Thursday, February 15, 2024

02/15/24 IT IS THIS BASIC

02/15/24 IT IS THIS BASIC

You don't stop sinning to become a Christian: you become a Christian to stop sinning. 

1John 3:4-10 KJV
4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

02/15/24 WONDERFUL WORDS OF LIFE

02/15/24 WONDERFUL WORDS OF LIFE

I love to watch videos of people hearing or seeing for the first time (whatever their ages). Infants are especially amazing. It is a beautiful analogy of people receiving spiritual hearing and sight through faith in Jesus Christ.

Prayerfully tell folks the Good News. Give light and life to those who are dead in their sins and trespasses and watch as the joy of salvation dawns upon them.

Wednesday, February 14, 2024

02/14/2402/14/24 BEWARE BLAME SHIFTING

02/14/24 BEWARE BLAME SHIFTING

It isn't that people can't trust God, it is that they refuse God’s enabling grace to turn from sin, and choose rather to go to hell, while falsely blaming it on God’s supposed predestination.

(I added the following point this morning.)
Predestination is a Biblical truth, relating to various areas, but God has not unilaterally, unconditionally predestined our eternal destinies.
Among other things, God predestined THE WAY of salvation for WHOSOEVER will believe on Christ.

(be sure to read all of these verses)
John 3:16-21
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

02/14/24 BEWARE SCRIPTURE TWISTING

02/14/24 BEWARE SCRIPTURE TWISTING

Don't be surprised or misled when people twist or misuse Biblical truths. They do this concerning such concepts as "born again" and "crucified with Christ," and "election."

Eastern Mysticism, Humanistic Psychology, New Age Religion, Word of Faith Movement, as well as Reformed Theology and Calvinism redefine Biblical truths to fit their errant beliefs. We need to know what the Bible says and what the Bible writers meant when they wrote those truths.

Dedication to Biblical teaching comes before dedication to Bible teachers or theological systems.

2 Timothy 2:11-15
11 This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him.
12 If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.
13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.
14 Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers.
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

We must be DILIGENT in our pursuit of truth and diligent in our relationship with God.
We must believe the simple gospel, but we must not have a simple understanding of the gospel.

God wants us to grow in grace and knowledge of Christ.
God wants us to be built up in the faith.
God wants us to learn the whole counsel of God.

Being "born of the Spirit," leads to being, "crucified with Christ."
If we have been "crucified with Christ," it leads to, "living with Him (continuing to live together with Him)."
If we "continue to live together with Him," it leads us to, "endure."
If we "endure," it leads us to, "reign with Him."

But, if we deny Him, He will deny us.
As John tells us:
If we are born of God, we quit sinning (we quit wilful disobedience).
If we continue to sin (willfully disobey God) we are of the devil.

Endurance is faithfully following Jesus. As Jesus said, he who endures to the end shall be saved. If we endure, we shall reign with Him.

Tuesday, February 13, 2024

02/13/24 HOPING TO ENCOURAGE FOLKS

02/13/24 HOPING TO ENCOURAGE FOLKS

I know I preach and teach doctrines, with which some of my friends are familiar and in agreement. I hope I encourage you in your walk with the Lord. Your kind responses encourage me.

I know I preach and teach doctrines, with which some of my friends disagree. I hope you will consider the Biblical claims I preach.

I am guessing I preach and teach doctrines, with which some of my friends are unfamiliar. I hope my posts are helpful to those who have questions about living the victorious Christian life, and about total surrender and heart purity (or other doctrinal distinctives I embrace).

If my words are helpful, don't hesitate to mention it with a "thumbs up" or a brief testimony. I am not keeping a record or making a mailing list. It is just nice to know that what I am sharing is a blessing to folks.
Thank y'all.

02/13/24 A TOTAL PACKAGE

02/13/24 A TOTAL PACKAGE

(if you don't read my post, at least read the passages I included at the end of the post).

REAL SALVATION
When someone honestly claims, professes, testifies, confesses that he is saved, converted, born again, forgiven, redeemed, that person is not arrogant; he is glorifying God.
(Remember, we are not saying that we are, "seen" as saved, converted, born again, forgiven, redeemed, but we are saying "we are" saved, converted, born again, forgiven, redeemed by the grace and work of God).

When someone honestly claims, professes, testifies, confesses that he is pure, righteous, holy, conformed to the image of Jesus, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that person is not arrogant; he is glorifying God.
(Remember, we are not saying that we are, "seen" as pure, righteous, holy, conformed to the image of Jesus, without sport or wrinkle or any such thing, but we are saying "we are" pure, righteous, holy, conformed to the image of Jesus, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing by the grace and work of God).

When we witness to being transformed from darkness to light, from sin to salvation, we are giving thanks, praise and glory to God.
When we witness to being conformed to the image of Christ and delivered from all sin, we are giving thanks, praise and glory to God.

It is robbery for a saved person to not give God praise for his conversion.
It is robbery for an entirely sanctified person to not give God praise and glory for his deliverance from the bondage, the corruption, the wretchedness of an impure heart.

A lost person, an unconverted person, a sinner cannot honestly claim salvation.
A carnal Christian cannot honestly claim heart purity.

Forgiveness of sins and purification of the heart are both works of Gods saving grace.
Forgiveness of sins and purification of the heart are both received by faith in Christ.

To deny that Christ saves sinners is to deny truth.
To deny that Christ sanctifies and cleanses His Church is to deny truth.

Biblical salvation is salvation from sins committed and sin inherent. Though the work of God takes place in phases, salvation is a total work. Consider these few passages from God's word to the Church through Paul, James, Peter, John and Jude. (Please, read these passages at least one time).

Paul wrote...
Romans 6:15-22

15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

Romans 8:1-4
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Galatians 5:24-25
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Titus 2:11-15
11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

James wrote...
James 4:7-8

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

Peter wrote...
1 Peter 1:13-23

13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

John wrote...
1 John 2:1-6

1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

1 John 3:1-10
1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

1 John 5:2-5
2  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
3  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
4  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
5  Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Jude wrote...
Jude 1:24-25

24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Monday, February 12, 2024

02/12/24 RECOUNTING GOD'S WORK

02/12/24 RECOUNTING GOD'S WORK

I posted this testimony seven years ago. It recounts my personal experience of God purifying my heart when He baptized me with the fullness of the Holy Spirit in 1965.

Entire Sanctification (as the Bible calls it), is an instantaneous and crises work of grace (as is our conversion), and is subsequent to our conversion (Justification, Regeneration).

Justification provides forgiveness and cleansing of the sins we have personally committed and cleanses our conscience; Regeneration imparts the presence, life and power of the Holy Spirit, which enables us to live victoriously over temptations.

Entire Sanctification purifies the believer from the carnal mind, which we received from Adam. We can be forgiven of the sins we have committed, but we must be purified, delivered from the sin nature. Cleansing of our hands (deeds done in the flesh) and Purifying of our heart (the deliverance from the "law of sin and death, spoken of in Romans chapter seven), are two separate parts of God's deliverance from all sin. We are purified through the Blood of Christ, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and the word of God.

Total surrender and the fullness of the Holy Spirit does not take the place of growing in grace (rather, it enhances our growth) and it does not replace a constant and living walk of faith. Just as Adam was able to sin, though created without sin, so too, are Entirely Sanctified believers able to sin and turn from God. Either God separates us from sin or sin separates us from God. God requires that we choose.

Though I posted the following article in 2017, it references my personal experience in the fall of 1965.

Article from February 12, 2017
I REMEMBER

I remember one time when I dreaded going to church. It was soon after going to Bible College. I was still carnal and I had just thrown a quiet but ugly fit of anger. It was a Wednesday, and we were going to go to a local church that night, which preached the truth of a holy heart and life.

I knew I would probably be brought under strong conviction and go down to the altar, which would result in a great display of remorse and crying. I knew this because God had been dealing with me faithfully since I had come under the preaching of full salvation at the college. I had been going to the altar during chapel services, going to the altar at my home church on weekends, going to the "praying rock" in the woods behind the men's dorm. God was breaking me down so that He could fill me up.

My seeking God was a whole body reality. My face was contorted and soaked with tears and loud sobbing, my body would heave in agony, my soul was heavy with guilt and uncleanness.

I knew God was wanting to purify me, but the Old Man did not want to die. I surrendered little by little, but I knew there would come a time when God's Spirit would rush in and my carnality would be flushed out.

After I threw my fit of anger, I closed myself in my dorm room, alone, with God. He had me where He wanted me, red handed with carnal anger taking control. I knelt by my bed, repenting, crying heavily, surrendering completely, crucifying my life of self assertion. Then the peace that passes understanding came. Then the joy unspeakable came. Then the perfect love came flooding me and filling me to overflowing.

We can run from the searchlight of God, but we cannot hide. We can reject His grace, but we cannot escape the consequences. It is better to bow before God in surrender than to stand before Him in defiance, it is better to burn with the passion of God than burn in the judgment of God. Surrender to God leads to victory, resisting God leads to utter defeat.