Thursday, June 19, 2025
False Gospel and False Accusations
A missionary couple once told me that they made an effort in their mission to sacrifice the principles of God for the sake of unity. I was astounded and shared that unity is not based on everyone being happy with one another, it was based on everyone obeying Christ and teaching the truth of God's Word.
I was also told by a bible school graduate that we should be careful to say things in a way that will be received by the hearer. In other words, we must depend on our delivery of the gospel instead of the Holy Spirit.
If our delivery caused someone to reject the gospel, then it was our fault they didn't like Jesus, in the minds of those who want to remain in control of their own message rather than submitting to Christ for everything.
Luke 12:12 "12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”
The college this man attended was a Pentecostal Charismatic one dedicated to their teachings, not the teachings of Christ. Sadly, much of what this college taught was not Biblical, but it sounded so good to those who were not led by the Holy Spirit.
When the teachings of Christ are based on how people might react the truth is diminished and perverted.
Remember, all the apostles were either killed or persecuted for their message of the gospel. Did they not say it right so that people would like them, and because of that, the people rejected Jesus Christ?
The manipulation of language has led to many false beliefs today. When the delivery is more important than the message, we are no longer depending on pure truth from the Holy Spirit.
God clearly stated that the gospel divides families and communities.
Matthew 10:34-36
Not Peace, but a Sword
34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person's enemies will be those of his own household."
Micah 7:6
"For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s enemies are the members of his own household."
God never gave us a formula to follow to influence people. He gave His principles of truth to share by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Hebrews 4:12
"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart."
For most people, the gospel is offensive because it convicts of sin. Most people will not accept it and will accuse us of our delivery to avoid believing the message.
John 7:43
"So there was division in the crowd because of Jesus."
Never accept that you did something wrong because someone else became angry. Anger is a choice and is often used to blame others for what is in the heart of the angry person.
Satan loves to cause false guilt in those who bring the truth.
1 Peter 4:12-14
"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you."
I was also told by a bible school graduate that we should be careful to say things in a way that will be received by the hearer. In other words, we must depend on our delivery of the gospel instead of the Holy Spirit.
If our delivery caused someone to reject the gospel, then it was our fault they didn't like Jesus, in the minds of those who want to remain in control of their own message rather than submitting to Christ for everything.
Luke 12:12 "12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”
The college this man attended was a Pentecostal Charismatic one dedicated to their teachings, not the teachings of Christ. Sadly, much of what this college taught was not Biblical, but it sounded so good to those who were not led by the Holy Spirit.
When the teachings of Christ are based on how people might react the truth is diminished and perverted.
Remember, all the apostles were either killed or persecuted for their message of the gospel. Did they not say it right so that people would like them, and because of that, the people rejected Jesus Christ?
The manipulation of language has led to many false beliefs today. When the delivery is more important than the message, we are no longer depending on pure truth from the Holy Spirit.
God clearly stated that the gospel divides families and communities.
Matthew 10:34-36
Not Peace, but a Sword
34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person's enemies will be those of his own household."
Micah 7:6
"For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s enemies are the members of his own household."
God never gave us a formula to follow to influence people. He gave His principles of truth to share by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Hebrews 4:12
"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart."
For most people, the gospel is offensive because it convicts of sin. Most people will not accept it and will accuse us of our delivery to avoid believing the message.
John 7:43
"So there was division in the crowd because of Jesus."
Never accept that you did something wrong because someone else became angry. Anger is a choice and is often used to blame others for what is in the heart of the angry person.
Satan loves to cause false guilt in those who bring the truth.
1 Peter 4:12-14
"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you."
Believing Alone is not Proof of Dedication to Christ. The Obeying is the Proof!
Matthew 7:24-27 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock."
The reverse is logical; I have met many people who say they believe what God said in His word but do not do them and even support others who do not do them.
Matthew 7:26-27 "But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its collapse!”… whoever hears these sayings and does not do them is likened to a fool."
James 1:22-24 "Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves. For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like."
The actions are what prove the heart. The actions cannot be different from what is in the heart.
1 Corinthians 3:12-15
"If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man’s work. / If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward."
Hebrews 4:2
"For we also received the good news just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, since they did not share the faith of those who comprehended it."
Jeremiah 8:9
"The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the LORD, what wisdom do they really have?"
Just knowing what the Bible says is not evidence that someone is saved or that they live the truth they know. Their lifestyle and their attitudes will reveal them.
The reverse is logical; I have met many people who say they believe what God said in His word but do not do them and even support others who do not do them.
Matthew 7:26-27 "But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its collapse!”… whoever hears these sayings and does not do them is likened to a fool."
James 1:22-24 "Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves. For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like."
The actions are what prove the heart. The actions cannot be different from what is in the heart.
1 Corinthians 3:12-15
"If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man’s work. / If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward."
Hebrews 4:2
"For we also received the good news just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, since they did not share the faith of those who comprehended it."
Jeremiah 8:9
"The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the LORD, what wisdom do they really have?"
Just knowing what the Bible says is not evidence that someone is saved or that they live the truth they know. Their lifestyle and their attitudes will reveal them.
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Excusing Sin is the Same as Rebellion Against God
Amen, it is the devil who talks people into sinning as an excuse. We saw this in the garden when he told Eve she didn't have to obey God.
God Does not exhibit Wrath against Those who Belong to Him
I wonder if the rapture deniers of our day would have called Noah, Lot, Moses, Rahab and Joseph "escapists"?
The Fruit of God's Spirit Dominates those who are Born of Christ
Galatians 5:22-24 "…22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."
Why does God say there is no law needed when we have the fruit of the Spirit?
The reason is really quite simple: we do not have to try to be something that comes naturally to us. We have no need of a law that tells us to be loving because it is the very nature of who we are. Our first response without thinking will be according to the fruit of the Spirit of Christ, the same as the other fruit of God's Spirit.
It comes naturally to a person who is angry on the inside to snark and snort at others when they feel a sense of loss of control over others. The initial response to being told "no" or a "refusal to be manipulated" is to intimidate or frustrate the target.
As a born-again believer, our first response without thinking is to do what is kind while having self-control over our emotions when someone else has been rude. It is no longer our fleshly nature that dominates us!
Since born-again believers have no need to control others, they do not say and do things that will frustrate and anger others. They don't have a sense of needing to be superior, so they are unconcerned that someone doesn't agree with them.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 "Let your gentleness be apparent to all. The Lord is near."Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth."
Love dominates the heart of one who has been changed into a new creation by Christ. If we find we are having a weak moment and allow our flesh to take over we quickly feel bad and confess it to be cleansed.
Ephesians 4:2
"with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,"
Colossians 3:12-13
"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
The heart of the born-again believer is humble, desiring to be like Christ, not just say things that sound Christlike, but to be like Him in all our words and actions.
James 3:17
"But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere."
2 Timothy 2:24-25
"And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing. He must gently reprove those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth."
Philippians 4:5
"Let your gentleness be apparent to all. The Lord is near."
Authentically born-again believers are the same to everyone; they do not treat one person with respect while treating another disrespectfully. Respect is a character quality permeating the soul for those who love Christ. As believers, we view all people as valued; we know what we were saved from, and everyone else needs saving, too.
We tell the truth that some people will not like, but we do it honestly and respectfully. In our hearts, no one is superior to anyone else because we know that "all have fallen short of the glory of God" and that no one deserves respect more than anyone else. In fact, no one deserves respect; we extend it because of Christ.
Everyone who is born of Christ has the fruit; those who walk according to it will rarely do unkind things to others because they hate being something God hates.
Why does God say there is no law needed when we have the fruit of the Spirit?
The reason is really quite simple: we do not have to try to be something that comes naturally to us. We have no need of a law that tells us to be loving because it is the very nature of who we are. Our first response without thinking will be according to the fruit of the Spirit of Christ, the same as the other fruit of God's Spirit.
It comes naturally to a person who is angry on the inside to snark and snort at others when they feel a sense of loss of control over others. The initial response to being told "no" or a "refusal to be manipulated" is to intimidate or frustrate the target.
As a born-again believer, our first response without thinking is to do what is kind while having self-control over our emotions when someone else has been rude. It is no longer our fleshly nature that dominates us!
Since born-again believers have no need to control others, they do not say and do things that will frustrate and anger others. They don't have a sense of needing to be superior, so they are unconcerned that someone doesn't agree with them.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 "Let your gentleness be apparent to all. The Lord is near."Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth."
Love dominates the heart of one who has been changed into a new creation by Christ. If we find we are having a weak moment and allow our flesh to take over we quickly feel bad and confess it to be cleansed.
Ephesians 4:2
"with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,"
Colossians 3:12-13
"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
The heart of the born-again believer is humble, desiring to be like Christ, not just say things that sound Christlike, but to be like Him in all our words and actions.
James 3:17
"But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere."
2 Timothy 2:24-25
"And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing. He must gently reprove those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth."
Philippians 4:5
"Let your gentleness be apparent to all. The Lord is near."
Authentically born-again believers are the same to everyone; they do not treat one person with respect while treating another disrespectfully. Respect is a character quality permeating the soul for those who love Christ. As believers, we view all people as valued; we know what we were saved from, and everyone else needs saving, too.
We tell the truth that some people will not like, but we do it honestly and respectfully. In our hearts, no one is superior to anyone else because we know that "all have fallen short of the glory of God" and that no one deserves respect more than anyone else. In fact, no one deserves respect; we extend it because of Christ.
Everyone who is born of Christ has the fruit; those who walk according to it will rarely do unkind things to others because they hate being something God hates.
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