Often the rage of the unbeliever is directed at the messenger, without realizing that the messenger is speaking from the Holy Spirit inside.
Those who hate to hear truth, who cannot admit their sin and who will listen to nothing, love their ignorance, continually justifying what is called sin by God.
This is what we see all the time in the church as many are shacking-up, divorcing and remarrying, disrespecting authority, flippantly accepting sins of every kind merely to be accepted by others.
The authentic church remains faithful, full of love and humbly accepts correction to grow in holiness.
When there is pride, self righteousness and rulishness beyond the bounds of God's Word, we know there are many pretenders.
God's people love one another, they are not in competition with one another, nor do they judge those who are not accepting human rules and traditions of men.
Mark 7:13-15 "…12 he is no longer permitted to do anything for his father or mother. 13 Thus you nullify the word of God by the tradition you have handed down. And you do so” in many such matters. 14 Once again Jesus called the crowd to Him and said, “All of you, listen to Me and understand:…"
Here is a case where God rebuked the adult children for not taking care of their aging parents. Our children's generation sees no desire to care for their aging parents, in fact in many cases the parents are footing the bill for their adult children. This is rebellion against God's principles.
My challenge is to encourage everyone to evaluate which rules they adhere to, study them out in the Word and discard any that have been found to be nothing more than human tradition.
If you are following the rules of anyone other than Christ, you will continually battle false guilt, brought on by the pressures of others whom you wish to become connected. If we have to remain connected to others by adhering to their brand of Christianity that is not Biblical, then I suggest you that it is bondage and should be shook off to experience a new freedom in Christ.
Tuesday, August 8, 2017
Are You Trusting Christ or the Law
Galatians 3 tells us that believers are not under the Law anymore. If someone is under the Law then they are not depending on Christ.
3:1 You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?
2 This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?
3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?
4 Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?
5 So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?
6 Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.
7 Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.
8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.”
9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.
10 For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them.”
11 Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “The righteous man shall live by faith.”
12 However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, “He who practices them shall live by them.”
13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”—
14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Intent of the Law
15 Brethren, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it.
16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ.
17 What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise.
18 For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.
19 Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made.
20 Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only one. 21 Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law.
22 But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed.
24 Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.
25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise."
3:1 You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?
2 This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?
3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?
4 Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?
5 So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?
6 Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.
7 Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.
8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.”
9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.
10 For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them.”
11 Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “The righteous man shall live by faith.”
12 However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, “He who practices them shall live by them.”
13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”—
14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Intent of the Law
15 Brethren, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it.
16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ.
17 What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise.
18 For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.
19 Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made.
20 Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only one. 21 Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law.
22 But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed.
24 Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.
25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise."
Something is in the Wind
Perhaps there is something going on that we do not know about. This might be a good time to seek God for ourselves, our families and our nation. I cannot believe God is going to withhold discipline from America after 60 million babies have been murdered, porn is rampant, divorce and remarriage is completely accepted, Hollywood puts out nothing but filth and the unrest in the streets by anarchists continue. There is far more that could be said here, but I think you all know the evil that dominates our culture.
Chaplain Bill Herrmann says:
"Praying Fervently for the USA and US Armed Forces Globally-the next 24-96 Hours will tell ....Join me in Prayer Beloved Friends---"
Chaplain Bill Herrmann says:
"Praying Fervently for the USA and US Armed Forces Globally-the next 24-96 Hours will tell ....Join me in Prayer Beloved Friends---"
Futility of Boastful Wickedness!
Such is our world today as the cities flaunt their evil ways while oppressing the righteous who will not accept their wickedness.
Psalm 52
"Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man?
The lovingkindness of God endures all day long.
2 Your tongue devises destruction,
Like a sharp razor, O worker of deceit.
3 You love evil more than good,
Falsehood more than speaking what is right. Selah.
4 You love all words that devour,
O deceitful tongue.
5 But God will break you down forever;
He will snatch you up and tear you away from your tent,
And uproot you from the land of the living. Selah.
6 The righteous will see and fear,
And will laugh at him, saying,
7 “Behold, the man who would not make God his refuge,
But trusted in the abundance of his riches
And was strong in his evil desire.”
8 But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God;
I trust in the lovingkindness of God forever and ever.
9 I will give You thanks forever, because You have done it,
And I will wait on Your name, for it is good, in the presence of Your godly ones."
Psalm 52
"Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man?
The lovingkindness of God endures all day long.
2 Your tongue devises destruction,
Like a sharp razor, O worker of deceit.
3 You love evil more than good,
Falsehood more than speaking what is right. Selah.
4 You love all words that devour,
O deceitful tongue.
5 But God will break you down forever;
He will snatch you up and tear you away from your tent,
And uproot you from the land of the living. Selah.
6 The righteous will see and fear,
And will laugh at him, saying,
7 “Behold, the man who would not make God his refuge,
But trusted in the abundance of his riches
And was strong in his evil desire.”
8 But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God;
I trust in the lovingkindness of God forever and ever.
9 I will give You thanks forever, because You have done it,
And I will wait on Your name, for it is good, in the presence of Your godly ones."
Psalm 22:22-23
In the midst of the assembly I will praise You.
23 You who fear the Lord, praise Him;
All you descendants of Jacob, glorify Him,
And stand in awe of Him, all you descendants of Israel."
Psalm 20:7-9
"Some boast in chariots and some in horses, but we will boast in the name of the Lord, our God."
"They have bowed down and fallen, but we have risen and stood upright.
"Save, O Lord; May the King answer us in the day we call!"
"They have bowed down and fallen, but we have risen and stood upright.
"Save, O Lord; May the King answer us in the day we call!"
Feeling or Saying Not Much Value
"Feeling good", is similar to "saying things", neither has much if any substance. It's in the obedience or the doing that is evidence of the heart.
People can do things with a wrong heart, it's true, however the doing is far more valuable than the "saying" or the "feeling."
So many people in our culture actually think if they just say something, that should be enough, they don't have to do anything else except "say it."
The problem is that saying accomplishes nothing, the words fly into the air and fall to the ground and someone's need remains unmet.
Feelings are even less valuable than words, because they are often very inaccurate, based on personal prejudices and desires rather than truth.
Feelings and Jealousy can lead someone to believe something that is not true, simply because of the desire to dislike someone over what they have that the envious person does not have. A sinful heart can think that their feelings are telling them truth, when the opposite is true.
James 3:16
"For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice."
James 3:14
"But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth."
Many relationships these days are ruined because someone loves to be superior, when they cannot they exact revenge to diminish those of whom they are envious.
Proverbs 14:30
"A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot."
God's way is far better than man's way. His way brings peace, love and kindness, encouraging others to reach their potential. While expressing their gifts to accomplish the mission God has for them, they live with purpose and support from those that love.
People can do things with a wrong heart, it's true, however the doing is far more valuable than the "saying" or the "feeling."
So many people in our culture actually think if they just say something, that should be enough, they don't have to do anything else except "say it."
The problem is that saying accomplishes nothing, the words fly into the air and fall to the ground and someone's need remains unmet.
Feelings are even less valuable than words, because they are often very inaccurate, based on personal prejudices and desires rather than truth.
Feelings and Jealousy can lead someone to believe something that is not true, simply because of the desire to dislike someone over what they have that the envious person does not have. A sinful heart can think that their feelings are telling them truth, when the opposite is true.
James 3:16
"For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice."
James 3:14
"But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth."
Many relationships these days are ruined because someone loves to be superior, when they cannot they exact revenge to diminish those of whom they are envious.
Proverbs 14:30
"A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot."
God's way is far better than man's way. His way brings peace, love and kindness, encouraging others to reach their potential. While expressing their gifts to accomplish the mission God has for them, they live with purpose and support from those that love.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)