According to Sound Doctrine

Disclaimer: I, as a woman of God, as I write this, have no position of authority or rule over anyone who reads this, whether male or female. The only authority here being represented is the authority of scripture. I just teach what the scriptures teach, and anyone who reads this does so by his or her own free will. But, I will teach what accords with sound doctrine, by the grace of God, and as led of the Holy Spirit of God, for the glory of God.

Titus 2:1-6 ESV

But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled.

To teach what accords (agrees) with sound doctrine means that we teach according to the whole counsel of God, and we don’t teach scriptures out of context to make them say what tickles itching ears. We study the scriptures, book by book, chapter by chapter, and verse by verse, in context, and we compare scripture with scripture, and we rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth. And, we teach all scripture in light of and in agreement with the New Covenant Relationship God has with his people.

Regarding both men and women, I don’t believe the physical age here is as important as the number of years one has professed faith in Jesus Christ, and has studied the scriptures, and perhaps has even taught the scriptures. The longer one has professed faith in Jesus and has been exposed to the truths of scripture, the greater one’s responsibility, I believe, to adhere to what the scriptures teach, for with much knowledge comes much responsibility (Heb. 5:11-14; 1 Co. 3:1-3; 1 Co. 14:20).

As well, the Lord has set it up in the home and in the church that the men are to be the spiritual leaders. They are given the greater responsibility for the spiritual growth and development of the body of Christ, as a whole, and for the family unit, too. And, they are to lead, not just in words, but by example. So, they must be living godly and holy lives if they are going to be able to lead others to live godly and holy lives, too.

Nonetheless, a vast number of men in the church in America today are spiritually AWOL, for they are resting in and are depending on the flesh of man rather than on the power of God in their lives. And, many of them are in positions of leadership within the gatherings of the church, too. So, they are supposed to be leading us spiritually, but they aren’t, because they are following after the lusts of the flesh rather than the Spirit of God.

And, this has been going on a very long time now that so many “Christian” men have deserted their flocks and their families to go after the lusts of the flesh, and even to go after what is twisted, abnormal, and not in line with God’s design for humanity. For, they are following after what is immoral, dishonest, deceptive, and warped, and so they are spiritually declining and they are leaving their “sheep” not attended by true godly shepherds.

Thus, the authority over their lives is not God, for they have deserted the Lord, and they have withdrawn from their responsibilities as spiritual heads of households and as spiritual leaders within the church. And, now they are under the authority, custody and control of the flesh, and evil and wickedness is what is in authority and control over their minds and hearts.

For, so many of them are refusing to let go of the filth in their lives, so they are holding on to their sinful addictions. So, in order to appease their flesh, they have also adopted a gospel of men which allows them to continue on in their fleshly appetites unhindered by the truth. For, it distorts and dilutes the truth by taking scriptures out of context to say what tickles itching ears.

Thus, the leadership that they are providing in the home and in the gatherings of the church is twisted, distorted, dishonest and not in line with scripture – with the whole counsel of God. It is worldly and of the flesh and it is driven by the flesh, too. Thus, the church and the family in America are, overall, on a huge spiritual decline. And, there is not much distinction at all between the church and the world anymore.

Titus 2:7-10 ESV

Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.

Because of the moral and spiritual decline in the gatherings of much of today’s church here in America, God is calling out to his people for whoever would go out into the highways and byways of life with his messages, because the truth has to be told, and the sound doctrines of the faith need to be taught, for people need to hear the truth, for it is the truth that will set people free, if they will believe it, and if they will act upon it.

And, that is why many of us are on the internet teaching the truths of God’s Word so that many will be saved and will grow to maturity in Christ and in their walks of faith.

For, within the gatherings of the church here in America, overall, there is not much of a place for the teaching of sound doctrine, and so many have rejected the truth to follow after the lies. And, so God is sending us out where, so far, we have been able to freely share the truths of scripture that will set people free from their bondage to sin so that they can walk in holiness and in purity of devotion to Jesus Christ.

Thus, some of us women are teaching out in public where both men and women can read what we write. We have no authority over anyone, in this way, and those who read what we write do so of their own free will. But, this is because so many of the men within the church are spiritually AWOL and they are not leading the sheep as God intended, and because they won’t let go of the filth and the flesh to live and to teach what is sound in doctrine.

Titus 2:11-15 ESV

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

And, what is sound in doctrine is written right here. Jesus Christ, in his death on a cross, and in his resurrection, did not merely provide for us forgiveness of sins and the hope of heaven when we die. Our salvation from sin, thus, is not just an escape from punishment in hell and heaven as our eternal home.

And, God’s grace to us is not free license to continue in sinful practices, either, free from guilt, yet with the promise of heaven, regardless of how we live our lives from that moment forward.

The total purpose of God’s grace was and is to deliver us out of our bondage (slavery, addiction) to sin so that we would be dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus, our Lord. And, the end result of this life of death to sin and living to God is eternal life with Christ our Lord. This is what the scriptures teach. We are to leave our lives of sin behind us to follow our Lord in obedience to his will and to his ways, and we are to live godly and upright and self-controlled lives in the power of God, by his Spirit.

We were not redeemed by Christ’s blood shed for us on the cross just so that we would be forgiven of our sins just so we could escape hell and go to heaven when we die. No, we were redeemed by his blood that we might glorify God with our bodies and with our minds and hearts. He redeemed us from filthy and immoral lifestyles so that we would now be his possession, and so we would be zealous to do the works of the Spirit of God.

He redeemed us, by his blood, so that we would now walk in purity, not in the lusts of our flesh. So, know that this is the truth, believe it, and follow after it, and don’t buy into the lies which leave you still bound in your sin.

A Believer’s Prayer

An Original Work / July 31, 2012

With my whole heart, Lord, I pray

To be Yours, and Yours always.

Lead me in Your truth today.

May I love You, and obey.

Lead me in Your righteousness.

When I sin, may I confess;

Bow before You when I pray;

Live for You and You always.

Love You, Jesus, You’re my friend.

Life with You will never end.

You are with me through each day,

Giving love and peace always.

You will ne’er abandon me.

From my sin You set me free.

You died on that cruel tree,

So I’d live eternally.

Soon You’re coming back for me;

From this world to set me free;

Live with You eternally.

Oh, what joy that brings to me.

I will walk with You in white;

A pure bride, I’ve been made right

By the blood of Jesus Christ;

Pardoned by His sacrifice.

https://vimeo.com/114796263

Monday, September 9, 2019