fencepostdigest

According to Texas legend, in the last days of the long battle for the Alamo, the mission was surrounded by Mexican troops and defeat was certain. Col. William Travis gathered his men, took out his sword, and we are told, drew a line in the dirt, and said something like this, “Stand with me to defend the Alamo and die by crossing this line.” The line in the sand perspective represents something that is absolutely true, ‘courageous decisions often come with a high price.’ Are you willing to make those kinds of remarkable decisions?

Jesus said this, “If you continue to follow my teaching, you are really my disciples and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32 and, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you have known me, you will know my Father too. And from now on you do know him and have seen him.” John 14:6-7. The question remains, “Do you know Him?”

“From that time on Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and experts in the law, and be killed and on the third day be raised. So Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him: “God forbid, Lord! This must not happen to you!” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me because you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but on man’s.” Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will find it. For what does it benefit a person if he gains the whole world but forfeits his life? Or what can a person give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. I tell you the truth, there are some standing here who will not experience death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.” Matthew 16:21-28.

It is easy to say, “I am a Christian” within the walls of a building, but to deny yourself and take up that cross is oftentimes impossible because of the cost of doing so. When Christ implores you to take up your cross in denial of self, He is telling you to forget yourself and focus upon Him. If you are claiming to know Christ without discipleship, you are truthfully denying Him. Get out from behind the placard and follow Him, become His Follower!!

Jesus is Lord!!

I received 2 very interesting questions earlier this week, and although I have entertained verses 10 and 12 from Genesis chapter 15 for sermonic reasons there was never an attempt to write about them. But here is the question(s), “Explain Genesis 15:10. Why did Abram not cut the birds ? Why did he fall asleep in v. 12?”

“Then he believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness. 7 And He said to him, “I am the Lord who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess it.” 8 He said, “O Lord God, how may I know that I will possess it?” 9 So He said to him, “Bring Me a three year old heifer, and a three year old female goat, and a three year old ram, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” 10 Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two, and laid each half opposite the other; but he did not cut the birds. 11 The birds of prey came down upon the carcasses, and Abram drove them away. 12 Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, terror and great darkness fell upon him. 13 God said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years. 14 But I will also judge the nation whom they will serve, and afterward they will come out with many possessions. 15 As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you will be buried at a good old age. 16 Then in the fourth generation they will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet complete.” 17 It came about when the sun had set, that it was very dark, and behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a flaming torch which passed between these pieces. 18 On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I have given this land, From the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates: 19 the Kenite and the Kenizzite and the Kadmonite 20 and the Hittite and the Perizzite and the Rephaim 21 and the Amorite and the Canaanite and the Girgashite and the Jebusite.” Genesis 15:6-21 NASB.

The animal sacrifice, faith and burnt offerings are 3 most important things that are to be noticed here, and of course, the one who is bringing the sacrifice. 

The turtle doves and pigeons are provided for the poor folks and in reading we will notice that the priest kills the birds and not the person responsible for the sacrifice. The large animals, four-footed beasts, were killed by the provider. The sacrifices are all divided into smaller pieces in order for the priest to be able to walk between the pieces which signifies the covenant relationship between man and God. However, the most important aspect of any sacrifice is the burnt offering that is accepted by God as a ‘pleasing aroma’ to Him. With that in mind, birds are not split apart and are killed by the priest and then placed into the fire.

We must understand that the consuming fire indicates the burnt offering being consumed by the fire of the offering is the visible act of declaring faith toward God and His divine acceptance of the offering. We are told Leviticus in 9:22-24, “Then Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them, and he stepped down after making the sin offering and the burnt offering and the peace offerings. 23 Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting. When they came out and blessed the people, the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. 24 Then fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the portions of fat on the altar; and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.” Here we see that the fire which consumed the offering came forth from before Jehovah, and was a visible representation of God accepting the offering to Himself. I think the point being is not so much the manner of the division of the offering as noted by the size of the animal sacrifice itself, but rather the acceptance of the offering by God Himself. The consuming fire no doubt represents God’s complete acceptance of the gift of the offered sacrifice.

The question regarding why or why not the birds are split in half are really not relevant and may not be relevant in the case of the larger animals, either. Many commentators suggest that the removal and separation of the larger animals may have been accomplished for facilitating the ability of the priest’s ability to manipulate the sacrificed animals’ parts around the altar. Again, it is the burning of the sacrifice that is important. “Then fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the portions of fat on the altar; and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.” Leviticus 9:24. As Christians, the burnt offering teaches us that Christ died for our sin and  has also declared Himself for us to God in complete surrender on our behalf. We do nothing except to declare our faith in His sacrifice at Calvary, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8i-10.

This, then, takes us to “Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, terror and great darkness fell upon him.” v. 12. It is of great importance that “terror and great darkness fell upon him” and can be said that this was God placing an awe upon the spirit of Abram and with holy reverence for the Almighty. It is this kind of Holy fear that prepares one’s heart and soul for joy toward God. For Holy God first of all humbles His servant and then lifts us up in His grace, His presence. No doubt, this sleep was not a case of normal need of rest, but that of a need for Divine Peace brought on by the entrance of Holy God. 

Jesus remains Lord.

This statement, ‘to be a slave,’ is something most folks do not care to read or know about, OR has such a stench to it that many simply do not wish to read. But, what about this?, 15 “What then? Should we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Absolutely not! 16 Don’t you know that if you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of that one you obey—either of sin leading to death or of obedience leading to righteousness? 17 But thank God that, although you used to be slaves of sin, you obeyed from the heart that pattern of teaching you were transferred to, 18 and having been liberated from sin, you became enslaved to righteousness. 19 I am using a human analogy because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you offered the parts of yourselves as slaves to moral impurity, and to greater and greater lawlessness, so now offer them as slaves to righteousness, which results in sanctification. 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free from allegiance to righteousness. 21 So what fruit was produced then from the things you are now ashamed of? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now, since you have been liberated from sin and have become enslaved to God, you have your fruit, which results in sanctification—and the end is eternal life! 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:15-23 HCSB. Everyone who is spiritually born-again by the power of the blood of Jesus Christ was a slave to sin, but ‘became slaves of righteousness” because of His Grace. Indeed, we Followers of Jesus Christ ARE His possessions.

In the New Testament, the Greek word translated as ‘bondservant’ is most often used to denote a total commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord and does not carry the ugliness implied by human slavery. Paul begins most of his letters as “a servant of Christ Jesus.” James and Jude who are the human brothers of the Christ and legitimately call themselves “slaves of Christ,” and James writes as “a slave God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:1.

The importance of these inspired authors calling themselves slaves should not be underestimated. By proclaiming a message of freedom from sin in Jesus Christ, these writers were completely loyal to Jesus as their soul and sole Master. We must also view their unwavering commitment to the Lord that they would never consider leaving. These first century Christians served Him alone and could not, would not ever think about abandoning their Master for another.

Personally, I understand my commitment to Jesus Christ as a bondservant is legitimately associated with these early Christians who oftentimes faced persecution that we cannot understand as do many across our world today. Traditional writings record that Peter, Paul, and James died horrible and tragic deaths because of their solemn oaths to follow Jesus.

In our day and time, especially in America, the Church in the U.S.A. may have forgotten that we were bought with an enormous price of Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross! If you really consider yourself a born-again Believer of Jesus Christ, His cost for your spiritual freedom is eternally secure in Him alone.

Jesus is Lord.

The 10th chapter of 2 Corinthians is but 18 verses in length, but as the Word of God is the content is much more than can be unpacked here. Please read this chapter in its entirety in order to gather the content for yourself. However, in short, Paul gives to the reader the standard for facing difficult people and situations. The standard being that of God.

In verse one the Apostle writes, “Now I, Paul, make a personal appeal to you by the gentleness and graciousness of Christ—I who am humble among you in person but bold toward you when absent.” He appeals to the Person of Christ whether in person or in writing; he is the same. His physical appearance is apparently not much to approve of, but his words are with authority given him by the Lord. Obviously, Paul ‘is coming to town’ in order to marshall the error of some who are present in Corinth. His measuring stick is of God, “For though we live in the body, we do not wage war in an unspiritual way, since the weapons of our warfare are not worldly, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments and every high-minded thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive to obey Christ.” vv. 3-5. 

Oftentimes there are those in the local church who deem it necessary to rise above the pastor that God has called to be the Shepherd and feel it their job ‘to keep him in line.’ Most pastors have come to a particular place because, in fact, God has moved them to be there both physically and spiritually. His weapons are spiritual in nature in order to ‘demolish arguments and every high-minded thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God.” For this reason Paul also writes that Believers are “to put on the full armor of God.” Ephesians 6:10-18. Some of the most ungodly people known are found to be the ‘self-righteous’ stewards of a physical location and are an abomination. And as Paul explains, “And we are ready to punish any disobedience, once your obedience has been confirmed.” v. 6. But the punishment comes from God, not the Shepherd.

Paul continues to explain the Standard that he follows is that of God and not of his own making, “Look at what is obvious. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should remind himself of this: Just as he belongs to Christ, so do we. For if I boast some more about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for tearing you down, I am not ashamed.” vv. 7-8. Personally, I have known only a few men who were filling the shoes as Pastor and were not honoring the Word of God and the call of God in life. If they failed to do these things they, indeed, were miserable creatures.

Paul’s remarks here in vv. 8-7 speak directly to what he had written to the Corinthian church in his first letter, 1 Corinthians chapter 12. Within that chapter the Apostle outlines and explains in great detail the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and the purpose of them within the Body of Christ. “For I boast some more about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up…” and this is the reason for each Gift of the Spirit. We are to use those gifts for edification and not for destruction within the Body. These are given to give support to the Standards God has given His Church.

Here is Paul’s suggestion of his authority being based upon the Standards of God, “We, however, will not boast beyond measure but according to the measure of the area of ministry that God has assigned to us, which reaches even to you. For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we had not reached you, since we have come to you with the gospel of Christ.” vv. 13-14. His authority comes only through the Gospel of Christ and this remains true today for the majority of those men who stand behind a desk to proclaim the Truth of God’s Word. For like Paul they will proclaim, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. For in it God’s righteousness is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith. For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth, since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them.” Romans 1:16-19.

How many of you have heard this, “And in closing?” As a preacher, I attempted NEVER to use this phrase for to me it was annoying when heard. But, here I am…let me say it this way, as I finish up I will do so with this, “Remember that the Lord your God led you on the entire journey these 40 years in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commands. He humbled you by letting you go hungry; then He gave you manna to eat, which you and your fathers had not known, so that you might learn that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” Deuteronomy 8:2-3. 

You may be asking yourself, “What did he mean by that?” Do you know that the Hebrew word for ‘manna’ literally means, “what is that?” There you have it, I have given you some ‘what is that?’ Enjoy!!

Jesus is Lord!!

Have you ever been in the National Archives that contains the most historic documents pertaining to American History? Inside that building rests the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Bill of Rights and the U.S. Constitution. No cameras are allowed in order to protect those documents from the camera lights. Although speaking is allowed no one speaks above a whisper because of the respect given to the documents in the room where they are kept. I know of no church building that is given to such hallowedness. There is a true sense of awe, respect and, well, holiness in that place. 

I can testify to the feeling of awe that rests over that room and when my opportunity came to view the Declaration, Bill of Rights and the U.S. Constitution tears came to my eyes and anxiety filled my heart. Absolute respect flooded my soul, and there is no way for me to express my emotions…absolute respect. Although I was not physically, I remember thinking, “I feel as though I am in the presence of God.”

“I feel as though I am in the presence of God.” But, these documents are simply mere historical documents that represent the reason(s) for the existence of the United States of America. My guess is that many, if not the majority of Americans might say that God or a ‘Higher Power’ had something to do with the birth of this great Nation. A visit to the Nation’s Capital as the most important expression of our history and existence would be a powerful reminder. And it is easily understood the emotional impression of ‘holy ground’ when walking up and down the ‘Mall’ from the Supreme Court to the opposite end where the Lincoln Memorial is. It is within these confines where the above mentioned documents are preserved. 

Replacing an object for the presence of Yahweh is a direct denial of God’s commands for this is the sin of disobedience, the very sin that caused God to remove Saul as king over Israel:  “Then Samuel said: Does the Lord take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? Look: to obey is better than sacrifice,to pay attention is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and defiance is like wickedness and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has rejected you as king. Saul answered Samuel, “I have sinned. I have transgressed the Lord’s command and your words. Because I was afraid of the people, I obeyed them. Now therefore, please forgive my sin and return with me so I can worship the Lord.” Samuel replied to Saul, “I will not return with you. Because you rejected the word of the Lord, the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel.” When Samuel turned to go, Saul grabbed the hem of his robe, and it tore. Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingship of Israel away from you today and has given it to your neighbor who is better than you. Furthermore, the Eternal One of Israel does not lie or change His mind, for He is not man who changes his mind.” I Samuel 15:22-29.

And there is a similar example concerning disobedience toward Yahweh found in     

1 Chronicles 13:8-10, “David and all Israel were celebrating with all their might before God with songs and with lyres, harps, tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets. When they came to Chidon’s threshing floor, Uzzah reached out to hold the ark because the oxen had stumbled.  Then the Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah, and He struck him dead because he had reached out to the ark. So he died there in the presence of God.” HCSB. God instructed no one to touch the ark for any reason because the ark represented His holy presence.

The point I make concerning the possibility of the U.S. Constitution having become a god to many are the expressions of importance of these documents. No doubt, these documents are of utmost value to the historical significance and existence of America. Yes, the importance of them cannot and must not be overlooked for any reason, but in the same breath we must understand God’s absolute presence for the continued existence of the United States. Most who understand the innate power of the words of the Constitution also point to the underpinning of God’s presence, but we must not allow these documents to replace the holiness of God.

I understand the opinion that is expressed with the question, “Is the Constitution the ‘god’ of America?” But, the possibility of that being the case could easily find reason for God to bring His Holy Justice to bear upon this Nation. Some may not think so, but the thought is worth a moment of consideration. The document is of utmost importance to read and comprehend, but not of replacing the purpose of God.

We must always remember that Jesus is Lord.

Being in the mind of Christ is not a difficult task nor something that cannot be achieved by one who has chosen to follow Him. Jesus has made it clear that in order to be His Follower there are certain things that must first happen. One must be born-again by faith in Him alone, follow His prescribed teachings will happen when the faith walk begins, taking up a personal cross in the process that includes absolute obedience to His commands, and among others, placing personal desires, friends and family somewhere behind Him. He MUST BE the Chief Priest of the Believers life. With this the Believer is ‘in the Mind of Christ. Difficult? Only if one is attempting to do so alone.

“Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravaging wolves. You’ll recognize them by their fruit. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit; neither can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So you’ll recognize them by their fruit. Do not judge, so that you won’t be judged. For with the judgment you use, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye but don’t notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and look, there’s a log in your eye? Hypocrite! First, take the log out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. Don’t give what is holy to dogs or toss your pearls before pigs, or they will trample them with their feet, turn, and tear you to pieces.” Matthew 7:1-6, HCSB.

Following the logic of our Lord we must concur that when one is humble before after washing the sin from the body by God’s grace and forgiveness the ability to judge with Godly propriety is then possible. A Follower of the Christ is now able to make judgments concerning people who are walking the narrow path of Christ-likeness. This means that people who are crucified with Christ, filled with the Spirit, and are making decisions in the mind of Christ are able to make spiritual judgments about others because just as Paul suggests, “I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it. Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravaging wolves. You’ll recognize them by their fruit. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit; neither can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So you’ll recognize them by their fruit. Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father in heaven. On that day many will say to Me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in Your name, drive out demons in Your name, and do many miracles in Your name?’ Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you! Depart from Me, you lawbreakers!’” Matthew 7:13-23.

Now comes the most obvious of statements that Jesus has to say. A person who is, indeed, following Christ will have built a house upon the solid rock of God’s Word and cleansed by the precious blood that flows from the Cross. Upon His resurrection, we are now able to visually and spiritually understand the collapse of a person’s life who is not Following Christ. The judgment as to whether or not a person is born-again is truly simple to make by those whose lives are being cleansed by the blood of Jesus.
It must be understood here that eternal judgments have already been made by God for He has already determined that anyone who does not believe in the Name of Christ is condemned. The task of the Believer is to help those who are condemned to become redeemed “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! Together with Christ Jesus He also raised us up and seated us in the heavens, so that in the coming ages He might display the immeasurable riches of His grace through His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— not from works so that no one can boast. 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 2:4-10.

God says it much better than I could have. Jesus is Lord.

Within the pages of God’s Word are phrases and paragraphs, and then, there are longer statements, too that ‘get our attention.’ Well, Paul gives us much of the same thought in Romans 1:13-25, “Now I want you to know, brothers, that I often planned to come to you (but was prevented until now) in order that I might have a fruitful ministry among you, just as among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 I am obligated both to Greeks and barbarians, both to the wise and the foolish. 15 So I am eager to preach the good news to you also who are in Rome. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. 17 For in it God’s righteousness is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith. 18 For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth, 19 since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what He has made. As a result, people are without excuse. 21 For though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became nonsense, and their senseless minds were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles. 24 Therefore God delivered them over in the cravings of their hearts to sexual impurity, so that their bodies were degraded among themselves. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served something created instead of the Creator, who is praised forever. Amen.”

The Apostle ‘sounds’ much like the evangelists of old that many of us once heard in pulpits across America. They spoke with thunderous voices and had in their tenor the idea that would cause the ‘fear of God’ to spread through a congregation. Oftentimes people would flood the altars to repent of their sin because they felt the ‘fires of Hell’ reaching out to them. For as Paul writes, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. 17 For in it God’s righteousness is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith. 18 For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth, 19 since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them.” vv 16-19.

Evangelist Billy Sunday once said, “Listen, I’m against sin. I’ll kick it as long as I’ve got a foot, I’ll fight it as long as I’ve got a fist, I’ve butt it as long as I’ve got a head, and I’ll bite it as long as I’ve got a tooth. And when I’m old, fistless, footless, and toothless, I’ll gum it till I go home to glory and it goes home to perdition.” Sunday was a fearless proponent of the Gospel of Jesus Christ just as Paul before him was. “For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth…” v 18. What we know is simple, God is righteous and no unrighteousness exists EVEN IN HIS PRESENCE for He will NOT allow it. The difficulty for us is also simple, we do allow unrighteousness into our presence, but because we who are Follower of the Christ are able to resist sin and all appearances of evil for the Holy Spirit is in our hearts. “God raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power. 15 Don’t you know that your bodies are a part of Christ’s body? So should I take a part of Christ’s body and make it part of a prostitute? Absolutely not! 16 Don’t you know that anyone joined to a prostitute is one body with her? For Scripture says, The two will become one flesh. 17 But anyone joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.” 

The prostitute for a Believer is sin presenting itself as something irresistible, but a Believer will NOT enter into the house of that sin and share that evil BECAUSE of the indwelling Holy Spirit. “Absolutely not!,” Paul says because, ‘anyone joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.” v. 17.

Here is the difference between those who follow the Christ and those who are absolutely opposed to Him, “For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth, since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them.” vv 18-19. The Apostle gives to every lost person a ‘wake-up call, “God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all ungodlessness” because they ignore and attempt to discard truth. In our culture, for what is left of it, absolute values are non-existent in many corners that allow for disruptions in our social order. God will reveal his justice in ways that few will understand, and those few will be spiritually discerned. Does God have your attention?

Jesus is Lord. 

Hanging by a thread” is the way I see things right now. Someone wrote about Southern Baptists some years ago, “Ropes of Sand with the Strength of Steel.” Both of these statements can be true for life is given and taken away by the act of God, always. Jesus said this, “I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener. He takes away every branch that does not bear fruit in me. He prunes every branch that bears fruit so that it will bear more fruit. You are clean already because of the word that I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me.” John 15:1-4 NET2.

It is imperative that everyone who claims the Name of Jesus understands His words. Some seem to think that if a person claims Jesus as Savior and does not remain faithful he will destroy the relationship, that is, lose salvation. But, this is not it at all. The idea of ‘remaining’ indicates ‘fruit-bearing’ and that is the result of knowing Him. Without His presence there will be no fruit-bearing possible. Simply because one claims to know Him is not significant without the initial relationship brought about by the ‘new birth’ by faith in Him. Jesus, explains this in John chapter 3. But, there is more.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me—and I in him—bears much fruit, because apart from me you can accomplish nothing. If anyone does not in me, he is thrown out like a branch, and dries up; and such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and are burned up. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want, and it will be done for you. My Father is honored by this, that you bear much fruit and show that you are my disciples.” John 15:5-8. One can only remain in Christ because His words, His teachings remain a practical and integral part of the one professing His Name. Jesus told a group of new Believers, “Then Jesus said to those Judeans who had believed him, “If you continue to follow my teaching, you are really my disciples and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” “We are descendants of Abraham,” they replied, “and have never been anyone’s slaves! How can you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered them, “I tell you the solemn truth, everyone who practices sin is a slave of sin. The slave does not remain in the family forever, but the son remains forever. So if the son sets you free, you will be really free. ” John 8:31-36. The last phrase is the practical clue, Believers are given the power, the ability in Christ to be free from the bondage of sin. And Paul writes about this in Romans chapters 5-8. If anyone continues to practice sin but claims to be ‘Christian,’ there is NO Truth present.

Let us finish with these words of Jesus, “Just as the Father has loved me, I have also loved you; remain in my love. If you obey my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be complete.” John 15:9-11. ‘Obedience’ is the foundation of the relationship between Jesus and anyone who expresses faith in Him. Without obedience to His teachings there is no relationship with Him. If there is no obedience toward His teachings the result is the ‘burning lake of fire.’ Are you obedient? 

Jesus is Lord.

The Net2 Translation is used for documentation…

Recently I was told “It is obvious that someone has tricked you into believing what you think is true.” My fault is that I hold the Word of God to be literally true, inspired by the Holy Spirit and every word in His Word is literally true. And furthermore, I allow the Bible to guide how I live. The issue with this person is simple: he holds to the fallacy that time changes things and our interpretation of the Bible should change with the shifting sands of social change. Paul writes, “Remind people of these things and solemnly charge them before the Lord not to wrangle over words. This is of no benefit; it just brings ruin on those who listen. 15 Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately. 16 But avoid profane chatter, because those occupied with it will stray further and further into ungodliness, 17 and their message will spread its infection like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are in this group. 18 They have strayed from the truth by saying that the resurrection has already occurred, and they are undermining some people’s faith. 19 However, God’s solid foundation remains standing, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from evil.” 2 Timothy 2:14-19.

Sometimes I do get ‘caught up in’ unending and useless conversation with some folks who believe and teach a lie. My personal struggle with folks like this is their foolishness that I, in my eagerness to help them to see, attempt to correct their spiritual blindness. What I do know all too well is these folks can only see when Jesus Christ becomes their Savior and Lord. Paul tells Timothy, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from evil.” This is not difficult to understand, but impossible to do unless Jesus is their Lord.

“Above all, you do well if you recognize this: No prophecy of scripture ever comes about by the prophet’s own imagination, 21 for no prophecy was ever borne of human impulse; rather, men carried along by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” 2 Peter 1:20-21. Indeed, as the Holy Spirit empowers me to utilize my gift of prophecy, I understand that revealing sinful characteristics in others is not of my doing, but of God alone. However, that which is not understood by the listener is his personal spiritual darkness. Some have asked me, “How do you know for sure if someone is lost or not?” My answer is simple: “I do not know in and of myself, but the Holy Spirit shows me the darkness surrounding a person who is lost.” Sadly, most people do not want to listen to what He shows me and they walk away angry.

“Therefore, dear friends, since you are waiting for these things, strive to be found at peace, without spot or blemish, when you come into his presence. 15 And regard the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as also our dear brother Paul wrote to you, according to the wisdom given to him, 16 speaking of these things in all his letters. Some things in these letters are hard to understand, things the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they also do to the rest of the scriptures. 17 Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard that you do not get led astray by the error of these unprincipled men and fall from your firm grasp on the truth. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the honor both now and on that eternal day.” 2 Peter 3:14-18.

Inside the 4 walls of the building in which you and I worship are many that do not know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Sadly, these call themselves ‘Christian’ and are supported by those surrounding them because they are able to fool themselves and others. However, they cannot fool God. “Now the one who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with the one who teaches it. 7 Do not be deceived. God will not be made a fool. For a person will reap what he sows, 8 because the person who sows to his own flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. 9 So we must not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the family of faith.” Galatians 6:6-10. Those of us who are, indeed, Followers of Jesus Christ must continue to proclaim the truth of the infallible and incorruptible Word of God and, therefore, make application of it to our daily lives. We must not allow those who are unbelievers to speak untruths, but to correct them with Truth. They will not like it and will resist with the power of darkness at every turn. “Do not be deceived. God will not be made a fool. For a person will reap what he sows, because the person who sows to his own flesh will reap corruption from the flesh…” They think of themselves as wise, but are fools.

Jesus is Lord.

In America we are facing what most are saying, “This election cycle is most likely the most critical that we have had.” This has been true for each one since Obama won his first term in 2008. From that election cycle until this one the very same statement has been produced and every time that has been true. Well, here we are again. However, this cycle will be one ‘for the ages’ because most of us really believe that if the Conservatives fail this time our Constitution AND our culture will either be ignored and/or a new one will be written and the U.S.A. will be no longer.

However, there may be more and I think so. For a very long time some have been saying that Jesus’ words concerning ‘few will enter into the Kingdom’ is quite obvious. I have written much about this and believe those words to be more clearly seen than ever before. The truth found in God’s Word is being revealed more and more, and the vast majority of  our Culture does not understand because of 3 things in particular: 1. Most simply do not accept the Word of God as truth. 2. Many who claim the Bible as true do not accept it to be authoritative in their lives. 3. Those who accept Scripture as being literally true are fewer in number than most of us realize.

My guess is that everyone, EVERYONE who will vote for President Trump fit the 3rd group. Hopefully, most of those who fall into the 2nd tier will vote for the President because they understand Absolute Values. There are many secular humanists who will vote for Trump because they love America and these are in the 1st box. This is my take on this election cycle.

But, there is more. Within the American Church exists the Body of Christ and this is an odd variety of people. I do not completely understand what I am about to write, but I think it is so. Not all accept the Bible as being inerrant, infallible and literally true, and for this reason exist so many different faith groups or denominations. Some amongst us do not accept the absolute truths or principles of Scripture which means that they interpret God’s Word through the prism of their life experiences. These 2 statements describe the vast majority of the Body of Christ in America. Far fewer of us accept the Word of God as inerrant, infallible and literally true AND allow His Truth to directly affect and guide our lives. 

We must view our lives through the lens of God’s Word and for this reason the understanding of these words from the Apostles Peter and Paul is much easier, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he gave us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, that is, into an inheritance imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. It is reserved in heaven for you, who by God’s power are protected through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.This brings you great joy, although you may have to suffer for a short time in various trials. Such trials show the proven character of your faith, which is much more valuable than gold—gold that is tested by fire, even though it is passing away—and will bring praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:3-8. And from Paul we find this, “According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master-builder I laid a foundation, but someone else builds on it. And each one must be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than what is being laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, each builder’s work will be plainly seen, for the Day will make it clear, because it will be revealed by fire. And the fire will test what kind of work each has done. If what someone has built survives, he will receive a reward. If someone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss. He himself will be saved, but only as through fire.” 1 Corinthians 3:10-15.

The Body of Christ is far different than anyone outside the Body and that difference is a unique relationship with Jesus Christ founded upon a foundation of faith in Him alone. The life of every person being in Christ should be constructed through the lens of God’s Word and directed by the Lord Jesus. One day there will be a Day of Judgment, a day of reckoning, “Then Jesus said to those Judeans who had believed him, “If you continue to follow my teaching, you are really my disciples and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  “We are descendants of Abraham,” they replied, “and have never been anyone’s slaves! How can you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered them, “I tell you the solemn truth, everyone who practices sin is a slave of sin. The slave does not remain in the family forever, but the son remains forever. So if the son sets you free, you will be really free.” John 8:31-36. Believers find the Christian life to be difficult without following the absolute statements of direction found in the Word of God. For those who commit themselves to following His teachings will, indeed, find freedom therein.

These words of Paul ring true for us, “According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master-builder I laid a foundation, but someone else builds on it. And each one must be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than what is being laid, which is Jesus Christ.” What more can be said? You must decide.

Jesus is Lord.