Semantics? Theological Argument? No, the Word of God - Part 1052

What does it matter, they ask? Some even conclude -- "it's only semantics" when referring to the good news gospel of Jesus Christ and His kingdom. Sadly, the religious confusion around the Godhead has only served to cause further ignorance within congregations, and rather than encouraging believers in Jesus by faith to "seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness" with all one's heart, soul, mind and strength, so that "all these things shall be added unto you" another gospel is preached. (Matthew 6:33)

But that is not all. Many in the religious community have begun to proclaim that if one speaks the gospel of Jesus Christ boldly -- to the point where some form of "disputing" may result, we are told that these individuals must have the wrong spirit. These rely on I Timothy 6:5 to support their position -- which states: "Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness." (I Timothy 6:5)

These haven't read about apostle Paul who spoke boldly for three months in one place -- "disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God." (Acts 19:8)

Neither have they used the fifth verse in context.

"Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour -- THAT THE NAME OF GOD AND DOCTRINE BE NOT BLASPHEMED. And they that have believing masters, let them not despise because they are brethren; but rather do service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words -- the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to the doctrine which is according to godliness -- he is proud, knowing nothing but doting about questions, and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness -- FROM SUCH WITHDRAW THYSELF." (I Timothy 6:1-5)

"But godliness ..." (I Timothy 6:6) What is godliness?

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ [which is] our hope, explains the mystery of godliness:

"These things I write unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly. 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 truth -- and without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness -- God WAS manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." (I Timothy 3:16)

Paul is not the only apostle to proclaim the mystery that was hid in the bosom of the Father from the beginning. John also revealed the mystery when he wrote:

"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. All things were made by Him and without Him was not anything made that was made .... He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him to them gave He power to become the sons of God -- to them that believe on His name." (John 1:1-12)

"And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us ..." (John 1:14)

"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending," saith the Lord, "which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." (Revelation 1:8) "I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last." (Revelation 1:11) "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last." (Revelation 22:13) And He said unto me, John writes yet again: "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son." (Revelation 21:6-7)

"For the scripture saith, "Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed." (Romans 10:11)

The scriptures do not state -- whosoever believeth on the "trinity" shall not be ashamed. The scripture does not say -- whosoever believe in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit shall not be ashamed. Why not? Because the trinity -- as it is currently predominantly taught in our religious culture -- does not exist in the scriptures.

The same God and heavenly Father who created us in the beginning loved each and every one of us to become flesh and dwell among us, inviting us -- as a consequence of His precious holy blood shed on the cross - to receive His free gift of salvation. If we would only believe in Jesus by faith.

He "who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature -- for by Him were all things created that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers -- ALL things were created by Him and for Him -- and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist -- and He is the Head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead that in all, He might have the preeminence. FOR IT PLEASED THE FATHER THAT IN HIM SHOULD ALL FULLNESS DWELL -- and having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself -- by Him ..." (Colossians 1:15-20)

"For in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily." (Colossians 2:9)

There is a mystery -- yes-- "the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations but now is made manifest to His saints -- to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles -- WHICH IS CHRIST IN YOU -- THE HOPE OF GLORY WHOM WE PREACH, WARNING EVERY MAN IN ALL WISDOM THAT WE MAY PRESENT EVERY MAN PERFECT IN CHRIST JESUS." (Colossians 1:26-28) 

Don't fall for the changing of the text in Matthew 28:19, whereby the Roman Catholic church willingly admits changing this scripture in the 3rd century AD. Don't believe statements of faith that do not incorporate ALL the scriptures. Instead, recognize that we have been duped. This is why the apostles commanded us to remain steadfast in the apostle's doctrine -- as taught by those who walked with Jesus day in and day out. Those same apostles who ensured that every single person baptized in water (in the scriptures) were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Indeed, everything we do in word or deed, we are to do in the name of Jesus. (Colossians 3:17)

And Paul said unto the certain disciples, "Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?" And they said unto him, "We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost." And he said unto them, "Unto what then were ye baptized?" And they said, "Unto John’s baptism." Then said Paul, “John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people that they should believe on Him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus." When they heard [this], they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid [his] hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came upon them, and they spake with tongues and prophesied." (Acts 19:1-6)

Earlier in Acts, and specifically on the day of Pentecost, those who were pricked in their heart asked Peter standing with the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Then Peter said unto them, "Repent and be baptized every of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you and to your children, and to all that are afar off -- as many as the Lord our God shall call." (Acts 2:37-39)

If you seek Jesus, He will reveal the truth to you through His Word. He will lead you into all knowledge and truth.

Don't be one of those subscribing to "another" gospel -- those described as "they being ignorant of God's righteousness and going about to establish their own righteousness have NOT submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God -- FOR CHRIST IS THE END OF THE LAW FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS TO EVERY ONE THAT BELIEVETH." (Romans 10:3-4)

The righteousness of faith -- "that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." (Romans 10:9)

Hide your life in Christ. And "take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it." (Colossians 4:17)

Stand in the offering plate.

Jesus Said, "Nevertheless I Tell You the Truth" - Part 1051

All the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily in Jesus, for it pleased His Father that in Him should all His fullness dwell. He, Jesus being the brightness of God’s glory and the express image of God Himself as a Son. Without question, He is God manifested in the flesh as a Son. He is the unseen God now appearing as a Son. Within Jesus did all of God dwell. God in the beginning created man in His own image, complete with a perfect body equipped with God’s breath, and therefore becoming a living soul.

After the fall of man, this perfected man degenerated into a fallen body, like a dying or spiritually dead soul. Losing intimacy and fellowship with God, man would no longer enjoy those evening strolls with His creator. In other words, sin isolated man from God’s immediate plan. Adam was called a son of God by creation. Conversely, Jesus became a Son of God by the seeding of God’s own Spirit. That which is conceived in you Mary is of the Holy Ghost.

"For He [the Father] made Him who knew no sin [Jesus Christ] to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (II Corinthians 5:21) Note that He did not create -- but made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us -- that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 

One Lord, one faith, one baptism. (Ephesians 4:5)

Indeed, here is only one God -- satan also believes that to be so and trembles. Jesus, as a man (who was similarly tempted to sin but never succumbing) spoke with God. Man never instructed God on humanity. Rather, God now revealed Himself as a human. After all, humanity is spiritual requiring only a body to have visual expression.  Sons or daughters manifesting outwardly our inward feelings.

Let's look at this from a perspective that is already familiar to us. As children, we converse in son or daughter voices. As adults, we may become a father or mother. Still, in these new roles, we remain in the same bodies as we did when we were formally recognized as son and daughters. The difference is that we now express ourselves in the language of a father or mother and equally, depending on the scenario, use language as son or daughter. In short, we can speak both as a son or daughter or as a father or mother, whilst all this time confined in the same body. Taking this example one step further, we converse with others in a language becoming of neither a son  or daughter. Instead, we speak as free individuals, debating, discussing and fellowshiping with our peers and colleagues. All of this performance then being manifested in a son or daughter's body.

So, ask yourself this question? Are you three persons? Of course, you are not !! You are one person. Further, had I known you as a son or daughter, and also in the role of a father or mother, and then again as a free individual, apart from these respective roles, then honestly I would be able to say yes, I truly do know this person well.

So, likewise God, in order to reveal Himself to us expressed Himself in demonstrative language that would not be foreign to us.That is, He Himself as a Son displayed to us of how we ought to walk. He Himself walked as Son. God as a Son permitted the vials of our sin to be poured upon Him. In His death, He fathered us. He took our place and we inherited His gift of salvation freely. Now He who indwelt Jesus now inhabits us who believe, conversing with us in Spirit in the same manner originally designed in the beginning.

Our Comforter. Jesus said, "Nevertheless, I tell you the truth. It is expedient for you that I go away, for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you, but if I depart, I will send Him unto you." (John 16:7)

It is within this relationship, God desires that we would grow in grace and knowledge and not stagnate or grow weary. Rather, we should at all times earnestly contend for this one faith which at the first was delivered to the early believers by none other than the Lord God Himself. The same God who willingly became our Saviour so that we might have life more abundantly.

Now receive your redemption as a gift from your Great High Priest - Jesus. One God, revealing Himself as a Father and then as a Son, and finally, as your friend in His holy Spirit. Peace in Jesus Name. Stand in the offering Plate. 

O Sing Unto the Lord A New Song, All the Earth, Bless His Holy Name- Part 1050

"The mighty God [even] the Lord hath spoken and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty God hath shined ... and the heavens shall declare His righteousness." (Psalms 50:1-6)

"Blessed [be] the Lord, [who] daily loadeth us [with benefits, even] the God of our salvation. [He that is] our God is the God of salvation; and unto God the Lord [belong] the issues from death." (Psalms 68:18-19)

"By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of [our] lips, giving thanks to His name." (Hebrews 13:15)

"Make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom [be] glory for ever and ever, Amen." (Hebrews 13:21)

Apostle Paul wrote: "Yea, doubtless, and I count all things [but] loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them [but] dung, that I may win Christ ... AND be found in him, not having mine own righteousness which is of the Law, but that which is through faith of Christ -- the righteousness which is of God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death ... I am apprehended of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:8-12)

From the beginning of time and throughout the new testament, Jesus told us -- the book is "written of Me." In the old covenant, we read how God stirred the prophets to proclaim the message of the coming Messiah to the people, the prophesied Christ whose holy blood shed on the cross was destined to secure a new and lasting covenant with us.

"But what saith it? The Word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth and in thy heart; that is, the Word of faith, which we preach -- that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thous shalt be saved -- for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

For the scripture saith, "Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed." For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:8-13)

Yes, the same Lord who created us in the beginning had devised a master plan of salvation so that we -- you and I -- could humbly come to Him knowing that it was He who knew no sin that "poured out His soul unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors, and He bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors." (Isaiah 53:12)

"But now hath He obtained a more excellent ministry by how much also He is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises ... for if that first [covenant] had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second." (Hebrews 8:6)

We have so much to be thankful for. "Surely, He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows, yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted. But He [was] wounded for our transgressions, [He] was bruised for our iniquities' the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:4-5)

"For if the Word spoken by angels was steadfast and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord and was confirmed unto us by them that heard [Him]." (Hebrews 2:2-3)

Therefore, "by Him let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of [our] lips, giving thanks to His name." (Hebrews 13:15)

Let Him "make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom [be] glory for ever and ever, Amen." (Hebrews 13:21)

Trust Jesus today. Stand in His offering plate.

Of His Own will Begat He Us With the Word of Truth - Part 1049

"To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in Heaven and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect ... and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than [that of] Abel. See that ye refuse not Him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused Him that spake on earth, much more [shall not] we [escape] if we turn away from Him that speaketh from heaven." (Hebrews 12:23-29)

Apostle Paul was always encouraging believers in Jesus by faith to stand fat in the Lord. (Philippians 4:1) To be "confident of this very thing -- that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6)

"And to be "found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the Law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith, that [we] may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death." (Philippians 3:9-10)

Who is the author and finisher of our faith? None other than Jesus. No other name under heaven whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12) No other name whereby we can be water baptized. (Acts 2:37-42) No other name can we have written in our hearts.

And yet, as Paul noted, there would be those who would try to lead us astray. In fact, Paul instructed us to "mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample (for many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, [that they are] the enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end destruction, whose God [their] belly, and [whose] glory [is] in their shame, who mind earthly things." (Philippians 3:17-19)

But our hope is in Jesus the Christ. Thus, our conversation is in heaven -- "from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself." (Philippians 3:20-21)

"Of His own will begat He us with the Word of truth that we should be a kind of first fruits of His creatures." (James 1:18)

"In whom we have redemption through His blood, [even] the forgiveness of sins, who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature; for by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers. All things were created by Him and for Him -- and He is before all things and by Him all things consist, and He is the Head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all, He might have the preeminence." (Colossians 1:14-18)

"For this cause He is the mediator of the New Testament, that by means of death for the redemption of the transgressions [that were] under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance .. for where a testament [is] there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament [is] of force after men are dead; otherwise, it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. Whereupon neither the first [testament] was dedicated without blood." (Hebrews 9:15-18)

The last will and testament written in His holy blood shed on the cross. His gift of salvation to you and I.

And this [Word], "Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken as of things that are made that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear -- for our God is a consuming fire." (Hebrews 12:23-29)

"Make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom [be] glory for ever and ever, Amen." (Hebrews 13:21)

Stand in the offering plate.

They Sung A New Song ... For Thou Hast Redeemed Us By Thy Blood - Part 1048

"Having his Father's name written in their foreheads .... " (Revelation 14:4)

Indeed, Paul wrote "For I am jealous over you with godly jealously, for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ -- for if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with [him]." (II Corinthians 11:2-3)

"Why is it so important to seek Jesus first? Because He is drawing unto Him a group of people -- His Church -- that will worship Him in spirit and in truth.

"These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whither soever He goeth. These were redeemed from among men [being ] the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile, for they are without fault before the throne of God." (Revelation 14:4-5)

Note that these are those believers in Jesus by faith which have not defiled their garments -- or permitted another name in their foreheads. Instead, they walk with Jesus day in and day out becoming worthy of the vocation to which they have been called. (Ephesians 4:1) Not of their own doing or good works but because these believe that Jesus is the Lord of lords and King of kings. 

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us ... Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-2)

But there is more. While spiritual wickedness in high places becomes the norm, we are able to stand against the wiles of the devil -- because we have been clothed in His righteousness. (Ephesians 6:11-12) He who knew no sin became sin for us. 

As a consequence, who shall separate us from the love of Christ? "Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, "For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us." (Romans 8:35-39)

"He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before His angels." (Revelation 3:4-5)

"For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." (Revelation 7:17)

Let him that hath ears to hear. Stand in the offering plate.

When Ye Have Done All Those Things Which Are Commanded, What Will You Say? - Part 1047

And the Lord Jesus said, "If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, "Be thou plucked up by the root and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you." But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, "Go and sit down to meat?"

And will not rather say unto him, "Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?" Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not."

So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, "We are unprofitable servants; we have done that which was our duty to do." (Luke 17:6-10)

Jesus asked a similar question when the disciples could not cast the evil spirit out of a young child. Therein, Jesus said, "If thou canst believe, ALL things ARE possible to him that believeth." (Mark 9:23)

At the time, there was a great multitude about, "and the scribes questioning with them." (Mark 9:14) Straightway, the people beheld Him, greatly amazed and running to Him saluted Jesus. And He asked the scribes, "What question ye with them?" And one of the multitude answered, and said, "Master, I have brought unto Thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; and wheresoever he taketh, he teareth him; and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away; and I spake to Thy disciples that they should cast him out, and they could not." (Mark 9:15-18)

Jesus answered, saying, "O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer you? Bring him unto me." (Mark 9:19) In other words, Jesus was telling the multitude that "unless ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe." (John 4:48)

When they brought the child unto Jesus and "when He saw him, straightway the spirit tare him, and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. And he asked His father, "How long is it ago since this came unto him?" And the father told Jesus that this had been the case since he was a child. "And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire and into the waters, to destroy him; but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us." (Mark 9:20-22)

Jesus said unto him, "If thou canst believe, all things [are] possible to him that believeth." 

What happened? Straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, "Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief." When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, "Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him." (Mark 9:24-25)

And [the spirit] cried and rent him sore, and came out of him, and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, "He is dead." But Jesus took the child by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when Jesus was come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, "Why could not we cast [him] out?" (Mark 9:26-27)

And Jesus said unto them, "This kind can come forth by nothing. but by prayer and fasting." (Mark 9:29)

In the scriptures, this latter statement is often linked with James 5:16 which states: "... the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." This scriptural passage goes on to discuss Elias who "was a man subject to like passions as we are ..." but my point is this. (James 5:17)

Even the apostles who walked with Jesus day in and day out needed to ask why the dumb and deaf spirit that plagued the child from birth would not come out. It is for situations just like this that we -- believers in Jesus the Christ by faith -- need to read His Word, learn His teachings while similarly studying to show ourselves approved, such as a workman.

Why? Because it is from knowing Jesus personally and walking with Him day in and day out that the wisdom that is from above -- the wisdom that is pure, then peaceable, gentle and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy" becomes in us the fruit of righteousness -- sown in peace to them that make peace within the body of Christ. (James 3:17-18)

But our place in the Lord does not end there. There is more.

"For after that in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness -- but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, the power of God and the wisdom of God -- because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men ... 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, and the base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not -- to bring to nought things that are; that no flesh should glory in His presence ...

But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption; that, according as it is written, "He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." (I Corinthians 1:21-31)

So where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world?

Draw close to Jesus for the answer. Stand firm in His goodness, mercy and grace. Indeed, stand in the offering plate with the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Jesus Is the Bread of Life - Part 1046

WHOSOEVER EATS THIS BREAD AND DRINKS THIS CUP OF THE LORD UNWORTHILY EATS AND DRINKS DAMNATION TO HIMSELF!

That surely is a serious warning. Indeed it should be a cause for self examination. The scripture teaches that whatever goes in a man’s mouth does not defile a man but rather what comes out of a man’s mouth that defiles him. This may be encroaching upon a much deeper thought pattern than one initially might have considered engaging in.

Still, the Bread embraces the Life of JESUS the Christ who is in fact the Bread of Life. Labour not for the meat (bread) that perishes, but labour for the meat (bread) that endures right throughout eternity! Whereas the cup presents the suffering, the whipping, the thorny crown, the mocking, the scourging, and the spitting upon, the crucifixion, the death , the grave leads to life eternal for those who believe in Jesus by faith.

All of this was predetermined to happen by the counsel of God (with Himself) -- and had to happen if sin was to be eradicated from sin prone cursed men and women. What a price to pay. Until this point, there was not to be found in Heaven or earth anyone that could redeem man from his banishment from God Almighty. Death ruled and reigned. And until then, all hope was lost.

Yes, we were all doomed. Or as the saying goes - down the creek without a paddle. Some might suggest that the human race was going down for the last time. Until ... Until a voice was heard saying, we have seen His star in the east. They followed that star -- a morning Star promising the dawn of a new day. Shepherds heard heaven singing. Peace on earth, Goodwill toward all men! A good news broadcaster's voice saying, "For unto you is born this day a Saviour, who is none other than Christ the LORD!

That declared message sent the demonic world into a tail spin. The hunt was on. Where is He that is born to be a King? As the scriptures relate, massacres took place and innocent children were the recipients of Satanic inspired rulers who liked their power. They enjoyed the lust life styles. In no way were they going to step aside without a fight.

But as we are so aware, God steps in with the Sword of His Spirit which is His Word! Talk about coming out of Egypt. That paled in comparison to the deliverance that God had in store for the human race. The Bread and the Cup of a promise of a New Creation -- all to be found in God's Ark of Covenant who is none other than God Himself out of Heaven as a lamb of sacrifice.

So when everything else fails, fear not for you are of more value than many sparrows. God spared not His own Son ship sacrificing Himself to ransom us. Now if your back is against the wall, call on Jesus the Christ who is the same God who laid down His life as a Son for us. GOD LOVES YOU! Do not mix the wine of God with water! COME to Me -- Jesus said, and I WILL GIVE YOU REST.

STAND in the OFFERING Plate and OFFER YOURSELF! Peace in Jesus!

(Originally written by Bill)

Whom Jesus Calls, Them He Also Justified, and Whom He Justified, Them He Also Glorified - Part 1045

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:9-10)

This is a wonderful scripture because it offers hope beyond measure -- not only for this life but for the next life too. But John G. Lake made a different observation here -- one that is definitely worth noting. He wrote:

"Oh, listen, there is a divine secret in Christ's salvation. It is Christ in fact in you by the Holy Ghost, dwelling in you, speaking in you, living in you, blazing in you, flashing from you, bless God." (Lake, 411)

In the beginning, we are empowered with the joy and peace that is inherent in the gospel of Jesus Christ. We know without a shadow of a doubt that we are loved by our Lord God and Saviour. Sadly, over time, "our eyes become clouded and our soul dimmed with the earthy things that we see around us, and it is only once in a while that our spirit rises above it into the light of heaven" that we see God's righteousness reaching out to you and I.

But it doesn't have to be this way. Reading from Romans 8:

"For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God, and we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified.

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

As it is written, "For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us."

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." (Romans 8:24-39)
Respond to Jesus' invitation today. Be persuaded that nothing shall separate us from the love of God which IS in Christ Jesus our Lord.

"To His feet I call you. To His heart I ask you to join your soul and without that, you will never know the abundance of His salvation." (Lake, 412) Stand in the offering plate with Jesus!

Jesus Said, "If Ye Loved Me Ye Would Rejoice" - Part 1044

"No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared [Him]." (John 1:18)

Jesus said, "Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come [again] unto you. If ye loved Me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for My Father is greater than I." (John 14:28)

"I [am] the LORD, and [there is] none else, [there is] no God beside Me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known Me." (Isaiah 45:5)

"In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise ..." (Ephesians 1:13)

And of His Spirit, the fruit of the promised SEED, have all believers in the promised SEED of God received. God planned and put in motion all things, as predetermined by the counsel of His own will. Therefore, this plan is entirely God’s plan.

No one was His counsellor. Rather, God purposefully prepared Himself a body in which God could appear as a Son brought forth from a willing surrogate mother named Mary. (John 1:1-18) This meant that Mary herself lived her life in a prone to sin body inasmuch as she also was one of Adam’s fallen race.

In Jesus then, Jesus being the Son of God, a new bloodline began. A bloodline that did not descend from Adam. Within this new bloodline, JESUS is the SEED of the Spirit of God. The embryo, the bones, and the blood, were of the Spirit of God. Similarly, the embryo was clothed with Adamic prone to sin flesh whilst in the womb of His surrogate mother Mary.

JESUS, whilst in that body was tempted, and tried in all points - just like as we are - but without succumbing to sin. In other words, if man were ever to be redeemed, it would require a sinless man willing to die. For it is written in the scriptures that the wages of sin is eternal death.

But in deciding the plan of salvation, God searched and concluded that there was no man found that was holy, righteous, or undefiled. Therefore, it is written, a body have you prepared me. For God so loved the world that He gave His ONLY Begotten Son to die at Calvary so that men and women could be set free. (John 3:16-17)

And looking back, this plan of salvation is exactly what God has done. For JESUS was conceived of the holy Spirit of God. Therefore, He who was brought forth was God in the flesh. Pure, holy, undefiled, and separate from sinners. It was God who purposed to lay down His sinless life. God Himself as a Son becoming the only means of eternal salvation. By the sacrifice of His life, we in turn are called sons and daughters of God.

Therefore, we cannot nor ought we to dismiss the Word/Wisdom of God. Instead, we must be born again. This includes no longer embracing another SEED. Instead, arise and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. He is our Lord God and Saviour. (Acts 2:37-42) He sets you free, clothing those of us who believe in His righteousness and mercy.

"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)

Stand in the offering plate.

Proclaiming the Simplicity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ - Part 1043

"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." (II Corinthians 5:19)

"But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they." (Acts 15:11)

The gospel of Jesus Christ -- so simple and straightforward. When those that were pricked in their heart asked Peter, standing with the apostles on the day of Pentecost, what must they do to be saved, Peter said unto them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38)

Why? Because when we believe in Jesus with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, we become "a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that [we] should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light ..." (I Peter 2:9)

But Jesus also knew that false prophets would creep in unawares. He warned us to "take heed that no man deceive you." (Matthew 24:4) Those dissenters and disputers whose sole inward desire is to invalidate the simplicity of the gospel of Jesus the Christ. To take you away from His Word, and insert another gospel that does not align with His Word. Jesus Himself referred to them as wolves in sheep's clothing, saying, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." (Matthew 7:15)

The example in Acts 15 expands on this point. But that is not all. It goes AGAINST the argument for "religious unity" that a selection of ministers and priests are promoting in the international community today -- that sadly, has become a "pursued dogma: within the modern day church, whereby one man in Rome is given the ultimate authority to "enjoy, by divine institution supreme, full, immediate, and universal power in the care of souls." (Catechism of the Catholic Church)

Note that these who adorn themselves in the "religious cloak" of this day do not give Jesus the ultimate authority as the Head and Chief Cornerstone of the body of Christ. Neither are they recognizing that our Lord God and Creator willingly became our Saviour, shedding His precious holy blood on the cross for you and I. Indeed, these do not give "thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son -- in whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins: who IS the image of the invisible God, the Firstborn of every creature:

For by Him 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: and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.

And He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell; and, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven." (Colossians 1:12-20)

Rather, like the example in Acts 15, these want to add to the gospel, putting a yoke around the neck of disciples who follow Jesus Christ. Reading from the King James version:

Therein, there were certain men which came down from Judaea to teach the brethren. These said, "Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved." (Acts 15:1)

"When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done unto them.

But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, "That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command [them] to keep the law of Moses." (Acts 15:2-5)

The apostles and elders came together to consider this matter.

"And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up and said unto them, "Men, brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the Word of the gospel and believe, and God which knoweth the hearts bare them witness giving them the Holy Ghost -- even as [He did] unto us, and put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith ... now therefore, why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?" (Acts 15:6-10)

Interesting question. But Acts 15 is not the only example whereby false brethren were brought in unawares to privily spy out the liberty which the early church believers had in Christ Jesus. They did so in order to bring those who had been set free through Jesus Christ back into bondage. (James 2:1-21) In some ways, their sole motivation. Reading on:

"Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also, and I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised.

And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage -- to whom we gave place by subjection? -- no, not for an hour -- that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me ... but contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;(For He that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)

And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do. But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed ... for before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.

But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, "If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?" (James 2:14)

We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the Law: for by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified.

But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the Law am dead to the Law, that I might live unto God.

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the Law, then Christ is dead in vain." (James 2:21)

Thus, receive the Word with all readiness of mind, and search the scriptures daily to see whether those things that are being taught in the modern religious community is true. (Acts 17:11)

As for the proliferation of man-made religions and self-proclaimed prophets and teachers who give another man the ultimate authority to "enjoy, by divine institution supreme, full, immediate, and universal power in the care of souls" remember what Jesus said.

Herein, Jesus warned the multitudes AND His disciples, saying: "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, [that] observe and do; but do not ye after their works, for they say and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay [them] on men's shoulders, but [themselves] will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men; they make broad their phylacteries and enlarge the borders of their garments, and love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets and to be called of men, "Rabbi, Rabbi." (Matthew 23:4-7)

Thus, if Jesus is not the Head and worthy to be praised in your church, and His precious Word -- Jesus -- is not first and foremost in all that we do in both word and deed, shake the dust off your feet and don't ever look back ... for Jesus is the only one that saves. He alone is worthy of our praise. One Lord, one faith, one baptism. Stand in the offering plate.