The Message: Citizenship, Deniers & Enemies

"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." (1 Corinthians 1:18)

"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, HAVING A FORM OF GODLINESS BUT DENYING ITS POWER. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households (of faith?) and make captives of gullible women (an easily deceived bride) loaded down with sins (the weight of having not counted the cost; or having counted it, they decide not to pay it), led away with various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs (those who resisted Moses) also was.(2 Timothy 3:1-9)

"Brethren, join in following my (Paul's) 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 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 to subdue all things unto Himself." (Philippians 3:17-21)

His WORKING, the message of the cross, is sure and steadfast. "The forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever ACCORDING TO THE ORDER of Melchizedek." (Hebrews 6:20) 

Yet So As Through Fire

"For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he will be saved, YET SO AS THROUGH FIRE."

(1 Corinthians 3:9-15)

"Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, 'He catches the wise in their own craftiness', and again, 'The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.' "

(1 Corinthians 3:16-20)

"For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, 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.' "

(1 Corinthians 1:17-19)

The individual whose work is burned, rather than rewarded, misunderstood the refiner's fire as it came, and continued to build errantly. We thank God for His mercy and grace, that He would burn our errant endeavors. As long as we are in this earthly body, we have the opportunity to build that which endures: the salvation of God AS THROUGH FIRE upon the foundation which is Jesus Christ! We become a fool for Christ in the estimation of those who are wise in this age. Eventually, the wisdom of this world becomes foolishness to those who follow hard after Him.

According To Knowledge

Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not ACCORDING TO KNOWLEDGE. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes." (Romans 10:1-4)

"For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 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, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found 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 of the dead." (Philippians 3:3-11)

Knowledge of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, His Son (which is our calling, sonship) strengthened by the Holy Spirit, thinks and acts this way. It is our reasonable service. "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1). We present day believers must also accord, or agree with this knowledge of Christ Jesus, circumcised to the heart, believing in Him unto righteousness.

The Intent Of Prophecy: "You Follow Me" (John 21:15-22)

"So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?' He said to Him, 'Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.' He said to him, 'Feed My lambs.' "

"He said to him again a second time, 'Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?' He said to Him, 'Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.' He said to Him, 'Tend My sheep.' "

"He said to him the third time, 'Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?' Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, 'Do you love Me?' And he said to Him, 'Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.' Jesus said to Him, 'Feed My sheep. Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.' This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to Him, 'Follow Me.' Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple that Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, 'Lord, who is the one who betrays You?' Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, 'But Lord, what about this man?' Jesus said to him, 'If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.' "

"Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights. Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the fish's belly. And he said: 'I cried out to the Lord because of my affliction, and He answered me. Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and You heard my voice. For You cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the floods surrounded me; all Your billows and your waves passed over me.' Then I said, 'I have been cast out of Your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.' The waters surrounded me, even to my soul; the deep closed around me; Weeds were wrapped around my head. I went down to the moorings of the mountains; the earth with its bars closed behind me forever; yet you have brought up my life from the pit, O Lord, my God. When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord; and my prayer went up to You, into Your holy temple. Those who regard worthless idols forsake their own Mercy. But I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay what I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord. So the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land." (Jonah 1:17, 2:1-10)

Jesus was prophesying to Peter. Three times He called him 'son of Jonah'. Although Peter's and Jonah's circumstances differ, the instrument is similar- affliction in disobedience, properly received, renders an understanding of repentance toward holiness. Peter's works of love for Jesus were not perfect, yet to be completed. Those prophetic words to Peter would minister to him during the days ahead, strengthening him as he followed His words.

Scattered, Each One To His Own (John 16:23-33)

"And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God. I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father."

"His disciples said to Him, 'See, now You are speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech! Now WE ARE SURE that You know all things, and have no need that anyone should question You. By this we believe that You came forth from God.' "

"Jesus answered them, 'Do you now believe? Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each one to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.' "

Thousands followed Him, seeking His signs of healings of sickness, deliverance from demonic oppression, and provision. They were astonished by His teaching. Where were they when He was being led away to die on the cross? The truth is they did not yet believe all things about Jesus Christ, as their scattering revealed, but would return because of the life He ministered to them, and would believe in deed.

"If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
(John 8:31,32)

Marked Out For This Condemnation

"Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were MARKED OUT for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God in to lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgement of the great day; as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immortality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire." (Jude v.3-7)

"He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. AND THIS IS THE CONDEMNATION, that the light has entered into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone who practices evil (rather than righteousness) hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."

(John 3:18-21)

"This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin." (1 John 1:5-7)

"And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, 'These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: '''I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen those things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your WORKS perfect before God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes shall be clothed with white garments, and I will NOT BLOT OUT his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels."(Revelation 3:1-5)

"For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his PART from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." (Revelation 22:18,19)

Don't add, and the plagues will not be added. Don't take away, and your part will not be taken. Don't turn the grace of our God into the wicked ignorance of unbelief and you will not be marked out.

It Was Expedient For Them

"Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him. But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, 'What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation." And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, 'You know nothing at all, nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.' Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad. Then, from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death." (John 11:45-53)

It was expedient for them that one man should die, and for the nation of Israel, and for the children of God who were scattered abroad; but not for Caiaphas, the chief priests, or the Pharisees to make happen. This is a good example of "a house divided against itself cannot stand". God revealed to the high priest what would happen for that nation and the children scattered. The high priest, and the other leaders, took that revelation and used it to retain their place. They made it happen because they were not able, by choice, "to listen to My (His) word".

Although in the position of high priest that year, he and the leaders were yet listening to the temptations that Satan tried and failed to tempt Jesus with (Matthew 4:1-11). They used the truth that God had revealed to serve themselves. God help us!

So, let's use the keys of the Kingdom that Jesus revealed to His disciples to remove the mountain so we may see clearly; asking God to prune us so that we produce much fruit of righteousness in Christ Jesus, through faith in Him. Lord, let no one eat fruit from me ever again, but from the true vine, Jesus Christ.