In our own country being a Christian may get you mocked by the talking heads and town atheists. Not a happy experience either way.

Ignorance is bliss, but learning the truth from Christ about sin and righteousness exposes the realities of a broken world and humanity. Where is happiness in living the Christian life?

This must be why I’ve never seen “knowledge of Jesus Christ” and “fellowship of his sufferings” on any list of habits by happy people.

“If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” – 1 Cor 15:19

The Gospel of Happiness

If happiness is the ultimate goal in life, then Jesus Christ can easily get in the way.

Christ did not come to make men happy, nor does he promise us a life of happiness now. Why would anyone want to be a Christian, potentially sacrifice their happiness, and sometimes their lives to know him?

Christians know not every frown is turned upside down by pursuing personal happiness. Not every problem can be solved by eating your eggs sunny side up and looking at the bright side of life.

Can happiness replace Christ? Certainly not. The gospel of happiness ignores real problems supposing that achieving happiness is possible by everyone at all times. In other words, living life just to be happy is living in a dream world. It is fake, juvenile, and ignorant.

Isn’t there a way to be happy without hiding the truth? (Prov 3:13)

The best “a happy life” can do is make terminally ill patients feel better on their deathbed. They still die in their sins. Their families are still sad. Unhappiness abounds.

It is far better to give those who are dying the cure for death, even if it requires momentary pain, harsh realities, and unhappiness toward us. Would not the cure bring more lasting joy than whatever personal happiness exists without it?

Happiness and Christ

Happiness is wonderful, but it is not the purpose of life, nor is it the answer to real life problems.

So, what is the alternative to being happy all the time? Are Christians ministers of sadness, grumpiness, and general negativity? Nonsense! Christians minister salvation from this depressing condition through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

What we need is the truth about life now, and a way for us all to have new life. Where do we find righteousness that solves all wrongs, peace that endures, and joy that lasts beyond our vain masquerade of happiness?

Jesus Christ is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).

This is why Christ died, and why people are willing to die knowing him. God provides forgiveness of sins, righteousness, and new life freely in Christ Jesus.

Life in Christ is greater than a happy life without him (Mal 3:15; Prov 11:4).

Joy in the Christian Life

What prevents perpetual misery in the Christian life? The hope of resurrection glory in Christ Jesus.

Happiness can be as fleeting and rare as the rainbows it rides in on. Christ is alive today and forever, and his death and resurrection is offered unto you for eternal life.

Though the Christian may at first appear to do everything wrong to achieve happiness, a life with Christ is the only way to know longsuffering with joyfulness.

The gospel of happiness is certainly not the gospel we preach. We preach the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the glory of his resurrection after death. There is joy found in this hope of glory. There is contentment and glory in Christ.

Life is not about finding true happiness, but about finding true life in Christ Jesus. Trust God to provide what you need (Eph 2:7). Have no confidence in what you think makes you happy (Phil 3:3).

Do not choose to act based upon what makes you happy. Make choices according to the will of God.

If your happiness is robbed by this world, then rejoice in the Lord and not in yourself.

If life does not make you smile, shed tears in prayer to God being thankful that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory which shall be revealed in us in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:18).

“Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” – Romans 12:15

“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” – Phil 4:4

Written by Justin Johnson, Grace Ambassadors

Fires and Oil Spills

Not a good week.  Rushed to the river to take the pics of the helicopter, then went to the beach…. and it was closed off…

 

The Context of Romans 9 – 11

Posting this because the truth is awesome, besides, this is an excellent example that we need to look for context as opposed to using single verses to prop up personal agendas or erroneous beliefs.

Grace & Peace.

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Skeletons are scattered all over Romans chapters 9-11 where people have broken their necks trying to figure out if the passage applies to the church the body of Christ.

It is possible to exit these chapters alive, but you must remember the context of the passage. To determine the context, ask these questions:

Who is speaking? (authorship)
To whom are they speaking? (audience)
What are they speaking about? (content)

If ‘Israel’ is the answer to any of these questions then the passage is not doctrinally applicable to the church today.

The more verses next to each other with ‘Israel’ as the context makes any single verse in the passage more likely to talk about Israel.

The chart below applies these simple rules to Romans 9-11.

Passage Summary	Context
Romans 9:1-5 – Paul’s sorrow over Israel’s failure.	Israel
Romans 9:6 – There is a true and false Israel.	Israel
Romans 9:7-8 – Identifying Abraham’s seed of promise.	Israel
Romans 9:9 – The word of promise is a prophecy about Isaac.	Israel
Romans 9:10-12 – The word of promise is also a prophecy about Jacob (the prophecy was not based on Jacob’s works).	Israel
Romans 9:13 – Quote from Mal 1:2-3 about God’s preservation of Israel because of Jacob’s promise.	Israel
Romans 9:14 – Is God unrighteous because Israel did not believe? No. (See also Rom 3:3-6).	Israel
Romans 9:15 – Paul quotes what God told Moses about God’s will.	Israel
Romans 9:16 – Paul’s explanation of Exodus 33:19. God shows mercy to whom he wants.	Israel
Romans 9:17 – Quote from Exodus 9:16where God uses Pharaoh for his earthly purpose to make Israel a name.	Israel
Romans 9:18 – To fulfill his promise to Israel, God showed some mercy, and others a hard hand.	Israel
Romans 9:19 – A repeat of Rom 3:5-7, questioning God’s authority to judge Israel.	Israel
Romans 9:20 – A quote from Isa 29:16about the righteousness of God to judge his own creation (Israel).	Israel
Romans 9:21 – A reference to Jeremiah 18:1-12 about two pots of Israel: faithful and disobedient.	Israel
Romans 9:22-23 – Paul’s explanation of how God responded to Israel’s vessels.	Israel
Romans 9:24 – Jews and Gentiles could both be in God’s vessel of mercy.	The first verse mention of the word ‘Gentile’, and it is in the context of what God had prepared since the world began. This is God’s purpose for the earth through Israel.
Romans 9:25 – Quote from Hosea 2:23about God’s mercy toward Israel.	Israel
Romans 9:26 – Quote from Hosea 1:9-11about the restoration of faithful Israel.	Israel
Romans 9:27 – Quote from Isaiah 10:20-22about the Israel being only a remnant.	Israel
Romans 9:28 – Reference to Isaiah 10:23and Isaiah 30:12-14 about God chopping off and burning Israel’s branches.	Israel
Romans 9:29 – Prophecy from Isaiah 1:9about God leaving a remnant in Israel.	Israel
Romans 9:30-31 – What happened? Gentiles received righteousness, but Israel didn’t.	Gentiles during the time when Israel did not believe (remember Luke 7:9).
Romans 9:32 – Why? Because Israel did not have faith when the stone of stumbling came.	Israel
Romans 9:33 – Quote from Isaiah 28:16and Psa 31:17.	Israel
Chapter 10
Romans 10:1 – Paul’s heart for Israel’s salvation.	Israel
Romans 10:2 – Israel’s ignorant zeal for God.	Israel
Romans 10:3 – Israel’s failure to submit to God’s righteousness.	Israel
Romans 10:4 – Belief in Christ puts an end to Deu 6:25.	Israel (see John 20:31)
Romans 10:5 – What Moses said about the law in Lev 18:5.	Israel
Romans 10:6 – Quote from Deu 30:11-12about what was in Israel’s heart.	Israel
Romans 10:7 – Quote from Deu 30:13about what was in Israel’s heart.	Israel
Romans 10:8 – Quote from Deu 30:14about the faith in Israel’s mouth and heart that would accompany their doing.	Israel
Romans 10:9 – What Israel needed to have in their heart and mouth to be saved in Jesus’ ministry and with Peter.	Israel
Romans 10:10 – What is in the heart and mouth lead to salvation (Matt 10:32)	Israel
Romans 10:11 – Paul quoting prophetic scripture about the need for faith.	Israel
Romans 10:12 – Quote from Psalm 145:9and Psalm 145:18 about Israel’s kingdom where God would show mercy to all that called on him.	Israel
Romans 10:13 – Quote from Joel 2:32about Israel’s kingdom where deliverance comes to all who call upon him.	Israel
Romans 10:14 – The need for Israel to have messengers so they can hear and believe.	Israel
Romans 10:15 – A quote from Isaiah 52:7about the messenger sent to Jerusalem (the Messiah).	Israel
Romans 10:16 – A quote from Isaiah 53:1about Israel’s rejection of the messenger sent (the Messiah).	Israel
Romans 10:17 – They could hear by the scriptures about faith.	Israel
Romans 10:18 – Quote from Psalm 19:4, and Psalm 98:3 about the word to Israel heard by the world. They had heard.	Israel
Romans 10:19 – Moses told them in Deu 32:18-21, that if they had no faith and rejected the Rock, God would punish them.	Israel
Romans 10:20 – Isaiah told them in Isaiah 65, that a remnant would find him in the place that did not seek him.	Israel
Romans 10:21 – Quote from Isaiah 65:2about God’s longsuffering towards the disobedient nation of Israel.	Israel
Chapter 11
Romans 11:1 – God has not cast away Israel forever. Paul is a Jew.	Israel
Romans 11:2-4 – The scripture shows a remnant of Israel in 1 Kings 19:14-18.	Israel
Romans 11:5-6 – There is a remnant of Israel that believed instead of offering their works for righteousness.	Israel
Romans 11:7 – The remnant obtained righteousness, but the rest of Israel did not.	Israel
Romans 11:8 – Quote from Isaiah 29:10and Isaiah 6:9 about the blinding of unfaithful Israel.	Israel
Romans 11:9 – Quote from Psalm 69:22about ensnaring those who put Christ on the cross in unbelief.	Israel
Romans 11:10 – Quote from Psalm 69:23about Israel’s blindness.	Israel
Romans 11:11 – Israel didn’t stumble to be destroyed, but even through their fall they are given opportunity to repent.	Israel
Romans 11:12 – Israel’s restoration will be greater than their fall or diminishing.	Israel
Romans 11:13 – Paul speaks to Gentiles about Israel.	Gentiles that believed when Israel did not (remember Matt 15:28).
Romans 11:14 – Paul wants to save some of Israel.	Israel.
Romans 11:15 – If the prophecies of Israel’s casting away are true, then their restoration will be more glorious.	Israel
Romans 11:16 – A reference to the law of firstfruits applied to the fulfillment of Israel’s promises.	Israel
Romans 11:17 – Unbelieving Israel broken off. The faithful remnant graffed in.	The remnant of Israel (made of Jew and Gentile, consider Acts 10).
Romans 11:18 – Boast not against Israel as if you earned something they didn’t.	Israel
Romans 11:19-20 – Unbelieving Israel stumbled at faith in Christ, and the remnant didn’t, but be fearful.	Remnant of Israel
Romans 11:21 – God cut off unfaithful Israel, he will cut off the unfaithful remnant also.	Remnant of Israel
Romans 11:22 – If the remnant does not continue they will be cut off (consider Mark 13:13, and Heb 10:38).	Remnant of Israel
Romans 11:23-24 – Israel can return if they believe.	Israel
Romans 11:25 – Israel is blind until the fulness of the Gentiles.	Israel
Romans 11:26 – Quote from Isaiah 59:20about Israel’s salvation from Zion	Israel
Romans 11:27 – Quote from Jeremiah 31:34 about Israel’s new testament being fulfilled in the kingdom.	Israel
Romans 11:28 – They are enemies because they do not have faith, but God has a promise reserved for Israel.	Israel
Romans 11:29 – God keeps his promises.	Israel
Romans 11:30-31 – Gentiles received mercy through Israel’s unbelief. Israel can receive mercy by those who now believe.	Israel
Romans 11:32 – Israel is in unbelief now, so that we can minister to them, not for them to be disregarded.	Israel
Romans 11:33-36 – Even in their failure God shows mercy. God is wise and deserving of all glory.	Israel

In Romans 9-11 Paul addresses the remnant of Israel about God’s faithfulness to keep his promises to them. This was necessary because the Gentiles who believed during Jesus and Peter’s ministries were boasting about replacing Israel, since Israel failed in unbelief.

Paul had to explain first why this was (Romans 9), where Israel failed (Romans 10), and, finally, why those Gentiles could not boast against Israel (Romans 11), because God will be faithful to keep his promises to them.

When Paul starts talking about Israel in Romans 9-11 the mystery church of Christ’s body does not show up in the context again until Romans 12:3-5.

We must rightly divide even Paul’s epistles.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Written by Justin Johnson, Grace Ambassadors

Only in Him

The benefits of being in Christ:

1. One is complete in Him, meaning, there is no further work which can be done, or which one can do with regards to one’s salvation, Christ did it all.

2. One is circumcised with the circumcision made without hands.

3. One is buried with Him in baptism.

4. One is risen with Him.

5. One is quickened together with Him, having all of one’s sins forgiven. The opposite of being quickened, is being dead (in one’s sins).

6. The law that was against us has been blotted out,  nailed to his cross. (Eat not, drink not, touch not).

7. Christ’s finished work spoiled Satan and his kingdom of devils and their plan of evil, triumphing over them.

“And ye are complete IN HIM which is the head of all principality and power: IN WHOM ALSO ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

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.

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

Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”

~ Colossians 2:10-15

Boasting of One’s Good Works with Regard to Salvation is Excluded

“To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.” ~ Romans 3:26-27

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” ~ Ephesians 2:8-9

Salvation is a gift, it is the gift of God, so we boast only in Him.

“To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” ~ Ephesians 1:6-7

“For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” ~ 2 Corinthians 4:5-6

Racism

Racism is defined by the Random House Dictionary as:

“A belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement”.

The Bible is strongly against this false doctrine. According to the Bible there is only one lineage of men, sharing the same blood, all traced back to Adam, the son of God (Acts 17:26, Rom 5:12, Luke 3:38).

This has not stopped some Bible teachers (Custance [1], Jordan [2], Morris [3], Priest [4], et al.) from wrongly teaching that God has equipped certain races with inherent racial capabilities for higher intellectual and spiritual achievements.

This could be called Christian racism since it is taught by Christian brothers who invoke the Bible and God to defend the teaching of genetic boundaries of achievement on the races. Subtly different from the racism that stems from secular evolution, or the hateful violent variety that ends with mass slaughters, this kind of racism is shrouded in academic sounding language, anthropological apologetics, and speculative stories about Noah’s sons from the Bible.

Its irenic and Biblical sound makes racism taught by Christians all the more dangerous, since its spiritually sweet coating makes the pill of prejudice easier to swallow. The teacher may be friendly, but the teaching is still racism and is contrary to what the Bible actually says[5].

The truth is that no one is born with special racial capabilities or shortcomings. Rather, all men are born with human capabilities, and the Adamic shortcoming of sin. All mankind’s achievements, no matter of whom they are born, will fade like paint on an old Chevy (Isa 40:6-8).

“Hasn’t history shown that most of the spiritual/intellectual/inventive achievements have come from this or that race?”

Let’s say it again, a little differently. Whatever has happened in history, there is no genetic branch of Adam’s family tree that possesses inherent (genetic, racial, or otherwise) capabilities for higher intellectual or spiritual achievement more than another.

“But didn’t God choose one people, Israel, to separate from other nations and to rule over them?”

God created the nation Israel and gave them his promise for earthly dominion, but it was not because the sons of Shem, Abraham, and Jacob had superior racial capabilities for spiritual understanding (Deut 7:7). Israel’s promise to have dominion on the earth would be accomplished by God’s direct intervention, not because God chose the best race.

Israel’s history proves that God’s intervention was required for his promises to be fulfilled to bless all the nations of the world. Israel has failed to achieve it on her own. Christian racism is a farce and brings untold damage to the ministry of the body of Christ.

The Cures

The cure for racism is understanding the dispensation of God’s grace which tells us more about humanity and God than any other revelation in scripture.

God’s manifold wisdom would surely have the answer to such a problem as racism, but studying the Bible rightly divided is not on the radar of anthropology, nor Christians influenced by its arguments.

First, the characteristic of this dispensation is not human achievement, but the achievement of the Lord Jesus Christ by the cross (Titus 3:5). We receive all spiritual blessings in Him by faith, and not because of the genes we were born with.

Second, Israel is fallen. God choosing to work through Israel in the past was not racism. Nevertheless, Christian racism has been taught by twisting verses of separation given to separate God’s nation from sin, and applying them to races of people.

Since, Israel is fallen, there is no longer any nation or group that can wrongly or rightly claim to take hold of Israel’s promises (Rom 11:11). The fellowship of the mystery knows no race.

There is neither Jew nor Greek that has any inherent capabilities for wisdom, knowledge, or spirituality apart from Christ (Col 2:3, Col 3:11). Likewise, we all have the same depravity in sin, and none of us are born any less depraved than another (Rom 3:10-11).

Third, we are complete in Christ alone (Col 2:10). Anthropologists have said that humanity will not realize its full potential until we allow the races to work separately in their own supposed area of expertise.

The Bible says, we are complete in Christ, and our full potential will not be realized until we are complete in Christ by faith, not by our own achievements.

Fourth, we are to know no man after the flesh today, since we are all members of the same body (2 Cor 5:16-17). If this be true, then why would we need to separate each member by their flesh according to race? There is no such division in the Bible.

Fifth, we are instructed not to give heed to fables and endless geneaologies (1 Tim 1:4). Fables and endless geneaologies is what abound in the circles where the Bible is tortured to teach racism.

Racism reeks of Romans 1:22, and has led to all sorts of sins and prejudices. What is the cure for this false doctrine? Answer: the right doctrine of the fellowship of the mystery of Christ.

Before we can rid the world of this problem, we must rid the church of it. It is unbecoming God’s workmen.

It is time for God’s ambassadors of grace to provide the cure by making all men see the fellowship of the mystery of Christ (Eph 3:9), especially to those who don’t apply it to race.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Footnotes:

1.In his Doorway Paper series, Noah’s Three Sons, Arthur Custance writes:

“This threefold division is more than merely a genetic variation of certain “racial” types: there is evidence that it is intended to indicate that the three branches of the race were divinely apportioned a characteristic capacity which has been reflected in the unique contribution each branch has rendered in the service of mankind as a whole.”

Custance goes on in his papers to say that these capacities and aptitudes are genetic and our knowledge of a person’s genes could help us understand their unique capacities and contributions.

2. Richard Jordan, a mid-Acts teacher, has introduced many people to dispensational Bible study, but has neglected to apply the principles of right division when he teaches the terribly wrong prophecy of the races in his Grace School of the Bible course on Genesis.

“What you are going to see here is a divinely appointed division of responsibility to care for the specific needs of mankind at three fundamental levels of need. Three racial heads. There is Shem. Then there’s Ham; then, Japheth. Those three. God appoints each one of them a specific area of human need to take care of. There is the spiritual need that people have. There are the physical needs that they have, then, there are intellectual needs. … These three needs are designed to be met by the specific contributions by these three racial groups.” – Quotation taken from the Genesis class 103 lesson 5 of Grace School of the Bible

3. While Henry Morris testified to not being a racist, a testimony that we could accept in sincerity, it is a shame to read the continued publishing of his wrong teaching of races in his book, The Beginning of the World, 1977, 2006 edition.

“Truly, they [Hamites] have been the “servants” of mankind in a most amazing way. Yet the prophecy again has its obverse side. Somehow, they have only gone so far and no farther. The Japhethites and Semites have, sooner or later, taken over their territories and their inventions, and then developed them and utilized them for their own enlargement. Often the Hamites, especially the Negroes, have become actual personal servants or even slaves to the others. Possessed of a genetic character concerned mainly with mundane matters, they were eventually displaced by the intellectual and philosophical acumen of the Japhethites and the religious zeal of the Semites.”

4. Reading Josiah Priest’s, Bible Defence of Slavery, 1851, gives insight into the “Biblical” position of racism that justified slavery in the 19th century and prior. His teachings on the races still circulate today, though slavery of Hamites is no longer allowed in America.

5. The wrong teaching of the races has pervaded many Christian groups, and while we may accept the individual testimony that the teachers are not racists, this does not change the fact of inherent racism in the wrong teaching of Genesis 9 concerning Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Custance admits, “there are those who argue strongly against this concept as food for racists” (Noah’s Three Sons, Part V, ch. 3). Indeed, not only do racists find sustenance in this wrong concept, it is the very genesis of racist thought in many groups that sincerely study the Bible.

Written by Justin Johnson, Grace Ambassadors

Reputation

If Christ had no reputation when he walked this earth, and we are his body, why would we have a (good) reputation in this world?

“But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:” ~ Philippians 2:7.

“Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.” ~ 1 Corinthians 4:13

The offscouring of all things are unwanted things… refuse… what the Americans would call “garbage”, and the English, “rubbish” (in South African terms it is known as “vullis”).

Rejected… outcasts… defamed… our reputation is damaged by libel or slander… we are continually vilified.

Yet we are in good company… that of the Lord Jesus Christ who is Almighty God, the creator of the heavens and the earth.

Bring it on.  The world’s opinion, and the opinion of those tied to it, matter not.

“That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” ~ Titus 3:7

 

 

Striving, Standing & Suffering

1. Philippians 1:27 – OUR CONVERSATION
“Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in ONE SPIRIT, with ONE MIND striving together for the faith of the gospel;”

a. “more needful for you” – Paul concludes we are here to spend our lives for others.

Philippians 1:23-24:
“For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.”

b. “conversation” – We can define it here –

2 Corinthians 1:12:
“For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.”

Galatians 1:13:
“For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:”

Ephesians 2:3:
“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.”

Ephesians 4:22-24:
“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

c. Paul starts preaching (stirring to action) which means doctrine is already installed.

d. “whether I come … or be absent” – in whatever circumstance

e. “one spirit” – duty, driving force, instruction; “one mind” – passion, desire, will.

f. “striving together” – They are supposed to contend, fight, work, stand –

1 Timothy 3:15:
“But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”

i. Strife (contention) is of the flesh if it is against the Spirit –
Galatians 5:17,20:
“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”

“Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,”

ii. We war in the spirit with truth against imaginations to captivate thoughts

iii. We do strive – lawfully by right doctrine –

2 Timothy 2:5
“And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.”

2 Timothy 2:14
“Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.”

2 Timothy 2:23-24
“But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men , apt to teach, patient,”

Ephesians 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.”

g. “for the faith of the gospel” – This requires we have a pure, clear, right gospel

2. Philippians 1:27-30 – SUFFERING AND SALVATION

“Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

a. “in nothing terrified” – there is a doctrinal reason for this –

Romans 8:38-39
“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

b. “adversaries” – these would not exist if they were not striving for doctrine.

i. It will cost you to strive together and stand upon the form of sound words.

c. “evident token of perdition” – They see your position as destroying your life –

1 Corinthians 15:19:
“If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.”

i. The evidence they see is physical, natural, carnal, circumstantial.

ii. You can see their adversarial position to truth is their perdition –

2 Thessalonians 1:5-6:
“Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;”

d. “but to you of salvation” – See Christ magnified –

Philippians 1:20
“According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.”

– and also –

2 Corinthians 2:14-16
“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?”

i. You will be threatened with perdition (before God and men), be persuaded.

e. “to suffer for his sake” – This is a part of being in Christ that people choose to ignore.

i. Why would God want me to suffer? Answer: you are his body –

Colossians 1:24:
“Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:”

ii. Suffering can be in nature (chance, life), from sin, or for Christ –

Romans 8:18
“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

iii. If it is your stupidity that made you suffer – don’t blame God.

iv. Those that live godly will suffer the third kind –

2 Timothy 3:13
“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.”

1 Thessalonians 3:4
“For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.”

~ written by Justin Johnson, Grace Ambassadors

BIBLE STUDY TOOLS & Techniques MAKING BIBLE STUDY PROFITABLE

“O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.”
~ Psalm 119:97

1. WHAT IT MEANS TO STUDY – Psalm 119:97.

a. Cultural Christianity has long been detached from the Bible and onto imaginations.

b. It is not hearing someone else teach you, reading spiritual books, commentaries.

c. People know the Bible should impact their life, but if they were honest, it doesn’t.

d. Bible content does not enter you by osmosis –

2 Timothy 2:15

2 Timothy 3:16

e. Study requires opening the book, every day, and meditating on it –

1 Timothy 4:13-16

2. THE WILL TO STUDY
a. If you lack the will, pray for the strength –

Ephesians 3:16

Philippians 4:6-7,13

b. Must have God’s perfectly inspired and preserved book –

1 Thessalonians 2:13

c. Must be saved, it is a spiritual book working on your spirit –

1 Corinthians 2:13-14

Hebrews 4:12

d. Must let God be true. Our authority has been unknowingly replaced –

Romans 3:4

e. We study for the love of the truth, learn to love it –

Psalm 119:162

Matthew 4:4

Deuteronomy 8:3

f. Bible study should be profitable for knowing truth, glorifying God, having joy.

3. THE WORK TO STUDY

a. Mindless Bible reading is unprofitable, it requires your brain turned on.

b. It takes work to make money, it takes work to mine gold –

Proverbs 3:13-18

c. Steps: 1) Read it, familiarize; 2) Find context; 3) Connect to other passages.

d. The Bible is unlike any other book because of its divine inspiration/origin.

e. Unlike a novel, textbook, or reference book: its living! –

John 5:21

Acts 10:42

Romans 14:9

f. How do you make connections? Concordances and cross references.

g. Concordance – a book that groups every word in every verse of the Bible.

h. Cross references – some are in your Bible, there are books of references.

4. THE WAY TO STUDY

a. It is not proof-texting: using a verse out of context to prove an opinion or agenda.

b. You can ask questions of this book, and it will answer – it is God speaking to you.

i. Beware: its not a divine Ouija board – his response is not random/mystical.

ii. Never read a verse. Know the context, connect to others.

c. Study to know God is for real (his character/his nature/intervention in history).

d. Study to know God’s righteousness (his wisdom/virtue/sin).

e. Study to know God’s will (his instructions/dispensational study).

f. Hold fast to the good, but be ready to keep growing –

1 Thessalonians 5:21

g. If you prayerfully study God’s words, be prepared to change.

Written by Justin Johnson ~ Grace Ambassadors

Dominion Over Your Faith

“Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.” – 2 Cor 1:24

It is hard to read Paul’s statement to the Corinthians and not think of what Martin Luther replied when asked to recant his beliefs and submit to the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church.

“Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason – I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other – my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand; I can do no other. God help me. Amen.”

Truly, it is by faith we stand in what God has revealed in scripture. Paul explained in 2 Cor 1:21 that it is God “which stablisheth us with you in Christ”. It is not the pronouncement of a Pope, pastor, or an apostle.

Our standing by faith in the word of God means that if someone tries to claim authority over your standing in Christ then they are usurping God’s place.

This amazing truth delivers you from the bondage and control of religion or the law to enslave you through their man made dictates.

How great is the power of faith in God’s words! By faith we stand.

A Grace Excuse

Nevertheless, 2 Cor 1:24 is sometimes used wrongly to excuse oneself from being corrected or reproved by the word of God, and this leads to another error.

Like the unbeliever who might say, “don’t judge”, misusing Matthew 7:1 essentially telling Christians to “leave me alone, I can do what I want”, believers like to warn other Christians from having “dominion over my faith”, essentially saying “leave me alone, I can believe what I want.”

Both are wresting the scriptures. Doing whatever you want is not right. Believing whatever you want is not right.

Matthew 7:1 was Jesus warning against hypocrisy not a prohibition against judging right from wrong. Jesus taught to “judge righteous judgment” in John 7:24.

In 1 Cor 2:15 Paul says, “he that is spiritual judgeth all things”’ and elsewhere prays that the Philippians would abound in “knowledge and in all judgment” (Phil 1:9).

Clearly judgment is a good thing when done right.

Similarly, it is the church’s responsibility to be the “pillar and ground of the truth”, “striving together for the faith”, “reprove, rebuke, exhort”, “hold fast the faithful word”, and “exhort and convince the gainsayers.”

Clearly, truth is the domain of the scripture and the responsibility of the church and its ministers to uphold and affirm (1 Tim 3:15).

Seeking pure and true doctrine from the word of God is not having “dominion over your faith”.

Identifying errors and correcting doctrinal mistakes from the word of God is not having “dominion over your faith”.

Reproving, rebuking, and condemning bad behavior from the word of God is not having “dominion over your faith”, for it is the very thing that Paul is doing in his letters to the Corinthians.

Don’t let this grace excuse stop you from doing ministry in love and truth.

Why Paul Did Not Want Dominion

Paul has authority (dominion) over the message Christ gave him to dispense (1 Cor 9:17). He was the apostle of the Gentiles, and as such had power (Rom 11:13; 1 Cor 9:1; 1 Cor 4:15-16).

Yet, by grace Paul knew that using that power could inhibit the preaching of the gospel of grace working in the hearers. Paul wanted them to know his heart, not his power.

“What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?” – 1 Corinthians 4:21

Consider this time when Paul did not use his power over the Corinthians:

“ If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 9:12

Paul did not come to Corinth and rebuke them to their face lest he destroy them, and he did not intend for his rebuke to destroy but to help, to edify, because he loved them.

“Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction. “ – 2 Corinthians 13:10

Proper leadership does not lead by binding everyone’s feet (or in this case, faith). Good leaders do not get ahead by beating others down, but by building others up.

Paul exhibits good leadership when errors are lovingly corrected, and misbehavior is properly rebuked in order to help bring greater joy.

How does pointing out wrongs bring greater joy? Simple. When they are corrected then there are more people in the Body striving together for the same faith with the same mind.

When errors abound, the Body is divided. When errors are corrected, the Body is united, and joy is increased.

“Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.” – Phil 2:2

Paul did not want them to see his rebuke as exercising dominion over their faith, because soldiers fighting for what they believe fight better than mercenaries fighting for what they are told.

Written by Justin Johnson – Grace Ambassadors

 

Star People

Satan is an imitator, a counterfeiter.

Since God has his heavenly people (the body of Christ), Satan also has his “Star people”.

Star people indeed. It’s all part of the New Age movement.

It includes aliens from Andromeda, ruled by the Light Bringer or Enlightened One (guess who?) and apparently his minions visit earth quite frequently in their spaceships, communicating via telepathy to certain folk who have reached a “higher level of consciousness”. They also believe in reincarnation and believe they had previously lived in outer space as aliens and came to earth to teach people love.

One thing that stood out for me was the fact that they vehemently deny the God of the Bible or any blood covenants he has made, calling him a false god, bloodthirsty and hate filled, along with those who worship him, who are seen as being on a lower level of consciousness (base level), in other words, the majority have not attained to their high level of love, thus being judgmental and blind, in simple terms, cavemen.

” We are stardust, we are gold dust, and we’ve got to get ourselves back to the garden…”

They think they are made perfect by love. Their reason for stating that the “Perfect One” hasn’t appeared to mankind yet, is because people haven’t learnt to love one another, that there’s not enough love on planet earth, only war, poverty, hatred and injustice.

“Bad men need to learn to love one another in order to become good men”. Christ crucified is anathema to them.

A few years back I had the honour? of meeting a woman who claimed to be Elizabeth Klarer’s adoptive daughter who had her head permanently up to the sky, when asked why, she said she was an amateur meteorologist…. I was still in the process of giving her the gospel, when she turned away from me. I recently read that they claim to see auras which surround people of different beliefs and that “Christ believers” have a unique aura about them. I guess this is what she “saw” and turned away. These people are heavily into the Gaia theory, Hinduism, not to mention the religion of the Red Indians, and give themselves names such as “Fawn Spirit”and “Little Bird”, to name but two.

Anyway, it turned out that “Fawn Spirit” was looking up at the sky for spaceships who visited her everyday, and not at the clouds for rain…

Many years ago I had a friend, Vanessa, who proclaimed to be a white witch, who also claimed to “read auras”, but refused to divulge my “aura”, but repeatedly told me, “the churches are lying to you, don’t believe them”, I was a Pentecostal at that stage, so her words were the death knell to our friendship. Ironically she was right about mainline denominationalism as I was to discover many years later, but for totally different reasons.

Recently I joined an end time prophecy group in order to spread the truth. My membership lasted not even two days when I was summarily blocked, no, not even warned, or even removed. Blocked.

The truth sounded rather foreign to Acts 2:38ers who repented of their sins and who were baptised in water, why, I was even rebuked in “Jesus name” for the lies I was spreading by one particular woman who took exception to what I was posting… so I contacted the admins afterwards and gave them the gospel for good measure again, just in case they weren’t listening the first time around.. that group is crazy, it is like a packet of “Liquorice Allsorts”, there are people who believe stuff like “Satan’s Seed”, people who listen to “the spirit” yabba-dabba-doing in their ears, who deny the Bible, having no final authority, people with extra-biblical prophecies and those who believe America is in Bible prophecy as mystery Babylon or an eagle… or both…. all of who fly under the banner of Christianity… it’s a mess…

Romans 10:9

Something that struck me of late is how many Right Dividers testify that they were saved in mainline denominationalism “by trusting Christ”, “before learning how to rightly divide”, when in reality we know that firstly, the preaching of Paul’s gospel is almost as scarce as hen’s teeth, secondly, mainline denominationalism preaches another Jesus, and thirdly, what specifically did they trust Christ according to? Being their Lord and personal Saviour? Where is Christ crucified in that assumption?

When one looks at the ever increasing numbers of Roman10:9ers in the Grace Movement who believe Romans 10:9 is the ” word of faith” and not part of Israel’s kingdom gospel (as if Paul preached it… they never consider the fact that he merely refers to it or mentions it), is mind boggling.

I also recall that Pentecostalism refers to exactly the same thing – the word of faith. Rhema is a word of faith church and preaches Israel’s performance based kingdom gospel for salvation, and also constantly cries out to the Lord for mercy, just as Judaism does today.

Roman 10:9ers ask how someone can be saved if they do not “cry out to the Lord?” (which is also part of the word of faith theory). The answer is fairly simple, believe the gospel of Christ…

The other part of the Romans 10:9 saga maintains a person must be brought down in life, or reach a low point in order to either seek or turn to God. So in other words, if one never reaches a physical, mental, financial or emotional low, one can never be saved… ? Besides how low must one go in order to be saved? Low – pretty low – or – lower than low?

The other assumption apostates make is that mainline denominationalism preaches 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 in tandem with works. Yet, one cannot find the grace gospel of Christ crucified in any denomination… yes, they celebrate Easter every year and celebrate his death and resurrection, but do not believe it for their salvation.

Christ crucified cannot be found in “repent of your sins and be baptised”, nor can it be found in ” Lord please save me!”, neither in “give up your evil ways and turn to God”, nor in “simply trust/believe Christ”, neither in “I love Jesus”, nor can it be found in ” the evidence of speaking in tongues”, all of which denominationalism preaches for salvation and more.

If we were to simply “trust or believe Christ” for our salvation, as most denominationalists profess to do, then it would make his death, burial and resurrection with respect to salvation superfluous.

There are only two options available, (1) trusting him according to his earthly ministry or (2) trusting him according to his finished work on the cross for one’s sins, and his resurrection from the dead on the third day.

If God was specific regarding the gospel, why are so many so careless about it?

I trust Christ according to his finished work on the cross for my sins and the fact that he rose from the dead on the third day.

I am justified by both his blood and his resurrection, in other words I am justified by all that he did for me.

What The Gospel Is Not

Trusting Jesus as Lord and Saviour does not save one… it’s not the gospel…

Unfortunately, not all who believe in Jesus or who have trusted him are saved…

Pauline scripture is specific concerning the gospel which saves men’s souls.  It’s God-given, not thought up by men.

Trust Christ according to 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 for your salvation.

Acts 28 Ministries to Avoid, Version 5.0

The late Jim Brackin’s ministry and his adherents.

Remember, if it croaks like a frog… it is a frog.

Christ’s Humanity And Deity Expressed In Two Verses

“Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not  pass away. [His deity]

But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.” [His humanity]

~ Mark 13:31-32

Fundamentals Revisited

It is said, that when one as a Christian starts hankering after new things, then it’s time to revisit one’s foundation before the cracks start to show.

The fundamentals are all about Christ who is the foundation one builds ones faith on.

A faulty foundation is the reason most wander off into doctrinal “yonder land”, as it goes without saying, one cannot build a healthy or sturdy structure on a faulty foundation.

The fundamentals appear to be boring to most in comparison to 21st century so-called rediscovered Pauline truths.  In an instant world which thrives on updates, the latest revisions, technological advances and the latest “improvements”, one can even help oneself today with respect to improving one’s career and character (or so they say), as well as, it seems, constant updated Pauline truths…. version 3.0 and counting…. which entails a whole lot of proof-texting by the way.  Sonship Edification, all sins forgiven at the cross, Noah had a cell phone (because there’s nothing new under the sun) are all part and parcel of the recently rediscovered “new thang”.

No matter how much one tries to “dolly” oneself up, both inside or out, one will never aspire to anything without a firm foundation in Christ according to the revelation of the mystery (Romans 16:25).

 

Mark 13:32

“But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.” – Mark 13:32

Mark 13:32 has been a hard verse for a long time. The words are not complicated, and the point seems clear: it expresses the same thought as Matthew 25:13.

What makes Mark 13:32 especially challenging is that in describing who does not know of that day and that hour it includes “neither the Son”.

If the Bible and Christianity merely taught Jesus to be a man, however extraordinary, then this poses no problem whatsoever, but the difficulty lies in the fact that the Bible teaches that Jesus is God, that God knows all things, and expressly states that Jesus knows all things.

It would seem to be a contradiction to say on the one hand that Jesus is God and knows all things, and then on the other to say that he does not know something in Mark 13:32.

As a result of this apparent contradiction, Mark 13:32 is one of the most cherry picked passages by cults, liberals, and false teachers that would reduce, diminish, or deny altogether the deity attributes of Jesus. Orthodox scholars have tried to excuse the verse by saying that the phrase is not genuine. Neither is right.

Below are eight reasons Mark 13:32 does not reduce, diminish, or deny the deity attributes of Jesus.

1. It does not stand alone.
Mark 13:32 is not the only verse that addresses the topic of what Jesus knows. As mentioned before, there are verses that explicitly say the opposite (John 16:30; Col 2:3; 1 Sam 2:3; Ps 147:5). Both must be considered and explained. All verses must be considered together, not one to the exclusion of others.

2. Jesus is both God and man.
Jesus is God (Col 2:9; John 1:1; 1 Tim 3:16). He is also a man (1 Tim 2:5; Heb 2:14; Matt 1:23-25). God is omniscient. Man is not. The Bible teaches that Jesus is both at the same time. What his human brain was not born with; he knew from eternity in his deity (Acts 15:18). This doctrine is called the hypostatic union and it concerns one Jesus having two natures (God and man) one not altering the other. God is not changed by Mark 13:32.

3. Jesus hungered, thirsted, slept, and wept, too.
It is harder for people to grasp Jesus knowing and not knowing something at the same time (being both God and man), but other paradoxes are somehow easier to accept, yet are exactly the same. God never sleeps (Ps 121:4), but Jesus slept (Matt 8:24). God never thirsts, but Jesus thirsted. God is never born, but Jesus was born. God never dies, but Jesus died. Of course, it should be apparent that the latter part of each comparison describes humanity. Jesus was both God and man. He does not select some attributes from one, and some attributes of the other. He is fully both at the same time.

While he slept, he heard everyone’s prayers. While he hungered he was holding the world together. While he wept, he possessed power to resurrect Lazarus. While Mark 13:32 says what man does not know, he knew every thought in your head and every hair on it (Matt 9:4; Luke 12:7).

4. His deity expressed in the same passage.
Most often wherever an expression of the humanity of Jesus exists in the gospel accounts, there is an equal expression of his deity nearby. This is how the doctrine of Jesus being both God and man came to be from the scriptures.

For example, when Jesus slept during the tempest (humanity – Matt 8:24), two verses later he rose up and commanded control over the winds and seas (deity – Matt 8:26).

For the previous dozen verses in Mark 13 Jesus had been prophesying things that could not be known by man. Mark 13:32is obviously an expression of the humanity of Jesus, but Mark 13:31 is an obvious expression of his deity (Isa 40:8).

The deity of Christ is not diminished by expressions of his humanity.

5. “Ye” not “we”. If Jesus were trying to express his own ignorance, then why would he not include himself in Mark 13:33? Jesus does not say, “we know not”, but rather “ye know not.” The point of Mark 13:28-37 is not that Jesus is ignorant, but that the disciples did not have access to knowing the time, and so needed to watch and be ready. No other man could tell them; no angel would be sent to tell them; and Jesus would die before telling them. At the same time while expressing that there was no way man could access that knowledge, he explains that it is known by the Father, whom no man could access… except the Son (John 6:46).

6. Son and Father.
In expressing that the Father knows of that day and hour Jesus is making a distinction between the first and second person of the Godhead, but is not separating himself from deity. If he had said, “no man, no angel, nor the Son, but God”, then it might be considered whether he was making a statement about lacking deity attributes. However, since he uses the titles ‘Son’ and ‘Father’, then it draws attention to the differences in responsibilities among persons in the Godhead, not a diminishing of the nature of the Godhead in Christ.

Jesus explains this responsibility over times and seasons being of the Father later when Peter tries to draw it out of him before his divine ascension. The time of the Son of Man’s coming is in the Father’s power (Acts 1:7). Just as the Father sent the Son the first time (John 5:36; Gal 4:2), he will send him again in the future (Acts 1:11).

7. Not given him to make known.
Due to the relationship and responsibilities of the Father and the Son in the Godhead, Jesus frequently makes comments about what is “given him” to do and say. Jesus says in Matt 28:18 “all power is given unto me”; in Matt 20:23 he says there are positions that are “not mine to give”; and in John 17:8 he says:

“For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.” – John 17:8

Mark 13:32 is another one of these expressions of Jesus doing the Father’s will. Contrary to making him less than God, these expressions were intended to indicate that Jesus came from the Father and was one with him (John 5:19; John 17:8). How else could Jesus know that the times and seasons were put in the Father’s power unless he was the fullness of the Godhead bodily and knew what the Godhead knew?

8. The Holy Spirit.
You might say that any man who read scriptures could know that God knows all things, even the times of future events. However, Jesus did not say “God” but “the Father”. This raises the question, what about the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead? Jesus also spoke of the Holy Spirit being God, and yet the Holy Spirit did not go through the incarnation with the Son and was not subject to any human limitations. Why isn’t the Holy Spirit mentioned, and does the Holy Spirit know of that day and hour?

The Holy Spirit and the Father share every deity attribute including omniscience. Of course, the Son shares every deity attribute as well being one of the three in one God. The Holy Spirit is not mentioned in Mark 13:32, because the Holy Spirit had not been given for the disciples to access, and also it was not the Spirit’s responsibility to reveal that information which was put in the Father’s power.

Ultimately, if Mark 13:32 excludes Jesus as God from knowing the time, then it would seem to exclude the Holy Spirit from knowing it as well since it says only “the Father”. However, if the Holy Spirit as God knows just as the Father does, then so does the Son.

The Holy Spirit knows just as every person of the Godhead knows.

Wrap up…

Mark 13:32 is a difficult verse, and has been the cause of much confusion concerning the deity attributes of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13), but it is not impossible.

You can go your whole life without understanding Mark 13:32, but you will not reap eternal life unless you believe the fundamental Christian truth that God was in Christ as he died on the cross for your sins and rose again from the dead.

Do not be shaken or troubled by the cherry picking of those whose faith in Jesus Christ with every deity attribute is damaged by the misuse of Mark 13:32. The above are good reasons to remember to avoid such error when reading Mark 13:32.

~ written by Justin Johnson, Grace Ambassadord

God’s Reputation

A reputation concerns how others see you.

God has a high reputation. God created all things by His own power. He is eternal without beginning and end. He is above all nations, and His glory is above the heavens. He is naturally righteous, holy, loving, and gracious.

Man has a low reputation. Man was created from dirt. He is born weak and to trouble. Few become strong or wise enough to rule over a single business, rarer still are those that reign over a single nation. The ordinary man’s life is spent in vanity, pride, sin, and vainglory.

When God was manifest in the flesh he made himself of no reputation. He did not stop being God, nor did he become less God. He did not remove, empty, or lay aside any of his attributes as God.

He made himself of no reputation.

“Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:” – Philippians 2:6-7

When God was manifest in the flesh, what they saw did not appear to be an eternal being who had created all things and dwelt outside time and space.

When unbelievers saw Jesus, they saw a man that had the reputation of every other man. When believers saw Jesus, they were looking at the fullness of the Godhead bodily with no reputation.

Why would God make himself of no reputation in the likeness of men? Why would anyone want to lower their own reputation, not to mention allowing others to spit on it (Luke 18:32)?

The fullness of the Godhead bodily, in fashion as a man with low reputation, falsely accused of crimes against Himself, died innocently on a cross, naked and next to thieves. God was not only of no reputation, he appeared disreputable.

A reputation concerns how others see you. To look at Jesus on the cross, His low reputation as a man was not worthy of His nature as God. He had a reputation dying as a sinner, though He knew no sin.

God’s Reputation Returns

His reputation would not remain so low.

Jesus, being God, resurrected from the dead and ascended to heaven in a glorified body. God’s reputation began to change as it was preached by the apostles that God manifest in the flesh was both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36).

God’s reputation improved again when he appeared from glory to save a sinner undeserving of salvation (Acts 9:4).

A reputation concerns how others see you, and Paul saw the resurrected Lord in glory above all things according to the revelation of the mystery (Eph 1:9-10; Rom 16:25). Paul was sent to preach God’s exalted reputation in Christ.

God manifest in the flesh was not only the Creator, Lord, and Christ, but now was known as the Saviour of all men, the Head of the church, exalted above all things both in heaven and in earth (Phil 2:9-11)!

God who once had a high reputation, and then made himself of no reputation, now has a reputation greater than ever. He is both Just and the Justifer, Judge and Mediator, the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13).

God’s High Reputation

What commends God’s high reputation is that now we know why he made himself of no reputation. God made himself of no reputation for the sake of sinners.

He was willing to be made of no reputation to save those of low reputation. Christ considered our salvation more than his own reputation.

God did not compromise, empty, remove, or lay aside any of his attributes of God when he was manifest in the flesh. He knew what he was doing all along to the praise of His glory.

God put on the likeness of sinful humanity to provide salvation to sinners as the resurrected Saviour.

“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;” – Philippians 2:10

~ written by Justin Johnson, Grace Ambassadors

The Many Gospels Of The Bible

Although every man at any time is saved by the grace of God through faith, the content of faith differs from one dispensation to the next. That is, the message that is offered and believed for righteousness and salvation varies according to God’s progressive revelation.

These different gospels can be understood by a careful study of Scripture making sure to rightly divide according to what had been revealed (2 Tim 2:15).

Noah and righteousness

In Genesis, Noah was counted righteous because of his obedience to God and was saved through the building of the ark in a world without rain. His faith and obedience was not based upon the knowledge of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, but in the living God and his promise of a flood.

“By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” – Hebrews 11:7

While Peter explains that Noah’s salvation was a figure of the salvation found in the resurrection of Christ, there is no mention of Noah’s understanding of this truth. Peter reveals that no prophet understood such a salvation through Christ until after his death:

“Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.” – 1 Peter 1:11-12

Abraham and righteousness

It cannot be ignored that Abraham was counted righteous because of his faith in God’s word for a mighty nation, not the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Genesis 15:6). Although we now know that Abraham could be justified based upon the then-future propitiatory work of Christ, the message that counted him faithful was the promise of a mighty nation.

As Paul explains, Abraham was ‘strong in faith’ (Romans 4:20).

“And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. “ – Romans 4:21

The specific promise that God made to Abraham was not that a messiah would die for his sins, but that his wife would produce a son although she was barren and beyond her age.

“Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.” – Romans 4:18

Moses and righteousness

While Moses was able to have personal communion and conversation with God, he wrote about a righteousness gained from the obedience of faith in the law.

“And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us.” – Deuteronomy 6:25

Paul expounds upon the understanding of Moses when he quotes Leviticus 18:5:

“For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.” – Romans 10:5

This righteousness and the faith that Moses and his followers had of God’s law was not faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 10:2-9).

John the Baptist and righteousness

After a four century silence in God’s plan with Israel, John the Baptist appears on the scene preaching the ‘baptism of repentance for the remission of sins’ (Mark 1:4).

The message he taught was the soon coming of the promised kingdom to Israel and the Messiah. Those who believed his message accepted his baptism, and those who were unfaithful to God’s promises rejected his testimony of faith.

“But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” – Matt 3:7

The result of accepting John’s baptism was a remission of sins and righteousness by the obedience of faith. Jesus demonstrated this by taking part in the baptism, although John declared that he didn’t need it:

“But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. “ – Matt 3:14-15

Jesus and righteousness

During his earthly ministry Jesus also taught the ‘gospel of the kingdom’ as John did:

“Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” – Mark 1:14-15

However, Jesus also taught the righteousness of the new covenant law.

“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.” – Matthew 5:17

“For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” –Matthew 5:20

Although this standard of righteousness seemed to be stringent, there were abundant rewards for those who ‘endured to the end’ (Matt 10:22).

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” – Matthew 6:33

It should be noted that even though Jesus taught the law, coming kingdom, and even his identity as the son of God, belief in his atoning death and resurrection was not required for righteousness or salvation during his earthly ministry.

In fact, when he did try to explain that he had to die to his disciples, they were ignorant of the matter:

“And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken. “ – Luke 18:34

The Disciples and the New Covenant righteousness

After the institution of the New Covenant and empowerment by the Holy Ghost, the disciples Peter and John wrote about a faith in Jesus as the Messiah and his resurrection.

Peter explains that remaining faithful to God and his Son through the immediate trials of tribulation would secure salvation and righteousness for believers in the end:

“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: … Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” – 1 Peter 1:7,9

The content of the faith that they had to believe was preached by Peter at his Pentecostal debut:

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.” – Acts 2:36

John also writes that their faith rested in the message that Jesus was indeed the son of God, the promised Messiah.

“But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. “ – John 20:31

“Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.” – 1 John 5:1

“He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. “ – 1 John 5:12

“If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.” – 1 John 2:29

This message of faith in the name of Jesus as Christ and Messiah was essential to entering the kingdom and achieving the righteousness as promised by God.

Conclusion

Listed here is a simple summary of different gospels found in the Bible, yet is not exhaustive. It does not include the glorious gospel of grace and imputed righteousness through Jesus Christ revealed to Paul. However, it should be evident that there were separate messages offered for righteousness and salvation as God’s word was progressively revealed.

It is only when we come to God’s word as skilled workman ‘rightly dividing the word of truth’ that we can understand the actions of the just down through history as they seek the righteousness of God by faith.

~ written by Justin Johnson, Grace Ambassadors

God Is Good, He Gives Us Good News

“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is THROUGH the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God BY FAITH:  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” Philippians 3:8-11

The type of faith dispensed for the dispensation of grace:

Only through the mystery (faith of Christ) revealed to Paul by the ascended Christ can God’s righteousness be obtained by faith alone, unlike Saints in the ensuing dispensation, where righteousness will be obtained as follows:

“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” ~ Revelation 14:12

In the ensuing dispensation, the faith whereby righteousness (salvation) is obtained, will be by keeping the commandments of God, which is ongoing (enduring to the end) and believing he is the Son of God (the faith of Jesus).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, I poo-poo Les Feldick’s Ministry

The reason I do not use Les Feldick or Cornelius Stam and the Berean Bible Society as ensamples concerning the teaching of sound doctrine:

They are Bible correctors.

Since studying and believing the King James Bible is a fundamental of the Christian faith, Bible correctors cannot teach sound doctrine from perverted Bible versions which omit or deny the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, along with a myriad of other God given truths, dispensationally or otherwise discerned.

Their ministries are lacking.

“Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.” ~ Philippians 3:17

Smoke & Mirrors

Suddenly all the Arians are proclaiming that Jesus is in fact the Son of God by giving scripture that God the father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit raised Him from the dead, although they  still proclaim that the faith of Christ is indeed “Christ’s faithfulness”, and thus, he had to have faith in God to raise Him from the dead, and God the Father having raised Jesus from the dead somehow justifies their wicked belief concerning the faith of Christ.

“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” ~ 1 John 5:7

God the Father

God the Son

God the Holy Spirit…

are the same God who raised Himself from the dead, thus Christ did not have to have faith in God (Himself) to raise Him from the dead.

God did not have to have faith in Himself.

If people look on the truth as pride,  they do not have a spirit of learning.  If the truth upsets one, one will have a hard time giving up one’s pet doctrines and continue to wallow in the mire.

Bottom-line:

The truth concerning the Godhead is a fundamental of the Christian faith, screw it up and one is preaching and believing another Jesus…

 

 

Christ After The Flesh

Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to live in Israel when Jesus did?

Each year thousands of tourists travel to Israel to walk where Jesus walked, to see the sites of Biblical stories, the waters Jesus walked on, and the path he took through Jerusalem to Calvary.

Maybe you’ve wondered what Jesus looked like in the flesh, or what his personality was like when he was not sermonizing on mountains. Did he laugh? Did he play games? Did he ever stub his toe?

It is not a new thing for writers to surmise what Jesus the child would be like. Since there is even less Biblical description of him as a boy their fictions mesmerize those who want to get a sense of the real presence of Jesus after the flesh.

What we know of Jesus earthly life and ministry is the purpose of what are popularly called the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These books about Jesus’ life in the flesh are where most of Christianity spends its time in preaching, teaching, and learning about Him.

After all, is not God coming in the flesh and living among us the greatest message of Christianity? Well, not exactly. This is commonly accepted, except that it is not true.

Knowing Christ After the Flesh

The greatest message of Christianity is not Jesus life and ministry in the flesh, but what he did and revealed after he rose again from the dead.

Read what the apostle Paul says about knowing Jesus in the flesh.

“…yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.” – 2 Corinthians 5:16

Knowing Christ after the flesh is learned from the stories of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The Word was made flesh in John 1:14. His conception and birth of the flesh is described.

Knowing Jesus in his earthly ministry is to know him as the Son of David, the Son of Abraham, the Son of Mary, and the Son of God made flesh. He ate, he slept, he wept, he walked, he lived, and he died. He was circumcised; he kept and taught the law; he observed holy days.

In the flesh he was a Jew, and his ministry in the flesh was toward the lost circumcision in the flesh of Israel.

“…and of [Israel] as concerning the flesh Christ came…” – Romans 9:5

“Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers” – Romans 15:8

Jesus said, “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” – Matthew 15:24

It was in the four Gospels that Jesus was made in the likeness of sinful flesh (Rom 8:3), suffered in the flesh (1 Pet 4:1), and died in the flesh (1 Pet 3:18).

Remember, Paul wrote, “we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more [after the flesh]” (2 Cor 5:16).

When Paul made this statement Jesus’ entire earthly ministry in the flesh was over. The events of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John were finished. If we no longer know Christ after the flesh, then how should we know him?

Knowing Christ From Now On

The risen Christ revealed to Paul a new way of knowing him that was not after his life and ministry in the flesh. Paul called it the mystery of Christ, and it concerns the gospel of Christ to all men (Rom 1:16), an heavenly Body of Christ (Eph 3:4-7), and the hope of eternal glory by God’s grace given freely to all (Col 1:25-28).

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17

Instead of knowing Christ in the flesh as the Jewish Messiah prophesied since the world began, we know him as establishing a new creature seated in heavenly places kept secret since the world began (2 Cor 5:17; Rom 16:25).

We no longer know him as a Jew born as the son of David, but in Christ there is no Jew nor Greek (Gal 3:28). We no longer know him as King of the Jews, but the Head of this glorious Body called the church over all things (Eph 1:21-23).

This knowledge of Christ is not after the flesh, but rather as the risen Lord and Saviour offering grace to the ungodly and sinners worldwide through faith in the cross.

This message of the grace and mystery of Christ is the greatest message of Christianity and can not be found in the four Gospel books that reveal Christ after the flesh. It is the unique message of the apostle Paul given him by Christ after his ministry in the flesh was over (Gal 1:11-12;1 Cor 15:8-10).

Exploring Jesus in his life after the flesh as a baby, toddler, teenager, or what Jesus would do in his earthly ministry toward the circumcision will only lead to an inferior knowledge of Christ today.

To know Christ as he should be known now is to know Him as he would want to be known: according to Paul’s gospel and the revelation of the mystery.

“Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began…” – Romans 16:25

Written by Justin Johnson, Grace Ambassadors

The Five Accomplishments of Jesus On The Cross

The bodily resurrection of Christ is a fundamental of Christianity. This means it defines the Christian faith. No one can be a Christian without it (1 Cor 15:14).

This may sound severe, but saying anything less neglects what the resurrection of Christ accomplished. Why does Christianity depend on the resurrection of Christ? What does it mean for us?

Here are five accomplishments:

1. To Declare Himself the Son of God

Jesus claimed the ability to raise his own self from the dead (John 2:19). This is the power of God! He also said that the only sign given to Israel that was the Christ would be his resurrection (Matt 12:39-40 – Jonah came out of the whale alive!).

Paul also testifies to this resurrection declaration in Romans 1:4. If he did not resurrect then he was a liar, not the promised Christ, and not God manifest in the flesh.

2. Payment for Sins

You may be thinking that it was through his death and shed blood that provided the atonement for sins and you would be right. However, if he did not resurrect his death would not mean anything (1 Cor 15:17).

The resurrection of Christ not only proved he was the eternal God, the giver of all life, but that his work to pay for sins through his death was sufficient and complete. Without resurrection his death would have been a good effort, but would be like writing a check without money in the bank. It bounces.

His resurrection meant the check was cashed! The work was finished!

The surgery is not over until the doctor walks out of the surgery room. The cooking is not done until the turkey comes out of the oven. Your sins were not paid in full until Christ rose from the dead.

3. Salvation Offered

Jesus Christ is the Saviour. If the Saviour is still dead, then how would you know why he died, or that he died willingly, or that he died for you? Scripture describes Jesus as a mediator (1 Tim 2:5), but if the mediator is dead then future reconciliation is impossible.

Christ revealed the mystery of the gospel after his resurrection.

Christ could only offer free salvation by grace (his work for you) through faith if he had already finished the work, and he was not dead. If Christ is still dead, then our faith is dead, and so is any hope of salvation.

4. Righteousness Imputed

The resurrection of Christ proves his own righteousness. After dying for the sins of the world, if he were not perfectly righteous in so doing he would not deserve to live again.

It is only by his resurrection that his righteousness can be imputed to us. The gospel does not stop with our sins being put on Christ, it must finish with his righteousness being imputed to us (2 Cor 5:21). Without Christ’s resurrection in righteousness we could never be justified by faith (Romans 4:22-25).

5. Give Power of Eternal Life

Christ’s bodily resurrection exhibited the power to raise humanity from the dead.
The promise of eternal life would be nonsense if the Saviour ended his life with death never to live again. There is no life found in a dead Saviour.

The Lord Jesus Christ defeated death through his resurrection, alive forevermore, to guarantee life eternal. It is the power of his resurrection that he offers to us through the gospel. Without the bodily resurrection of Christ we could not live the Christian life. There would be no life in Christ.

Life and immortality was only brought to light at the appearing of Christ after his resurrection (2 Tim 1:10). Without Christ’s resurrection we are all dead.

Conclusion

All of these things depend on the bodily resurrection of Christ. Without these things being accomplished we do not have any reason to worship Christ, preach Christ for salvation, declare righteousness in Christ, or eternal life through Christ.

In summary, we would not be Christians unless Christ rose from the dead. It is no coincidence that most of these reasons are found in the epistles where the mystery of Christ is revealed.

It was Paul who said:

“Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:”

Christianity is not a religion filled with religious followers of a religious figure. The Christian faith rests on the resurrection. It is by that gospel of the resurrected Christ that we are saved.

Written by Justin Johnson, Grace Ambassadors

The Fundamentals Of The Christian Faith

The fundamentals of the Christian faith are necessary to preach Jesus correctly and to know him. (Heresy is the denial or corruption of any of the fundamentals):

*The Godhead (God in three persons). Fundamental to knowing the one true God.

*Jesus Christ the person, the Son. He is the foundation of Christianity, which is fundamental to knowing him as God and Saviour.

*The Church, the Body of Christ, the One New Man.

*The inspired King James Bible, the word of God which is fundamental to knowing the truth.

*The physical resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ which is fundamental to knowing the power of Christ in us, the hope and the glory.

*Christ’s future judgment of all men.

*Christ’s substitutionary atonement by grace through faith (the gospel of Christ, salvation). Fundamental to knowing the work of Christ on the Cross and what he did for all men.

*The existence of God.

*The virgin birth of Christ.

*Fulfilled prophecy in the Bible concerning Christ.

*Christ according to the revelation of the mystery and the Apostle Paul’s ministry, which is fundamental to knowing how God is operating today.

The Godhead

THE THREE IN ONE
THE BIBLICAL DOCTRINE OF THE TRIUNE GOD
“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word,
and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”
– 1 John 5:7

1. Early Church Controversy
a. The controversy was in liberal Alexandria, Egypt
b. Can’t always believe the history books: they say Trinity started in 3-4th century
c. Arius – Taught Jesus was begotten of the Father, therefore he had beginning (Col 1:15)

i. Jesus was before Abraham and the world – John 1:1-3, 8:58, 17:4-5
ii. Begotten – def. to procreate, to generate
iii. Jesus is the only begotten Son – John 1:14,18, 3:16
iv. A.D – The year of our Lord is from his birth, but was he begotten there?
v. He was begotten at his resurrection (2nd Adam) – Psalm 2:6-8 & Acts 13:33

d. Arianism today: Jehovah’s witness, emptied out Jesus (Kenosis), Unitarians
e. This doctrine is in Statements of Faith, but statements don’t prevent heresy

2. What is a Trinity?
a. The word ‘trinity’ is not in your Bible, be careful to use it, but 1 John 5:7
b. Trinity def. – it means a union of three, a group of three, a triad, God in the definition
c. Natural trinities – Time, space(height, width, depth), matter(solid, liquid, gas) Rom 1:20
d. Three in one is not illogical – it makes sense; 3=1 does not make sense
e. Biblical doctrine: We serve One God comprised of three distinct persons (no gods)
f. Wrong views of the Godhead

i. Tritheism (polytheism) = there are many (three) gods (Mormons)
ii. Modalism = One God wearing three masks
iii. Arianism = Jesus is created by God and is a lesser god (Jehovah’s Witness)
iv. Partialism = The three persons are part of God, but not fully God

3. We Serve One God
a. The prophets said there is one God – Isa 43:10-11, 44:6,
b. Our God is one Lord – Mark 12:29
c. There is but one God – 1 Cor 8:6, Eph 4:6, 1 Tim 2:5
d. The devils believe in one God – James 2:19

4. Jesus is God
a. “I and the Father are one” – John 10:30,
b. The image of the invisible God – Col 1:15, John 14:9
c. “fullness of the Godhead bodily” – Col 2:9
d. First and the Last – Isa 48:12, Rev 1:11,17
5. There are Three in One: God (Father, Son, Holy Ghost) – 1 John 5:7
a. All called God – Phil 1:2, Col 2:9, Acts 5:3-4
b. All called Creator – Isaiah 44:24, Col 1:15-17, Job 33:4
c. All indwell – 2 Cor 6:16, Col 1:27, 1 Cor 3:16

Written by Justin Johnson ~ Grace Ambassadors

I might add that the modern Grace community are Arians or Jehovah Witnesses, with a dash of Mormonism thrown into the mix.

So who raised Jesus from the dead since there is only one God?

“I and the Father are one” – John 10:30

Therefore, if Jesus was separate from God and emptied himself, in reality it also means God emptied himself because he and the father are one.

Quit trying to justify Arianism.

Why I love Jesus

I love him because he provided the forgiveness for all my sins, as well as the sins of all men through his work on the cross.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Ephesians 1:13; Colossians 1:14.

I love him because he rose from the dead and spilled his blood for my justification, whereby God now sees me as being a righteous Saint and no longer a hellbound sinner.

Romans 4:25; Romans 5:9

I love him because he has accepted me, although I am still in this body of sin.

Ephesians 1:6; Romans 8:10.

I love him because he is my Abba Father, my daddy, the longsuffering great I AM, who wants all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.

Romans 8:15; Galatians 5:6.

I love him because he has given me hope for the future.

Romans 5:2

I love him because he is merciful.

Psalm 116:5; 2 Corinthians 4:1

I love him because all men who have lived,  and are currently living in this current dispensation had, and still have a chance at salvation (the forgiveness of their sins) purely through faith alone, 2000 years after the provision was made.

2 Corinthians 5:21

I love him because he only wants what is best for me in the long run.

Ephesians 1:3; Ephesians 2:6.

I love him because he suffered on my behalf on Calvary’s cross.

1 John 2:3; 1 John 4:10

I love him because he gives me peace and strengthens me through adversity.

Philippians 4:7

I love him because he provided men with a user-manual, the Bible, so they can know his plan and purpose for their lives.

1 Timothy 2:4

I love him because I did not have to work for my salvation, rather I trusted him for my salvation according to 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.

Titus 3:5; Ephesians 2:8-9

 

Subtility

What and who do you believe Jesus is?

“I believe Jesus was fully God and fully man whilst he walked this earth”.

“I believe Jesus is the Son of God”.

” I believe Jesus is God’.

But this ⬆ all falls flat with this ⬇

What is the faith of Christ?

“That Jesus had to have faith in God to raise him from the dead’.

“But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” ~ 2 Corinthians 11:3

 

 

New Things

Beware of the Athenians who have an insatiable appetite for wanting to learn new things.

One’s faith is strengthened by one’s foundation, that is, by the fundamentals of the faith, particularly the right gospel (Christ’s finished work on the cross and his resurrection) and his deity (who He is, past, present and future), otherwise one’s faith will crumble.

Just like a building, if one’s foundation is strong, one’s “structure” (faith) is strong.

There is nothing new in Mid-Acts Pauline Dispensationalism which still needs to be rediscovered.

People who have a weak foundation and who are bored with the ‘oldness” of what they already know and have learnt, especially relating to the fundamentals of the faith, are the ones who are apt to learn new things, which in reality are wrong things.

“For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.” ~ Acts 17:21

Don’t cut one’s nose off to spite one’s face.  Each time one tries to find the next undiscovered Pauline truth so-called, one’s building (faith) gets weaker, and each time one has to break down the structure to rebuild it, one’s faith also gets weaker, more so, if one tries to remain standing with a weak structure, it will be impossible, as one WILL eventually fall and one’s faith will inevitably be destroyed.

Don’t believe me?  Take a look at the Saints who once ran around trying to find the next new thing as well as the teacher/s who who preached the next new thing, and see where they are now, spiritually speaking, that is, one good example is a woman who eventually turned back to the weak and beggarly elements of the law and Joyce Meyer is now one of her teachers of choice, wanting nothing further to do with “Mid-Axers”.

If one is going to take things a step further and “axe” Paul’s epistles to find the next undiscovered Pauline truth, instead of rightly dividing the word of truth, one’s foundation is suspect.  Modern day Athenians also axe Christ’s deity, not to mention the gospel into unrecognisable pieces.

Having a weak foundation will eventually catch up to you, the end result being demoralising and spiritually destructive…

The Godfather

There’s the Grace Pope, and then there’s the Grace Godfather…

The Pope and the Godfather so happen to be on friendly terms.

The Godfather is based in Chicago and the Pope in Chattanooga.

The Godfather’s main heretical view is the empty Jesus theory.

What most fail to realise is, that where the truth is, the devil tries (and very much succeeds) to twist and dilute it, hence the reason we are called to be soldiers and not quivering cupcakes.  The devil is rife in the Grace community, making piecemeal of the truth, and most are too cowardly or ignorant to stand up and be soldiers.

Sadly, there are not many Grace believers today who do not hold to either kenosis or hyperdispensationalism (a hybrid version) or both, which unknowingly is the end result of being followers of the Pope and the Godfather who in turn influenced most leaders in the Grace community, who then preach gross error as fundamental truth.

I pity new believers who think they’ve come to the knowledge of the truth, only to encounter truth which has been leavened.

Most do not even realise it.  Most do not want to hear their great teachers are wrong, and that which pertains to major doctrinal issues.

And that’s me done with the Pope and the Godfather…. I am not a part of their fellowship, nor am I one of their followers and I have absolutely nothing to do with their “Club” which erroneously considers itself to be stablished in the faith.

When I was saved, circa 2007, I was first introduced to the teachings of the Godfather, after a while I crossed paths with the Pope on Facebook.  Luckily I never took the time, nor did I have the inclination to watch their video ministries as I cannot concentrate while watching videos as I fall asleep at the 5 minute mark.  True story.  Watching movies, videos, listening to audios and playing computer games make me sleep.  It’s the motion which hypnotises me, the very reason I don’t suffer from insomnia, so I am not particularly fond of these type of mediums.  I however do read, so the little I absorbed from them was due to articles I had read, other than that I had a friend who made me question all that I believed so I clearly saw the error I had unknowingly soaked up from men who purported to preach the truth.

I in turn have tried to open peoples’ eyes to the truth, whether I have succeeded remains to be seen… if I am judged to be a crazy old lady for having done so, so be it.  My intentions are only good.

These men will stand before the Lord one day, either at the Judgment Seat of Christ or the White Throne Judgment, only God knows.

Irrespective of how powerful they are in this life, they are just men who are answerable to God.

“O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:” ~ 1 Timothy 6:20

“But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.” ~ 2 Timothy 2:16

Profanity so happens to be blasphemy… sacrilege.

 

The Pope

The problem with the “Grace Camp” is this:

Most are too cowardly to speak out about the ever present GROSS error as they might upset the Grace Pope who does his rounds on various Groups denying everything without as much as a smidgen of proof.  The same Grace Pope who holds to both kenosis and Hyperdispensationalism.

And please do not tell me “no-one’s perfect out there” or calling these people out to task “isn’t loving on my part” – these are poor excuses to cover up for the Grace Pope.

Of course we can learn sound doctrine, especially when it comes to MAJOR issues, otherwise Paul’s command in 2 Timothy 2:15 is totally pointless.

The Grace Pope might be saved, but I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

Is it anyone’s goal out there today to strive for heavenly rewards? Or do they rather choose to live precariously, not being concerned about anything other than pleasing the Pope and not upsetting his wife?

The same man, a large section of followers deserted purportedly for belonging to a secret society, and not for the unsound doctrine he holds, please note.  Surely, if a man belongs to a secret society his doctrine is suspect, why else would he belong to a secret society?

Wanna tell me a man who has been saved and known Right Division in excess of 30 years gets MAJOR doctrine wrong without realising it?

The man isn’t open to correction because he’s too powerful and those who try to correct him are beneath him.  Most prefer to be friends with the man rather than be at odds with him, all for the sake of peace.

It’s the same reason why one of his (ex) Vicars has such an intense interest in the occult – there’s something wrong with his doctrine…. the same reason some of his followers are conspiracy theorists, there’s something wrong with their doctrine…

 

 

Santa Claus Isn’t Coming to Town

We don’t celebrate or worship the helpless baby in the manger once a year, rather we celebrate and rejoice in the power of the ascended Christ’s finished work on the Cross every day.

We are not tied up in Roman Catholicism, the world, nor its denominations, neither its celebrations which compartmentalize the year into different sections.

Instead, we celebrate our lives IN CHRIST every day.

“Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience?” ~ 1 Corinthians 10:29

 

 

 

 

 

Expedience

It’s a crazy, mixed up world.

The truth is seen as legalism, when the truth of the matter is, legalism is really when one turns back to the weak and beggarly elements of the law.

Legal =  law = legalism = kosher diets, water baptism, Sabbath keeping and doing good works for salvation.

The bottom-line concerning the Corinthians:

Legalism mixed with grace. Jews and Gentiles in one church. Babes in Christ unable to discern the meat from the bones.

Outcome: Chaos.

Isn’t it sad when Christian leaders themselves have swallowed the bones and spat out the meat…

“All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.” ~ 1 Corinthians 10:23

“All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” ~ 1 Corinthians 6:12

If all things are lawful to me and for me, then I can rob a bank… live a licentious life… but why don’t I?

Expedience relates to self-interest, and it is in one’s best interest that one should be concerned what one believes and how one lives after being saved.

 

Whisperers

Some people can’t wait to tell a secret. Since secrets are intended to remain private, the only way to tell a secret is to whisper.

It is still a secret until that someone whispers to someone else, and then to someone else, and on and on. Eventually, everyone knows.

You may recognize this as the way rumors get started, and you would be right. Another word for talking about someone’s personal and private information is ‘gossip’.

Both are sins in the Bible that come naturally from a reprobate mind (Rom 1:28). Nevertheless, people love to read tabloids in the checkout line, and find it entertaining to ‘get the scoop’.

None of David’s servants had the courage to tell David that his own son was dead, so they whispered amongst themselves telling each other instead of the one who needed to know first (2 Sam 12:19).

Whispering can be prevented by talking directly to the person being spoken about. However, the goal of the common whisperer is not to solve a problem or help, but to make private information known by all except the one being whispered about.

Those that wish to harm, injure, or condemn someone else without appearing violent find whispering an easy way to execute their malice (Ps 41:7).

The target of their whispers is none the wiser, but through whisperings they have destroyed privacy, made personal information public, and increased secret enemies.

Gossip does not need to be false to be evil. Whisperings can occur just as surely online as they can over the phone.

Whispering puts people on a secret trial without their being present, without the person being able to defend himself, demand witnesses, or appear before his accusers! What injustice!

If the information is intended to be public, why whisper?
If the information is not personal or private then why the secrecy?
If the information reveals a sin, why not confront and restore the sinner according to Galatians 6:1, or work with their church to rebuke before all according to 1 Tim 5:20?
If the information reveals a crime, then why not report it to the proper authorities instead of cowering in anonymity until someone else does the dirty work?

This is because whisperers and gossips fear the consequence of public admonition, confrontation, and attention. They do not deal honestly, flattering in public, but whispering gossip in private.

Whispering provides anonymity to the teller because it limits witnesses and personal spotlight.

The worst thing that can happen to a whisperer is that they be held publicly accountable for their whispering and gossip. This raises the volume of their whispers, and opens up their actions to public scrutiny, light, and the serious charge of bearing false witness.

“Did you know about so-and-so…?” “Did you hear what so-and-so did…?” “I’ve heard stories…” “I heard, they said, that he said, she said …”

When gossip and whispers of this sort reach your ears it is not convenient, it is sowing to the flesh, and characterizes the carnal Corinthian spirit (2 Cor 12:20; Gal 6:8; Rom 1:29).

The godly and convenient thing to do if you are on the receiving end of whispers and gossip is to not participate (1 Tim 5:22). Nip it in the bud.

If you can’t talk loud enough honestly, then don’t talk at all. Stop the whispering. Speak up or shut up.

Either address the target of the whisper directly if it is a present issue that needs resolved, or keep it silent by ceasing to listen or pass it on. It is none of your business, nor anyone else’s (Eph 4:29-32).

Then, consider whether the whisperer is someone you should meddle with in the future.

What they have done to others they might do to you (Prov 20:19).

~ Justin Johnson ~ http://www.graceambassadors.com

Spit Out The Bones

If you’ve ever eaten a whole fish you understand the dangers of their tiny bones that often hide within very delectable meat.

Unlike big steak bones, tiny fish bones can be swallowed without even knowing it. It can cause serious damage.

It is necessary to spit out the bones of bad doctrine when reading or listening to many great Christian men in the past or present. Sometimes the bones are too dangerous and the whole thing must be discarded.

You would never give a baby or young child a whole fish to eat. They may choke.

Christians who cannot rightly divide are babies at Bible study. They swallow anything put in front of them. Until they can discern meat from bone, they should not be consuming resources that require a lot of spitting.

Learning right division requires everything be reevaluated. We need more mid-Acts resources. We need more meat and less bones. If you would not compromise with a baby, do not compromise in ministry.

“…charge some that they teach no other doctrine…” – 1 Tim 1:3

~ written by Justin Johnson

… because I couldn’t have stated it any better.

Personal Library

Don’t have extra money to spend on a huge library?

A lot of people don’t know that many books can be
found online for free.

Type in an author’s name into Google and then “online”.
The first link after “sir robert anderson online” gives me
a page where I can get dozens of Anderson’s books for free!

EW Bullinger’s entire companion Bible is online as well as
his appendices and other works.

Clarence Larkin’s classic book on dispensationalism
complete with Charts is available by searching simply
for “larkin dispensational”.

The internet is leveling the playing field between the
scholars and the plow boy once more. No longer do
you need lots of money or a seminary library to
get up to speed.

Use the free resources, beware of the doctrine.
The authors as well as some of the site owners are
Acts 2 or covenant in their theology.

~ Justin Johnson

 

Just Another Purveyor Of Bad Doctrine

“Coming to a theatre near you” : Rodney Beaulieu attempting to justify why his version of the “faith of Christ” isn’t really kenosis… and not only him, but others too…

If Rodney can tell me without scripture twisting and proof-texting that the faith of Christ is what Philippians 3:9 says it is, namely, the righteousness which is of God by faith (alone), dispensed solely to the Apostle Paul (as opposed to the 12)… only then will I believe he does not preach kenosis.

But until then I will believe Paul, not Rodney…

**Pauline Christianity is a faith, not a religion, and Paul specifically refers to it as the “faith of Christ”**

 

 

Are You Saved?

Are you saved?

“I believe in Jesus”

So what. What do you believe about him? How does he save you? How do you know?

~ Justin Johnson ~ http://www.graceambassadors.com

 

A Bad Doctrine Discerned

Kenotic theology or Kenosis in Grace circles is embodied in an erroneous version or belief concerning “the faith of Christ”.

Ask most what the “faith of Christ” is and one will have one’s answer as to what they believe.

Kenotic or not?

Paul gives us a clue as to what the “faith of Christ” is, by contrasting it to the law or the works of the law concerning righteousness and justification.

“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” ~Galatians 2:16

And Philippians 3:9 tells us exactly what it is ~

“And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:” ~ Philippians 3:9

 

 

Wisdom vs Knowledge

Wisdom = intelligence, IQ.

Knowledge = cognition, facts, understanding. (“It is the current understanding that these things are done in a certain way”)

Wisdom is what one does with facts, how one applies them and thinks them through.

Accepting or making Jesus Lord and Saviour of one’s life or even trusting Him as Lord and Saviour, even after having heard the facts (the gospel and how one is actually saved) isn’t wisdom, nor is participating in the occult for that matter… stuff like yoga, meditation, tarot cards and horoscopes are not wisdom, they are facts (knowledge)… the wrong ones, that is.

To Saints, Christ is the wisdom and power of God.

“But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” ~ 1 Corinthians 1:24

Be a lover of Godly wisdom, regardless of how many out there despise one for it and deny it.

“For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.” ~ 2 Corinthians 1:12

Paul refers to the conscience a lot, if we do not heed it, it becomes seared, that is, nonexistent, and the reason why most simply do not want to hear they are wrong.

“Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;” ~ 1 Timothy 4:2

 

 

 

 

Profound

“If you are not saved by grace alone, stop pretending to be a Christian. Trust God’s grace alone through Christ alone by faith alone.

If you are saved by grace, stop pretending to be a sinner. Start serving the Lord.” ~ Justin Johnson

“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.” ~ Acts 26:18

“And they glorified God in me.” ~ Galatians 1:24

 

Evolution’s Evil Motive

If Adam wasn’t created by God, and later Eve from Adam’s rib, it would mean that Eve did not eat the forbidden fruit, meaning, mankind did not fall into a sinful state along with the rest of creation, hence there is no need for Christ, the Redeemer, the Saviour.

Put this line of thinking into the minds of New Agers, world rulers and most church leaders (where it already exists, by the way) and one realises why they think they can fix Man and the world he lives in.

Man cannot be “fixed” until he repents and in so doing, believes the gospel of Christ, for it is faith in Christ’s propitiation which releases Man from his sinful state and turns him into a new creature in Christ.

Salvation/forgiveness is a two-way street, God does not force it onto anyone.  He provided it, it’s there for the taking… believe 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 for your salvation today and be saved…

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17

 

 

 

One Eye, Still Blind

I could say in the land of the blind, one eye is king, but most do not even have one eye to see with, it’s just total spiritual blindness on their part. Half right so happens to be totally wrong, meaning, believing in Jesus and repenting of one’s sins… a believer in Christ… a Christ follower… yet blind… blinded.

“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” ~ 2 Corinthians 4:4

 

 

The Tribe Of Dan & The Antichrist

God’s judgment on Israel during the end times:

“O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation.  I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.” ~ Isaiah 10:5-6

Some interesting facts about the tribe of Dan.

Dan was one of the twelve tribes of Israel.

“And he hath put in his heart that he may teach, both he, and Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan.” ~ Exodus 35:34.

Dan’s initial problem – gross, long-term idolatry:

“Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And he set the one in Beth-el, and the other put he in Dan. And this thing became a sin: for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan.” ~1 Kings 12:28-30

“And the six hundred men appointed with their weapons of war, which were of the children of Dan, stood by the entering of the gate. And the five men that went to spy out the land went up, and came in thither, and took the graven image, and the ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image: and the priest stood in the entering of the gate with the six hundred men that were appointed with weapons of war.” ~ Judges 18:16-17

The reason why the tribe of Dan is not listed among the twelve tribes in Revelation is because it isn’t a servant of God due to its idolatry.

“Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.” ~ Revelation 7:3

So is it any wonder the Antichrist won’t regard the God of his fathers, Jehovah?

“Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.” ~ Daniel 11:37

The name Dan means “judge” in Hebrew, which in turn means leader, ruler or chief.

It is said the Antichrist will come out of the tribe of Dan.

“And Rachel said, God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son: therefore called she his name Dan.” ~ Genesis 30:6

He was one of the sons of Jacob.

“Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel. Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward.” ~ Genesis 49:16-17

Further, Dan is not mentioned or listed among the other tribes in Revelation 7, and is also omitted from the genealogies listed in 1 Chronicles 2:2

“And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.” ~ Revelation 7:4-8

To my mind, the Antichrist will be a Semite of Jewish descent, of the tribe of Dan. Dan is destined to be a serpent, an adder in the path of Israel in the last days.

“The snorting of his horses was heard from Dan: the whole land trembled at the sound of the neighing of his strong ones; for they are come, and have devoured the land, and all that is in it; the city, and those that dwell therein. For, behold, I will send serpents, cockatrices, among you, which will not be charmed, and they shall bite you, saith the Lord .” ~ Jeremiah 8:16-17

 

 

 

Why Paul Told Timothy To Rightly Divide

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” – 2 Timothy 2:15

Perhaps you have heard this verse used as a slogan for Bible study, or even dispensational Bible study, but why did Paul tell Timothy to rightly divide the word of truth?

What did Paul mean by “rightly dividing the word of truth”?

In the verse immediately preceding this command, we learn that there were contentions about words from God that subverted the hearers and destroyed their faith.

“Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.” – 2 Tim 2:14

Paul’s command to rightly divide the word of truth was intended to rescue these men from subversion, by putting “them in remembrance”.

Remembrance of what? Apparently it was remembrance of Paul’s gospel.

“Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel…” – 2 Tim 2:7-8

They were to remember that Paul was appointed the preacher, apostle, and teacher of the Gentiles, and were to continue in what they learned from him ( 2 Tim 1:11-13).

Paul’s gospel gives the full explanation as to the purpose of Christ’s death and resurrection, which was hidden since the world began, but had been appointed to Paul to preach.

“Who saved us… according to his own purpose, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, but is now made manifest… whereunto I am appointed a preacher…” – 2 Tim 1:8-11

Paul endured much trouble in preaching the mystery of the gospel committed unto him by the Lord (1 Tim 1:11; 1 Cor 9:17; Eph 6:19-20).

By the grace of God he persisted to see all men profit from eternal life and the riches of God’s grace according to his gospel. It was only through Paul’s gospel that men could now obtain this profit in Christ.

Timothy possessed the same commission from Paul ( 1 Tim 6:20-21), but instead of profiting the hearers they were being subverted.

Some men desired to be teachers of the law which Paul called vanity (1 Tim 1:5-9). Others were teaching the profanity by denying the resurrection.

The word of truth rightly divided should have brought all men to understanding God’s will. The opposite had occurred, because of wrong doctrine.

Timothy faced pressure to change the doctrine he had learned from Paul, and perhaps follow the teachings of Moses, Jesus under the law, or the circumcision.

Paul exhorted Timothy not to be ashamed of him, nor the message of grace he learned from him, but to be strong in the grace (2 Tim 1:8; 2 Tim 1:13; 2 Tim 2:1).

Paul is famous for posing the question, “do I now persuade men, or God?” Here, Paul does not let Timothy answer the question, but supplies the answer himself.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed…” – 2 Timothy 2:15

We study to show ourselves approved unto God, and not unto men.

There was no reason for Timothy to back down or be ashamed of Paul or his message of grace, even if it meant he had to suffer the inconvenience of ruffling the feathers and charging some men to be quiet and “teach no other doctrine” (1 Tim 1:3).

Timothy was a teacher of the truth, a workman of the Lord, and he needed to prove himself in this. He would be an unashamed workman if he did one thing:

“…rightly dividing the word of truth.” – 2 Tim 2:15

Rightly divide it from the strife and wrong doctrine that existed. Hold fast the form of sound words!

Paul is commanding Timothy to continue in the faith that he learned from him (2 Tim 3:14). Speak those things that he heard from him, and not from the teachers of the law, circumcision, vanity and profanity.

Letting these strifes and oppositions against Paul’s doctrine would not only be wrong, but harmful to the hearers. This would have been wrong division, hindering the hearers from understanding God’s will.

Rightly divide the word of truth for the profit of the hearers. Mix it with confusion, and placate the profane, and the faith would be overthrown.

Paul told Timothy to give people what is right from the Lord, and shun what was wrong. This can be hard when what is right is not what people want.

Right division is the separation from wrong doctrine to stand for what is right and profit the hearers.

“But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.” – 2 Timothy 2:16

The word of truth revealed to Paul for the church today is right, and any doctrine contrary to what the Lord had revealed to him for today is wrong.

This is why Paul charged Timothy to rightly divide the word of truth. A failure to do so would result in a failure in the faith of those to whom he ministered.

Written by Justin Johnson, http://www.graceambassadors.com

Grace Removes All Pretense

It exposes one for who one really is in the flesh.

When one realises that salvation is by grace and not by works of righteousness or the law, one tends to let one’s “underbelly show”.

Taken from http://www.graceambassadors.com:

Religion creates pretenders. Grace removes the pretense. After all, there is none righteous.

When religionists learn that salvation is all of grace and not of works, the pastor has no authority over their soul, and they are not under the law, they stop pretending.

It becomes evident who they really are on the inside: apathetic toward sin. There is no longer a religious excuse to get gussied up as they once pretended to be.

When people learn by grace that it is not the outward appearance that pleases God; they admit their slovenliness and dress down.

When people learn by grace they don’t have to ‘go to church’, because they are the church; they admit their disinterest and stop coming.

When people learn by grace that tithing is not required, they admit their greed and stop giving.

Grace exposes people for who they truly are in the flesh: selfish, apathetic, spiritual adulterers.

This sort of apathy towards sin is a shame and a stench among grace believers. So much so, that religionists avoid grace doctrine because they think it promotes licentiousness.

But this poor behavior is not cured by removing grace doctrine, but by growing in it.

The truth is that God does not give grace so that sinners can feel better about living in sin. Grace is given as the only means for sinners to be changed into servants of righteousness (Romans 6).

Grace changes us from the inside out, by crucifying our old man and making us alive in Christ. Grace kills sin, so that we can live a life where sin has no power over us.

Grace is not first about being dead to the law. Grace is first about being dead to ourselves; dead to sin.

If you are not saved by grace alone, stop pretending to be a Christian. Trust God’s grace alone through Christ alone by faith alone.

If you are saved by grace, stop pretending to be a sinner. Start serving the Lord.

For His glory,

 

Short & Sweet

Propitiation is Christ’s accomplishment/work on the cross and atonement is the result thereof.

“And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.” ~ Romans 5:11

 

Simplicity

Having faith, believing and trusting are synonyms.

They all mean the same thing, that is, relying or depending on someone or something for a reason.

“I believe my car will get me to the next town, even though the radiator sprung a leak”.

“I have faith that my car will get me to the next town although the radiator is leaking”.

“I trust my car will get me to the next town although it’s leaking water”.

“In whom ye also trusted , after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation:

~ {one trusts Christ after having heard the gospel}

in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,” ~ Ephesians 1:13

~ {after having believed (trusted) Christ according to the word of truth, one is sealed with the holy Spirit}

Nowhere in the above verse does it state one has to first trust then believe Christ in order to be saved.

Trespasses and sins too are synonyms and are used interchangeably in the bible.

The Bible also refers to these as offences, transgressions wickedness, breaking the law or wrong (doings).

Transgression:

“Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no TRANSGRESSION.” ~ Romans 4:15

“And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the TRANSGRESSION.” ~ 1 Timothy 2:14

Eve trespassed against God’s holy standards, she committed an offence, sinned..

Offences:

“And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many OFFENCES unto justification.” ~ Romans 5:16

“Woe unto the world because of OFFENCES! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!” ~ Matthew 18:7

Wickedness:

“Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me , and accuse this man, if there be any WICKEDNESS in him.” ~ Acts 25:5

Wrong:

“But he that DOETH WRONG shall receive for the WRONG which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.” ~ Colossians 3:25

Trespasses:

“To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their TRESPASSES unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” ~ 2 Corinthians 5:19

“And you, being dead in your SINS and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all TRESPASSES;” ~ Colossians 2:13

Sins:

“Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive SINS but God only?” ~ Mark 2:7

“Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the REMISSION OF SINS THAT ARE PAST, through the forbearance of God;” ~ Romans 3:25

 

Thoughts

What with the vast caravans of illegal iimmigrants/refugees basically “storming” Europe and the USA and that with the backing of George Soros and the Pope who are telling them to ignore national security and borders, and citizens of these countries either living in fear or agreeing with the diversity which is now being forced upon western civilisation and christian values, wouldn’t one agree we’re living in exciting times?

It’s the beginning of the end of the world as we know it with people who have turned or are turning to socialism as the answer to the world’s problem.

Socialism = Communism Lite.  Take a look at any Snowflake’s FB timeline and one will note they’re Socialists.

It’s the beginning of a one world government, where people have regressed both morally and spiritually, and it doesn’t end there… where has one ever seen refugees with smart phones and branded shoes and clothing before?

Soros and the Pope do not have an inkling what lies ahead, especially when Islam raises its evil, controlling head.

The vast majority of people are so caught up in inconsequential matters and their daily lives that the change the world is currently undergoing is passing them by, that is, until it is too late.

The world is now openly heading for a one world dictatorship, and nothing or no-one can stop it.

Exciting time for Saints.

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” ~ Titus 2:13

 

 

 

Today’s View

Judging

“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” ~ Romans 14:17

During the “but now” Saints do not judge one another by something as inconsequential as the food they eat, particularly when it comes to what were considered unclean animals under Israel’s levitical law, like fish without fins and scales, (sharks, swordfish, catfish) creatures that live on the ocean floor (crayfish, prawns, lobster, shrimp, abalone), birds with webbed feet (ducks, geese, gulls)…. and the most infamous and well known one, swine…..   all are scavengers and were created to be “cleaners” at the bottom of the food chain who eat anything, including dung, while others feed off unclean animals which in turn makes them unclean.

And this is what Paul is referring to in Romans 14.

Setting a brother or sister at nought for eating what is no longer considered to be unclean animals or drinking milk with meals which include meat…..

There are two case scenarios in this instance: Judging a brother or sister unfairly according to their supposedly non-kosher diet, and the other is doing these things with their knowledge, or in the company of weak brothers or sisters.

“For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.” ~ 1 Corinthians 8:10-12

A so-called kosher diet is still considered to be superior today, (which I disagree with) and entails a lot of logistical dietary gymnastics, like eating desserts which contain dairy products 30 minutes before a carnivorous meal, otherwise one has to wait up to 6 hours to consume dessert (depending on which denomination or sect of Judaism one believes and is a member of, some believe 3 hours to be sufficient time for digestion to occur).

People in general are ignorant to the fact that Judaism was and still is much like modern day Christianity today in that there were/are a myriad of denominations, each with its very own set of pet doctrines.

Today there are two main denominations of Judaism, namely, the Fundamentalists and the Progressives. The Fundamentalists do not consider the Progressives to be Jews, and the Progressives believe that one is solely considered a Jew by what one chooses to eat.

Many Progressives so happen to be Atheists too, who only follow Jewish tradition, that is, maintaining kosher diets and adherence to feast & holy days, furthermore they question the existence of God because the reality of their lives during this current dispensation does not correlate with the promises of the Old Covenant.

Judaism is still ensconced in superfluous rituals, traditions and superstitions, like the lighting of candles, renting one’s clothes, covering all mirrors with black cloth and turning pictures and photo’s back to front when a family member passes on, even the Rabbi’s are highly superstitious, choosing not to linger at the graveside for too long because “the deceased’s spirit will adversely affect them when rising out the grave”.

One doesn’t actually realise the liberty one has in Christ if one has never experienced or lived with the bondage of constant rituals, superstitions and the traditions of a dead religion.

Other than not judging Saints according to what they choose to eat or not to eat, we are to judge what teachers and teachings they choose to follow and believe, and how they choose to live.

“But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.” ~ 1 Corinthians 2:15

“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. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?”~ 1 Corinthians 5:11-13

“Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?” ~ 1 Corinthians 6:2

People To Meet

Places to see….. things to do.

Retirement is wonderful, and so is being off the internet ☺

Maybe one day….. soon I will find a hacienda and settle down with an organic veg garden, fruit trees, geese, a few dogs, a cat, but for now…. we shall travel…..

 

Unbelief

In every dispensation, unbelief has sent men to hell in their sins.

Israel under Christ’s earthly ministry had to believe He is the Messiah, the Son of God.

“I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” ~ John 8:24

The world during the dispensation of Grace has to believe in his death for their sins, his burial and resurrection.  Has one noticed how denominationalists have a tendency to emphasis the blood of Christ and ignore his resurrection as if it is of no consequence?

“Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how SAY some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:  And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.” ~ 1 Corinthians 15:12-14

“And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.” ~ 1 Corinthians 15:17

Under the dispensation of the law, the sin of blasphemy amounts to nothing but apostasy which is as a direct result of unbelief.

“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.” ~ Hebrews 6:4-6

I have learnt from experience that when apostates maul scripture, particularly the gospel, it’s obvious they are not walking by faith.  The end result is inevitable and will be revealed in time.  It always is.  It might take years for the end result of their folly to manifest itself, but it eventually will because of the law of sowing and reaping.

Some will give up on the faith of Christ altogether, others will turn back to the weak and beggarly elements of the law, others will become full-blown hyperdispensationalists, while others will turn to Universalism… as can already be noted of some.  This is where Bible mauling, man following-man pleasing, scripture twisting and leaning on one’s own understanding leads one…

Since I no longer wish to be privy to their scripture mauling, not to mention their ignorance and pride, I shall leave them to their own devices, praying they will be blameless on the day of Christ… and a warning to people that there are two groups of Right Dividers in particular on Facebook that one should beware of:

1.  Those who fall under Richard Jordan’s Shorewood Bible Church and Grace School of the Bible who promote Kenosis.

2.  Then there are those who are followers of Bullinger, in essence, Acts 28 theology, of who Atwood is basically the head honcho and who also  has shares in Truth Time Radio.

If one wants to know who all is associated with these people, all one has to do is take note of who preaches at their conferences, which apparently has become rather secretive of late.

Furthermore there are disagreements and splits happening among the two groups, in line with some who have uncovered yet another “long lost Pauline truth”.  “Cor blimey” in layman’s terms and what Paul called ” a new thing” in Acts 17:21.

If one thinks the devil isn’t active amongst Right Dividers, be assured he is, especially amongst unstable RDers, after all, it is his job to hide or twist the Truth…

Out of the two groups, the Acts 28 hybrids seem to be the most ignorant, what with women warriors, “truth seekers”, flat earthers, infantile attitudes (“I will show you!”), blah, blah, blah…..  it’s one huge snooze…. “fake it until you make it”? They also use big words such as “cognitive dissonance” and don’t know themselves what it means, steeped to the hilt in conspiracy theories….

The other group seem to be the “scholars”.  “What we gonna do tonight, Brain?”   “Take over the world!”  and in the interim….there is Jan Edward Wilbourn…  still trying to make sense of it all, leaning on his own understanding, telling people to post in love while he flips out every 2 seconds…. seriously dude, you shouldn’t even be teaching…. I don’t hate you, I just think you’re a “tad” confused and should leave the Bullingerite Party and learn some sound doctrine.

“But there will be no-one to fellowship with if I mark and avoid all these people”.

Welcome to the fellowship of his suffering… Philippians 3:10.

Form a new church with likeminded believers sans the dung of Kenosis and Bullinger.

 

 

 

 

 

When

Christ was crucified under the dispensation of the law.

What was made known at the time was that he died for his friends.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” ~ John 15:13

The mystery had not been revealed yet.

Who were considered to be God’s friends under the dispensation of the law during Christ’s earthly ministry?

“ Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” ~ John 15:14

Only once the mystery had been revealed to the Apostle Paul, did the true meaning of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection become a realisation.

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” ~ Romans 5:8

It was revealed that Christ had died for his enemies too once the ascended Christ revealed the mystery to Paul.

 

 

 

 

 

Give More Than Love

You may have heard it said that love is the answer, but is it true?

It surely sounds good, and with all the hate, war, and contention couldn’t we all use a little more love? What could possibly be wrong with love?

Actually, a lot can go wrong with love without Christ. Love can be perverted, distorted, and used for evil.

Who does not know “the love of money is the root of all evil” in 1 Timothy 6:10?

The Corinthians were living in love of fleshly indulgence (1 Cor 6:13-16). What’s wrong with love and happiness, if it does not harm anyone? Paul called it sin that did not glorify God (1 Cor 6:18).

Sinners can love each other without God, live darkened lives in love, and love pleasure more than God (Luke 6:32; John 3:19; 2 Tim 3:14).

Love is a message preached by every religion and secularist without Christ from Bahai to Buddha.

The pagan-Catholic Valentine’s day of love is celebrated across the world without Christ.

Loving people perish if they do not love the truth (2 Thess 2:10).

God is love, but Love is not God. Love without God is ungodly.

Love must be tempered by truth. Without the truth all our loving words and deeds become worldly. You cannot have the truth without Christ (Col 2:3).

Love is not the answer. Christ alone is as God commended his love toward us in Him (Rom 5:8).

If you want to show someone godly love, give them more than love. Speak the truth to them in love (Eph 4:15; 1 Cor 13:6; Eph 5:25-27).

Warning: this message may make people hate you.

~ http://www.graceambassadors.com

Another Gospel

“We declare unto you the forgiveness of sins which we preach unto you, which also ye have automatically received, By which also ye are not saved, if ye keep in memory what we preached unto you, unless ye have believed this in vain. For we delivered unto you first of all that which we received from Curt Crist, Steve Atwood, Jerry Lockhart, Kevin Wooten, Mark Gabert, Trey Searcy, Jan Edward Wilbourn and Zane Newitt, among others, who in turn received it from EC Moore, who in turn received it from EW Bullinger,  how that Christ died for everyone’s sins 2000 years ago at the cross for everyone to be forgiven by default, confirmed personally by Mary Deanovic to be true. He then burnt in hell, and rose again the third day for your salvation, this you must believe, otherwise you will land up in hell with all your sins forgiven.”

Ridiculous.

Why can’t people just believe what’s written in the Bible without proof-texting and wresting scripture out of context? The gospel of peace in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 is so simple and easy…

“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” ~ Galatians 1:8

Ignored – Ignorant

When one ignores certain scripture, one remains in one’s ignorance at one’s own peril.

Made free from sin or having one’s sins forgiven = righteous, righteousness:

“Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” ~ Romans 6:18

And what brings about the forgiveness of sins?

“But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.” ~ Romans 6:17

“that form of doctrine” is the doctrine revealed to Paul by the ascended Christ, that one needs to obey/believe in order to be freed from sin and in so doing becomes a “servant of righteousness”.  Believers are dead in Christ, having been crucified with Him, and those that are dead, have been freed from sin….

The context of Romans 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.  For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:  Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.  For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.” ~ Romans 6:6-10.

When one has been freed from sin, one should realise one cannot live one’s life as one pleases…

“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” ~ 1 Corinthians 6:20

 

 

 

 

 

Unique Cape Dutch Architecture

 

Bullingerism is Confusing

“…. they do not believe that the forgiveness of sins was 2000 years ago when Christ died for our sins, was buried and was raised again the third day for our justification.” ~ Mary Deanovic

First they accuse us of receiving the forgiveness of sins through faith, saying it’s wrong…  then they accuse us of not believing (having faith) that Christ died for our sins almost 2000 years ago…

Do these people even know what they believe?

“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” ~ 1 Corinthians 14:33

 

Israel’s Five Step Slide To Moral Apostasy

We as Saints can learn from this.

The Slide to Moral Apostasy
G. Williams makes this the 5 step path to apostasy:
i. Lust after evil things like they did – Numbers 11:4-6
ii. Idolize: replacing God with something else – Exodus 32:6
iii. Adultery, fornication: fellowship with the world – Numbers 25:1-9
iv. Faithlessness, infidelity, tempting God – Numbers 21:5-6
v. Murmuring against God, opposing him – Numbers 14:2-4

Flee these things and pursue purity – 2 Timothy 2:22, 1 Timothy 6:11

Taken from http://www.graceambassadors.com

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” ~ Romans 15:4

Ignorance Concerning The Basics Of Salvation

I am shocked, mortified and simultaneously horrified (but then again, not) that some who teach Right Division are ignorant to the fact that the twelve apostles and their followers were also IN CHRIST, and that before Paul because of their belief in the Kingdom Gospel.  If they weren’t in Christ before Paul, what existed prior to Acts 9, a vacuum?

“Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.” ~ Romans 16:7

Sadly, “those who were in Christ before Paul” has now become the new proof-text of the slippery downhill slide into never-never land that unbelievers too are in Christ because they all received the forgiveness of their sins 2000 years ago at the Cross, even though they weren’t present at the time to receive it…

This from a familial offshoot of the doctrinal mess that so happens to be the “Chattanooga choo choo”.

Is that the Chattanooga choo choo?
Track twenty-nine
Boy, you can gimme a shine
I can afford
To board a Chattanooga choo choo
I’ve got my fare
And just a trifle to spare”

 

 

 

 

 

Whilst I Was Spying Out Your Liberty 😭

“Pardon me” for thinking logically through your liberty because it just doesn’t make any sense to me… especially as it concerns the gospel…. and for those who say I do not have a life…. my life is hid with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3).  Christ is my life, scripture is my life…. I couldn’t think of anything more interesting and exciting.

When some men (and women) fail miserably at exegesis….  and faith is considered a work or agent for the forgiveness of one’s sins… what comes to mind is this:

Faith:

“… which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved,…” 1 Corinthians 15:1-2

One of the objects of one’s faith according to the gospel:

1.  “…. how that Christ died for our sins..” 1 Corinthians 15:3

The reason Christ died for one’s sins was in order for them to be forgiven, and the gospel tells one to have faith in “how that Christ died for our sins”.

If faith was not necessary to receive the forgiveness of one’s sins, it would be pointless incorporating it into the good news dispensed to the Apostle Paul.

The gospel would then read as follows:

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how  he rose from the dead for your justification”.

 

 

 

 

Past – Present – Future

[Past] ~ “And the times of this ignorance God winked at;

[Present] ~ but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

[Future] ~ Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men , in that he hath raised him from the dead.” ~ Acts 17:30-31

~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Past] ~ “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

[Present] ~ But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;” ~ Romans 3:20-21

~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Present] ~ “Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery,  [Past] ~ which was kept secret since the world began,

[Present] ~ But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:” ~ Romans 16:25-26

~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Present] ~ “But now in Christ Jesus

[Past] ~ ye who sometimes were far off

[Present] ~ are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” ~ Ephesians 2:13

~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Present] ~ “Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;

[Past]~ Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations,

[Present] ~ but now is made manifest to his saints:” ~ Colossians 1:25-26

[Present] ~ “Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway:

[Future] ~ for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.” ~ 1 Thessalonians 2:16

 

Now

“[1] Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;…..

[3] For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;”

~ 1 Corinthians 15:1&3

When we believe the gospel of Christ we receive atonement for our sins.

“And not only so , but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have NOW received the atonement.” ~ Romans 5:11

“Much more then, being NOW justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” ~ Romans 5:9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

❤❤The Twins❤❤

Bullingerism

Interesting how one realises why a certain group of people who perceive themselves as sound fundamental Mid-Acts 9 Dispensationalists, believe what what they do, and who has influenced their beliefs.

Some info relating to Bullinger:

• The late Ethelbert William Bullinger was an ordained Anglican clergyman.
• Although he could see the clear errors in the Church of England’s covenant theology, he never separated from them.
• He believed the earth was flat and was a member of the *Zetetic Society.
• He held to the Weslyan/Protestant/Reformed view of **common grace.
• He believed in soul sleep.
• Bullinger was not clear on the ***final state of the lost, hence many of his followers are annihilationists.
• The beliefs of the the Plymouth Brethren influenced some of his writings.
• Bullinger held that the body of Christ began after the end of Acts, which was not revealed until Paul’s prison epistles, (which is Acts 28 theology).

*The modern flat earth society has its roots in the Zetetic society which holds to pseudo-science.

**”Common Grace” is the Wesleyan-Reformed term otherwise known as “Universal Forgiveness” amongst Bullingerites, which is not the same as “Universalism”, which is also known as ” Universal Forgiveness”, where all are universally saved.  Bullingerism subtracts reconciliation from justification with one verse taken out of context: 2 Corinthians 5:19.

***Bullingerites are not very willing to discuss eternal damnation and hell, judgment, God’s wrath nor sin for that matter…

 

 

 

A Stumbling Block And Foolishness

At this time, God is longsuffering, making known the riches of his glory to all men.

“What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, ENDURED with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?” ~ Romans 9:22-24

Dealing with denominationalists and cults is actually dealing with people who have put themselves under the law like the Jews who sought righteousness by the law, that is to say, they sought salvation by their good works, their own righteousness… therefore today, Paul’s gospel and Pauline doctrine is a stumbling block or foolishness to them. Denominationalists perceive themselves to be the “new Jews” and adhere to the law.

Today, salvation by faith alone without works is a stumbling stone to most followers of mainline denominational Christianity, cults and all religions.. instead of being obedient to God and obtaining righteousness through faith alone in the Lord Jesus Christ’s finished work on the Cross for their sins and his resurrection on the third day… they ignorantly choose to rely on themselves, needing to be in control of their own salvation.

“Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;” ~ Romans 9:32

“What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.” ~ Romans 9:30

The Gentiles did not follow after righteousness, they were mostly rank heathens who worshipped idols.

“But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;” ~ 1 Corinthians 1:23

 

 

Lordship Salvationists

If one wants to know how bad Man really is, all one has to do is read the Bible.

The guys who profess to be saved by God’s grace, yet add their filthy rags to the salvation transaction….

“But we are all as an unclean thing , and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” ~ Isaiah 64:6

So what do Lordship Salvationists do with the Saints at Corinth? Ignore them? “But, but, but…..” Does Paul ever tell the Corinthians that they lost their salvation because of their behaviour?

“Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:” ~ 1 Corinthians 1:2

Problems, problems, problems… personally, I think that if the epistle to the Corinthians was written today, it would aptly be called “The Epistle to the Facebookians”.

“For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.” ~ 1 Corinthians 1:11

“And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.” ~ 1 Corinthians 3:1

Yet, Paul refers to them as babes – carnal, being fed milk, which today would in all likelihood be Facebook memes.

Most Facebookians cannot discern this ~

“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” ~ Ephesians 4:31-32

In tandem with this ~

“To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” ~ 1 Corinthians 5:5

“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” ~ Romans 16:17

Probably because they all have their very own ” Big Teddy Bear in the sky who doesn’t block anyone on Facebroke, but then gets really mean because he sends people to hell with all their sins forgiven….  except one, that is ~ unbelief.

Think on it:

Their Big Teddy in the sky sends unbelievers to hell because of one sin, and they call the universal forgiveness of 99% of their sins, “love” or “grace”….

One word: Gullible.

Neither do they understand the following verse:

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” ~ 2 Timothy 4:2

Facebookians as a whole do not understand what the word “longsuffering” means, they refer to it as “going on and on and on and I just cannot stand it anymore!”…

These folk are not faithful to the faith of Christ dispensed to the Apostle Paul by the ascended Christ…

“From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;” ~ 1 Timothy 1:6

Most post personal opinion without any scripture whatsoever, or if and when they do, they wrest it.

If one does not believe Christ rose from the dead on the third day, one is still in one’s sins, is wrested to read, “but Christ did resurrect on the third day, so everyone’s sins are forgiven…”

Oi. vey.  Makes one wonder, doesn’t it?

He did, but not everyone believes it, so they are still in their sin…. hence the reason Paul said, “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;” (1 Corinthians 15:1)

The Corinthians stood in the gospel Paul preached to them, however, at some point they swerved, “Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?” (1 Corinthians 15:12)

“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.” ~ Romans 16:18

Their Big Teddy of Farcebook Land, isn’t the God of the Bible.

“For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” ~ 2 Corinthians 11:4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Possibility of Receiving The Forgiveness Of Sins

The word “may” is a verb, either expressing possibility or is used to ask or give permission.

—————-

“I cooked for you that you may eat”

Whether you eat or not has no baring on whether or not I cooked..

The “may” is not conditional.

Acts 26:18 KJB
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 “may” is not conditional.” ~ Zane Newitt

versus:

“But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” ~ Romans 6:17-18

So who do you believe?  Zane’s words….. or Paul’s words?

If one cooks, another still has a choice to eat it or not.   Just as Christ provided the forgiveness of their sins, men choose either to believe it or not.

————-

“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.  For your obedience is come abroad unto all men . I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.”  ~ Romans 16:18-19

 

Sound Doctrine and Grace Believers Are Under Attack

As Grace believers, we believe Christ provided the forgiveness for our sins almost 2000 years ago and one receives it today through faith by the cross – by Jesus Christ – by the gospel as confirmed by scripture (Ephesians 2:16; Ephesians 3:6; Ephesians 1:5)

Making the following statement a blatant false accusation:

“They are so close to the preaching of the gospel of our salvation and even call themselves grace believers, but they do not believe that the forgiveness of sins was 2000 years ago when Christ died for our sins, was buried and was raised again the third day for our justification. That’s how Satan works, folks. Don’t be fooled by it.”  ~ Mary Deanovic

————————–

“If one is not forgiven unless and until he believed the gospel of Christ as some wrongly preach, Paul would have worded Romans 1:16 to convey that. It would have said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God UNTO FORGIVENESS to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” but that’s not what it says! It says the gospel of Christ is the power of God UNTO SALVATION to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek”.

FORGIVENESS WAS A DONE DEAL BY THE CROSSWORK OF CHRIST IN OUR STEAD AND GOD RAISING HIM FROM THE DEAD VICTORIOUS!” ~ Mary Deanovic

versus:

“But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being THEN made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” ~ Romans 6:17-18

So whose words do you believe?  Paul’s words…. or Mary’s words?

“Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)” ~ Galatians 1:1

 

 

 

 

Still Burning

The Outeniqua mountains are black, instead of blue.  The south-easter is stoking the fire. 

Good-Bye Big Beautiful Blue Bay

We are moving on….

 

The Karoo Sky At Night

“The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.” ~ Psalm 136:9

(These pics have not been photo shopped).

The Milky Way:Footnote:  I did not take these photos.

The Jacarandas This Year

“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” ~ Galatians 3:13-14

(I did not take this photo)

Karoo

From the Khoikhoi word meaning desert,  the karoo is a semi-arid region of South Africa.

(I did not take these photos)

Acts 28 Ministries To Avoid, Take IV…

The late Charles Baker and his followers.

Acts 28 doctrine can be subtle and sometimes poses as Mid-Acts Dispensationalism.

Believing Paul had two sendings is Acts 28 theology.  If it croaks like a frog…… guess what?  It’s a frog….

Believing Paul preached more than one gospel also croaks like a frog…. croak, croak, croak, croak…..

Strange thing about this theology is that the gospel they profess to believe is found in first Corinthians, which so happens to be a pre-prison epistle…. “written to the Jews”… oi vey…. the very people who were nigh and obviously not far off…. meaning, they were close to God because they were proselytes…. so, if they were nigh, why preach the gospel to them in the first place?

Crazy stuff.

“But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” ~ 2 Corinthians 11:3

There Is A Very Good Reason Why Paul Said This

“Not a NOVICE, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.” ~ 1 Timothy 3:6

Pride has been the downfall of many a neophyte or fledgling… who tries to teach others… thinking he has finally arrived… with a Baptist seminary degree under the belt, a video recorder and a whiteboard to boot… ready, steady….. go….?

Personally, nothing reeks more of ego than a self-proclaimed teacher with a whiteboard…. and if it’s a woman it looks even more ridiculous.

Are Baptists the new Right Dividers because they preach OSAS, but what most fail to understand, Baptists believe Israel’s kingdom gospel for their salvation (they also believe there’s only one gospel in the entire Bible).

Paul’s blueprint for the leaders of the church, which is mostly ignored today…

“This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be

blameless,

the husband of one wife,

vigilant,

sober,

of good behaviour,

given to hospitality,

apt to teach;

Not given to wine,

no striker,

not greedy of filthy lucre; but

patient,

not a brawler,

not covetous;

One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;  (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Likewise must the deacons be

grave,

not doubletongued,

not given to much wine,

not greedy of filthy lucre;

Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.” ~ 1 Timothy 3:1-10

Blameless.  Morally upright, irreproachable…. not to blame.

When Paul says a Bishop must be the husband of one wife, he means he must be married to one woman at a time, in other words, he must not be a bigamist or a polygamist.

Any guess why Paul stated why bishops and deacons must not be greedy for filthy lucre….. he could have used the word “mammon” instead, but “lucre” means it’s money obtained through dishonorable means… and the use of the word “filthy” to describe it (adverb), shows how it is perceived…… slimy and disgusting. Ill gotten gains.

There is nothing more dishonourable than standing behind a pulpit and fleecing people out of money, money for which they have more than likely worked hard for, to buy oneself a mansion, designer clothing, luxury cars, fancy trips overseas and gourmet food, then tell the very ones who one has fleeced, “God has blessed me”, when they in turn are struggling to survive….

Why don’t they (modern day denominational Pastors) practise what they preach and give tenfold, or even a hundred fold of their salaries to charity in order to reap the benefits of God’s grace when “sowing a seed”?

Because they know it doesn’t work?  Otherwise they would be doing it? Where is the faith they accuse everyone else of not having?

The reason why my late father wanted nothing to do with the church was because they were always asking for money….   the devil’s ministers of righteousness, among others, give Christianity a bad name.

Giving money to ministries today is based purely on the heart of the giver, and should be given exclusively to those who teach sound Pauline truth.

“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give ; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” ~ 2 Corinthians 9:7

More Acts 28 ministries To Avoid, Part III

http://www.truthtimeradio.com

http://www.understandingyourbible.com

 

 

Jealousy

“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. To imitate someone is to pay the person a genuine compliment — often an unintended compliment.”

When one writes… they write…

When one travels…. they travel…

When one discerns…. they also try to…. discern?

When a person is jealous of another, they imitate them…. they so want to be like them…. but do not ever accomplish it….. some people do not like who they are…

“Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.” ~ Song of Solomon 8:6

The One Thing I Really Detest

Is when mainline, institutionalised, denominationalism is noted as being Christian or even called the Church, the yardstick whereby everyone is measured.

Good works = being a Christian today, in other words, doing something like confessing one’s sins, tithing, repenting of one’s sins, et al apparently makes one a Christian…. not.

The gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) is about belief- faith- trust.  It’s not about “do and believe”, nor is it about “do”.

Charlatans without consciences, who profess to follow Christ according to his earthly ministry (2 Corinthians 5:16), who hold the big stick of the levitical law over their flock and rule them with a rod of iron.  Who appear to be so self-righteous, they make ordinary folk look like the scum of the earth, even the saved ones.

Charlatans who so happen to lend their favour to whomever tithes and fills their coffers.  Lost charlatans who do not know the gospel because it is hid from them (2 Corinthians 4:3), who preach works-based gospels in order to exercise complete control over the sheep who populate the pews of their Assemblies every Sunday.

“Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.” ~ Romans 1:25

 

More Acts 28 Ministries (Hyperdispensationalists) To Avoid

The late EW Bullinger and his followers.

The late Robert C Anderson and his followers.

The late Charles Welch and his followers.

“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; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;” ~ 1 Timothy 4:1-2

False Accusers

“Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” ~ 2 Timothy 3:3-5

Sometimes, one has to turn around and walk away from those who are false accusers of the truth…. let the law of sowing and reaping take its natural course.

There are a group of Saints who are under the impression that they do not have to take responsibility for their actions, who also think they are free from the consequences thereof…  they are under the impression that they will not be answerable one day for their words and deeds…. because they are saved by “the great big teddy bear in the sky”…. the same who believe Jesus burnt in hell for their sins….

“Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.  At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.” ~ 2 Timothy 4:14-16

 

Crazy Weather

People say there are weather patterns they have never seen here before…. a heatwave for a week, then gale force winds, then what seems to be arctic cold, then rain…. the wind doesn’t affect me as much as it used to, perhaps I need to check how I’m walking or standing, as I might already be leaning forward already, like the trees….. from the wind….. as the locals do (hahaha).

This isn’t Yorkie weather, Yorkies hate cold and rainy weather just as much as they hate being bathed….. did one know Yorkies have a good braking system?  They refuse point blank to go walkies in cold and wet weather…. so…… now we have two “Piddle Cats” on our hands as opposed to two “Cool Cats”.  Oi vey….

On a different note:

Paul uses the word “infidel” twice.  Infidel is the archaic or old fashioned word for unbeliever and is used for impact.

“And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?” ~ 2 Corinthians 6:15

The other time he uses it is in reference to a those who do not support their wives or families, or families who do not support widowed parents or fatherless children.

I am considering studying to become a lawyer as there are so many injustices in this world, particularly injustices with regard to money….. or more specifically…. the love of money… I am unable to fix the world, I’m old and wise enough to realise this…. but if I can help just a few people overcome the injustices of this world and give them the gospel to boot, the world would be a better place.

Ever encountered pathological liars, who lie so much, that they are unable to see their own (obvious) contradictions?  Liars do not have good memories…. ever encountered a person who says they do not lie?  They so happen to be the biggest liars of all….. when their lips are moving, they are lying.  $ad part of it all is that they start believing their own lies….. ever dug a hole so deep with lies that it’s difficult to get out of?

Some people, or shall I say, most people do not realise life is based on the law of sowing and reaping.  What one does has consequences, good or bad.  That’s life.  Sow unbelief in the gospel of Christ, reap God’s everlasting wrath.  Consequences aren’t always immediate, some are based over the long term… because of God’s longsuffering and mercy.

I will also add that sowing money into a denominational church today under the ruse of Israel’s levitical law is pure tom foolery as it just makes one poorer and the false ministries of these religious institutions richer, and that there is no tenfold, hundred fold or thousand fold return…  one of the biggest lies in existence today is Christian denominationalism.  It is headed and run by religious charlatans of the first order.

“The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.” ~ Proverbs 19:22

 

 

Wildfire

The fire is out of hand and is spreading fast, especially with the high winds…

 

Honeybush Tea

I’m not one for herbal teas, as personally they taste like medicine to me.  I prefer tea which is made from fruit, I also enjoy lemon tea….

Honeybush tea – good for you, but I’m not crazy over it… Rooibos tea (Red bush tea) – yuk, unless it’s made very strong, and with a lot of milk.

https://www.livestrong.com/article/257007-health-benefits-of-honeybush-tea/

 

Strelitzia

Otherwise known as “Bird of Paradise”, also indigenous to the Garden Route. (By the way, we pronounce ” route”, root).

 

 

The Garden Route ~ Eden

Is it any wonder the stretch of coastline between Port Elizabeth to Cape Town is officially known as “The Garden Route” or “Eden”.

The wild plants and flowers indigenous to this area, called fynbos (pronounced feignbos) is literally translated as “fine bush”, which does not grow anywhere else in the world.  Rooibos tea, a herbal tea (Red bush tea) (the yellow flower), is part of the fynbos family, so is honeybush tea, which only grows in a very small area, that being a 7km radius just outside of Port Elizabeth.

Interesting fact concerning fynbos, is that it needs fire in order to grow and survive.  The seeds need fire to be activated.  Fire occurs naturally in this region, but man seeks to curb it because it obviously threatens humans and domestic animals.  It’s called progress.  It reminds me that adversity strengthens one spiritually, and that Christianity thrives in adversity.

The reason why heresies abound ~ the soft, sugar-coated, cushy and over-indulged, western lifestyles enjoyed by the “I am blessed club” (materialistically and otherwise, in the flesh that is)…. one only needs to look around one to confirm this….

What doesn’t kill one, makes one stronger.

Strength through adversity, strength in adversity….

“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” ~ 2 Corinthians 12:10

The Beautiful Outeniqua Mountains are on Fire

This is due to the recent high temperatures, now high winds blowing in at 54km…. devastation 😭 People have been told to evacuate their houses….. luckily heavy rain has been forecast for today and it has already started…. hopefully also raining in George…

(The Outeniqua, named after the Khoikhoi, the indigenous people who once inhabited the area).

Rightly Dividing The Light

The Bible refers to God’s word as a light and lamp. When properly used by faith, it enlightens our understanding and guides us into righteousness.

“The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” – Psa 119:130

Yet, the Bible remains a dark book for many who find it hard to understand. It is not uncommon to find one passage instructing one thing and another instructing a contrary thing. With so many different “lights” the Bible can be confusing.

The answer to identifying the right light is to know that God’s word is revealed progressively, and so must be rightly divided.

It is Satan’s strategy to shine all the lights at once so as to confuse the light of prophecy with the light of the mystery of Christ (2 Cor 11:13-15).

Light Given to Israel

When God raised up Israel to be his chosen people he gave them his law as light from the Lord. As David wrote in the Psalms the law was a lamp to his feet and a light unto his path (Psa 119:105).

It was Israel’s responsibility and covenant to be light to the other nations who would go to Zion to learn God’s law (Rom 2:19).

“And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.” – Isa 60:3

“And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” – Isa 2:3

Jesus confirmed Israel’s position as a light to the nations in Matthew:

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

Walking in Israel’s Light

Walking in Israel’s light meant obeying God’s law and commandments.

“For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light;” – Prov 6:23

The way to be in this light of the law and prophets was to do good works.

“But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” – John 3:21

If anyone transgressed the law they were not in the light, but rather in darkness.

“He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.” – 1 John 2:9-10

The Glorious Light of the Gospel

However, God’s revealed light does not end with Israel and prophecy. There was still a mystery that God had kept secret until revealed to the apostle Paul (1 Cor 2:7-10).

Paul’s mystery gospel of the glory of the cross is also called light from God:

“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” – 2 Cor 4:6

It was a further revelation of God’s will (Eph 1:9-10), that all men could be saved freely by faith alone in the finished work of Christ on the cross.

It was to the church that God entrusted this manifold wisdom to enlighten all men to see the fellowship of this mystery (Eph 1:18).

“…to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:” – Eph 3:9

Walking in the Light of Grace

Since God has revealed his light in the gospel of the mystery of Christ, obedience to the law is no longer walking in the light.

Now, walking in the light is walking in the understanding of God’s gracious provision of salvation by the cross. We must reckon ourselves dead unto sin, and that we are not under the law (Rom 6:11-14).

When we live by faith in Christ according to the mystery, we are living in God’s light without the law (Rom 3:21, Rom 8:3-4). The difference is that we are living in light of the glorious gospel of Christ according to a mystery, not the light of prophecy given to Israel (2 Cor 4:4, Rom 16:25).

“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” – 2 Cor 4:4

There are many lights in the Bible. Following the wrong one may lead someone away from the gospel of Christ that saves today. Don’t think Satan is ignorant of this.

It is Satan’s strategy to confuse God’s word rightly divided by presenting as many contrary lights as possible (2 Cor 11:13-15).

When we rightly divide the light of prophecy from the light of the mystery, we are able to discern God’s will and word for us today.

~Justin Johnson – http://www.grace ambassadors.com

What Sin?

Postmodern Liberal logic:

Apparently there are no sins to be forgiven, as all were already forgiven.  So in effect, what sin sends people to hell, as most land up in hell with their sins forgiven?

Try the sin of unbelief which keeps one in one’s sins….

All sins have been forgiven (according to their logic), bar one… and probably they will soon call it the unpardonable sin (those “in the know”).

“Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.” ~ Titus 1:15

When liberal postmodernists state God forgave all men’s sins at the cross 2000 years ago, and everyone automatically has a debt of $ 0.00, they lie.  According to their theory, that debt should amount to $1.00, which is unbelief.

After all, all means all, not all, bar one.

“That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” ~ 1 Corinthians 2:5

 

 

Suffering

It gets said of marriage, “first comes the engagement ring, then the suffe ring”.

I say, the only suffering most Saints participate in, is this:

“For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise.” ~ 2 Corinthians 11:19

And not this:

“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” ~Philippiand 3:19

I once had a brother in law who was into Eastern religion, some Swami fellow was his guru who taught him how to levitate 1 metre off the floor…. he always said that he rejected Christianity because Christians were meant to suffer…. big joke.

I, at the time was a clueless Pentecostal, lost and religious… and I laughed back at him because I believed I had God’s promises to stand on…. who was meant to suffer?  Not I.  Of course, he was right, and I in my ignorance was wrong, those promises were given to Israel, not the Body of Christ.

We currently suffer on this earth in order for our innermen to be strengthened to rule in heavenly places.

Israel will suffer in times to come for her flesh to be strengthened in order to rule over a physical, earthly realm.

Competition Concerning Logistics

There seems to be competition among Saints, between those who walk the streets, preaching the gospel and those that are keyboard warriors… as those who walk the streets tend to boast and see only themselves as having the unique title of soldier…

Some should stop making themselves out to look grand when they themselves are on social media writing about politics… if one is out there, walking the streets, ya wouldn’t be on Facebook bragging, right? And if one does not study to be a WORKMAN, how would one know how to approach people with differing beliefs?

How does one preach the gospel to someone who is hungry? A common problem in Africa.  When a person is hungry, all they can think of is food, what does one think the chances are of such a person heeding the gospel one is preaching, and that with a full stomach?  Does one preach to them, that when they die of starvation they will go to heaven if they believe the gospel?

For that matter, why don’t these big mouth street soldiers come to South Africa with their lily white skins and walk the streets of the second most dangerous country in the world and see how far they get, chances are, they won’t survive to boast of their unique super human powers the following day…

Try Gugulethu, Alexandra and Hillbrow for an entree and see how that goes…  if one, by some miracle survived the ordeal, then try any inner city of South Africa for that matter… chances are, one will land up as another statistic on a crooked and corrupt bureaucrat’s desk and no-one will give a damn, except one’s family and friends.

People who boast in themselves are void of any consideration. In South Africa, when walking one’s friendly neighbourhood, one has to try and get past 1.8m high walls with electric fencing on top, an electric gate, closed circuit cameras, an intercom and a salivating pit bull or rottweiler on the other end, or both…. good luck with that… talk on social media is cheap, either way…. “Mam, I just shot your dog, climbed the perimeter wall, deactivated the electric fence with jumper leads as no-one answered when I buzzed the intercom, as I really need to preach the gospel to you”, won’t work…… ever.  ” Hello, Armed Response? we have a burglar here who looks like a Jehovah’s Witness ” said no South African homeowner ever….

Most out there hate it when I name names and heresies, because more often than not, they subscribe to the rabbit trails, the topsy turvy doctrine and bloated ministries I mention.  They see it as something that does not matter, and as “arguing and bickering amongst Right Dividers”.  Personally, I think that’s a rather limited point of view to have…

“Not boasting of things without our measure, that is , of other men’s labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly, To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s line of things made ready to our hand.  But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” ~ 2 Corinthians 10:15-17

How to circumvent the rottweiler, security guard, high walls, crime, mayhem and electric fencing:  with the internet.

After all, God gave us a brain, and in 21st century lala land we need to use it…  if one does not like the tools and logistics I employ to preach the gospel, tough!  It’s between me and God, and I will be judged for it one day, not anyone else.

 

 

 

Acts 28 Ministries To Be Avoided

To name a few which must be marked and avoided:

Those who follow the teachings of the late EC Moore and Jim Brackin.

The Berean Bible Society

More to follow…

Fellowship Required For The Renewal of One’s Mind?

The “Skin Deep Ministry” of congregating around tea, coffee, cake, cookies, BBQ, wine and the like, tells one, one cannot possibly be renewed in one’s mind without Christian fellowship.

Yet, there is absolutely no renewal of one’s mind to be had with Saints who go off on rabbit trails, follow another Jesus, and believe and teach unsound doctrine…. impossabru…

“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” ~ Philippians 3:10

Persecution, a hypothetical situation:  A Saint is thrown in jail with just a KJB Bible, all the other Saints have either been murdered or are too afraid to visit. Will this saint, who studies the Bible rightly divided and who is a workman not be renewed in his/her mind?

Unsound doctrine and pastors, a hypothetical situation: A Saint does not believe kenotic theology, nor universal forgiveness (unconditional election), so there is absolutely  no foundation for fellowship.  Will this Saint not be renewed in his/her mind who possesses a KJB Bible and rightly divides the word of truth?

Is the power of fellowshipping with Saints who are in error more powerful than the study and application of God’s word?

Things are so bad out there lately that sound Pauline teachers and doctrine are now being seen as error…. even faith in Christ’s forgiveness of one’s sins is seen as religion…

“Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.” ~ Philippians 3:17

One must find the few good men out there and mark them and follow them.  It’s the 21st century, there’s the internet, KJB Bibles rightly divided, sound ministries…. why bother with shallow fellowship which has its roots in heretical doctrine, decorated with food and beverages to look attractive and welcoming, not to mention stilted Facebook groups which are filled with heretics where Kenosis and/or Universal forgiveness is the order of the day?

Thank God For Your Fellowship

Christians use the word ‘fellowship’ loosely.

When Christians invite church friends over to watch the game, have a backyard picnic party, or go on a relaxing vacation they call it fellowship.

Many churches contain a banquet hall and kitchen that would match most restaurants. They call them fellowship halls.

When Christians want to just hang out or shoot the breeze under the guise of ministry, it is sanctified by calling it fellowship.

They keep using the word fellowship to describe fun, friendships, and food, but I don’t think it means what they think it means.

Fellowship in the Gospel

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, … For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now…” – Philippians 4:3-5

Paul was grateful for their fellowship in the gospel.

Paul was tasked with “making all men see the fellowship of the mystery” (Eph 3:9). The Philippians saw it and were partakers of the gospel of grace given to Paul (Phil 1:7).

There is a comfort that comes when two people have in common a mutual faith (Rom 1:12). More than simply sharing the same hobbies or preferences, having a mutual faith means that you are both standing on the same foundation and have a unity of Spirit (Eph 4:3).

As more brothers and sisters are established on God’s word without error rightly divided it is a joy to see their confidence increase, their assurance of salvation, and their growth in spiritual understanding.

It is hard to change what someone else likes or dislikes, but we can establish one another in true fellowship of the gospel when we work to make all men see the fellowship of the mystery.

Fellowship in Ministry

All those who are saved by the gospel have fellowship in Christ, but the Philippians were also fellow laborers with Paul in the Lord’s ministry (Phil 4:3; Phil 4:15).

They understood the gospel, the importance of the ministry the Lord gave the church, and were participating in doing the work.

Ministry requires a change of mind and heart, and when others in mutual faith work with you in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, they become extremely desirable.

“For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.” – Phil 1:8

There are some bonds that are only forged by fire, and ministry produces the fellowship of suffering that fellow soldiers face as they strive together (Phil 1:27).

There are fewer folks who can claim this fellowship, but for everyone that is involved in the work I am extremely grateful to God for working in them to do His pleasure.

Faithful Fellowship

This fellowship is rare and goes beyond hanging out or sharing a coffee. Fellowship that is thankworthy is the kind that endures from the “first day until now” in the truth (Phil 1:4).

Frequently, fellowship starts on the right foot, but then many start to partake of other ministries that are not God’s, preach another Jesus, receive other spirits, or preach other gospels (2 Cor 11:3-4). Fellowship is broken.

Fellowship requires having something in common. Fellowship in the gospel requires the same gospel message. Fellowship in Christ requires the same Christ. Fellowship in ministry requires faithfulness to perform the right ministry with the right heart.

What Paul had in common with the faithful Philippians was a common faith, partnership in ministry, unity of the Spirit, and communion with the Lord Jesus Christ. That they continued from the “first day until now” was cause for thanksgiving.

Thank God

Bible fellowship is more than fun, food, and friends. You do not need God for that kind of physical enjoyment.

Fellowship is what God provides when His word works effectually in those that believe the gospel and grow up in the Lord Jesus Christ.

“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing…” – 1 Thess 2:13

Thank God for fellowship with like minded believers who will fight with one mind for the love of the truth.

If that is you, thank God for your fellowship.

~ Justin Johnson ~ http://www.graceambassadors.com

Abraham’s Seed of Promise

The Galatians were being convinced that they needed to become circumcised law keeping proselytes to receive God’s blessings.

Their teachers said that Paul taught the same thing as them having learned it from the same people in Jerusalem.

In reality, Paul received his gospel directly from the Lord Jesus Christ, and spends the first two chapters to the churches in Galatia saying as much.

In chapter 3, he begins his argument that blessing does not require the works of the law, circumcision, or becoming Abraham’s seed in the flesh.

The Promise By Faith

“Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” – Gal 3:2

Of course, we receive the Spirit by faith.

Abraham, too, received his blessing by faith, and is the classic example of faith in Israel. He did not receive his promises with conditions, or his blessing by his works, but by the hearing of faith (Gen 15:6).

“So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.” – Gal 3:9

The law that the Galatians were being persuaded to keep was a curse and could not justify anyone. Christ became a curse for us and removed the curse of the law, so that the blessing by faith could come to everyone not through the law.

Any uncircumcised Gentile could now receive the promise of the Spirit, justification by faith, the gospel of Jesus Christ through faith.

“…that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” – Gal 3:14

The Single Seed

Abraham and his seed received promises, but not every seed of Abraham received them.

“For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.” – Rom 9:6-7

Abraham’s promises were not inherited by every child he had, as if the promises were for Abraham to have many children. The promise was that he would have a single child, a single seed, the child of promise.

It is true that God promised Abraham a multiplied seed (Gen 13:6), but God did not promise that every son of Abraham would receive the promises.

Isaac was the one God chose to inherit Abraham’s promises, and Jacob after him. Abraham’s promised blessings, received by faith, foreshadowed the coming of Christ, the promised one.

There is only one Christ, not many.
There is only one way to receive the blessings through Christ: by faith (Gal 3:22).

Children of God, Abraham’s Seed

The law was added to teach the need for justification by faith (Gal 3:24).

Once the object of faith came, there was no more need for the schoolmaster. God chose Abraham. God chose Issac. God chose Jacob. God chose to save by faith through Jesus Christ and his finished work.

We are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus, not by works, nor circumcision, nor by being part of Israel.

We are children of God by being one in Christ Jesus.

Abraham’s singular seed, Isaac, was the child of the promise. Abraham’s seed of promise is Christ. Abraham’s seed was of promise by faith, not by the works of the law.

If we be Christ’s by faith, then we are blessed with faithful Abraham in his seed and we receive the promise of the Spirit through faith (Gal 3:9; Gal 3:14).

“And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” – Gal 3:29

We are not heirs because we are Israel or because we are now children of the covenants and the prophets. We receive inheritance not according to the law, circumcision, or Israel, but according to the promise which is by faith.

Conclusion

Many fail to realize that Paul is not denying the promises God will fulfill with the nation Israel (Rom 11:26-29). Neither is he saying that the church is Israel by putting them into Abraham’s earthly promises.

He is simply explaining how God’s blessings can be received by Gentiles apart from the law, circumcision, and Israel.

The only way God can bless Gentiles apart from these three things was the same way he blessed Abram without the law, circumcision, and Israel… by faith.

~ Justin Johnson – http://www.grace ambassadors.com

 

Promise In Christ Or A Covenant

There are two ways to buy a house: make a promise to pay in the future, or pay it all up front.

If you make a promise to pay, the provision is always future, and there is always a possibility that either party can breech the contract. Paying up front makes a promise to pay needless, but requires a huge one time payment.

Salvation is a purchase of God. He redeems lost sinners while building an eternal house. Since the world began, God has been building the house of Israel for an eternal inheritance on the earth. He did not provide the inheritance up front, so he gave Israel a promise to pay, a covenant of promise.

Israel’s covenants of promise were God’s obligations to provide salvation, blessing, and earthly inheritance in the future.

To make the promise sure, covenants were declared. How does Israel know the promise is sure? The covenant is made in blood and guaranteed with death of the buyer. This is called a surety or mortgage (a death promise).

God made a promise to pay to Israel, a divine mortgage, to be fulfilled in his kingdom come to the earth. The blood of Christ was the down payment and surety of the future provision for that nation.

The Fulfillment of God’s Mortgage

Israel was blessed with these covenants of promise. He made no such covenants of promise with any other nation. While God’s complete provision is extended to the future, the promise ensures it will be Israel that will inherit the earth.

When the terms of the covenants of promise are fulfilled, then there is no longer any need for the covenants. They are finished. The mortgage can be ripped up, because the house is paid for.

However, Israel’s covenants of promise have not yet been fulfilled. They have not yet received their salvation, worldwide blessing, earthly inheritance, or many other promises given to them through their covenants of promise (Heb 8:11; 13:14; Rom 11:26-27).

This is why God’s covenants are critical for the future earthly inheritance of Israel. Without them, what hope do they have that God will make final payment?

God’s Present Payment Plan

Today, we are not partakers of God’s promises in covenants to receive future salvation and blessing. God has another payment plan that has bought the house of God, which is the church, the body of Christ (1 Tim 3:15).

God has already promised an earthly habitation to Israel through a covenant of future promise. The new creature abides in heavenly places, and we can be placed into this household today if payment is provided in full immediately.

This transaction with the church of God is described through the revelation of the mystery of Christ, which is without Israel and without covenants. Instead of striking a covenant with the church for future provision, God has declared this purchase paid in full through the blood of Christ.

Just like paying for a house up front, this required a huge lump sum payment in the beginning. The cross is where we find this sufficient payment for all.

No More Waiting

Before the revelation of the mystery of Christ, the only way to receive any hope of salvation or blessing from God was through Israel’s covenants of promise. Israel’s covenants of promise are still waiting future provision.

But now the blood of Christ is offered for direct entry into the household of God (Eph 2:13).

Since Christ has already made the full payment through his blood, and there are no other obligations to the church, God can provide everything to us now without the need for a covenant.

Whereas Israel’s covenant promises them a complete package when the kingdom comes, we are complete in Christ now (Col 2:10). Whereas Israel is still waiting for their Day of Atonement where the blood of Christ is applied to their nation, we have “now received the atonement” (Rom 5:11).

There is no more waiting for the fulfillment of Israel’s covenants of promise to receive salvation. What they have been promised in payment, we now possess. Now is the day of salvation by the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery!

Christ has done it all, it is all paid for up front the moment we believe (Eph 1:13).

Christ vs. Covenant

How very different trusting the finished payment of Christ is from trusting a future promise of provision. Christ and a covenant are different. Christ is a person who made a payment. A covenant is a promise that has not yet been provided. If the promise has been delivered, rip up the mortgage!

If a house is paid for up front, there is no covenant or promise that is needed, there only need be the person rich enough to pay for it.

We have that person in the Lord Jesus Christ, and the riches are unsearchable (Eph 3:8)!

Our message today is not one of entering into contract with God, or partaking of God’s promise in a covenant made with Israel. We preach that all men can partake of God’s promise in Christ by the mystery gospel (Eph 3:6).

While no believer would deny God’s faithfulness to keep his promises to Israel, and it was because of those promises that Christ came, especially now that we know the mystery of God’s will in Christ, but certainly possessing a thing is much better than a future promise of a thing.

According to the mystery of Christ, the body of Christ now preaches and possesses salvation, whereas Israel is still waiting the fulfillment of their covenants of promise made for the earth.

God will keep the covenants for Israel through Christ, but beware of anyone who would take your paid for house in heavenly places and put it back under a mortgage! They are robbing you of the unsearchable riches of Christ!

~ Justin Johnson – http://www.graceambassadors.com

Heatwave

So far, the fourth day of very high temps, in the region of 40°C…. and nothing but blue skies above….. that is an actual photo taken of the sky today.  I have a permanent tan nowadays… and the little red flower is a Hibiscus….. indigenous to Hawaii?

 

Take Two, The Final Episode Of The Half-Baked Reconciliation Saga

Writing this in between “Yorkie Patrol”, otherwise known as, ” Yorkie Standby”. Put plainly: “Mom, we want to pee…” say the Yorkies to me.

I think…. I thunk…  I understand it now, that about the one-sided reconciliation, that is.

According to 2 Corinthians 5:19 they believe God reconciled the world unto himself.  So the world is reconciled to God now, according to their belief…

Got it?  God reconciled the world unto himself.  Remember:  the world is reconciled….

But further down Paul beseeches those in the world, “be ye reconciled to God”, but if the world (which one is a part of) is already reconciled to God, why would Paul still beseech people to be reconciled to God? “Hello, ya just said God reconciled the world unto himself…”

And here’s where the absurdity strikes one silly…

“Nah”, they say, ” God is reconciled to the world, but one needs to be reconciled to God”…. But they just said, God reconciled the world unto himself…

If God reconciled the world unto himself as they say, not imputing anyone’s sins…. why would someone have to beseech one to be reconciled to God, because one already is (reconciled to God, that is).

And there are people out there who believe this stuff?  Doesn’t anyone out there think for themselves anymore?

To go boldly where no man has gone before…. to reach new heights of absurdity, where they will probably also prove that the devil will be saved and we can all hold hands and sing in unison.  Ya know which song, right?

“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” ~ 1 Corinthians 14:33

 

 

Let’s Talk About Love

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” ~ Romans 8:35

According to some, what separates one from the love of Christ is having one’s sins forgiven but landing up in hell, because one didn’t believe they were forgiven 2000 years ago…. never mind all the other dastardly things like tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril or sword that are unable to separate one from the love of Christ…

They say God loved all of mankind enough to forgive their sins at the Cross 2000 years ago…. but his love (according to their belief) is obviously limited, because…

“Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” ~ Romans 8:39

Oops! Paul forgot to include “going to hell with one’s sins forgiven” to the list of things which cannot separate one from the love of Christ, because it does just that… silly me…

Some have a Sunday School mentality concerning the nature and character of God.  They see him as a big, soft, teddy bear kinda fella in the sky, handing out unconditional forgiveness to all, irrespective of their unbelief and enmity towards him.  The big softie in the sky who wanted so dearly to reconcile with mankind, he made amends at the cross in order to be reconciled to all men, but not all men want to be reconciled to him, the reason why they refuse to believe the gospel…

Has one ever thought how things would work if one is reconciled to an estranged family member or friend, but they refuse to be reconciled to you?  Once anyone figures out how this type of “relationship” works, inbox me with a feasible explanation, but until then, I will file the notion under, “Dysfunctional 21st Century Politically Correct Religious Claptrap”.

Does one realise that there are almost 7 billion people on this earth who are running around, ignorant of the fact that their sins were forgiven 2000 years ago?  A God who forgives one’s sins unconditionally, but doesn’t tell anyone… does anyone else smell a rat?  A men-pleasing, appeasing rat… that is.

One would think God was so hard-up for companionship and fellowship, that he decided to reconcile himself to the world unconditionally.  So if God reconciled the world unto himself 2000 years ago, where does that leave the devil who so happens to be the god of this world.  Talk about a conflict of interests… a world reconciled to God, ruled by the god of this world… now that really makes a lot of sense.  Not.

Wait a minute… didn’t they say God reconciled himself to the world, but the world isn’t reconciled to God?  (“Be ye reconciled to God”) then why do they say he reconciled the world unto himself?  Silly question:  Anyone confused yet?

By Whom & In Whom

THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS – SALVATION IS SOLELY PROVIDED BY WHOM:

Provider: The Lord Jesus Christ. Access: by faith into his grace.

“BY WHOM also we have ACCESS by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” ~ Romans 5:2

One receives grace for obedience to the faith. No obedience to the faith, no grace. Wrath awaits you.

“For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.” ~ Colossians 3:6-7

“BY WHOM we have RECEIVED grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith AMONG ALL NATIONS, for his name:” ~ Romans 1:5

Among all nations = world.

Baptist theology: “…. by whom we HAD received the atonement 2000 years ago at the cross” …. but we weren’t even born yet…

“And not only so , but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have NOW received the atonement.” ~Romans 5:11

HOW DO WE POSSESS THE ACTUAL FORGIVENESS OF SINS? EXCLUSIVELY IN CHRIST.

“IN WHOM we HAVE redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” ~ Ephesians 1:7

Baptist theology: “By whom we HAD redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins 2000 years ago, according to the riches of his grace”

Why do people always choose the weak and beggarly road of feel good denominationalism that “God loves everyone”? Fact is, He doesn’t. Those who are not saved are still in their sin, and if they do not repent, they will experience his wrath firsthand. We, the members of the body of Christ who were lost and in our sins, were once God’s enemies too, but once we repented, we became his adopted children whom he now loves.

“And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled” ~ Colossians 1:21

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” ~ Romans 5:8

Who is the “us” that God COMMANDS his love TOWARDS? The body of Christ. God knows who will believe the gospel and who won’t, but all are given a fair and equal chance, the reason why we need to preach it to all men, as we do not know who will believe it and who won’t…

“Nor height, NOR DEPTH, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” ~ Romans 8:39

Seems those who land up in hell with their sins forgiven have been separated from the love of God…?

What else does this verse say? “… the love of God, which is IN CHRIST Jesus our Lord”.

One needs to clarify the difference between God’s mercy, longsuffering and his love.

Yet one, as a Saint is to have love for the lost in order to give them a chance at being pulled out of the clutches of eternal damnation by the preaching of the gospel.

“Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” ~ Romans 13:10

The next lost person one meets could be a future member of the body of Christ. Only God knows…

Think about it.

“To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, MERCY, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.” ~ 2 Timothy 1:2

“Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I OBTAINED MERCY, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.” ~ 1 Timothy 1:13

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but ACCORDING TO HIS MERCY he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” ~ Titus 3:5

Baptist theology: “….. but according to his love he forgave our sins 2000 years ago at the cross…”

Some have a thing about time and location. The rest of us believe the finished work by Jesus Christ on the cross and his resurrection…

God’s provision for our sins is still in effect, almost 2000 years after the event….. God is longsuffering.

“Howbeit for this cause I obtained MERCY, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all LONGSUFFERING, for a pattern to them which should HEREAFTER believe on him to life everlasting.” ~1 Timothy 1:16

The law of..

There are different laws, some of which are in effect today, and others which are not.

The law of Moses, which is not in effect today:

“And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;” ~ Luke 2:22

The law of the Jews, which is not in effect today:

“While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all.” ~ Acts 25:8

“Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;” ~ Ephesians 2:15

The law of faith, which is definitely in effect today, as one needs to have faith in the gospel to be saved:

“Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.” ~ Romans 3:27

The law of sin, which is in effect today, as there are many people who are lost and in their flesh, in the captivity of sin:

“But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my member” ~ Romans 7:23

The law of righteousness, which is in effect today, and which can only be attained to by faith in Christ’s finished work on the cross and resurrection, not by works of the law:

“But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.” ~ Romans 9:31

The law of Christ, which is definitely in effect today, but sadly almost nobody in the BoC adheres to:

“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” ~ Galatians 6:2

The law of liberty, which is not in effect today because it pertains to the New Testament Saints who will one day have to continue (endure to the end) therein:

“But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein , he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” ~ James 1:25

 

 

Bought, Paid For With His Blood and Pain and Suffering

The Body of Christ, the church is a purchased possession.

“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” ~ 1 Corinthians 6:20

“Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.” ~ 1 Corinthians 7:23

“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” ~ Acts 20:28

“Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” ~ Ephesians ,1:14

Our spirits are redeemed, unfortunately, not the same can be said of our bodies.  We are waiting for the adoption, namely, the redemption of our bodies.

“And not only they , but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit , the redemption of our body.” ~ Romans 8:23

The Body of Christ (us) is the predestined adopted children of God by Jesus Christ, who has made us accepted in the beloved (in Him), in whom we have redemption through his blood, which means our sins have been forgiven, according to the riches of his grace, the gospel.

“Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” ~ Ephesians 1:5-7

“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” ~ Acts 20:24

How many out there see grace only as God being kind to mankind, when in reality God’s grace is the gospel, how that Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again on the third day?  The same gospel which is extended to all men in order that they might believe in order for their sins to be forgiven, the same which saved people already possess ~

“IN WHOM we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins…”

In whom….

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” ~ Romans 8:2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOW to him that worketh..

“Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

Those in this dispensation who work for their salvation (or try to), the reward is reckoned of debt.  In other words, they still owe, and will do so until the day they die, because they haven’t received, neither have they believed God’s grace whereby their sin debt is/ can be cancelled.  Their works can never justify them in the sight of God.  

But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

To the individual that does not do good works for salvation, but rather believes the gospel, his faith is counted for righteousness.  One’s faith is the key to obtaining God’s righteousness.  Of course, faith must have an object, in this instance it’s the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

Even as David ALSO describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,

King David also mentioned or described the very same thing.  Those whose sins are forgiven (present tense), whose sins are covered (present tense), are blessed.

Saying , Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

BLESSED is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.”

~ Romans 4:4-8

“And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying , In thee shall all nations be BLESSED” ~ Galatians 3:8

“So then they which be of faith are BLESSED with faithful Abraham.” ~ Galatians 3:9

 

“Has Not” or “Will Not”?

“Blessed is the man to whom the Lord HAS NOT imputed sin.” ~ Imaginations 4:8

~ Past tense “has not imputed”.

Doesn’t Romans 4:8 beg the following questions, why Paul (saying David ALSO said the same thing),  ~

1. does not say “men”, plural, after all, “the world” is made up of men, plural.

2. Why didn’t he say “all men” for that matter?

3. When he said “the man”, he meant individuals who believe the gospel and are saved, they are the individuals who are blessed in this dispensation; to whom God isn’t imputing sin; (Galatians 3:8-9).

4. If Christ forgave everyone’s sins 2000 years ago, Paul would have used the word ” imputed”, past tense and would not have preached Galatians 3:9;

The hereticks’ different variations of Romans 4:8:

“Blessed are all men to whom the Lord HAS NOT imputed sin.”

“Blessed is mankind to whom the Lord HAS NOT imputed sin.”

“Blessed are the men to whom the Lord HAS NOT imputed sin.”

“Blessed is the world to whom the Lord HAS NOT imputed sin.”

~~~~~~~~~~

“Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” ~ Romans 4:8

~ Now. Present tense. When one believes the gospel, the Lord will not/does not impute sin to one’s account. “Impute” – present tense.

“(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.” ~ Romans 5:13

Paul said “but sin IS not imputed….”. Why didn’t he say, “(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin WAS not imputed because there is NO LAW”. Isn’t this how some people read this verse?

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“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye ARE not under the law, but under grace.” ~ Romans 6:14

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“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 letter.” ~ Romans 7:6

Who is Paul addressing in the epistle to the Romans?

“By whom we have RECEIVED GRACE and APOSTLESHIP, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: Among whom are ye also THE CALLED OF JESUS CHRIST: To all that be in Rome, BELOVED OF GOD, called to be SAINTS: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.” ~ Romans 1:5-7

God is reconciling the world unto himself by the Cross, by Jesus Christ today.

“And all things are of God, who hath reconciled US to himself BY JESUS CHRIST, and hath given to US the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto US the word of reconciliation. NOW THEN we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-20

The Ministry of reconciliation we’ve been given, namely (to wit), how that Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again on the third day, also informs us that we have salvation security since our sins are no longer being imputed to us because we believe Christ took them all upon himself, hence the reason we do not repent of them nor confess them. He took them all and never gives them back to us.

“Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also SEALED us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” ~ 2 Corinthians 21-22

“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,” ~ Ephesians 1:13

When one trusted the gospel of one’s salvation after having heard it, meaning, after one believed Christ’s (in whom) finished work on the Cross and resurrection, one was sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.

Nowhere in Paul’s writings does it say the seal can be broken to impute those sins back to us for us to lose our salvation.

“For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.” ~ Romans 4:13

 

Of Ale And Dragons

“Jesus paid for your sins but you’ll pay for them again in hell if you don’t believe.

That my friends is called “Limited Atonement” and “Double Jeopardy”.

“Paid for” appears nowhere in scripture…

They were imputed to Christ’s account and bled out…. Period.”

Polly wants a cracker.

If “Jesus paid for one’s sins and one pays for them again in hell if one doesn’t believe” is called Limited Atonement”, I wonder what “Jesus paid for one’s sins, so all are forgiven, but one stands a 99% chance of landing up in hell anyway” means?  Rank inanity?

Where is the atonement when landing up in hell with one’s sins forgiven?

Some people need to read Romans 6 – slowly.

And…. where in the Bible does it say “bled out…. Period”?

Obviously some do not know what Limited or Definite Atonement means, nor Double Jeopardy for that matter….. can someone say “Strawman”?

Double jeopardy means a person, the same person that is, cannot be tried for the same crime twice…. are we and Jesus the same people?

What this “teacher” and “preacher” sees as Limited Atonement, is rightly known as “Provision & Possession”, something he clearly was not taught at the Baptist seminary he attended…. so Unconditional Election it sadly is that drives his doctrine, that God handed out forgiveness to all, but most land up in hell regardless…

If people land up in hell with the their sins forgiven, then God is unjust.  Isn’t it fact that heresies always affect God’s character somehow? Because people only ever land up in hell because of unrighteousness, which is sin.

… in certain aspects I would imagine, it would be best to stick to the doctrine of Welsh Ale and Dragons…?

“But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” ~ 2 Corinthians 4:2

 

 

Alcoholism

Who knows that one gets different types of alcoholics?

One would think alcoholics don’t/can’t work because they’re always inebriated.  Not true.   There’s the functional alcoholic who can and does work.

I have (had) a few alcoholics in my family, all who have been functional, it’s just that they were unable to function without alcohol… as opposed to not being able to function at all.

I am of the opinion that something really bad must have occurred in peoples’ lives for them to use alcohol as a coping mechanism.  In my family it was wrong choices in marrying the wrong people and not having the courage to undo it all.  I have firsthand experience of what that does to families.  The children take tremendous strain and suffer into adulthood because of it, and most of the time they also turn to alcohol in order to cope.

There are quite a number of saved functional alcoholics that I know of – one can clearly see it in the manner in which they speak and in their general mannerisms, and of course, by some of their topsy turvy doctrine, but most of all, one can see it it in their shamelessness which they call their “liberty in Christ”.

If one is so naive as to think that some do not read the Bible when they’re “filled to the gills”, one is sadly mistaken.   It is cold fact.  One gets all types out there, unfortunately.  It doesn’t mean that if one is saved that life hasn’t negatively  affected one in some way.

With alcoholics, it’s always a laugh or joke a minute… it’s their way of hiding the hurt and inability of dealing with the harsh reality that is their lives – past or present.

Today, sadly it’s either drugs or alcohol or even both which people cannot live without.  I see it every day, I experienced it as a child through various family members, I know the signs….. a person’s demeanour and language are a dead give away….

I currently live in the Western Cape Province which is the drug capital of South Africa.  For the first time in my life I am seeing the harshness, cruelty and destruction caused by drug and alcohol abuse. Meth addicts walking around with open, weeping sores on their bodies, marijuana users who are totally out of touch with reality….. alcoholics who make out as if their lives are great (when they clearly aren’t).

There are a lot of people out there who are hurting…. people without hope, people who think the solutions to their problems are found at the bottom of a bottle….. or many a bottle…. that is.

Saved people who do not know who they are in Christ, who are men pleasers, these are normally the reasons for the alcohol and drug dilemma in the body of Christ.

Sometimes (as my late father professed), one has to burn one’s fingers to learn a lesson in life, so unfortunately one has to leave some to their own devices, because they are ignorant as to how life works.

Alcoholics and drug abusers not only abuse themselves, but others too.  It’s a sad, sad situation…… truly it is.

“Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.” ~ Proverbs 31:6

 

Two Bundles Of Fur On A Rainy Day

Fellowship

Time and again I think of how great it would be to fellowship with ALL Saints, but alas, we do not speak the same things because we do not believe the same things.  We do not speak the same language, so to speak.

How can one possibly be expected to have anything to do with saved people on the one hand, who believe and venomously propagate a subtle form of Calvin’s Unconditional Election and Acts 28 theology (everyone’s sins are forgiven but not everyone is saved and Paul only preached to Jews and Gentiles that were nigh in his pre-prison epistles), and on the other hand, there are those who hold to and preach Kenosis.

It’s a minefield out there.   These are major issues.   As a Saint, one does not lower the bar, one rather raises the bar, irrespective of judgment and condemnation.

This blog is a Unconditional Election – Two Sendings of Paul – Kenotic Theology – Acts 28 theology free zone.

Why do I say “everyone’s sins are forgiven, but not everyone is saved” falls under the banner of Calvin’s Unconditional Election? Because they believe God doesn’t send people to hell for their sins, but rather as He deems fit, that’s why, according to their thinking, people go to hell with their sins forgiven….

Unconditional Election is comprised of two different types of grace, one of which is of no consequence (everyone’s sins are forgiven: as if it matters or makes a difference, as the vast majority of people land up in hell anyway), and the other, which is activated by faith when one believes one’s sins are forgiven….. is this making any sense……?

It’s complicated…..  like most doctrines of devils are….. unlike the simplicity that is in Christ. Why believe one’s sins are forgiven, if they’ve already been forgiven? Because they cannot be unforgiven.

Another thing, imagine those from this dispensation landing up in hell with their *sins forgiven* and meeting those from previous dispensations who are in hell because they died in their sins…. does this, would this make God a just God?

It’s like doing something for one’s child, which is of no consequence, and totally pointless.   “I have taken away the very thing which stops you from being bad, but I will still punish you anyway….. I know you think what I’ve given you is great…. but you still have to tow the line….. and will only be good when you believe it…. or else….”

The god of Calvinism is not the God of the Bible!  The vast majority of Right Dividers believe and spread major heretical doctrine, so one must be careful of who one associates with and what books one reads.

And yes, there ARE actually people out there who believe this stuff – plenty.

“But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” ~ 2 Corinthians 11:3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision

Who knows that certain things in life are provided for all men, but not all men take advantage of these things?

God provided the way through Christ for the forgiveness of mankind’s sins, but most men reject God’s provision for same.

The reason why most people reject Christianity is because they are told they have to work themselves into heaven with good works, which they see as hard work or too much work.

The reason why the vast majority of religionists accept Christianity is because they believe they can control their own destinies by working themselves into heaven.  They are convinced that having faith in their rotten flesh is all it takes to please God.

Yet, God’s provision for one’s sins is still on offer today, after almost 2000 years of Christ having died for them, the same Christ who was buried and rose again on the 3rd day.

The law of faith is in operation today.  All it takes is faith in His finished work on the cross for one’s sins and His resurrection from the dead, to be saved for all eternity.

“To declare, I say , at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.  Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.  Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” ~ Romans 3:26-28

 

 

 

 

A Book

To my mind, there’s a good reason why God gave us a book (The Bible) and not a video camera with countless videos, or even a DVD player or iPod for that matter.

He expects us to read (study) to become WORKMEN… to think…. not to rewind, replay and become parrots.

Ever considered why the majority of people out there are lost?  They do not like reading… particularly the Bible…. and if they do not read it, they definitely do not study it….. if they did, they would question the contradictions of Paul’s epistles in comparison to the Hebrew epistles…. if they were honest, that is… if they could be honest with… themselves.

Most who do read the Bible, read it in the context of what they’ve been taught at Bible Colleges and Seminaries, or in relation to notes handed out to them by their Assemblies, or in line with videos or audios they have seen and heard.  On the contrary, the Bible needs to be read in context to 2 Timothy 2:15, which is the way God intended.

Videos, audios and notes are fine, they are tools used for preaching the gospel of Christ, but they cannot and should not replace the reading and personal study of the Bible… because God never intended for us to be students, rather his goal is for us to be workmen.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, A WORKMAN that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” ~ 2 Timothy 2:15

 

 

Why “by” and not “at”

The word “by” is a preposition, used to identify the agent, which in this case would be the Cross with which an action was performed, which indicates the means of achieving something, and in this instance it is Christ’s death for our sin.

By = action, achievement.

“And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:” ~ Ephesians 2:16

If Paul used the word “at” instead, it would have a different meaning entirely, expressing the location or time where the action or achievement took place, that is at Calvary, almost 2000 years ago.

It is Christ’s achievement on the cross which matters and is important because it is what saves one’s soul, not the time and location of the deed, this is why Paul uses the term “by the cross”, and not “at the cross”.

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” ~ 1 Corinthians 1:18

God Is Just

“To declare, I say , at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” ~ Romans 3:26

If men could work themselves into heaven, then God wouldn’t be just, as men could, and would boast of themselves, besides, what would be the yardstick in this instance by which God measures Man’s entry into heaven?

Would it be a person who has done 50% good works throughout their life but forgot to repent of a few sins? Would this be fair on another who accomplished 80% good works and did not forget to repent of any sin?  Where would God draw the line concerning who gains access to heaven and who doesn’t?

If Man could save himself or maintain his salvation, what would be the minimum stipulated requirements in order for it to be fair?  Besides, man in this instance would also get all the glory, not God.

Man needs justification to gain entry into heaven.  How would he begin to justify his natural, corrupt, sinful and fallen state to a holy and righteous God?

The only fair way in which God can save mankind and pull him out of the quagmire of sin (which prevents him from standing before a holy God), is by way of God’s imputed righteousness through faith alone in Christ’s finished work on the cross and resurrection.

With God’s imputed righteousness, man boasts of God and His accomplishment on the cross, and all the glory goes to Christ the Saviour.

“Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” ~ Romans 5:9

“But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” ~ Romans 4:24-25

God’s Righteousness

The unfortunate status quo of the majority:

“For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.” ~ Romans 10:3

Why does one need to submit oneself to the righteousness of God?

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” ~ Romans 3:23

If one is a sinner, one unfortunately is unrighteous…..  and clothed in one’s own righteousness….. in this scenario one does or attempts to do good deeds or works to make oneself righteous in order to please God for him to allow one into heaven when one dies.

People clothed in their own righteousness believe good people go to heaven and bad people go to hell; others believe they are saved by God’s grace but still attempt to try and please Him in order to remain saved.  This is not salvation, nor is it God’s grace, but rather a lifetime of self-imposed probation, the quality of  which is solely dependant on one’s own behaviour and good works.  It is not God-based nor God-given righteousness.

A summary of one’s own righteousness:

“Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,” ~ Romans 1:29

Is faith ALONE in Christ’s redemptive work on the Cross and His resurrection sufficient though to save one’s soul?

“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” ~ Romans 4:5

“For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.” ~ Romans 4:13

Summed up, if one has faith in the gospel of Christ, the word of reconcilation, one has become righteous, one is righteous…

We are living in a time, an age where God is  currently declaring His righteousness, not our own with respect to salvation:

“To declare, I say , at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” ~ Romans 3:26

It is solely Him who justifies.  It is impossible to justify ourselves by way of our good works.

“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” ~ Romans 4:5

“Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:” ~ Romans 3:22

Hence the reason why Paul calls those who believed the gospel, “Saints”, as they have been justified by God, and thus can no longer be called “sinners”, “the ungodly” or even “unrighteous”.

“But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;” ~ Romans 3:21

Salvation is NOW presented to mankind through the faith of Christ, dispensed to the Apostle Paul.

Romans to Philemon, rightly divided, because we are not saved by the faith of Christ according to the law dispensed to the 12 as stipulated in the synoptic gospels or Hebrews to Revelation.

The time is now, not past tense, nor future tense.  Now.

 

 

 

More Than One Gospel

Just as God dispensed various gospels throughout the ages whereby men’s souls could be saved during specific dispensations, so too does the devil have various gospels to circumvent the salvation of men.

During this dispensation alone, the devil has many different gospels.  There’s the prosperity gospel, the repent and be baptised gospel, the confess one’s sins gospel, the change one’s lifestyle gospel, the turn back to God gospel….. to name but a few….

Christ paid for everyone’s sins on Calvary’s Cross, thus the solution to everyone’s sin has been provided, even to this day by the Cross.

The devil emphasizes one’s sins, but conveniently ignores the Christ provided solution for those sins.

God’s good news for this current dispensation is simple faith in how that Christ died for one’s sins, was buried and rose again on the third day.

Salvation is one’s receipt of the provision God made for one’s sins on the Cross.

“For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” ~ 2 Corinthians 11:4

 

The Final Result Of Unbelief

TIMES PAST & TIMES TO COME – DISPENSATION OF THE LAW:

Broken off, do not enter into his rest, damned, condemned, experience the wrath of God .

“Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:” ~ Romans 11:20

“And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.” ~ Hebrews 3:18-19

“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” ~ Mark 16:16

“He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” ~ John 3:18

“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.” ~ John 3:36

“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.” ~ 1 John 5:10

NOW – DISPENSATION OF GRACE:

Indignation, wrath, tribulation, anguish, destruction.

“But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;” ~ Romans 2:8-9

“Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” ~ Ephesians 5:6

“Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.” ~ 1 Thessalonians 2:16

 

 

 

 

What God Says About Unrighteousness

There is no unrighteousness in Him.  God is perfect.

“To shew that the Lord is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.” ~ Psalm 92:15

Man’s unrighteousness will eventually result in God’s wrath.

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;” ~ Romans 1:18

The majority of men love the wages of unrighteousness.

“Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;” 2 Peter 2:15

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” ~ Romans 6:23

What is unrighteousness?

“All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.” ~ 1 John 5:17

All men have been concluded under sin, therefore none are righteous.

“What then? are we better than they ? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” ~ Romans 3:9-10

Mad Max Scenario

If one does not realise it by now, one must be blind and deaf:  Communism is taking over the world and seems to be unstoppable, and is putting an end to the way of life as we know it and turning the world into a Mad Max scenario.

What has happened and is currently taking place in America, Namibia, South Africa, Europe, Venezuela, even Botswana will eventually take the world right into the Tribulation.

There’s a tide of hate which is flagrantly anti-minority and pro-socialism which despises the current western lifestyle….. and its Christian values, and there lies the crux of the matter…… which means there will no longer be, not only freedom of speech, but no freedom to practice one’s religion….

That in turn means more people landing in hell for eternity….. after all, that is the whole idea, it’s the devil’s motive.

One needs to ask oneself, why now are the screws being tightened on western values and on the Judeo-Christian qualities of the western lifestyle?  Some people will say, “because the devil knows his time is near”, but does he, since it’s only God who knows the times and seasons?

The world is by no means improving socially, spiritually or morally, it’s actually in a downward spiral.  Now put advanced technology in the hands of reprobation…. big brother is coming to a city near you, where the Bible will be outlawed and preaching the gospel will be anathema.

Tell anyone they’re a sinner in need of a Saviour and it will be hate speech and defamation of character, especially Romans 1, 2 and 3.

The last days of Paul’s ministry were perilous times as he was thrown in jail, persecuted, then executed. The last days of this dispensation too will be encompassed with perilous times.

There’s a pattern: if Paul suffered for preaching the gospel, so too will those who choose to follow him as he followed Christ according to Romans 16:25-26.

Call anyone a homosexual, or even a male or a female….. you will be, you’re already toast…. to my mind, the only Bible which will be permitted will be a twisted and politically correct one which fails to mentions the negativity of homosexuality, does not include any reference to gender and downgrades the deity of Christ.

The only solution  is to be saved.  Believe the gospel of Christ alone for your salvation ~ 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” ~ 2 Timothy 3:1

 

Do You Believe What It Says?

“Know 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?  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.” ~ Romans 6:16-20

1.  The natural man who disobeys God is a servant of sin.

2.  But when he obeys from the heart (believes) “that form of doctrine which was delivered you” – the gospel, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 4:5,; Ephesians 1:13

3.  Then only is he made free from sin, simultaneously

4.  made righteous and has therefore become a servant of righteousness.

Paul says in verse 20, when one is a servant of sin, one is free from righteousness. Upon believing the gospel, one’s sins are replaced by his righteousness when one believes he died for all those sins and rose from the dead.

The ability to become a servant of righteousness isn’t accomplished by one’s own performance, it was accomplished by Christ’s redemptive work on the Cross and his resurrection, so all one has to do is believe it.

One can, however, read and believe the abovementioned verses differently due to one’s unbelief, stating Paul was referencing the flesh, but –

No flesh can possibly become free from sin, no matter how hard one tries to control it or keep it in check.  We are all living proof of that.

Servants of sin = clothed in one’s own righteousness

Servants of righteousness = possessing God’s righteousness.

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” ~ Titus 3:5

Take full advantage of God’s mercy while it is still on offer….. one never knows what tomorrow may bring.

Cuties

Fashion

Could someone please be so kind as to categorise all the clothing, shoes and accessories out there that are racist, so everyone can know not to wear them in future.

It will be of great help, thank you, as well as prevent further inanity, save time and everyone’s sanity.

If one didn’t know the wearing of certain clothing could be racist, well, now ya know.  One learns everyday…. we’re not talking military uniforms or KKK garb, we’re talking fashion here….

Who coulda thunk a Pommie pith helmet worn in Africa in days gone by, when regurgitated, could cause such a raucous?  Don’t people have better things to do with their lives?

Colonialism, slavery, et al, are all part of history, build a bridge and get over it?

Ya’ll Gonna Hate Me

You are…… for saying this, but here goes….

“Make America great (depression) again…”

Please note: I do not support any political party out there, nationally or internationally.

It’s just that most, if not all gubberments out there are turning their countries into Globalist loving Banana Republics…. but as long as the money is flowing freely and people can buy what they want….. no-one cares…

 

The Role of Women

There are many roles for women in the ministry, like teaching children for instance (boys up to the age of 15 years) as well as other women. The role of a woman just isn’t that of a Pastor-Teacher.

There is a huge difference between getting people saved by the preaching of the gospel and standing and teaching them from a pulpit and calling oneself a Pastor and having AUTHORITY over men.

One can measure the Baptist tendencies in some who go to the extreme of forbidding women to wear jeans, pants or shorts, or even forbid women to cut their hair.  Bottom-line: One cannot dictate another person’s personal preferences.

Their version of women keeping silent in the church also adds up to women keeping silent when abuse (emotional, spiritual, mental or physical) rears its ugly head and women are expected to submit to that too since it is dished out by their husbands….

Once upon a time there was (and still is) a Baptist preacher who claims God has nothing to say about a husband being physically abusive to his wife.  He claims, the Bible is silent on the matter, yet legally speaking, Family Law calls it “family violence”….. and God has plenty to say about violence…… look it up…..  what some Baptist pastors condone, God hates.

Generally speaking, a women is saved IN childbirth (not by it) from the cruelty and evil of the world.  Her role is to bear children, but at the same token, she is definitely not saved from the world in being in an abusive marriage either.  Which brings me back to the Baptist minister or ministers who see divorce as the unpardonable sin and excommunicate those from their Assemblies for not towing the line in submitting to their abusive husbands.  (Such excommunication of course, being a blessing).

Divorce is a big deal in Baptist Assemblies because they kow-tow to Israel’s levitical law.  Put bluntly, they are religionists who are trying very hard to please God by their own performance.

Today, in the 21st century, when there are no men to do the teaching (as is the case in certain cities, towns and countries), a woman can teach men up to a certain point, that is…. meaning once the men are competent, she chooses the strongest one (doctrinally speaking) and he takes over the reins from her.

It makes me wonder how come some Baptist Right Dividers (identified as such due to their beliefs) call all women who spread the gospel of God’s grace, “teachers”.  “How come there are so many women teachers these days?”, they ask…. not realising the difference…

It is the calling of each and every single Saint, male and female to spread the good news.  Hypothetically speaking,  if there aren’t any saved men in China to preach the gospel, only saved women, are they to keep silent? How would men in China, for that matter,  be saved then?

I find it strange how Baptists still expect most women in this day and age, in this current economic environment to be stay at home moms and wives, and in so doing put women on a tremendous guilt trip for holding down a job and helping to support their families.

If one’s family was starving and in need of basic necessities, would you as a woman still prefer to be a stay at home mom, or would you look for a job?

I’m of the opinion that 1 Timothy 2:12-15 are the verses abusive men twist and use to put women down.

“How to shut a woman up and make her tow the line in one easy step” : 1 Timothy 2:12-15, ripped out of context, of course.  As far as they’re concerned, women are not allowed to have an opinion or disagree with their husbands on certain issues apart from the ministry.

I might sound like a feminist, but I am far from being one, if anything, I am a realist.

It would be nice though, to be 100% in line with God’s word concerning one’s Christian service as a woman, but life on this planet in the 21st century regrettably dictates otherwise…. so….. suck it up buttercup.

Men & Women

“But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.  For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.” ~ 1 Timothy 2:12-15

The role of saved men in this dispensation reflects Christ and His authority, and the role of saved women reflects the church, His body.

Demagogues and Populism

The support for the concerns of ordinary people….. Populists or Demagogues are in power………. which seems to be a contemporary worldwide trend….

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It shows us which way the world is currently leaning, the masses are still looking for the one man who will make every thing right…. there are a lot of unhappy people out there….

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Hitler was a Demagogue or Populist, and so too will be the Antichrist.

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Currently, Trump is the world’s most well-known demagogue.

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Every leader in the world past, present and future, especially those who have a lot of clout, have, are doing so and will take this world a step closer to the end of the world as we know it.  It has already happened with the advent of Obama in 2008.  If one cannot see how Obama changed the world for the worse since 2008, one needs to rewind….

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Currently, the Populist who so happens to be the leader of the free world, promotes Protectionism which can and will lead to a worldwide depression.  What most do not know is that there is a tit-for-tat trade war going on between America and her trading partners which causes prices of goods to increase worldwide.  Massive and unfair retaliatory tariffs seem to be the order of the day…. apart from this….. America, the world’s largest economy is currently on a debt binge….. keep this in mind as the US$ is the world’s reserve currency….

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On first inspection the US economy is in robust good health with strong growth, investment and retail sales figures. Having slashed the rate of corporate profit tax from 35 to 21 percent at the beginning of the year, billions of dollars of cash held offshore have been repatriated. By one estimate the rate of growth recorded between January and April was 5 percent on an annualised basis – the strongest since 2003 – though, the latest official figure was just 2 percent.

The dollar has been strengthening in the expectation that the Fed will continue to increase interest rates, as it has already done seven times since 2016. The Dow Jones Industrial Index, as we know, rose by 25 percent last year, hitting record highs on 70 days in 2017. Gains have been more attenuated this year though the tech-oriented NASDAQ is up around 7 percent.

Yet there is a red light flashing. The US Treasury bond market yield curve has gone flat again. The difference in yield between 2-year and 10-year Treasuries was down to just 27 basis points on Wednesday (11 July) – the same as it was in 2007. Analysts are pointing out that a flat or inverted yield curve has preceded all nine US recessions since 1955.

Of course, correlation is not causation. The flat yield curve could suggest that the institutional players who dominate the US Treasury market lack confidence about America’s medium-term prospects. But it could also have something to do with the fact that the US Treasury Department, under Treasury Secretary Stephen Mnuchin, has been borrowing increasingly at the short term end and rolling over these issues at maturity.

In the credit markets, JP Morgan recently revealed that the yield curve on the overnight index rate swap (the rate at which corporate customers can swap floating rate liabilities into fixed rate ones) was inverting (i.e. trending downwards) at the 2-year maturity point. Some commentators regard this as an omen of recession because it suggests that the Fed will have to cut rates two years out in response to an economic downturn

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Read more at https://masterinvestor.co.uk/economics/could-trumps-trade-wars-cause-a-global-recession/

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Some are saying, and I tend to agree, the cold realisation that “The Donald” was elected President of the USA, shows one how far down the moral ladder America has fallen, I mean, isn’t there anyone better than this man?  If he is the best man for the job, well….. need I say more?

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The same can be said for Germany, France, Greece and Australia, to name but a few. When one looks how these men and women operate, it’s half a dozen of one and six of another.  It’s the same Globalist garbage, after all, Satan is their master and the ultimate ruler and god of this world.

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“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” ~ 2 Corinthians 4:4

The Day I Became a Dog Smuggler…

For a landlubber such as myself to be living at the coast is heaven even though the 65km north-wester made hamburger meat of our gazebo. The poor gazebo was solemnly laid to rest amidst all the other rubble two days later. R.I.P, you served us well on many a scorching day… arrivederci…

I remember the trip down to the coast last year in July, it was mid-winter and our first stop was at a place called Henley-on-Klip. A “one horse town”, and the horse died….. probably from pure boredom……. meaning they roll the sidewalks up at 7pm and all the lights are turned off…… in English speak they would call such a place a sleepy hollow.

Onward we drove until approximately 3pm and decided to overnight at a guesthouse in a place called Winburg. Dunno what could have been won, but it sure as heck was depleted, whatever it was. There was absolutely no “win” in the burg that I could see. If one thought Henley was doggone boring, ya should see Winburg…… the horse didn’t even feature… he probably ran away, and who could blame him?

The guesthouse was located on a sand road, and apart from that, we had to smuggle the Yorkies into the room…. why do Yorkies always bark when they’re not supposed to? “No, that’s not my dog barking in the bag I can assure you, I’m innocent, don’t look at me like that…. I know nuthin’….”

Story of my life: “We don’t allow dogs here because they poop and piddle everywhere”. Tell that to someone who is bone tired and hungry, so the decision was made, ” in the bag ya go, Yorkies”, yap, yap, yap, yap…

I should write a thesis on “How I turned into a dog smuggler”.

That night my electric blanket didn’t work and it was freezing, so I left the heater on and everyone was in seventh heaven, suitably warm and toasty. Two Yorkies were comfortably stretched out like two strings of spaghetti, where else but on the bed…. “you don’t expect us to slum it on the floor, do you?” they asked, giving me a dirty look.

The following morning after a breakfast of burnt eggs on toast (the “stove thingy” only had one temperature setting and didn’t work until the pan was placed on the plate, eureka! I managed to figure this out after 20 frustrating minutes – take pan off, stove goes off, place pan on, stove goes on… what the……), we set of once again, next stop Bloemfontein.

“Bloem” means “blossom” or “flower” and “fontein” means “fountain”, so literally it means a “fountain of roses”, but alas, there ain’t no fountain of roses to behold. There was once upon a time, but they died, probably of old age. The place is dry and cold in winter. We spent two nights there in a guesthouse, two nondescript nights that is.

Monday morning we were on our way again, and drove until 5pm and were approximately 120km from our intended destination, but decided to stop over at a guesthouse in Uniondale as the sun was already beginning to set.

This time the Yorkies were given legal admittance into what was one of the most sterile looking rooms I’ve ever encountered. After buying dinner and drinking all the complimentary tea and coffee available, (it’s free!) we settled down for the night.

The next morning, after paying our money, we were summarily “dismissed” by the owner’s grumpy husband because “we were taking too long” in exiting his wondrous establishment, and in so doing we were preventing his staff from cleaning the room on time, he might as well have said – “leave before the dogs piddle and poop all over the carpet”. Check out time was 9am. The clock said it was 8am. It’s amazing what effect two tiny dogs have on some people… so Annie said, “Take that Mister!” and piddled on the holy grail which so happened to be his carpet… oi vey…. talk about Yorkie revenge, ya ain’t seen nuthin’ yet…

Off we went, through wondrous mountain passes and farmlands, awestruck at the beauty which surrounded us, stopping at a farmstall to buy snacks, then made our way through the majestic and breathtaking Outeniqua mountains…… 40km in the distance lay the azure sea…

Filters

They say due to ageing, mature people do not look the same, but with the advent of editing software, NO-ONE will ever look the same anymore…

Faith and Faithfulness

When people require Christ to have faith (faith and faithfulness are not the same) they are diminishing the truth found in Christ.

~ Justin Johnson

Addiction

I am convinced that no matter what one is addicted to, it’s all the same.  Addiction has the same symptoms, be it to coffee, cigarettes, booze or drugs.  People who are given over to addiction cannot live without their “crutch of choice”.

They are slaves, and slaves have masters which rule over them.  I cannot see myself being ruled over by a packet of cigarettes, a can of beer or a bottle of wine.  I do not have an addictive personality.

I am thankful I do not have any chemical masters.  I can live without tobacco, caffeine, alcohol, or any other chemical or ingredient that “helps one cope with life”.

When one is saved and one learns and matures, eventually one is changed from the inside out, as opposed to religion which dictates a person must change on the outside for the world to see.

Let God’s word strengthen the innerman in order for it to control the flesh.

Dare to be different.

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” ~ 1 Corinthians 3:16

 

 

Holiday Resorts

When traveling around, one can find oneself in the weirdest of places which so happen to fly under the auspices of holiday resorts…….. yeah, holiday resorts…….. pfffff….

“Pet friendly”, I’ve come to realise, means, “We allow pets, but we are as grumpy as Scrooge on Christmas Eve”.   Their line of thinking is, animals aren’t the ones who steal the shower heads, damage the property, get drunk or gossip about others, kapeesh?

“Pets allowed by prior arrangement”, means their visual assumption of someone’s Rottweiler cross Labrador is that it’s as old as the hills, so it must be as meek as a lamb and won’t hurt a fly”…… yep, looks can be deceiving, old doesn’t necessarily mean decrepit… it’s more like an enraged galloping bull on steroids going in for the kill…. did someone say “old”?

“No pets allowed”, means the ” holiday resort” management are Neanderthals who hate anything with fur, feathers or scales. They quartered and hung up Dr Doolittle to dry a long time ago….. animals are meant to be eaten, not molly coddled.

“Experience the raw beauty of nature” in most instances means the ablution facilities are suspect, the staff are downright rude and management have perfected the art of  being invisible.  The scarlet pimpernel can definitely learn a few lessons here.  Yep, they aren’t kidding, it is pretty raw….. raw on the nerves.

But ya pays ya money upfront and deals with whatever comes ya way, be it good, bad or ugly… put it down to experience and fight off the urge to give most a one star rating on the internet….. because most people have already done so, so one more won’t make as much as an iotas difference…. as after having seen the 20th bad rating it’s quite obvious, and plainly stated, “the place well and truly sucks”.

Yet, to my mind, one never loses in these instances as they give one something to talk and laugh about one day when one is old and gray….

Life

Life is one huge learning curve.  The day one stops learning, one dies, both mentally and spiritually.

I believe one can even learn from something as inconsequential as trees.  Does that make trees, teachers?

Man learns from every experience, from every person, from every situation, from everything and everyone he encounters.  He just chooses to either take note of what he has learnt (apply it) or to ignore it.    Man learns good things…… bad things….. useless things…… good habits….. bad habits… superficial things….. excellent things…… useful things…..

Man has choices in life.

What one should realise is that what one chooses to believe today, will have eternal consequences… that means forever.

Eternity is too long to deal with regret.

“For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” ~ 1 Corinthians 1:21

Emmelyn Isla

Such a cutie pie💖

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Gift of Healing

If Paul still had the gift of healing when he wrote 2 Timothy, why didn’t he have compassion on Trophimus and lay hands on him like Benny Hinn and Churchianity who claim to have this gift, even today?

“Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.” ~ 2 Timothy 4:20

The following verses are proof that Paul’s ministry was progressive, and that once the mystery was revealed in its entirety, the sign gifts (which were given to Paul and the body of Christ) ceased:

“When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.  For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” ~ 1 Corinthians 13:11-13

Now: “For now we see through a glass darkly”

Then: “But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.” 1 Corinthians 13:10

Truth be told, if the sign gifts were still in effect today, hospitals and insane asylums would be empty, why, they wouldn’t even exist.  There would be no need for doctors and psychiatrists.

Today faith in Christ’s finished work on the cross for our sins and his resurrection remains, as it is the only hope we have of eternal life,  it is the charity we live by in order for the lost to have the same hope as we do….. by the preaching of, as well as having faith in the gospel of Christ….

The sign gifts (that which was in part) gave way to the full revelation of the mystery (that which is perfect).

Praise Him forever and ever.

 

Ism’s

Strange thing about those who criticise ‘ism’s’ is that they believe in some form of ‘ism’ themselves, like Pentecostal-ISM, Dispensational-ISM, Hindu-ISM, Method-ISM, Athe-ISM…..

It’s not the ‘ism’ at the end of the word that matters, it’s the belief contained in the word attached to the ‘ism’ which counts….

If one believes Covenant Theology, which summed up, is the belief that the church, the body of Christ began in Acts 2, and that speaking in tongues, and signs, wonders and miracles are in effect today, it means one is a Pentecostal……. and unarguably makes one an adherent to PentecostalISM, even though some deny it because they ignorantly refuse to be labeled, but people are identified according to their beliefs, whether one likes it or not…..

People and things are labeled for the simple reason that they require to be identified and analysed.

If it croaks like a frog, then it is a frog.

The Jews were labeled and categorised as Sheep and people of The Way. The body of Christ is also labeled or known as the One New Man.

Labelling and categorisation doesn’t necessarily make something or someone bad.

It simply identifies the belief……. we are labeled and categorised our entire lives: men, women, male and female, children…..

We can see the non-identification or refusal to identify things and people now being forced upon us by generation Y and Z who do not want to be categorised as males or females…..

Are we all to become nothing, having no God-given identity because of a few who see shame in being identified as Mid-Acts 9 Dispensational Right Dividers because of how others who label themselves as such behave?

Why would they in essence then want to be identified with Paul who was arrested and thrown in jail, labeled a criminal, who was also complicit in murder when he was a Rabbi known as Saul?

I can honestly say I am not ashamed to be identified as a Mid-Acts Dispensational Right Divider, nor am I ashamed of being associated with the Apostle Paul.

God’s grace is the reason and makes the difference.

Saw This On The Beach Yesterday

As a matter of interest…. the purple house behind the cross is inhabited by Americans because the back window of their truck has the confederate flag emblazoned on it…..

Things I Have learnt #1

Don’t attack personality, people or their character.

Attack their doctrine – beliefs.

and….

walk away from people who see merit in men (teachers), instead of the doctrine they uphold and teach……

Three Bad Arguments Against Dispensationalism

I am a dispensationalist, but there is a shelf in my office dedicated to books that oppose dispensational teaching. They are from the other side of the doctrinal aisle.

It is good to be aware of your weaknesses, and the best way to identify them is by listening to those who disagree with you.

There are good and bad arguments against dispensationalism and I want to know what they are. The shelf does not get very big, because there are not many good arguments. Most are bad.

Here are some of the worst. Hopefully, this will save you time and shelf space.

Bad Argument #1:
Dispensationalism is false because [Darby/Scofield/other dispensational teacher] is a bad person.

It is common to attack the man, but all this achieves is injury toward the man’s reputation not his teaching. When the man is dead his teaching still exists.

When you read this type of argument you are reading someone who thinks there is merit in following men and is not responding to the doctrine. Personal attacks are not worth your time.

David was an adulterer and a murderer. Peter lied. Paul put disciples of the Lord in prison. John the Baptist, Jesus, Paul, and many other Bible teachers were arrested as criminals and executed. So, what?

When you hear an argument attacking the man save your time and move on until you meet someone who is wise enough to deal with the doctrine.

Bad Argument #2:
Dispensationalism is false because there is no proof for the rapture.

The rapture of the church has been popularized into a sideshow for many books and movies, but it is not the key idea behind dispensational doctrine.

As soon as you hear this argument you have identified someone who is ignorant about dispensational teaching. Turn around and walk away, they cannot help you.

Yes, most dispensationalists believe in a rapture, but if this is the depth of someone’s understanding of dispensational truth, then their grasp is so superficial that their argument will fly away before the church does.

Bad Argument #3:
Dispensationalism is false because it is new.

A variation of this bad argument is to combine it with the first one: “Darby invented it in the 19th century”. (See above. Darby is dead, and all that remains are ideas.)

As time goes on this claim becomes more and more silly. Teachings foreign to scripture should be warned against. This argument turns bad when it does not refer to the teaching at all, but to its historical popularity.

According to this inane argument, only ideas that have had widespread historical appeal should be considered true, not those that have widespread appeal at this time in history. This is the argument of historical losers.

We are now two hundred years past the 19th century, but wasn’t the Protestant Reformation new 500 years ago? Newer still are the Presbyterian and Lutheran denominations. Have there not been any new developments in Covenant Theology since its popularity in the 17th century?

How then do we know what is truly new? Answer: by comparing it to scripture, not to historical popularity. Has it been compared to the scriptures yet? Truth is determined from the scriptures.

Truth can be uncovered, forgotten, restored, and our understanding developed. Uncovered truth is not new.

Perhaps it has been there all along, and it is only just now being nailed to the door of old dead wrong tradition.

Knowing the Good from the Bad

How do you know if an argument is good or bad?

Good arguments correctly identify the dispensational target, and take shots clearly at the doctrine. Bad arguments wrongly identify the teaching and attack the men or institutions teaching them.

Good arguments are rare and a pleasure to read. They can challenge and help refine your understanding. Bad arguments are abundant and a waste of time. When you see them, walk away.

Your time is better redeemed fighting the good fight, not getting stuck in the foolish fervor and fallacy of bad arguments.

~ http://www.graceambassadors.com

 

Waiting for Revival

In some places merely mentioning the word revival will draw out a few excited shouts.

(Amen!)

It’s hard to say revival without a little jump and an exclamation point.

As in, “We need revival!”, “Let’s pray for revival!”, or “There’s a revival in the land!”

Revival. ~definition. n. A movement of the Holy Spirit that imbues a large group of people with greater desire for God, music, or faithful tithing. Normally accompanied by miraculous signs and tongue talking, which can be replaced with gospel singing and spitting preachers among the Baptist. (Dictionary of the Christian Language, first edition.)

This word entered the Christian vocabulary by evolution. Like all evolutionary processes, what started out as a simple thing mutated over the course of time, and with the help of Bible ignorance, became what it is today: a mess.

Revival in the Land

In the Biblical sense, revival most always refers to the return and blessing of Israel according to their covenants.

God promised Israel a land, a mighty nation, and a blessing. When Israel lost these things they prayed for God to revive them to their former glory.

“For we were bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, … to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the desolations thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.” – Ezra 9:8-9

It is a failure to rightly divide between Israel and the Church that drives people to pray for revival in our land according to Israel’s covenant with God.

The Church of God does not have a promised land, and Paul says that we have been raised to sit in heavenly places (Eph 2:6-7).

Revival of the Spirit

Since modern revivals always seem to require a move of the Spirit in people, the most popular prooftext for revival in the Bible is Pentecost.

“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” – Acts 2:4

If only we could have the Spirit fall on usas at Pentecost, then the Church would have a revival, they say.

The pouring out of the Spirit was a specific fulfillment of prophecy about Israel’s kingdom, and not related at all to the church the body of Christ (Joel 2:28, Isa 2:2).

The Spirit Already Moved Us

A nation of priests operating under the law in a temple on a Jewish feast day would be a terrible pattern for the Church.

Today, once the gospel is believed the Spirit indwells the believer until the day of redemption.

“…after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession…” – Eph 1:13-14

We no longer need him to move us once he places us into Christ where we receive all spiritual blessings in heavenly places (Eph 1:3).

If someone prays for a move of the Spirit, it may be they are ignorant of where the Spirit has placed them.

True Revival

Modern revivals create a lot of excitement which fades again in a short time.

When the pattern for modern revival comes from covenant Israel and ignorance of the mystery of Christ, it is no wonder they do not last long.

People cannot live without right doctrine. Revival meetings are the only way people with wrong doctrine can stir up enough emotion to feel alive.

Eternal revival of men’s souls happens today when faithful men learn the word of God rightly divided.

When men learn right doctrine, and are able to teach others also, people come alive never to die again (Gal 2:20, Rom 6:2-4).

While others wait for revival, let God’s workmen open the Bible and learn that God has already given us everything we need to be complete in Christ (Col 2:10).

~ http://www.graceambassadors.com

Gospel Fact

Tell most lost people out there they are a sinners – they get offended.

Tell most lost people out there they are in need of a Saviour – they get offended.

Most do not want to be told they’re lost and hell-bound as they are of the opinion that Man is inherently good and is capable of fixing himself.

The preaching of the gospel offends, generally speaking, it is an offence to Man’s self righteousness and independent nature sans God, the Saviour.

Man’s pride won’t allow him to admit he is hellbound sinner, and that he needs to believe the Lord Jesus Christ provided the solution to his sinful condition.

“Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?” ~ 2 Corinthians 11:7

King James Bible

If you do not have a Bible, you can download one on the Google Play Store on your phone, or alternately on your computer.

Do a search for “Tecarta”, it’s free and you can access it offline.

Only in Christ

“To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 

Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 

Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 

That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 

In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.”

~ Ephesians 1:6-12

Right Division

“In [Paul’s] writings alone we find the doctrine, position, walk, and destiny of the church.” – Dr. Cyrus I. Scofield^†

Mid-Acts dispensational Bible study recognizes the importance of the mystery of Christ revealed to the apostle Paul as doctrine particular to the church in the present dispensation (Rom 16:25, Col 1:25-27, Eph 3:2-4).

While most Bible students would make the most important division in the Bible to be between Israel and the Church or the Old and New Testaments, mid-Acts Bible study teaches the most important distinction in your Bible to be the right division between God’s Mysterypurpose, “kept secret since the world began”, and God’s Prophecy purpose, which had been “spoken since the world began” (Acts 3:19-21 vs. Rom 16:25).

Understanding the mystery of Christ revealed to Paul for us clears up the theological confusion that is created by blending Prophecy and Mystery doctrines. Some controversial doctrines resolved by Pauline right division include:

• Baptism
• Faith and Works
• Sign Gifts
• Salvation
• God’s Will
• Tongues

Jesus instructs us to identify Paul as our pattern (1 Tim 1:16; 1 Cor 4:16; 1 Cor 11:1). A failure to operate according to the Lord’s revelations to Paul often leads to frustration with denominational traditions, including:

• Tithing
• Prayer
• Communion
• Great Commission
• Confession
• Sabbaths and Holy Days

If you have been confused by some of these doctrines or frustrated by empty Church tradition, consider the Lord’s revelation to Paul and get some answers (2 Tim 2:7).

Basic teachings of Mid Acts Dispensational right division
– Jesus, in his earthly ministry, ministered to the circumcision. (Rom 15:8, see here)
– The mystery of Christ was first revealed to Paul (Col 1:25-26, 1 Tim 1:16, and here)
– Prophecy and mystery are different (Acts 3:19-21 vs Rom 16:25)
– Peter and Paul taught different messages (Peter prophecy, and Paul mystery: See here)
– Prophecy has been interrupted. (See here)
– The gospel of the kingdom is not the gospel of the grace of God (See here and here)
– Israel’s Church and the Church, the body of Christ, are different. (See here)

Further study:
Common Responses to mid-Acts dispensational right division.
Contradictions resolved by mid-Acts dispensational Bible study.
What is the Mystery information?
What is the Prophecy information?
FAQ – Frequently asked questions about mid-Acts.

~ http://www.discerningthetimespublishing.com

Downward Trend

Where on earth have I been?

The use of marijuana for personal use has been legalised in South Africa, so one can smoke it, eat it and grow it now without breaking the law….

Makes one realise that the current legalisation of drugs and hallucinogenics will escalate and have a tremendous affect in a future end-time scenario like the Tribulation.

Don’t tell me marijuana doesn’t make one hallucinate, as I have had experience of it in my younger, foolish days.  Breath enough of the stuff in and it does exactly that.

I despise the stuff, or any drug for that matter.  Drug abuse sadly, is for people who cannot cope with the ugly reality of this evil world.  As if breathing in second hand cigarette smoke isn’t bad enough, now one has to contend with the aroma of marijuana….. it’s disgusting…..

I’m of the opinion that once marijuana has been legalised, as it has been, the legalisation of other drugs will follow suit, to the obvious detriment of the minds of men, after all, it’s where the spiritual battle rages.

Never did I think this would all happen in my lifetime.  I was a kid once upon a time, growing up without a care in the world, a world which still had some semblance of justice, sanity and morals.

The one thing that stands out to me in today’s society is the obvious lack of shame.  People just don’t have shame anymore, it’s a free-for-all, anything goes world where everything is relative, including the truth.