fencepostdigest

The opening statements of Jude could be my own and you may think the same thing, 

“From Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ and brother of James, to those who are called, wrapped in the love of God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ. 2 May mercy, peace, and love be lavished on you. 3 Dear friends, although I have been eager to write to you about our common salvation, I now feel compelled instead to write to encourage you to contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. 4 For certain men have secretly slipped in among you—men who long ago were marked out for the condemnation I am about to describe—ungodly men who have turned the grace of our God into a license for evil and who deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” NET2.

Often I have written stuff about the faulty statements coming from people that espouse things that inappropriately soaked up by unsuspecting souls. What is going on? I have often asked myself. Surprisingly, many people contend with my written thoughts because they have not thoroughly investigated Scripture apart from misguided statements.

Like Jude, I feel compelled to encourage you to defend the Christian faith with the Word of God that has been given to us with the Lord trusting us to do so. Similarly I have written as Jude has, “For certain men have secretly slipped in among you—men who long ago were marked out for the condemnation I am about to describe—ungodly men who have turned the grace of our God into a license for evil and who deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” Many times Baptists have been accused of giving license for others to call themselves ‘Christian while living a life of sin.’ I do not think this is true, but I do understand why the statement is ‘out there.’ However, I have found this is true among every local church because, as Jude states, ungodly men have, indeed, “turned the grace of our God into a license for evil.” We Followers of Jesus Christ know this to be true…charlatans have come in amongst us causing all sorts of problems for us.

Understandably, people ask, “Who are these who ‘have secretly slipped in’ among us?” Now, it is difficult to know them without being spiritually discerned. Look carefully in God’s Word that gives us some direction:

1. 1 Samuel 16:1-13 is the story of how God directed Samuel to find the one He had chosen to follow Saul as King. This is what God said to Samuel, “Don’t be impressed by his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. God does not view things the way people do. People look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” verse 7. In order to accomplish the direction of God, Believers must be spiritually discerned.
2. The ‘Sabbath Rest’ is spoken of in Hebrews 4:1-14 and the path to this Rest is found only in obedience to the directions of God that are known to us in His infallible Word, “ For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from God, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.” verses 12-13.  Believers will only enter that Sabbath Rest by being obedient to the commands of Jesus Christ and that we will do because He lives in our bodies.
3. This discernment is not present in the understanding of those who are not in Christ. Look at what Paul writes in Colossians 2:6-15, but in vv 6-8 we find this, “Therefore, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and firm in your faith just as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 8 Be careful not to allow anyone to captivate you through an empty, deceitful philosophy that is according to human traditions and the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” Please read vv 6-15 to grasp the instruction of the Apostle.

Those who have slipped in among are sometimes difficult to recognize because some of them may be folks who have been our friends for a very long time, and do not be surprised if you find them in your family as well. And this is what makes our task so difficult. Jesus said this, “32 “Whoever, then, acknowledges me before people, I will acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever denies me before people, I will deny him also before my Father in heaven. 34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace but a sword! 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, 36 and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.” Matthew 10:32-36. Because Followers of the Christ are obedient to Him, we will find this road a very uncomfortable one to traverse. But one thing certain this path leads to His Rest.

Do Jude’s words seem to sound sort of what you sometimes think and say out loud? Do not be afraid to speak the Truth for this Truth oftentimes is painful to speak and worse to hear.

Jesus is Lord.

Biblical Truth confirms our reality that is accurately perceived with an understanding of the Sovereign God of the Bible. He created and sustains all truth and affirms this in Jesus Christ, “Do not let your hearts be distressed. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 There are many dwelling places in my Father’s house. Otherwise, I would have told you, because I am going away to make ready a place for you. 3 And if I go and make ready a place for you, I will come again and take you to be with me, so that where I am you may be too. 4 And you know the way where I am going.” 5 Thomas said, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus replied, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you have known me, you will know my Father too. And from now on you do know him and have seen him.” John 14:1-7.

The reality is that God, indeed is Sovereign, and only through His Son will be arrive at His Place by practicing His Truth. There is no doubt in my mind today that we are at a critical spiritual crossroad in America. This election has made this clear and our Nation is divided almost down the middle. The results have demonstrated that many who have been calling themselves ‘Christian’ are on the wrong side of history and, indeed, truth. For the Followers of Jesus Christ we must take a moment to assess what is observable, take a deep breath and do what Paul has written, “14 Do not become partners with those who do not believe, for what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship does light have with darkness? 15 And what agreement does Christ have with Beliar? Or what does a believer share in common with an unbeliever? 16 And what mutual agreement does the temple of God have with idols? For we are the temple of the living God, just as God said, “I will live in them and will walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” 17 Therefore “come out from their midst, and be separate,” says the Lord, “and touch no unclean thing, and I will welcome you, 18 and I will be a father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters,” says the All-Powerful Lord.” 1 Corinthians 6:14-18.

Each of us have friends and perhaps family that are entrenched in the lies of the world in which we live. Many of them claim to know God, but their actions betray their hearts. Does God really mean that Believers are to separate themselves from unbelievers? What does the Bible say here? The answer is clearly , “Yes.” We are NOT to participate in their Godless activities, but influence them by our words and actions of Truth. Will we have an impact upon them? Look at what we find in Isaiah 55:7-11, “The wicked need to abandon their lifestyle and sinful people their plans. They should return to the Lord, and he will show mercy to them,and to their God, for he will freely forgive them. 8 “Indeed, my plans are not like your plans, and my deeds are not like your deeds,” says the Lord, 9 “for just as the sky is higher than the earth, so my deeds are superior to your deeds and my plans superior to your plans. 10 The rain and snow fall from the sky and do not return, but instead water the earth and make it produce and yield crops, and provide seed for the planter and food for those who must eat. 11 In the same way, the promise that I make does not return to me, having accomplished nothing. No, it is realized as I desire and is fulfilled as I intend.” (Please read the entire 55th chapter of Isaiah.)

The question may remain, “Will these lost people come to Christ in salvation?” Only if they choose to do so. The Holy Spirit has said that He will convict us of sin, judgment and righteousness, but the choice yet remains those of the listener.

Jesus is Lord.

Jesus is the focal point, or should be, correct?

The Bible, whether or not you agree with me, is inerrant and infallible in all that it says about God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Within that Book we are instructed “How to get to Heaven.” The ‘how’ is through the Person of Jesus Christ, the Crucified and Risen Son of God. One day soon He is returning to retrieve His Church and soon thereafter there is to be the Final Judgment Day and finally He will usher in His Eternity known as the New Jerusalem wherein His Chosen will live with him forever. THAT, in a nutshell, is His plan.

For the moment, however, we are where we are…on Earth. And, again, we are at this juncture of Truth which for many remains a mystery. This ‘Divine Mystery’ is really not so much so, but there are ‘those’ amongst us who have chosen to make this Mystery very, very difficult and most often, annoying to many. But the point remains some of us are very, very wrong and some of us have it right.

I will not say who is right and who is wrong, but we must find that ‘Right’ way in the Bible. If I were to say who is right and who is wrong, some of us would then be ‘marginalized’ and that is just ‘wrong’ in our world, today. We are NOT supposed to do that because someone’s feelings will be injured and, well…What we know is simple, Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and not one will get to His Heaven apart from His Way. We of the SBC have no ‘bragging rights’ on this, and neither does anyone else. But, Jesus IS THE WAY, Period.My hope and prayer in Jesus is that we meet together in the ‘Sweet by and by.’

In the end this is really NOT a choice of ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ as such, but there is a choice to be made.Well, here we are, folks. We are at this juncture in this well-known journey we call ‘Life.’ Up ahead of us there is a sign that reads, ‘Left’ or ‘Right.’ You guessed it, the ‘Left’ arrow points to a distant darkness that is a fiery pit known as Hell. The ‘Right’ arrow points in the direction of a place called the ‘New Jerusalem.’ Jesus tells us that there is a great chasm lying between these places across which no one can pass after arriving in their chosen destination. Heaven is a place of Light, and Hell is a place of burning fire and Darkness.

We are at the place of decision and the choice is yours AND you MUST choose NOW. The Bible tells us that “Today is THE Day of Salvation.” Which is YOUR choice?This is the place that YOU must make the right Choice between Heaven and Hell, Good and Evil, Jesus and Satan. In the end I suppose there is not a “Right” choice or a “Wrong” choice, but the choice is yours to make, but the choice is an Eternal One. Which do you choose?

This is what God tells us, “For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge your flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law can be summed up in a single commandment, namely, “You must love your neighbor as yourself.” However, if you continually bite and devour one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another. But I say, live by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh. For the flesh has desires that are opposed to the Spirit, and the Spirit has desires that are opposed to the flesh, for these are in opposition to each other, so that you cannot do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, depravity, idolatry, sorcery, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish rivalries, dissensions, factions, envying, murder, drunkenness, carousing, and similar things. I am warning you, as I had warned you before: Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God! But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also behave in accordance with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, being jealous of one another.” Galatians 5:13-26.

There, I did it again. I have pointed out what the Bible tells us about who will get to go to Heaven in words that our culture today vehemently disagrees. Our culture says it quite differently, but God tells us this.

Again, the choice is yours to make and in the end…well, y’all come now!!

Jesus remains Lord!!

Today, I received this admission that is really a confession: “I read in your article the following: ‘Believers will not continue practicing sin as a way of life. There will be a difference between the old life without Christ and the new life in Christ.’ But here’s my problem: Right now I think I’m backsliding but I want to come back. I think I’m dealing with depression, I need to stop procrastinating, find a way to stop the bad thoughts that I hate, stop with the pornography, etc. Honestly, my life is a mess. I hate myself. But before I think there was a time in my life that I read the Bible and prayed almost everyday, I really tried to improve.”

The honesty here is quite revealing of a person wanting to be better, but cannot no matter the efforts put forth. This is what we see in Paul’s statement in Romans 7:12-25 HCSB, “So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and just and good. Therefore, did what is good cause my death? Absolutely not! On the contrary, sin, in order to be recognized as sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that through the commandment, sin might become sinful beyond measure. For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am made out of flesh, sold into sin’s power. For I do not understand what I am doing, because I do not practice what I want to do, but I do what I hate. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree with the law that it is good. So now I am no longer the one doing it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For the desire to do what is good is with me, but there is no ability to do it. For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do. Now if I do what I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but it is the sin that lives in me. So I discover this principle: When I want to do what is good, evil is with me. For in my inner self I joyfully agree with God’s law. But I see a different law in the parts of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and taking me prisoner to the law of sin in the parts of my body. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this dying body? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I myself am a slave to the law of God, but with my flesh, to the law of sin.” (I understand that the Apostle is addressing his life before he became a Follower of Jesus Christ in these statements.) These statements in verses 12-25 factually describe what you are saying about yourself and you seem to be asking the very same question that Paul asks, “Who will rescue me from this dying body?”

Here is the answer Paul gives, “Therefore, no condemnation now exists for those in Christ Jesus, 2 because the Spirit’s law of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 What the law could not do since it was limited by the flesh, God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending His own Son in flesh like ours under sin’s domain, and as a sin offering, 4 in order that the law’s requirement would be accomplished in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh think about the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, about the things of the Spirit.” Romans 8:1-5. In my opinion, you are attempting to be spiritual but cannot because you are not spiritual. In short you have NEVER been born-again by the blood of Jesus Christ. You are living in sin because this is all that you can do.

Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:16-18, “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of God.”

 Jesus’ statement is clear: 1. God loves you. 2. He provided salvation through His Risen Son, Jesus Christ. 3. You MUST trust in Him in order to know His gift of salvation. 4. You cannot reject Him and think you will be okay for you will not be so.

The follow is God’s solution for you, “2 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins 2 in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler who exercises authority over the lower heavens, the spirit now working in the disobedient. 3 We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, 5 made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! 6 Together with Christ Jesus He also raised us up and seated us in the heavens, 7 so that in the coming ages He might display the immeasurable riches of His grace through His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— 9 not from works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:2-10.

Please be reminded that the words of Paul in Ephesians 2:2-10 are directed to the local church in Ephesians and this is the reason he writes, “You were dead in your trespasses and sins in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world…” In reality God is speaking directly to you for you have admitted that you are dead in your sins and are walking in “the ways of this world.” Actually this is your admission of guilt to God and NOW you must do what Paul has said that the Christians in Ephesus have already done, “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— 9 not from works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10. Salvation comes by God’s grace established by faith in Jesus Christ both of which are gifts from Him to you. 

Your life is miserable now because you have attempted to live a life that is impossible to be accomplished apart from life in Christ Jesus. My friend, you Must confess your sin to Christ, turn from your sin and then express your faith in Him alone thereby receiving His gift of salvation established by His grace. 

I am praying for you as I write this. Jesus is Lord.

The “what” amongst us in the Bible Belt of the United States is, indeed, an enigma. Enigma as defined by Noah Webster in 1828 is, “A dark saying, in which some known thing is concealed under obscure language; an obscure question; a riddle. A question, saying or painting, containing a hidden meaning, which is proposed to be guessed.” However, in Webster’s online dictionary we find this, “something hard to understand or explain: an inscrutable or mysterious person: an obscure speech or writing.” So, there we have it, even the definition of the word is an ‘enigma.’ We have changed, have we not?

However, the enigma is the ‘how’ most of us look at and, indeed, interpret the Word of God. Somehow we who describe ourselves as ‘born-again’ must come to grips with the outstanding and obvious Truth found in God’s Word. As I see this and as you see this Truth, the ‘obvious’ is really not so cut and dried; is it? 

I believe that most of us will certainly agree with what Jesus said in John 3, and Paul what writes in Romans 10 and in Ephesians 2 only by believing in Jesus Christ will anyone find salvation. For this salvation comes by grace through faith in Him alone. We will agree.

From there we all seem to come to exits even as the Inspired Writer instructs, “Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, depravity, idolatry, sorcery, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish rivalries, dissensions, factions, envying, murder, drunkenness, carousing, and similar things. I am warning you, as I had warned you before: Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God!” Galatians 5:19-21.  But, we must also find this foundational truth to what Paul has written in 1 John 2:4-10, “Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; indeed, sin is lawlessness. And you know that Jesus was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. Everyone who resides in him does not sin; everyone who sins has neither seen him nor known him. Little children, let no one deceive you: The one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as Jesus is righteous. The one who practices sin is of the devil because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was revealed: to destroy the works of the devil. Everyone who has been fathered by God does not practice sin because God’s seed resides in him, and thus he is not able to sin because he has been fathered by God. By this the children of God and the children of the devil are revealed: Everyone who does not practice righteousness—the one who does not love his fellow Christian—is not of God.”

The ‘enigma’ is truly simple as to what has happened not simply in the Bible Belt of America, but across America. Paul writes this, “Now before faith came we were held in custody under the law, being kept as prisoners until the coming faith would be revealed. Thus the law had become our guardian until Christ, so that we could be declared righteous by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female—for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3:23-29. The ‘enigma’ is not the Scriptures, but the different paths that are taken in our dark world. The paths are many, but I will name but a few: sexual orientation, abortion and racial issues. The point is simple, “if you belong to Christ.”

There is but one way to Heaven and Jesus tells us the gate is narrow that leads to Heaven and broad is the gate that leads to Hell. The difficult statement is this, ‘few will find the Narrow gate. “Enter through the narrow gate because the gate is wide and the way is spacious that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. How narrow is the gate and difficult the way that leads to life, and there are few who find it!” Matthew 7:13-14. 

We who hold to these truths have few friends in the end because of the difficulty of them. Jesus is NOT the Friend of those who choose to deny Him for He told Nicodemus that anyone who denies Him, He Himself will deny them before the Father. These will be condemned.

The enigma is truly not so difficult, but blind eyes cannot see to find the narrow gate that leads to Heaven.The enigma is not politics, Donald Trump nor Joe Biden. It seems the enigma continues to be the human heart of darkness. Jesus is Lord.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” — Preamble to the Declaration of Independence

However, in the handwriting of its primary author, Thomas Jefferson, as well as John Adams — our rights were  originally“inalienable.” Webster’s Dictionary indicates that both ‘inalienable’ and ‘unalienable’ hold the same meaning. I recall memorizing the Preamble using the word ‘inalienable.’ The truth is, ‘unalienable’ is the word found in the final and printed draft of the Preamble. The word ‘inalienable’ as used by Jefferson is found on the Jefferson Memorial in the nation’s capital and I suppose this is the reason I learned to memorize the Preamble like that…

By observation we understand that these truths find foundation in the pages of the Word of God. In Psalm 51 are found each of these ‘unalienable rights.’                                           

“Be gracious to me, God, according to Your faithful love; according to Your abundant compassion, blot out my rebellion. 2 Wash away my guilt and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I am conscious of my rebellion, and my sin is always before me. 4 Against You—You alone—I have sinned and done this evil in Your sight. So You are right when You pass sentence; You are blameless when You judge. 5 Indeed, I was guilty when I was born; I was sinful when my mother conceived me. 6 Surely You desire integrity in the inner self,and You teach me wisdom deep within. 7 Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones You have crushed rejoice. 9 Turn Your face away from my sins and blot out all my guilt. 10 God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not banish me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore the joy of Your salvation to me, and give me a willing spirit. 13 Then I will teach the rebellious Your ways, and sinners will return to You. 14 Save me from the guilt of bloodshed, God,the God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing of Your righteousness. 15 Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. 16 You do not want a sacrifice, or I would give it; You are not pleased with a burnt offering. 17 The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. God, You will not despise a broken and humbled heart. 18 In Your good pleasure, cause Zion to prosper;build the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then You will delight in righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on Your altar.” HCSB.

We should be most thankful to our God for having blessed our Nation with such insight utilized by the Founding Fathers of the place we can call ‘Home.’ I believe that many, and perhaps, not most, of citizens do just that. Obviously, we are not all Believers in the God of the Fathers of our Nations who envisioned what we have graciously enjoyed. In the next few days it is possible that we will be witnesses to the fleeting moments of the ideals they put forth in these documents. I pray this is not what we will experience. 

Jesus is Lord…

We are told in the Word of God that we should have the faith of a very tiny mustard seed that becomes something that supports the nests of birds and a faith that move mountains. Do you have a faith like this that is true and born of the Spirit of God or…

“14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can his faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way faith, if it doesn’t have works, is dead by itself. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith from my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. The demons also believe—and they shudder.” James 2:14-19 HCSB.

Brother James writes, “The demons also believe–and they shudder.” v. 19. But, “What and how do the friends of Satan ‘believe?’” There is no doubt that most every member of the Body of Christ is acquainted with someone who ‘believes’ Jesus Christ to be Risen Son of God. They know Him to be Lord, they know Him to have been born of a virgin and lived at least 30 years on this planet. They know Him to be equal with God and that He was present when everything known was created and that without Him nothing was created without His presence. And they know Him as the coming again final Judge. Yes, these demonic people ‘believe.’

But there is more than a simple understanding about this Holy Individual whose Name is Jesus Christ. There must also be faith, but not just any kind of faith. There must be a living faith that produces good works just as Paul writes in Ephesians chapter 2 where he points out that one who believes is created for good works.  And James tells us this, 

“20 Foolish man! Are you willing to learn that faith without works is useless? 21 Wasn’t Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active together with his works, and by works, faith was perfected. 23 So the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness 24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And in the same way, wasn’t Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by a different route? 26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.” James 2:20-26. 

There are many amongst us who claim to be ‘Christians,’ but clearly may not be demons as such, but are notably demonic in spirit. These are actively involved in the life of your local church as deacons, Bible teachers and some are your pastors, but they are demonic for they have the faith of Demons. What they do and teach can be traced to lies and unrighteousness even though their works may be ‘good,’ but they are without faith and their good works are dead. Have you heard of the old, old statement, “There is a rat in the woodpile?”

We are observing many churches and many faith groups that claim to be ‘Christian,’ but are dead piles of wood that have the smell of rats. But, they are known of God and one day He will judge them for who they are because He is Judge. We are not to worry for their message of lies is known to us who know the Savior as Lord. We are not as many as we hear because we are outnumbered by far. The participants and doers of evil are all around us, but we must not fear.

Jesus is Lord!!

When describing the people who will not be going to Heaven, my heart is deeply saddened because they have absolutely failed to understand the Truth of the Gospel Message.

I have often written that Democrats and those who vote for that platform will not be going to Heaven because of the immorality of the platform supported therein. Within the Democrat platform is found broad support for various immorality standards among them are homosexual and abortion support. Read the rather long document for yourself and be satisfied that this statement is correct.

Recently a pastor who supports the DNC platform also disagreed with this statement from Paul, “For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge your flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law can be summed up in a single commandment, namely, “You must love your neighbor as yourself.” However, if you continually bite and devour one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another. But I say, live by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh. For the flesh has desires that are opposed to the Spirit, and the Spirit has desires that are opposed to the flesh, for these are in opposition to each other, so that you cannot do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, depravity, idolatry, sorcery, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish rivalries, dissensions, factions, envying, murder, drunkenness, carousing, and similar things. I am warning you, as I had warned you before: ” Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God!” Galatians 5:13-21 NET2.

The reason for his disagreement is what is known as the “Social Gospel” that stretches the purpose and meaning of the New Testament. There are basically two Gospels being supported in America: 1. Evangelism toward the salvation of the lost and the literal interpretation of the Bible, and 2. Social Justice and Reformation and an understanding of the broader meaning to the Bible. This is also referred to as Progressives.

For this and more we are also able to understand why Democrats are not supportive of the Constitution as it is written or what Conservatives refer to as the ‘Originalist View.’ The same can be said in reference to the literal interpretation of God’s Word.

The Social Gospel and Progressive Socialism in America go ‘hand in hand’ and this is why Democrats calling themselves Christians are found therein. These words of Jesus are difficult for those supporting the Social Gospel and Progressive Reform in America, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to SET A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW; and A MAN’S ENEMIES WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD. He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it. He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.” Matthew 10:34-42 NASB.

The difficulty of Jesus’ statement is not vv. 40-41, but 34-39. And so far as Paul’s statement in Galatians chapter 5 everything is okay until Paul wrote, “Those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.” What do you think?

Jesus is Lord.

Answering Difficult Questions

Paul asks some difficult questions in Romans 8:31-35 that he provides answers for in chapters 1-8. But the questions are worth stating here: “ What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 Indeed, he who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, freely give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is the one who will condemn? Christ is the one who died (and more than that, he was raised), who is at the right hand of God, and who also is interceding for us. 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will trouble, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?” Obviously, there is not enough space to provide effective answers to the Apostle’s questions here, but I will make a suggestion with a question of my own, “Will it not be more effective if you were to Read Romans 1-8 to answer Paul’s first question, “What then shall we say about these things?”

The truth is to adequately answer this question one would/should read the entire letter to the church in Rome in order to say anything profitable about ‘these things.’ Grab the writing instrument of your choice whether it be some sort of electronic device or a pen, pencil and paper and give ample time and some prayerful consideration as you begin. The Inspired Writer does give the answers to each of his questions. But, for my purposes here, I will give a few brief answers of my own…

1. “What then shall we say about these things?” We should not be surprised to discover Paul’s statement in Romans 1:16-17 to sort of be the ‘cornerstone’ to the entire letter, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel from faith to faith, just as it is written, “The righteous by faith will live.” And there are two phrases that might be said to be the foundation, “Salvation comes by faith and the righteous will live by their faith in Christ.”
2. Paul begins chapter 2 with a powerful statement, “Therefore you are without excuse, whoever you are, when you judge someone else. For on whatever grounds you judge another, you condemn yourself, because you who judge practice the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment is in accordance with truth against those who practice such things.” The life we live will stand against the teachings of Jesus that are Truth.
3. Our righteousness does not come through practicing the Law of God, “For no one is declared righteous before him by the works of the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin. 21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God (although it is attested by the law and the prophets) has been disclosed— 22 namely, the righteousness of God through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ for all who believe.” Romans 3:30-22. We are subject to the faithfulness of Jesus Christ by our faith in Him. He is our example.
4. Our righteous behavior is not because we are righteous, but rather because we are justified by faith in Jesus Christ the Righteous One, “But the statement it was credited to him was not written only for Abraham’s sake,  but also for our sake, to whom it will be credited, those who believe in the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was given over because of our transgressions and was raised for the sake of our justification.” Romans 4:23-25.
5. Paul’s instruction to us in chapter 5 of Romans demonstrates that we are reconciled with God through the Risen Savior who gave Himself for us to destroy what Adam did in the garden. Death came through his sin and our hope for an abundant life comes through the gift of eternal life in Jesus. “For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. (For rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person perhaps someone might possibly dare to die.) But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
6. Paul points out to us in Romans 6 that our sinful nature was crucified and died with Him because of our faith and when we were baptized into his death we are clothed in Him. Now through Jesus, we have received the gift of God, which is eternal life. “
7. Romans 7 has been misdirected by so many for a very, very long time. We must understand Paul does NOT say that Believers are in a losing battle with sin and neither does he indicate a dual identity of righteousness and evil exists. Quite the opposite is true in Romans 7:14-24. Reading the 6th chapter of Paul’s letter clearly reveals the victory that Paul achieved on the Damascus Road and in Romans 7 we find Paul describing what his struggle was before God gave him spiritual sight. 

In v. 24 of chapter 7 we find Paul asking, “Wretched man that I am! Who      will rescue me from this body of death?” Then he answers his own question in v. 25, “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” And completes his thought of his life without Christ, “So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.” 

8. In chapter 8, one of the most powerful chapters Paul gives an insight to Victory:

• We are not condemned.
• We are set free from the law of sin and death.
• We live according to the Holy Spirit not according to the flesh.
• We are children of God.
• Our present sufferings do not compare to what God has for us.
• We are told that God’s Spirit prays for us.
• Everything from God works together for our good.
• Nothing in this life is able to separate the Believer from the love of God; nothing.

In Romans 8:31-35 the Apostle only mentions the ‘things’ of which he details in the previous statements of his letter to Rome. We are victorious over death and are now able to live life in the Risen Savior because He lives in us! This IS the Victorious Christian life found only by grace through faith in Him alone. 

Jesus is Lord!!

Not a single person that you or I know is able to be able to live life “as being worthy of the Gospel of Christ” as suggested by the Apostle Paul in Philippians 1:27. However, the Apostle does provide some insight as to how one might and we learn that this ability is found in Jesus Christ.

“If then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, sharing the same feelings, focusing on one goal. 3 Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. 4 Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus, 6 who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage. 7 Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His external form, 8 He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death— even to death on a cross. 9 For this reason God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow—of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth—11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.“ Philippians 2:1-11. HCSB.

Often times we will quote or read from the KJV, Philippians 2:10, “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow , of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth; And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” And, of course, everyone will immediately agree with this statement. However, to what was Paul referring when he placed this into his letter to the church at Philippi? In chapter 2 verse 4 we find this word of encouragement, “Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus…” But, what is the Lord’s attitude? He took it upon Himself to leave His place in Heaven in order to die on the Cross in our place. AND, “For this reason God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow…” 

This is the significance of why we will often quote Philippians 2:10. Do we often stop to think about why particular verses are truly important?

Jesus is Lord!!