"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. There is also an antitype which now saves us---baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him." (1 Peter 3:18-22)
"Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he should no longer live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God." (1 Peter 4:1,2)
Baptism, the answer of a good conscience toward God, through (to) the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
"For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says." (Mark 11:23)
"If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you." (Luke 17:6)
"This mountain" and "this mulberry tree" will be totally immersed, and unseen, in the sea. These represent components of our soul that need to be removed: our suffering in the flesh. Jesus Christ informs His disciples how to begin, and complete, the answer.
Sunday, May 31, 2020
Sunday, May 24, 2020
In Latter Times, When The Saving of Your Soul Becomes Difficult
"Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth." (1 Timothy 4:1-3)
"For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. These things command and teach."
In the opening chapter of Paul's letter to Timothy, pastor of the church at Ephesus, he describes Timothy as "a true son in the faith". Yet based on the conclusion of chapter 4, Timothy still is a soul to be saved. It seems to me difficult to partake of the notion that "latter times", in context, are the same as the end times of the church age, as many say. Paul is teaching Timothy the way to become complete in the doctrine of Christ. As you encounter the latter times of the formation of Christ within, there will be opportunities to give heed to deception and hypocrisy because His chastening, although profitable for holiness, seems painful. Satan works against it; others don't celebrate it; and we also question it. Take heed to the doctrine of Christ! It is the message that God uses to save your soul.
"For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. These things command and teach."
(1 Timothy 4:10,11)
"Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. TAKE HEED TO YOURSELF and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing so YOU WILL SAVE BOTH YOURSELF and those who hear you." (1 Timothy 4:15,16)
"Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. TAKE HEED TO YOURSELF and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing so YOU WILL SAVE BOTH YOURSELF and those who hear you." (1 Timothy 4:15,16)
In the opening chapter of Paul's letter to Timothy, pastor of the church at Ephesus, he describes Timothy as "a true son in the faith". Yet based on the conclusion of chapter 4, Timothy still is a soul to be saved. It seems to me difficult to partake of the notion that "latter times", in context, are the same as the end times of the church age, as many say. Paul is teaching Timothy the way to become complete in the doctrine of Christ. As you encounter the latter times of the formation of Christ within, there will be opportunities to give heed to deception and hypocrisy because His chastening, although profitable for holiness, seems painful. Satan works against it; others don't celebrate it; and we also question it. Take heed to the doctrine of Christ! It is the message that God uses to save your soul.
Monday, May 18, 2020
The Mulberry Tree:Difficult For The Reapers
"Then He said to the disciples, 'It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to you saying, '''I repent,''' you shall forgive him.' " And the apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith.' So the Lord said, 'If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you." (Luke 17:1-6)
The mulberry tree is slow to produce fruit, taking ten years to mature to that point. When it does produce fruit, it is laborious to harvest due to a short stem attaching to the branch. At any given time, the stem maintains both mature (dark) and immature (red, white) fruit, simultaneously. Amazingly, the Lord uses the mulberry tree, it's characteristics regarding fruit-bearing, to educate His disciples. (Read Luke's 16th chapter for yourselves and take heed.)
"They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work."(Titus 1:16)
"Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, 'Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?' He answered and said to them, 'Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: 'This people honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ “ (Mark 7:5-7)
"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?" (James 2:19,20)
These three scriptures show that one may not disregard that God is, yet be immature.The roots within of our own desire for more apart from God's will must be removed. As we confess the Lord's words regarding the mulberry tree, the Holy Spirit will teach us how to be saved from it.
The mulberry tree is slow to produce fruit, taking ten years to mature to that point. When it does produce fruit, it is laborious to harvest due to a short stem attaching to the branch. At any given time, the stem maintains both mature (dark) and immature (red, white) fruit, simultaneously. Amazingly, the Lord uses the mulberry tree, it's characteristics regarding fruit-bearing, to educate His disciples. (Read Luke's 16th chapter for yourselves and take heed.)
"They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work."(Titus 1:16)
"Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, 'Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?' He answered and said to them, 'Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: 'This people honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ “ (Mark 7:5-7)
"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?" (James 2:19,20)
These three scriptures show that one may not disregard that God is, yet be immature.The roots within of our own desire for more apart from God's will must be removed. As we confess the Lord's words regarding the mulberry tree, the Holy Spirit will teach us how to be saved from it.
Sunday, May 10, 2020
To Cease From Your Works, Confess!
" 'Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.' For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His." (Hebrews 4:7-10)
How is then that we cease from our works? How do we "lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily besets us", or hems us in? By "running with endurance the race that is set before us, 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 12:1,2)
How would you direct your next step regarding this?
" 'The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart' (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:9,10)
Many will say that when you confess the Lord Jesus to others with your mouth it is a sign of your receiving salvation through Him. Amen. But with your daily confession of the Lord Jesus, the entirety of His testimony becomes real to you. It directs your steps with strength to finish! Along the way, even the same day as your confession, you will be tempted and accept the opportunity to resurrect your works; but as you learn to REPENT back to this confession, you will be restored to grace for endurance. Your confession in this is to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, and His Holy Spirit ministers life to you.
How is then that we cease from our works? How do we "lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily besets us", or hems us in? By "running with endurance the race that is set before us, 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 12:1,2)
How would you direct your next step regarding this?
" 'The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart' (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:9,10)
Many will say that when you confess the Lord Jesus to others with your mouth it is a sign of your receiving salvation through Him. Amen. But with your daily confession of the Lord Jesus, the entirety of His testimony becomes real to you. It directs your steps with strength to finish! Along the way, even the same day as your confession, you will be tempted and accept the opportunity to resurrect your works; but as you learn to REPENT back to this confession, you will be restored to grace for endurance. Your confession in this is to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, and His Holy Spirit ministers life to you.
Saturday, May 2, 2020
The Roman Road
"Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, among whom YOU ALSO ARE the called of Jesus Christ." (Romans 1:1-6)
"Now to Him who is able to ESTABLISH YOU ACCORDING TO MY GOSPEL and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, FOR OBEDIENCE TO THE FAITH-- to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen." (Romans 16:25-27)
"I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was GIVEN TO ME FOR YOU, TO FULFILL THE WORD OF GOD, the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, STRIVING ACCORDING TO HIS WORKING WHICH WORKS IN ME MIGHTILY."
"Now to Him who is able to ESTABLISH YOU ACCORDING TO MY GOSPEL and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, FOR OBEDIENCE TO THE FAITH-- to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen." (Romans 16:25-27)
"I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was GIVEN TO ME FOR YOU, TO FULFILL THE WORD OF GOD, the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, STRIVING ACCORDING TO HIS WORKING WHICH WORKS IN ME MIGHTILY."
(Colossians 1:24-29)
Christ Jesus for the lost sheep of the house of Israel; Paul for the Gentiles; I myself, and you for those are around us. Do you see your calling? Separated to the gospel of God in Christ Jesus. Ourselves obedient to the faith, fulfilling the word of God; bringing again the mystery into manifestation.
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