05/31/19 SPIRITUAL LIFE EVALUATION

05/31/19 SPIRITUAL LIFE EVALUATION

Why not sit down with God to reassess your life and readjust your course, if it is needed?

(Ideas to Follow, sometime)

05/31/19 STOP BY BIBLE STUDY report,

05/31/19 STOP BY BIBLE STUDY report,
with Willis (Tin Man), Eben (?) & Reggie (Hawk)
 
John 1:1-4 & Genesis 1:1-3 (I will add notes from the session later, tLw)

I posted this little report because I thought it might be an encouragement to some of y'all. Maybe God will give you a STOP BY BIBLE STUDY. It does not have to be formal. It can be just you talking to folks on the porch, in the living room, at the dock, in the yard. It can be with old friends, total strangers. I am hoping and praying that these three men think about the truths I shared. I am hoping and praying that these three men will actually talk about what I said, and more importantly talk about their relationship with God.

05/31/19 CRAZY ALERT

05/31/19 CRAZY ALERT

Crazy alert:
Some churches teach that sinning Christians are still going to heaven.
Told you it was crazy.

HERE IS WHAT GOD SAYS
(this is clear enough that anyone can understand it.)

FROM ROMANS 6
Romans 6:1-2
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

Romans 6:11-14
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Romans 6:15-18
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.

Romans 6:20-22
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.

FROM 1 JOHN 2
1 John 2:2-6
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 2:15-17
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

1 John 5:1-5
1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
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?

05/31/19 OVERVIEW OF SALVATION

05/31/19 OVERVIEW OF SALVATION

The Christian experience of Salvation includes:
Possession (appropriation),
Profession (proclamation),
Confession (explanation).


ESSENTIAL TO MAINTAIN A HEALTHY BALANCE

Salvation is of the Lord. God devised it, revealed it, provides it, imparts it. Salvation is a Divine miracle, obtainable through God's grace and obtainable through faith.

Possession of salvation is appropriated through believing, confessing, repenting, following.

Profession of salvation is the open proclamation to others concerning a personal, life changing encounter with God.

Confession of salvation is the Biblical explanation concerning the Christian experience and life.

There should be a healthy balance between these three areas, otherwise salvation becomes man oriented rather than God oriented.

05/31/19 BEWARE IDOLATRY

05/31/19 BEWARE IDOLATRY

Loyalty, to any person or group or message, which exceeds submission and trust rendered to Holy Bible, is idolatry.

05/31/19 REMOVE DISTRACTIONS

05/31/19 REMOVE DISTRACTIONS

No organization or affiliation should ever interfere with Christians believing, trusting, studying, obeying the word of God.

05/31/19 OUR SIDE IS CHOSEN

05/31/19 OUR SIDE IS CHOSEN

Christians should never side with any group in resistance to the word of God.

05/31/19 IMAGINARY LINES OF SEPARATION

05/31/19 IMAGINARY LINES OF SEPARATION

Preachers, educators, police, medical workers, politicians should never have a "We - Them" mentality.

05/31/19 NOTHING TO HIDE?

05/31/19 NOTHING TO HIDE?

Preachers, educators, police, doctors, legal & government people should eagerly & openly talk about abuse of power.

05/31/19 THINK IT THROUGH

05/31/19 THINK IT THROUGH

If it does not align with God's revelation & Christ's Lordship, then BEWARE the hidden dangers.

05/31/19 COULD BE WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING

05/31/19 COULD BE WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING

Preachers, educators, police, doctors have the mantle of truth, wisdom, authority, compassion, trustworthiness.
Don't be deceived.

05/31/19 MAKE SURE OF A SURE FOUNDATION

05/31/19 MAKE SURE OF A SURE FOUNDATION

Don't put trust in anyone or any group that is not based on the word of God & under the authority of the God of the Bible.

05/31/19 PLAN AHEAD

05/31/19 PLAN AHEAD

Y'all might as well face it; the Bible shows that all worldly governments fall to evil.
Only the kingdom of God will prevail.

05/31/19 SURE AS SHOOT'N

05/31/19 SURE AS SHOOT'N

USA, wake up!
The Leftist disruption of our governmental process is a typical (tried & true) Socialist ploy to destroy freedom.

05/30/19 TWO HEADED SNAKE

05/30/19 TWO HEADED SNAKE

Lazy believism and strenuous academia are often the two heads of Bible denial.

05/30/19 NOT SO SMART

05/30/19 NOT SO SMART

"Really smart" people often reject clear, simple, redundant Biblical truths in favor of the wisdom of "scholars."

05/30/19 DON'T CONFUSE ME WITH THE FACTS

05/30/19 DON'T CONFUSE ME WITH THE FACTS

"Really smart" people (at least they think they are) often reject proof texting because Bible texts often disagree with them.

05/30/19 WE ARE FREE TO A DEGREE

05/30/19 WE ARE FREE TO A DEGREE

We have free will.
But it is limited.
We can accept or reject Christ, but we cannot reject Christ and still go to heaven.

05/30/19 WHAT DO YOU WANT?

05/30/19 WHAT DO YOU WANT?

I would rather that Jesus' sacrifice take away my sins, than for me to answer for my sins before the Judgment Bar of God.

05/30/19 JUST THE FACTS

05/30/19 JUST THE FACTS

Jesus made you.
Jesus died & arose for you.
Jesus loves you.
Jesus will return, ready or not.
Jesus will one day judge you.

05/30/19 NO SUCH THING AS A DISOBEDIENT BELIEVER

05/30/19 NO SUCH THING AS A DISOBEDIENT BELIEVER

Claiming to believe in Jesus, while refusing to follow (obey) Him, makes you a hypocrite and aligns you with false prophets.

05/30/19 THE MOST IMPORTANT CHOICE YOU WILL EVER MAKE

05/30/19 THE MOST IMPORTANT CHOICE YOU WILL EVER MAKE

If we do not live for Jesus, we will die in our sins and that will separate us from God forever.

05/30/19 DON'T BE SWEPT AWAY IN DENIAL

05/30/19 DON'T BE SWEPT AWAY IN DENIAL

The Bible says that any "Jesus" other than the revealed Jesus of the Holy Bible is a false Jesus.
Deny the Bible & you deny Jesus.

05/30/19 TOTAL DISASTER

05/30/19 TOTAL DISASTER

Imagine a world that never had the loving, kind, benevolent, courageous, selfless influence of Jesus Christ.

05/29/19 WASTED TIME

05/29/19 WASTED TIME

I don't argue finer points of revelation with people who don't accept basic, clear Bible doctrines.
They can't understand.

05/29/19 IT IS ABOUT TRUTH

05/29/19 IT IS ABOUT TRUTH

"I've run aground,"
"Well, yer purty," &
"A rabbit just ran across my grave."
Idioms needing Functional Equivalence, not Formal.

05/29/19 HONEST QUESTIONS WELCOMED

05/29/19 HONEST QUESTIONS WELCOMED

If you are curious or interested about something I believe, I invite honest questions, but I won't argue it openly on FB.

05/29/19 ONLY THROUGH CHRIST

05/29/19 ONLY THROUGH CHRIST

FACE THIS TOO...
Salvation from sin and torment ONLY comes through Christ.

PASSAGES...
John 14:6
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Acts 4:12
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

John 3:36
36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

1 John 5:11-12
11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

1 Timothy 2:3-6
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

John 5:21-24
21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.
22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

2 John 1:7-11
7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

Revelation 20:11-15
11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

05/29/19 RAISED FOR LIFE OR TORMENT

05/29/19 RAISED FOR LIFE OR TORMENT
 
YOU ALSO NEED TO FACE...
We will all spend eternity somewhere. The saved with God, the unsaved in torment.
(John 5:19-47)

RAISED FOR LIFE OR TORMENT(* take special note of verses with asterisk *)



John 5:19-30
19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
*21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.
22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
*23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.
*24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
*25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
*26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
*27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
*28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
*29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
*30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

05/29/19 INTOLERANT TOLERANCE

05/29/19 INTOLERANT TOLERANCE

YOU NEED TO FACE IT.
Societal "tolerance," has always included everything except Christ, His word, His salvation and His people.

05/28/19 OUR BASIC BELIEFS

05/28/19 OUR BASIC BELIEFS

My friends have varying views of Christianity (anti, non, cultural, converted, committed, passionate) I try to write to all.
(see below)

I say this because some may wonder why I reiterate basic truths. But the fact is, not everyone actually knows the most basic truths. Also, the basic truths are true for the most advanced believers as well. In fact, it is possible that my basic statements might encourage my most informed friends share with their own unsaved friends.

I also post the most basic of Biblical truths because I am fully persuaded that open communication of the gospel message is coming to an end in our society. We must tell the basic truths now, in every way that we can, while we can.

I also believe several Biblical truths that have been abandoned by believers over the years.
The Bible teaches victory over sin.
Accountability for sin (even from Christians).
All infants have been saved from sin's separation but lose that salvation when they choose to sin at an older age, at which time they must believe, repent, confess, follow Jesus.
Sin separates from God. God separates from sin.
God forgives justifies and regenerates us at our conversion. Subsequently He purifies believers from all sin, in response to their total commitment.
Deliverance from the sinful nature and purity of heart.
Christian non-violence in a society that must also have police and military presence.
The infallible, inerrant word of God communicated in the autographs and discernible through honest, spiritual and scholarly study (as led by the Holy Spirit).
The absolute Lordship of Christ over His Church (local and universal), as well as over His people individually.
The fact that God has assigned certain positions of authority to men (heads of households, pastors of churches). Neither male or female is in a place of superiority, but there are positions of authority better suited for both genders.

Though it should be self evident, I also teach the basic doctrines of Christianity:
One God.
One God in Three Persons (Father, Son and Holy Spirit).
The virgin birth of Jesus.
The sinless life of Jesus.
The atoning, sacrificial death of Jesus.
The physical resurrection and ascension of Jesus.
Salvation is only available through Christ.
The present intercession of Jesus.
Christ is the only Head of the Church.
The fullness of the Holy Spirit that purifies the heart from all sin.
The leading and empowering of the Holy Spirit.
The spirit of the saved go to be with Jesus at time of death and the spirit of the unsaved are held in hell until the final judgment, and then they are cast into the Lake of Fire, forever.
The coming rapture and return of Jesus Christ.
The seven years of Tribulation after the rapture of the Church.
Conversion of Israel and multitudes from the nations during the Tribulation.
The physical return of Jesus and the judgment of the nations.
The resurrection of believers, to reign with Christ during His Thousand Year Reign.
The Thousand Year Reign of Christ in the world.
The final conflagration, end of world as we know it and The Great White Throne Judgment of all the unsaved of all history.
The casting of all non believers into eternal suffering in the Lake of Fire.
A New Heaven and New Earth and New Jerusalem and eternity for believers, with God.

I realize I did not cover everything, but this should give a basic overview of our position.
If you have questions about our beliefs, please ask.

05/28/19 REAL SERIOUS

05/28/19 REAL SERIOUS
 
Times are getting serious, REAL SERIOUS.
It is past time to get serious with God, REAL SERIOUS.

05/28/19 TIME'S A FLEETING

05/28/19 TIME'S A FLEETING

All things considered, this might be a good time to reassess your relationship with Jesus.

05/28/19 NO ONE, EVER

05/28/19 NO ONE, EVER
 
Nobody but Jesus ever died for our sins. Nobody but Jesus ever raised Himself from the dead.
NO ONE, EVER.

05/28/19 MILLIONS AND MILLIONS

05/28/19 MILLIONS AND MILLIONS

The life, death, resurrection and message of Jesus has saved and lifted individuals, families, nations, because He is God.

05/28/19 A VALID, HISTORICAL RECORD

05/28/19 A VALID, HISTORICAL RECORD

Jesus (the Son of God) died on the cross and rose again physically to save us from our sins.
That is the history and the facts.

05/28/19 HE REALLY IS THE PRINCE OF PEACE

05/28/19 HE REALLY IS THE PRINCE OF PEACE

Jesus never raised a sword against anyone or sent an army to shed blood of other men.

05/28/19 DON'T FEEL LEFT OUT

05/28/19 DON'T FEEL LEFT OUT

Some governments punish folks who believe Jesus died died on the cross and rose from the dead.
Coming to a neighborhood near you.

05/28/19 BETTER TELL IT NOW

05/28/19 BETTER TELL IT NOW
 
There are "peaceful" people who will one day keep all children from hearing the Biblical account of Jesus. BETTER TELL IT NOW.

Some "peaceful" people already kill folks for teaching the Bible and those same "peaceful" people kill other's for learning and believing the Bible.

The reason it is important to teach them the truth is because they will die in their sins without the truth. and be separated from God for all eternity.

05/28/19 JESUS ADDRESSED THIS IN A PARABLE

05/28/19 JESUS ADDRESSED THIS IN A PARABLE

If Jesus is the Son of God (and He is) then His Father ain't gonna be happy with how folks are treating Him.

Matthew 21:33-46
33 Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:
34 And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.
35 And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.
36 Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise.
37 But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.
38 But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.
39 And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.
40 When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?
41 They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.
42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
45 And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.
46 But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.

05/28/19 PRAISE THE LIFE OF JESUS, WHILE YOU CAN

05/28/19 PRAISE THE LIFE OF JESUS, WHILE YOU CAN

Jesus lived a life of purity, love, self denial.
We should laud Him while we have opportunity.
His enemies seek to defame Him.

05/28/19 JESUS WAS NOT A PEDOPHILE

05/28/19 JESUS WAS NOT A PEDOPHILE

REMEMBER, Jesus was not the one who married a 6 year old girl and then had sex with her when she was 9 years old. NOPE, NOT JESUS.

05/28/19 INJUSTICE COWARDS

05/28/19 INJUSTICE COWARDS

"SJWs" falsely accuse Christ, New Testament and Christians of atrocities but allow slave traders, mutilators and rapists off the hook.

05/28/19 COWARDS

05/28/19 COWARDS

"Social Justice Warriors," silent about 1400+ years of one group enslaving millions of Africans?
Won't even say their name.

05/28/19 DECEIVERS NOT ALLOWED

05/28/19 DECEIVERS NOT ALLOWED

God tells us to give our "apology" (defense, explanation of the faith).
Intelligent, honest teachers are needed.
But no deceivers.

05/28/19 DON'T CONFUSE THEM WITH THE FACTS

05/28/19 DON'T CONFUSE THEM WITH THE FACTS

Many "really smart" apologists don't like "proof texting."
But then again, they don't like the Bible anyway.

05/28/19 BETTER CHECK OUT WHAT YOU HEAR

05/28/19 BETTER CHECK OUT WHAT YOU HEAR

"Really smart" teachers say we can keep sinning because of grace.
God says we sin not because of grace (Ro. 6:1, 15).

GOD SAYS...
Be sure to read the context. It is blistering.

Romans 6:1-23
*1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
*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.
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

05/28/19 OH, THAT MAKES SENSE

05/28/19 OH, THAT MAKES SENSE

"Really smart" teachers reference other "really smart" teachers rather than God's word.
That explains a lot.

05/28/19 NOT GOD'S PLAN

05/28/19 NOT GOD'S PLAN

Most apologists have turned from the Bible to human reason and understanding to explain (away) Bible truths.

05/28/19 NOT MY "FAULT"

05/28/19 NOT MY "FAULT"

Bible believing Christians (worldwide) have been non violent for millennia.
Don't blame me.

05/28/19 NOT WHAT FOLKS THINK

05/28/19 NOT WHAT FOLKS THINK

Strictly speaking, not only does Christianity not wage mayhem or war,
it follows Christ in New Testament non-violence.
Read N.T.

05/28/19 CONSTANTINE'S WARRIORS

05/28/19 CONSTANTINE'S WARRIORS

Don't blame Bible believers for atrocities of Constantinian Christianity i.e. RCC, Reformationists & other counterfeiters.

05/28/19 THE REAL BULLY OF THE WORLD

05/28/19 THE REAL BULLY OF THE WORLD

Much of Africa, the Mideast, Europe, Asia and now USA fears and serves the greatest bully in history.

05/28/19 NOT THE SAME

05/28/19 NOT THE SAME

NEVER CONFUSE
Biblical Christianity with religious wannabees
(denominational or individual).
Christians follow Jesus and New Testament.

05/28/19 ASTOUNDING

05/28/19 ASTOUNDING

270 MILLION in 1,400 years is:
192,000 a year @ 1,400 yrs;
16,000 a month @ 1,400 yrs;
3,700 a week @ 1,400 yrs.

05/28/19 IT MIGHT BE HYPOCRISY

05/28/19 IT MIGHT BE HYPOCRISY

You might be a hypocrite if you denounce "BULLYING" but defend a group that killed 270 million people in 1400 years.

05/28/19 SELF DEFEATING

05/28/19 SELF DEFEATING

Tolerating, Accepting, Endorsing and Empowering a "Peaceful" religion that has killed 270 million people in 1400 years is suicide.

05/27/19 NOT WHAT GOD INTENDED

05/27/19 NOT WHAT GOD INTENDED

Sadly, "Apologetics" (the process or act of giving our "reason" for faith) is more often human philosophy than Biblical evidence.

05/27/19 THOUGHTS ABOUT GRACE

05/27/19 THOUGHTS ABOUT GRACE

Here are portions of some of my FB posts addressing the subject of GRACE. It is a lot. You won't read it all at once. Use it as a study guide.

01/14/18 "Grace + Anything = Heresy."

DO NOT READ ONLY THESE FIRST 3 LINES.
I saw a statement that said,
"Grace + Anything = Heresy."

Let me see if I understand this.
Grace + GOD'S WORD = Heresy?
Grace + TRUTH = Heresy?
Grace + SALVATION = Heresy?
GRACE + JESUS = Heresy?
GRACE + HOLY SPIRIT = Heresy?
GRACE + SAVING FAITH = Heresy?

(BUT) The truth is,
Grace, TRUE Grace, REAL Grace, GOD'S Grace, SAVING Grace INCLUDES holiness of heart and life or it is not Grace,
and
Grace, TRUE Grace, REAL Grace, GOD'S Grace, SAVING Grace EXCLUDES sin, or it is not Grace

(Based on these points)...THEREFORE

Grace + SINFUL ACTIONS = HERESY.
Grace + SINFUL WORDS = HERESY.
Grace + SINFUL THOUGHTS = HERESY
...
As I said before, be careful of the people from whom you read and to whom you listen",
YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE THEIR MINDS HAVE BEEN.

TAKEN FROM
02/09/18 SANCTIFY YOURSELVES... INTRODUCTION
...
THE PLAN OF GOD IS TO SET HIS PEOPLE APART
Apart FROM Sin (the negative work of removing sin) and
Apart TO God (the positive work of adding God likeness).

God will do the purifying of the heart, but He will only sanctify those who consecrate (dedicate) themselves and sanctify themselves. Yes, God requires, enables and expects His children to turn completely from sin and completely to God if they want to be conformed to the image of Jesus (Ro. 8:29). We are enabled by God's grace to do that which He requires.

SAVING and ENABLING GRACE
In our path to perfecting holiness, God gives us...
Grace (Ro. 6:12-14),
Abounding grace (Ro. 5:20),
Abundant grace (2 Co. 4:15),
All grace (2 Co. 9:8)
Exceeding grace (2 Co. 9:14),
Great grace (Ac 4:33),
Manifold grace (1 Pe. 4:10),
More grace (Ja. 4:6),
Sufficient grace (2 Co. 12:9),
True grace (1 Pe. 5:12).

FALLEN FROM GRACE
Those who have turned back to self saving works of the flesh have fallen from grace (Ga. 5:4).
Those who do not follow peace with all men and holiness, have failed at grace, actually have fallen from grace or fallen back from grace (He. 12:15).

NO GRACE
It does not take any grace to sin.
It does not take any grace to refuse to move forward.
It does not take any grace to slide backward.
It does not take any grace to presume on God.
It does not take any grace to walk against the light.

12/21/16 GOD’S MULTIFACETED GRACE
(please look up the reference verses, thank you)

When someone (even a self proclaimed elect person) tells you that it is impossible to be holy or to live a holy life...that person is speaking for himself and testifying to his own lack of grace. That person is not speaking for God.

Instead, here is God’s provision for spiritual victory...

God's abounding gift of grace (Ro. 5:15).

God's abounding grace (Ro. 5:20).

God's abundant grace (Ro. 5:17).

God's all grace (2 Co. 9:8; 1 Pe. 5:10).

God's all sufficient grace (2 Co. 12:9).

God's atoning grace (He. 2:9).

God's choosable grace (Ac 13:43).

God's common and unifying grace (1 Pe. 3:7).

God's empowering and powerful grace (2 Tm 2:1).

God's enabling grace (He. 2:16).

God's end times grace (1 Pe. 1:13).

God's establishing grace (He. 13:9).

God's exceeding abundant grace (1 Tm. 1:14).

God's exceeding grace (2 Co. 9:14).

God's exceeding riches in grace (Ep. 2:7).

God's equipping grace (He: 12:28).

God's exchangeable grace (Ju. 1:4).

God's exclusive grace (He. 12:15).

God's fruitful grace (Co. 1:6).

God's great grace (Ac. 4:33).

God's increasing grace (2 Pe. 3:18).

God's jealous grace (He 10:29).

God's justifying grace (Ti.3:7).

God's manifold grace (1 Pe. 4:10).

God's more grace (Ja. 4:6).

God's much more grace (Ro. 5:15).

God's multiplied grace (2 Pe. 1:2).

God's rich grace (Ep. 1:7).

God's reigning, righteous grace (Ro. 5:21).

God's saving grace (Ep. 2:5).

God's submitting grace (1 Pe. 5:5).

God's true grace (1 Pe. 5:12).

God's working grace (1 Co. 15:10).

God's up-building grace (Ac. 20:32).

God's universally offered grace (Ti. 2:11).

God's grace teaches us to live godly lives (Ti. 2:12).

God's visible grace (Ac. 11:23).

Whoever denies that the grace of God makes us more than conquerors is lying.

That person is telling you Satan's word.

That person is not telling you God's word.

God says,
1 John 5:3-5
(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?

(4/15/16)
GRACE IS AMAZING

Hebrews 4:16
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Grace does not simply save us from the penalty of sins committed, it empowers us to resist the temptation to sin.
Grace that does not empower believers to live a holy life, is not saving grace, it is not God's grace.

2 Corinthians 1:12
12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

Grace not only saves from penalty of sin and power of sin, it saves from the pollution of sin.
Grace that that does not purify the heart is not saving grace or God's grace.

01/22/16
DOES YOUR PASTOR TELL YOU THIS?
Did you notice the Hebrews passage in my previous post?
Hebrews 12:14-15
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

The Sanctification
The Greek actually says that we are to follow after, "the sanctification." There is a specific sanctification, purification, cleansing, setting apart, which Christians are expected to pursue and obtain. This particular sanctification is mandatory, essential, obligatory to a right relationship with God.

Essential
Think about it. Has your pastor ever told you that there is a specific holiness, a specific cleansing available to believers, which is attainable and obtainable, by the grace of God, which you should follow after in this life if you want to spend eternity with God? If no one has told you about this, then you better find someone who believes it, lives it and can communicate it to you, because, without it you will not see God, that is, you will be denied access to His presence.

Fail Of Grace
Also notice, that it is possible for believers to fail the grace of God, to fall short of the grace of God. It is not that the grace of God fails Christians, but those who do not search for, find and obtain God's peculiar purity of heart and life, will fail the grace of God, will come short of the presence of God.

Root Of Bitterness Defiles
Failing the grace of God allows the root of bitterness to sprig up in our heart and life, and that corruption crowds us, disturbs us, annoys us, to the point that we become a stumbling block to others, causing them to be defiled.

It is not enough that God can and will sanctify us completely, we must keep ourselves in that grace by following Him fully. If we go backwards, from our relationship with God, we will be defiled and the cause of other people being defiled also.

05/25/15
THE PLACE OF GRACE
The last words of the Bible are:
Revelation 22:21
(21) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Grace is dynamic, not static.
Grace is enabling, not manipulating.
Grace is purifying, not sterilizing.
Grace is empowering, not debilitating.
Grace is liberating, not licentious.
Grace is active, not passive.

SCRIPTURE...
Here are some related verses for those who might want to meditate along these lines. At least read them, then you can come back if you like.

Acts 20:32
(32) And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

Romans 6:14
(14) For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

2 Corinthians 1:12
(12) For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

2 Corinthians 6:1
(1) We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

2 Corinthians 8:1-2
(1) Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
(2) How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

2 Corinthians 8:5-7
(5) And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
(6) Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
(7) Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.

Galatians 1:6-7
(6) I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
(7) Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

Galatians 5:4-5
(4) Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
(5) For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
(11) Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
(12) That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 12:14-16
(14) Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
(15) Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
(16) Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

1 Peter 1:13-16
(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.

1 Peter 5:10
(10) But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

11/09/15
RIGHTEOUSNESS, JUSTICE, MERCY, GRACE
Whether or not a person surrenders to the rule of God, God will rule; regardless of our rebellion. Our rebellion does not negate His rule, but it does negate any right relationship we can have with God.

Whatever a person believes, the fact is that the qualities of *Righteousness, *Justice, *Mercy and *Grace, are Divine qualities, which emanate from the nature of the true and living God of the Holy Bible.

God designed us (the human race), and then redeemed us (those who follow Christ by faith) so that we will live in concert with His Righteousness, Justice, Mercy and Grace and then to communicate these qualities to others.

*The Truly Saved Person Is "Righteous Even As God Is Righteous" (1 Jn. 3:7).
God transforms unclean, unholy sinners into His righteous and holy people. We are to "live out" this righteousness, which He has wrought within us through salvation.

*The Truly Saved Person Does Justly And Extends Justice To Others (Ps. 82:3; Mi. 6:8).
God enables and empowers believers to choose and to do the right things in life and to be just (honest, fair, righteous) when dealing with other people.

*The Truly Saved Person Is Merciful To Others (Mt. 5:7; Ro. 11:30-32; 12:8; Ja. 3:17).
We received the mercy of God when we should have received the judgment of God. As regenerated (born again) members of the Body of Christ we share God's quality of mercy and extend it to those who have not only done wrong, but have done wrong to us.

*The Truly Saved Person Is Saved By Grace, Lives In Grace And Communicates The Grace Of God To Others (Jn. 1:16; Ep. 2:8; 4:29; Ro. 5:21; 16:24; 1 Co. 15:10).
Grace is not only the lifeline from God to us, it is the power of God in us and it is the message of God through us to others.

SCRIPTURES

*1 John 3:7
(7) Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

*Psalms 82:3
(3) Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
*Micah 6:8
(8) He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

*Matthew 5:6
(6) Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Romans 11:30-32
(30) For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
(31) Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
(32) For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
*Romans 12:8
(8) Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
*James 3:17
(17) But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

*John 1:16
(16) And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
*Ephesians 2:8
(8) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
*Ephesians 4:29
(29) Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
*Romans 5:21
(21) That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
*Romans 16:24
(24) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
*1 Corinthians 15:10
(10) But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

05/31/15
DON'T FORGET:
GRACE is not freedom to sin, GRACE is freedom from sin.

Passages From Romans 6 (with DLG notes)
Romans 6:1-2
(1) What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
(2) God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

Romans 6:11-18
(11) Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(12) Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
(13) Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
(14) For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
(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.

DLG notes for chapter 6
vs. 1... This was addressed because of a misapplication of what Paul had said in Ro. 5:20. This question was addressing the possibility of CONTINUING, REMAINING in a life of sin. This implies no change of behavior or change of allegiance.

vs. 2... Clearly Christians do not continue in sin. To be a sinner is to not be a Christian and to be a Christian is to cease being a sinner. The thought of sinning Christians is repugnant. The rest of chapter six explains what it means to be dead to sin, and how believers do not continue in sin.

vs. 11... "reckon" is an accounting term which means, calculate, conclude, compute, reason; as in 2+2 reckons to be 4. To "reckon" in the formal sense is not to guess, as in the informal use of the word. Remember, the "day of reckoning" is a day of accountability.

vs. 12... As followers of Christ, we can choose to not be under the authority and power of sin, while in this life. In fact, we can choose, we must choose to be completely delivered from the sin nature, the pollution of sin, in this present evil world. Our choice will determine our master.

vs. 13... As believers in Christ, we choose to render and surrender our earthly existence, our physical nature to either sin or to God. Even those who have chosen to be delivered from the nature of sin (vs. 12), aka the "Old Man," must continue to make the choice not to allow sin the power to use our bodies as instruments of sin. We should be as responsive to sin as a dead man is responsive to sensate influences, which is NONE. Instead, we should continually choose to yield our physical being as instruments of righteousness to God. It is our choice.

vs. 14... Statement of fact. Those who are dead to sin (vs. 2) are not under the power of sin, because they are not living by a rules and regulation mentality, but are actually living in victory over sin because they are under the power and control of grace.

vs. 15... Similar question to vs. 1, BUT NOTICE. The question addresses occasional sin rather than the continued life of sin. From vss. 1 and 2 we see that it is absurd for a person to continue to live in sin if they are indeed Christian, since Christians are to be dead to sin and alive to God, walking in newness of life. However, the occasional sin in an otherwise Christlike life was also unacceptable. There is no room for even one sin in the life of a believer. Grace does not allow for sin in the sinner and grace does not allow for sin in the believer.

vs. 16... We are the servants, to whomever we surrender, yield our lives. Our obedience reveals our master. We are either servants to sin or servants to the obedience of Christ. Surrender, yielding to sin leads to death. Surrender, yielding to obedience to Christ leads to righteousness. We are either going to be dead in our sins in this life, or we are going to conquer sin and live righteously in this life.

vs. 17... By God's grace, believers are changed from being a servant to sin by obeying the truth. Obedience is not just the result, it is the response to grace. In order to live victoriously, we need the right form of doctrine and we need to obey it from the heart. It needs to be an obedience of desire, not an obedience of obligation.

vs. 18... Freedom from sin takes place by the work of God's grace. The work of God's grace does free us from sin. When we are freed from the tyranny of sin we becoming the willing servants of righteousness. We cannot serve two masters. It will either be sin or righteousness. It will either be sin or the Son of God. Sin and righteousness are mutually exclusive. Sin and righteousness do not coexist. One will prevail and the other will fail. God provides, God calls, God enables, we decide.

03/04/15
READING THIS WILL NOT INFLUENCE SOME PEOPLE
You cannot always prevent trouble (turmoil, upheaval, chaos, drama, trauma) from coming your way. It is not always your fault that you encounter the negative, toxic issues of life.

But you are able to manufacture, import and export trouble. Be careful not to make life dark and miserable for yourself and other people. You have a choice.

Don't choose to start trouble.
Don't choose to look for trouble.
Don't choose to borrow trouble.
Don't choose to adopt someone else's trouble.
Don't choose to dump your trouble onto other people.
Don't chose to start trouble for other people.
Don't focus on trouble.

Remember,
Trouble is Satan's work, peace is the grace of God;
Division is Satan's work, love is the grace of God;
Suspicion is Satan's work, trust is the grace of God;
Envy is Satan's work, contentment is the grace of God;
Resentment is Satan's work, acceptance is the grace of God;
Fault finding is Satan's work, mercy is the grace of God;
Callousness is Satan's work, kindness is the grace of God;
Destruction is Satan's work, encouraging is the grace of God.

Sin produces conflict, grace serves up unity. Anyone can do the work of Satan, but it takes a Christian to manifest the grace of God.

Ain't it crazy that people choose darkness and death when light and life are available?

10/26/15
TWO AMAZING THOUGHTS
Some people, who do not have a personal and living relationship with Christ, manifest more Christian behavior, relationships, self discipline than some people who have experienced the saving grace of God.

#1- I am amazed at the common grace of God that can enable even sinful men to outwardly manifest loftier traits and characteristics, which are foreign to their naturally carnal, and lost condition, than can be seen in some of those people who have believed on Christ as their Savior.
see passages * below

#2- I am amazed at the sinfulness of sin, which some Christians allow to replace the life of godliness and self denial. (in doing so, they deny the faith and fall from grace).
see passages ** below

I listed the two items in this order, not because the manifestation of common grace is more important than saving grace, but because I wanted to focus on the fact that Christians do not always continue in, or manifest saving grace, which to me is more amazing than sinners who show common grace. I hope your read the passages below.

PASSAGES
* Matthew 23:27-28
(27) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.
(28) Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

* Luke 16:15
(15) And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

** 2 Peter 2:1-2
(1) But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
(2) And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

** Hebrews 12:15
(15) Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

04/21/15 Part #1 of 2
AN OLD THOUGHT AND A NEW ONE
I have been thinking about this post for a while, and just before service Sunday, I posted a praise note to God for the great provision of His saving grace. In that post I quoted a passage from Romans (which I have copied here, for your convenience). Here are some thoughts that I wanted to share at that time.

OLD THOUGHT
Abounding Grace is not only what affords us everlasting life, in the world to come (1), it transforms us into victorious soldiers of the cross, here and now (2), and it conforms us to the image of Christ, in this present evil world (3). Abounding grace provides more for us to experience and enjoy and employ in our daily walk, than sin took from us (4). Woooo hoooo, Praise His Name. He not only forgives, He delivers from the penalty, the power and the pollution of sin. He cleanses the trusting believer from ALL SIN (5). He makes us more than conquerors (6), and causes us to always triumph in Christ (7). Though Adam gave us the "carnal mind" (the sinful nature), Christ sets us free from the "old Man" (8) We are not only saved from the judgment of God, we are saved from the "law of sin and death," through Christ (9). If a believer sins, God will forgive him, when he trusts Christ (10), but, He will also deliver from temptation, so that we need not sin (11).

NEW THOUGHT (at least for me to articulate in this way)
Almost as soon as a Christian advances the truth that we can live in obedience to Jesus (12), and that we are saved from sin (13), and that we can live in righteousness, all the days of our lives (14), someone is sure to raise certain arguments.

References for (footnotes) are in my comment box below.

I. "Are you saying you do not sin?" And they ask this in order to ridicule the believer, ridicule the doctrine of deliverance from sin, and ridicule the One Who provides full salvation (walking in the fullness of the blessing; being filled with all the fullness of God).

Remember, they are asking the wrong question. The question is not if someone is living without sinning (they would not believe it anyway). The question should be, "Is living without sinning the Biblical standard and the Christian norm?"

The reason they ask the wrong question is because they want to argue with the other person's answer (whether legitimately or not) and accuse the other person, thus justifying their own disobedience to God. They cannot actually argue with God's revelation (though they deny it and change it). They are trying to prove that sin is greater than grace and salvation and God. I find it interesting that sin sayers are always interested in my sins, though I do not have a real desire to know what their sins are.

II. "We are all sinners, still having the old nature." Don't these people ever read the word of God? The Bible is clear that those who are walking in light and trusting fully in Christ are cleansed from ALL SIN, that we are not in the flesh? Again, it is a matter of claiming that sin is greater than grace, salvation and God.

III. These arguments are straight from the devil, because Satan is the accuser of the brethren and he lies against the power of God to save from all sin. If we have sin, we need to trust and turn. However, we should not let the defeatist raise doubts concerning God's abundant grace. We should not allow false doctrines to rob us of our victory and joy. Sin saying does not glorify God, or His salvation or His grace.

Sin is a real problem, which must be honestly addressed. But denying abundant grace is part of the problem, not the answer.

Romans 5:18-21
18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

PASSAGES...
Group 1
Matthew 19:29
(29) And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
Mark 10:30
(30) But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
Romans 6:22
(22) But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

Group 2
1 Corinthians 15:57-58
(57) But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
(58) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
1 John 5:4
(4) For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

04/21/15 Part #2 of 2
AN OLD THOUGHT AND A NEW ONE
Group 3
Romans 8:29
(29) For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Colossians 3:10
(10) And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

Group 4
Romans 5:20-21
(20) Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
(21) That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Group 5
1 John 1:7
(7) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
1 John 1:9
(9) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Group 6
Romans 8:37
(37) Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

Group 7
2 Corinthians 2:14-17
(14) Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
(15) For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
(16) To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
(17) For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

Group 8
Romans 6:6
(6) Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Ephesians 4:21-24
(21) If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
(22) That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
(23) And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
(24) And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Colossians 3:9-10
(9) Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
(10) And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

Group 9
Romans 8:1-9
(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.
(5) For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
(6) For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
(7) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
(8) So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
(9) But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Group 10
1 John 2:1-4
(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.

Group 11
1 Corinthians 10:13
(13) There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Group 12
John 14:15
(15) If ye love me, keep my commandments.
John 15:14
(14) Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
1 John 5:2-3
(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.

Group 13
Matthew 1:21
(21) And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Group 14
Luke 1:72-75
(72) To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
(73) The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
(74) That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
(75) In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.

03/22/14 THE GRACE OF GOD WORKS...

GOD'S GRACE TO US AND THROUGH US
We never outgrow our need for grace. In fact, without grace we will not grow, and as we grow we will have more grace.

Saing grace and enabling grace are aquired and manifested by faith.

Too many people boast about grace when they are actually presuming on mercy.

Grace is not only that which God extends to us, grace is that which God works through us.

God's grace not only saves us from sin's Penalty, it saves us from sin's Pollution and sin's Power.

THE GRACE OF GOD WORKS...
Grace and Work are not opposites. The flesh and the Spirit are opposite. Salvation by works and salvation by grace are opposite. But the grace of God is the work of God in our lives. The grace of God enables Christ followers to do the work of God.

We are not saved by our good works. In fact, our best, "good works," are as filthy rags before God. However, we are saved by grace to do good works. If we are not doing good works, the grace of God is not at work within us. If we are not living what we profess, we are hypocrites and we are deceiving ourselves.

Not only does God expect good works (the things we do) from all Christians, He requires purity of heart and self sacrificing love from those who are in a place of ministry to other people.

Remember, Jesus sent the disciples into all the world to preach the Gospel, but He told them to remain in Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high. That power came with the purifying work of the Holy Spirit.

The same is true for Christians today. We are not qualified to minister until we have surrendered all to Jesus and been cleansed, or as the Scripture says,
2 Timothy 2:21-22
(21) If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
(22) Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

When we attempt to do the works of God in the power of the flesh, we corrupt the message and we do not honor God.

09/30/14 SS Innerman

ABOUNDING GRACE...
This is where grace comes into the picture. God loved us when we were yet sinners. God reached out to us, in grace, when we were in rebellion. God enabled us to believe and turn from sin, or He allowed us to freely choose to refuse His grace. As we believed, by God's grace, we were transformed by grace. We became partakers of His grace and by His grace, we have continued in His grace. Without grace there would be no salvation. Without a real choice, there would be no salvation by grace through faith. Grace does not negate free will and free will does not succeed without grace. Grace... Free Will... God's ideas, and they work together perfectly.

12/27/14 Redemption and Reward...

I was thinking about GRACE and GREAT GRACE (as I often do). All grace is great, but not all grace is great grace. God's grace saves us from sin. In our walk with Him, we sometimes encounter especially difficult terrain and violent attacks of Satan. We need not fear. God's grace is always sufficient and in special times, He provides Great Grace. Great Grace is also needed to do great works for God.

Acts 4:33
(33) And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

12/07/14 GRACE AT WORK

Grace not only makes me acceptable to the One Who loves me, it makes it possible for me to be lovable, and it makes it possible for me to love others, even when they are unlovable. Grace is not just something that we receive, it is also something in which we participate, and it is the state in which followers of Christ live. We are empowered by grace to do the work of God. The grace of God works in us and through us, in our service, our labor for Jesus.

1 Corinthians 15:10
(10) But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

10/23/14 PREDISPOSED DOES NOT MEAN PREDESTINED

Just so ya know, you are not predestined to hell, though you are predisposed for hell. We were all tainted by the corrupted sinful nature (not to be confused with the human nature) that we inherited from Adam, and therefore unfit for heaven. But, where sin did abound, grace did much more abound, and the atonement of Jesus gave pre-born and new born babies and infant children accessibility to God.

There comes a time in each person's life, when he becomes responsible for his own sins before God. The Bible says that Christ is the Savior of all men, especially them that believe. According to the Bible, the atonement of Jesus is adequate for the sins of the entire world, since He died for the sins of the whole world. Therefore you were not neglected nor unselected, but you have the opportunity to be elected (chosen) by God, by receiving and trusting Christ, in response to His call.

The Bible says that many are called, but few are chosen. You will be one of the chosen if you trust in Christ alone for your salvation and follow Him fully. The seal of God is this, that you have departed from sin. You can make your calling and election sure by accepting His grace, walking in His grace and growing in His grace.

Biblical Predestination...
Biblical Predestination has to do with the HOW of salvation, rather than WHO of salvation. UnBiblical predestination is DOUBLE, UNILATERAL UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION, which is the erroneous and odious idea that God chooses to provide salvation for some people and chooses to leave others without the offer or the hope of salvation from sin and eternal judgment.

Predestination is to Predestine, it is to Predetermine.
God has predetermined that the only way to be saved is...
By Grace...
Through Faith...
In Christ.
Believers are predestined (enabled and expected) to live a life of...
Holiness...
Faithfulness
Obedience.
There is no other way to God than through grace, faith, Christ, holiness, faithfulness and obedience.

07/17/13 SIN AND GRACE ARE MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE

The Bible says, "That which is not of faith is sin," in other words, SIN IS NOT ONLY
THINKING that which is evil,
SPEAKING that which is evil and
DOING that which is evil,

SIN IS LIVING WITHOUT saving faith in Christ,
or,
SIN IS LIVING CONTRARY to faith in Christ.

Satan cannot change the fact that God saves His people from their sins (in this present evil world),
therefore, he lies about it (he is father of lies and he lied to Eve by saying sin would not separate her from God).

Today SATAN tells people that
Christ does not save His people from their sins,
that God does not purify His people, even as He is pure,
that God does not cleanse His people from all sin,
that God does not deliver us from the evil one,
that God does not keep us from falling,
that God does not save the faithful to the uttermost,
and the list goes on.

To doubt God's saving grace is sin.
To exalt sin above the saving grace of God is sin.

So, some people think they honor God by denying His ability to save His people from their sins, but they are sinning and dishonoring God. It is better to believe the Bible than to believe those who contradict the Bible.

It does not take any grace to sin.

It takes the grace of God to not sin.

Saving grace does not lead us to sin.

It leads us away from sin, it empowers us to not sin.

To turn back to sin is to fall from grace.

A sinning life is a graceless life.

The presence of sin is the absence of grace.
Living by faith is living in grace.

Grace is not a cheap cover up, it is is a costly and miraculous transformation.

Grace removes and replaces sin, it does not coexist with sin.

Grace is manifested in righteousness, not in sin.

Grace does not exist or abound where sin continues.

Grace perfects, establishes, strengthens and settles us, whereas sin ruins, destabilizes, weakens and disrupts us.

04/17/12 LEAVE A GOOD LEGACY

I dreamed about a deceased relative last night.

Actually, I had really loved this person, but his lack, neglect, rejection of God through the years finally boasted that he was going to hell and was not worried about it, because that is where his friends are. I tried to explain the futility of his argument. Unless he finally repented and believed on Christ, he will spend eternity with "friends" who neither love him nor can comfort him.

Now is the accepted time... call upon Him (Christ) while He is near.

2 Corinthians 6:2
(2) (For he [God] saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

Isaiah 1:18
(18) Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Isaiah 55:6-7
(6) Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
(7) Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

SOBERING THOUGHT...
When we read the last verses of 2 Corinthians, chapter 5, with the first verse of chapter 6, we see that God provides reconciliation through Christ and offers it to the unsaved through the ministry of His children (5:18-20). However, God clearly says that a person has the ability to reject His reconciliation. This is called, receiving the grace of God in vain (6:1). Though the grace of God is not vain (empty, purposeless) it becomes vain to the person who does not choose to live in, and by, the grace of God.

2 Corinthians 5:18-20
(18) And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
(19) To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
(20) Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
2 Corinthians 6:1
(1) We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

God said a person can fail or fall short of the grace of God. The word, "fail" or "fall back" indicates that the person has turned from something previously attained.
Hebrews 12:14-15
(14) Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
(15) Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

God also said if a person has turned from trusting Christ for salvation, to trusting the works of the flesh, he is fallen from the grace of God.
Galatians 5:4
(4) Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

God said, again, a person can be sanctified and then trod under foot the Son of God and count the blood of the covenant as unholy. This person insults the very Spirit of grace (the Holy Spirit), Whom he had previously received (see also Hebrews 6:4-6).
Hebrews 10:28-31
(28) He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
(29) Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
(30) For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
(31) It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

08/22/12 A UNIQUE BUT POPULAR POSITION

Recently in discussions, I find that people think it is the norm to plan for spiritual defeat (sin) and then not be surprised or disappointed when failure (sin) takes place in the Christian life. I don't know any other area of life where focused people take this viewpoint concerning failure, as in relationships or business or sports, for instance. Some things are beyond our ability to control; sin is not one of them. He came to save us from our sins and to take away our sin. A savior that does not save from sin, does not save.

We cannot control the constants and the variables of life. We cannot stop Satan from attacking us. We cannot determine another person's response or actions. But we can determine whether we will yield to temptation or not.

Resisting temptation is not an inherent ability available to the natural man, but it is a supernatural ability that comes from God. Obviously men can sin; sinning takes no grace at all. What has become less obvious with the spread of sinning religion in our society is that believers can sin not, which is what saving grace is all about.

It is interesting, God's grace is sufficient to keep some people from continuing in less dramatic infractions of God's law, for a lifetime: such as worrying, gossiping, drug use, lying, profanity. Likewise, God's grace is sufficient to keep some people from continuing in major and abominable sins, for a lifetime; such as polygamy, sodomy, pedophilia, murder, bestiality, idolatry. There is no sin so small or so great that the grace of God cannot deliver a person from committing it, for a lifetime. Still, sinning religion continues to say that God does not enable believers to sin not in this present evil world.

The Scripture contradicts the claim of Satan, the claim of sinning religion, the claim of misinformed but sincere believers that sin is inevitable. Personal experience confirms the fact that God's grace abounds much more than sin, and that God keeps those who keep their faith in Christ.

Sin is not inevitable within the next ten seconds. Sin is not inevitable within the next five minutes. Sin is not inevitable within the next hour. If God cannot, does not keep His people from sinning for one hour, or five minutes, or ten seconds, then God has no saving power and there are no saved people. If He is able and if He actually does keep His people from sinning for any short period of time, He is able, and He will keep His people from sinning for an extended period of time. If a believer lives without sinning for a moment, it is only by the grace of God. The grace of God is not exhausted in a moment, in an hour or in a day. The grace of God does not fail those who trust in the Lord.

Yet, people continue to sing the praises of sin. Why treat the pursuit of holiness of heart and life as though it is a fantasy? Why treat those who yield to God's rule, who live as more than conquerors, live victoriously, live triumphantly by keeping God's commands and doing those things that are pleasing in His sight, as though they are liars? Why honor Satan as though he has greater power than God?

JUST TO MAKE IT EASY: In order to sin not, you don't have to resist temptation for the next twenty five years, or the next ten years or the next year, or the next month, or the next week, or the next day, or the next hour, or the next ten minutes, or the next minute, or even the next moment. All you have to do is resist temptation NOW.

05/13/12 IT TAKES GRACE

It does not take any grace to be bound by legalism.
It does not take any grace to be the slave of sin.

It does take God's grace to be a servant of righteousness.
Read Romans 6.

Romans 6:1-23
(*1) What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
(2) God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
(3) Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
(4) Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
(5) For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
(6) Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
(7) For he that is dead is freed from sin.
(8) Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
(9) Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
(10) For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
(11) Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(12) Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
(13) Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
(*14) For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
(*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.
(23) For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

07/09/12 UTTERMOST SALVATION

It makes me sad to know there are "Christians" who do not experience the continual power of God that delivers them from temptation, sin and a corrupted heart.
It makes me even sadder that they are not sad to the point of wanting, seeking and believing God for "Uttermost" salvation.

Until they are dissatisfied with their carnal life, they will never seek the life of walking in the light, living in the Spirit, resting in the Lord. Today is a great day to explore the possibilities of making Jesus your sole, soul purpose.

UTTERMOST SALVATION
Hebrews 7:25
(25) Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

UNLIKE ROMAN RELIGION
The Jesus of the Bible died only one time, unlike Roman Catholicism's Jesus, who dies every time the priest says the Mass.
The Roman religion teaches that the wafer/bread is the ACTUAL body of Christ, and every time it is SACRIFICED on the table/ALTER, Christ dies again.
The Roman religion teaches that the cup/wine is the ACTUAL blood of Christ, and every time it is SACRIFICED on the table/ALTER, Christ dies again.

I am not misrepresenting this idolatrous teaching. According to Roman religion, the bread and the wine are not symbols or representatives of the body of Christ, they say it "becomes the actual body, blood and deity of Christ."

UNLIKE SINNING RELIGION
Sinning religion is correct when it says that Jesus died only once, and that His death is sufficient. However, God's plan of salvation is not simply what Jesus did on the cross and rising from the tomb for us, but what He does in us because we come to the Father, by Jesus (continuously, repeatedly coming through faith).

He died once, but He lives continually to make intercession for those who are coming to Him. If we only come one time, and then we
fail to CLEAVE TO, REMAIN LOYAL TO the LORD (Ac. 11:23), or
fail to CONTINUE IN the GRACE OF GOD (Ac. 13:43), or
fail to CONTINUE IN, PERSIST IN the FAITH (Ac. 14:22),
He does not make intercession for us.
We are cleansed from all sin, only as we walk in the light as He is in the light (1 Jn. 1:7).

Not only are believers initially saved by grace through faith (Ep. 2:8-10),
the Bible says the just (the justified, the righteous) shall live (continue) by faith (Ro. 1:17; He. 10:38).

God's provision of salvation through Christ's death and resurrection is a one and done, reality. Our personal salvation is a walk the talk, reality (2 Jn. 1:6).

Christ died once, He rose from the dead and continues to live as our High Priest, making intercession for those who come to Him. This intercession is not only for forgiveness, but for cleansing, empowering and every blessing that is included in the atonement. He saves us to the UTTERMOST.

VERSES...
Acts 11:23
(23) Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.

Acts 13:43
(43) Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

Acts 14:22
(22) Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

1 John 1:7
(7) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Ephesians 2:8-10
(8) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
(9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.
(10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Romans 1:17
(17) For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Hebrews 10:38
(38) Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

2 John 1:6
(6) And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.

12/21/11 GOD'S GRACE AND GOOD WORKS

Through His Holy Spirit, God gives us grace that not only saves us from sin, but equips us for every good work. Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit, went about doing good (Acts 10:38). Those who have grace go about doing good; those who just talk about grace, just go about. (see verses in comment below).

GOD'S ABOUNDING GRACE ENABLES ABOUNDING GOOD WORKS
2 Corinthians 9:8
(8) And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

SPIRITUAL FULLNESS RESULTS IN GOOD WORKS
Colossians 1:9-11
(9) For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
(10) That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
(11) Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

GOD'S GRACE ESTABLISHES US IN GOOD WORKS
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
(16) Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
(17) Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

GOOD WORKS, A WAY OF LIFE
1 Timothy 5:10
(10) Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

TURNING FROM SIN ESSENTIAL TO GOOD WORKS
2 Timothy 2:19, 21
(19) Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
(21) If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

THOSE WITHOUT GOOD WORKS ARE WITHOUT GOD
Titus 1:15-16
(15) 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.
(16) They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

BELIEVERS ARE CALLED TO EVERY GOOD WORK
Titus 3:1
(1) Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

THE RESURRECTED CHRIST MAKES US PERFECT IN GOOD WORKS
Hebrews 13:20-21
(20) Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
(21) Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

12/13/10 SS CLASS... SIN AND DEATH CAME BY ADAM, GRACE AND LIFE CAME BY JESUS.

Romans 5:12-21 overview
(12, 14) Adam generated corruption in human family (sinful by nature, sinners by action); Sin brings death. Christ regenerates redeemed human family.
(15-20) Grace reigns over sin. Grace is as universal as sin. Grace is greater than sin.

CHRIST CAME BY VIRGIN BIRTH TO OFFER LIFE THROUGH NEW BIRTH.

SOME THOUGHTS...
(12) Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
DLG Notes...
Adam's disobedience to God separated him from God. Since God is the Fountainhead of life, Adam separated himself from life. Death entered the human family when Adam sinned.

Adam's sin also corrupted his condition, and as the head of the human family he passed his corrupted condition to all of his offspring. Notice, Adam was created in the image of God, but later we read that Seth was in the image of his father Adam. David recognized his fallen condition when he said that he was, "shaped in iniquity."

We have all followed the tendency of our sinful (Adamic) nature and we haev all sinned against God, thus separating ourselves from God.

(13) (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
(14) Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
DLG notes...
Between the time of Adam and Moses people were sinning against the revealed, though unwritten, law of God; otherwise there would have not been sin. However, the human race was filled with sin from Adam until Moses; Cain killed Abel; Lamech (son of Methuselah) was a multiple murderer and a bigamist; the sons of God (those raised in a godly background), lusted after the daughters of men (those raised in a godless background); the entire antediluvian world sinned; Ham sinned against his father, Noah; Sodom and Gomorrah was filled with perversion; the pagan world worshiped false gods (Egyptians, Canaanites, Assyrians, Chaldeans).

(15) But not as the offense, so also is the free gift. For if through the offense of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
(16) And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offenses unto justification.
DLG notes...
Though one sin polluted the entire human race, God's gift of grace, through Jesus Christ, satisfies God's justice for all sins, of all times and all people.

The "many" that died because of Adam's sin are the same "many" that God provides the "free gift."

Many is in reference to the unlimited masses, not a limited segment. It is the same "many."

(15) But not as the offense, so also is the free gift. For if through the offense of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
(16) And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offenses unto justification.
DLG notes...
Death came upon the whole human family because of Adam's sin; likewise life is provided for the entire human family through the grace of God, when Christ died, not only for Adam's sin, but for all men's sins.

Adam was the fountainhead of death for the entire human race and Jesus is the fountainhead of life for the entire human race. The Scripture makes it clear that this justification comes to those who receive it by faith in Jesus. Paul had just said, in verse 1, that we are justified by faith.

(17) For if by one man's offense death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
DLG notes...
Jesus had told Paul, at his conversion, that his ministry was to open the eyes of the Gentiles, turn them from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to God, THAT THEY MIGHT RECEIVE FORGIVENESS OF SINS. There are CONDITIONS attached to RECEIVING forgiveness, justification, from God.

(18) Therefore as by the offense of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
DLG notes...
Paul clearly states that judgment for Adam's sin came upon ALL men, likewise, the righteousness of Jesus as a free gift comes upon all men.

(19) For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
(20) Moreover the law entered, that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
DLG notes...
Again, the many that were made sinners (because they yielded to their Adamic nature and sinned), is the same MANY that shall be made righteous, by faith.

Whereas the victims of Adam's sinful choice had no choice in becoming sinners, all those who hear the gospel have a choice in becoming saints.

No one had a choice about becoming a sinner, but all have a choice about receiving redemption.

05/29/10 BETWEEN LEGALISM AND LIBERTINISM

TWO PROBLEMS
1- Legalism is a person's attempt to be good enough to earn salvation through their own good works and when a person lives in bondage to rules and regulations, denying the victory Christ affords him/her.
2- Libertinism is when a person has sin in his/her life but does not or will not recognize it as sin and therefore does not confess and repent of that sin.

PROBLEM SOLVED THROUGH BIBLICAL BALANCE...
Between Legalism and Libertinism is the Life of Love, from a Pure Heart
1 Timothy 1:5
5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
1 Peter 1:22
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:

LOVE FULFILLS MORAL RESPONSIBILITY
Romans 13:8, 10
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loves another hath fulfilled the law.
10 Love works no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Galatians 5:14
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

WE ALSO KNOW LOVE CANNOT BE REALIZED ASIDE FROM THE GRACE OF GOD, ACTIVE IN OUR LIVES
2 Corinthians 8:7
7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.

2 Corinthians 13:14
14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

Ephesians 6:24
24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

1 Timothy 1:14
14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

Titus 2:14
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.

GRACE DELIVERS FROM ALL SIN
Romans 6:14
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Titus 2:11-12
11 For the grace of God that brings 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;

Hebrews 4:16
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

James 4:6-7
6 But he gives more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resists the proud, but gives grace unto the humble.
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

1 Peter 5:10
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you.

WHEN WE TRUST HIM FULLY, HE CLEANSES FROM ALL SIN, SO THAT WE BECOME PURE, EVE AS HE IS PURE
2 Corinthians 7:1
1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

1 John 1:7, 9
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 3:3
3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure.

SINNERS CLEANSE THEIR HANDS FROM EVIL DEEDS AND CHRISTIANS PURIFY THEIR HEARTS FROM DOUBLE MINDEDNESS
Psalms 24:3-4
3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?
4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

James 4:8
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

THE HEART IS PURIFIED BY THE INFILLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, AS ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST
Acts 15:9
9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

WHEN THE HEART IS PURE, WE CAN LOVE GOD WITH THE WHOLE HEART, MIND, SOUL AND STRENGTH AND LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR AS OURSELVES
Matthew 5:43-48
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Matthew 22:37-40
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

AN EXAMPLE OF LEGALISM...
Legalism is when we add laws of commission or omission to the revealed word of God, in order to be saved. The Jews believed they must keep the sacrificial, dietary and ritualistic laws in order to be in a right relationship with God. Therefore, Peter allowed himself to be brought into the bondage of keeping Jewish laws. Paul confronted him and rebuked him for this.

Galatians 2:11-21
(11) But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. (12) For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. (13) And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. (14) But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? (15) We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, (16) Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. (17) But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. (18) For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. (19) For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. (20) I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (21) I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Galatians 3:1-2
(1) O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? (2) This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

07/19/10 PM SERVICE... Where We Stand Is Essential To Moving The World For Christ
(in Grace, the Gospel, Faith, Liberty, Victory, Unity, Lord, Perfection, Revelation).

Christians are Transformed and Transported into a place of service.
Believers actually Stand in right relationship with God, they are not simply "seen through Christ" as "standing" in a right relationship with God.
God is not deceived, God's Count is Accurate

God uses vessels that are Holy and Useful. I underlined for emphasis. (READ CAREFULLY).

2 Timothy 2:19-21
(19) Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
(20) But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
(21) If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

DLG...
We must be delivered from sin if we want to rescue others from sin. Drowning men do not save drowning men. Where we stand with God determines how much we can help other people.

WE MUST STAND IN GRACE (Ro. 5:2; 1 Pe. 5:10-12)...
Romans 5:2
(2) By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

1 Peter 5:10-12
(10) But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
(11) To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
(12) By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.

We Must Start In Grace And Continue In Grace...
Acts 13:43
(43) Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

Galatians 1:6
(6) I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

Galatians 5:4
(4) Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

WE MUST STAND IN THE GOSPEL (1 Co. 15:1)...
1 Corinthians 15:1
(1) Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

DLG...
Notice that we must RECEIVE AND CONTINUE TO STAND IN THE GOSPEL. Don't be moved away from the atoning death and resurrection of Christ.

WE MUST STAND IN FAITH (1 Co. 16:13; 2 Co. 1:24;)...
1 Corinthians 16:13
(13) Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

2 CORINTHIANS 1:24
24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.

We Must Continue In The Faith...
ACTS 14:22
22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

WE MUST STAND IN LIBERTY (Ga. 5:1)...
GALATIANS 5:1
1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hat made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

WE MUST STAND IN VICTORY (Ep. 6:11-14)...
EPHESIANS 6:11-14
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

WE MUST STAND IN UNITY (Ph. 1:27)...
PHILIPPIANS 1:27
27 Only let your conversation (conduct) be as it becomes the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

WE MUST STAND IN THE LORD (Ph. 4:1; 1 Th. 3:8)...
PHILIPPIANS 4:1
1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

1 THESSALONIANS 3:8
8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.

We Must Cleave To The Lord
ACTS 11:23
23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.

WE MUST STAND IN THE WILL OF GOD (Co. 4:12)...
COLOSSIANS 4:12
12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

WE MUST STAND IN THE REVELATION OF GOD (2 TH. 2:15)...
2 Thessalonians 2:15
15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions, which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

DLG...
TRADITIONS are the truths of God, handed down from the fathers.

WE ARE SAVED TO BE SANCTIFIED AND SANCTIFIED TO SERVE. We cannot rescue those who are overcome by sin if we are overcome by sin. This is why we must stand, remain, be firm in the blessings of God.

We actually stand in a right relationship with God, we are not simply “counted” as being in a right relationship with God. God does not pretend that we are delivered from sin, He delivers us from sin. We do not have a Righteous Standing and a Sinful State of being. We actually have a holy standing with God, because His blood cleanses from all sin.