Sound Teaching

Sunday, February 5, 2017, 9:08 a.m. – The Lord Jesus put in mind the song “Teach Them.” Speak, Lord, your words to my heart. I read 1 Timothy 1:1-11 (NASB).

To Timothy (vv. 1-2)

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and of Christ Jesus, who is our hope,

To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

The book of Timothy is considered to be a pastoral epistle – a letter written by Paul to Timothy, who was his son in the Lord, a fellow worker with him in the ministry, and a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ. So, all of what is taught in this epistle may not specifically apply to all of us, yet the scriptures do teach that “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). So, we need to find out what it is that we are to learn from this God-breathed letter, for God has given it to us, his people, for a purpose.

I am a woman. I believe scripture teaches that women are not to be in a position of authority over men nor are they to serve in an authoritative position over men as their teachers (instructors). So, I would not apply this passage of scripture to myself in the sense that I am to usurp any authority over men instructionally, to where they must obey my authority. I can, however, teach women and youth, and men can learn from what the Lord Jesus teaches me through his word each day, if they so choose to read what the Lord gives me to write, or to listen when I give testimony to my faith.

As well, we read in scripture that we each have an assignment from God within the body of Christ, and as each part does its work, we cause the body to grow up in Christ. And, we read that we are to speak to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. We are to “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God” (See: Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16). So, there is a sense here that we can learn from one another and encourage one another in the faith. As well, women are given the gift of prophecy, as are men, and this gift is for the purpose to edify, encourage, exhort, warn and comfort the believers.

Strange Doctrines (vv. 3-7)

As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith. But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion, wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions.

So, within the confines of the teachings of scripture concerning spiritual gifts and roles of men and women, there are multiple avenues from which anyone of us can warn against the teachings or the believing of what is false. Right now, for instance, the internet here in America is wide open for us to be able to share Jesus Christ and his Word with all who would listen, and with whomever would choose to learn from what we share each day from God’s Word. We can write personal blogs or we can post Biblically-based writings on various Christian-based websites, or, in person, we can share what we are learning from God’s Word in Biblically-based small groups, which are discussion-oriented, and where our input is welcome and invited.

For me personally, the Lord Jesus called me to this ministry of writing out what he teaches me each day from my time with him in his Word and to post it on the internet, and that is what I have been doing nearly daily for the past 10+ years. So, that is what I do out of obedience to my Lord.

Now, with regard to the subject at hand, the “strange teachings” that are being taught today under the guise of Christianity are far and wide, but let me mention just a few here. I believe the biggest threat right now to Christianity and to the gospel of salvation, as taught by Jesus Christ and his NT apostles, is what I would call a false grace gospel. This false grace gospel teaches an unbiblical faith that is human-based and not of the Spirit of God. It repeats words of men in a prayer to God, after which the person is congratulated for now becoming part of the family of God, and promised heaven when they die no matter what transpires from that moment on.

There is no turning from sin in this prayer of “faith,” and no commitment to following our Lord Jesus in obedience to his Word, but the Bible teaches that when we believe in Jesus Christ we die with Christ to sin and we are resurrected with Christ to newness of life, “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:24). We are born anew (or again), not physically this time, but spiritually. The old is gone. The new has come. We lay aside our old lives of living for sin and self, we are transformed of the Spirit of God in the renewing of our minds, and we put on Christ and his righteousness (See: Lu. 9:23-25; Ro. 6:1-23; Eph. 4:17-24).

God’s grace is not a free license to continue in sin without guilt and without remorse. Jesus did not die on a cross for our sins so that we would continue in sin while claiming heaven as our eternal destination. He died that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; that we might no longer live for ourselves, but for him who gave his life up for us; and he gave Himself up for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. In fact, his grace, which brings salvation, teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives while we wait for Christ’s soon return (See: 1 Pet. 2:24; 2 Co. 5:15; Tit. 2:11-14).

The other serious threat to Christianity and to the gospel of our salvation right now is a teaching that all people are to be united, and that we all worship the same God, no matter what religion we adhere to. Those people, who are pushing this, desire that we all join hands together across the globe and sing “Kumbaya,” no matter our religion and no matter our chosen lifestyle. They are trying to bring the world under a totalitarian global government and a one-world religion – all under the authority of the beast of Revelation. And, if we do not comply, and we do not conform to their desired goals, we are tagged as hateful, bigoted, intolerant and as teachers of works-based salvation, even though we are teaching what Jesus taught.

The Lawless and Rebellious (vv. 8-11)

But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.

When Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins, and he put sin to death on the cross, and he rose victorious over sin, hell, Satan and death, he did not do so in order that we would live in a lawless state where we would feel empowered to do whatever we want without penalty. When we believe in Jesus, we not only die to sin, but his Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us so that we now have God and his living Word within us, in our hearts, and we should no longer desire to do what is contrary to God’s Holy Word. When we were enslaved to sin, scripture teaches, we were free from the control of righteousness. But, now that we have been freed from slavery to sin, we should now be bond-slaves of Christ’s righteousness (See: Ro. 6:1-23).

We should not need to have the law telling us what not to do, because we have that law now written in our hearts. In other words, the love of God within us compels us to want to do what is honoring to our Lord, and to reject what we know is wrong (what is sinful). Yet, for those who are still living according to their sinful flesh, and not according to the Spirt, they need the law instructing them what not to do. And, yet, the New Testament repeats over and over again, even to Christians, that we should not be idolaters, perjurers, liars, thieves, adulterers, homosexuals, and murderers, etc., because many who profess to know Jesus as Savior are still living as though they have not been cleansed of their sins.

So, many professing Christians need to still be taught what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ, and what it means to be saved from our sins, and to walk in his Spirit and no longer according to the flesh, because many of them have bought into this false grace gospel which appeases sin in the flesh rather than puts sin to death, so that we can now walk in holiness and righteousness. As well as we need to share the truth of the gospel of our salvation with those who make no profession of Christ as Savior at all. For many are walking in darkness and need to be brought into the Light.

Teach Them / An Original Work / May 24, 2012

Based off various scriptures

Open up the blinded eyes of

Those who walk in sin’s darkness.

Turn them to the light of Christ

And to His righteousness.

Turn them from the pow’r of Satan.

Turn them to the peace of Christ,

So they may receive forgiveness

And eternal life.

Teach them to put off their old selves

And their former way of life,

And to put on their new self,

Reborn to be like Christ;

To not copy worldly customs;

Be transformed in life and mind;

Obey freely His word in them,

Pleasing unto God.

Teach them how to love their neighbors

Truly as they love themselves;

Be a witness; share the gospel;

Satan’s lies dispel;

Comfort all who mourn in sadness;

Share Christ’s love and joy today.

Do this through your life and witness

For your Lord always.

https://vimeo.com/125485489

Comfort and Strength

Saturday, February 4, 2017, 2:49 p.m. – The Lord Jesus put in mind the song “Your Lord is With You.” Speak, Lord, your words to my heart. I read 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5 (NASB).

He Called Us (2:13-15)

But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.

Before God/Jesus Christ even created the world, he knew who we would be, because he had a plan to bring us into the world for a purpose. He chose us, who are his followers, for salvation through cleansing (purification) of sin by the Spirit of God, and by faith in the truth. So, how did he accomplish this?

God the Father sent his Son, Jesus Christ (God the Son) into the world to take on human form and to die on a cross for our sins. When he died, our sins died with him and were buried with him. When he was resurrected from the dead, he rose victorious over sin, death, hell and Satan, on our behalf. Through faith in him we are crucified with Christ in death to sin, and we are resurrected with Christ to newness of life, “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:24). We are “born again” of the Spirit of God (See: Jn. 3), turned from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that we receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Jesus Christ (See: Acts 26:16-18).

So, what does this faith look like? Well, for one, this faith is a gift from God, and not of ourselves (See: Eph. 2:8-10). Faith means literally to be persuaded by God, i.e. it is God’s divine persuasion, i.e. the persuasion of his will - http://biblehub.com/greek/4102.htm). It is also faith in (divine persuasion of) the truth of the gospel of Christ. This means that faith is not an intellectual assent or an emotional decision to accept Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins and his forgiveness of sin, but it is a divine persuasion to accept, not only what Jesus did on the cross for our sins, but to adopt the purpose for which he died, into our own lives, i.e. to allow ourselves to die with Christ to sin so that we could be resurrected to new lives in Christ Jesus, i.e. born anew of the Spirit of God, delivered from slavery to sin, and set free to live to Christ as bond-servants of his righteousness (See: Ro. 6:1-23).

To this we were called of God, to be delivered from slavery to sin that we might be slaves of Christ’s righteousness. Jesus died that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; that we might no longer live for ourselves, but for him who gave his life up for us; and to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works (1 Pet. 2:24; 2 Co. 5:15; Tit. 2:14; cf. Eph. 2:10).

He also called us to holiness, which means to be set apart (unlike, different) from the world, because we are being conformed into the image of Christ. In other words, faith in Jesus Christ is supernatural, it is of the Spirit, and it prefers what God prefers, i.e. if we believe in Jesus Christ it means we have been divinely persuaded to leave our lives of sin behind us and to follow our Lord in obedience to his will. So, if we claim to have faith in Christ, but we are not persuaded of God away from sin and to walks of obedience, then scripture teaches we don’t really believe in Jesus Christ.

Yet, if most of what we have talked about here does describe your faith in Jesus Christ, then this is an encouragement to stand strong (firm) on that faith, which includes a stand for righteousness, godliness, holiness, purity, obedience to Christ, and love, and a stand against wickedness and all that is falsely called knowledge, i.e. lies. It is not popular in many Christian circles here in America to take such a stance, because it is an offense to many who listen, yet the gospel of Christ is an offense to all who are perishing.

He Loves Us (2:16-17)

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.

When we believe the truth about God’s Word, and about the gospel of our salvation, i.e. that Jesus didn’t die just so we could escape hell and so we could go to heaven when we die, but that he died to radically transform our lives while we still live on the face of this earth, i.e. to make us holy, we may find ourselves in the minority, and with people forsaking us or avoiding us because all this talk about holiness just makes them uncomfortable. As well, if we are verbal about our faith, and we talk or write about what the Bible teaches on holiness and godliness, and what it truly means to believe in Jesus, as was discussed in the first section of this writing, we may be accused falsely of teaching works-based salvation, or we may be accused of being hatemongers, bigots, intolerant, and the like. And, if we are feeling people, with hearts of love and compassion, we may get emotionally hurt by it all, and need the comfort and strength of the Lord in order to persevere.

He Rescues Us (3:1-5)

Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you; and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.

As well, we will need prayer to have courage to keep speaking in Jesus’ name, and to keep telling people the truth, even if they fight against us. For, many people here in America have bought into a diluted half-truth false grace gospel which does not teach death to sin and living to righteousness, but which gives people free license to continue living in sin without guilt and without remorse. They don’t understand that faith in Jesus Christ means we are divinely persuaded as to the will of God for our lives, i.e. that faith is given to us by God, and as so, it is spiritual, and it believes the message of the gospel, and it applies it to our lives. It does not make excuses or allowance for sin, but it eradicates sin from our lives and it chooses to walk in holiness in the power and working of the Spirit of God within us.

Yet, we are promised in scripture that if we follow Christ that we will be hated and persecuted as he was hated and persecuted, so we are not promised that we will ever be completely free from mistreatment by evil and obstinate people, until Jesus comes to get us or until we reach heaven. So, being rescued from these types of people must take on various forms. In other words, the Lord may physically deliver us by moving us to another location, or by removing these people in some way or another, or he may put a roadblock to their evil paths and open doors for us and the gospel which no man can close. He may, as well, deliver us emotionally or spiritually from their persecution, i.e. to where we are not weighed down by it, but we can still rejoice in the Lord, and have courage to persevere, despite the evil treatment, and even love our persecutors in return.

I just know that my God is completely sovereign over all that he has made, and he has all things under his control, and that he will keep the door open for me, and for others who are also sharing his gospel, to keep sharing his gospel until he is finished with me (them), and then I believe he will take me home, when my job on earth is done; when my assignment is finished. Until then, I live each day to serve my Lord, and to share his Word, and to love others with his love, and to follow him wherever he leads me, even if it gets me hated in return, because I know I am here to serve God/Jesus.

Your Lord is With You

An Original Work / August 14, 2016

Based off Various Scriptures

Fear not for your Lord is with you.

He will not leave you, nor will He abandon you.

When you walk through valleys of life’s rough ways,

You must fear no evil, for God is near.

Be of courage, then, and be not dismayed,

For your Lord is with you throughout your days.

Fear not for your Lord is with you.

He will not leave you, nor will He abandon you.

Trust Him with your life and witness.

He’ll go before you, and He will prepare the way.

The Lord is our helper, so we’ll not fear.

He will strengthen us. He sees all our tears.

Do not be afraid, but to God do pray,

And the peace of God will be yours today.

Trust Him with your life and witness.

He’ll go before you, and He will prepare the way.

My God, He is my Rock and my Shield

And the Horn of my salvation, whom I praise.

He reached down from heaven and rescued me;

Drew me out of waters so deep I’d sink.

My God turned my darkness into His light;

Opened up my blinded eyes, gave me sight.

My God, He is my Rock and my Shield

And the Horn of my salvation, whom I praise.

https://vimeo.com/178977106

Not of Darkness

Friday, February 3, 2017, 7:18 a.m. – The Lord Jesus put in mind the song, “Unless You Are Born Again.” Speak, Lord, your words to my heart. I read 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (NASB).

In the Night (vv. 1-3)

Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.

I find it particularly interesting that the Lord Jesus saw fit to combine this passage of scripture with the story of Nicodemus coming to Jesus (See lyrics to song). Nicodemus came to Jesus by night. He was a Pharisee – a religious leader in the Jewish temple and a teacher of scripture. He made an intellectual assent to who Jesus is, yet Jesus told him he needed to be “born again” if he wanted to see the kingdom of God. Thus, a discussion on that topic ensued between the two of them, but Nicodemus failed to understand what Jesus was talking about. The ultimate conclusion Jesus reached was that Nicodemus didn’t understand, not because he lacked knowledge of the scriptures, but because he (and other Jews) would not accept Jesus’ testimony, and thus they did not believe in Jesus and what he taught.

I believe Nicodemus is an example to us of many people today who are following forms of religion, but who truly are not “born again” of the Spirit of God, even though they profess to believe in Jesus Christ. Thus, they fail to comprehend that which is spiritual, because their minds are still thinking in the natural, because they are still living in the flesh and not in the Spirit. Yet, he is also an example of those not lacking in knowledge of scripture, but of those who refuse to believe what they hear, probably because what they hear doesn’t fit with their theology or with their chosen lifestyles. And, he is an example to us, also, of religious leaders today who are feeding the people false grace messages, promising them heaven when they die, and peace on earth, because the religious leaders refuse to accept Jesus’ testimony and believe his Word. Thus, they are filling people’s minds with a false hope.

These people and their followers live in the darkness, and not in the light, even though some of them claim to be in the light. The truth, though, messes with how they want to live their lives, so they make up their own truth to fit their own lifestyles, and then they drag others into their lies and deceptions and make them disciples of men instead of disciples of Christ.

They convince them that being saved and having eternal life with God involves a mere prayer repeated after someone else, but which is absent of repentance, and that God, in fact, requires nothing of them – no repentance, no obedience and no submission to Christ and his cross. And, they tell them that God is pleased with them no matter what they do, no matter how much sin they willfully involve themselves in each and every day. They tell them, too, that God will never be angry with them, that they won’t have to go through difficult times, and that they will be raptured before anything gets really bad, i.e. they preach messages of “peace and safety.”

But, this is NOT what scripture teaches. Jesus said that if anyone would come after him, he must deny self, take up his cross daily (die daily to sin and self) and follow (obey) him. He said if we hold on to our old lives (of living for sin and self), we will lose them for eternity. But, if we lose our lives (die with Christ to sin), we will gain eternal life with God (Lu. 9:23-25). Paul reiterated what Jesus said when he said that if we walk (in lifestyle) in the flesh (in sin), we will die (in our sins), but if by the Spirit we are putting to death the deeds of the flesh, we will live (with Christ for eternity) (See: Ro. 8:1-14). And, John said that if we say we have fellowship with God, but we walk (in lifestyle) in darkness (sin), we don’t live by the truth (1 Jn. 1:6).

One day Jesus is going to return for his bride (his followers), and he is going to judge the world. Those who have bought into the “peace and safety” messages, which tell them they don’t have to repent and obey, that God is pleased with them no matter what they do, and that God will never judge them, are going to be in for a big surprise, but not the good kind. Instead of the heaven they were promised, they will find destruction, and they will not escape. So, don’t buy into the lies, even though they may sound good and may appease your guilty conscience when you do what you know is wrong. God’s grace is not a free license to continue in willful sin against God without guilt and without remorse. His grace, which brings salvation, teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives while we wait for Christ’s return (Tit. 2:11-14).

So, this goes back to what Jesus told Nicodemus. He told him he must be “born again” if he wants to see heaven, and that is what he is telling people today, too. When we are born anew of the Spirit of God we are crucified with Christ in death to sin, and we are resurrected with Christ to newness of life, “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:24). Jesus didn’t die just so we could escape hell and go to heaven. He died that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; that we might no longer live for ourselves, but for him who gave his life up for us; and to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds (1 Pet. 2:24; 2 Co. 5:15; Tit. 2:14).

Of the Night (vv. 4-8)

But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.

If we truly are in Christ Jesus, by God’s grace, through genuine faith, we have been crucified with Christ in death to sin, and we have been resurrected with Christ to newness of life, so we are not living in darkness. We are “born again” of the Spirit of God and so we walk in the Spirit and no longer according to the flesh. So, we have no fear of judgment or of Christ’s return, but we look forward with great anticipation to the day our Lord comes to take us to be with him forever.

And, yet, there is a warning here for us to not allow ourselves to fall asleep spiritually as others do, but for us to remain alert and sober. So, what is this saying? It is possible to be a genuine believer in Jesus Christ and yet to fall back into sin and spiritual slothfulness (laziness). It is possible for us to get caught up in the world and to believe the lies of “peace and safety” and to not be spiritually ready for Christ’s return. So, what does that mean for us? Well, for one, in Revelation 2-3 we read the letters to the seven churches, five of which Jesus chided for something they were doing wrong, warned of divine judgment (discipline), called for repentance, and promised rewards to those who overcame, and did what Jesus said. So, there is the danger of divine discipline (correction, judgment) for the unrepentant church.

Also, there are many scriptures which warn against falling away from God’s grace, and that teach that faith in Jesus Christ is continuous, and that we must continue in the faith we had at first if we want to have the hope of eternal life with God. So, there is the danger we might go back to living in darkness if we do not remain vigilant in our spiritual walks of faith.

As well, there are many people who profess to be Christians who are still walking in darkness, who are only going through the motions of Christianity or forms of religious practice, but their hearts are far from God. They have not turned from their sin nor have they truly turned to Christ to walk in obedience to his commands (his instructions), some of whom don’t because they have been taught they don’t have to, which just makes a mockery of Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins whereby we could be set free from sin. They will face the wrath of God if they do not repent and believe Jesus.

Together with Him (vv. 9-11)

For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. Therefore, encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.

One of the reasons Jesus died on the cross for our sins was that we might escape the coming wrath of God. This, however, does not preclude divine disciple (correction, judgment) from coming upon us when we need it. He saved us from the pit of hell and promises us heaven when we die if we continue in him in faith until the end. Yet, he also promises us hardships, discipline, correction, and persecution, etc. as part of the process of pruning us and maturing us and conforming us to the likeness of Christ. So, we should not be surprised when trials come, or when we are hated or persecuted severely for our faith in Jesus Christ. These things must happen.

And, yet, the context here appears to be in the form of a warning to true believers in Jesus Christ that they not fall back asleep spiritually, but that they remain spiritually alert, because we have the hope of salvation and the promise of heaven when we die for those who believe (present tense). Therefore, we are to encourage (inspire, hearten and urge) one another with these words, and build up (strengthen, promote the spiritual health) of one another, so that we continue in the faith, steadfast, and don’t fall asleep.

Unless You Are Born Again

An Original Work / November 3, 2013

Based off John 3:1-21

Nicodemus came to Jesus.

He acknowledged God was with Him.

Jesus said, “You can’t see heaven

Unless you are born again.”

“How can a man be born when he’s old?

Can he enter into his mother’s womb?”

Jesus answered, “Flesh is flesh,

So of the Spirit, you must be.”

Jesus said to Nicodemus,

“You’re a teacher, and yet you don’t

Understand of what I tell you,

Because you will not believe.

“For God so loved the world that He gave

His one and His only Son for your sin.

So, whoever believes in Him

Has eternal life in heav’n.

“Light has come into the world,

But human beings love the darkness,

Because their deeds are so evil,

So in truth, they stand condemned.

“Everyone who practices evil

Fears that the Light will expose his sin.

Yet, whoever lives his life by the Light

Does so through his God.”

https://vimeo.com/114686371

Living to Please God

Thursday, February 2, 2017, 5:34 p.m. – The Lord Jesus put in mind the song “Follow Him.” Speak, Lord, your words to my heart. I read 1 Thessalonians 4 (NASB).

How to Walk (vv. 1-2)

Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more. For you know what commandments we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

The Bible has much to say about our spiritual walks. First of all, to walk is to live, i.e. it has to do with our lifestyles; with how we conduct our lives day in and day out, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In Romans 6 we read that, as believers in Jesus Christ, we have died to sin, so how can we possibly live in it any longer? We read that our old self was crucified with Christ so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin, because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. And, we read that we should, thus, count ourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus, and that we are to no longer let sin reign in our mortal bodies so that we obey its evil desires, such as we did before we met Christ.

We also read in scripture that Jesus died that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; that we might no longer live for ourselves, but for him who gave his life up for us (1 Pet. 2:24; 2 Co. 5:15). We read in Romans 8 where Paul said that Jesus died that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk, not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. In fact, he said that if we walk (in lifestyle) according to the flesh, we will die in our sins, without Christ, and without the hope of heaven. But, if by the Spirit we are putting to death the deeds of the flesh, we will live with Christ for eternity (See: Ro. 8:1-14; cf. Lu. 9:23-25; Gal. 2:20). And, then we read that God’s grace, which brings salvation, teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives while we wait for Christ’s return (See: Tit. 2:11-14).

In other words, regardless of what many are teaching today about our salvation, we are not saved from our sins just so we can escape hell and go to heaven when we die. Jesus died to eradicate our old lives of sin and to give us new lives in himself, “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (See: Eph. 4:17-24).

We are called to be holy, and to be holy means to be set apart (unlike, different) from this sinful world because we are daily being conformed (made) into Christ’s likeness. And, we are called to righteous living, and to purity, and to love – love for God, and love for our fellow humans. And, to love God means to obey Christ’s commands. As well, we are to present ourselves (our bodies) to God as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to him, which is our reasonable and acceptable worship of him; no longer conformed to the ways of this sinful world, but transformed of the Spirit of God in the renewing of our minds (See: Ro. 12:1-2). So, if Jesus is truly our LORD, then he is our OWNER-MASTER, i.e. he is the boss, and we are his servants.

Not for Impurity (vv. 3-8)

For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God; and that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification. So, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you.

When God/Jesus called Saul (later called Paul) to the ministry, he gave him the charge to open spiritually blinded eyes, to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they might receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Jesus Christ (See: Acts 26:16-18). This is the essence of the gospel of our salvation. And, to be sanctified means to be made holy and to be purified, i.e. cleansed of our sins. Yet, the cleansing is not just so we can escape hell and go to heaven when we die. In other words, Jesus cleansing us is not him just forgiving us so that our sins are no longer charged to our account. His cleansing has to do with eradicating (putting to death) sin in our lives so that we might be free to now walk in Christ’s righteousness and holiness.

What this means, in all practicality, is that we should live lives now, in the power of the Spirit of God within us, free from slavery to sin. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are to abstain (refrain) from sexual sin, such as viewing pornography, or watching or listening to TV shows, movies or music which contain sexual or sensual content, or which promote or glorify sexual immorality. We should not allow ourselves to think lustful thoughts about those with whom we are not married, and we should not participate in satisfying our sexual urges via masturbation (self-gratification).

As well, we should not flirt with others, or make suggestive remarks to anyone, or listen to or repeat crude or suggestive jokes, nor should we be involved in sexual activity with those with whom we are not married or with those of the same sex. And, I would also caution against watching romantic movies or TV shows or reading Romance novels, for they also may lead our minds astray. Also, I would caution against what we might consider casual relationships with people of the opposite sex or of same sex attraction, because these can often lead to romantic or sexual affairs, especially if we are involved in private and personal conversations with them to which our spouses do not have access.

This list of possible sin opportunities I have written here may seem petty or excessive to some people, but I know of what I speak. We now live in a sex-craved society, especially here in America, where pornography addiction is exceedingly high, and where adulteries and extra-marital affairs are rampant, as well as where children are being handed internet devices and being left on their own to discover whatever they can discover without parental supervision and guidance, and that is very scary to me! I pray that somehow our children would be delivered from all that, i.e. that God would rescue them so that they don’t get trapped by the devil and see things they should not see and go places they should not go.

Love One Another (vv. 9-12)

Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.

If we are involved in sexual sin, that is the opposite of love. If we are involved in gossip, betrayal, lies, adultery, slander, hatred, unforgiveness, and the like, that, as well, is the opposite of love. If we tell people we love them, but we cheat, lie, gossip, betray, and the like, our words mean nothing! So, if we want to love others with god-like love, we must be free of the control sin has over our lives, which is why Jesus died – to set us free! So, why is it that so many professing Christians don’t live like they are free? Why is it so many pastors are addicted to pornography, as well, or are involved in extra-marital affairs? Where is holiness in all this? Where is godliness? Have they been forgotten? Why is it that Christians, for the most part, don’t seem much different from non-Christians? Aren’t we called to be set apart from the world, and to come out from her and be separate?

Do we truly know what it means to love like God loves? Jesus gave his life up for us so we could go free. That is love! In fact, he who knew no sin became sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God (2 Co. 5:21). Now, that is love! Jesus put his life on the line day in and day out for our salvation, our sanctification, our healing, and our spiritual wellness when he walked this earth, often risking his own life and reputation in order to tell us the truth that would set us free. Yes, He is love, and He is kind, and He is gracious, compassionate and forgiving, but they didn’t kill him because he was “Mr. Nice Guy.” They killed him because he told them the truth, and they didn’t like the truth. And, they will kill many of us for the same reason.

Love is not a feeling or an emotion or words we say to one another, nor is it feel-good messages meant to make one another feel good about ourselves, even in our sins. True love meets legitimate needs, not wants, and it does not give way to the flesh. True love also does not lie to people to make them feel good so they will like us. Lies are never kind. And, they are not loving, no matter what anyone tells you. If we want to love others with god-like love, we need to follow the example of Jesus Christ. He healed the sick, raised the dead, and comforted the sorrowful, but he also spoke the truth in love, ministered to real needs, knew what was in the best interest of the people, acted accordingly, and confronted sin in sinful humans, called for repentance and faith in himself, warned of unbelief and the coming judgment, but also promised much hope and healing for the repentant. May we, who are his followers, do likewise.

Follow Him / An Original Work / February 21, 2013

Based off Luke 9:22-25

Jesus, Son of God,

Died for us on a cross.

Anyone who would come to Him

Must deny himself and follow.

He must take up his cross daily;

Die to sin and self each day.

Father, God above,

Loved us so: gave His Son.

If you want to save your old life;

Keep on sinning, follow your ways,

You will lose your life forever;

Hope of heaven gone away.

Spirit of our God

Gives us life in God’s Son.

Nonetheless, if you die to self;

Forsake your sin; follow Jesus,

You will live with God in heaven,

And forever praise His name!

https://vimeo.com/117316842

Labor of Love

Thursday, February 2, 2017, 7:21 a.m. – The Lord Jesus put in mind the song “Songs in the Night.” Speak, Lord, your words to my heart. I read 1 Thessalonians 1 (NASB).

Paul and Silvanus and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.

We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father, knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you; for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything. For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.

Work of Faith

Love is action. Faith is action. Hope is action. God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son. We show we love God by obeying Christ’s commandments. God chided the Israelites because they honored him with their lips, but their hearts were far from him. This was evident in how they treated the Lord. They had forms of religion, but they had wicked hearts that did what they wanted, and they did not walk in obedience to the Lord. If we love God, we obey him. If we believe Jesus died on the cross to deliver us from sin, we turn from our sin and we turn to God to walk in obedience to him – all in the power and working of the Spirit of God in our hearts, as we surrender our hearts to the Lord Jesus to follow Him in His ways. If we are genuinely concerned that others know Christ, we will actively be sharing our faith with them, too. Love, faith and hope are not things we just feel, they are what we do. Words can be cheap, but actions speak louder than words.

Our Gospel

The gospel of Jesus Christ is not just a story we tell our kids. It is not just a religion we adhere to, either. It has the only power on earth to transform human lives away from living in sin to walking in obedience to the Lord. It has power, as well, to remove us from death and to bring us into life, to save us from our sins, and to give us completely new lives in Christ Jesus.

As humans, we are all born sinners. We are all separate from God, without hope of eternal life with God. We all fall short of attaining God’s divine approval in our own human effort. Our good will never outweigh our bad. We cannot earn or deserve or work our way into heaven and into God’s graces. So, God the Father sent his Son Jesus Christ (God the Son) to the earth, to take on human form, and to die on a cross for our sins. He who knew no sin became sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God (2 Co. 5:21). Jesus died that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; that we might no longer live for ourselves, but for him who gave his life up for us.

But, Jesus did not stay dead. The Father resurrected him from the dead. So, when we believe on Jesus Christ to be Lord and Savior of our lives, we also die with him to sin, and we are resurrected with him to new lives in Christ Jesus, “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:24). The old has gone. The new has come. Now we no longer conduct our lives according to our sinful flesh, but now we walk (in lifestyle) according to (in agreement with and in the power of) the Spirit of God in our lives. This is what it means to be “born again.”

In the power of the Spirit of God at work within us, we turn to God/Jesus, we leave the life of sin we had been living behind us, and we now walk in the opposite direction, i.e. we now walk in the Spirit and in the ways of the Lord, not perfectly, but persistently and continuously relying on our Lord to lead us in his ways and to empower us to live godly and holy lives, pleasing to Him. This is the “Good News!” Yet, if we believe we are saved from the penalty of sin, and we have the hope of eternal life when we die one day, but we are not delivered out of slavery to sin now, nor are we empowered to live in Christ while we live on this earth, then that is not good news, for we are still dead in our sins, and the hope of eternal life with God is a lie.

The reason the gospel of Jesus Christ has power to transform us away from sin to God is because Jesus Christ died on a cross that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. He died in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us who walk (in lifestyle) not according to our sinful flesh, but according to (in agreement with) the Spirit of God.

Godly Examples

If there is one thing we are shy (or short) on these days, it is godly examples for us to follow, at least here in America, anyway. So much of today’s church has gone the way of the world, and so many of our pastors are trapped in sinful practices, in particular sexual addictions. Pornography addiction is very high in numbers among our pastors, many of whom lack severely in real accountability for their actions, and most of whom probably have complete private internet access around the clock with little to no accountability for what they are viewing. So, is it any wonder that so many of them have turned to teaching a false grace gospel which requires no repentance, no obedience, and no submission to Christ and to his cross?

“Help, LORD, for the godly man ceases to be, For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men. They speak falsehood to one another; With flattering lips and with a double heart they speak” (Ps. 12:1-2).

Where are the holy men of God in our pulpits who are committed to living godly, pure and holy lives, pleasing to God, as well as to preaching holiness and purity? They seem to be all but gone. So many of today’s preachers have turned into business men trying to sell (market) the “church” to the world, living to please their customer base, instead of living to please their Lord. Many of them are leading their congregations in the ways of men instead of in the ways of God. These men spend much more time reading marketing books than they do reading the Word of God and committing their lives to prayer. And, the people are following them by the thousands and the millions. It is barely distinguishable between the church and the world anymore. It seems that many church gatherings are nothing more than cleaned up entertainment for the world and for worldly Christians.

We need to get back to holiness, godliness and purity. We need to be people of God who set godly examples for others to follow. We should have reputations as people who honor God with our lives, who have turned to God from our idols (our gods of human making) to serve the living and true God. We should have faith, hope and love which is not just in our minds or in our emotions, but is revealed as genuine by our actions. People should be won to Christ by our lives as well as by our words. We should also live as though we truly believe that God’s grace is not just a get-out-of-jail-free card, but that his grace, which brings salvation, teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives while we wait for Christ’s soon return (See: Tit. 2:11-14). We need to be men and women of God who love our Lord and who honor him by our lives.

Songs in the Night / An Original Work / December 18, 2013

“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God,

And the other prisoners were listening to them.” Acts 16:25 NIV ‘84

Lord, I praise You forevermore.

You, my Savior, I now adore.

Hope in heaven awaiting me,

Because You died at Calvary.

I have been forgiven,

And I’m bound for heaven.

Jesus set me free from

All my sin, I say.

I will praise Him always!

Lord, I love You for all You’ve done:

Overcame death, my vict’ry won!

Jesus saved me, and now I’m free!

I rejoice in His love for me.

I will walk in vict’ry!

My sin is but hist’ry!

I am free to please Him

With my life today.

I will love Him always!

Lord, I thank You for giving me

A new life bought at Calvary.

Loving Jesus, I meet with Him.

Tender mercies now flow within.

Lord, I am so thankful;

Through my Lord, I’m able

To sit at His table;

Fellowship with Him.

I will thank Him always!

https://vimeo.com/112342407

Since You Died

Wednesday, February 1, 2017, 7:35 a.m. – The Lord Jesus put in mind the song “Not by Might.” Speak, Lord, your words to my heart. I read Colossians 3:1-17 (NASB).

Things Above (vv. 1-4)

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

IF we have believed in Jesus Christ, and IF we have been born anew of the Spirit of God, we have died with Christ to sin, and we have been resurrected with Christ to newness of life, to be lived to Christ and to his righteousness. This means that the process of sanctification has already begun in our lives, and we have already begun seeking things above, so we need to keep doing this. Yet, we need to be careful that we don’t slip back into seeking after the things of this life and setting our minds on the things of this world, instead of on Christ, who is our life.

So, how do we do this? Well, for one, we don’t do this in our own strength and willpower. Only in the strength of the Lord, and in the power and working of His Spirit now living within us, can we fight off (resist) the devil, flee sinful lusts, escape from temptation to sin, draw near to God, and seek after heavenly things in place of worldly things. If we try to resist the devil and flee sinful lusts in our own human strength and wisdom, we are bound to fail, because our flesh is trying to fight off the flesh, and that is counterproductive. And, thus, it might be easy to make excuses for sin or to find ways around God’s commands, instead of submitting to our Lord.

As well, if we desire to truly seek after things above and not after the things of this earth, we have to be willing to go the distance with God. We can’t bargain with God or hold back from him anything he requires or desires of us. In other words, if we want to be wholly the Lord’s, following him wherever he leads us, and no longer walking according to the ways of our sinful flesh, then we have to cooperate with the Spirit of God in our lives in removing from our lives all which hinders our spiritual walks or which leads us into sin, as well as we must allow our Lord to cleanse our lives of all sin. In other words, we can’t flee sinful lusts if daily we feed those lusts via TV, movies, video games, social media, the internet, secular music and the like.

Dead to Sin (vv. 5-11)

Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.

From what I have read, and from what I have heard, and from what I have personally experienced, it appears to me that the vast majority of American (professing) Christians do not consider the members of their earthly bodies as dead to sin but alive to God and to his righteousness. And, that is why the false grace gospel has attracted the hearts of so many people, because they want to believe they are forgiven of their sins, and that they have the promise of heaven when they die, but that God requires no repentance, no obedience and no submission of them, and that he is pleased with them no matter what they do. They want to believe that they can keep on sinning willfully against their Lord in specific areas and yet still be saved from their sins. But, does this even make sense? No! It doesn’t!

For, Jesus died on a cross for our sins not just so we can escape hell and have the promise of heaven when we die. Indeed, He died so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. He died that we might no longer live for ourselves, but for him who gave his life up for us. He died that we might become the righteousness of God in Christ. He died to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. And, he died that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not according to the flesh, but who walk (conduct our lives) according to the Spirit (1 Pet. 2:24; 2 Co. 5:15, 21; Tit. 2:11-14; Ro. 8:1-14).

It is my belief that many professing Christians, who may or may not be real Christians, are still enslaved to some specific signature sins because they truly do not want to be free, although they will say they do, and they will even feel as though they do. But, they are not willing to go the distance with God in eradicating from their lives what leads them into sin, in fleeing the sin, and in putting the sin to death. So, they play with temptation to sin, and they toy with sin in their minds, and they daily take into their minds and hearts what only serves to tempt them even more, and then they seem dumbfounded as to why they can’t seem to gain victory over sin. Well, I can tell you from experience that we have to get dead serious about sin, and we can’t toy with it even a little, if we want to experience true victory in Christ.

Put On Love (vv. 12-17)

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

We can’t put on love if we are not willing to put off sin. When we sin against others, that is the opposite of love. For, love does no harm to its neighbor. And, if your sin is looking at pornography, and you think you are not harming anyone, think again! You are harming yourself, for one, and, if you are married, you are committing adultery against your spouse. And, you are impacting how your own mind views other people and how you treat others, based on how your mind views them as sex objects rather than as people with hearts and minds, who should be treated with respect and value.

So, if we want to love others with god-like love, which is what we are commanded to do, then we need to put off sin – in the power and working of the Spirit within us as we fully cooperate with the Spirit in his work. And, we must believe that Jesus, via his death and resurrection, fully conquered sin so that we no longer should be enslaved to sin, because Jesus set us free! Yes, temptation is powerful! I know!! But, God is more powerful, and he already took care of sin for us. We just have to yield to him, do what he says, and daily put on the armor of God with which to fight off Satan’s evil schemes against us. We have to, too, adopt God’s view of sin instead of man’s, i.e. we have to truly hate the sin and what it does to us or we will never want to be free from it. We must, in our minds, be dead to sin.

Then, we can truly love others in the way in which this passage describes.

Not by Might / An Original Work / March 29, 2012

Based off Zechariah 4

“Not by might, and not by power,

But by My Spirit,” says our Lord, God.

“Mighty mountain, O what are you?

Before Christ you will become level ground.”

The hands of our Lord, Savior God,

Formed the foundation of His church.

He alone will complete the work

He began in His servants’ hearts and minds.

Who despises small beginnings?

Much can be done in Christ’s strength within.

Be of courage, and trust your Lord.

All sufficient He is for all your needs.

Opposition and apathy:

Holy Spirit will set us free!

We can be overcomers in our faith

In our Lord, and our Savior, King.

Don’t be troubled by God’s timing.

He has ev’rything in His command.

Hasten to obey His commands fully,

Trusting Him to work all for good.

Not by might nor by human strength,

But by God’s power; strength within;

My dependency now on His working

His will in me in righteousness.

https://vimeo.com/125492229