Answers Required!

I have posed these questions before, and not one Unconditional Electionist seems capable of answering them.

Firstly, the majority of people who enter the Tribulation period or Time of Jacob’s Trouble will be born during the Dispensation of Grace, (there is no other option, as the Bible simply does not refer to a period between the dispensation of grace and the Tribulation where there is another gospel (assigned to it), in other words, there is no transition period where men are saved by another gospel).

It also goes without saying, that since the Trib is only 7 years in duration (if that), those born at the beginning or just before this period won’t even reach adolescence (during this 7 year period)….

These people (adults) who include Jews in the flesh ~ people who Steve Atwood, Zane Newitt, Trey Searcy, Jerry Lockhart and the rest of the Unconditional Electionists purport have had their sins forgiven the day they popped out of their mother’s wombs…. are the very Jews who have to endure until the end during this time…… who by the way also have to confess their sins…

So…..

a) Where in the Bible does it say these peoples’ sins will be imputed back to them in order for them to confess them, as well as to be forgiven of them (again) according to the kingdom gospel?

*Forgiven how many times?

*Sins unconditionally forgiven in the previous dispensation?

*Or not forgiven at all?

*Re-imputed?

*Or must be confessed?

Secondly, I also question their belief, “since everyone’s sins were forgiven at/on the Cross, unbelievers’ are only judged at the White Throne Judgment according to their works”, yet they cannot explain how people’s words, actions and deeds (works judged) are totally sin free?……because in the real world one has a tendency to sin most the time when one opens one’s mouth and when one does things, unless one is an Egyptian mummy…… These works = one’s own righteousness = sin. If one isn’t in Christ, one has a major problem…..

“To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” ~ Jude 1:15

Regarding the aforementioned men:

They ARE doctrinally dangerous.

Newitt, Atwood, Searcy, Lockhart, Gerhard, etc appear to be very humble, kind and helpful, but then, so is the devil an angel of light in this dispensation…..

“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

“Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.” ~ 1 Corinthians 15:33-34

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Tribulation doctrine:

Hebrews 10:26
“For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,….”

Revelation 18:5
“For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.”

1 John 1:9

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”

I Run On Specifics

If I ask questions, it’s because I really want answers, it’s not like I am trying to push anyone into a corner or trick them ~

I analyse, and if it scares you…. well so be it.

Contradictions

Was wondering if anyone else noted the contradictions of the MidActs-Acts 28 hybrids who make a clear distinction between the Gentiles in Paul epistles and in so doing categorise these (Gentiles) into two groups, and go on to only identify themselves with one group, that is, the Gentiles in Paul’s prison epistles (those who were “far off”), YET –

*Believe the gospel which is to be found in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, written to the Gentiles who they identify as Jews, who they themselves do not identify with….

*Furthermore, they also believe 2 Corinthians 5:19, also written to the same Gentiles (as mentioned above), who they identify as being converts to Judaism (“nigh”).

*Believe Romans chapter 5, albeit in a twisted manner…. Romans who also so happen to be Gentile Jews in their eyes…. but nonetheless, stand firmly on the entire chapter…..

*Etc, etc…

It makes no logical sense whatsoever. Could it be that their Acts 28 theology is already morphing into full-blown Universalism, after all, there are hints of soul sleep already to be found amongst them…. as well as swaths of men who previously believed as they do, who have already capitulated….

Middle English Phrases/Words For The Day

“To wit” ~ namely; that is to say.

“Alway” ~ all ways; in every respect

Romans 11:15

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

The fact that God reconciled the world unto himself through Christ’s cross work, simply means the entire world, as opposed to only Israel, is NOW in the position to receive direct salvation on an individual basis, as opposed to having to convert to Judaism.

In other words, since Christ died for all, there could no longer be any compartmentalisation, nor any favourites like Israel with respect to salvation.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:14-15
For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:18-19
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.

Gentiles were previously known as dogs who only got to eat the crumbs which fell from the table of their Jewish masters.

MATTHEW 15:27
And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.

MARK 7:28
And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs.

God restored friendly relations in order to make it possible for not only Jews, but Gentiles to take him up on his offer or provision of salvation, which also resulted in and means he isn’t judging the world at this time (for their sins).

ROMANS 3:22
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:

The fact that he isn’t imputing the world’s sins unto them means, he’s currently not counting or holding these against or reckoning them to any individual person FOR NOW, simply because he provided the means of forgiveness or solution to the sin problem, BUT there will come a time when he will do so, when things will change at the end of this dispensation….

2 THESSALONIANS 2:9-12
Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

It Fits

The below mentioned verses fit the preachers, pastors and teachers of mainstream Christianity like a glove, and probably also the traitors who have defected from the (Pauline) Faith and have turned their backs on Right Division, who also so happen to preach another gospel….

Mainstream Christianity is covetous – it wants all the best material possessions and all the money the world has to offer, it boasts in its own (good) works, blasphemes God by twisting and blending scripture, and purports to “come in the name of God/Jesus”, but doesn’t do his will, and to be sure, it has a form of godliness – possesses all the religious paraphernalia, participates in religious rituals and traditions, but preaches performance based gospels, and in so doing denies the power of true godliness…

Then we come to some of its victims – “silly women” – who are more than likely the type who organise tea parties and ladies’ breakfasts and speak about inconsequential matters such as “the sins of the fathers being revisited on the children”, “soul ties” and how someone hurt their feelings. The same applies to those Right Dividers who unknowingly find themselves at the mercy of corrupt teachers: ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the TRUTH.

If members of the body of Christ don’t think perilous times will come upon them via mainstream Christianity and their own kind who embrace ecumenism, they will acquiesce. The battle is spiritual and it so happens to be doctrinal as well, and as we know, mainstream Christianity, ecumenists and traitors belittle doctrine, especially when it isn’t all inclusive.

2 Timothy 3:1-9
This know also, that men the last days perilous times shall come.

For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

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.

For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

The Cry of a Lost World Committed to Sin Without Judgment

Isaiah 22:13
And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die.

Evil Communications Corrupt Good Manners

Evil communicators – those who speak wrong doctrine, and in turn, wrong doctrine corrupts one’s behaviour.

1 Corinthians 15:33-34
Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

Evil communications summed up:

*Ephesians 4:14
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

*Ephesians 4:17-23
This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ;

If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

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;

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Good manners summer up:

*2 Timothy 3:10
But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

*Ephesians 5:16-17
Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

1 Corinthians 3:18
Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

Without Christ We Are All Worthy Of Hell

This is as “good” as it gets when one is clothed in one’s own righteousness and dies in one’s sins, having rejected the Son:

Romans 1:20-32
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:

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

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.

For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

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.

Revelation 20:14

And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Here’s Something To Truly Get Excited About: God Died For His Enemies

If you are a lost person or soul because you do not believe the gospel of grace, you are God’s enemy, but the good news is that He also died for you, as opposed to only dying for his friends (Israel) (who in times past had to keep His commandments to be considered His friend).

“BUT NOW”

Romans 5:6-11

For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

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

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

TIMES PAST:

John 15:13-14

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. YE are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

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Acts 17:30-31

And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

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.

Colossians 1:21-22

And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

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In conclusion, in the dispensation of God’s grace (“but now”) there is neither Jew nor Gentile (only Jews in the flesh):

Romans 11:32

“For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.”

Galatians 3:21-22

“Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.

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

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

“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 that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”

Beautiful Couple….

1 Thessalonians 5:17
“Pray without ceasing.”

Love them, they do a lot of good, are really great people: South Africa’s Rugby Captain, Siya Kolisi and his wife, Rachel, but….

….they are unfortunately members of a Bible blending denomination……

*Added to prayer list for salvation*

People can reject the gospel of Christ, but prayer “softens them” over time, so plant the seed….. let someone else water it…… and God will give the increase, by putting them in the right place at the right time with the right people, especially if you don’t have direct contact with them. Praying for peoples’ salvation is God’s will.

1 Corinthians 3:6
“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

Does the term “Mid-Acts Dispensationalist” Have a Stigma Attached To It?

I have a few minutes to spare…..

Was wondering about certain peoples’ method of Bible study…….

It is said:

“The words “mid-acts dispensationalist” isn’t to be found anywhere in Paul’s epistles”.

Ya just gotta wonder some days…… seriously…..

If people, especially denominationalists, have no words to describe their belief system, how else would we identify them individually and apart from one another, AND more importantly, how would we identify our own beliefs, especially since not all members of the body of Christ rightly divide? One can be saved and not know right division….

I was also wondering how hateful I must appear talking about hell, heresies and unsound doctrine to those who are totally clueless about how the devil has twisted Christianity due to its failure to rightly divide the word of truth, thereby creating hundreds of denominations who all have it WRONG, and that being a good, charitable guy or gal who professes to follow Jesus, will only serve in getting one a one way ticket to hell and not much else…… How hateful that must seem in the world’s eyes…..

What is worse than landing up in hell after having knowingly rejected Christ?….. Landing up in hell as a Right Divider who believed another gospel for one’s salvation, or landing up in hell after having attended church religiously, studied one’s Bible and done everything one’s Pastor told one to do in order for one to go to heaven…..

Which brings me to this undeniable truth: Love is actually telling people the truth, regardless of how hateful it is deemed to be…. whereas hate speech on the other hand is telling them they’re “okay” when they’re in fact on the way to hell.

Telling people about God’s free gift of salvation is the greatest gift one can give someone today.

2 Corinthians 6:2
“(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)”

The Silly Season

It’s that time of year once again….. Time to take a break and go offline

~ later ~ כל כך ארוך

Mommy’s Little Boy

My name is Tyke, I’m only a brick and a tickey high and yet I am the meanest, bossiest fur-kid in town….. And also the cutest….. “Everyone loves me”…… well, almost everyone, and those who don’t, do not count. Ha!

Hell

What I find so incredible is, just the mere mention of hell gets people going, in more ways than one can imagine.

Most don’t want to think about it, less talk about it, yet it’s the place where most are going to sadly be spending eternity because of pride which keeps them in unbelief.

What could be easier and simpler than admitting one is a sinner in need of a Saviour and believing the Lord Jesus Christ is that Saviour who died for one’s sins, was buried and rose again on the third day, plus nothing, in order to avoid punishment and thus prevent oneself from spending an eternity regretting one’s decision in complete and utter hell.

Churchianity has people tied up in rituals, works and traditions, along with all the other many religions out there, trying to perform themselves into heaven, totally and utterly indoctrinated.

Dare tell anyone they’re no good rotten sinners and one is unceremoniously relegated to the “ash heap” of Gehenna, so to speak. Try challenging their thoughts, ideas and everything else they believe and stand for, and you’re placed in the “persona non-grata” bin. “Oh you’re being nasty”, “You’re insulting/attacking me/us/them/everyone again”. Blahblahblah.

If one cannot challenge people to think, and in so doing, (try and) get them out of their comfort zones, one might as well call it quits and herald in the Zombie Apocalypse, where most already live – in their minds –

Why do most people see being challenged as a bad thing?

Why do they hate being questioned and having their denominational and religious sacred cows and pet doctrines turned upside down? Why is it that some think they are special because of their earthly accomplishments?

In their mind’s eye, the Pope, as well as most people in important positions are under the impression God has a set of rules set aside specially for the upper echelons of society….. so their philosophy dictates that they do not land up in hell with all the other riff-raff and lowly scum of the earth, and they think they also get to take their caste system along with them to “Paradise”. Neither the Pope nor any preacher out there has automatic entrance into paradise….. the ego of some so happens to be a midge with a gargantuan attitude, small but feisty – and totally wrong.

And since when is calling people out on their doctrinal errors seen as personal attacks? Answer: Since religion turned just about everyone into self-righteous, performance based minions, that’s when…. “you are wrong, BUT I don’t have the “gonads” to tell you, so let’s all be happy….. in Paradise…. one or two saccharine sprinkles, ma’am? Besides, there’s my reputation to consider – what will PEOPLE think of me?”

That’s how it is out there in never-never land, UNFORTUNATELY….. Churchianity is just so utterly wrong.

According to the world, only when one is six foot under or in an urn, then only is one considered a good person, like a potato – when one is in the ground, then all one’s goodness automatically “sprouts out” for all to see. Laughable….. The world sees one as good only when one is in the grave, as opposed to being good when one is in Christ.

The majority of course who are unrepentant will remember clearly the day they rejected Christ’s finished work on the Cross for their salvation, along with the lie that he didn’t resurrect from the dead and thus land up wishing for eternity they could have that particular day back in order to change their minds…. that’s the tragic part of it all…. that and being separated from God…. and by all intents and purposes, it doesn’t have to be that way…..

Time to get with the program, your salvation lies on the pages of Paul’s 13 epistles, particularly 1 Corinthians 15:1-4….. and it is free.

Isaiah 5:13-15
“Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst.

Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.

And the mean man shall be brought down, and the mighty man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled:”

Pride

Pride is the key to any Pastor’s demise concerning unsound doctrine, in a nutshell, I am referring to those who refuse correction – which so happens to be the majority of RD pastors today.

Terence McClean & Justin Johnson on the other hand are both open to correction… as Dean Hewitt once said, “Terry has been wrong, but when shown his error, he has repented (changed his mind)”

The majority conveniently turn this controversy into a “man” or “teacher” problem, which boils down to the personality of the person questioning the error…. but in reality it’s a doctrinal issue – a major one at that, yet the Cult of Personality, (together with the “fruit inspectorate” along with the “department of behavioural sciences” in tandem with Jung’s internet “psycho-analysts”) succeeds in taking the attention off the doctrinal issue at hand and turns it into an issue concerning the man’s personality.

I find it rather sickening that most cannot stand their ground, but rather run away when it comes to this issue. They either don’t want to discuss it, or they’re “sick and tired” of it. In other words, “who cares about our Lord and Saviour’s deity being dragged through the mud, right?” The same Lord and Saviour you are going to bow down to one day – God help you.

The Grace Movement consists mostly of a bunch of weak kneed, spineless, doctrinal wimps who are nothing but men pleasers and ignorant sponges who absorb doctrinal trite and parrot their leaders doctrinal error all too willingly.

Newitt’s little “band of exclusive followers” for one are truly sickening in what they consider to be truth – they’re like lemmings ~ parrots “Polly wants a cracker”, “Polly wants a cracker”. Absolutely zero thought goes into their “sacred cow doctrines” because their discernment is nonexistent. They “run with the stuff” and “get off on it”, because of a huge ego trip, instead of wanting to know the actual truth.

Of course, it goes without saying, the ability to reason with parrots who proof-text and twist scripture is absolutely zero, as it’s almost like dealing with Zombies in the Apocalypse when conversing with them, all one hears is a skewed rendition of 2 Corinthians 5:19, like all cults, they mouth off “half and single verses of scripture” repeatedly, which seems to shut their equally ignorant detractors up – I tell ya, if it weren’t so tragic it would be hilarious…… “One verse wonders” in the swamp of kenosis, Unconditional Election and Acts 28 theology…..

I do find it incredibly tragic how people can be led along with the likes of Newitt with his Baptist Cemetery degree, who couldn’t discern himself (doctrinally) out of a brown paper bag even if he tried.. inklings of a Cult Leader in the making??? Frightening stuff.

1 Corinthians 11:19
“For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.”

Proverbs 14:3
“In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.”

No More Strangers & Foreigners

The dispensation in which we are currently living is a God-given privelege. To God be the honour and glory.

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Written by Justin Johnson

Ephesians 2:12 says Gentiles were “aliens” and “strangers” from Israel and the covenants of promise. Seven verses later Gentiles are “no more strangers and foreigners”.

“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;” – Eph 2:19

Something happened in those seven verses that granted uncircumcised Gentiles benefits they did not have before.

What happened? What are the benefits?

The answers are in the context.

If we ignore the verses between Eph 2:12 and Eph 2:19, we could easily jump to the wrong conclusion that the church is Israel now and the true recipients of Israel’s covenants of promise.

In Time Past

Between Eph 2:12 and Eph 2:19 there is a dispensational change. That is to say Paul explains a change in God’s revelation concerning how he relates to us and we to him.

In Ephesians 2:12 Paul is explaining the way God related to the world in “time past” as seen in the previous verse.

“Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;” – Ephesians 2:11

In time past God purposed to work through Israel to bless the nations. Israel was the channel of blessing from God to the world. No one had closer access to God than did a Jew.

Jews were separated from Gentiles by their God given covenants, circumcision, and laws.

In time past, Gentiles had no access to God or his blessings except through Israel and their covenants. Gentiles had no hope without Israel, the created nation of priests.

But now, it is different.

A Dispensational Change

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

In a single verse Paul leaps a dispensational boundary from how God operated in time past, to describing how God operates now.

Now, Gentiles have the privilege of being “in Christ Jesus” by the blood of Christ offered to all, both those that were far off in time past, and those that were nigh in time past (Eph 2:17).

No longer do Gentiles need to go to Israel or be partakers of their covenants of promise to receive hope and blessings from God.

Eph 2:13 describes their privilege of gaining access to God and his blessings by means of the blood of Christ.

Instead of requiring Israel to offer sacrifices to make peace with God, Gentiles could now glory that Christ Jesus is our peace (Eph 2:14).

The same Christ according to the mystery has broken down what separated the Jew and Gentile in time past, and which, at that time, gave Israel special access to God and salvation.

Now, all have free access to God through Jesus Christ by the preaching of the cross.

A New Creature

Paul continues to explain the change in Eph 2:15-16. Whereas in time past there were two peoples (Jew and Gentiles), there is now only one man.

Moreover, the one man is a new man, being neither Jew nor Gentile.

“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.” – Gal 6:15

Both Jew and Gentile are reconciled to God equally in one body by the cross (Eph 2:16).

In time past, the house of God was the house of Israel. But now, the house of God is a body of believers in Christ.

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” – 1 Cor 3:16

Gentiles do not need to go through Israel to be reconciled. They now have access in the “one body” of Christ.

Gentiles do not need to partake in Israel’s covenants of promise to have peace with God. They can now be saved freely by the cross (Eph 2:8-9).

Access Through Christ

Eph 2:18 explains the benefit and privilege that is now accessible to Gentiles.

In time past it would’ve been a privilege to be part of Israel, and heir to Israel’s covenants, because it would grant exclusive access to God and his blessings.

But now, access to the Father is offered freely to all men through Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery.

“For through [Christ] we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” – Eph 2:18

Men no longer need to be citizens of Israel to have access to God. We need to be members of the one body of Christ, the new creature.

Neither do men need to be heirs of Israel’s covenants to receive blessings from God. We need to be part of God’s promise in Christ to offer salvation freely to all men by his grace (Eph 3:6).

No More Strangers

In time past Gentiles were aliens from Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise given to Israel, making them far off from the only channel of access to God and his blessings.

But now, a new channel of direct access to God is revealed for both Jew and Gentile which is through the Lord Jesus Christ according to the gospel of the grace of God.

“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;” – Eph 2:19

There is no more separation between Jew and Gentile. We are fellowcitizens with all saints (who are no longer called circumcision nor uncircumcision, but saints).

Instead of becoming part of the house of Israel and Judah according to the old and new covenants, we are partakers of the household of God, which is the church (1 Tim 3:15).

Instead of strangers we are all familiar to God, and instead of being foreign we can now receive the benefits of God’s grace as rightful heirs in Christ (Rom 5:2, Rom 8:17).

If any be in Christ, he is no more strangers and foreigners.

What is the Devil Doing?

To most, the devil is all that is bad in the world, yet he is the good guy standing in the pulpits of mainstream Christianity as well as most Grace churches today. If he can’t succeed in keeping the gospel hid from people, his MO is to twist the knowledge of the truth beyond recognition – leaving a trail of spiritually immature “forever baby Believers” in his wake, who are unable to discern, as well as “unsaved believers” -which are the result of a perverted gospel being preached from Grace pulpits (which is believed for salvation): 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 + Romans 10:9 being one good example of this subtle deception.

If one is convinced one still has to confess with one’s mouth to gain salvation, then I am afraid one doesn’t fully believe Christ did it all on the cross, as one also has to rely on one’s own personal input – it’s known as “adding to the gospel”. And if one does not believe confessing with one’s mouth is a work, try telling that to someone who uses their mouth (speaks) for a living……

“Hey, John, what are you DOING?”

‘I’m busy confessing with my mouth, Pete”

—

Written by Justin Johnson

To most American self-identified Christians, the Devil is as real as Frankenstein or the tooth fairy. A majority does not believe he is a real being, but just a symbol for evil.

A majority of the same folks believe God is real.

This is the perfect combination for a successful deception for someone who is trying to be like God (2 Thess 2:4).

“I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” – Isa 14:14

Satan is not God, but if nobody believes he exists then how would anyone know any different if he claims to be?

What the Devil is Not Doing

Since most believe Satan is only a symbol for evil, the most common way to identify him is by pointing to the evil in the world.

Pointing to the corruption and sin spewing from fallen humanity, people make a false division between everything religious and everything worldly.

Everything that claims to speak for God and tries to do right is of God, and everything that mocks God and lives in self-pleasure is the metaphorical Devil.

Though the Devil does sin, sin is not the Devil.

If the Devil disappeared today there would still be sin and corruption all over the world. It is the nature of fallen sinful humanity that causes these things (Rom 1:28).

“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.” – Eph 2:3

The Devil is not human. The Devil is not sin. The Devil is real, and he is religious.

Satan’s Deception

Jesus knew Satan was real, and involved in the lives of religious men. Jesus spoke to Satan, saw him fall from heaven, warned against him, talked about his dominion, and protected Simon from him.

Satan is religious and desires to be worshipped like God. If he can get people who want to worship God to believe his lies, then he can have all of the worship he wants… as God, in the name of God.

“And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.” – Mat 4:9

The Devil is doctrinal and quotes scripture, but he uses scripture wrongly. Jesus exploited this weakness in the wilderness.

“Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” – Matt 4:9-10

To usurp God’s worship Satan corrupts the word of God. When people believe the lie, God knows they are not worshipping him anymore but the lie which came from the Devil.

This is why Paul warns against mishandling the word of God and the need to rightly divide the word of truth.

“But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully…” – 2 Cor 4:2

The Devil does not deserve our worship. We need to identify his religious lies, lest we fall into them.

Satan Preaches Righteousness

The Bible says that, “Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light” (2 Cor 11:14).

His ministers are transformed into ministers of righteousness, but they are deceitful and corrupt the word of God (2 Cor 11:15).

If nobody believes in Satan, then it is believed that God receives all worship from every doctrine. Doctrinal study is less important than merely praising God. Who else would they be praising?

Doctrine does not matter, after all who else would teach light and righteousness but God?

Since the Devil does exist and is shining false light, preaching false gospels, with false righteousness, it is very important to discern between true and false doctrine.

In the name of righteousness, Satan would blind everyone from the truth by declaring his light to be just as good as any other (2 Cor 4:4).

From those who claim to worship God, Satan receives worship by convincing religious people that doctrine does not matter, and the lie that they all teach the same thing.

The biggest heresy from this perspective is that there is only one way, one truth, and one light.

The Devil’s Religious Business

What is the Devil doing?

The Devil is seeking worship based on doctrinal lies and corruptions that sound religious, pious, and spiritual, but are contrary to the righteousness of God which is by faith in the gospel of the grace of God (Gal 1:8-9, 2 Cor 11:3-4).

He sits in church every Sunday, he reads the Bible (before he twists it), he does charity work. People love him because he is amiable.

They think he is God and that their god is better than the God of judgment that worries so much about religious differences and doctrines.

They have not made a god from their imaginations. Their god is real. He exists. He has power. He intervenes in the world. He is a bearer of light and minister of righteousness.

They are right. They are worshiping someone real, but he is not the true God.

Their false god is not imaginary because they have made the Devil out to be god (John 8:44), and believed a lie that the Devil does not exist.

Written by Justin Johnson

To most American self-identified Christians, the Devil is as real as Frankenstein or the tooth fairy. A majority does not believe he is a real being, but just a symbol for evil.

A majority of the same folks believe God is real.

This is the perfect combination for a successful deception for someone who is trying to be like God (2 Thess 2:4).

“I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” – Isa 14:14

Satan is not God, but if nobody believes he exists then how would anyone know any different if he claims to be?

What the Devil is Not Doing

Since most believe Satan is only a symbol for evil, the most common way to identify him is by pointing to the evil in the world.

Pointing to the corruption and sin spewing from fallen humanity, people make a false division between everything religious and everything worldly.

Everything that claims to speak for God and tries to do right is of God, and everything that mocks God and lives in self-pleasure is the metaphorical Devil.

Though the Devil does sin, sin is not the Devil.

If the Devil disappeared today there would still be sin and corruption all over the world. It is the nature of fallen sinful humanity that causes these things (Rom 1:28).

“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.” – Eph 2:3

The Devil is not human. The Devil is not sin. The Devil is real, and he is religious.

Satan’s Deception

Jesus knew Satan was real, and involved in the lives of religious men. Jesus spoke to Satan, saw him fall from heaven, warned against him, talked about his dominion, and protected Simon from him.

Satan is religious and desires to be worshipped like God. If he can get people who want to worship God to believe his lies, then he can have all of the worship he wants… as God, in the name of God.

“And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.” – Mat 4:9

The Devil is doctrinal and quotes scripture, but he uses scripture wrongly. Jesus exploited this weakness in the wilderness.

“Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” – Matt 4:9-10

To usurp God’s worship Satan corrupts the word of God. When people believe the lie, God knows they are not worshipping him anymore but the lie which came from the Devil.

This is why Paul warns against mishandling the word of God and the need to rightly divide the word of truth.

“But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully…” – 2 Cor 4:2

The Devil does not deserve our worship. We need to identify his religious lies, lest we fall into them.

Satan Preaches Righteousness

The Bible says that, “Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light” (2 Cor 11:14).

His ministers are transformed into ministers of righteousness, but they are deceitful and corrupt the word of God (2 Cor 11:15).

If nobody believes in Satan, then it is believed that God receives all worship from every doctrine. Doctrinal study is less important than merely praising God. Who else would they be praising?

Doctrine does not matter, after all who else would teach light and righteousness but God?

Since the Devil does exist and is shining false light, preaching false gospels, with false righteousness, it is very important to discern between true and false doctrine.

In the name of righteousness, Satan would blind everyone from the truth by declaring his light to be just as good as any other (2 Cor 4:4).

From those who claim to worship God, Satan receives worship by convincing religious people that doctrine does not matter, and the lie that they all teach the same thing.

The biggest heresy from this perspective is that there is only one way, one truth, and one light.

The Devil’s Religious Business

What is the Devil doing?

The Devil is seeking worship based on doctrinal lies and corruptions that sound religious, pious, and spiritual, but are contrary to the righteousness of God which is by faith in the gospel of the grace of God (Gal 1:8-9, 2 Cor 11:3-4).

He sits in church every Sunday, he reads the Bible (before he twists it), he does charity work. People love him because he is amiable.

They think he is God and that their god is better than the God of judgment that worries so much about religious differences and doctrines.

They have not made a god from their imaginations. Their god is real. He exists. He has power. He intervenes in the world. He is a bearer of light and minister of righteousness.

They are right. They are worshiping someone real, but he is not the true God.

Their false god is not imaginary because they have made the Devil out to be god (John 8:44), and believed a lie that the Devil does not exist.

Genesis As True History

A great article! If a one stumbles at the beginning, that is, at Genesis, one will inevitably fall when it comes to the rest of the Bible.

—-

Written by Justin Johnson

The seeds for every major doctrine in the Bible are planted in Genesis.

Without Genesis, the God of Israel is just another tribal deity created by an ancient civilization.

Without the account of the Fall in Genesis, there would be no answer to “why is there evil in the world?”

Without the knowledge of sin, there is no need for a Saviour.

Without the Genesis flood, there is no evidence of God’s power to judge the whole world.

Without the promises made to the fathers, Israel would have no hope of a future kingdom on the earth.

Without the promises made to the fathers, there would be no hope outside of Israel’s laws for salvation.

Without Genesis we may be tempted to worship the sun, moon, or stars as the greatest powers in the universe.

Instead we worship the God of the Bible as first introduced in Genesis, and who was manifest in the flesh in Jesus Christ.

“For by [Christ] were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him” – Col 1:16—

If Genesis is a myth, then so is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Why I Have Chosen The Two Ministries Mentioned On This Blog (For Edification and Learning)

They have chosen not to “access” or “drive” along the Acts 28 route, nor have they stopped to “refuel” at Calvin’s tULip, nor have they flirted with Universalism at any point, neither have they taken the wrong fork in the road and landed up in “Athens”.

*They have not tampered with the Lord Jesus Christ’s deity.

*They do not preach any version of Jean Calvin’s gospel.

*They do not teach the absurdity of Paul having preached more than one gospel.

*They do not erroneously differentiate between the Gentiles of Paul’s pre-prison and prison epistles as being “nigh” and “far off” respectively, simply because it is Acts 28 theology and it is wrong and CAN easily be refuted.

*Neither have they flirted with any of Universalism’s “babies” to any degree whatsoever, like soul sleep for example, because it is only the body which sleeps when it is separated from the soul and spirit when one dies.

*They also have the common sense and discernment to realise Xmas, Easter, et al, do not glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and that one’s liberty should not be used for an occasion to sin.

*They have not turned the gospel of Christ into another gospel by adding Romans 10:9.

*They do not assign themselves to the Cult of Personality where emphasis is placed on the preacher’s personality rather than the biblical-dispensational truth that comes out of his mouth.

I might not know everything, but what I currently know is sound 🙂

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

The Third Thing You Failed To See

Written by Justin Johnson

It is wrong to think that there are only two things going on in the Bible: the old covenant and new covenant. In reality, there are at least three, the old covenant, the new covenant, and the mystery of Christ.

Just as wrong is to think that there are only two people of God in the Bible: old covenant Israel and the Church. Instead, there are three, old covenant Israel, new covenant Israel, and the mystery Church.

If there is one idea that prevents people from making a clear dispensational distinction between Israel and the Church, it is the failure to identify that third people, called by prophesy the righteous nation, the remnant, and the “little flock” of new covenant Israel (Isa 10:21; 26:2; 62:12; Luke 12:32).

In their minds there are only two options, and there is nothing else on the table.

If there are only two people and old covenant Israel does not get the promises, then who else is there to receive them? Limited by their options they end up wrongly attributing to the church that which is rightly new covenant Israel’s.

There is a people of God that is neither old covenant Israel nor the mystery church. There is a third group you failed to see.

Not My People, Now My People

The most common example of this failure is in 1 Peter 2:9-10.

1 Peter 2:9 describes a “a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people.” This is all language in the promises given to Israel.

The next verse says, “which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God” (1 Peter 2:10).

A failure to identify the remnant of Israel leaves only one conclusion: this must be speaking about Gentiles in the church the Body of Christ. Once the church has Israel’s name, blessings, and position, then what is the big difference between Israel and the Church? There is none. If it looks like a duck and walks like a duck and sounds like a duck…

It takes a little more study to learn that Peter is quoting Hosea 1:9-10 in his epistle which speaks to the house of Israel. It was to the rebellious house of Israel that God said:

“Then said God, Call his name Loammi: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God.” – Hosea 1:9

The next verse speaks of the time when the house of Israel would return as sons of the living God.

“Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God.” – Hosea 1:10

When did this occur? When Christ came to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matt 15:24) and offered them the power to become the sons of God (John 1:12).

Peter is speaking to the lost sheep of the house of Israel who found their Messiah and would receive what old covenant Israel would not. It was not the whole nation, but that small peculiar remnant of a nation that believed Jesus was the Messiah who would inherit the kingdom.

It is this group that Peter, James, and John belong to and to whom they wrote their epistles. When most people assume the twelve apostles (who were 12 because there were 12 tribes) are apostles of the church, they fail to recognize the existence of the righteous nation, the third option, the sheep found among those that were lost.

The Righteous Nation

Jesus was speaking to unbelieving old covenant Israel. He took something from them and gave it to someone else. Who?

“Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.” – Matthew 21:43

Even though Matt 21:43 refers to a singular nation (Israel), those who fail to acknowledge the third option will make the “nation” the church. Yet it is clear in the church that there is no nationality and that the church consists of people from many nations (Gal 3:28; Col 3:11). No, this won’t do.

Who are the people who are “not of this fold” in John 10:16, “it must be the church!”, they cry. They’d be right, unless there was another option on the table in John 10 while the church was still a mystery.

Who receives the kingdom if not old covenant Israel? Answer: not the mystery church, wherein is no Jew or Gentile, but the little flock of Israel (Luke 12:32).

Who receives the promises of Rom 9-11 if not old covenant Israel who lacked faith? Answer: the remnant of Israel who did receive their Messiah by faith (Rom 9:27; Rom 11:5).

The Third Option

Non-dispensationalists do not confuse the church with old testament Israel nearly as much as they confuse the church with new testament Israel.

Before you remove the mystery church kept secret from Matt-John and Hebrews through Revelation, you better have something to fill the void. Who received Jesus, if not the church? Who gets the kingdom if not the church?

Dispensationalists do not teach old covenant Israel will return. Dispensationalists teach old covenant Israel has been replaced by new covenant Israel.

Dispensationalists do not teach that the church is the fulfillment of Israel’s prophecies, but that the righteous nation led by the twelve apostles is the fulfillment (1 Peter 1:12).

When you see the presence of this third thing it is much easier to separate Israel and the church. When you see that most, even among dispensationalists, still think the twelve apostles are to the church, you see why there is still a lot of work to do.

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Published: July 1, 2017

My Sweeties

Mommy & Daddy:

Gemma & Neal

and the twins:

Emmelyn & Finlay (currently 15 months old).

❤

Perilous Times

Hold on to your horses, we are entering a time when Bible believers will either have to acquiesce and become part of ecumenical denominationalism because they will have to choose to either “get along” or be persecuted for standing on the Truth of God’s word.

This time round it won’t amount to just litigation about who didn’t want to bake someone else a wedding cake….

Some people erroneously think we’re currently living in the time the Bible refers to as “the beginning of sorrows” which in reality is part of Israel’s prophetic program and has nothing to do with us in this current dispensation.

If one has watched closely what is REALLY happening in the world lately, one will have recognised why we are slipping faster than a monkey on a greased pole into a dark and evil time.

It goes without saying that if one is discerning, one is criticised for being judgmental, and being judgmental boils down to being hateful in the world’s eyes. Bible believing Christianity is thus judged as being hateful by the world.

Chrislam, Seeker Friendly churches and The Salvation Army so happen to be part of ecumenical christianity who believe in closing the gap not only between different denominations, but between different religions too, and the Methodists and Anglicans already have “gay” clergy in their ranks.

*There are only two genders in the Bible but the world now considers there to be at least three genders. Even Facebook has a “him”, “her” and a “their” option when signing up.

Thus Romans chapters 1 – 3 in the King James Bible for one, will soon lawfully be considered to be hate speech, along with parts of Israel’s levitical law with respect to homosexuality and transgenderism (effeminate men). So it won’t come as a surprise if the Bible will soon become contraband.

*The Bible is patriarchal, and God is male, so scripture in all likelihood will be, and probably is already deemed to be part of the much despised “toxic masculinity”.

*Jesus was a white man, which is seen as racism in today’s mixed up world.

These are just a few examples where the world will clash with Bible believers.

Problem is, the majority of Right Dividers and saved people have been busy – are too busy – promoting Trump and politics to realise what is actually happening around them.

It therefore goes without saying that the large majority will acquiesce and become part of the ecumenical brigade, just for the sake of “peace” and to promote their very own version of grace.

Personally, I wish God would “pull the plug” and call us home, I’ve had enough.

2 Timothy 3:1
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.”

The World’s View of Mid-Acts Pauline Dispensationalists

If one is a Bible believer, who believes salvation is through faith in Christ crucified plus nothing, who wants to see people saved and saints edified, and finds oneself in Romans to Philemon while the majority find themselves in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, not to mention everywhere else in the Bible, one is seen as scum of the earth.

The world will hate you, it will reject you because your beliefs fly in the face of its sacred cows, its self-righteousness, and the fact that one preaches the negativity of hell and the notion that the likes of homosexuals, murderers and pedophiles can go to heaven if they merely believe the gospel of Christ, doesn’t sit well with people who are trying hard to work themselves into heaven, because they do not have an inkling what grace really means. Their mindset is that God is currently raining down war, judgment and wrath, and that he is very angry….. and unapproachable.

They also shirk their responsibility, especially when things go wrong, they see it as being due to an unfair, angry and unjust God making life as difficult for them as possible, who they have to continually placate with tithes, good works and praises, and when this doesn’t work, then choose in their unbelief to cut him off totally.

Overall, Man refuses to take responsibility for his actions and submit to God by believing what God’s will is for his life: To believe Christ’s propitiation for his sin, he’d rather put his faith and trust in the world’s system which is absolutely riddled with evil and corrupt men.

It’s nothing short of astounding how far mankind has declined morally in just 30 odd years, yet mainstream Christianity proclaims “millions have turned to Jesus” during this time, and at the same token politicians have also claimed to have had integrity and to have done the will of the people….. if it weren’t so tragic, it would be laughable. Fact remains: people get what they deserve at the end of the day, it all comes down to the law of sowing and reaping.

It’s a sad, cruel world out there, where one is judged and defined by one’s circumstances, and also by what is perceived as one’s strange beliefs, which are in total contrast to what has been preached from the pulpits of mainstream Christianity for hundreds of years.

People on the whole think that if the majority believe something, then that something must be right….. but in essence, a lot of people can also be wrong, and have been – – – and still are. And its for this reason I do not believe in democracy – – and nor does God for that matter, as the Millennium Kingdom will be a theocracy.

“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 4:3

“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:” ,~ 2 Corinthians 4:3

Watch “The Rise of the Uncommitted” on YouTube

Watch “The Coming Rapture” on YouTube

The Curse of the World System

The world will never operate in a perfect manner, not economically, not socially, but the majority of people fail to see it, and when one tries to inform them that trying to accomplish this very thing with the aid of politicians is vanity, they get angry and simply downgrade one to village idiot status.

But in reality, mankind is sin cursed and lives in a sin cursed world, and will NEVER succeed in creating a utopia on this earth.

GRACE AMBASSADORS
Justin Johnson

The Curse of the World System
Part III in a series on This Present Evil World

Purpose:
Show how the curse on the world affects our economic and social order.

Outline:

1. This Present Evil World
a. Sickness; Natural disaster (acts of God); Poverty; Death
b. What happened? Is this God’s idea of a good time?
c . Galatians 1:4 – The root of our ailments is sin

2. World System
a. Genesis 1:1, 31 – God established a world system
i. Genesis 2:8-9, 15 – God creates an environment, a meaningful purpose, a provision, and eternal life
b. God’s Blessings – Leviticus 26:3-5; 12 –

3. The Curse – Romans 5:12; Leviticus 26:15-16
i. sound operation of the world system requires a proper spiritual relationship
b. Genesis 3:17-19 (won’t be healed until Isaiah 65:17-23)
i. Nature – Disaster and Disease – Romans 5:12 – Cursed is the ground
1. will operate against us
ii. Work –Scarcity and Poverty (Genesis 2:15, God’s purposes)
1. No guarantee of success or happiness
2. Autarky – your own provision (Genesis 2:16, God’s provision)
iii. Vanity – Death
1. vanity – from dust to dust (Genesis 2:9, tree of life)
2. From then, ‘Vanity of vanities’ – Ecclesiastes 1:2-4
3. Uselessness, without purpose and hope
iv. Solution? Ecclesiastes 12:13 – Fear God and keep his commandments
c . Every industry of man is subject to vanity because of man’s futility and sin
i. Eccesiastes 1:15 – that which is crooked cannot be made straight
ii. Corruption, Rebellion, Sin, Injustice – Matthew 5:45

4. Gods Solution
a. Earthly – Covenant
i. Isaiah 65:17-23 – Revelation 22:1-4
ii. Regeneration of Nature – a new creation (v17)
iii. Abundance in Work – will bring forth her increase (v22)
iv. Inheritance – shall not labor in vain (v23)
b. Heavenly – Grace
i. Regeneration of Nature – nails it to the cross, a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:20)
1. Nailed the law to the cross- Colossians 2:14, Galatians 3:10-13
2. We will be delivered – Romans 8:19-21
ii. Abundance – riches in glory – Romans 8:32, Philippians 4:19
iii. Inheritance and hope – only if your faith is in vain – 1 Corinthians 15:14-17
1. Our eternal inheritance – Ephesians 1:11, 14
5. Conclusion: We are in the midst of a warfare within a cursed creation
a. We operate within a broken ship, knowing we have an eternal inheritance
i. Regeneration, abundance, and inheritance – Titus 3:5-7
ii. Do it all heartily as to the Lord – Colossians 3:23-24

The Curse of the World System

Works

Works fall into two categories:

*Works of 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

*Works of unrighteousness ~ “All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.” ~ 1 John 5:17

Lost men will be judged by their works (otherwise known as their own righteousness), due to the fact that they are not clothed in Christ’s righteousness…. BESIDES, men do both righteous and unrighteous works throughout their lives and to varying degrees……AND there are varying degrees of judgment at the White Throne, and varying degrees of punishment in the lake of fire, reason being, God is just.

Matthew 11:22
“But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.”

John 19:11
“Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.”

Hebrews 10:29
“Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?”

James 3:1
My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

Acts 24:24-25
And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

Joel Osteen vs The Apostle Paul

Compare Paul’s words below to what Joel Osteen claims is the Christian’s inheritance today on this earth:

*Osteen says God will make “us a great nation”, disregarding the fact that there are Christians in many nations around the world, unless of course he’s referring to the dominionist~globalist view of all the world’s people united under a one world globalist government… A nation? It also reminds me of Trump’s MAGA…..

*He says God will bless us on this earth, and he means it in a materialistic way, yet God only blesses saved people with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places – future. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:” ~ Ephesians 1:3

*He says God will make our name great…… but Paul says, “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 4:3

*He says God will bless those who bless us (Christians) and also lifts this promise out of the Old Testament at a time when Christians did not even exist…… when God was talking to Israel his chosen nation (singular).

*He says God will curse those who curse us (Christians) ~ see above explanation for clarification….. and adds that all the people of the earth will be blessed through us….. all Osteen’s blessings are earthly or materialistic….. But the reality or state of this current world is in direct opposition to Israel’s Covenant promises which Osteen so happens to be ignorantly claiming for Christians today.

2 Corinthians 12:9-11
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

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.

I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.”

Romans 7:24
“O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?”

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

It’s Not a Sin Problem

“It is not a sin problem, but a Son problem; but if they reject the Son, they must deal with their sin.” ~ Justin Johnson

Where I Stand Politically

Politically speaking, I’m neither to the left, nor the right, nor the centre. I so happen to be apolitical.

I believe the powers that be have been ordained of God to protect us, but are also part of God’s greater plan and purpose, just as the Antichrist will be used of God to pour out His wrath on the world in future (the rod of God’s anger), so are current world leaders and their successors used of God to bring certain issues into play with respect to the future Tribulation.

Romans 13:1
“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”

Isaiah 10:5
“O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation.

Politicians, presidents, governments or any man for that matter, can’t fix this dying, present evil world ~ fact.

Galatians 1:4
“Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:”

We Have Liberty……?

Do we have liberty to sin? Celebrating a pagan holy day such as Xmas is a sin as it doesn’t glorify God, it is an occasion to the flesh…. sowing to the flesh.

Galatians 5:1
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

Our liberty comes from not having to adhere to the law to either obtain or maintain our salvation.

We however do not have liberty to continue sinning deliberately…..

Galatians 5:13
“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.”

The Main Reason Why We Shouldn’t Celebrate Xmas

Jesus did not exist only from the time he was born in a stable in Bethlehem as erroneously depicted annually by Roman Catholicism’s “Christmyth” nativity scene.

He has existed forever.

John 1:1-2
“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.”

Jesus is never the reason for the season.

The Gospel That Saves Men’s Never-Dying Souls

All that is required by a person to be saved from an eternal state of hell, regret and separation from God is to believe the good news.

Mankind’s illness: Romans 3:23 ~ For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

God’s remedy:

1 Corinthians 15:1-4
“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 that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”

So must one do good works in conjunction with believing the gospel in order to be saved? The answer is to be found here:

Ephesians 2:8-9
“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.”

And here:

Titus 3:5
“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;”

Romans 11:6
“And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”

We are saved unto good works, not by good works:

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

Romans 3:28
“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”

3 Ways Satan Operates Through Religion Today

*Through works

*Self-aggrandisement through works

*Stripping Christ of his deity

FYI

I have pulled the plug on, as a friend politely referred to it- “Zuckerberg’s baby” (Facebook)…….. In the not so distant past I’ve had scripture removed from my posts, I’ve been banned several times for speaking out, and yes, I have been blocked and unfriended for nothing other than South Africa having won the Rugby World Cup , as well as preaching the word of truth, rightly divided…..

I feel nothing but relief though at having opted out, as the Facebook Slogan Ministries “rightly divided”, along with the self-proclaimed authors, ministers, pastors and intellectuals of both the Aryan and Calvinist sects, not to mention the political buffoonery of the Trump and Johnson crowd whose leaders’ matching hairstyles (dragged through a bush backwards) are nothing but pure agony and an exercise in total futility….. Politicians simply do not have the savvy, nor the moral eptitude to fix the world’s problems.

I have encountered them all – the “fixer uppers” who want to regenerate the world with their kindness, the “look how ecstatically happy I am without Jesus” minions not to mention the “I follow Buddha’s tenets to make me a better Christian” slaves…. so I thought I would cut the strings before the attics were cracked open and the baalbushes, tinsel and holly were dragged out to blind me once again, hohoho 🙂

I pray for these folk, indeed I do.

I can’t say I will return like the Terminator did ~ probably no “I’ll be back” in the foreseeable future because right now I feel like I’ve “done my time” and have been freed from prison…… So it goes without saying, I am relishing in my new found freedom away from all the silliness of Facebook theology and those awful memes 🙂

So, no need for ya to tie a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree, ya hear? 🙂

Pertinent Questions For Zane Newitt, Steve Atwood & Trey Searcy, Amongst Others

I have posed these questions before, and no-one seems capable of answering them…..

Firstly, the majority of people who enter the Tribulation period or Time of Jacob’s Trouble will be born during the Dispensation of Grace, (there is no other option) and since the Trib is only 7 years in duration (if that), it goes without saying, those born at the beginning or just before this period won’t even reach adolescence during this time…..

Secondly, these people, adults, which includes Jews in the flesh, who Atwood, Newitt and the rest of the Unconditional Electionists purport had their sins forgiven the day they popped out of their mother’s wombs…. are the very Jews who have to endure until the end during the Trib…… who also have to confess their sins….

So…..

a) Where in the Bible does it say their sins will be imputed back to them in order for them to be forgiven again according to the kingdom gospel?

Forgiven how many times?

Sins unconditionally forgiven?

Or not forgiven at all?

Re-imputed?

Or have to be confessed?

b) Since the lost (according to Padré Newitt’s philosophy) aren’t judged according to their sins at the White Throne Judgement, but only according to their works, can they please explain how people’s words, actions and deeds (works) are totally sin free? Because one has a tendency to sin most the time when one opens one’s mouth and when one does things, unless one is an Egyptian mummy…… Works = one’s own righteousness = sin = works.

“To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” ~ Jude 1:15

Regarding the aforementioned “pastors and teachers”:

They are doctrinally dangerous. Zane Newitt, to my mind is a theological Proctologist of note, whose teachings on You Tube are as shallow as moss on a drainpipe, whereby one is left wanting after having listened to his drivel “rightly divided”, not to mention it’s also like sitting through a series of mind numbing denominational sermons when listening to him as he inevitably tries to “dolly things up” with important sounding words to make it all sound grandiose……

…… and then there are Atwood’s “speeches” mercy! which are nothing but doodle dung in the sun, festering and masquerading as sound doctrine……. Just another Calvinist covering his tracks. The same applies to Trey Searcy who spews a lot of important sounding doctrinal brouhaha for those who lack discernment to gleefully absorb.

These men appear to be very humble, kind and helpful, but then, so is the devil an angel of light in this dispensation….. don’t be fooled….

When all is said and done, I pray for these people…..

“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

4 Places You Can Minister

Written by Justin Johnson

If you are a saved person in the Body of Christ grace doctrine teaches you have been called into ministry. There are no exceptions.

Perhaps you think being called to ministry means becoming a pastor, priest, or teacher standing in front of the church. Don’t worry, this is not the first time you’ve been wrong.

Since you are not that, you have assigned yourself the role of “layman”, pew-sitter, and spectator, a recipient of spiritual welfare, exempt from doing any ministry work.

Your thinking needs to change.

There are no priests and laymen in the Body (terms used by religion). There are no spectators on the field of play. We are all ministers of the Lord in active duty.

Your ordination papers are found in Eph 2:10, Eph 4:12, and 2 Tim 3:16-17. They come from your ministerial Head, the Lord Jesus Christ, and are signed by the Spirit in you.

A failure to recognize your ministry responsibility is a rejection of your Head, and each of us will give an account to the Lord for our service (Rom 14:12).

It’s time you found something to do.

Don’t know where to do ministry work? Here are four places you can minister:

1. In the mirror
2. In your home
3. Within the church
4. Without the church

Universalism and Not Imputing Sins

A favourite proof-texting verse ~ some leave out the latter part of the verse after the semi-colon to feather the nest of their personal “holy cow”…. and in doing so, reject trans-dispensational truths regarding sin…..

During the dispensation of grace, God has made PROVISION for the entire WORLD to be reconciled to Him (as opposed to only Israel in times past) by means of the word of reconciliation ~ the Gospel of Christ ~ 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, regardless of the fact that some THINK these verses are not sufficient on their own in having the power to save men’s never-dying souls…. Think what you like…. the truth is: 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 is the preaching of Christ crucified according to 1 Corinthians 1:23 and dispensationally, it has the power to save men’s souls…. Romans 1:16

A STUDY OF 2 CORINTHIANS 5:19

“ 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

1. Introduction

a. We know the Bible says sin, judgment, wrath, and hell are real and populated.
b. We know salvation is through faith, and that faith is necessary to be saved.
c. We know the Bible says some are in eternal darkness, fire, for rejecting God.
d. Universalism is not possible in light of what the Bible says to be true.
e. 2 Corinthians 5:19 is a passage that ensnares grace believers into universalist tendencies
f. Like Universalists they confuse the terms and timing of salvation.

i. Like the Calvinists, they believe if God died for them, they must be saved.
ii. Unlike the Calvinist, they believe Christ died for all.

g. There is a difference between the provision and the possession.
h. There is a difference between what was accomplished and how it is applied.

2. “reconciling the world unto himself”

a. “God was in Christ” – When was this? This was Christ in the flesh, on the cross.
b. Without Christ there was no hope, we were dead, sinners, enemies of God.
c. Christ PROVIDED reconciliation for the world before God: he provided the means
d. In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins – Ephesians 1:7
e. The body of his flesh through death provided reconciliation – Colossians 1:20-22

3. “not imputing their trespasses unto them”

a. How could he do that, when we were all sinners? A: love/grace – Romans 5:6,5:8,5:10
b. Not imputing trespasses, which we deserved, he died for us – 1 Timothy 2:6
c. When he died he took away the enmity and made peace – Ephesians 2:13-17, Romans 5:13
d. John recognized the love of God for Israel – 1 John 4:10, 2:2, 1:9; Hebews 10:16-18
e. Not all are forgiven – Revelation 18:5, Matthew 6:14-15, Hebews 3:10-19, Hebrews 4:3-11

4. “the word of reconciliation”

a. We preach God’s provision to men, so that they can possess it – Acts 26:18
b. Faith is required to partake in God’s provision – Ephesians 1:12, Colossians1:23, 1 Corinthians 15:2
c. In Christ is salvation, only in Christ is he a new creature – 2 Corinthians 5:17
d. Propitiation (satisfying God’s justice) is through faith in his blood – Romans 3:25
e. When sins are forgiven through faith, he can justify through faith – Romans 3:26-28
f. Not imputing sins & imputing righteousness are linked – Romans 4:6-7, 2 Corinthians 5:21
g. Salvation is offered unto all – Romans 3:22, 11:11, 11:15, Titus 2:11, Colossians 1:5-6
h. Salvation is universally available, but not universally believed by men – 2 Thessalonians 3:2
i. It is not a sin problem, but a Son problem; but if they reject the Son, they must deal with their sin.

Universalism and Not Imputing Sins

Bodily Resurrection

No resurrection ~ no Christianity ~ no hope….

OUR PRESENT SALVATION, OUR FUTURE HOPE

“For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:
And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. ”- 1 Corinthians 15:16-17

1. The Reality of Resurrection
a. Resurrection is the cornerstone of Christianity
b. No man can resurrect on his own; science says it is impossible
c. Alternatives: materialistic annihilation (hopelessness), reincarnation (pointlessness)
d. In the Bible, everyone is resurrected – some to life, some to death – John 5:28-29
e. Our bodies will be a different sort (celestial) – 1 Corinthians 15:35-40

2. Jesus’ Resurrection Confirmed
a. Jesus foretold it – Mark 8:31, John 2:19
b. Disciples were ignorant of it – Luke 18:34, John 20:9
c. Apostles reflected the change of truth in their testimony – Acts 4:10, 1 Peter 1:3
d. He was seen by 500+ people – 1 Corinthians 15:5-8

3. Resurrection and Salvation
a. Without Christ’s resurrection our faith is vain – 1 Corinthians 15:12-18, Romans 4:25
b. The misery of life without resurrection, “lets go play while we can” – 1 Corinthians 15:19, 32-33
c. If no resurrection, the power of death still reigns – 1 Corinthians 15:54, Romans 5:17
d. The payment is void if it cannot be sufficiently delivered – Romans 5:10

4. False Views of Resurrection
a. Spiritual resurrection “epiphany” – Liberals deny resurrection
b. Missing body “Houdini” – Islam, Judaism, shroud of Turin, Jesus grave – Matthew 28:12-15
c. Resurrected as a spirit – Jehovah’s witness – but… John 20:27-29, Luke 24:39-42
d. Soul sleep – you are unconscious until resurrection – answer: soul and body are different
e. Sinners do not resurrect – See the judgment … Revelation 20:11-13

5. Resurrection and Your Life
a. Christ is preeminent – Colossians 1:18, 3:3-4
b. The life of Christ in our mortal flesh – 2 Corinthians 4:10-11, 14
c. New life in Christ, we should not serve sin – Romans 6:3-9
d. The power of his resurrection in your life! – Philippians 3:9-11
e. Our future hope is in the redemption of our bodies – 1 Thessalonians 4:13, Romans 8:23
f. Our past, present, and future is tied to the resurrection!

Seminar 2016: 06 – The Power of Christ: Resurrection

Diagnosing Doctrinal Problems

Often, certain doctrinal errors are perceived as unimportant, but what one really needs to ask oneself is: down which rabbit hole will they eventually take one? What is perceived as a minor issue today could well in fact become a major problem tomorrow.

“It is common for Christians to spend hours in black hole conversations going back and forth about questions without making any progress. This may be because the underlying issue is not being addressed.

There are a handful of major doctrinal foundation stones that the Bible provides. Instead of spending countless hours on secondary issues and questions, deal with the bigger problem and you will make better progress.

Learn how to properly diagnose the real problems behind common Christian questions.” ~ Justin Johnson

Diagnosing the Real Problem

a. Our goal: Using sound doctrine (Titus 1:8) gently helping to recover (2Timothy 2:24-26)
b. Creation/evolution is not really about rocks and dating.~ Real issue: Bible authority
c. Translations are not really about languages. Real issue: Bible preservation
d. Faith and works. ~ Real issue: Doctrine of sin and salvation
e. Eternal security. ~ Real issue: Doctrine of sin and salvation
f. Calvinism/Arminianism. ~ Real issue: Doctrine of sin and salvation
g. Tongues, spiritual gifts. ~ Real issue: Doctrine of the mystery
h. Signs of the times, Israel’s return. ~ Real issue: Doctrine of the mystery
i. Baptism, tithing, Lord’s Supper. ~ Real issue: Doctrine of the mystery

https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=011542167956647073312:s1pusbd7muu&q=https://graceambassadors.com/audio/diagnosing-doctrinal-problems&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjbxrqs08vlAhXPyIUKHfNjALQQFjADegQICBAC&usg=AOvVaw1vsDnaI6vCIz0FQ3Sqsgff

Yeah!!!!

Watch “Mossel Bay and Klein Brak River” on YouTube

My little corner of the world…. ❤ love this place ❤

Odes of the World

Xmas is an Ode of a Defenceless Baby in a Mythical Crèche who the world worships once a year.

Ishtar is an Ode to the world’s “mathematical ingenuity” ~ how to fit three nights and three days into an Easter weekend…

Valentine’s Day is an Ode to the world’s unbridled concupiscence, covetousness and foolishness.

Halloween is an Ode….. to who actually rules this world…..

And New Year’s Day is an Ode to the world’s wishful thinking, broken promises and fleeting resolutions, where nothing lasts.

Strange how the Odes of the World so happen to be annual celebrations….. which tells me the world’s love and faithfulness is short-lived…….. whereas saved people are thankful and worship the One True God every day (or should).

“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” ~ Romans 1:21

“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” ~ Philippians 4:4

Salvation Explained

DESCRIBING SALVATION CLEARLY

“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” ~ 2 Timothy 3:15

Salvation Explained

a. Salvation is simple… or we would like it to be, but it has many people confused.
b. It WAS not fully understood – Job 9:2; Ecclesiastes 12:13; Psalm 143:2; John 3:9
c. Salvation will remain a mystery until Paul’s gospel is acknowledged – 1 Timothy 1:16
d. Salvation is made manifest through the apostle Paul – 2 Timothy 1:9-11, 2:7, 3:15

1. The Meaning of Salvation (What?)

a. There are 7 ways to describe salvation, so, what do you mean?
b. Passing from death to life, from bonds to liberty, from darkness to light – John 5:24
c. Salvation from enemies, sins, pain, suffering, death, tribulation – Luke 1:71, 1Timothy 1:15
d. Grace, atonement, forgiveness, redemption, reconciliation, justification, deliverance.

2. The Need of Salvation (Why?)

a. We live in unrighteousness, evil, corruption, and sin – Psalm 14:1-3, Galatians 1:4, 1 John 2:17
b. This has consequences now (sin) and later (death) – Romans 5:12, 6:23
c. We need salvation because we face trouble, we are sinners, and we are going to die.

3. The Giver of Salvation (Who?)

a. God is powerful, he is loving, he is the life giver, he is the judge – Psalm 68:20, Isaiah 51:5
b. Salvation can only come from the authority of the judge – Psalm 7:8-9
c. Only God can give salvation – The Lord has become my salvation – Exodus 15:2

4. The Mechanics/Means of Salvation (How?)

a. How can a just God also be a justifier of sinners? Answer: Jesus Christ – Romans 3:25-26
b. Sin imputed to him and his righteousness to us through faith – 2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 4:25

5. The Offer/Message of Salvation (Which Gospel?)

a. The means was not always known – it was kept secret – 1 Corinthians 2:7-8
b. There are many gospels, but only one way men are saved – Deuteronomy 6:25;Psalm 119:1; 66-174
c. The gospel of grace we preach is according to the mystery of the gospel – Ephesians 6:19

6. The Delivery of Salvation (When?)

a. Enduring to the end – Mark 13:13; Grace comes to Peter in the end – 1 Pet 1:5, 13
b. Kingdom/covenant salvation comes when the kingdom comes – Revelation 12:10
c. Salvation by grace in a finished work occurs now – Romans 5:11, Ephesians 1:13, 2:5

7. The Result of Salvation (Then what?)

e. This is where we describe our destiny in heaven – Ephesians 2:6, or earth – Matthew 6:10
f. Sanctification, separation, duty, responsibility, and ministry in mystery or prophecy
g. The fruit, rewards, inheritance, and glory will not all be the same.

The above is the outline, the audio can be found here:

Salvation Explained

For Those Who Try and Make Excuses for the Perpetrators of Doctrinal Error

“When teaching error creates a public problem, it can only be corrected publicly. When personal errors cause private problems they should be dealt with privately. Hymenaeus had a very public ministry.” ~ Justin Johnson

So the way one deals with error is to speak privately with the person who has committed, say, for example, adultery or steals….. that is, personal sin, but if a person preaches and teaches error from a public platform on the other hand, one has every right to correct him publicly.

So much for the Cult of Personality trying to keep their very public ministries which are platforms for MAJOR doctrinal errors, hushed up…

They preach error publicly, but want one to rebuke them privately… why??

“Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.” – 1 Timothy 5:20

Guess What? Jesus Sent Paul

As much as people think I am a “Paul worshipper”, the fact remains: the ascended, glorified Lord Jesus sent Paul ❤ so everyone can be saved apart from the law, Israel, any covenants and the 12 apostles…..

~

Jesus Sent Paul

In the opening verse of all of Paul’s epistles, except the Thessalonians, it is clear that Paul was an apostle or servant of Jesus Christ. Even in Thessalonians you find verses such as 1 Thess 2:4 and 13 that declare his granted position from the Lord.

Inevitably, despite this servant relationship to Jesus, when I compare the messages of Paul or Peter (Gal 2:8-9), consider what the apostle of Jesus Christ says (2 Tim 2:7), or magnify his office as an apostle of Jesus Christ (Rom 11:13), the retort is always that I make too much of Paul.

They say, “We should glorify Jesus not Paul.”

Paul Glories in the Lord Jesus

Don’t they know that out of all the writers of scripture, Paul glories more in Jesus Christ than them all (Gal 6:14)? This is because he knew more about Jesus Christ than them all! He knew more not because of his intellectual brilliance but because of the mystery information revealed to him by the Lord (Gal 1:11-12, Rom 16:25).

It was his privilege to “fulfill the word of God” with a message that no one before him knew (Col 1:25-26).

Jesus made Paul the apostle and the pattern of salvation to us that “hereafter believe” (1 Tim 1:16).

Paul does not elevate himself above Jesus Christ when he bows to him and calls him preeminent (Eph 3:14, Col 1:18).

Following Paul’s pattern and instructions requires glorifying God by Jesus Christ (Rom 16:27, Phil 2:11).

A Gentle Three Words

“Making too much of Paul” is a common response that should be expected. It will be used at the point in the conversation when the other person does not know how to respond to the doctrine. They feel threatened and take solace in Jesus’ words in the red letters.

What they don’t understand is Jesus did not pen those red letters. God inspired those words in the same sense that he authored Moses or Paul. What they want to say is “I follow Jesus [in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John] and not Paul”.

They are at their wits end and are getting frustrated. This is when they expect you to apologize for not following Jesus. Do not back down; do not argue. Instead, with an aptitude to teach say only three more words. Do not press the conversation after this. Let them think about these words.

When they say, “I follow Jesus” calmly respond, “Jesus sent Paul.”

Celebrities & Mailmen

I’m afraid the vast majority of people automatically look for articulate and intelligent men who are deemed to have the truth…… which they don’t necessarily have, as there’s a particular Right Divider who is also an Author……. yet cannot discern figures of speech…….. how sad is that? Who also so happens to be popular…… double sad 😦 😦 Thus his inability to discern leads him to believe in a flat earth…. which brings me to the following question: Did you know the Flat Earth Society has offices around the globe? 😉 JK…… 🙂

~

Celebrities and Mailmen

I do not know the name of my mailman although he provides me with a valuable service. With no disrespect to him, I do not need to know. What is important is that he delivers the right mail: the mail addressed to me.

I can name a dozen celebrities off the top of my head that do not provide me with anything. They are good looking, popular, articulate, and to some are entertaining. Our society glories in celebrities, but not mailmen.

The church does the same thing. It holds up a few popular, articulate, entertaining, public speakers as Christian celebrities. Like other celebrities we want to know about their personal lives; we want to emulate them, and we invite them to our parties as guests to be fawned over.

The Corinthian church gloried in men. They wanted to lift up certain individual members over others because of their pedigree, status, appearance, and presentation. This worldly celebrity system imported into the church causes division and strife (1 Cor 3:3).

“For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” – 1 Corinthians 3:3

It is wrong for the church to have celebrities.

“Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?” – 1 Corinthians 3:5

“Therefore let no man glory in men.” – 1 Corinthians 3:21

What is more important than which man ministered or in what eloquence they ministered was the message they ministered.

He explains that those who build upon God’s building should “take heed how they build thereupon” (1 Cor 3:10).

It was required of stewards of God’s mysteries to 1) know the mysteries, and 2) be faithful to them.

“Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” – 1 Corinthians 4:1-2

Without respecting the revelation of the mystery, Christian celebrities are wrong twice. When ministers, celebrities or not, do not know how to rightly divide, then they deliver the wrong doctrine to the wrong people.

This is more dangerous than if the mailman gets it wrong. Some ministers want to be celebrities. Paul wanted to be the faithful mailman. I would not trust a celebrity to give me what I need, and even the best mailmen are not popular.

It shouldn’t matter who is teaching the church and what pedigree they have. It should not matter if their name has national recognition, and that we know all about their wife and children. What matters is that he delivers the right doctrine: the doctrine addressed to us today.

The church needs less celebrities and more faithful men who know how to deliver the right doctrine to the right people.

“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” – 2 Timothy 2:2

Why Churchianity Thinks Its Prayers aren’t Answered

Popular Reasons for Unanswered Prayer (with verses)

1. You have secret sin – Lamentations 3:44; Psalm 66:18, 90:8; 1 Peter 3:12
2. You are not tithing – Malachi 3:10
3. You are not fasting – Mark 9:29
4. You are not asking in faith, believing – James 1:6; Mark 11:24
5. You are not reading the Bible regularly – Romans 10:17
6. You are not in fellowship with God – John 15:7
7. You pray after your own lust – James 4:3
8. You do not pray with spiritual authority in Jesus’ name – John 14:13­-14
9. You are not praying loud enough: don’t whisper, speak audibly – Matthew 16:19
10. You are too greedy: be more thankful – Philippians 4:6
11. You don’t ask – James 4:2
12. Your prayers are not big enough, don’t be petty – Mark 11:23
13. Your prayers are too vague, be specific – Matthew 7:9­10, 21:22
14. You presume God will answer your prayer your way – Isaiah 55:8
15. You are not praying in accordance with God’s will – 1 John 5:14
16. You are impatient: it will be answered in God’s time – Matthew 6:7­8
17. You are not persistent, pray until it is answered – 1 Thessalonians 5:17
18. Your prayer is already answered, you just don’t know it yet ­ Daniel 10:12­13
19. Your prayers are too long – Matthew 23:14
20. You don’t spend enough time in prayer – Luke 6:12
21. You doubt and harbor unbelief – Mark 9:23; 1 Timothy 2:8
22. You are not helping God answer the prayer ­ 2 Thessalonians 3:10
23. You are not praying the right way (prayer formula) – Luke 11:1
24. You are holding a grudge with someone else: forgive – Matthew 5:23­24
25. You do not have the proper environment to focus – Matthew 14:23; Mark 1:35
26. You’ve rejected God’s counsel ­1 John 3:22
27. You are not praying in the spirit – 1 Corinthians 14:15; Jude 20
28. You need to pray in agreement with another – Matthew 18:19­20
29. Your prayers are too public; pray in secret – Matthew 6:6
30. God did answer; his answer was ‘No’. – 2 Corinthians 12:9

“The only time my prayers are never answered is on the golf course.”
­ Billy Graham

Notice most of the reasons start with ‘You’. When the prayer promises were given to Israel it was with covenantal strings attached. If they behaved, then God would bless them (and answer their prayer).

Today Christians are not under the Old or the New Covenant and so
prayers are not restricted because we broke a covenant or behaved badly. Neither is God obligated to answer our requests because of good behavior.

Prayer is not a way to manipulate God; it is a way to speak to him.

We pray not because he answers every request but because he can do abundantly above what we request (Ephesians 3:20).

Pray without ceasing.  Alway rejoice in the Lord!

http://www.graceambassadors.com

In ALL WAYS and ALL things, rejoice in the Lord!

What would Jesus Do As Opposed to What Paul Would Do?

Gotta love this…. How many denominationalists today see Jesus as confrontational during his earthly ministry?  Zip, zero, zilch, that is….. until they want to justify their own confrontational human nature…. then he is confrontational…… The self-righteous bracelet enscribed with the letters, “WWJD”, always “slayed” me, even when I was a self-righteous Pentecostal, as I knew I could never attain to his perfect standards, the reason why I never wore one…. and I perceived those who did as being totally unrealistic….. even then….

The problem is that most are not / cannot be honest with themselves as it would upset the apple cart, which so happens to be their lives…. they can’t admit they’re wrong as they don’t want to lose friends or family, they don’t want to lose their good reputations, upset people nor lose their social standing… not to mention the flow of $$$,  this unfortunately is the sad reality of mistaken denominationalists and Right Dividers who can’t stand the “egg effect”, that is, having it all over their faces, especially those with churches and longstanding ministries who so happen to be popular   this is exactly when I ask myself, “Was Paul popular? ” the obvious answer is NO, so then why are the “Grace Pope” and “Grace Godfather” popular then?  Good question….

~

Written by Justin Johnson

While people have been asking “what would Jesus do?” for over a century, it seems the question has never been fully answered Biblically.

Jesus told men to leave their families, insulted people who hosted him for dinner, and said many things to hide the truth from his audience.

A far cry from the gentle Jesus, meek and mild, conjured by nice sounding songs, the truth of the Bible is that Jesus was confrontational, bold, and cryptic in the few years he ministered to Israel.

His attitude aside, even the message Jesus preached to Israel would not be our pattern. He never preached the cross for salvation and did not utter a word about the mystery of His body that would define the church until years later.

A better pattern for ministry today would be an ambassador saved by grace sent to preach the cross of Christ for salvation to all the world through faith alone.

That pattern was given to us in Paul’s ministry ordained by the Lord.

“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 Tim 1:16

The Lord’s earthly ministry to fulfill Israel’s prophecies would not be our pattern of ministry. We minister salvation by Jesus Christ, and that according to the ministry pattern of the apostle Paul.

“Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.” – 2 Tim 2:7

 

Why Paul Named Hymenaeus and Destroyed His Ministry

1. The reason why I will name Atwood, as well as his offshoots, and Jordan and Beaulieu too, is because their ministries are no longer the Lord’s ministry… Atwood, Lockhart and Newitt preach another gospel (Unconditional Election) as well as kenosis, Jordan preaches Kenosis and Beaulieu is just one mixed up “puppy” in my opinion, who shouldn’t be preaching at all, because he’s not willing to make a stand either way, he’s on an ecumenical path which circumvents God’s true grace…. and whether he or they choose to react to this or not, makes no difference whatsoever, it is what it is….. their followers and fans might vehemently disagree with me, but it makes no difference to the truth at all….. these men have been corrected and spoken to in excess of three times already about what they are teaching is wrong, but to no avail….. After all, it’s not about men and their feelings, it is about the Truth.
2. Another thing, if you’re too self-righteous to handle the lost (unbelievers) on my Facebook page, who I’m preaching the gospel to and praying for – you’re most welcome to remain in your ivory tower…. sadly, you’ve forgotten what you were before you were saved…

~

Written by Justin Johnson

Can you imagine sitting under the teaching of Hymenaeus and reading Paul’s letters to Timothy?

“And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;” – 2 Timothy 2:17

Ouch.

If someone teaches doctrinal error, is it acceptable to name them?

If the Bible is our pattern then it is not only acceptable, but something that needs to happen more often.

The Danger of Letting Error Remain

Why would Paul name a minister of the Lord in such negative manner? Did not Paul know that Hymenaeus and Philetus were also ministering Christ, there were not many Christians in the world, and they needed to support one another?

Paul explains why he called the ministry of Hymenaeus and Philetus a canker in the next verse:

“Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.” – 2 Timothy 2:18

It was not because of personal prejudice, a mean spirit, or unkindness that Paul named them. They had erred from the truth. They were teaching a wrong doctrine, one that had serious consequences.

If a minister departs from the truth, it is no longer the Lord’s ministry (1 Tim 2:4).

Philetus could have been a wonderfully warm and caring man who ministered to many people helping them with many problems, but concerning the important Christian doctrine of the resurrection he taught error. Paul knew the danger of allowing this error to persist.

Perhaps those in the ministry of Hymenaeus and Philetus thought that their teacher simply had an unique perspective. Perhaps they considered the non-literal nature of the resurrection more spiritual and applicable to their lives.

Paul called his teaching Satanic and dangerous in 1 Timothy 1:20.

Paul knew that this wrong doctrine would result in damage to the body of Christ, as it had already overthrown the faith of some. Paul’s response was to point out the error and the teacher so that the problem could be excised.

Doctrinal error leads to ungodliness, and is dangerous if left to fester.

Responding to Teachers of Error

The proper response is not to ignore the error, whitewash it, or compromise with it. The proper response is to fix it. God gave us a tool to deal with errors: the scripture.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” – 2 Timothy 3:16

Correction, reproof, and teaching right doctrine all require pointing out error. When pointing out error it is important to point out who teaches it, so that the brethren know from where it is taught.

“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

The most dangerous errors are those taught by teachers who are most likeminded. It is from these teachers that sincere brethren do not suspect to be introduced to doctrinal poison.

Notice that Paul did not name the pagan leaders of the day. He named Hymenaeus, a fellow teacher of Christ, because he was introducing error among Christians who were listening to him thinking they were learning some new truth from the Lord.

Shouldn’t Paul go to these men behind closed doors in private and discuss the matter?

When teaching error creates a public problem, it can only be corrected publicly. When personal errors cause private problems they should be dealt with privately. Hymenaeus had a very public ministry.

“Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.” – 1 Timothy 5:20

Paul’s Pattern in Naming Names

In our postmodern (nobody’s-right-nobody’s-wrong) evangelical (cant-we-all-get-along) Christian culture, pointing out doctrinal error is taboo. Naming specifically who teaches the error in order to warn the weaker brothers goes beyond the pale.

Paul was neither a postmodern nor an evangelical.

He named Demas, Philetus, Alexander, and Hymenaeus directly for their errors. He constantly warned, corrected, rebuked, and pointed out error in every epistle.

He identified “enemies of the cross” and heretics, called men “dogs” and “evil workers”, and issued more than one curse toward people continuing in error.

Our Lord in his earthly ministry called men vipers, hypocrites, and blind children of the devil. These names were not thrown at the Richard Dawkins of the first century, they were applied to the religious teachers and leaders in Israel!

The goal was to destroy the ministry of error, and return to the pure ministry of the truth.

The Purpose of Calling Out Error

The purpose of naming someone’s error is to correct the doctrinal problem introduced; warn and protect the weaker brothers; mark and avoid those who spread the error; and to maintain the pure doctrine within the church, the pillar and ground of the truth.

Naming those who teach contrary doctrine also allows public debate over important doctrines which need to remain strong.

When naming teachers of error becomes a greater offense than actually teaching the error, then the priorities of the church are backward.

When the church would rather protect the reputation of men rather than the truth, then the priorities of the church are backward.

The purpose of the church is not to support men in their ministries; it is to support the truth and its ministry. When error is introduced it should be named, corrected, or kicked out.

Paul did not give room for the error of Hymenaeus no matter how esteemed or popular he was. Paul wrote his name in inspired scripture for generations thereafter to see and read in black and white that he had taught error.

Why did Paul name Hymenaeus and destroy his ministry? Paul loved the pillar and ground of the truth more than popularity, protection, or the praise of men.

God is not Mocked

• When reading this article, keep in mind that all politicians sow to the flesh….. including Trump whose Spiritual Advisor so happens to be Paula White, whose belief and underlying motive is to bring in the Kingdom on earth NOW, which is rank dominionism….. And like all politicians and denominationalists, Trump is unfortunately an unsaved man who puts the emphasis on the here and now….. money, riches, success and happiness on this earth ~ $$$$$ ~…….. (it’s also how one so happens to discern who are still “babes” in Christ – look where they sow ~ look at their priorities…. even after many years…..)
• MAGA = Kingdom Now Theology, whether you like it or not. The real reason why Trump’s administration is ordained of God is not to make America great again, but to bring certain aspects into play in order to prepare the world for the prophesied tribulation period, (like his successors will also do) but most Right Dividers are so busy sowing to the flesh, they fail to see it….

~

Written by Justin Johnson:

The polls were closed, the votes counted, and at long last the election was over. But not before God was invoked one more time.

During her concession speech Hillary Clinton encouraged her party to keep working for the next election. In doing so, she referenced Galatians 6:9 from the Bible.

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” – Galatians 6:9

What is this supposed to mean in the context of a political election? Is she claiming divine guarantee that her party would return the White House? Could not the other party claim the same promise from the same verse?

How is this different than the sports team that prays for a victory? What if the other team prays louder and has a better chaplain?

There is something bad wrong about using the Bible this way… then again, most preachers don’t exactly lead by example.

What Scripture Really Says

When Paul wrote Galatians he wrote to people who thought that following the law could improve their standing with God.

So if anyone makes a doctrinal gaffe of eternal consequence such as when Clinton said “in order to achieve salvation, we need both faith and good works”, Galatians would be a good book to read… the whole book.

Clinton misused Galatians to say “God guarantees a success if you continue to work hard, so don’t give up.” Paul corrects this wrong idea two verses prior to Galatians 6:9.

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” – Galatians 6:7

God is not a heavenly genie in a Bible lamp granting success to whatever we put our sinful hands. He is not mocked.

If you do not sow the right thing you will reap the wrong thing. If you do not sow in the right place you will reap the consequences.

“For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” – Galatinas 6:8

The right thing to sow is the doctrine of God’s grace and not the law. The right place to sow it is to the Spirit, and not to the flesh.

Paul is not talking about reaping your dreams, social change, presidential elections, money multiplication, or political success. What is reaped is either corruption or life everlasting.

The consequences of getting this wrong are more disastrous than simply making a bad policy decision.

Political campaigns, especially the current one, are anything but a sowing of God’s grace to the Spirit.

What She Meant To Say

What Clinton was trying to say was “Don’t give up in politics”, and she used the Bible wrongly to tell an entire political party (including many unsaved people) that God promises that they will reap political success if they continue to sow in the political process.

God is not mocked.

Then again, Hillary Clinton is not the first to do this. This kind of Bible abuse comes from pulpits across the country. She was mimicking how Bible teachers use the Bible: taking it out of context for their own personal gain.

We all know preacher speak when we hear it.

What she meant to say is the same thing preachers say every Sunday when they stand before a room full of people of dubious faith and tell them that God wants them to reap happiness and success no matter what they sow and where they sow it.

God is not mocked. No one can sow to the Spirit that does not have the Spirit by trusting the gospel of the grace of God! No one can reap of the Spirit unless they have sown the doctrines of God’s grace (1 Cor 2:14; 1 Cor 4:1-2).

For most preachers (and politicians) rightly divided doctrine does not matter. They think there is no struggle between flesh and Spirit anymore. If it feels right, it must be of God. If you succeed, it must be because of God. If it’s in your heart, God must have put it there.

But that is not what God said. That is a false hope, false message, and presents a false view of God. God is not mocked.

Unsaved people will not reap life everlasting in any way. Salvation is not of works. They need the preaching of the cross of Christ. Christ is the only way to be saved, not political elections. God is not mocked.

God Is Not Mocked

How to Change Your Country ~ the World…

Written by Justin Johnson

HOW TO CHANGE OUR COUNTRY
PART IV OF A SERIES ON AMBASSADORS AND POLITICS 

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds” ~ 2 Corinthians 10:4

1. The World Needs to Change
a. If Hillary and Donald are stranded at sea who survives? Answer: America
b. John Piper says they should both step out of the race
c. That the world needs to change is evident to all – we live in an evil world – Galatians 1:4
d. Every Miss America wants to bring in world peace – but Christ himself didn’t!
e. Does not God want all men changed? – 1 Timothy 2:4, Philippians 3:21, Romans 12:2
f. The question becomes changing toward what end? And by what means?
g. This is a question of true doctrine, which is the church’s responsibility – 1 Timothy 3:15

2. Our End
a. People are divided over the end goal – science cannot tell us where we should go
b. “maximizing happiness” is an exercise in vanity; as is seeking prosperity
c. Doctrine is heard everywhere: conservative, liberal, fringe, centrist, mainstream
d. We are fighting a spiritual war in a world of flesh of blood – 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, 10:13
e. Is our goal to conquer and rule or save and serve – Be in power or preach with power?
f. Liberation theology = deliver us from social oppression and injustice! (Exodus)
g. Kingdom Dominion/Reconstruction = conquer for Christ! (Genesis 1:28; Matthew 6)
h. Tribulation now = Look out for Christ! Run and hide! (Acts 2:16-17; Matthew 24:3)
i. Grace doctrine = Salvation offered to all; not all receive it; but some will (1 Corinthians 9:22)
j. All things work for good “according to his purpose” – Romans 8:28

3. Our Means
a. Dead people are voting and being voted into office (if only… Romans 6)
b. If our end is salvation and edification – then our means is this 1 Corinthians 1:18,21
c. The wisdom and princes of this world “come to nought” – 1 Corinthians 2:1-8
d. The devil would distract us from our end or our means – 2 Corinthians 2:11; 4:4
e. Often the most engrossed in politics are those least involved in seeing souls saved

4. Our Message
a. What is our ultimate authority? God or Man – Romans 3:4
b. How do we view truth? Literal/Absolute – Abstract/Allegorical
c. How are we saved? (nature of man) Grace (inherently evil) or works (inherently good)
d. Is our future secure, is there a purpose? Yes (hope), No (hopeless)
e. Who makes our choices? Free will vs Collective choice/Calvinism
f. Who’s responsible for our choices? Us (judgment) or Our rulers/parents/etc (victims)
g. When we preach Christ crucified, and God’s word rightly divided, we have tools of change.

An Ambassador’s Political Point of View

7 Important Doctrines About the Bible

Written by Justin Johnson

The Bible is the most important book in history, and is what defines our faith. Without it we would not know who God is, his will for us, salvation, or the Lord Jesus Christ.

The way to destroy Christianity would be to destroy the Bible. This present evil world knows this and has been attacking the Bible for centuries. No Bible = no Christianity.

As a result of relentless attacks without reply, generations have a view of the Bible that it is an anachronistic book written by men that no one can understand, filled with mistakes, and is unneeded for true spirituality. What lies!

If Christianity is on the wane it is due to a failure to fortify these important doctrines about the Bible. If removing the Bible makes Christianity crumble, returning respect to the Holy Book of Books will strengthen it.

Here are seven important doctrines about the Bible that will strengthen your faith in God’s word and make you a Bible believer.

1. Revelation – God spoke words.

Revelation is the doctrine that God has spoken. The Bible is God’s revelation. This is important because God is true, holy, good, and without error. Therefore, what he says is true, holy, good, and without error. This is where we get the “holy” in Holy Bible. The Bible is sacred because of its author. The Bible was revealed by God.

“For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.” – Galatians 1:12

2. Inspiration – God’s words in writing.

Who doesn’t know the Bible was written by men. The doctrine of inspiration describes how God’s words were put in writing using the instrumentation of humanity. The Bible was not delivered from heaven like the golden plates of Mormonism, or by oral tradition like the Talmud or Koran. Divine inspiration teaches that God wrote the Bible with human pens to write specific words (2 Peter 1:20-21).

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God…” – 2 Timothy 3:16

3. Illumination – God’s words understood.

The Bible can be understood, because of the doctrine of illumination. God did not write a book so that no one could read and understand it. His purpose was for all to know and each to study for themselves (1 Tim 2:4; 2 Tim 2:15). The Bible is not a book God kept in secret, but helps us to understand. How can we understand? First, faith is required (Rom 10:17). Then, you must be spiritually quickened (1 Cor 2:12-13). Thirdly, you must acknowledge Paul’s instruction (2 Tim 2:7).

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

“Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.” – 2 Timothy 2:7

4. Utilization – God’s words must be used.

It is necessary to have and understand the Bible, because God requires it be utilized. We are told to preach it, teach it, study it, rightly divide it, eat it, believe it, live by it, stand with it, fight with it, and obey it. This doctrine alone should cause us to cherish God’s holy book: we need it! Faith comes by no other way.

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning,…” – Romans 15:4

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” – Romans 10:17

5. Canonization – God’s words complete & sufficient.

This oft neglected doctrine describes how the Bible came to be complete and defined. A corollary to this is the idea that the Bible is all that we need: it is sufficient. There is nothing lacking from it to make us perfect (complete) workmen for the Lord. There is nothing else we need from oral tradition, experience, gut feelings, a Pope, magisterium, deacon board, anointed pastor, or the wisdom of the world. God said many things that are not in the Bible, but the Bible is what God wants us to know, and it is finished, complete, and sufficient in sixty-six books.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable… that the man of God may be perfect,…” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17

“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;” – Colossians 1:25

6. Preservation – God’s words through history.

Without preservation none of the other doctrines matter. God could have revealed, inspired, and completed a Bible to be used and understood, but without the doctrine of preservation it is all for naught, and the Holy Bible was lost thousands of years ago to history. If God wants us to understand and use his words that he inspired, then they must be preserved through history. There are no more original autographs. Preservation is needed for God’s words to endure forever (1 Pet 1:25).

“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” – Matthew 24:35

“Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.” – Psalm 12:7

7. Identification – God’s words in your hands and heart.

In a world, culture, or church that does not understand and believe the previous six important doctrines this final doctrine is the most offensive. It is also the most important for the word of God to have an effect in your life.

This doctrine describes how you know you hold God’s words in your hand and are reading them with your eyes. If God inspired and preserved his word we should be able to identify it today.

There are so many different books claiming to be the Bible. It was the need to clearly identify the Holy Bible which drove men to reduce the differences and number of Bible translations down to one. After all, God only inspired one, and we only need one, and the church is one, and so which one is it?

When it is said that God’s perfectly preserved words in English are found in the King James Bible this is a statement reflecting the doctrine of identification.

“…when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” – 1 Thessalonians 2:13

The Effect on Those That Believe

The Thessalonians had to identify by faith the words of God before they had an effect. Perhaps the reason Christians are not being effected by the word of God is that they are not clearly identified amidst hundreds of different translations.

Perhaps you cannot yet identify which Bible is God’s words. Perhaps you have been persuaded that they are all the same, or that God does not preserve his words, or that the Bible is too hard to understand or is not completely sufficient or necessary for us to have.

Denying any one of these important doctrines about the Bible brings confusion and doubt upon the Bible. Without the Bible, Christianity becomes ineffective, or worse.

“For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar.” – Romans 3:3-4

Christians are people of a book. Strengthen your understanding of these important doctrines about the Bible and your faith will grow, and God’s words will work effectually in you.

Pray without Ceasing

Personally, I pray for family, enemies and friends to be saved, as well as for Right Dividers to repent of their error…. it not only changes one’s perspective and priorities, it also changes others’ lives….. and is highly recommended ❤

—-

Written by Justin Johnson

“Pray without ceasing.” – 1 Thess 5:17

Too often it seems that some pastors are the only ones applying this verse and always right when the roast is burning.

Oh, it makes a wonderful slogan. Print it on wrist bands and it will sell for sure. But, have you ever thought about it? What does it mean to pray without ceasing?

Prayer has become a waste of time for those who do not see its true function. To them unceasing prayer is simply a pious platitude without merit for practical living. Yet if we are to glean useful doctrine to furnish us unto perfection we need to carefully study its meaning.

Surely it does not advocate prayer without stopping. Prayer at the exclusion of eating, sleeping, and work is impractical. Paul himself says he does not ‘cease to pray’ for the Colossians (1:9), yet takes time out to work day and night in 2 Thess 3:8.

However, we should also not spiritualize the verse, as some who lack understanding do, by saying that our whole life is a perpetual prayer to God. We ought to walk in continuous attitudes of prayer. This claptrap leaves the verse destitute of doctrinal application and is little help.

The passage refers to regular prayer communication with God faithfully and without fail. In this tone, Paul told the Colossians to continue in prayer. Never fail but watch.

“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;” – Col 4:2

Prayer has a function of helping us take spiritual inventory. We pray the doctrine that we know; we pray for the things we desire; we pray what is in our thoughts; and we pray in thanksgiving for what God has done for us.

Prayer will tell us whether we are in God’s word receiving doctrine, whether our heart is right, our minds sound, and our attitude grateful.

Without continual prayer many believers fall back into the ways of the world lacking spiritual evaluation. It is for this edifying purpose that we are told to pray faithfully and without fail: to pray without ceasing.

Paul, the Pattern of Salvation Today

Written by Justin Johnson

The gospel according to the mystery of Christ is unique in that it is freely given to all 1) without Israel; 2) without the Law; 3) and without any covenant.

Though I have said this repeatedly, it is not new with me. The gem below was written over 70 years ago by pastor Harry Bultema speaking of Paul’s apostleship.

“He was saved in a different manner than they; by the vision and dialogue of and with the risen, glorified Lord. No one was ever saved as was Paul.He was saved apart from the twelve apostles.
He was saved apart from Jerusalem and the Holy Land.
He was saved apart from the Law.
He was saved apart from any and all covenants.
He was saved apart from all good works.”

In other words, he was saved on the road to Damascus according to the mystery revelation of Christ (Eph 3:7-9). He was the apostle of the mystery gospel without Israel, without the Law, without covenants (Eph 6:19-20; Rom 11:13; Col 1:25-27).

Christians protest at adding works to the gospel of the grace of God, but they won’t bat an eye at adding Israel, the Hebrew epistles, the new covenant, or the Holy Land to God’s operation today.

Adding these things departs from the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the mystery, because it departs from the pattern of Paul’s salvation.

Don’t fail to set apart the prophecy of Israel’s land, law, apostles, and covenants from what God is doing today.

Adding these things corrupts the clear gospel of grace just as much as adding works. This setting apart is necessary to prevent adding anything to the gospel of Christ. That’s why we call it right division.

 

Gospells

We have the “prosperity” gospell, the “repent and be baptised” gospell, the “invite Jesus into your heart” gospell, the “change your lifestyle” gospell, and now we have the following gospells, namely,

The “flat earth gospell”: “one can’t be saved if one thinks the earth is round, irrespective of what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4……”. It’s definitely saved by grace + belief in a flat earth 😉 ….. This gospell is as nutty as a fruitcake which hasn’t risen….. 😉

Try wrapping your mind around his one:

The “Unconditional Election gospell”: if one doesn’t BELIEVE everyone is automatically forgiven the day they are born, including oneself, then one doesn’t have FAITH how that Christ died for one’s sins…
… On the other hand…. to have FAITH in Christ for the forgiveness of one’s sins is a WORK 👊 …….
… even though it’s previously stated one has to BELIEVE (have faith) how that Christ died for one’s sins… ??
…… these “intellectuals” are just too “clever” to take note of the ridiculousness of their own absurd gospell….
….. so… at what point is faith not a work anymore?
When the Calvinists say so, my dear…….

The latter gospell is “dished out” with what is deemed as “love and grace” exactly as it is portrayed in denominational churchianity, by the “experienced and self-elected psychologists and intellectuals of the Grace Movement” sitting in their ivory towers, thinking they have arrived…..

AND the fact that they believe people go to hell with their sins FORGIVEN, is nothing other than Calvin’s LIMITED Atonement…. Forgiven, BUT not saved….. and in hell = limited atonement……. because one “didn’t have faith in the gospel”, yet faith is a work…..???

Having one’s sins forgiven unconditionally…. IS Unconditional Election, by the way….

“A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” – James 1:8

Was it Solomon who said pride comes before a fall? A massive doctrinal fall in this case, which has already occurred….. which is now growing and will eventually incorporate a full blown, yet subtle works based gospel OR alternately, full blown Universalism or both …… duly created Frankensteins……. as unsound doctrine doesn’t come to nought, but rather has a tendency to proliferate like wild fire….. in both stature and numbers….. and will eventually be…… is already….. perceived to be fundamental Pauline truth….. because the majority are either too ignorant or have a tendency to put the holy grail of fellowship and the cult of personality before sound doctrine……
…then people wonder how come there will be a falling away before the catching away of the Saints in the air…….

“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;” ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:3

In Perspective

Interesting which other religion believes the earth is flat….. because their Qur’an “also says so”…..

“The earth is flat. Whoever claims it is round is an atheist deserving of punishment.

That is a well-known religious edict, or fatwa, issued two years ago by Sheik Abdel-Aziz Ibn Baaz, the supreme religious authority of Saudi Arabia.”

I guess in FE speak, that would mean “the truth is hidden in plain sight in the Qur’an lol, just as it is with the UN and Freemasonry…… all are wrong, except for when it comes to flat earth 😉

 

True Story

Finding New Things

Written by Justin Johnson

The Athenians would have loved the internet.

“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

The Athenians did not continue listening once they heard it (Acts 17:32). It wasn’t new to them any more. Many Christians are the same way: if they heard it once or even a few times they venture out to find some new teaching.

After the honeymoon of learning to rightly divide, some find it is no longer new and seek to find some new thing just to be fresh. This can be dangerous if the first things are not firmly stablished.

Just because it is new does not mean it is true. For some folks if it sounds like an old teaching, they get turned off immediately. Old things may be true if the old thing is a foundation stone.

To discern new things from wrong things go back and repeat the fundamentals. Buildings are built taller by strengthening the foundation.

If you’ve been learning new things. Go back and remind yourself of the first things, lest you forget their importance and start to cut off the branch you sit on.

If you are leading a Bible study or studying on your own, spend ample time placing the anchor in the preaching of the cross, the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Bible without error every chance you get.

If you do not it will come back to bite you. When your teaching is no longer new, people will drift off into error.

Every year I preach lessons about these same topics. Repetition is necessary to teach that the most important doctrines will not be the new thing they discovered online, it will be the fundamentals of Christianity.

This One Thing I do

Written by Justin Johnson

Philippians is a book about life in Christ. It teaches us to have the mind of Christ in all things. It teaches us how to do all things through Christ.

This is accomplished by simplifying life down to doing one thing. Nothing else exceeds this one thing.

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do…” – Philippians 3:13

There are hundreds of things that must be done in life. We must do the laundry, pay the bills, make dinner, raise the children, fix the roof, and the list goes on and on. But what are we trying to attain? What is the one thing we are seeking?

Perhaps it is to be esteemed as a success in our career, a great parent, a wonderful humanitarian, liked by all, and wealthy enough to enjoy the pleasures of life.

The natural reason for living life is to do what “I want to do”. In our old man every thing we do serves to attain our many goals to be who we want to be. How does Christ help us do that?

This is exactly the problem. To the young believer, Christ is merely an addition to life taking time and resources from every thing else we must do.

There is only so much time to add the Bible, church, ministry, and ultimately Christ to our life. Besides, what can it do for us? How can it help me accomplish the things I want to do? Trying to add Christ to our life only makes us busier.

The secret to life in Christ is to understand that Christ is not an addition, but is our whole life (Gal 2:20; Phil 1:20). This simplifies your life by removing all the other things you are trying so desperately to attain. You are dead, and you live now because you are raised with Christ.

Without Christ, the natural reason for living life is to do what “I want to do”. In our old man every thing we do serves this selfish purpose: my purpose for my life.

To live life in Christ requires crucifixion of your old man and its mind. You need a renewed mind, a single mind, the simple mind of Christ (2 Cor 11:3).

Instead of a hundred things competing against Christ, there is only one thing we do. Every other thing is held captive to this one thing. What was Paul’s one thing he did?

“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” – Phil 3:14

The high calling of God gives you eternal life, a resurrected life. Paul sought resurrection, in life or death (Phil 1:20).

“If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” – Phil 3:11

He did not add to this the ambitions of his old man: esteem of the world, making many friends, gathering wealth to enjoy the pleasures of life, or early retirement.

Man cannot serve two masters. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. Choose you this day who you will serve. It is either God’s will or your will. If you are crucified with Christ, it is not yours but God’s.

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

We need a single mind. We need to do this one thing: be raised with Christ (Rom 6:8-11). When Christ is our life, then we can do all things through Christ, for Christ, to know Christ. This is the secret to a life of peace, joy, and righteousness.

We work to pay our bills because that is what Christ told us to do (2 Thess 3:12). We raise our children in the Lord because that is what Christ told us to do (Eph 6:4). We speak the truth in love, because that is what the Lord Jesus Christ wants his Body to do to see souls saved (Eph 4:15; 1 Tim 2:4).

You cannot continue living to attain for your old man if you desire to live to attain for your new life in Christ. This is double minded and it will destabilize and destroy your life in Christ. You are crucified. Your life is His life now (1 Cor 6:20).

The secret to life in Christ is realizing that there is only one thing we work to attain. There is one thing we do. Every other attainment competes with who we are in Christ.

“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.” – Phil 3:12

How to be Saved from Death to Life

Written by Justin Johnson

The Bible speaks about things for which many people are searching. For example it tells us of the creation of the world; the cause of evil in the world; and man’s purpose of existence.

The Bible also speaks about the cause of death. It says, ‘Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned’ (Romans 5:12). The Bible tells the story of how the first man, Adam, was disobedient towards God and introduced sin and death into the world.

As a result there are two things we can be sure of in life, ‘it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment’ (Hebrews 9:27). Every person will die because of their sin, and then their every word, deed, and thought will be judged by God’s righteous standard.

How will the judgment turn out? Well, ‘‘to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 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” (Romans 2:8-9).

The evil will be punished for eternity with anguish and wrath, the righteous will be rewarded with eternal life. Yet, there is a problem: There is none that are righteous. We are all headed for eternal damnation in hell!

How can we make such a harsh and absolute statement? How can we know that we are not good enough to get into heaven? We can determine our fate on Judgment Day by using God’s standard of judgment.

Read ‘Am I good enough to go to heaven?‘

God’s Act of Salvation

This life is only for a moment, and yet our eternal destiny lies in the balance of what we do in this brief moment.

Will we continue to live, even seemingly good lives, knowing that we will still be found guilty by God? Or do we seek for salvation from the wrath to come and seek for the righteousness that can gain eternal life for us.

Because of God’s love towards us, and his unwillingness that we should face eternal damnation, He provided for us a way of salvation through Jesus Christ (John 14:6).

Knowing that we are all sinners, and that there are none righteous (Romans 3:10), God sent Jesus Christ to take your place on the cross (Romans 3:25). The wrath and judgment of God was poured out upon His perfect Son, who did not deserve death or punishment.

This righteous sacrifice was made sin for us so that we could gain his righteousness (2 Cor 5:21). Now we can receive righteousness apart from the law of God, which is the righteousness that comes by faith of Jesus Christ (Rom 3:21-22). Though we did not deserve any rescue from our own sinful condition, God showed his love for us by dying for our sins:

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

The gospel of God’s Grace

Grace is a gift received but not deserved. The Bible says that when we put our faith in what Christ did on the cross by His grace then we are saved from the wrath of God (Eph 2:8). We are justified [made righteous] freely by the redemption in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:24).

If we put our faith in the Lord Jesus and his propitiation on the cross, then we can stand before God on judgment day and know that Jesus has provided a complete payment of our sins. Therefore we are saved not by how well we act or perform, because we are all guilty of God’s righteous standard, instead we are saved by what Christ did and performed on our behalf (Eph 2:9, Titus 3:5).

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” – Romans 3:23

Yet we have been graciously given an opportunity to participate in the glory of God through our trust in the gospel of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:16).

If you are not sure if you are going to heaven, reread this page, then determine in yourself how you will fare on judgment day. Will you be guilty when God judges you by his righteous standard? The Bible says we all have fallen short.

Are you saved from God’s wrath?

Do you see the need for salvation from sin and death? If so, then read the gospel of the grace of God on this page again or in your Bible in Romans 3:19-26, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, or Titus 3:3-7.

Do you trust and believe that Jesus Christ, God manifest in the flesh, is able to perform that which he promised for you, eternal life? Trust in him, as you would a life preserver on judgment day.

Your faith is rewarded by eternal life:

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. ” – Romans 6:23

The Bible says that if you have heard of the gospel of your salvation and you have trusted in Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection, then you have been given the Holy Spirit as a seal and a promise of what God will give you for eternity – which is life everlasting.

If you have trusted in the gospel, you may not feel like much of anything has changed. But know, by faith in the word of Truth, that you are now forever changed from a child of sin and disobedience to one of God’s children who will reign and rule with Him for eternity in heavenly places.

You are saved from the wrath of God, and have been given eternal life by the grace of God!

Am I Accountable to God?

Written by Justin Johnson

“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

There are two things we can learn from the Copernican revolution: one is that the world revolves around the sun in our galaxy, the other is that the world does not revolve around any of us. It is a big step in our understanding the truth that we are not the center of life, the cause of life, or even a major factor in making the world spin. Billions of people have lived throughout history and even the most famous world-changing individuals are relegated to the dusty pages of a few history books.

Our earth is so large that from our perspective the edge of it (the horizon) looks more like a line than the curve that it is. Our sun is so large that it would take millions of earths to fill its volume. The power of the sun makes the effect of our most powerful nuclear weapons appear miniscule. Yet, it only takes one corrupted cell, smaller than a pinhead, to cause our bodies to develop cancer, malfunction, and die.

Eventually we all die, and the world will turn again. Every man that has ever walked the earth has died. No one doubts that the power that started the universe or the power that keeps us alive is greater than we are to control. Even the most heathen religions in the world recognize a force greater than themselves by which they are held captive. Life and death happens to us all. God was the beginning, and he will be the end.

The Bible explains the personality of God as righteous and even records his purpose for our lives. He was before we were, and is the one that gave us life. In him is life, and without him is death.

Our accountability to God

“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. ” – Romans 1:21

Humans alone, among all of God’s creation, are given the capability and responsibility of choice (Deut 30:19, Gen 1:26). They are free to choose within the righteous boundaries God sets before them. Outside these boundaries is complete independence. Independence from limitation, independence from God, independence from life itself: for without God there is not life. This disobedience to God results in death.

God alone is able to hold us accountable for our actions for it is by His power that we exist. It is easy to turn to a fellow member of humanity and say, “Who are you to judge me?”. For typically, we each hold no authority over the choices of each other. Where authority is present in our world, it is because the authority has a power over the lesser in some sense. The umpires have authority over the players since they enforce the rules. The governors have authority over the citizens since they are for our protection. Just as any parent has the authority over their children to raise and provide for them, so does God have authority over humanity. It is his right to do with his creation as he pleases, and yet he is good in that he chooses to bless life and provision upon all who obey.

By looking at the magnitude and magnificence of creation it is evident that we are not the beginning and end of life. We are merely players in it. Therefore we are without excuse as to the presence of God and his authority. Whether we choose to deny him or partner with him, it does not refute the fact that he is and has power over eternity. In fact, we are free to deny God; however, we must face the consequences. The choice of the first man to deny God has left the world in a corrupted state.

The corrupted state of the world

“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;” – Romans 1:29

The current corrupted state of the world did not originate with God, but was the result of the disobedience and ingratitude of man towards God. When man chose to be independent of God’s provision then he has been forever cursed by his own actions.

In result, God established a time in which to rectify the disobedience of man towards himself. This future Day of Judgment will happen to us all, and we will all face it after we die (Hebrews 9:27). It is at this time that we will be able to face God, and our eternal continuation in life will be judged.

The justice of God

If an umpire refuses to enforce the rules, not only does he weaken the power of the rules, but he displays his own lack of integrity for his position. In the same way God cannot allow the rules of righteousness and life to be broken without recompense, or his integrity and the power of the rules will be destroyed.

God cannot simply let our disobedience continue since it would mean that he would have to be in support of disobedience himself. God’s justice and integrity declares punishment for sin, and restitution for the wrong-doing in the world. The evil works of man, even those that go unpunished by our human judicial systems, will not escape the judiciary of God. Every man is tried before God for righteousness or wickedness.

To those who are righteous and were obedient to God, eternal life, but to those who were disobedient to God, condemnation and wrath. Unfortunately, no one is good enough to pass onto eternity in good standing with God (See “Am I good enough to go to heaven?” to see if you are good enough).

However, because of God’s love for us, we are offered an escape from our dire situation of future condemnation and from sin without sacrificing God’s justice. This salvation is found in the Bible and through Jesus Christ. (See “How do I get saved?”)

Without our salvation, then we will be subject to God’s wrath for eternity. Read what the Bible records about those who are not found righteous before God:

“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

God’s Two-Fold Plan and Purpose

Written by Justin Johnson

The foundation of dispensational Bible study lies in the doctrine of God’s two-fold plan revealed in Scripture. The understanding of God’s two-fold plan contains the key to understanding God’s purpose in all of Scripture.

While all of Scripture is unified in its ultimate purpose in Christ, there is a need to rightly divide the word of truth to understand what is being said, by whom, and to whom (2 Tim 2:15).

Contrary to how publishers print our Bibles, the most important division in Scripture is not the division between the Old and New Testaments. The most essential distinction we can recognize in understanding our Bible is the difference between prophecy and mystery.

Prophecy – God’s plan for the earth

The subject of prophecy pertains to God’s revealed plan to reign and rule over the earth. This information includes the utilization of the nation Israel as the channel of blessing to the entire world (Genesis 12:2-3: Isaiah 2:2).

This information and detailed plan culminates in the Lord’s coming to earth where he will set up his kingdom in Zion for ever (Micah 4:7).

Zacharias sums up this body if information as consisting of what was spoken by the prophets since the world began.

“As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began” – Luke 1:70

Peter also taught this prophetic plan made known from the foundation of the world.

“Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.” – Acts 3:21

Mystery – God’s plan for the heavens

The subject of the revelation of the mystery pertains to God’s plan to reign and rule over the heavens (Rom 16:25, Eph 2:6). This information includes the utilization of a new creature, without national distinction or status (2 Cor 5:17, Gal 3:28).

This corporate body resides under the authority of Christ as the head – it is known as the Body of Christ (Eph 4:12, 1 Cor 12:27). This pan culminates in the Lord’s receiving of the saints to reign and rule in heavenly places for ever (1 Thess 4:16-17).

This information is summed up in the clear statement by Paul that it was not part of prophecy.

“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

“And 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:” – Ephesians 3:9

Rightly dividing the word of truth

Understanding this primary distinction in God’s plan for the earth in prophecy and God’s plan for heavenly places in the revelation of the mystery is the key to ‘rightly dividing the word of truth’ (2 Tim 2:15).

Rightly dividing which instructions pertain to the prophetic plan from the specific information revealed in the mystery plan allows us to become wise knowing the will of the Lord (Eph 5:17). Well-informed soldiers are better equipped for battle, and well-informed saints are better equipped to please him who died for them (2 Tim 2:4).

As we recognize the two-fold plan of God we can also better recognize God’s ultimate purpose for all things, both in heaven and on earth, to be in Christ.

“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:” – Ephesians 1:10

Whereas ‘in the beginning God created the heaven and the earth’ the Bible rightly divided reveals God’s two-fold plan to ultimately reign and rule over the heaven and the earth.

Short & Sweet

Before trying to convince me of your idiotic flat earth theory, why don’t you try learning what FIGURES OF SPEECH are, especially when reading your Bible….

Is it any wonder many people do not listen to flat earthers anymore when they expound on grace and the revelation of the mystery, because they think it’s just as looney as the flat earth theory which is spewed.

I’ve cut out the flat earthers along with the Kenoticists and Unconditional Electionists, as their insatiable need to make one “believe” has reached new heights of “cantankery”, and amounts to nothing other than ramming it down one’s throat, like one’s life depended on it…

The flat earthers with their specially created, unique (one of a kind) formula called Facebook Science in tandem with foolish memes are the worst self-elected “Bible believers” on the “plane-t” :-/  yeah, they’ve even changed that word to fit in with the their “superior” notions….. when all I see are figures of speech, plain and simple!

Facebook sure is one crazy place, people, where Australia so happens to be the only country which is upside down, regardless of the fact that certain parts of it are situated further north than South Africa, Chile and Argentina….  and don’t even think of mentioning the vastness and enormity of the spherical earth to them as they are unable to grasp it….. their memes depict people and buildings outrageously bigger than the spherical earth itself…. which proves their dishonesty…. as well as the fact that these people do not think for themselves.

Once one opens the door to this kind of absurdity and quotes scripture to back up that absurdity, more absurdity is inclined to follow…. guaranteed.

“But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.” ~ 2 Timothy 2:20

 

And I care…?

Why would anyone out there think it would bother me what ANYONE thinks of me when my Saviour had absolutely no reputation at all, which, by the way, did not define him.

“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

Too many people out there care what others think of them, especially those who cannot get their doctrine right, whose churches imitate those of outwardly righteous mainstream Christianity where grace is skin-deep and sound doctrine is sacrificed on the altar of social etiquette and the cult of personality.

“But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.” ~ 2 Corinthians 11:6

 

 

It is He who sitteth on the dome which covers the flat Earth…..?

Nope, doesn’t look flat to me…. one of the crudest, if not one of the funniest deceptions ever conceived – applying Man’s limited building skills to planet earth and making both God and heaven finite in the process – its what happens I’m afraid, when figures of speech are twisted into reality!   Absurdity rules at the end of the day 😦

Rodney Beaulieu’s latest video says we cannot know anything about God’s creation which is really sad because Isaiah 40:22 has this to say about the earth:

“It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth….”

It clearly says he sits upon the circle of the earth and not upon the dome or firmament covering the earth (FE speak).. So for God to sit “upon the circle of the earth” from every point or angle, that is, heaven would logically have to be a circuit which encircles the earth….

“Thick clouds are a covering to him, that he seeth not; and he walketh in the circuit of heaven.” ~ Job 22:14

“His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.” ~ Psalm 19:6

So irrespective of where you are on the planet, heaven is up…. how neat is that? 🙂

The Grace Movement has not only been “flattened” and been rendered unrecognisable by Kenotic theology, Acts 28 theology and Calvin’s Unconditional Election…. it’s also been made a laughing stock by what it terms as, “God’s very own cosmology”, the evidence of which is summed up directly “from scripture” I’ll let ya know, by those who are ignorant of figures of speech…. metaphors….. idioms…… similes…. hyperboles….. et al….. how about onomatopoeia?  Anyone?

Especially Joshua 10:12-14 is used a lot to prove the earth remains static….. where it says God stopped the sun…. which in effect means daylight time or the hours in the day were extended so the job at hand could be accomplished….. Why, even today we unanimously adhere to the old adage and say, “the sun rises and the sun sets”, but it doesn’t, really!

The spherical earth does in reality have two “protective bubbles”, namely the ionosphere and the magnetosphere which minimise or repel solar and cosmic radiation.  Yes, the earth has an atmosphere made up of various gasses, which is where we also get our oxygen from and so happens to turn with the earth, hence the reason you can’t feel it spinning.  It also has a magnetic field…. 👌 Isn’t God great?

If the Flat Earthers really wanted to settle their argument once and for all, they would all get together, club in and take an airborne trip to see things as they are with their own eyes, instead of trying to intimidate everyone else with their so-called Bible cosmology (((rolls eyes))).  Some people!  They will believe anything when provided with ” Biblical proof” because they simply do not know what figures of speech are! Thus they unwittingly try to drum their ignorance into you   Mercy!

Then along comes Rodney, and takes it to the next level of absurdity! “It’s not flat, and well, it’s not round either….” LOL!!  It’s all one huge heave-ho! Then it must be square, rectangular or triangular….. “nah, we dunno”.

And the devil has them exactly where he wants them, playing around with an idiotic, limited edition man-made version of the earth…. there’s nothing flat about a tent, or pillars for that matter, both of which conveniently have their place in the FE theory….. believe it or not….

How far is the east from the west on a flat earth?  Definitely not as far, one from the other as on a spherical earth 😉

“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” ~ Psalm 103:12

 

 

 

Without Hope

Written by Justin Johnson

Hope has been called faith in the future tense. The optimists of the world are always trying to engender hope. Evolution teaches we are on an a steady incline of progress. Economists tell us that we live in a world of unprecedented economic success. Family researchers say our children will be the most advantaged children in history!

However, evolution can not resolve the death problem.

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:…” – Heb 9:27

Though we have the highest technology we end up using it only on our death bed.

“For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” – 1 Tim 6:7

For most of us worldly success is not in reach and the lure of prosperity fades quickly away.  At the very end of our lives everyone sounds like Job:

“My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and are spent without hope.” – Job 7:6

What hope can we give our children if we know they will in the end spend their lives without hope like everyone else?

False Hope Ignores Death

All too often the hope of the world is only a mask for the hopelessness that awaits us all in death. Yet, it is in death that hope is truly needed!

The world is still searching for a hope that lasts. It has not found it.

Even some Christians look for hope in science, success, or children, but Paul pulls back the curtain on this temporary hope:

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

The Bible says the cause of hopelessness is a rejection of the gospel of Christ. Despite God’s provision of hope in the gospel the world remains in an hopeless condition:

“…without Christ,… having no hope, and without God in the world:” – Eph 2:12

True Hope Defeats Death

God gives us the hope of eternal life; death is defeated (Titus 1:2).

Jesus provided the means to receive it (Titus 3:7).

A sinless Jesus purchased forgiveness before God with his blood and conquered death in his resurrection. What was once a world without hope in death is filled with hope for those who place their faith in the free gift purchased by the cross of Christ.

The promise of God is sure that we shall see future glory in Christ (Rom 8:18). The hope of the Bible is not limited by death. Instead, it is useful all the way to our death bed and there it applies its greatest strength.

Death has been conquered and we too will resurrect to eternal life if we are in Christ. When it has lost its sting, death can only bring us closer to the glory of Christ than ever before (Phil 1:21)!

The world offers no comfort for the hopeless. Jesus provides hope and comfort to the dead and dying!  Your sins can be forgiven! You can have eternal life! You can glory in God!

“Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” – 1 Thess 4:18

God and Suffering

Written by Justin Johnson

“Why doesn’t God stop all suffering?”

It is not suffering that God would need to prevent but life itself.

Every man/woman/child born into this present broken existence cursed by sin is subject to suffering in one way or another.

Suffering was not first introduced by God. It was introduced by humanity through sin and its consequences. God has been involved in removing suffering and sin ever since. This is called salvation.

If God were to prevent all suffering immediately, then he must needs prevent all people born in sin from being born at all.

This would be the ultimate abortion, and would be a quick end to humanity.

God knows that life is better than death, and would rather let people live with the hope of salvation, than to condemn them all to certain non-existence and death.

If there is a sure hope of salvation, then living, even in suffering, is better than not.

God does not stop all suffering right now, because it would be an abortion of life and a rejection of the hope that God can provide to all who suffer.

God is longsuffering to offer salvation.

God exhibits his will in Jesus Christ being sent to suffer and die while bringing the message of hope and life to all (Rom 5:8; 2 Tim 1:10).

God has been offering salvation to a suffering dying humanity for thousands of years. It is man that has rejected his hope of salvation.

Suffering is found in humanity, but salvation is found in God through Christ.

Suffering is not a problem for Bible believing Christianity, it is a problem for religions and a world without Christ.

Legalism

….. when it is said saved WOMEN should NOT preach the gospel or correct unsound doctrine…….

Yet, the majority of men in Grace circles are void of basic Pauline truth and preach gibberish according to XYZ Grace pastor, so it IS a woman’s responsibility to speak the truth, as it is with each and every other Grace believer.

Most still remain students as opposed to workmen and profess “they don’t know it all” and make this is the excuse for their ignorance… …. which amounts to the BASICS of Pauline doctrine, BASICS which they fall flat in and cannot seem to progress from….. after all, how long does one take to learn the BASICS?  Forever it seems, especially if one has ensconced oneself in Baptist-Calvinistic doctrine “rightly divided”.

It is a fact that most RD teachers out there used to be (and still are) Baptists who adhere to certain teachings of Jean Calvin, and the strange part of it all is that they have a sly tendency to make their “enemies” own the Baptist-Calvinist label.

Has ANYONE out there researched Unconditional Election?  Do yourself a favour and research it to find out what a large portion of the Grace Movement believes, including Atwood and his “offshoots”.

This is a major issue as it applies to the gospel.

Figures of Speech

I find it rather strange how an author of several books….. a writer of  articles……. a Right Divider, a supposedly learned man fails to identity figures of speech in the Bible…. Once this happens, you know the slow slide into the heretical abyss is certain…. and fantasies are bound to be the order of the day…. it sure is painful to watch…..

Just as others spiritualize the entire Bible, and some take most of it figuratively…… there are those take EVERYTHING in it, literally…..

“A metaphor is a comparison made between two or more things using figurative or descriptive language. Metaphors turn difficult ideas into simple concepts. Metaphors also infuse written text with vivid descriptions that make the text more vibrant and enjoyable to read.”

A good example where taking everything in the Bible literally can put one on the road to never-never land – the Roman Catholics are a fine example as they take John 6:54 LITERALLY and profess to eat Christ’s body and drink his blood…

“Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” ~ John 6:54

It says what it says, right? Believe your Bible! Take ALL of it literally…… Don’t think!

 

 

“But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;…” ~ 1 Corinthians 1:27

Grace Summed Up in a Bible Verse

The Grace Movement in general “runs” on civility and good manners which in their eyes generally tends to make up for, justify and hide their mixed up doctrine and heresies…… It is this civility which they call “Grace”…

Only after one has overextended oneself and another has benefitted from it can one call it grace.  The rest is nothing but religious tom-foolery…. Atwood’s baptist version of grace in particular, is skin deep – one can experience it at any denominational church today.

Paul loved the Corinthians, they were his brothers and sisters in Christ thus he corrected them and told them the truth when they were wrong, and since hardly anyone likes to hear the truth just like most of the Corinthians , they begin to despise you for preaching it…. Fact.  The truth hurts, it upsets people… And truth, be it as it may, is never popular, nor are those who preach it…. the very reason why I believe there is no such thing as a large or mega Grace church….. if there is it means they have compromised the truth somewhere along the line….. and they have……

“And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.” ~ 2 Corinthians 12:15

❤

A Wonderful Comment I Received on My Post regarding Kenosis

Sadly, kenosis is widespread in Grace circles and has become predominant and is now perceived, understood and taught as fundamental Pauline truth.  The vast majority preach and believe that Christ “had faith in God to raise him from the dead” and that it is this “faith” which actually supersedes one’s personal faith in the gospel and “saves” souls…..

Bottom line of this heretical view:  It isn’t solely faith in the gospel which saves, it’s faith in the gospel + faith in Christ’s faith which saves…..   making it 2 faiths and 2 Lords as opposed to one faith and one Lord at the end of the day….. when one Lord has to have faith in another Lord, there are distinctly 2 Lords, yes?

One Lord, one faith, one baptism, …. ~ Ephesians 4:5

“Great points and this is what’s sets apart a KJB Bible Believer from a Bible doubter to not respecting what verses say.

When I heard Rodeny Beaulieu say that Christ emptied himself out A long while back I almost fell over my chair.

But then again when He and many Follow Pope Jordan And teach other Biblical heresy’s It does explain there lack of Biblical Truth and knowledge.

One in particular on YouTube is a Video

Entitled: “The God who did not know”

with Guest Pastor Mario Indino 1/14/18

On the Twin Cities Grace Fellowship Pastor Josh Strelecki

Commenting on this heresy to (Mark)Josh with him admitting Christ never Emptied himself Leaves one speechless.

It’s false doctrine like this that makes you wonder and ask yourself Are these guys really Eternally Saved with a God who Emptied Himself ??????🤔

Twin cities let some pastor preach hersey on the Deity of Christ and no one including The head so called Pastor said a word against this false teaching

Shameful when many on the side called Grace movement follow a Pope and there followers have to see there parole officer every week for false doctrine such as this.

Although my English is not perfect either and maybe yours as you stated

Our DOCTRINE is PERFECT

For those who want to Greek it It would do you well to eat Gyro’s instead

Or watch My fat Greek wedding🤐

God forbid: yea, Let God be true,

but every man a Liar; as it is written,

Romans 3:4″

From All Walks of Life…

I feel like I’m caught up in a time-warp on a nut farm because the proponents of sound Pauline doctrine are very few and far between… nuts on the left, and unsaved jokers to the right, and here I am, caught in the middle of the two…

I have SERIOUSLY come to the conclusion, as opposed to just coming to the plain conclusion that since the body of Christ is made up of a smorgasbord of different personalities, with people who have varying standards of education, perceptions and idiosyncrasies, so it also has its fair share of “fruits” and “nuts”, which of course will all be sorted out at the Judgment Seat of Christ.  For instance….

1) Those who are ignorant of  different figures of speech used in the Bible, just because it says it is LIKE something, doesn’t mean it is that certain something…. it’s called making a comparison, if it shines like glass, it doesn’t mean it is glass…. Seriously, does anyone out there today know what a SIMILE is, and what its purpose is?

I remember my English teacher, Miss Baws (who we affectionately referred to as Jaws) telling us the words “as” and “like”….. comparisons…… were hints to discerning similes…. that has stayed with me all these years…..

Discernment should also be applied to the Hebraic poetic text found in the Old Testament, especially in the book of Job, which contains a lot of figurative speech made up mainly of idioms, metaphors and (poetic) hyperboles, which the unlearned tend to take literally…. Ancient man did not have much of a scientific understanding, and the writers of the Bible were inspired, not the audiences…… so the world is explained in terms as it appears to them on earth.

2) “By” and “at” are not the same, nor are ” by” and “on”, so stop changing scripture to back up your own personal interpretation and pet doctrine.

3) No-one is trying to “lord it over your faith”, so take a chill pill, relax and pay attention to what is actually being said… regardless of personality….

4) A Gentile is a Gentile is a Gentile, so are Greeks Gentiles, unless I missed something with respect to Aristotle, Archimedes and Greek mythology…. There were Jewish proselytes even in Ephesus… Read the epistle to the Ephesians for more info….

5) And no! Noah did not have a cell phone as some have said from the pulpit … because it cannot be proven…. It took Noah in excess of a century to build the Ark… without a cell phone…

6) And yes!  Christ was God in the flesh, even on the Cross…. In fact, he was both man and God and expressed both attributes openly.  One Lord, yes?

7) God’s grace cannot be divided into two categories, namely, “God’s common grace to all men” (all men’s sins were forgiven at/on the cross) and secondly,  into “God’s special grace” (only those who believe the gospel are saved and the rest go to hell with their sins forgiven). Y put the U in TULIP?

8) The only reason why men go to hell is because of their sin, and since they reject the gospel of Christ, they die in their sins… simple.

9) Since God made provision for Man’s sins 2000 ago, it’s still applicable today BY Jesus Christ, BY the gospel. The dispensation of grace has not reached its expiry date yet.

10) There are none so ignorant as those who refuse to hear….  😦

 

 

 

 

What Grace means

Because we all, as members of the body of Christ, male or female, have the responsibility to preach the gospel, because He (Christ) made the provision for our sins almost 2000 years ago, and we can still access it today BY the gospel, which is the preaching of the Cross…. Christ crucified ❤

Written by Justin Johnson

One thing you should realize about different religions and churches is that everyone uses the same words, but they define them differently.

Grace is one of those words that people describe very differently in various traditions.

What does grace really mean? Here is what we teach our children:

Grace is what someone else does to benefit you that you do not deserve.

Grace consists of three simple elements: 1) you did not do the work; 2) you benefit from it; 3) and you do not deserve it.

1. You did not do the work

It is not grace if you perform the work to provide it.

“And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.” – Romans 11:6

If you build your own house, you did not receive it by grace. If you throw your own party, it is not a gift.

If you pay for your lunch, even though you did not cook it, you traded money of equal value for it. It is not received by grace. This is a trade. Men boast in what they buy, because it was by the work of their hands that they earned enough money to purchase it.

This means religion and all its sacraments are not grace. In religion you must perform sacraments of grace. True grace requires you not perform or work to provide it.

2. You benefit from it

You may not have worked or deserved a punch in the face, but it most definitely does not benefit you. It is not grace. Wrath is not God’s grace.

You say, who would think such a thing? Many traditions redefine the doctrines of grace to refer to God’s unconditional election or reprobation. In these traditions the election or reprobation is unconditional (you did not work for it), but it doesn’t mean it benefits you.

You could be chosen to go to hell by no choice of your own (unconditional).

Not only is this a wrong idea of election, but it is a wrong idea about God’s grace. Grace is not about God’s election of who will and won’t be saved. Grace is a benefit! It is a blessing! It brings salvation!

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

3. You do not deserve it

There are cases where people deserve someone else to work for their benefit.

Consider Paul’s instruction to “obey your parents” in Eph 6:1, Col 3:20, or for the younger to bear the burden of the widows in their family.

“But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.” – 1 Timothy 5:4

Why does Paul tell the younger to work for their benefit? The widows are not working for it, but they are benefiting from it. Is this a grace?

No this is not grace, this is a responsibility: a duty. Your parents are deserving of honor by virtue of the position they hold.

The Bible says to honor your father and mother, and that you should honor someone if it is their “due” (Rom 14:7).

Wise men brought Christ gifts, not because of grace, but because he deserved it. Consider guests of honor, rulers, dignitaries, or other great men of distinction. If a person merits the honor, then it is not a grace but an obligation.

Grace is given only to those who do not deserve it. Such is the case of sinners before a righteous God (Rom 3:10).

Conclusion

Grace is simple. Grace must have these three elements or it is no longer grace.

The greatest example of grace in human history is found in the preaching of the cross, which is the gospel of the grace of God.

By Christ’s death, shed blood, burial, and resurrection, he performed all that you could not. What’s more is that he did it all for your salvation, your eternal benefit.

This precious gift is offered freely without condition to every ungodly sinner in the world who doesn’t deserve it, if you believe in Him (Rom 3:23-26; Rom 4:5).

Salvation is by grace through faith (Eph 2:8-9). This means salvation today is to the benefit of all the undeserving men who do not do enough good works, which includes both you and I, if you believe.

 

Right Divisions in the Bible

GRACE AMBASSADORS
Justin Johnson
Right Divisions

Necessary divisions for Bible study

Outline:

1. Teaching of the Law
a. Matt 5:17-­20 – Jesus teaching the law
b. Matt 23:1­2 – Jesus teaching the law
c. Mark 1:40­-44 – Leper and Moses offering

~ Changes to
d. Eph 2:12-­16 – broken down the middle wall of partition
e. Col 2:14 – blotting out the handwriting of ordinances…
f. Rom 6:14 – sin shall have no dominion

2. Meats and drinks and Sabbaths
a. Matt 12:1­-12 – Lord of Sabbath
b. Exo 31:15 – shall be put to death
c. Lev 23:3 – Sabbath of the Lord
d. Detu 5:12-­15 – Sabbath of the Lord

~ Changes to
e. Col 2:16­-17 – let no man judge you
f. Rom 14:5­6 – esteeming the days
g. Gal 4:9-­11 – I am afraid of you…days months years

3. Teaching of Baptisms
a. Matt 3:11 – three baptisms in one verse (all for Isreal)
b. Mark 1:4 ­ baptism of repentance for the remission of sins
c. Mark 16:16 -he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved
d. Acts 2:38­-39 – repent and be baptized for the remission of sins

~ Changes to
e. Eph 4:5 – one Lord, one faith, one baptism
f. 1 Cor 12:13 – baptized BY the Spirit into Christ
g. Rom 6:1­4 – baptized into Christ and his death
h. Col 2:10-­13 – baptism without hands

4. Teaching of Christ
a. Mark 8:27-­30 – who do men say I am
b. Matt 2:2 – King of the Jews (Matt 27:11­ art thou?)
c. John 10:7,11 – I am the door and the shepherd
d. Deut 18:18 – John 6:11­14, 7:37­40 – That Prophet
e. Luke 1:31-­33 – Who is Jesus? – Luke 1:68-­70 – horn of salvation

~ Changes to
f. Rom 16:25 – Jesus according the revelation of the mystery
g. 2 Cor 5:16 – know we no man after the flesh
h. Col 2:6-­10 – complete in him
i. Rom 3:22-­25 – freely in Christ
j. Titus 1:3­4 – Christ our Savior
k. Eph 3:17-­20 – Christ may dwell by faith

Our message today is separate and new:

Matt 10:8-9­ – of twain one new
Eph 2:15 – of twain one new
Eph 3:6 – same body

9 Harbringers of Bad Doctrine

Written by Justin Johnson

Taking the Bible literally creates teachers of prophecy. Taking the Bible literally, but failing to rightly divide prophecy from mystery creates really bad doctrine.

For millennia Bible literalists who fail to rightly divide have taught that prophecy is being fulfilled in the current events of their time.

Self-proclaimed prophecy gurus are ignorant of the present dispensation of God’s grace wherein God is reconciled to the world, not imputing trespasses.

They continue to teach that these are the “last days” just like Peter taught 2000 years ago at Pentecost, and that current events are signs of God’s impending judgment just as the Bible predicted for Israel.

The latest prophetic innovation is the 9 harbingers of God’s judgment on America discovered by best selling author Jonathan Cahn in his book The Isaiah 9:10 Judgment.

Harbingers are warnings or signs. Patterned after rabbi Cahn, here are nine harbingers that will help you identify a teacher of prophecy that neither understands how to rightly divide nor what God is doing today.

1st Harbinger: Using Israel as Your Pattern

Israel was a nation uniquely chosen by God to possess his promises for earthly dominion. God has not dealt like he did with Israel with any other nation (Psa 147:20). No other nation had God’s covenanted “hedge of protection”. When a teacher says what happened to Israel is the pattern for you or your country, turn around and walk away.

2nd Harbinger: Genealogies

When the application of current events to prophecies in the Bible depends on genealogies, turn off the radio. Genealogies minister questions and entangles divine prophecies with races. These racial prophecies have been fodder for loads of bad doctrine and a few wars.

“Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. ” – 1 Tim 1:4

Just because Assyrians were Israel’s enemies in Isaiah 9, does not mean they are ours in the 21st century.

3rd Harbinger: Crisis Centered

Every generation has a crisis. When prophetic teachers say that God is speaking through the national or global crisis of your generation, take a deep breath and remember 2 Cor 12:10.

The bubonic plague was said to be a fulfillment of the Revelation, as was Pearl Harbor, JFK’s assassination, and 9/11. Lots of people have died, and lots of bricks have fallen throughout history. Why is the current generation always more unique than the rest? I know, I know, because we are closer to the end than we have ever been before.

4th Harbinger: Adding to Scripture

When a teacher of prophecy has to add to scripture to make his prophecy work, then it’s time to change the channel. Isaiah 9:10 never mentions Israel’s intent to build their towers taller. Israel’s defiance of God was always contrary to the law of God (ex. using hewn stones instead of unhewn stones). I can build a pyramid out of hewn stones and it would not be breaking God’s law today.

5th Harbinger: Spiritualizing

It would seem strange that a Bible literalist prophecy teacher would be guilty of spiritualizing, but that is what must happen for many of Israel’s prophecies to be fulfilled in 21st America. Otherwise, they are simply not happening like the Bible says they would.

6th Harbinger: Taking Away from Scripture

If a word does not fit the prophecy, just take it out. The sycamore tree is literal, but the “cut down” part is just a metaphor for “knocked down by a falling building” (Isa 9:10).

7th Harbinger: Excessive Use of Hebrew

Nothing dazzles the mind like a speaker of tongues, I mean, languages. It is commonplace for prophetic teachers to enlighten you about the hidden meaning made by linguistic leaps of faith. Beware, these can jump you right off the cliff of context.

8th Harbinger: Inventing New Covenants

The promises and the covenants God gave in the Bible are sufficient for his will. When a teacher tries to play “Let’s make a deal” and binds you to a new curse or blessing from God, avoid such an one. You have met someone who is liable to beguile you of your reward (Col 2:18).

9th Harbinger: Problems Counting

Numbers and dates are important to the teacher of prophecy. However, math is not always their strong suit. Prophetic numbers not lining up can be disasterous for teachers like Hal Lindsey in Late Great Planet Earth or Harold Camping in 1994 (and 2011).

God wants you to give 310 dollars because of Malachi 3:10? There are nine signs from Isaiah 9:10? Luke 20:13 says the Lord will return in 2013?

When the main support for a teaching is mind boggling or coincidental calculations don’t wait around for things not to work out.

Conclusion

The Bible should be taken literally, but a failure to rightly divide prophecy from mystery in the Bible creates all sorts of bad doctrine.

It is well known that Bible prophecy teachers rise in popularity when society is in decline. Bad prophecy teachers give divine explanations to the simple and unwittingly obscure the real cause of the world’s problems.

If we stop blaming God for current events, then we might be able to start changing them.

Remember these nine harbingers and do the work of an ambassador of God’s grace speaking the things which become sound doctrine (Titus 2:1).

The Ten Commandments Are Too Much

Written by Justin Johnson

The law of God is holy, just, and good. It is perfect, a reflection of God’s holiness. Yet, it is the last thing you want in front of you at the final judgment.

The purpose of the law is to expose sin. Sin deserves death and that means you lose at the judgment. Being subject to it will only hurt you not help you because you are part of sinful humanity.

“For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. ” – Gal 3:10

Even if God had given just one commandment you would fail to keep it just as your father before you. (Romans 5:12)

Ten Commandments are like a great army aiming its lethal weapons on the target which is your soul. If you didn’t break the first one there are nine more to hold you accountable.

Actually there are over six hundred laws in the Mosaic system given to Israel, and no doubt you’ve broken a few hundred of those.

In his earthly ministry Jesus reminded Israel that it was more than just behavior; it was the evil and lustful thoughts that could condemn you. (Mat 5:19, Mat 5:28)

Even when Jesus boiled it down to just one commandment for sinful Israel we all still fall terribly short. Here is that one commandment.

“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” – Mat 22:37

Have you done this with every breath you’ve ever taken? If you break one, you are guilty of all (James 2:10). We have all broken that one. Ten Commandments are too much.

Truly as it is written, “There is none righteous, no, not one.” (Rom 3:10)

But then the meaning of the cross was revealed to Paul who explained the glorious mystery of Jesus Christ!

“Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances;” – Eph 2:15

“But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested…” – Rom 3:22

Having put your faith in God’s grace provided in the perfect blood of Jesus Christ, you are not under even one commandment to bind you to sin.

You are delivered from your sinful body, the law, and the wrath of God by the payment of the perfect blood of Christ!

The next time you see the Ten Commandments remember that ten was indeed too much. You failed to do just one. It is not the commandments that save you, but God’s grace through faith. (Eph 2:8-9)

“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” – Rom 4:5

It Makes Sense

Since mankind’s sin is hereditary – imputed from Adam, there is no way he (Man) can “fix” himself through or by his own good works. Good works done in order to save oneself does not erase the sin we inherited from Adam.

Our good works without salvation only serve to “decorate” our flesh, leaving our “sick” innerman untouched.

Man needs to have his sin removed or imputed from him, and only God is capable of doing just that when a man believes the gospel, which at the same time he (God) replaces it with or imputes His righteousness.

Faith in the gospel is the key to receiving God’s imputed righteousness, which replaces our unrighteous… our sin filled and sinful spirit man.

2 Corinthians 5:21
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Counter Claims to the Climate Change Hoax which seeks to change the world

Copied from elsewhere… in reply to the Climate Cult Children and their false claims.

“We’re witnessing the effects of climate change daily, whether it’s storms, forest fires, floods, and other disasters occurring…”

These are weather events, not climate events. They have happened since time immemorial.

“…with increasing frequency and intensity.”

There is no evidence of this. On the contrary, we know, for example, that hurricane activity is currently at a historic low.

“Increased migration due to sea-level rise.”

Not a single person, anywhere in the world, has migrated anywhere due to sea-level rise.

“Threats to food and water.”

Increased CO2 levels are greening the planet. The misuse of agricultural land to grow biofuels poses a far bigger threat to global food supplies than climate change. There is no evidence that climate change has affected water supplies.

“This is the reality we are facing right now because of climate change.”

This is a reality which exists only in the parallel universe occupied by Democrats and RINO Republicans.

“I see it every time I go home.”

Parti-pris anecdote is not evidence, let alone science.

America knows how to lead in a crisis.

There IS no climate crisis.

Our witnesses would be happier and safer in school pursuing their dreams — not protesting and pushing their governments to act — if everyone were doing their part.

Your witnesses certainly SHOULD be in school. The fact that they are sitting here today and being encouraged to emotionally blackmail Congress into taking action, which will almost certainly make life worse, not better, for future generations, is little short of disgraceful.

It’s high time we picked up this fight and took the rest of the world with us. Waiting for other countries to do the right thing is making a bad bet on our future.

Unilateral disarmament was a bad idea during the Cold War arms race. It’s just as bad an idea with regards to CO2 emissions. China and India are rapidly expanding their economies regardless of CO2. Why should America hamstring its own economy when others are growing? This, essentially, is why President Trump pulled the U.S. out of the Paris Accord.

The IPCC report warns us that without cuts in carbon emissions the world could see an average sea level rise of 62 centimeters over the course of the lifetime of people born today. That’s over two feet. Scientists are gravely concerned that sea-level rise could be even faster.

Sea levels rose by around 1.9 mm per year during the 20th century and have risen by around 1.8 mm per year since 1970. That’s 18 mm per decade, so 180 mm per century — or just 18 cm. You’d need a pretty massive increase in current trends to get anything close to a two-foot rise — and there is no evidence that this is happening or likely to happen.

The History of Ancient Civilisations

Written by Justin Johnson

According to popular accounts of ancient history, civilization begins in Mesopotamia with the advent of writing and agriculture. Then, a thousand years later the Egyptian empire with its complex society and religions appears.

What happened? How did the nations spread? Genesis has disturbing answers for modern historians.

Genesis describes the origin of sin, marriage; flood ‘legends’; Mesopotamia; and nearly 70 other nations, languages, and ancient families which are still recognized today.

Students of ancient history would not know this from reading popular accounts of world history. Why don’t historians connect the dots of history to Genesis 10?

They know if the dots are connected, it means our history is directly connected to Noah, Methusaleh, and Adam and the accounts of God, sin, and judgement.

This is considered heresy to the modern historian. God, the Bible, and sin cannot be a part of our history, so they leave it out, discarded as fable and myth.

Every historian is biased. Modern historians do not like God’s bias.

They would rather remain ignorant, than to trust the Bible. The Bible describes them (Eph 4:18).

When we reject Bible history we are rejecting true history. When we read the history of nations, religion, languages, and sin in Genesis we are reading our history.

Genesis 10 – Lesson 20

Table of Nations

1. Summary

a. God, Creator of all things, made of one blood all nations – Acts 17:22-31
b. Gen 10 is genealogies of Noah’s sons; a new section; and connected to Gen 11.
c. It covers Japheth to 3 gen, Ham to 4 gen, and Shem to 6 generations = total 7 gen
d. It contains 75 names in all (J-15, Sh-27, H-32), ~70 are tribes/nations (plural)
e. It is a record of the division of families, tongues, lands, nations – 10:5, 20, 31-32
i. The people are real, but the names of places are used as in 1 Chronicles 2:54, 4:14
f. It is not a complete list of nations, or census, but the names here were significant
i. It does not contain the names of siblings, relatives, or other followers.

2. Post-Flood World

a. 9:29-29 – Noah lived 350 years after, Shem live 502 years after.
b. There should be accounts of the flood in many cultures and there is (ex. Miao)
c. Creation clearly seen pre-flood, the flood clearly seen after – Romans 1:21, until 2 Peter 3:4
d. There were pre-flood creatures, an ice age, confusion, global migration, long lives

3. Nimrod and Idolatry

a. Old ancestors are made gods, and when dead, idols: Jeremiah 16:20, Psalm 96:5, Jude 2:8,19
b. Idolatry began as generations forgot true history – Deuteronomy 4:19, 25, Jeremiah 1:16,2:11,27-28
c. God declares from ancient times – Jeremiah 10:2, 9-11, Isaiah 45:20-21, 46:8-9
d. Sun-gods and moon-gods are not gods at all, but God made them all things.
e. Nimrod began to be mighty upon the earth – 1 Chronicles 1:10, Micah 5:6, 10:10

4. Table of Nations

a. The Bible intersects with history, and this chapter is a big piece of the puzzle.
b. Traditional history: early man in Mesopotamia, then Egypt, Syria, Persia, Greece.
c. Bible history: Noah off the boat, Babel confounded languages, nations divided.
d. Japheth went north-west – Psalm 72:10; Ham south – Psalm 78:51; Shem east – 10:30
e. Many of these names are still in use today: Javan (Greece), Mizraim (Egypt)
f. Historians (Herodotus, Josephus, Ptolemy, Nennius) mention these men
g. Anglo-saxon royal lines go back to Noah’s sons. Ireland names Japheth.
h. These names were significant in history, and in the Bible (see Ezekiel 25-28, Acts 2)
i. True history is Bible history, the nations came from Noah’s sons.
j. The nations are made of one blood and God divided them in Genesis 11.

A Secret Revealed

Written by Justin Johnson

Nearly two thousand years ago God revealed information that was secret since the world began to the chief persecutor of Christ and the twelve.

“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; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:” – Col 1:25-26

Paul was saved by God’s grace and was chosen to make known the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of this 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,” – Rom 16:25

This secret, albeit concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, stands in contradistinction to the information that the twelve disciples were preaching.

Peter in his message in Jerusalem after Pentecost spoke of Jesus Christ according to prophecy “which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began” (Acts 3:21).

Peter taught things that were spoken by the prophets and Paul taught things that were kept secret from the prophets.

It was kept secret from the prophets that Gentile salvation would occur through Israel’s fall (Rom 11:25). Also kept secret was the new body of believers that was being created which was separate from the elect nation of Israel (Eph 3:6).

Nor was it prophesied that there would be free salvation apart from the covenants and the law (Rom 3:21-22).

While the prophets spoke about a promised land given to a chosen nation ruling in an earthly kingdom in Jerusalem, Paul spoke of both Jews and Gentiles reigning in heavenly places judging angels (Eph 2:6).

There are many blessings yet future that will fulfill the writings of the law and the prophets including the coming kingdom to Israel. Yet since the secret information was not spoken by the prophets, we live in a period separate from the subject of prophecy.

Instead of an age of law and prophecy, we live in the dispensation of grace which had been hid in God from the foundation of the world (Eph 3:9).

Though the verse clearly says it was secret since the world began, many still try to search the prophets for clues about what is happening now.

It’s time we continue what God started with Paul “to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery” the secret since the world began (Eph 3:9).

Hope in Christ

Written by Justin Johnson

Why don’t men have faith?

It is easy to blame the hearer. “They don’t understand.” “They are ignorant.” “They are sinners.” “They are selfish.” “They are blind.”

But these statements could all just as easily describe believers.

Men do not have faith because Christ is not their hope.

Hope is the good expected to come from something or someone. If people think nothing good will come they are hopeless.

Hopelessness can be summed up by the question, “what good will come of it?”

To identify the hope of a person, ask: “Where do you expect the most good to come in the future?”, or “How do you expect the problems of the world to be solved?”

Do you now see the problem? Faith is the substance of things hoped for. Men don’t have faith in Christ, because their hope is not in Christ.

This is why Christianity is often found among the poor, unpopular, and desparate of men. The world has given them no hope. Christ does.

Hope that will not make ashamed is found in the Lord (Rom 5:5; Rom 8:18; Col 1:27).

It is harder to think about giving someone faith – you can’t – but you can give someone hope. The word of God engenders faith, because the word of God provides hope to a dying world that needs it.

Preach hope in Christ from the Bible rightly divided. When men find hope in Christ, they will have faith.

“…be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven…” – Col 1:23

Mainstream Christianity is Dead

Written by Justin Johnson 🙂

Mainstream Christianity is dead. The majority of people say they are Christians, but they are not saved.

All that is required to join the mainstream is to jump in the river and play dead. You will be in the mainstream, and will naturally go downstream with all the dead things. But what if we need to go upstream?

Going downstream is living life by your circumstances, in the confidence of your flesh, where knowledge of the truth is a non-essential. Downstream progress is not by preaching the gospel of Christ.

Going upstream is living life in Christ, putting your confidence in Him, living by knowledge of the truth rightly divided. Upstream progress requires a change of mind brought about by preaching the cross.

If you have been saved by the gospel of the grace of God, believe your Bible, and know how to rightly divide it, then you are not part of the mainstream.

It takes something living and active to move against the current. You have been quickened in Christ Jesus, you are alive! It’s time to stop floating, and start swimming.

From the perspective of what is flowing downstream, things moving up are not “going with the flow” of progress. They are obstacles in the way. You will be seen as such.

When atheists, secularists, and cultural Christians talk about the mainstream, they assume going downstream is where we all need to be. Why? Because going upstream requires too much change and makes too many ripples.

The mainstream…
… is natural.
… feels right.
… does not ruffle feathers.
… is where everyone is going.
… accepts everyone for who they are.
… is where the majority of Christians are going.
… does not resist anyone or anything (except for what goes upstream).

Garbage floats downstream. What if going with the flow is going down the drain?

To go upstream you must hold fast to the tow rope of God’s word rightly divided. It may feel uncomfortable, seem unnatural, cause trouble, and be contrary to many in the main.

Don’t be discouraged when it seems like everything is against you, and you are not making progress. If your confidence is in Christ and how he sees you, instead of your circumstances and how others see you, you are headed in the right direction.

Don’t envy those dead things going downstream (Prov 23:17). They may seem to have it easier sometimes, but they are not going the right direction. They are headed away from Christ (Phil 3:10).

Establishment in the truth does not happen by letting circumstances and feelings drive you, but in Christ according to the revelation of the mystery (Rom 16:25-26).

Trust your life to Christ. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, and you will rise above the tide. God has the power to stablish you, but if you are alive in Christ know that will not be in the mainstream.

Hold fast!

“Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.” – 2 Timothy 1:13

The Good News About Hell Is That You Don’t Have To Go There…

Modern, so-called altruistic, “loving”, “grace filled” churches do not preach hell. Yet the reason we have good news, is because there is bad news…

When one mentions the word “hell” on social media or in conversation, people think you’re barbaric, so “last century”, outdated, cold-blooded, not to mention downright rude…

The 21st century mindset in general is so limited it can only comprehend what in reality is one-sided and shallow child-like drivel – referred to as “loving, deep, honest” words and actions on their part which is also known as “personal kindness”, practised in order to “change the world one person at a time”… sadly trusting solely in themselves…

Godless millennium pacifists, regardless of age, who so happen to be their own final authority, and will in all likelihood worship the Antichrist one day…. Their self-righteousness is gobsmacking…. They are very proud and see themselves as good people, hence the reason they reckon they have no need for a Saviour….

THE REALITY OF HELL AND ITS PART IN THE BIBLICAL GOSPEL by Justin Johnson

“Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. ~ Matthew 10:28

1. The Rudeness of Hell
a. It was first questioned by those who doubted the Bible.
b. It was seen as repugnant by those who thought themselves too sensible.
c. It was seen as unfair by those with a distorted view of sin, God, and holiness
d. Then it was turned into metaphor for self-condemnation
e. People think hell is metaphor, indecent, unloving, and unscientific
f. To talk about it means you are being unkind, rude, uneducated, and bigoted.

2. Myths About Hell
a. It is not the Greek underworld run by the god Hades
b. It is not what you see in far side cartoons, or where “everyone knows your name”
c. It is not a garbage pit next to Jerusalem called Gehenna
d. Hell is not just death – Mark 9:42-48, Matthew 10:27-28
e. It is not temporary but forever – Matthew 25:45-46, 26:24, Revelation 14:10-11, 20:10, 21:8
f. It is real: the Bible describes it – Job 11:8, Daniel 12:2, Isaiah 66:22-24, John 5:28-29
g. Jonah was there (Jonah 2:2), Jesus was there (Matthew 12:40, Acts 2:31)
h. Hell is not just about the word (Sheol, Hades, Gehenna), but about the doctrine
i. Hell is not the gospel, but you can’t have the gospel without hell – 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9

3. The Bible and Hell
a. The first mention of hell about the product of God’s anger towards sin – Deuteronomy 32:22
b. God was said to be present even in hell, people cannot escape God – Psalm 139:8
c. Hell was made not for humanity, but for sin – Matthew 25:41
d. John the Baptist, Jesus, spoke of hell – Matthew 3:12, 5:28-29, 8:10-12, 13:39-42
e. Paul speaks of hell – 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9, Romans 1:18, 2:5-9, 2 Corinthians 5:10-15, Acts 24:15

4. Eternal Torment and a Loving God
a. How could a loving God send someone to hell for everlasting torment?
b. God is the judge of all. Sin is a serious offense towards God – Psalm 51:4, Romans 6:23
c. The punishment is not only determined by the crime, but by the victim (God)
d. Hell is a place of punishment, but also destruction (conquer), and separation
e. The good news about hell, is that you don’t have to go there, you can be saved
f. God’s love provided salvation from the problem we created: 2 Corinthians 4:4, 5:21
g. Our gospel delivers souls from this pain of being without God – Romans 5:8-11, 6:23
h. God is not willing that any should perish – 2 Peter 3:9, 1 Timothy 2:4
i. Believe the gospel! Trust God! Choose life!

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

Of course “we” believe Christ was God in the flesh…… but do “we” really? Honestly?

In a flash ALL Right Dividers suddenly believe Christ is God, was God in the flesh during His earthly ministry, and quote the necessary scripture to back it up…… and it all looks good and above board……. but is it really? …….. Because suddenly I can’t find a Right Divider in sight who doesn’t believe in the empty Jesus theory……

But just ask them what the faith of Christ is though and you will have the answer you require: This is where they tell you the faith of Christ is the notion that Christ had faith in God to raise Him from the dead – and there’s your full-blown empty Jesus theory, exposed….. Thanks for trying to hide, nice try, but no cigar. When one believes Christ had to have faith in God to raise Him from the dead, one is guilty of parsing the Godhead – thus one now believes in two Gods, and not one, one capable, and the other incapable.

One has now inadvertently turned one’s Saviour into a mere, mortal man who had to have faith in God….. a mere, mortal man who cannot raise Himself from the dead. Do you see the major problems involved with this theology?

However, a few Right Divider’s eyes have opened and they correctly see the faith of Christ as the Gospel, the faith which we believe in, the Christian set of beliefs we call A FAITH, as opposed to A RELIGION……. Pauline nomenclature <— the big word nobody bothers to look up the meaning of to find out what the faith of Christ really is—- the faith of Christ, the righteousness of God WITHOUT THE LAW…… according to Philippians 3:9….

The faith of Christ which has been studied, mangled, trodden on and blasphemed…….

Right Dividers to mark and avoid with respect to their kenotic beliefs:

All of Zane Newitt’s followers and the man himself. The man who sees Steve Atwood and Jerry Lockhart’s doctrine as being sound…… 😦

All of Richard Jordan’s followers and the man himself.

All of Steve Atwood’s followers and the man himself. (Most are also Baalbush, tinsel and holly worshippers, which in effect means they conform to this world and celebrate a pagan celebration called Xmas).

All of Rodney Beaulieu’s followers and the man himself. (Most are also Baalbush, tinsel and holly worshippers). These people have now “worked out” that one can celebrate a satanic holy day and wish everyone a “merry christmas” because it’s a good way to “preach the gospel”, i.e., of opening the door to the gospel……

….. yet I FAIL to see how a celebration which largely has as its foundation, booze, gluttony, and satanic rituals – can actually glorify the God of the Bible who died on the Cross for our sins, who was buried and rose again on the third day, when in fact it isn’t even the date of his birth……….. when we are clearly told not to celebrate His birth, but rather the GOOD NEWS of his death, and to be THANKFUL EVERY DAY…….

….. Most of these people in this group will not accept one’s friend request on Facebook either, nor would they want to discuss these matters in an open forum, so please do not come here and tell me I’m slandering them and that I’m also being unfair by mentioning their names, as they are free to come here and PROVE ME WRONG.

In fact, Mr Beaulieu, has given up on accepting any more “friend requests” and closed up his page – why? if he has nothing to hide? He preaches “peace”, yet he has a heavy handed attitude of running anyone off his FB page, along with little “Miss Grace and Peace” herself, Maria Santos, 😦 It’s all Grace and Peace until you tell them they are WRONG about Xmas….. They reject Roman Catholicism and the Pope, but gleefully keep the RC invention called Xmas? Does that make any logical sense?

And Zane Newitt and his followers preach GRACE until it comes to Freemasons, then it’s wrath and war……. ALL men except for Freemasons, that is……… remember, it says Freemasons cannot be saved lol………..

Yeah, the Right Dividing Anti-Masonic League Facebook Group who are top-secret because they slander people behind their backs – at least what I have to say, I say out in the open – I don’t hide it.

And that’s me talking honestly and frankly. If you do not like it – tell me I’m wrong and WHY – with scripture, rightly divided.

And I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t call me an “Afrikaan” because there’s no such thing, the correct term to used would be “Afrikaner”, but I’m not that either as my mother tongue isn’t Afrikaans, it’s English. I am, however, bilingual. I am South African…. and if you do not like the way I speak de Engleesh – build a bridge and get over it – I can tell you now, your English ain’t perfect either……

I am a white African – born and bred and proud of it.

Peace.

Nit-picking about words, false gospels and slogan ministries – all “rightly divided”

It is always a good thing to see and hear AND most of the time, NOT heed what some out there preach, unfortunately today this would include most of the Saved Right Dividers out there….

There are very few I discuss Paul’s ministry with these days, i.e., those who profess to be saved and sealed members of the body of Christ, who call themselves Believers, and who profess to follow the Apostle Paul….. why?  The reason I say this is: not many hold to sound Pauline doctrine rightly divided as most only parrot what they’ve heard from XYZ preacher/pastor/teacher in the Grace Movement, who in turn do not see themselves as part of the Grace Movement, because they do not like the word “Movement”, so they rack their brains for alternate descriptions and names for themselves…… because the word “Movement” isn’t to be found in the Bible —-

—- But hey, nor is the word “Bible” found in the Bible, so what the heck, let’s all start by calling it “The Authorised King James God’s Word”, bet that will confuse a whole lot of folk out there.

If we all know what is meant by words like “rapture”, “movement”, “Christians”, WHATEVER…… why split our innards trying to be “biblically correct” in every conceivable way BUT the right way and nit-pick about it?  It is absurd….  People are going to hell every day and Grace Believers/Christians/Right Dividers (lol) are wasting their time about “using the right words” when they all know what is meant by these words.  Six of one and a half a dozen of the other, I say, old chap.

Another good example of the Grace Slogan Ministries out there is:  We are called not to make all men BELIEVE,  but rather to make all men SEE.  Cool, but seeing is believing, REALLY….. and here’s the reason why:

“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

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 4:3-4.

Get it?  If you are lost, you are blind – you cannot SEE, without BELIEVING.  One cannot see without believing and vice verse.

Another absurd play on words:  We are called to PREACH the gospel, not SPREAD it.  I had to laugh when I saw this one…… okay, how does one spread the gospel?  By preaching it…..  spread:  to extend over a large area – as in ALL OVER THE WORLD, TO ALL MEN – Ephesians 3:9:

“And to make ALL see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of THE WORLD which hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:”

Spread the Word!  How that Christ died for everyone’s sins, was buried and rose again on the third day – all according to the scriptures.

And another:  We aren’t CHRISTIANS, we are BELIEVERS.  If we aren’t Christians then why did Agrippa tell Paul he almost persauded him to be a CHRISTIAN in Acts 26:28.  Did Paul preach the Kingdom Gospel to him?  NO.

“Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.”

And what was Paul’s reply to Agrippa?  “Agrippa, the correct word is “Believer”, not “Christian”” lol.

Then we have the “heartfelt repentance brigade” who have cried over their sins – the very same sins Christ died for……  I reiterate: they are crying and feeling sorry over sins which Christ died for…… all of them…..

…… the root of the matter or corrupt gospel lies in the mere fact that they apply Romans 9, 10 and 11 to the body of Christ TODAY in the dispensation of grace and parrot the notion that telling someone/anyone that Christ’s work on Calvary’s Cross (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) isn’t the gospel which saves men’s never-dying souls today…. thus foresaking the truth that there is simplicity in Christ, and that it is all about Him, and nothing about what they as sinners can do or have done…. for themselves…..

The basic and simple truth is:  If you believe that Christ died for your sins, you would also believe Romans 1-3, the reason why you NEED a Saviour – absolutely NO-ONE who believes 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 DOES NOT also realise they are a sinner and that they NEED to be washed, sanctified in the inner man, and also need to be justified, and that can only be done when one BELIEVES in what He accomplished on the cross and by His resurrection from the dead (for their sins…. for their depraved, hopeless state).

“And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” ~ 1 Corinthians 6:11

This belief system boils down to human emotion and feeling which is unstable, unworthy, and which falls short of the glory of God.

If you would like to look further into this matter and by the same token who to mark and avoid, one needs to look up John Lowder’s Facebook page to research the matter and find the truth concerning what is said from and by his own written words….

Peace.

Amazingly Beautiful Undiluted Biblical-Dispensational Truth….

WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CROSS?

Written by Justin Johnson ~ This is the outline, the lesson can be found here:  https://graceambassadors.com/tradition/what-happened-at-the-cross

I trust you will enjoy this as much as what I did 🙂 ❤

THE BEGINNING OF THE CHURCH – PART IV
“And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the  enmity thereby” ~ Ephesians 2:16

1. Review – The Beginning of the Church
a. Why is this important? To know our ministry purpose and pattern.
b. Lesson 1 – Which church? One God, but more than one ministry.
c. Lesson 2 – Which apostle? One Lord, but more than one ministry.
d. Lesson 3 – Who were they? One Spirit, but more than one ministry.
e. Lesson 4 – What happened at the cross? One cross, more than one ministry.
f. “Scripture says the body was formed at the cross.” No, it does not. Eph 2:16
i. ‘At’ the cross and ‘by’ the cross are different (i.e. cause and effect)
ii. The church, the body of Christ, is one effect of the cross (not the only one)

2. “By” and “at” are Different
a. By creation we are alive. At the creation we did not exist. John 1:1-4, Genesis 1:1
b. By the first promise of the seed: salvation. At that first promise: curse/exile. Genesis 3:15
c. By the promise, Israel shall be saved (Hebrews 8:6). At the promise Israel did not exist.
d. By the law comes the knowledge of sin (Romans 3:19-20). At the giving of the law Exodus 19:8
e. By the prophets knowledge of kingdom glory. At the prophets: poverty, tribulation, etc.
f. By Christ’s birth – redemption (Galatians 4:5). At his birth … there was probably crying.
g. By the cross: Israel’s New Testament, glory of the cross (Galatians 6:14). At the cross? Sin & suffering.
h. By the Spirit: we are baptized into one body (1 Corinthians 12:13). At Pentecost? No mystery.
i. By resurrection: kingdom hope (1 Peter 1:13, 1:11). At it? Ignorance: John 20:1-9
j. By His return: kingdom salvation (Hebrews 9:28). At his coming? Wrath Revelation 19:11, 2 Thessalonians 1:8
k. By the kingdom: Christ reigns forever. At the kingdom? He faces challenges – Revelation 20:8-9

3. What Happened “at” and “by” the cross
a. Before the cross our ministry is not found  Matthew 8:4; 10:5-6; Mark 9:32; Luke 18:33-34;
b. At the cross = Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, John 19 – None think the church began here!
i. At the cross there was great weeping and lament (not glory) – Luke 23:27
1. The only one who glorified God was the centurion – Luke 23:47
ii. At the cross Jesus said they were ignorant – Luke 23:34
iii. At the cross there is no victory, 12 scattered – Hebrews 2:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:54
iv. At the cross our faith would be vain and we still in sins – 1 Corinthians 15:14,17
c. If not “at the cross” then it is AFTER the cross! (Then, when? How long after?)
d. After the cross – the events occurred that bring salvation and institute the church.
i. “It is finished” is not the end of what Christ would accomplish – John 19:28-30
ii. The cross not the only thing that needed accomplished for the mystery to occur
iii. Resurrection, Holy Spirit, fall of Israel (Romans 11:32), Paul, revelations (27 books).
iv. Salvation manifest by the appearing again to Paul! 2 Timothy 1:9-10
e. By the cross: one cross did 2 things 1) New Testament for Israel; 2) New Creature
f. Christ has a new creature in Galatians 6:15,2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 1:22,2:10-18, Colossians 1:16-25, 2:10-14
i. Why two? It is the mystery of his will “both” in Christ  Ephesians 1:10

❤

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God’s Will For Your Life

This post was brought on by reading how someone thought they were here so that they could help others with how they spent their money..

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Written by Justin Johnson ~ Grace Ambassadors

If God has something he wants us to do wouldn’t you think he would let us know? Yet there still remain scores of individuals who have not discovered God’s will for their life.

If you are looking for answers, there is a plethora of how-to guides in your local Christian bookstore that will tell you how to conjure up God’s will, but you may be disappointed.

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Most of them suggest doing spiritual gift tests which are simply baptized aptitude tests and personality surveys. It is hard to imagine the gifted Corinthians doing one of these before they spoke in tongues.

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Others tell you to look for signs, omens, or coincidental circumstance that may verify what you are doing is God-ordained. They say if God wants you to do something he will open doors. Be careful! The door may be a prison door since Paul spent most of his ministry behind bars.

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You could ask your spiritual advisor, pastor, or mentor. Other people would love to tell you what to do. The closer that person is to God the better chance you have of getting the proper message relayed, right?

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If you are a Calvinist who thinks that God forces his will upon your every step then stop reading this right now. Your confusion about God’s will is God’s will. I am not a Calvinist.

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If you are like most people what you end up doing is praying fervently. Unfortunately God never responds about that acting career. According to one website, this doesn’t necessarily mean anything. It could be that God is testing your patience. Wait, indefinitely.

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Most people you ask will admittedly tell you that knowing God’s will is difficult.

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I am not like most people. God’s will for your life is not difficult to understand though sometimes it can be difficult to accept if you want God’s will to align with yours.

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It has nothing to do with personality tests, circumstances, opened doors, or prophetic utterance. It is ‘made known’ to us in the Bible rightly divided (Eph 1:9). Paul says you are unwise if you do not know it (Eph 5:17).

Here it is:

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1. Salvation is God’s will for you and other people. (1 Tim 2:4)
2. Coming to a knowledge of the truth of the Bible rightly divided. (1 Tim 2:4)
3. Giving thanks to God. (1 Thess 5:18)

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God will not tell you to be a doctor or a bus driver. He will not tell you who to marry. He will not give you insider information on which stocks to trade.

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What he has done is give you his Son and the source of truth in the Bible. Make your own decisions based on them. Do not steal money from people (Eph 4:28). Do not marry someone who does not love God as much as you do (Eph 5:21).

“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”  – 1 Thess 5:18

Thou shalt not judge!

Written by Justin Johnson ~ Grace Ambassadors

Most people are familiar with this terse misquote from the Bible (Mat 7:1). It is the weapon of those who do not want to admit that they are wrong. “I may be wrong, but you should not condemn me!”

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The result is silence. Christianity has become a mindless non-judgmental weak-willed group of people who teach righteousness but never stand for it.

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You can see clearly now

Matthew 7:1-5 addresses hypocrisy not spiritual discernment. Hypocrisy is teaching one principle and doing another. When we believe something different than we teach it is also called hypocrisy. This second kind fills pulpits across the country as preachers hide their true convictions because of the will of their congregations.

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In order to prevent error in judgment we should first judge ourselves. Once we correct ourselves then we can see clearly to correct others.

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“Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye;…” –Matt 7:5

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Both “motes” are taken out in the end. “and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” – Mat 7:5

Paul teaches the same lesson about hypocrisy to ‘those that judge’ in Romans 2:1:

“Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.”

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We need more judgment!

Contrary to how many misquote Mat 7:1, the Bible teaches that we need righteous judgment. Judgment comes from wisdom. Wisdom comes from God (1 Cor 2:13).

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Jesus said that one of the problems of the hypocritical Pharisees is that they did not use judgment according to the law”

“ Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” – Mat 23:23

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Jesus said to Israel that they should judge a “righteous judgment” (John 7:24).

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A judgment with God’s wisdom

Judgment is not only needed when speaking about our behavior but also when it comes to discerning God’s truth. It is rare to see people able to properly judge or rightly divide God’s instructions in the Bible (2 Tim 2:15).

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Hypocrisy today comes from those who teach the judgment of Mat 7 but do not obey the clear instructions in Mat 6:26 or 5:29!

While Jesus taught the wisdom of the law and the prophets in Matt 7:12, Paul teaches the wisdom of God “in a mystery” which “none of the princes of this world knew” (1 Cor 2:7-8).

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It is with this new wisdom from God that Paul writes that we are able to compare spiritual things to spiritual (1 Cor 2:13), and we learn that our instructions are not found in the teachings of the law in Matthew.

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

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Without judging all doctrine through Paul’s gospel we are showing a lack of judgment when it comes to rightly dividing God’s instructions. The wisdom we use to make a proper judgment should be God’s “manifold wisdom” given finally to Paul (Eph 3:2, and 9-10).

“And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent…” – Phil 1:9-10

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Without this judgment many people are placed back under the law system and a curse (Gal 3:10). Proper judgment is needed to discern right from wrong, and right doctrine from wrong doctrine.

Paul and Creation

Written by Justin Johnson, Grace Ambassadors

Creation ministries have grown over the past 30 years as the creation-evolution debate matured past juvenile Darwinism and monkey trials.

While the journals, books, and research done by creation scientists are useful to give a Bible believing perspective of the science, the strongest arguments for creation come from the Bible itself.

After all, the largest opposition in America to the doctrine of six-day creation comes from other Christians who believe in theistic evolution, gap theory, etc.

The creation-evolution debate is not fundamentally a scientific debate; it is fundamentally an issue of Bible belief. Like all Biblical debates, the failure to rightly divide and consider what Paul says affects our understanding (2 Tim 2:7).

While most of the Biblical conversation centers around Hebrew words in Genesis, the strongest evidence in the Bible for the doctrinal necessity of creation is found in Paul’s writings.

Old Testament Evidence

The most popular passages in the Bible that speak about creation are in Genesis and Exodus.

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” – Gen 1:1

“For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day…” – Exodus 20:11

However, these passages are passed over by the liberal claim that they are symbolic legends of an ancient civilization.

“We can still be Christian and deny Genesis”, they defiantly say, confessing their own disbelief of the same book that gives them life.

Jesus’ Evidence

Stronger evidence is found in the words of the Lord Jesus Christ himself.

When the Pharisees tried to capture the Lord with their legal conundrums Jesus responded by referencing the first man and woman in the beginning of creation.

“And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?” – Mat 19:4-5

This is a hard place for the Christian evolutionist since the Lord himself testifies to the reality of the first male and female.

If we trust the Lord with our eternal salvation, and the words that he speaks are truth, then why wouldn’t we believe the Lord’s account of the beginning?

Even so, people do not believe the Bible. They “accept Jesus”, but not everything he said.

Paul’s Evidence

The most powerful Biblical evidence is the theological necessity unveiled by Paul in his explanation of salvation in Romans 5.

In Romans 5:12 Paul testifies to the reality of there being one man through which sin entered the world.

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin;” – Rom 5:12

Without sin we do not need salvation. Bible belief in sin, death, and the need for salvation demands we believe in Adam, the first man, by whom sin entered.

By One Man

Moreover, Paul continues by explaining that Adam was a figure of him that was to come, that is the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 5:14).

By one man sin entered, and likewise by one man righteousness and life enters the world (Rom 5:17-19).

God created the world with one man (and not a million ape-men), because he was a figure of the one man that would come to bring life to the world.

“For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” – 1 Cor 15:21-22

Christ is called the last Adam, a fulfillment of the figure in the first Adam (1 Cor 15:45).

Romans 5:12-19 explains the cause of judgment, death, and condemnation as a result of what the first man did for us. Life, righteousness, and grace that is the basis of our salvation is accomplished for us by the one act of the second man.

A denial of the first man and his act of sin directly affects the doctrine of the second, Jesus Christ, and his act of salvation.

The Mystery of the Church

Not only so, but that one man was joined with a woman, Eve, in the first marriage in the creation account (Gen 2:23-24).

Paul calls this union of the first Adam with another a mystery concerning Christ and the church.

“This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” – Eph 5:19-20

The literal Adam and Eve affects not only our understanding of salvation, but our understanding of the church, since Paul describes it as a mystery from the creation.

Conclusion

Paul’s doctrine of the mystery of Christ necessitates belief in Adam, Eve, creation, and the fall.

It is the figure of Christ in Adam that is used to describe the mystery of the gospel which from the beginning of the world has been hid in God who created all things by Christ Jesus (Eph 3:9).

It is the union of one man and woman that is also figured as a mystery concerning Christ and the church.

God’s mystery purpose was to bring salvation to heaven and earth by one man: Jesus Christ (Eph 1:9-10). So, in the beginning God created one man: Adam.

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Listen to our verse by verse of Romans 5 for more details about the importance of “by one man“.

 

Showing Grace towards Others

Written by Justin Johnson, Grace Ambassadors

As ministers of the gospel of the grace of God, it is imperative that we be gracious toward others. What does it mean to be gracious?

Many have the idea that to be gracious is to be nice or polite towards others, but that is not grace that is social obligation.

Others think that grace is merely withholding judgment (“don’t judge”), condemnation, or punishment, but this is simply showing mercy.

Not giving someone what they deserve is mercy. Mercy is good, but it is not grace. Grace is giving blessing to people who have not earned or deserved it.

Whereas mercy will pardon the sinner, grace gives the sinner a blessing. Why would the sinner get a blessing? It certainly would not be for his sin. It would certainly not be something he was entitled to or deserved. It would be because of grace.

Judging a person unworthy of God’s grace is a corruption of grace. Requiring someone earn our grace toward them destroys grace. This person is either ignorant or incompetent to minister God’s grace.

Grace does not obligate others; grace gives without requirement.
Grace does not expect reciprocation; grace gives without expecting payment.
Grace is never a response; grace takes initiative.
Grace cannot be forced; it can only be purposed in your heart.

Here is a Pauline example of showing grace:

“I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.” – 2 Corinthians 12:15

This is exactly what God did when he gave us grace through Jesus Christ. God was not obligated to do anything for us in our sinful condition. We certainly did not deserve it. Our salvation is not earned by any good work or thought we have.

While we were yet sinners, God not only withheld judgment (mercy), but he poured out the riches of his grace through Christ dying for our sins (Rom 5:8).

When grace sees a sinner it thinks, “That person needs help. How can I help through Christ.” It does not think, “That person needs judgment,” or, “That person needs punished.” If your first thought is toward the latter, especially toward a brother or sister in Christ, then you are not exhibiting grace.

Being gracious toward others requires changing our thoughts toward sinners to redeem them by grace as we were saved for Christ’s sake.

It is possible to receive grace from God, be saved by grace, and be the least gracious person on the planet. For shame many recipients of grace are ungracious toward others. What a horrible thing!

If you have received it, why would you not give it?

We should not receive the grace of God in vain (2 Cor 6:1). If we have received grace from God, we must preach and practice it toward others for Christ’s sake.

Hope

It’s pointless feeling sorry for a Mid-Acts Dispensationalist who is saved (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) and rightly divides (2 Timothy 2:15) the word of truth (Ephesians 1:13) as they have an extremely bright future 🙂

If we ever suffered rejection in our lives, it’s really no problem at all  as God accepts us.  He doesn’t procrastinate according to what we have done, or haven’t done,  but rather he accepts us according to our belief in the gospel:

“To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” ~ Ephesians 1:6

No rejection there, it’s entirely okay not to be perfect 🙂

We are forgiven people, and it feels awesome as we have peace with God:

“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

People boast about their earthly possessions and riches, while we have a God-given inheritance, which is out of this world, and surpasses anything and everything anyone could basically offer us, what we could work for, or even imagine:

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” ~ 1 Corinthians 2:9

The good life isn’t now, it’s still to come 🙂 and it’s something to look forward to :-). We have HOPE.

The next point sounds rather macabre, but we have a “death wish” and want more than anything to escape from this world as it drags us down and causes us great pain and suffering:

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” ~ Philippians 1:21

 ^“For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.” ~ Romans 8:19

We are sons and daughters of God, so tell me again why you THINK we’re nobodies who suffer from inferiority complexes 🙂

“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:” ~ Romans 8:16

We don’t look back on our sad lives and the bad things that happened to us, we are forward looking people:

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

¹⁴ I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” ~ Philippians 3:13-14

 

 

Love or Charity?

The Authorized King James Bible refers to charity in 1 Corinthians 13, but it is preached mostly only  at weddings, as charity is interpreted to be basic love.

Yet charity supersedes love, it’s far greater and has higher standards, truth be told, it is the highest form of love there is.

It’s selfless, self-sacrificing and unconditional.  It expects nothing in return, not even loyalty and it’s forgiving.. How many out there demand loyalty from their beneficiaries, and how many can say they can continually forgive someone regardless of what they have done?

The correct term for giving to the poor would rightfully be termed as “giving alms”.

A good example of charity is sacrificing one’s life in order that someone else may live, it’s feeding someone your last ounce of food in order for them not to suffer and be hungry, it’s giving someone your last drop of water in order to quell their thirst… it’s the preaching of the gospel, even to one’s enemy… It’s loving your enemy… and wanting to see them saved….

I shake my head when someone as rich as Oprah is seen as generous when she gives a poor person a house and it’s aired for all the world to see on TV.  She can probably afford to give away much more than one house, believe me, but she probably writes this “generous act” off to Marketing, and in all likelihood claims it back from the IRS under the auspices of “charity” or “donations” to the poor. Has she sacrificed anything, or more importantly, did she sacrifice herself in some way in doing so?

I must admit, I feel rather uncomfortable with people who “blow their own bagpipes” to try and impress others… I find it rather meaningless.

1 Corinthians 13:

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

² And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

³ And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

⁴ Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

⁵ Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

⁶ Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

⁷ Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

⁸ Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

⁹ For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

¹⁰ But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

Is the world ready for the Antichrist?

A person only needs to open Facebook, read the daily news, or talk to someone to realise what a mess the world truly is in… and just about everyone knows either of a politician who can fix the problem, or a religion (“turn back to God”, “repent of your sins”, ” change your lifestyle”, “BEG God for forgiveness”, “go to church”, ” say 4 hail mary’s and rub some beads”) which, they hope will sort out the madness…?

The sad part of it all is that things aren’t going to get better, irrespective of what one’s opinion is on the matter, or even what one believes wrt one’s religion… as it has already been foreordained what the outcome will be and what road the world is on.

As long as man populates this earth in his current spiritual state, there will be no peace, and there will always be poor people, sickness and disease, why? Because man is a fallen being who lives in a fallen world.  The problem is sin, and man cannot save himself from it no matter how good he professes to be… A broken thing cannot fix itself…

Man is a triune being, consisting of a body, a soul and a spirit.  Those who do not believe, see Man as a one-dimensional being, consisting only of what they see, that is, the flesh, the body.  Yet a man’s soul is who he is, it’s his personality, and then there’s his spirit, the inner part which is saved when he believes the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), the part which lives for eternity… the part which is mostly disregarded..

So man is seen as just another creature – an animal by his fellow man, a few die every day,so what? there’s another 7 billion more, who gives a damn?  That’s where we are in the world today…. Hardly anyone gives a damn about anyone else, or loves them enough to tell them about God’s free gift, that their life on this earth need not end tragically for eternity.

The world’s view of love, it goes without saying, is also skewed, as the vast majority of people will only love you or have time for you if they can get (or think they can get) something out of you… both materialistically and emotionally…. most are under the impression that their happiness depends on someone else or something which is more than likely unattainable…

The world is readying itself for a man everyone can look up to, a “saviour” of flesh and blood who will perform miracles, a man everyone can see with their own eyes and believe… who so happens to be the son of perdition…

2 Timothy 3:

¹ This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

² For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

³ Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

⁴ Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

⁵ Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

A lifespan averaging 80 years (which isn’t guaranteed) on this earth is given to each and every individual for them to have a chance at salvation, it is their God-given free will to either believe or reject it, but know this:

² (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) ~ 2 Corinthians 6:2

 

 

 

Faith is a…. WHAT?

Concerning the recent brouhaha about certain Grace believers stating faith is a work when it comes to having one’s sins forgiven…. which should also make one raise one’s eyebrows…

And also make one think… are these people saved by works since they consider faith to be a work?

Ephesians 2:8-9

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.

Admission of Guilt

The problem with the world today, is that it’s filled with self-righteous folk, people who think they are good, decent, respectful, human-beings…

Even liberals think they’re good people… hardly anyone wants to be seen as a bad person these days, so with both ends of the spectrum thinking they’re inherently good, who are the bad people?

The problem is, not many people can admit they’re not worth the gunpowder than can blow them straight into hell and here lies the crux of the problem, especially in today’s world of positive thinking, self-confidence and self-improvement, one mustn’t dare be negative.

If everyone is inherently good, why is the world in such a mess?  Inherently good people will have an inherently good society, not so? And inherently good people won’t have laws which reign in their behaviour, nor will they want to go through life in a weed induced haze in order to forget the pain and suffering…

Our society has also been negatively influenced by religion which has brainwashed people into thinking that good works and self-control are the keys to Nirvana… hence the reason everyone wants to re-create themselves and be that good person, which is very noble, but virtually impossible.  If one’s heart is deceitful and desperately wicked, how good exactly can one be? 80% good? 79% good? Where does one draw the line?  Does that then make a person which is 65% good, a bad person in comparison?

I am not talking about public appearances here, nor about garnering praise, nor about inflating one’s ego or having mounds of self-control in order to impress others with one’s goodness, I’m talking about the heart of Man in it’s natural state, the state he is born into.

I’m not anti good works, don’t misunderstand me, I’m anti good works in respect that people think their good works can get them into heaven, “just in case there is a God”, or think one has to work oneself into heaven… as all religionists profess to do.

We have a Saviour, so why even try and work ourselves into heaven? He has a free gift that we only need to receive through FAITH plus nothing.

Titus 3:

⁵ 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;

⁶ Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

⁷ That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Blissful Thought

Written by Justin Johnson, Grace Ambassadors

Philip Bliss wrote the memorable music to the popular song ‘It is Well With My Soul’. Yet it was Horatio Spafford who penned the inspirational lyrics after having lost his children.

What could motivate someone to write such a wondrous thing in light of surrounding calamity and ruin? No doubt, as the lyrics suggest, Horatio was feeling his most vulnerable.

After losing his only son to death and then his fortune to natural disaster his daughters died in a sinking ship. His life had become a nightmare and it was not a result of personal error or wicked acts performed against him.

He could not seek vengeance against an enemy or regret bad decisions made. It was circumstance, mere chance, which placed him into such a helpless estate. What could he do?

Indeed, what can we do? Everyday we find ourselves fighting against the dangerous tide that threatens to sweep us off into a helpless estate.

We buy nutritional supplements, doctors visits, and insurance for everything! Yet in the end we are powerless to defend against natural calamity and disaster. We are truly helpless.

Yet, it was when Horatio Spafford was at his most vulnerable point that he was met with the most blissful of thoughts:

“My sin, Oh the bliss of this glorious thought,
my sin, not in part, but the whole.
He nailed to the cross and I bear it no more.
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, Oh my soul!“

Truly it is the most glorious thought that God recognized our helpless estate of sin and through his power acted upon it. By not sparing his Son, but delivering him up for us, we are saved from hopelessness and death!

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. “ –Romans 5:8-9

Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, Oh my soul!

Trust

To the world, specifically unbelievers, Jesus was just another good man, a prophet, like Buddha or Krishna, who spent his life on earth teaching people how to be good, decent human beings… and that he too, like all the other “prophets” eventually died, and if he were alive today, he would be horrified at the state of the world… These people believe good people go to heaven… so they spend their entire lives striving to be perfect.

They also believe someone should have helped Jesus and prevented him from being crucified… Just like Peter, they don’t understand why Christ had to be crucified…

In reality though, He IS alive and sits on the right hand side of God… He is risen…

To those who follow Christ according to his earthly ministry, they too believe that he was a good man whose lifestyle should be mimicked, but in addition to this, they also believe that he is the Son of God who takes everyone’s sins away on the condition that they confess or repent of them on a continual basis. 

These folk cannot bring themselves to fully trust that he took all their sins on himself on a once-off basis, and that the provision for same was made nearly 2000 years ago and that there’s nothing they can do to save themselves… or even to maintain their “salvation”.

Both sets of people as mentioned above are perceived by the world as good people in the making, but the former holds more water than the latter, who do it in the name of Jesus, whose name so happens to be a stench to the world…

Both have something important in common, they trust fully in themselves, rather than in Christ’s cross work and resurrection as full and final payment for all of their sins.

“Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time” ~ 1 Timothy 2:6

“For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” ~ 2 Corinthians 5:21

 

 

 

The Hamartiology of a Healthy Soul

This is really good…

https://wp.me/p7nZvC-4z8

The gospel which saves men’s never-dying souls:

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

¹Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have RECEIVED, and wherein ye STAND;

² By which also ye are SAVED, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

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;

⁴ And that he was BURIED, and that he ROSE AGAIN the third day according to the scriptures:

The Dangerous Sect of Christ in Corinth

By Justin Johnson, Grace Ambassadors

The Corinthian church was divided.

“Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 1:12

Many Christians would align themselves with the group that said “I am of Christ” so as to not follow mere men, but that group was no less divisive.

Did not Apollos minister Christ? Did not Cephas? Did not Paul?

Those who claimed “I am of Christ” in Corinth did so to the exclusion of the other apostles sent by Christ.

C.I. Scofield wrote this concerning Corinth.

“It is evident that the really dangerous sect in Corinth was that which said, ‘and I of Christ’ (1 Corinthians 1:12). They rejected the new revelation through Paul of the doctrines of grace; grounding themselves, probably, on the kingdom teachings of our Lord as ‘a minister of circumcision’ (Romans 15:8); seemingly oblivious that a new dispensation had been introduced by Christ’s death. This made necessary a defence of the origin and extent of Paul’s apostolic authority.“ – Introduction to 2 Corinthians, Scofield Reference Bible

Christ sent Paul to lay the foundation for Corinth to speak the same thing with the same mind (1 Cor 1:10; 1 Cor 3:10-11).

Prioritizing the earthly ministry of Christ over his resurrection ministry to Paul would keep the church in ignorance about the hidden wisdom of God (1 Cor 2:6-7; 1 Cor 14:37-38; Rom 11:25).

Understanding this mystery of Christ is the key to true spirituality and unity in the church then and now (1 Cor 2:16; 1 Cor 3:1; 1 Cor 10:17; 1 Cor 12:12).

Claiming to follow Christ while diminishing Paul’s apostleship is a recipe for spiritual disaster and division.

“Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 11:1

Artificial Intelligence

What is known as “social media” to the vast majority of people, is actually pre-emptive conditioning by the god of this world in order to further enslave the minds of men.

Pre-emptive conditioning to accept Artificial Intelligence (such as robots, self-checkouts at supermarkets, self-drive cars, politically correct  behaviour (social media algorithms telling us what to say, what to think and how to react))….. but more so it means our minds are being conditioned to the nth degree to become submissive, Godless, socialist puppets, totally devoid of thinking for ourselves, and also to bring in a new world order populated with zombies.

Anyone who has encountered Facebook’s politically correct algorithms and been banned, should know what I’m talking about….

Artificial Intelligence which will, and is starting to take over our jobs, the way we do things and the way we live, will just further entrench the notion that mankind can live very comfortably without God, even more so, what God? Man is his own god…

The younger generation doesn’t know how the world functioned without technology, their mindsets are totally different to that of the older generation, they are slaves… they have no compass….. all one has to do is look around and see how most are addicted to their cell phones…. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram….. they hardly look up, they hardly speak to one another, there is hardly no personal interaction on their part whatsoever…. drones….and keep in mind that this is the next  generation….

What seems to already be a hopeless situation, will become worse…. how does one preach old fashioned good news to a generation which thinks it has arrived, and which thinks the Bible is a dusty old book filled with fairytales?  Most of them don’t even read anyway….

On a different note, and to my mind, when the body of Christ has apostasized to such a degree that even its converts, so to speak, are devoid of the knowledge of truth, and have become convinced another gospel saves after they have been saved,  so it too will be totally pointless for them to exist in this world.  Sadly, a world filled with apostates and rank unbelievers.

Those who believed the grace gospel before having turned rogue, will be caught up, the rest will be left behind to ply their false gospel to the world, in the world, with the world.

One thing I have learnt recently is is that one cannot “slap most people up” with the gospel and expect them to believe it instantaneously.  They need to build faith, especially Atheists who need the proof – evidence that God is real, so you show them things like Noah’s ark, the Village of Eight, you also point them to fulfilled Bible prophecies, and give them something to think about….

Ephesians 5

¹⁶ Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

¹⁷ Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

Logically speaking…

Okay… so we know there’s a fairly large group of Grace believers who say everyone’s sins were automatically forgiven 2000 years ago on/at the cross, and all one now really needs to do is believe the gospel in order to be justified or saved.

In other words they believe salvation and the forgiveness of sins to be two entirely different transactions…. the latter by default and the former through faith…

Of course, this is Calvinism, more specifically, the U in TULIP, although the ignorant still believe it to be Universalism… they are wrong and are required to study further, as Universalism in this instance is a strawman…

My question to this large group of Calvinists is:

If a person is born towards the end of this current dispensation and isn’t saved and then continues to live in the ensuing dispensation, let’s say, at the age of 25, in other words an adult, how would God deal with such a person with respect to his/her sins and salvation since all his/her sins, like everyone else’s were automatically forgiven 2000 years ago on the Cross (as Calvin’s Unconditional Election would have us believe)…..

Since there will be millions of adults crossing over from one dispensation to another in future, that is, namely from the dispensation of grace to TIMES TO COME because they aren’t saved…. I would like to understand your logic regarding this matter.

It goes without saying that 99.9% of people who populate the earth during the tribulation period are born in the dispensation of grace, and when one takes into consideration that the Trib is only approximately 7 years in duration, (hardly enough time for anyone born during this time to reach adulthood by the time it is over)….. it definitely cannot be said that there will be adults living in the Trib who weren’t born and/or who didn’t live in the dispensation of grace.

Everyone living during the Trib will be judged according to the law, all one has to do is read the first 7 chapters of Revelation to confirm this.

Theology like this, which by the way is man-made, is never thought through clearly, and always falls short, of not only logic and common sense, but when people punt heresies and are men pleasers, there is certainly no intellectual acumen, neither foresight for that matter….. UNFORTUNATELY and very SADLY, because theories are always very limited.

… but take all the time you need to think about your theory and how it holds up to the light, as once a person’s sins have been forgiven by God by default 2000 years ago, they’re forgiven, there’s no scriptural foundation or proof of reverse imputation because of a dispensational change. In other words, there’s no scriptural basis for the re-imputation of sins which were forgiven 2000 years ago at/on the cross….

Tribulation doctrine:

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ~ 1 John 1:9

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. ~ Acts 3:19

The Village of 8 situated in Turkey

I think I must be a bit of a bore… I love history, especially history relating to the events of the Bible.

Did you know, the (now fossilized) ark came to rest in a place which today is named Arzep, in Turkey, which literally means “place of eight”?

The anchor stones that balanced and guided the ark away from the direction of the waves/force of the deluge can still be found in this village today.  (Google “Village of Eight”).

On a different note, I’m back…. I guess I needed some time off…. and at the same token, I must add it’s wonderful to be saved at a time such as this as the world is in an incredible mess, it’s mayhem out there, folks – we do indeed live in perilous times in this present evil world… I can clearly see now why God destroyed the earth with the great flood – Man in his natural, fleshly state is evil, no matter how good he professes to be, his heart is desperately wicked….

Trans-dispensational truth: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” ~ Jeremiah 17:9-10

BUT in this dispensation the Lord Jesus Christ made provision for all men’s sins on the cross, so we no longer look at the problem (sin), rather, we focus on the solution… His finished work on the cross and his resurrection from the dead on the third day.  It’s good news…!!

He died on that cross at Calvary, and he rose again, and it is by this God-given provision we are forgiven (saved) of all our sins…. If we believe He did it all, that He provided the solution…

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 is the gospel which saves your never-dying soul.

Titus 3:5 tells us our works of righteousness cannot save us…

And Ephesians 2:8-9 says it’s by His grace we are saved, not of ourselves, therefore not by our works.

Come soon, Lord Jesus… this world is growing more unbearable by the day….

 

 

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.

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

❤

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.

❤

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?

————-

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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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.