Faith In Jesus Christ: That Perfect Understanding

"James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings. My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." (James 1:1-8)

First off, I presume the faith that James mentions is not just anything that comes to mind; but is revelation from the Father, regarding his Son, Jesus Christ, so that we can believe in Him! I presume that this is the template for all of the body of Christ. Once the revelation of Jesus Christ dawns on you, the Father expects you to devote yourselves to it so He can continue to build. It is the joy of the Lord to walk just a He walked; to be conformed to His image. This gives answer to why God gives liberally and without reproach yet when you don't devote yourselves to His wisdom (doubting), He gives you no more until you repent to this faith in the Son. 

Through this process, double-mindedness is swallowed by single-mindedness. Single-minded faith in Jesus Christ is the righteous fruit of "the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints..."(Ephesians 1:17,18). It is perfect understanding because it provides strength to remain and become complete in it! Glory to God on earth in the name of Jesus Christ! 

Born of God, He Did Not Sin

"Then Mary said to the angel, 'How can this be, since I do not know a man?' And the angel answered and said to her, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God."  (Luke 1:34,35)

"For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified." (Romans 8:29,30)

"And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God." (1 John 3:5-9)

The devil had sinned in departing from the Highest. Those who are being born (made) of God understand that departure from the gospel of Jesus Christ is sin. The power of the Highest overshadows the body of Christ so that no flesh should glory in His presence; His seed remains in them.

Let No One Deceive You

"For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house not greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds." (2 John v.7-11)

What is the doctrine of Christ and how could this elect lady (2 John v.1) and her children transgress? Certainly the doctrine of Christ is His life lived as the Son of God, which we are called to as His body. Satan tempted Jesus to use His anointing from the Father to help Himself; to test the Father's faithfulness to protect maliciously; and to worship Satan himself (Matthew 4:1-11). In essence, seeking to fulfill any carnal or prideful consideration (veiled as 'good' or 'reasonable' things) is the way Lucifer became Satan. To this elect lady and her children, who seem to be representative of a body of Christ, they should recognize any other doctrine and resist unyieldingly, because some other doctrines sound pleasing, but universally cause departure from Jesus' testimony.

"O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was CLEARLY PORTRAYED AS CRUCIFIED?" (Galatians 3:1)

Clearly portrayed by whom? These Galatians were not around when Jesus Christ was crucified. The Truth was portrayed by Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ!

The Gift Of Righteousness: God’s Trust Fund

"For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we SHALL BE SAVED FROM WRATH THROUGH HIM. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, MUCH MORE, having been reconciled, we SHALL BE SAVED BY HIS LIFE. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God THROUGH our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have received the reconciliation." (Romans 5:6-11)

A trust fund is set up by an entity that has something, wants to give it to someone but places qualifications for the receiving of it, usually age, which may be considered an indication of maturity. It is a free gift as without the funder the funded would have nothing to receive. The receiver did not provide the fund for themselves; the funder did. The free gift of righteousness from God is His fund, through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ it is allotted."For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have in abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into outer darkness." (Matthew 25:29,30)

"For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the WORD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of FULL AGE, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."  

(Hebrews 5:12-14)

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, RESERVED IN HEAVEN FOR YOU, who are kept by the power of God THROUGH FAITH FOR SALVATION ready to be revealed in the last time." (1 Peter 1:3-5)

God's trust fund is allotted through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. It is allotted by our adherence to His testimony.

Shrewd, Yet Not Accepted Luke 16:1-13

"He also said to His disciples: 'There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods. So he called him and said to him, "What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward." ' Then the steward said within himself, "What shall I do? For my master is taking the stewardship away from me. I cannot dig; I am ashamed to beg. I have resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they shall receive me into their houses."

"So he called every one of his master's debtors to him, and said to the first, 'How much do you owe my master?' And he said, 'A hundred measures of oil.' So he said to him, 'Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.' Then he said to another, 'And how much do you owe?' So he said, 'A hundred measures of wheat.' And he said to him, 'Take your bill, and write eighty.'

"So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light. And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that WHEN you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home. He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in what is another man's, who will give to you what is your own? No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."

So we have a steward who was wasting his master's goods. When he is found out, he "resolves" to approach "debtors" rather than his master to make a place for himself. The steward's "shrewdness" has a short-lived benefit: a place of temporary comfort with the debtors. Friendship along these lines will fail. It would have been better for that steward had he repented toward his master and done all he could to rectify his wastefulness, no matter the cost.

"If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it." (Genesis 4:7)

If You Eat Like That, Some Will Be Left With Nothing

"Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you. Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord's Supper. For in eating, EACH ONE takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you. (1Corinthians 11:17-22)

The Thanksgiving Day gathering is near. After preparation for the meal is complete, all gathered wait for the go ahead to partake. Normally, the one in charge of preparing the table is also the one that gives the permission to begin eating. Everyone at the gathering waits for that permission, yet once permission is granted, each partakes as they desire. Some like dark turkey meat, others like 

cranberries; some like mashed potatoes, others like the turkey dressing. It is understood, each enjoys according to their individual tastes. There also are differences with regard to how people eat: some slowly, others quickly. Without question, once the meal has been prepared, there is very little regard to what another is doing. Each one is focuses on what they want, at their speed. Nevertheless, the one who has prepared the table seems to notice what each one eats and how much of any dish is left over.

It is evident that Paul is admonishing the Corinthian church that partaking of the Lord's Supper should be different than physically eating a meal. It seems he is stressing the importance of partaking worthily, rather than unworthily. There are those who enter church having made themselves ready for it. There are those who enter in unprepared. They have not learned how yet, or are handling what they have learned without devotion. I think Paul is showing the Corinthians that we don't want to discard those who are not yet ready for the Bread of God, the Living Bread. He teaches us how to provide the way for readiness through the keys of the kingdom (Mark 11:22-26; Luke 17:1-6; John 15:1-8). The results will be fewer leaving the gathering with nothing.

"Therefore, whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgement to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgement." (1 Corinthians 11:27-33)

He Who Enters By The Door Is The Shepherd Of The Sheep

John 9:39-41, 10:1-16

"For judgement I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind. Then some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these words, and said to Him, 'Are we blind also?' Jesus said to them, 'If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, 'We see.' Therefore your sin remains."

" 'Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But HE WHO ENTERS BY THE DOOR is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet THEY WILL BY NO MEANS FOLLOW A STRANGER, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.' Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which Jesus spoke to them."

"Then Jesus said to them again, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay My life down for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd."


Jesus draws distinction between the hireling and the good shepherd. The substance of the hireling is "We see!", similar to "We already know!".  That sentiment is what causes those in the church age to "climb up another way". Rest in the fact that He, Jesus Christ, knows the way because He forged it to the glory of His Father. The substance of the shepherd is "Lord! Show us how to walk to and through your door!”

Give Attention To His Words

"My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to all their flesh." (Proverbs 4:20-22)

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105)

Recently, as a result of a consideration to advance the ministry to which I feel called (you know, to help God in that which He needs 

none), I was sitting in front of an establishment, readying myself to enter for hot morning drinks for my wife and myself. I was recognizing that what I thought might have been a good idea was just another confidence in the flesh, a transgression. Sharper than any two-edged sword, the Most High spoke to me by His indwelling Spirit:

My words are a light unto YOUR path;
My words are a lamp unto YOUR feet;
My words are life to YOU as YOU find them;
My words are health to all YOUR flesh.(Especially to that flesh that could launch out to what seems reasonable, instead of letting Him add it to you.)

I sensed the Lord saying that His Body is called to the same path He walked. It is important to be made just like Him. He is the door to the Father and to the sheepfold. Going up some other way makes you a thief and a robber, harming the sheep.

"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant (self-controlled, watchful) because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the TRUE GRACE of God in which you stand."  (1 Peter 5:6-12)

In the true grace of God is the place to be.

Why Not Pray About Sin Leading To Death?

"If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that."             (1 John 5:16)

"If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; FOR THIS IS THE WITNESS OF GOD WHICH HE HAS TESTIFIED OF HIS SON. He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. And this is the testimony: that God has given us (John, Peter, Paul, James etc.), and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe on the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life,  AND THAT YOU MAY CONTINUE TO BELIEVE IN THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD. Now this is the confidence that we (J,P,P,J etc.) have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him."  (1 John 5:9-15) 

"We know that whoever is born (made by) God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. We (J,P,P,J etc.) know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen." (1 John 5:18-21)

"But may the God of all grace, who called us  (J,P,P,J etc.) to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle YOU. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that THIS IS THE TRUE GRACE OF GOD IN WHICH YOU STAND. (1 Peter 5:10-13)

So, why not pray for a brother whose sin is leading to death? Because that one has transgressed "the true grace of God" in which believers must stand. They are failing to turn toward His commandments. These must understand why there is a vacancy of "the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man (which) avails much"(James 5:16). Here, "judgement begin (s) at the house of God". When the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?"(1 Peter 4:17,18)

You "make Him a liar" to the ungodly and the sinner when you WON'T keep His grace, His commandments, His words!

He Himself Is Our Peace

"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to CREATE IN HIMSELF one new man from the two, THUS MAKING PEACE, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father." (Ephesians 2:13-18)

"But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. NOW the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who MAKE PEACE." (James 3:17,18) We NOW make peace as His body through His words from the Father; His commandments (not ordinances) from the Father; the sufficiency of His grace from the Father.

"To me (Paul), who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, ACCORDING TO THE ETERNAL PURPOSE WHICH HE ACCOMPLISHED IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory." (Ephesians 3:8-13)

Through the message of the cross of Jesus Christ, Him crucified and risen, Paul was living "the fellowship of the mystery" so "the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church". An apostle of Jesus Christ, he was becoming a fellow servant and of the brethren who have the testimony of Jesus! (Rev. 19:10) 

Shortsighted In Your Faith?

(2 Peter 1:1-11)

"Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained likewise precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."

"But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins."

"Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

Have you forgotten that, or how, you were cleansed from your old sins? It was by the life lived by Jesus Christ and, ultimately, His cross. Those Peter was addressing had "obtained like precious faith with us (Peter, John, James, Paul as examples)".  They, like those in Paul's letter to the Ephesians, had trusted in Him to begin by the gospel of salvation. They believed and were sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise. They were coming to the understanding of Jesus' calling. Now, with Peter's letter, they were becoming aware of the works of His calling to which they must "give all diligence". Any excuse for shortsightedness was being removed. He was explaining to them how to make their calling and election sure. The anointing of the Holy Spirit for the testimony of Jesus will show you how!

But We See Jesus

"But one testified in a certain place, saying:

'What is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that 
You take care of him? You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, and set him over the works of Your hands. You have put all things in subjection under his feet.'

'For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. BUT WE SEE JESUS, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which He is not ashamed to call them brethren,.." (Hebrews 2:6-11)

In the NKJV, the preface of the epistle to the Hebrews states that "many Jewish believers, having stepped out of Judaism into Christianity, want to reverse their course in order to escape persecution by their countrymen. The writer of Hebrews (presumed to be Paul) exhorts them to 'go on to perfection'."

"We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. And we know that the Son of God has come and given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourself from idols. Amen." (1 John 5:18-21)

Paul and John (and those following them) understood that those who were being born, or made by God so to speak, do not sin. They do not transgress (go ahead of; depart from; fall away) in the midst of the discomforting circumstances. They receive what "the God of all comfort" provides in the testimony of Jesus.

Some Of The Keys Of The Kingdom Of Heaven

"When they came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, 'Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?' So they said, 'Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.'

He said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?' Simon Peter answered and said, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' Jesus answered and said to him, 'Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, AND WHATEVER YOU BIND ON EARTH (with the keys) WILL BE (that which is) BOUND IN HEAVEN, AND WHATEVER YOU LOOSE ON EARTH WILL BE (that which is) LOOSED IN HEAVEN." (Matthew 16:13-19)

There is no fulfillment in exercises that produce no fruit. Conversely, there is fulfillment in any exercise that does. What kind of fruit am I talking about here? The fruit of righteousness in Christ!

Jesus instructs His disciples to say "to this mountain" (Mark 11:22-26), "to this mulberry tree" (Luke 17:1-6), and to "ask what you desire and it shall be done for you" (John 15:1-8). His teachings work to begin the process, and continue it, for justification (James 2:24), saving the soul of those who work these words. Work them, how? Read the verses, say what He said, and let the head of all things to the church show/reveal the how to do (them).

His words in Mark and Luke "bind" the workings of confidence in the flesh and offense in our hearts and minds. His words in John "loose" Him to continue to prune the branch in the true vine that you are, that it (you) may bear more, even much fruit of the vine! A very fulfilling exercise. As with any fruitful exercise, it worthy of continuing. Through this work of faith from Jesus Christ, no one will eat fruit from us but what has been formed from heaven.

Walking in Truth: The Doctrine of Christ (2 John v. 4-10)

"I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment (1 John 5:19-21) from the Father. And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we LOVE one another. This is LOVE, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it. For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we (you) do not lose those things we worked for, but that we (you) may receive a full reward. Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds."

The deceiver does not "confess" Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh; does not reveal Jesus Christ coming by/in circumstances; does not testify of Jesus Christ in the living of life. John teaches that love keeps His commandments. Whose commandments? Those that Jesus Christ kept!

Paul agrees. "But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss FOR the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things (all lusts of the flesh, eyes and pride of life), and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found (confessing Jesus Christ coming in his flesh) in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; THAT I MAY KNOW HIM AND THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION, AND THE FELLOWSHIP OF HIS SUFFERINGS, BEING CONFORMED TO HIS DEATH, IF, BY ANY MEANS, I MAY ATTAIN TO THE RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD." (Philippians 3:7-11)

John was not concerned that "the lady and her children" would consider that Jesus Christ, himself, had not come; but that they would transgress the understanding John had confessed, losing "a full reward" in bold print above.

Good for their sake. Good for others to see. A good confession!

Has Paul Therefore Become Your Enemy?

"Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth? They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them. But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you. My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you, I would like to be present with you now and change my tone; for I have my doubts about you."

(Galatians 4:16-20)

"You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel 

to you at the first. And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel (or messenger) of God, even as Christ Jesus. What then was the blessing you enjoyed?" (Galatians 4:13-15)

It appears that the Galatians willingly received Paul's message of the cross of Jesus Christ. It was when they started to pay a price for it, themselves "being crucified with Christ" (2:20) that they were tempted to be "made perfect by the flesh". Paul discusses Israel's experience with the law, which kept them under guard "till the Seed should come", but I am a Gentile who received Christ, having never been under the law. The Gentile's calling is to allow God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to separate them from the "wisdom" of this world. As we understand, Paul was sent to the Gentiles to advance the Way through them. As you allow Jesus Christ to set you apart from that "wisdom", those who remain attached to it will gradually separate themselves from you! The requirement of His calling had become more difficult than the blessing of hearing only! Yet, we must be doers of His words not hearers only, deceiving ourselves with activities that won't purify.

"Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the ENEMIES OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame - who set their mind on earthly things. For our (Paul and those who follow his example) citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, ACCORDING TO THE WORKING BY WHICH He is able even to subdue all things to Himself." (Philippians 3:17-21)

The Whole Family

"For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the WHOLE family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant YOU, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height - to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." (Ephesians 3:14-19)

whole- comprising the full quantity or amount; entire or total; complete; undivided; not fractional; not broken, damaged or impaired(part of definition found in Webster's College Dictionary)

"And He (the Father) put all things under His (Jesus Christ's) feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is HIS BODY, the fullness of Him who fills all in all." (Ephesians 1:22,23)

Make no mistake, His body, the church, is whole or becoming so. They are keeping His command to persevere. They are, or are becoming undivided within, pertaining to soul and spirit. They understand that His words, His commandments from the Father and His grace pertain to them under the lordship of He who finished the course.

"Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell upon the earth." (Revelation 3:10)

These are the WHOLE family; entire and complete in Him.

Whatever We Ask We Receive

"And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment." (1 John 3:22,23)

"You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend on your pleasures. Adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?" (James 4:3,4)

His commandment from the Father was to suffer unto death for His disciples so His disciples could do likewise for men; so men could do likewise for others. Without the cross of Jesus Christ, there would be no propitiation (appeasement) for the sins of mankind. How could we have received the opportunity to become one with the Father and the Son, who are One, unless Jesus first show His disciples the way?

"In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother." (1 John 3:10)

"In this the love of God was manifested toward us (John and those who witnessed it), that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. (1 John 4:9)

Jesus Christ directs the practice of righteousness toward God. He completed it and men saw it! When I played basketball, practice was a requirement. I had to go and didn't really mind it, but the coach directed it. If I had been directing it, the practices would have been shorter and, as a result, less effective for the players/team. I was good enough to play yet too immature to "direct practice".


.."that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full."(1 John 1:3,4) Amen.


"And we have seen and testify(not just in words, but deeds) that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world."(1 John 4:14)


"By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren."(1 John 3:16) How do we do that? The Lamb of God will show us!


What about the initial two verses? "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him."(1 John 5:14,15) If we ask the Lord Jesus Christ, whom the Father has made head over all things to the church, that He make His commandments, His words, His grace evident so we can follow His disciples, He will give us the desire of our heart: His calling and His inheritance.

Do You Know All Things?

"Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us. But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and YOU KNOW ALL THINGS. I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth. Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that He has promised us- eternal life. These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you 

CONCERNING ALL THINGS, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him." (1 John 2:18-27)

"My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, AND KNOWS ALL THINGS." (1 John 3:18-20) God knows what "all things" are!

Now we know that "all things" were made available to these "little children" from the beginning. John teaches that, with this truth, they can assure their hearts before God, setting their hearts at rest. Most of us have experienced that assuredness in Christ and the condemnation when we fall in various trials.

"And WE KNOW that ALL THINGS work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. What then shall we say to (all) these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us (His body) ALL THINGS?"(Romans 8:28-32)

If you read to the end of the chapter you have the opportunity to receive an understanding, with the anointing from the Holy One which brings joy. All (these) things are for your sake, and others.

Keeping His Commandments

"And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. NOW HE WHO KEEPS HIS COMMANDMENTS ABIDES IN HIM, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us." (1 John 3:23,24)

"looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him ENDURED THE CROSS, DESPISING THE SHAME, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)

"though He was a Son, He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been PERFECTED (becoming mature and complete toward His Father in righteousness), He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him." (Hebrews 5:8,9)

"For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrews 4:15)

Isaiah prophesied of Jesus: "He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth."(Isaiah 53:9)

Can FAITH in Jesus Christ (the revelation of Him) WITHOUT THE WORKS that perfected Him to become the author of eternal salvation, save us to the uttermost? For "He is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God THROUGH Him! (Hebrews 7:25)

Keeping His commands from the Father results in a soul that "cannot sin" (1 John 3:9) because that soul is "practicing righteousness" (1 John 3:7) by "abiding in Him"(1 John 3:6). 

Glory to God in the name of the Son!

Give The Body What It Needs (James 2:14-3:1

"What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Depart in peace, be warmed and filled', BUT YOU DO NOT GIVE THEM THE THINGS WHICH ARE NEEDED FOR THE BODY, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."


"But someone will say, 'You have faith, and I have works.' Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe- and tremble! But DO YOU WANT TO KNOW, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.' And he was called the friend of God."


"You see then that a man is JUSTIFIED BY WORKS, and not by faith only. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgement."


But, what about those verses in Ephesians that say "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we(Paul and all those who follow his gospel) are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them(2:8-10).


So, not of your faith and works, but faith and works in Him. Faith and works in Christ Jesus. Recently, the State of New York has decided to give tuition to residents at public colleges. It is a free gift; certainly a savings to those who would be paying for it! What they are not giving away is the available degrees. The student will have to work for those! I seem to be hearing regularly the "not of works" teaching. It seems like that is sending the naked and hungry away with good intentions. Teachers! Give them the things needed for the body of Christ to walk just as He walked!

Looking For and Hastening (To) 2 Peter 3:10-18

"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, LOOKING FOR AND HASTENING the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells." 

 

"Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; AND CONSIDER THAT THE LONGSUFFERING OF OUR LORD IS SALVATION - as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, BEWARE LEST YOU ALSO FALL FROM YOUR OWN STEADFASTNESS, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen." 

 

Peter mentions that Paul speaks of these things in his epistles and that some things are HARD to understand, yet clearly not impossible. In the gospel of John, Jesus teaches His followers that "he who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me and I in him" (John 6:56). "Many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, 'This is a HARD saying; who can understand it?' "(v.60) "From that time many of His disciples went back and followed Him no more." (v.66) 

 

Yet Peter said, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." (v.68) Not too HARD for him to understand! We know that Peter was yet to fall into a trial in denying Christ at the cross. Even in that, what the Father had revealed to Peter was enough to bring him to repentance. So, we of these latter days should follow our brethren, remaining steadfast in the longsuffering of the Lord: feeding on Him even though it could be considered hard. It is our salvation! Twisting the words spoken by these disciples will lead to destruction.

The Prayer of Faith and Fasting (Mark 9:14-29)

"And when He came to the disciples, He saw a great multitude around them, and scribes disputing with them. Immediately, when they saw Him, all the people were greatly amazed, and running to Him, greeted Him. And He asked the scribes, 'What are you discussing with them?' Then one of the crowd answered and said, 'Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not.' He answered him and said, 'O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me.' THEN THEY BROUGHT HIM (a son) TO HIM (the Son). And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth. So He asked his father, 'How long has this been happening to him?' And he said, 'From childhood. And often he has thrown both him into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us'.

"Jesus said to him, 'If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.' Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, 'Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!' When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it: 'Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you to come out of him and enter him no more!' Then the spirit cried out, convulsing him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, 'He is dead.' But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, 'Why could we not cast it out?' So He said to them, 'This kind comes out by nothing but prayer and fasting.'

The disciples could not cast out the spirit within the boy because, at the time, they did not recognize the root of the matter - the father's unbelief. In the presence of the Son of God, the father's approach to Jesus went from "Teacher" to "Lord". There are many teachers, but only one Lord! He was quick to evaluate Jesus' disciples' inability to help, and he was accurate. But, not so fast! Jesus started to inquire of the father. The father's last faithless request was met with the Lord's admonishment: 'If you can believe (Another version writes (If you can!), all things are possible to him who believes.' The father received the admonishment. His response: 'Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!'

Why hadn't Jesus dealt with the boy's ability to believe?

When the disciples inquired of Jesus as to why they could not cast out the unclean spirit, He instructed that a disciple's faithlessness comes out by nothing but prayer and fasting. The prayer (of faith in Christ Jesus) reminds the saint what it means to be a "fellow servant, and of the brethren who have the testimony of Jesus".(Revelation 19:10) Fasting is the process where, after one receives the revelation of His calling, the fruit of the "true vine" in each willing branch produces more, even much, fruit of it. Good news for the fasters: You don't call it and you don't end it. But, you will know when you are in it! Jesus Christ is Lord over it! Glory to the Father!

"You Are My Friends If You Do Whatever I Command You" John 15:14

Throughout the gospels, Jesus teaches the original twelve disciples those things that they must employ to become one with He and the 

Father, who are One. 

His disciples must "say to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea', and doubt it not in his heart, but believes that those 

things he says will be done (the removal of this mountain; the removal of any confidence in the flesh that he might have), he will have whatever he says." (Mark 11:23)

His disciples must "say to this mulberry tree, 'Be pulled up by the roots, and be planted in the sea', and it would obey you" (removing the roots of offense taken by the sin of a brother). 

(Luke 17:1-6)

His disciples: abiding in Him and His words abiding in them, "will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples." Earlier in that chapter, Jesus says, "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit." (John 15:1-8) Therefore, we MUST ask the vinedresser for His pruning, so that which is producing some fruit will produce much.

These works of faith in Christ Jesus will remove those things that are being shaken so "that the things which cannot be shaken may remain." Therefore, since WE ARE RECEIVING a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, BY WHICH we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear".  
(Hebrews 12:27,28)

His words and commands are backed by the grace, the empowerment, of His Father's kingdom. In these commands, He explains how to be free from the hindrance that resists His calling.

A Warning to the Righteous

"Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die; because you did not give him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he has done SHALL NOT BE REMEMBERED; but his blood I will require at your hand. Nevertheless if you warn the righteous man that the righteous should not sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live because he took warning; also you will have delivered your soul."

(Ezekiel 3:20,21)


iniquity- 1. gross INJUSTICE or wickedness. 2. a violation of right or DUTY; a wicked act; SIN. (In this Webster's College Dictionary definition, the word UNEVENNESS is also listed.)

"Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; so a BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name. 'They shall be Mine,' says the Lord of hosts, 'on the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him. Then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him." (Malachi 3:16-18)

"For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words (Grecian confidence in the flesh), lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, BUT TO US WHO ARE BEING SAVED it is the power of God. For it is written: 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.' Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish (to us) the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message (of the cross) to save those who believe. For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but WE preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." (1 Corinthians 1:17-25)

"FOR YOU SEE YOUR CALLING, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called." (1 Corinthians 1:26)

Do you see it? The message of the cross of Christ is saving those who believe, making them His body! The message of the cross of Christ makes those, who are being saved, His jewels!

Speak Comfort to Jerusalem Isaiah 40:1-8

"Comfort, yes, comfort My people! Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her, that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned; for she has received double for all her sins."

The voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill brought low; the crooked places shall be made straight and the rough places made smooth; the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken."

The voice said, "Cry Out!" And he said, "What shall I cry?" "All flesh is grass, And all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, because the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of the Lord stands forever."

The word of the Lord, now through faith in Jesus Christ, believing in Him, raises up those who are intimidated to deny not His name; brings low those confident in their flesh, turning their confidence from their supposed ability to Him; straightens the path of the double-minded; smoothing out those who are so rough that their good intentions are difficult to receive.

Those who are being conformed to the image of the Son of God recognize when they fall short as He leads them "out into the plain" from the too-high, too-low, crooked and rough. They receive James' admonishment: "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall in to various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience(perseverance). But let perseverance have perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."

(James 1:2-4)

These words comfort those devoted to reconciliation to God, now through faith in Jesus Christ; those who are devoted to becoming a "fellow servant, and among the brethren who have the testimony of Jesus".

If Indeed The Spirit of God Dwells in You

"For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, IF INDEED THE SPIRIT OF GOD DWELLS IN YOU. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His." (Romans 8:5-9)

dwell- to live or stay as a permanent resident, reside; to exist or continue in given condition or state
(Webster's College Dictionary)

"And if Christ is IN you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But IF THE SPIRIT OF HIM WHO RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD DWELLS IN YOU, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you."(Romans 8:10,11)

In the most recent study, we mentioned that the Spirit of God hovered over the face of the waters. When God spoke, the Spirit acted to create light. The Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary, creating the Son of God in a righteous Jewish girl. The earth had nothing to say about God's will to create (Genesis 1). We read that Mary had something to say when approached by the angel Gabriel: she didn't understand how she could conceive being a virgin. After Gabriel had explained, Mary responded to that revelation, believing. "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." (Luke 1:26-38) If Mary considered her own well-being rather than God's will, she could have doubted, believing not. She could have "made herself unready" for what God desired to bring through her. She could have been worried about what people would say. She could have been stoned for "apparent" fornication.

How is it then that Christ could be in you, yet the body dead because of sin? For we see that if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead DWELLS in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also GIVE LIFE TO YOUR MORTAL BODIES through His Spirit who dwells in you. The Holy Spirit, in the name Jesus Christ, hovers and overshadows the church. As Mary heard and agreed, so should we, to His work in us.

The Holy Spirit Hovers and Overshadows

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was HOVERING over the face of the waters. Then God said, 'Let there be light'; and there was light." (Genesis 1:1-3)

"Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, 'Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!' But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.' Then Mary said to the angel, 'How can this be, since I do not know a man?' And the angel answered and said to her, 'The Holy Spirit will COME UPON YOU, and the power of the Highest will OVERSHADOW YOU; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.' "(Luke 1:26-35)

We can see how the Highest's will is brought to pass by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. What God wills, introduces and overcomes natural phenomena. The Holy Spirit created light where there was darkness. The Holy Spirit overcame natural physical conception between mother and father to immaculately conceive the Son of God. In the new and everlasting covenant, He overcomes our souls, if we will understand and allow it. He desires to show us, and make us into His own special people, fellow servants and among those who have the testimony of Jesus. (Revelation 19:10) If we understand that and ask for Him, as opposed to what we think we want Him to do for us, the Holy Spirit "hovers" and "overshadows" to bring it forth!

How A House Of Prayer Becomes A Den Of Thieves

"So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple. Then He taught, saying to them, 'Is it not written, "My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it a 'den of thieves.' " (Mark 11:15-17)

Jesus continues on to help the twelve disciples to understand and to remove the mountain of their confidence in the law for righteousness.

"Then they came again to Jerusalem. And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to Him. And they said to Him, 'By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave you this authority to do these things?' But Jesus answered and said to them, "I also will ask you one question; then answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things: The baptism of John - was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me." And they reasoned among themselves, saying, 'If we say, "From heaven," He will say, "Why then did you not believe him?" 'But if we say, "From men' "- they feared the people, for all counted John to have been a prophet indeed. So they answered and said to Jesus, "We do not know." And Jesus answered and said to them, 'Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.' "


John the Baptist' ministry was to instruct the Jews that they must repent, for the kingdom of God was at hand. John was God's messenger that came to prepare them for His way and prior to His appearing. A baptism of repentance, readying them for God's way for the remission (payment and abatement) of sins. The Jews had, as we do today, a continuing devotion: approaching and turning to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; God the Father of Jesus Christ the Messiah, the Savior. Had the chief priests, scribes and elders received John's admonishment, there would have been none of the activities Jesus had to interrupt in the temple. The house would have been praying to God, crying out to Him day and night even though He bears long.


After his preparation, crying out to God for remission of sins and turning as he received instruction from above, John saw (clearly) Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29) Those who wouldn't receive John's ministry left with nothing more added, Jesus refusing to tell them anything more than what had already been spoken and, by them, left undone.

The Parable of the Wedding Feast (Matthew 21:42-46; 22:1-14)

"Jesus said to them, 'Have you never read in the Scriptures: 'The stone that the builders rejected, has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes'?' Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder."


"Now when the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables, they perceived that He was speaking of them. But when they sought to lay hands on Him, they feared the multitude, because they took Him for a prophet."


"And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said: 'The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who ARRANGED A MARRIAGE FOR HIS SON, and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come. Again, he sent out other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, "See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. COME TO THE WEDDING." ' But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them. But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy.' So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. AND THE WEDDING HALL WAS FILLED with guests. But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. So he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?' And he(the unclothed, I suppose) was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' For many are called, but few are chosen."


"Then a voice came from the throne, saying, 'Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!' And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, 'Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, FOR THE MARRIAGE OF THE LAMB HAS COME, AND HIS WIFE HAS MADE HERSELF READY.' And to her it was granted to be ARRAYED IN FINE LINEN (as opposed to being without the wedding garment), clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, 'Write. Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' And he said to me, 'These are the true sayings of God.' "(Revelation 19:5-9)


Many of the chief priests and Pharisees "made light of" the Way and continued in their service through the Law. Yet the voice from the throne implies that filling the hall with anyone who thinks they want to come won't work either; for He will be married to a bride that has made herself ready, clothed "in righteous acts".

This Man Had Enough To Finish

"Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, 'If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he HAS ENOUGH TO FINISH IT - lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, "This man began to build and was not able to finish it." Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.' " 

(Luke 14:25-33)

"For to everyone who HAS, more will be given, and he will HAVE abundance; but from him WHO DOES NOT HAVE, even what he has will be taken away." (Matthew 25:29)

"Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, 'Woman, behold your son!' Then He said to His disciple, 'Behold your mother!' And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home. After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, 'I thirst!' Now a vessel of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, 'It is finished!' And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit." (John 19:25-30)

Multitudes with Him, following the miraculous. Four with Him when He was on the cross. What will the body of Christ do when those who are greatly off begin to mock? Ask conditions of peace? Jesus teaches that He did not come to bring peace but a sword! The sword of the adherence to the will of His Father! His living words to man!

Until The Conversion Into What Has Been Purchased

"In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory." (Ephesians 1:13,14)

redeem - to buy or pay off; to recover by payment; TO CONVERT INTO (as defined, in part, by Webster's College Dictionary)

"In Him you also, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is (that "sealing") the down payment of our inheritance (Paul, Peter, John, James etc.) until the conversion in your hearts into that which has been paid for by Jesus Christ, to the praise of His glory." (An amplification of Ephesians 1:13,14)

Now, the inheritance. "In Him also we have (P,P,J,J etc.) OBTAINED an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory." (Ephesians 1:11,12)

God the Father had made known to them the mystery of His will. Jesus Christ: what He is, what was the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints is the exceeding great reward. They had become perfect and complete (James 1:2,3) in understanding and persevering in it.

Go Out Into The Plain

"Then the hand of the Lord was upon me there, and He said to me, 'Arise, go out into the plain, and THERE I SHALL TALK WITH YOU.'  So I arose and went out into the plain, and behold, the glory of the Lord stood there, like the glory which I saw at the River Chebar; and I fell on my face." (Ezekiel 3:22,23)

"Will I not in that day, says the Lord, even destroy the wise men from Edom, and understanding from the MOUNTAINS OF ESAU? Then your mighty men, O Teman, shall be dismayed to the end that everyone from the MOUNTAINS OF ESAU may be cut off by slaughter." (Obadiah v.8,9)

"This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the Lord of hosts. 'Who are you, O GREAT MOUNTAIN? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone with shouts of 'Grace, grace to it!' " (Zechariah 4:6,7)

"And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying: 'The voice of one crying in the wilderness; prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight, every valley shall be filled and EVERY MOUNTAIN AND HILL BROUGHT LOW; the crooked places shall be made straight, and the rough ways smooth; and all flesh see the salvation of God.' "(Luke 3:3-6)

The "mountains of Esau" describe an attitude of unrepentant confidence in the flesh; a carnal mind. Esau and his descendants, the Edomites, wanted no part of the testimony of Jacob and his descendants, the Israelites. What the Father was showing Jacob and his descendants to do was to go out into the plain: free from ambiguity and evasion(Malachi 3:17,18). If we allow the Father, through faith in Jesus Christ by the Spirit of Christ to show us the way to leave this mountain behind and go out into the plain, there He will show us how to ascend, with Him, on Mount Zion, where "there shall be deliverance (or salvation), and there shall be holiness." (Obadiah v.17)

" My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."(2 Corinthians 12:9)

Hedging With The Son Of God

hedge - to mitigate a possible loss by counterbalancing; to avoid commitment by evasive statements (two of many definitions in Webster's College
Dictionary)

"Then they came to Jerusalem. And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to Him. And they said to Him, 'By what authority are You doing these things (Mark 11:15-17)? And who gave You this authority to do these things?' But Jesus answered and said to them, 'I also will ask you one question; then answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things: The baptism of John--was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me'. And THEY REASONED AMONG THEMSELVES, saying, 'If we say, "From heaven", He will say, Why then did you not believe him? But if we say, "From men" ' --they feared the people, for all counted John to have been a prophet indeed. So they answered and said to Jesus, 'WE DO NOT KNOW.' And Jesus answered and said to them, 'Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.' "(Mark 11:27-33)

There could have been a much better result to come from their confrontation. Jesus, by the Spirit of Christ, knew their hearts--that they had not been willing to receive the baptism of John: the baptism of repentance toward God, making themselves ready to receive Israel's Messiah. Reasoning amongst themselves and fearing the people resulted in less, rather than more, of Him. Jesus goes on to explain, by the Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers (Mark 12:1-11) what judgement they were approaching. These men were making friends for themselves, by unrighteousness, with those whose eternal home is not heaven, nor can ever be.

We Must Esteem Him

"Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; and when we see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him. He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised and we did not esteem Him. Surely He has borne our griefs and carried away our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted." (Isaiah 53:1-4)

"But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed."(Isaiah 53:5)

If we find ourselves consistently transgressing (violating His commands), iniquitous (involved in gross wickedness or injustice), restless and/or sick, we must consider that we are not esteeming Him as we should. The reconciliation of these things comes through faith in Jesus Christ, believing. We must understand and partake worthily of communion with Him.

"O you afflicted one, tossed with tempest, and not comforted. Behold, I WILL LAY your stones with colorful gems, and lay your foundations with sapphires. I WILL MAKE your pinnacles of rubies, your gates of crystal, and your walls of precious stones. All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children. In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you. Indeed they shall surely assemble, but not because of Me. Whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake." (Isaiah 54:11-15)

The most recent study discussed 'a made man is assured of success'. IT IS ALL in the making! We will remain unmade and bothered if we hide our faces from Him.

 

A Made Man Is Assured Of Success!

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were MADE through Him, and without Him nothing was MADE that was MADE. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend (overcome) it." (John 1:1-5)

"There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was MADE through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become the children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God (MADE OF GOD). And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:6-14)

made- assured of success (one of seven definitions for this word in Webster's College Dictionary)

I could say that all things were assured of success through Him; not just anything would be assured of success, but that which has been assured, could be, only through Him.

What things? "For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified."(Romans 8:29,30)

The people that inhabit the earth have been "assured of success" because of, through, with and in Jesus Christ. They are more likely to see if we, who are predestined and called, also are justified and glorified through faith in Jesus Christ, believing.

Sparing Not The Son(s)

"He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge (to ask as a price or fee; to lay a command or injunction upon; to fill or refill so as TO MAKE READY FOR USE) against God's elect (v.29,30)? It is God who justifies! Who is he who condemns? (to judge or pronounce to be unfit for use or service). It is Christ who died and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: 'For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.' Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." (Romans 8:32-37)

Notice! We are more than conquerors THROUGH Him who loved us. He can/will show us what that means. Who brings the charge? God who justifies! Who is he who condemns? Christ who died! We know that there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." (Romans 8:1) 

Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword separate us from the love of Christ? You ask yourself that! At what price will you turn away? These THINGS (Romans 8:28) come to separate us from He who is HEAD of ALL THINGS to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all (these things; Ephesians 1:22,23); and have, and will depending upon what we say to them! (Romans 8:31)

God charges us, bringing the requirement. Jesus Christ shows us the way, the truth and the life IN ALL THESE THINGS! Assuredly, by the Holy Spirit, we know when we are fit for the Master's use. If unfit or unready, our heart, by the same Holy Spirit, condemns us. 

(Definitions within initial paragraph are from Webster's College Dictionary)

Don't Take Your Own Supper Ahead Of...

"Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you and in part I believe it. For there must be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you. Therefore (regarding those unapproved factions) when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord's Supper. For in eating, EACH ONE TAKES HIS OWN SUPPER AHEAD OF others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those you have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you. For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, 'Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.' In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes."  

(1 Corinthians 11:17-26)

"Therefore, whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgement to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. THEREFORE, MY BRETHREN, WHEN YOU COME TOGETHER TO EAT, WAIT FOR ONE ANOTHER. BUT IF ANYONE IS HUNGRY, LET HIM EAT AT HOME, LEST YOU COME TOGETHER FOR JUDGEMENT." 

(1 Corinthians 11:27-34)

Very important that the church, when we come together, be led by the words of our Master. He told His disciples that they should speak to that which impedes the receiving of His words. (Mark 11:20-26) With the removing of the impediment, the Living Bread, which He was, and is, which the Father made recognizable to man through the life of Jesus Christ, ministers to the hearts of the approved and gives the unapproved the opportunity to receive. Why would Paul admonish the church to wait for one another? There are those who, by reason of use, are ready to receive when they arrive at church. There are those who arrive unprepared, very busy with the cares of this world. At the last supper Jesus had with His disciples, He reminded them that His body was food indeed. Babies cannot receive solid food yet they must learn to accommodate it, one bite at a time.

When you enter the meeting place, speak to the mountain to remove it so you may receive that next bite of Living Bread. The church is a place where we are to learn to discern the Living Bread. Other foods/drinks should be consumed elsewhere.

The Synagogue of Satan

"Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie- indeed I will make them come and worship (God) before your feet, and to know that I have loved you."   (Rv. 3:9)

Jesus said that to the angel of the church of Philadelphia after saying to those in V.8, "I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it: for you have a little strength, HAVE KEPT MY WORD, AND HAVE NOT DENIED MY NAME."

So. Just who is it that inhabits the synagogue of Satan? Each of us says, I know! :) But, let us defer to Jesus Christ, the King of Righteousness.

"From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. THEN PETER TOOK HIM ASIDE AND BEGAN TO REBUKE HIM, SAYING, 'FAR BE IT FROM YOU, LORD; THIS SHALL NOT HAPPEN TO YOU!' But He turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, FOR YOU ARE NOT MINDFUL OF THE THINGS OF GOD, BUT THE THINGS OF MEN.' "(Matthew 16:21-23)

Peter, at that moment was an agent of Satan: his mind was full of what he thought was best, not the things of God. Nevertheless, Satan's assignment was against Head. If the Head stumbled at this temptation, the body (what we are, if we are) would be doomed. As for our calling, as the body of Christ: if your head, attached to your body goes somewhere, does your body stay behind or do something different? Not if you are alive! Dismemberment of head from body means death.

Therefore, a synagogue of Satan gathers "in His name" yet is inclined, as Peter in that time of immaturity, to dismiss/reject the calling of the Lord based upon what seems best to them. Convincingly,the apostle John understood and was willing prior to, he being stationed AT THE CROSS while his Savior, and Lord, was finishing His Father's command.

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and FOLLOW ME. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works."(Matthew 16:24-27)

Peter's "exchange" would have kept Jesus Christ off the cross. A Satanic synagogue would "work" to keep us from following Him as His body.