Let No One Deceive You With Empty Words

"Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and gave Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. LET NO ONE DECEIVE YOU WITH EMPTY WORDS, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them."(Ephesians 5:1-7)

Jesus, speaking to His disciples, said "You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you." (John 15:3)

It is evident to most that we should not give ourselves to foolishness, hurtful or raw joking, or filthy language. But Jesus instructs His disciples here to "let no one deceive you with empty words".  Fornication could be defined as unholy intimacy. Uncleanness could be defined as departing from that which makes, or keeps you clean.  Covetousness could be defined as desire for something, possibly a good thing, in an unrighteous way. Jesus informs His disciples that they "are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you".

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have SWORN and CONFIRMED that I will KEEP your righteous judgements." (Psalm 119:105,106)

"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)

His words show us the way to become a living sacrifice. Deceivers come, "therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation (scattered in various directions, dispersed), but be filled with the Spirit." (Ephesians 5:17,18)

It seems that Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, uses words like fornication and uncleanness to warn the church that an impure approach to the doctrine of Christ will receive the reward of disobedient sons.

Becoming The Righteousness of God in Him; Exercising The Keys

"Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:20,21)

Paul, the apostle, implores those in the Corinthian church to be reconciled to God so that they might become the righteousness of God in Him.  Later in the second letter to them, he writes, "and this also we pray, that you may be made complete".  (2 Corinthians 13:9)

I am impressed that the process of "becoming" and being "made" must include devotion to Jesus' words to His disciples.

"Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter, remembering, said to Him, 'Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.' (See v.12-14) So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever (any disciple of His) 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." Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses."

(Mark 11:20-26)

"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you shall ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you shall be My disciples.    (John 15:5-8)

Begin by reading these passages each day and doing what Jesus taught His disciples in them. As you devote yourselves in this way, the Lord will continue to reveal Himself to you. This living bread never gets old and will make you complete in Him: reconciling you to God that you might become the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.

The Works Of An Evangelist (Acts 9:1-19)

"Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if they found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?' And he said, 'Who are you, Lord?' Then the Lord said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' So he, trembling and astonished, said, 'Lord, what do you want me to do?' Then the Lord said to him, 'Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.' And the men journeying with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by hand and brought him to Damascus. And he three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank."

"Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, 'Ananias.' And he said, 'Here I am, Lord'. So the Lord said to him, 'Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hands on him, so that he might receive his sight.' Then Ananias answered, 'Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.' But the Lord said to him, 'Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake.' "

"And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, 'Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.' Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus."

By a word of faith from Jesus, Ananias provided a word of knowledge to Saul, confirming that Saul had indeed received a visitation from Jesus. Ananias then laid his hands on Saul to receive his sight (healing) and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Then Saul was baptized. Ananias had been made ready to discern the voice of the Master. Then he obediently completed His commandments.

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.