Thanks be to God for salvation in our Lord Jesus Christ! I will take some time to look into salvation. Salvation is saving. But saving from what? What do we need saving from? Do we need saving from a field of dandelions? Or a pack of wild kittens? No! But sin and death. Without question, men are only saved from danger. So if we sin, do we still need saving? If we still die, don’t we need salvation? So how can we consider ourselves “saved” if we still sin and if we still die? However, when we get to that place, which God has promised, then we will be saved. For in the place there will be no more sin “and there will no longer be any death.” (Revelation 21:4) But yet, before we cross over to that place, how can we still confidently say, “I am saved”? Indeed it is a mystery. But not so. For God who speaks, promised. And God who promised, cannot lie. And we can experience His salvation now. Although, it will not come until He “will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.” (Hebrews 9:28)
Abraham had doubts, but God gave an oath. “He said, "O Lord GOD, how may I know that I will possess it?"” (Genesis 15:8) And the LORD said, “To your descendants I have given this land.” (Genesis 15:18) And when He says, “I have given,” He does not say, “I will give”. For from that time forward, the land was Abraham’s. This is true even though he did not own a foot of it during his lifetime. "The Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man that He should change His mind." (1 Samuel 15:29) So when God promises, we can consider it sure. We can trust His Word as though it has already happened. Even though the fulfillment of the promise tarries. "For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay.” (Habakkuk 2:3)
And I write these things in regard to eternal salvation. For although we have no yet entered that land, we eagerly wait “in the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 1:2) For “in hope we have been saved.” (Romans 8:24) For God has promised that we may hope in Jesus for eternal life. “Behold, as for the proud one, His soul is not right within him; But the righteous will live by his faith.” (Habakkuk 2:4) And this is the faith in Jesus Christ. As He said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.” (John 6:47) And, "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” (John 5:24) And, "He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” (John 6:54) As the apostle writes, “He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:12-13)
Now, how do we know we believe? How do we know we have faith? As it says, “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17) But hearing alone is not a sign of faith in the heart. For Jesus often reproved saying, “HAVING EARS, DO YOU NOT HEAR?” (Mark 8:18) So rather it is a new life that says, “Faith in the heart”. And seeking Christ will its heart’s affections that says, “I believe!” For who believing in God does not run to him with all the love that the Spirit gives? “Because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:5)
So, “By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.” (1 John 4:13) And, “We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.” (1 John 3:24) “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” (2 Corinthians 3:17) And the Spirit of Jesus Christ is not at all hidden, although “we have this treasure in earthen vessels.” (2 Corinthians 4:7) For “each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” (1 Corinthians 12:7) So we may know we believe in Him because of the Holy Spirit in us. For to believe in Christ is to abide in Him.
And by this we may know we are in Him. “In Him there is no sin. No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him.” (1 John 3:5-6) But “If anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.” (1 John 2:1-2) And we remain in Him by confessing our sins, “so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God." (John 3:21) This is what it means to “remain in the light”. This is how we remain in Him. We remain in Him by not sinning. But if we do sin, “we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) But “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8) If we lie, we dwell in darkness and we are no longer in the light. If we depart from the light, we are no longer trusting in His kindness. For He has promised, “If we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)
So we see, as long as we abide in the light, He abides in us. And we have confidence in the day of salvation. But if we do not abide in Him, how can we have confidence of eternal life? As the apostle says, “Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.” (1 John 2:28) If we abide in Him, we will not sin because He abides in us. Here is the result of dwelling in the Spirit. Being “transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2) and being “renewed in the spirit of your mind.” (Ephesians 4:23) “For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” (Romans 8:5) “For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6) So to abide in Christ is to set our mind on Christ.
So we see that our life is bound up in the life of Christ. Not only in regard to not sinning, but the eternal life to come. For “If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” (Romans 8:11) “For if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” (Romans 8:13) “For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” (Galatians 6:8) And the Holy Spirit dwells in us who believe through abiding in Jesus Christ. And we abide in Him through faith. So “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?” (2 Corinthians 13:5)
So to say, “Once saved, always saved,” is also to say, “I will never sin,” or “I will never disbelieve.“ This is vain confidence. For how do you know you’ll never sin? How do you know you will never depart from Him? For “Whoever says, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.” (Matthew 5:22) And “The tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity.” (James 3:6) And if it is so with such a small member of the body, then how can anyone confidently say, “I will never sin”? For we also have many other members which are capable of sin. And in regard to those members, Christ said, “tear it out and throw it from you.” (Matthew 5:29) “For it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.” (Matthew 5:29) Furthermore, we dwell on earth, not in heaven. Our Lord is not below, but above. He is not seen, and we dwell in the realm of the seen. How do you know you will keep the faith? How do you know you will make it to the end? It’s not how we start, but how we finish. Such thinking is not wise. Will we go all in with our chips for one overly-confident roll? Of course not! It is needful not to gamble, but to know, to trust in Christ, rather than ourselves. And such doctrine puts the trust in ourselves, rather than the kindness of Christ.
The apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ says, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7) For “It is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.” (Matthew 10:22) It’s not about how we start, but how we finish. Does one win the prize in a race because of how he started? Of course not! The seed sown on the rocky places “immediately receives the word with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away.” (Matthew 13:21) And this is bad soil because it was unfruitful. It started well, but had no root. And at the Harvest, only fruit matters. Listen to how God speaks through the prophets: "When I say to the righteous he will surely live, and he so trusts in his righteousness that he commits iniquity, none of his righteous deeds will be remembered; but in that same iniquity of his which he has committed he will die.” (Ezekiel 33:13) And this is what a man does when he says, “Once saved, always saved”. For he is trusting in his righteous act “once” to save him. Either a prayer, a belief, or a giving of alms, etc. As it says, “Behold, as for the proud one, His soul is not right within him.” (Habakkuk 2:4)
If we were rooted in Christ, abiding in Him, we would take heed to His Word. And through the fear of Him, we would be preserved. As it says, “I will make an everlasting covenant with them that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; and I will put the fear of Me in their hearts so that they will not turn away from Me.” (Jeremiah 32:40) So we see that, “by the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil.” (Proverbs 16:6) So such doctrines which say, “I am always saved,” come from men that stifle the fear of the Lord, not knowing that the fear of the LORD “is for our good always and for our survival.” (Deuteronomy 6:24) They do not know the Word which says, “The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever.” (Psalm 19:9) And through the teaching, the very thing which preserves is removed. The salvation which is proclaimed is far from them.
Besides, the Word of God only commands us to do things which are possible; if it were impossible, even to God, then He would not say it. For instance, if it were impossible for us to be perfect, Jesus would not say, “You are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) Or if it were impossible to be holy, God would not say, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY." (1 Peter 1:16) For the LORD God only commands us to do things which are possible. And He never commands us to do things which He Himself doesn’t do. For everything He commands, He does. Then on the other hand, He will never warn us of something that is impossible to happen. He will never tell us, “hold fast My name,” (Revelation 2:13) if it were impossible for us to lose His name. He would never tell us, “hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown,” (Revelation 3:11) unless it were possible for us to lose our crown. The same goes for the peril of “falling away” (Hebrews 3:12, Hebrews 6:6) or “turning away” (Hebrews 12:25). If it were impossible, then why would we be warned?
If someone is still contentious and says, “Once we receive the Spirit, we cannot lose Him,” or “We are born again, and we cannot be unborn again.” I ask why David said, “Do not take Your Holy Spirit from me,” (Psalms 51:11) if there were no fear of such a thing? And do you not know that God once anointed Saul with the Holy Spirit, but later rejected Him and sent unto him an unclean spirit? He was God’s anointed one, who David was fearful to even touch. I will also cause you to remember that God’s temple was once filled with His glory, but when Israel deserted God, He deserted them. And His Presence left them, and He sent the destroyer against His own temple, His own people. For God’s Holy Spirit cannot dwell with iniquity. As the LORD says, "Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; for I will not go up in your midst, because you are an obstinate people, and I might destroy you on the way." (Exodus 33:3) And when Achan sinned, the LORD said, “I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy the things under the ban from your midst.” (Joshua 7:12) And as for the holy land, God says, “You are therefore to keep all My statutes and all My ordinances and do them, so that the land to which I am bringing you to live will not spew you out.” (Leviticus 20:22) And Christ is our holy land. As He likewise says, “I will spit you out of My mouth.” (Revelation 3:16) So “Do not be conceited, but fear.” (Romans 11:20-21)
But in the following text is the kindness and the mercy and the grace of the Almighty God. For although Saul was given an unclean spirit, even afterwards, the Holy Spirit came upon Saul and “He stripped off his clothes, and he too prophesied before Samuel.” (1 Samuel 19:24) And although David was fearful that the Holy Spirit would be taken from him, he was given the promise: "I will be his father and he shall be My son; and I will not take My lovingkindness away from him, as I took it from him who was before you.” (1 Chronicles 17:13) And although God forsook His people and His holy temple, He says, "I will again have compassion on them; and I will bring them back, each one to his inheritance and each one to his land.” (Jeremiah 12:15) As the promise which was promised says: "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU." (Hebrews 13:5) “Behold then the kindness and severity of God.” (Romans 11:22) Do not be conceited, but “continue in His kindness.” (Romans 11:22)
Do not trust in your own righteousness to save you, but the righteousness of Jesus Christ, which is exceedingly righteous even to justify you. “For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.” (Hebrews 10:14) Believe in Him until the end, “unless you believe in vain,” (1 Corinthians 15:2) or “receive the grace of God in vain.” (2 Corinthians 6:1) Know this: “If the root is holy, the branches are too.” (Romans 11:16) So be “firmly rooted,” (Colossians 2:7) and “built up in Him and established in your faith.” (Colossians 2:7) “If you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you.” (Romans 11:18) Beloved, abide in the Root. He supports you. And “The Lord is able to make you stand.” (Romans 14:4) Behold, I have set before you two paths: the proud, broad way which leads to destruction and the narrow, humble way which leads to eternal life.
Abraham was reckoned as righteous by faith; and this was when he was still yet uncircumcised. So he was declared just by God through faith without any work of the law; for at the time, there was no law given. For “We maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.” (Romans 3:28) And if it is apart from works, then it is counted as grace, so that righteousness may be granted as a gift; for God’s Promise was given, and Abraham believed it. And this is not only for Abraham, but also the uncircumcised Gentiles too, who are made right with God through that same very faith which Abraham had when he was still uncircumcised, "That Abraham might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be credited to them.” (Romans 4:11-12) So Abraham has become the father of all who believe, whether Jew or Greek; as it says, “Indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one.” (Romans 3:30)
Now in regard to the distinction between the circumcised and the uncircumcised, namely, one being justified by faith and the other through faith, is this: the circumcised already have a righteousness through the law, so by an instance of faith they are justified, so that it might be “by faith”. For the Jews thought that by doing right according to the law they may be declared just; “nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.” (Galatians 2:16) Whereas the godless Gentiles have no righteousness at all, so righteousness is worked in them through faith to justification. And without question faith is worked in a person through the Word of Christ. To further this point: Paul wrote to the Ephesian church, who were “Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "Uncircumcision" by the so-called "Circumcision," (Ephesians 2:11) and “were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise,” (Ephesians 2:12) and their salvation is brought about “by grace through faith.” (Ephesians 2:8)
And God-fearing gentiles are treated amongst those who are justified by an instance of faith, for they are considered “circumcised” through their virtue although being uncircumcised in the flesh; as it was with Cornelius, “a centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man.” (Acts 10:22) For “If the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision?” (Romans 2:26) Nevertheless, it is faith for all, Jew and Greek; and faith that persists until the end regardless of being Jew or Gentile, “unless you believed in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:2)
To further this point: Abraham was reckoned as righteous before God, but the promise was not yet fulfilled, for he did no righteous act; but when he offered his son Isaac as a sacrifice, it says, “that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS," and he was called the friend of God.” (James 2:22-23) Thus Abraham was reckoned as righteous on the merit of his faith before doing any righteous act; and when the Scripture was fulfilled, when his faith was made complete, then it was said of him, “Now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me." (Genesis 22:12) So “You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected;” (James 2:22) Then it was made known that he was justified; as it says, “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?” (James 2:21) For “the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous;” (1 John 3:7) So we see that faith leads us to righteousness; and a person who does what is right is righteous, not a person with faith alone. Nevertheless “we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness.” (Galatians 5:5)
And this is in accordance with Paul’s writings which say, “with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” (Romans 10:10) For actions work alongside faith to salvation. And in regard to one with faith without works, it says, “Can that faith save him?” (James 2:14) “But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I BELIEVED, THEREFORE I SPOKE," we also believe, therefore we also speak.” (2 Corinthians 4:13-14) For the one with faith, in completion, is the one who is justified and saved. For at the harvest, reapers do not care about leaves or branches, but fruit. And likewise, "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Matthew 7:19) So “faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.” (James 2:17)
So in conclusion: there is a righteousness which is derived from the law, but salvation is wrought by faith for everyone who believes. However Jews have a righteousness by the law before ever being justified by faith; so they have an outward show of righteousness without any inward working of grace; or in other words, they are righteous before ever being justified by faith; nevertheless the Jews are justified by faith apart from their works alongside with the Gentiles. And the heathen Gentiles believe in Jesus for justification and are brought to righteousness through that same very faith; hence Gentiles work through faith to justification. So all are brought to justification either by faith or through faith, brought to a justification which is apart from works, but made complete by works: “Apart from works,” as I said, meaning by faith we are reckoned as righteous according to the promise of God — and without question, faith is no more a work than hearing is a work. “Made complete by works,” as I said, as our roots grow down deep into Christ, God will cause fruit to bud, so that, by faith we may produce a harvest of good deeds to the glory of God, our Father in the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
So if the goodness of God would ever be manifested to us, it would be supremely good that nobody on earth would've ever considered it first; for the love of God is heavenly, beyond human thought; we wouldn't be able to conjure up the thought of it, for it wouldn't be of us. I know the things which are from me: they are sinful, they are no good; I am ashamed of them. If God would reveal His love to us, I would know it is not from mankind, for it would be good; and I know goodness does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh. The love of God is above, but I am below. I know what is in man, for I am a man; I see the world and what is in it, and I am a man of this world. But God's love is not earthly, it's heavenly; the love that we know says, "You love me, so I love you; if you hate me, then I hate you." But the love from above is above all, beyond human thought, beyond human morals, beyond human imagination. For our mind is sinful, how can we think of anything good? The depths of our heart utter the depths of hell; but the Word of God speaks of God's thoughts; as He says, "As the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9) So my earthly love says, "My enemy is my enemy, why should I love him?" But the love of God says, “They repay me evil for good, To the bereavement of my soul. But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth; I humbled my soul with fasting, And my prayer kept returning to my bosom. I went about as though it were my friend or brother; I bowed down mourning, as one who sorrows for a mother. And this was written by David, a man after God's own heart. The love I first have is toward myself, for I love myself and care for myself. Who do I love more than myself? But the love of God says, "O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!" (2 Samuel 18:33) For the love of God in Jesus Christ died instead of you. Furthermore in my earthly love, I may give a gift to a man, but only if he is family; to a stranger, how much of myself will I spend for him? But the love of God gave the gift of life, even eternal life, which cannot be measured nor counted. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son.” (John 3:16) For Christ Jesus died, giving up His whole self; He did not give up only a little bit of Himself, but His whole soul; as it says, "To the bereavement of My soul." (Psalms 35:11) And was it for the friends of God? No, but while we were enemies of God in thought and in deed; for Jesus died even for His enemies: to reconcile us to God. Jesus Christ first loved us even to death, even death on a cross. If this is the love He shows to His enemies, what kind of love do you suppose He would show His friends who obey Him? We were once separate from the commonwealth of Israel; and us Gentiles were like creatures in the depths of the ocean to God; creatures in which men look at and say, "What is it?" Yet God loved the strange thing and brought it near unto Himself; “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household.” (Ephesians 2:19)
Furthermore, the love of men is written about: “The hands of compassionate women Boiled their own children; They became food for them Because of the destruction of the daughter of my people.” (Lamentations 4:10) But the love of Christ says, “Take, eat; this is My body.” And the love of man says, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason at all?" (Matthew 19:3) But the love of God says, "Go again, love a woman who is loved by her husband, yet an adulteress, even as the LORD loves the sons of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love raisin cakes." (Hosea 3:1) And the love of man says, "Keep to yourself, do not come near me, For I am holier than you!" (Isaiah 65:5) But the love of Christ says, "BEHOLD, I HAVE COME TO DO YOUR WILL." (Hebrews 10:9) And He came down from heaven. And the love of man says, "Behold, your maid is in your power; do to her what is good in your sight." So Sarai treated her harshly, and she fled from her presence.” (Genesis 16:6) But the love of God says, “If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.” (John 13:14) And the love of the LORD God says, "Can a woman forget her nursing child And have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you.” (Isaiah 49:15) And then it says, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU." (Hebrews 13:5) Furthermore, the love of man is written about: “For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24) For the love of man first hates his father and his mother to be joined to his wife. But the love of Christ says, “If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple.” So in view of His love, man hates even his wife, and yes, his own soul, for the sake of Christ. For "The one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him.” (1 Corinthians 6:17) For when the love of God in Christ Jesus is measured up against our own love: how cannot our natural love look like hatred in His sight? “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.” (Psalms 103:11) For "His lovingkindness is everlasting." (Psalm 136) For the love of God is not from earth; it is beyond the heavens. And so, “We love, because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19) And this is His heavenly love towards those who fear Him. And “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death.” (1 John 3:14) “If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed.” (1 Corinthians 16:22) "For love is as strong as death, Jealousy is as severe as Sheol; Its flashes are flashes of fire, The very flame of the LORD. Many waters cannot quench love, Nor will rivers overflow it; If a man were to give all the riches of his house for love, It would be utterly despised." (Song of Solomon 8:6-7)
“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come,
nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God,
which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:39)
For Christ Jesus died and even in His death, He worked good for us; so death cannot separate us from the love of Him;
And He was raised to new life and has gone away to the Father, yet He intercedes on our behalf; so life cannot separate us from the love of Him;
And messengers may testify against the love of Christ, but His work on the cross speaks more about love than their many words; so they cannot separate us from the love of Him;
And principalities are first on earth, but Christ is the Beginning and the Head of the heavens and the earth; so they cannot separate us from the love of Him;
And the things present are presently passing away, and the things to come are yet to be, but He was, is now, and is to come; so the things present nor the things to come can ever separate us from the love of Him;
And our enemies may be powerful, but even God's weakness is stronger than the strength of men; so powers cannot separate us from the love of Him;
And the height of mountains may tower over us, but through faith in His name, we may say, "Be uprooted and be planted in the sea." (Luke 17:6) So heights cannot separate us from the love of God;
And we may sink to the depths of Sheol, to the roots of the mountains, but, as it is written: “I called out of my distress to the LORD, And He answered me. I cried for help from the depth of Sheol; You heard my voice.” (Jonah 2:2) So depth cannot separate us from the love of God;
And all things created, He made beautiful, but much more beautiful and majestic is He who creates all; if He creates these things, and they are glorious and beautiful before our eyes, and not even all the scholars of the world can wrap their minds around them, and yet He destroys them as if they were nothing, He wraps them up like a garment and changes them out; how much greater then are the things to come, things that replace these, things which He has for us, things prepared for us who love God, things which are forever?
Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!
For the sake of this writing, I will assume there is a rapture of God’s saints before the tribulation; and I will find contradictions in the Word of Truth, assuming this, to prove the doctrine is false; for we know God’s Word is true:
So if there be a rapture of God’s saints before the tribulation, then there will be another rapture when Christ comes for the remainder; but the Scriptures say, “For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.“ [1 Thessalonians 4:15-17] So the saints in Christ, alive and dead, will be caught up together with Christ at His appearance, without one proceeding the other, according to the Word of Truth in Paul. But the Pre-Tribulation rapture suggests there are two separate raptures, one preceding the other; so we have reached a contradiction against God’s Word, thereby proving it false, for God’s Word is true.
For God’s dealing with man has not changed; He did not rescue Israel out of Egypt before He sent the plagues — no. Rather, they were set apart from the plagues, then He poured out His wrath on the Egyptians; they were spared, but Egypt was harmed. Likewise the Psalmist says, “A thousand may fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not approach you. You will only look on with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked.“ [Psalms 91:7-8] Is this not what the Revelation says, "Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we have sealed the bond-servants of our God on their foreheads.“ [Revelation 7:3] So they were sealed, not taken out before the time; just as God dealt previously, so He will deal in the end; as Isaiah says, “Let them bring forth and declare to us what is going to take place; As for the former events, declare what they were, That we may consider them and know their outcome. Or announce to us what is coming;“ [41:22] For these things which happened are testimonies to future events.
“Ah! But there are so few in the end, even 144,000”, you may say; “However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” [Luke 18:8] “Ah, but they are of Israel!”, you may also think; “But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.” [Romans 2:29] Is not a vision spiritual? Then why would Israel be physical? And is not the Book of Revelation a vision which the apostle wrote down? Is he then speaking of physical Jacob or spiritual Israel?
Does not the antichrist arise and perform his will against God’s saints? As it says, “he will destroy to an extraordinary degree and prosper and perform his will; he will destroy mighty men and the holy people.” [Daniel 8:24] And also it says, “As soon as they finish shattering the power of the holy people, all these events will be completed“ [Daniel 12:7] And finally, “It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him.“ [Revelation 13:7] But if God’s saints are no more, because they are taken, who does he come against?
So, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” [Acts 14:22] And, “if indeed we suffer with [Him] so that we may also be glorified with [Him.]“ [Romans 8:17] And even, “It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him;” [2 Timothy 2:11] And, “The gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.“ [Matthew 7:14] So we see that the Father has ordained that we enter into the Kingdom only by pressing through a narrow place, that of affliction and tribulation for Jesus’ sake, if we be counted worthy. But the Pre-Tribulation rapture suggests not suffering later, then if not later, why now? So you see every false doctrine promotes a false agenda.
As the Psalmist says, “Let my judgement come forth from Your presence; Let Your eyes look with equity” [17:2]; and so it shall be: our judgements coming from God. When our judgement comes from the Father, our judgement is just, such that “You are justified when You speak and blameless when You judge.” [51:4] Otherwise, if we judge and do the same things, our own mouths will condemn us, as it was with King David, “As the LORD lives, surely the man who has done this deserves to die,” [2 Sam 12:5] and then it says, “You are the man!” [12:7] But who has made us a judge? And if we do judge, why do we stand on our own judgements as if we belong to our own? For we have been bought with a price. In the Psalms, over and over again, the Psalmists cries out to God for vengeance, “O God, shatter their teeth in their mouth; Break out the fangs of the young lions, O LORD.” [58:6] And I ask: did he shatter the teeth of his own enemies? No. But on the contrary, “You have smitten all my enemies on the cheek; You have shattered the teeth of the wicked.” [3:7] The Lord our God is Judge.
Do not the apostles of our Lord Jesus say the same thing? “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay’, says the Lord.” [Romans 12:21] To say, “I am to judge”, is to also say, “I have power to save and destroy”, but on the contrary, “Look on everyone who is proud, humble him, And tread down the wicked where they stand. Hide them in the dust together; Bind them in the hidden place. Then I will also confess to you, That your own right hand can save you.” [Job 40:12-14] Are we any different than the rest of the sons of men? Has God granted us judgement and withheld it from everyone else? Surely, we haven’t puffed up ourselves in Christ, have we? As if it weren’t by grace? Surely, God has appointed judges in the courts of law, but whose Law do they uphold? Surely, there were Judges appointed by God to Israel from the time of Joshua to Samuel, but by whose wisdom did they judge? And who raised them up? Who appoints the leaders? Is it not the Lord God?
Surely, if we are His followers, then we shall do as He does. So how did Jesus judge when He was on the earth? We know for certain that if He came to judge the world, we would not be able to stand; but on the contrary, “God sent his Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but to save the world. [John 3:17]”. And “As I hear, I judge; and My judgement is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” [John 5:30] And “You judge according to the flesh; I am not judging anyone. But even if I do judge, My judgement is true; for I am not alone in it, but I and the Father who sent Me.” [John 8:15,16] “And while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously.” [1 Peter 2:23] Think about that. The Lord Jesus sought the judgement of the Father; and we are His followers, doing as He does; so we seek the judgement of Him. Our judgements are not of our own; but He gives us discernment so that we would know.
Therefore if we see a believer and he rejects correction even after taking him before the church, we separate from him, for he has not in mind the will of the Lord Jesus; we will know them by their fruit. Christ did not entrust Himself to any man, for He knew what was inside a man.
But what about those who were stricken by the hands of the apostles? “Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and not see the sun for a time.” [Acts 13:11] Yes, it was the hand of the Lord that was upon him; certainly the apostle Paul could not have blinded anyone except with a club. But there is no club mentioned. And what about inside the church? Did Peter slay them with his own hands who lied to the Holy Spirit? No. It was God’s judgement. And the immoral? As it says, “In the name of our Lord Jesus, when you are assembled, and I with you in spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus, to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” [1 Corinthians 5:4-5] In Christ’s name and in Christ’s power was the man handed over to the evil one. So you see: Christ’s judgement is revealed in the judgement of the apostles. We have not the power in ourselves to do any of these things; as Jeremiah says, “I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not in himself, Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps. Correct me, O LORD, but with justice; Not with Your anger, lest You bring me to nothing.” [Jeremiah 10:23]
Shall we judge unbelievers? How about, should we unite with them? “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God.” [2 Corinthians 6:14:18] Now when I say “unite” I mean to be yoked. You can eat with such a one, but do not be yoked in fellowship with them. Again, I am talking about unbelievers. Do not even eat with such a one who claims to be a believer but lives immoral (1 Corinthians 5:11). There is an exception and this is the apostle Paul's concession, not a command from the Lord, but his wisdom is more than trustworthy: he says, “To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.” [1 Corinthians 7:12-16].
It is common for an unbeliever or an inquirer to come to a religious establishment, as it says, “But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgement by all, as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, ‘God is really among you!’” [1 Corinthians 14:24-25]; and it is common for an unbeliever to invite you to dinner, as it says, “If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising question of conscience.” [1 Corinthians 10:27]. But to be yoked to them is against the Lord Jesus Christ's command. Did not Jesus eat with sinners? But was He yoked to them? No! They turned to Him, seeking guidance and truth. “Let this people turn to you, but you must not turn to them” [Jeremiah 15:19]. Outsiders God will judge on that day, but in His grace, He has given them many days available for repentance: “For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within? But those who are outside, God judges.” [1 Corinthians 8:11]
How about a brother? Certainly we should judge him. But there are things which are a matter of opinion, which we would not judge a brother: food or drink or festivals or new moons or Sabbath days (these are listed in the Scriptures). Otherwise, we may be found guilty of sinning; and sinning even against Christ, as it says, “For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died. And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.” [1 Corinthians 8:12] But impurity from a lying spirit (as with Ananias and Sapphira) and immorality (as in Corinth) were sins that lead to death and were purged quickly from inside the Church; as it says, “This you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.” [Ephesians 5:5] And “Immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.” [Ephesians 5:3] “Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.” [1 Corinthians 5: 13]
So our judgement in Christ is to keep pure within the Church, purging all leaven. Sin that leads to death ought not even to be named among us, as it was in the law: “Make no mention of the names of other gods, nor let it be heard on your lips.” [Exodus 23:13] This is how the Lord deals with sin that leads to death: purge it. We being members of His Body are with Him in the judgement; for we are the Body, not the Head. “All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death.” [1 John 5:17]
We have a pattern to deal with a brother that sins (presumably, a sin which does not lead to death), as our Lord says, “Show him his fault in private, if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.” [Matthew 18:15-20] And, “As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.” [Titus 3:11] And, “I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.” [Romans 16:17,18] And, “We command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.” [2 Thessalonians 3:6] And, “If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.” [2 Thessalonians 3:14,15]
Thus we know a person sins unto death when they stop listening to sound doctrine, when they lie against the truth, when they refuse correction.
The goal is always to win our brother not to separate from him. But if we must separate, that we must. Even amongst the congregation, there will be divisions: “For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you.” [1 Corinthians 11:19] But in the end, the Lord will separate the sheep from the goats: “All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.” [Matthew 25:32] We must avoid them amongst us who walk contrarily lest we be corrupted by their bad company: “Do not be deceived: 'Bad company corrupts good morals.’” [1 Corinthians 15:33] So “Those that sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.” [1 Timothy 5:20] Some think, ‘Why rebuke? Cast him out’; and others think, “Harsh, where is mercy?”
To the men which oppose the truth and sound doctrine, Paul says, “If anyone advocates for a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.” [1 Timothy 6:3-5] When the doctrine is sound, the issue is with man; for God’s Word is pure “like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.” [Psalm 12:6]
What is the opposite of truth? What is contrary to good? There is only one other choice: evil. If anyone opposes the truth, it is because they love lies; if anyone opposes goodness, it’s because they do evil. You either walk in life or you walk in death — the life in death is not life at all. The result of judgement is always separation in the Lord: whether it be separation by physical death, separation in being handing over to Satan, separation in being treated as a Gentile or tax collector, or separation by being avoided amongst the church to be brought to shame.
Therefore, if anyone sins against us, do we add reason to cast him out because of our dislike for him? No! Rather, “Bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.” [Colossians 3:13] And “Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.” [Galatians 6:1-3] For this is mercy. The mercy Jude spoke about when he said, “Have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.” [Jude 21-23] On the other hand, “Judgement will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgement.” [James 2:13] What is the reason for mercy? Our Lord and God has been merciful to us, just as Christ says, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned.” [Luke 6:36,37] To disagree with this is to deny the fact that the Father has been merciful to us; and in that case, we have not believed the truth of Christ, and we ought to cast ourselves off, as it says, “May their camp be desolate; may none dwell in their tents.” [Psalms 69:25]
Think of this, all of you who are eager to judge and slow to love: you can’t keep the law when you’re sitting in judgement on it. Does not the law of Christ say, “Carry one another’s burdens”? And the judge is one who judges, and does not carry; he sits, but does not help walk; he tells you what is wrong, but will not lift a finger to help. When you are judging by the law, you are not keeping the law, for you cannot be doing both. Can one be above and below at the same time? And who has appointed you to be a judge? “There is one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor?” [James 4:12] But what law do you judge me by? Judge me through Christ, find fault in me so that I would repent. Show me the error of my ways, convince me of my wrong and I will listen. It will be painful; but may I come out on the other side by the power of God. “Let the righteous strike me; It shall be a kindness. And let him rebuke me; It shall be as excellent oil; Let my head not refuse it. For still my prayer is against the deeds of the wicked.” [Psalm 141:5]
We are called to edify our brothers house — not to tear it down. Even as the apostles says, “Even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down." [2 Corinthians 10:8] And, “Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.” [1 Corinthians 8:1] The one who refuses to build up his brother’s house falls into the same judgement as Onan; and what was his sentence from the Lord? “What he did was displeasing in the sight of the LORD; so He took his life also.” [Genesis 38:10] For he refused to build up his deceased brother’s house. And so do you, you who refuse to love, but speak against your brother in judgement. As James says, “Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it.” [4:11] So let us submit ourselves to each other in the fear of Christ instead of quarreling like children, submitting ourselves under the law of Christ that we may fulfill it through faith. “You sit and testify against your brother and slander your own mother’s son. When you did these things and I kept silent, you thought I was exactly like you. But I now arraign you and set my accusations before you.” [Psalm 50: 20,21].
But does this mean that we should not reprove our brother? What does the Law say? “You shall not hate your fellow countryman in your heart; you may surely reprove your neighbor, but shall not incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD.” [Leviticus 19:17] So love is inseparable from reproof; it is loving to reprove our brother; for in reproof, we walk in the paths of life, as it says, “The commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light; And reproofs for discipline are the way of life.” [Proverbs 6:23] Is this not the same kind of love the Lord shows us? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by Him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom He receives.” [Proverbs 3:11,12] And, “When we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world.” [1 Corinthians 11:32]
Truly, if we are sons, we will experience discipline from the Lord. By which law do we reprove? Is it not the law of faith which is obedience to the truth? The truth is that Christ died for us. The law of Christ fulfills the law of God. And we see that James judged by the law of God by saying, “But if you show partiality, you are committing sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors.” [James 2:9] And it also says in another place, "Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says.” [1 Corinthians 14:34] But to speak against a brother and revile him, verbally abusing him, even if his error is according to the law, it is sin and impurity; it leads to death: “(…) verbal abusers (…) will not inherit the kingdom of God.” [1 Corinthians 6:10] We ought to help a brother, judging with mercy, not revile him. If we fall short and sin, the remedy is confession and forsaking the sin; God will restore such a one through faith in Jesus Christ, who purifies us from all sin. He is able to make us stand. We must walk in the light to be purified, which means transparency before God: this is confession. If we lie and say we have not sinned, we do not practice the truth. We have been made right by the blood, but not so that we would conform to a pattern of lawlessness. Because Christ has set us free, we humble ourselves as willing servants to Christ Jesus in obedience to Him, as slaves to righteousness, which leads to holiness, which results in life eternal.
There are two paths: a right and a left, a good and a bad; just as a computer is complex, even though is made up of many bits of 1 or 0, so it is with this world, it is complex, but we have only two choices. If there were one choice, we wouldn’t have free will; but there are two choices, and you must choose one. “I have set before you today life and goodness, as well as death and disaster.” [Deuteronomy 30:15] Will you drink from the cup of the Spirit? As it says, “We were all made to drink of one Spirit.” [1 Corinthians 12:13] And “You will indeed drink My cup.” [Matthew 20:23] Or from the cup of God’s wrath? “If they refuse to accept the cup (of wrath) from your hand to drink, then you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: You must drink!’” [Jeremiah 25:28] You may decide for yourselves which you desire to walk in: mercy or judgement. Judge for yourselves. Yes. Judge. You who are so prone to judging, judge by the standard in which we are truly measured: “Test yourselves if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you — unless indeed you fail the test?” [2 Corinthians 13:5] “No one speaking by the Spirit of God says, ‘Jesus is accursed’; and no one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit.” [1 Corinthians 12:3]
I say affirmatively, many Christian denominations are a result of arrogance and pride, separating from one another because of false boasts; they would rather hold themselves in arrogance, puffing themselves up in knowledge, rather than holding fast to an attitude of love in the heart of humility. But only, “If we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged.” [1 Corinthians 11:31] Many of these denominations are a judgement upon us by God. If He didn’t allow it, then who? “For whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.” [Galatians 6:7] How are there so many denominations when there are only two options? The fact that there are so many divisions shows that it is of the flesh! All of them are wrong. Even to name yourself as a denomination is wrong. There is one body. We cannot be fooled, Satan has a synagogue too: “Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but do lie - behold, I will make them to come and worship at your feet, and to know that I have loved you.” [Revelation 3:9] “I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.” [Revelation 2:9]
Oh! That we would instead love our brethren and be one, speaking with one mind and with one tongue, just as a husband and a wife are one; Christ called and ordained His Church, to be aligned, in step, harking to His cadence; for He is the Commander of Heaven’s Armies, the Lord Jesus, giving His soldiers the Good Commandment: “hold fast to that which you have until I come.” [Revelation 2:25] Be one! And that, without compromise, holding fast to the truth. “That they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.” [John 17: 22,23] “Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.” [Philippians 2:1,2]
Ah! I have been judged because of what Bible I read! Oh, how they prove to be of the letter and not of the Spirit, because they judge me by the letter: the letter of my text. What difference is it, if I read one syntax verses another? As long as the semantics remain the same, what difference does it make? Would you judge me if I read in another tongue? I was saved reading the New Living Translation, which comes from a paraphrase! Cannot God open the mouth of a mute donkey to preach? If He so wills, couldn’t He make the rocks cry out? Who can tell Him otherwise? I have been judged according to how to say my Savior’s name. If in one tongue, His name is pronounced like this, and in another tongue, pronounced like that, why force someone to pronounce a certain way? Do not names have meaning? Which is greater: the letter of a name or the Spirit of the name? Yet, they place a stumbling block for others by compelling them to speak according to the letter when we’re called to worship in Spirit and truth. Meaning is what matters. The Spirit gives life. “God saves”, “I Am”, “The Lord is our Banner”. Did not Hagar give Him who sees the name, “The God Who Sees”? And the twelve tribes all obtained their names from a meaning. In one tongue, it’s pronounced like this; in another, like that. So why place a stumbling block for your neighbor? “I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.” [Romans 16:17] The result of judgment is separation; let us separate for truth’s sake, not in arrogance and pride. Children!
“Therefore do not go on passing judgement before the time, until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God. (…) in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other.” [1 Corinthians 4:6] Is that not what this kind of judgement does? Puffs up. “For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” [Galatians 6:3] For they add to God’s Word so they would have something to boast about; and that, besides the Cross of Christ. As it says, “But let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things.” [Jeremiah 9:24] “Did not your father eat and drink And do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with him. He pled the cause of the afflicted and needy; Then it was well. Is not that what it means to know Me?” [Jeremiah 22:16] Only in this way ought we to boast; a person who boasts in any other way, fails to harken to the apostle of Jesus Christ, “I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgement, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.” [Romans 12:3]. And I know very well that in ourselves we have no room for boasting.
I am of Luther! I am of Calvin! I am of the Church! “Has Christ been divided?” [1 Corinthians 1:13] Let me speak of division for it originates with God: “Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, so that they will not understand one another’s speech.” [Genesis 11: 7] But in Christ, we’re called into one; as it says, “There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.” [Ephesians 4: 4-6] The LORD God scatters the wicked like wheat, but for His saints, “Walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” [Ephesians 4:1,2] Like it says, “God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.” [1 Corinthians 14:33] He makes confused the wicked, but unites the righteous for the cause of righteousness. If only we would weight both sides, we wouldn’t be caught up in such a misjudgment. Divide the Word honestly for a more precise understanding. Listen. Do not harden your heart and stiffen your neck, stuffing up your ears; with a hard heart, comes an uncircumcised ear. Open your eyes and do not close them up; evaluate the truth and the truth will evaluate you. The Lord says, “Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ for behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” [Matthew 7:3-5] For where you are blind, your brother can see; and where your brother is blind, only you can see. We all lack sight in some areas and we all stumble in many ways; but the one who loves the Lord diligently will seek perfection just as He is perfect.
“Christ is of this skin color, not of that!” Is it not enough for you that He became a human being? Must He also follow your skin tone? “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgement.” [John 7:24] I know the truth! The Sabbath is Saturday. “He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord.” [Romans 14:6] We eat Kosher. “And he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God.” [Romans 14:6] Surely these judgements do not come from the Lord, but from the wicked flesh. Oh and you! How can I forget about you who judge this letter saying, “He is ecumenical”; all knowledge would die with you, wouldn't it? “For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” [2 Corinthians 6:14] If the Lord God has separated the uncircumcised flesh, surely separation from the world is present in such a man. “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” [Galatians 6:14] Those of the flesh, boast of the flesh, while in the flesh; and those of the flesh reside wholly in flesh; but those of the Spirit, boast in God; and those of the Spirit reside in God, for He is their Refuge; in Him, there is no condemnation; as it says, “Evil shall slay the wicked, And those who hate the righteous will be condemned. The LORD redeems the soul of His servants, And none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.” [Psalm 34:21,22]
Therefore, “Let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this — not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way.” [Romans 14:13] “For God has accepted him. Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. (…) But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgement seat of God. For it is written, ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.’ So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God. (…) For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.” [Romans 14:3,4; 10-13; 7-9]
Many deceptive people get themselves into positions of truth and bring it into disrepute: you have liar exorcists, erroneous false prophets, false teachers, corrupt judges, unjust police, etc. Let us also know that this is the work of satan because our battle is not against flesh and blood but against the unseen powers of the unseen world in the spiritual high places. In discernment, you only need to ask where does this come from? If it comes from the world, we know it is evil — we have no need to ask if it is even evil because if it comes from the world, it comes from the evil one. We also should ask: what are the outcomes of believing something to be true?; or in other words, what is their agenda? If their agenda is good, then good; if it is bad, then we know it comes from the devil. Most evil agendas trick people into living lawlessly: all sin is lawlessness. We also should know that only God is Good. If they claim good, but do not have God then it is evil and comes from the world. There is no in-between: either something comes from the Kingdom of God or the kingdom of darkness.
We should remember Moses and the deception of Egypt’s magicians (Book of Exodus). They did the same works that Moses did, but Moses did them by the power of God. In the end times, the Scriptures say the antichrist will flash down fire from heaven and do other such marvels like bringing life to a statue (Book of Revelation). Bring also into remembrance the 7 sons of Sceva who tried to cast out demons in Jesus’ name, but fled from the home naked and beaten by such evil spirits (Book of Acts). Yes, these spirits are powerful and do wonders. We must remember that these evil spirits can also speak the truth. For many of the evil spirits proclaimed that Jesus was the Son of God, and following Paul they said, “This man brings you the Gospel and the way to be saved” (Gospels and Acts). These are all in line with how satan works, masking as an angel of light. So we see how hard it is to discern spirits. This shows how much we ought to be in the Word of God.
The Egyptian magic was not as powerful as God’s power. When they threw their staff on the ground and it became a serpent, God’s serpent ate up their serpents; this shows God can swallow up evil in an instant as He did with Korah and those that rebelled, opening up the mouth of the earth and swallowing them up. And again, when God turned the water of the Nile into blood, so did the Egyptian magicians. However, they only did so with a little of the water, where-as God did it in all of the land of Egypt and the entirety of the Nile — even the cooking pots in the Egyptians homes turned to blood if it came from the Nile! This shows God’s sovereignty by scale — in totality, not in part. Then Moses conjured up frogs from the Nile but so did the Egyptian magicians. However, God made the mind of the frogs change to hop in the Egyptian homes, on their beds, and in their pots! The Egyptians were not able to control the mind of the frogs. God has sovereignty over all of His creation and by His mighty name even evil spirits are subjected to Him and tremble in fear — how mighty is our God!
Even in the realm of exorcism, the devil has infiltrated this sphere into making us think an individual has power over them. Can satan cast out satan? No, otherwise his kingdom is divided and how can it stand? Many false teachers put on shows of entertainment in churches claiming they’re exorcising demons, but they are not: they merely show two demons entertaining the crowd and putting on a show, captivating the audience with deception. I have no doubt that some of them brought on stage are possessed, but the one doing the ‘exorcism’ is also possessed. Let us not be immature being blown about by the wind by every false doctrine, but let us test the spirits. If they confess Jesus as Lord, they are from God. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Anything ‘new’ is not from God because He has been the same from the beginning. There isn’t anything truly new under the sun, but all is old; that ancient serpent called the devil who deceives the whole world, has always been this way — he has been a liar since the beginning. This is another way we can discern the truth: by going to the beginning. For this is where truth lives: In the beginning, God...
Today is veteran’s day. I was looking on You-tube at Kirk Cousin testimonies about Christ. I had not known he was a Christian, but i recognized him as being a God fearing man and knew there was something special about him. I look at football as being a worldly thing, most definitely. I had loved football since a youth and just recently I had given the Lord my love for football — and he has made it new! I haven’t had any revelations from football, it has always been a dead thing even as it was so alive to me — there was no milk nor honey from God in it. But now, after a week, I have had many revelations and new insights about it after giving it up to the Lord, and I no longer have love for it, but God has used it to increase my love for Him. This shows God cannot use a thing if we hold onto it because we block out all communication from God; we know the thing is wrong, but we hold onto it anyway.
Kirk Cousins said many true things. One thing: there are no atheists in fox holes. Everyone believes in God when things are tough when we are in need or facing death. Similarity everyone prays before a football game; football is life or death. Similar to the military; today is veteran’s day. Then i went down the rabbit hole of Damar Hamlin; earlier this year he died on the football field multiple times. His heart stopped and they brought him back to life. He has come back a week ago to play football. This shows he is willing to die for football. On the opposite spectrum, Kirk Cousins said in one of his worse games, “if my life were tied up in football after this loss, i would be devastated. Beautiful thing I am founded on Christ the solid rock in which I stand.” This shows both sides: idolatry vs true worship of God. It’s about the heart not the actions. We can see someone playing football, something very secular, and judge him based on that. But God looks at the heart. Kirk plays football but his heart is not in football, it’s in Christ; he plays football for Christ. Damar, on the other hand, loves football, and is willing to die for football. What we are willing to die for shows what we love. There are certain sins we hold onto in which we say, “I will die before ever letting this go”, but if we let them go, God will restore and make new.
The Lord also showed me, if someone were to neglect the prayer before a football game to make a point or show off before his teammates, but then in his heart is fearful and asks God to protect him, He will honor him because God looks at the heart. It’s very tempting to make judgements based on outward appearance alone; we must look at the heart of the matter. Jesus was spoken evil of constantly because of what He was seen doing: eating with sinners, working on the Sabbath, etc. The heart of Jesus was to love His neighbor as Himself. He ate with those sinners because He loved them. He worked on the Sabbath because He was healing those oppressed by the devil.
Because of God’s great love for us, we ought to die for Him, and the death we die is to sin and to ourselves. This shows we are willing to die for Jesus. Suffering, Service, and Sacrifice: these are the three to love. If love does not have these, is it love or merely lust? True love produces these. If we love Him, we will obey His commandments.
Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. (1 Titus 1:15)