Bible – End Times Prophecy Report

Charge Some

In his first epistle to Timothy Paul instructed Timothy to charge some that they teach no other doctrine in the church that was in Ephesus. False doctrine was rearing its ugly head through the proliferation of false teaching. This false doctrine, as is always the case, was in complete contradiction to the good doctrine that God has reserved for us in His Word, the Bible. After his exhortation to Timothy, Paul then gives examples of false doctrine and its deadly effects. Paul’s commandment to Timothy to charge some that they teach no other doctrine was rooted in love for the brethren and love for God.

³As I urged you when I went into Macedonia-remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine,⁴nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith. ⁵Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, ⁶from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, ⁷desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm. ⁸But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully. 1 Timothy 1:3-8

Those who are in positions of leadership in the church must reject fables which cause disputes to occur between brethren rather than godly mutual edification. However, in recent history some “Christian” leaders have done the exact opposite. Their support of three recent films from Hollywood geared towards the “Christian” market reveals their duplicity in the faith. Each of these films was based upon fables, things that are made up, rather than the truth from the Scriptures. Some leaders within the “Christian” community promoted the pictures, encouraging “Christians” to pay to see these fallacious films. They actually joined in making merchandise of believers, sharing in the sins of others, something Paul warned Timothy against. These fables were not fabricated out of thin air; instead the premise for the films was taken from Scripture. Like these films, much of what is being promoted within the visible church today takes grains of truth from the Bible and then puffs them up, distorting them with the foolish beliefs, vain ideologies, worldly philosophies and devilish doctrines utilized to distort God’s Word and lead many astray. This promotion of fables leads to discord and disputes among the body, where faith and love are cast aside, along with the Word of God, and instead fleshly behavior reigns supreme. Those who try to warn others with the Word of God are castigated and spurned, being labeled haters, when the truth is those who hold to these fables are the dividers and haters, rejecting biblical faith and godly fellowship which centers around Jesus Christ and His Word and results in loving edification. At the other end of the continuum of false doctrine is the teaching of the law in the place of grace and love found in and through Christ Jesus.

⁵Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, ⁶from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, ⁷desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm. ⁸But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, ⁹knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, ¹⁰for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine,¹¹according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust. 1 Timothy 1:5-11

Trying to know, love and serve God through the observance of the law is impossible. The law exposes our sin; the law is designed to show us our need for Christ and lead us to Him as we despair of ever being adequate to make ourselves worthy of the love of God and right in His sight. The law makes us feel guilty and alienated from God. It is only faith in Jesus Christ that makes us righteous in God’s sight. He is our righteousness. Those who try to resort to the law and use it to exhort others to godly living are placing a burden upon the hearts and lives of those they are enslaving with an instrument that is meant to condemn us because of indwelling sin.

“Those who exhort God’s children with the law are brutalizing them with an impossible obligation that can never be met by man. Jesus Christ sets us free from the law’s requirements and establishes us in His grace through faith.”

The law is good but we are slaves to sin and incapable of living lives pleasing to God since the law actually excites sin within us because of the depravity of our sin natures. Those who exhort God’s children with the law are brutalizing them with an impossible obligation that can never be met by man. Jesus Christ sets us free from the law’s requirements and establishes us in His grace through faith. He gives us the promised Holy Spirit and as we walk by faith in the power of the Spirit we faithfully please God and are not under the law. Self-righteousness through observance of the law feeds the flesh and brings condemnation. Instead walking in the Spirit and walking in love, which is a fruit of the Spirit, brings us out from under the law and then fulfills the heart and intent of the law. It is necessary to quote numerous Scripture to endorse the biblical doctrine that I have written.

¹⁹Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. ²⁰Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. Romans 3:19-20

²²But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. ²³But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. ²⁴Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. ²⁵But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. ²⁶For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:22-26

⁴Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another-to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. ⁵For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death. ⁶But now that we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter. ⁷What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.” ⁸But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead. ⁹I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. ¹⁰And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death. ¹¹For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me. ¹²Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good. ¹³Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful. ¹⁴For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. Romans 7:4-14

¹There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. ²For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. ³For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin the flesh, ⁴that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1-4

³⁰But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God-and righteousness and sanctification and redemption-³¹that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:30-31

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 5:21

¹⁶I say them: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. ¹⁷For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to on another so that you do not do the things that you wish. ¹⁸But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. Galatians 5:16-18

For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. Galatians 6:8

⁸Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. ⁹For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” ¹⁰Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. Romans 13:8-10

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

Legalistic law teaching is practiced within much of the visible church today; the homeschooling movement is especially prone to this error which causes much harm. Children reared under the tutelage of the law do not learn about the love of God given to them in Christ Jesus. They do not learn about the grace of God given to them in Christ Jesus. They serve a hard taskmaster that only grimaces at them and whips them as they fail, and fail they do for the invalid flesh fruitlessly fights to control sin through the law. Unabated flesh flourishes under legalistic teaching so that all manner of wickedness abounds. These are those who have a form of godliness but deny its power. We are to turn away from these false teachers who enslave others by the wrongful use of the law because they have no confidence in the victory over sin that is ours in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:5)

There is an abundance of those who endorse fables, teach legalism and listen to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons. The apostasy within the visible church is deep and wide. The false doctrines that abound are too numerous to list, but they all originate from the father of lies, Satan. He deceives and leads astray. These heresies are whispered in the ears of those who are primed for deception because they do not love the truth, God’s Holy Word, the Bible. Instead they lust after the latest greatest thing that will cause a sensation and bring them a following.

¹Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines o demons,²speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, ³forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. ⁴For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; ⁵for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. ⁶If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. ⁷But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. 1 Timothy 4:1-7

Our protection against the onslaught of false teaching is to build ourselves up on our most holy faith by godly living and adherence to the truth, which is the Word of God. We can protect ourselves from the lies of the enemy by being informed through diligent study of God’s Word and rejection of teaching that doesn’t conform to the godly doctrine of the Scriptures. That means meticulous study of the Scriptures so that we understand the Word of God by the Holy Spirit and then can reject the lies, reprove the liars, and exhort all with the Holy Scriptures of God, including our own selves.

Those who teach lies reject the words of Jesus Christ and teach doctrine that is contrary to godly living. Instead their prideful, ignorant false teaching results in disputes, arguments, envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions and useless wranglings. They are in it for the money and care nothing for Christ or for His precious flock. This aptly depicts what is happening in many churches today and throughout the “Christian” community. What a sad and deplorable situation for those who claim to be believers in Jesus Christ. We must reject these false teachers and remove ourselves from their sphere of influence.

³If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, ⁴he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, ⁵useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself. 1 Timothy 6:3-5

Finally false teachers and false brethren falsely profess knowledge and so leave behind the faith they once professed. This knowledge can come from seminary, theological works, “Christian” seminars and conventions. This knowledge can come from the scientific community, the popular culture, the New Age, or any other information stream that teaches what is contrary to the Holy Scriptures. This false knowledge is foolish, rejects the truth and tries to place the ignorance of man over the wisdom of God found in the Bible. The end result will be the same no matter the source, falling from the faith that was once professed. Paul exhorts Timothy, and us, guard what is committed to our trust. Guard the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. Hold fast to sound doctrine! Cling to the Word of God! Cry out to God for His protection and deliverance! These are perilous times in which we live in. Truth is condemned as false; and falsehood is elevated as truth. This is happening within the visible church. Take care that no man deceives you! May God’s grace be with us to protect and guide us in these perilous times.

²⁰O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge-²¹by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen. 1 Timothy 6:20-21

by Eliza

image: ETPR

Originally posted at Holding Forth His Word: Charge Some

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God’s Deliverance

God works contrary to human nature, contrary to our expectations. In the book of Jeremiah, Judah is headed towards exile from the Beautiful Land because they had defiled it by their willful idolatry and evil behavior. Because God is merciful and longsuffering He sent numerous prophets to warn about the coming judgment, but the priests, prophets and people refused to listen and even murdered the true prophets of God.

¹In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah came this word from the LORD, saying, ²Thus says the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD’S house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD’S house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word: ³If so be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent me of the evil, which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings. ⁴And thou shalt say unto them, Thus says the LORD; If ye will not hearken to me, to walk in my law, which I have set before you, ⁵To hearken to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I sent unto you, both rising up early, and sending them, but ye have not hearkened; ⁶Then will I make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth. ⁷So the priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the LORD. ⁸Now it came to pass, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that the LORD had commanded him to speak unto all the people, that the priests and the prophets and all the people took him, saying, Thou shalt surely die. ⁹Why hast thou prophesied in the name of the LORD, saying, This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate without an inhabitant? And all the people were gathered against Jeremiah in the house of the LORD. ¹⁰When the princes of Judah heard these things, then they came up from the king’s house unto the house of the LORD, and sat down in the entry of the new gate of the LORD’S house. ¹¹Then spoke the priests and the prophets unto the princes and to all the people, saying, This man is worthy to die; for he hath prophesied against this city, as ye have heard with your ears. ¹²Then spoke Jeremiah unto all the princes and to all the people, saying, The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that ye have heard. ¹³Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God; and the LORD will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you. ¹⁴As for me, behold, I am in your hand: do with me as seems good and meet unto you. ¹⁵But know ye for certain, that if ye put me to death, ye shall surely bring innocent blood upon yourselves, and upon this city, and upon the inhabitants thereof: for of a truth the LORD hath sent me unto you to speak all these words in your ears. ¹⁶Then said the princes and all the people unto the priests and to the prophets; This man is not worthy to die: for he hath spoken to us in the name of the LORD our God. ¹⁷Then rose up certain of the elders of the land, and spoke to all the assembly of the people, saying, ¹⁸Micah the Morasthite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and spoke to all the people of Judah, saying, Thus says the LORD of hosts; Zion shall be plowed like a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of a forest. ¹⁹Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him at all to death? did he not fear the LORD, and besought the LORD, and the LORD repented him of the evil which he had pronounced against them? Thus might we procure great evil against our souls. Jeremiah 26:1-19

Jeremiah, God’s prophet spoke the truth to the inhabitants of Judah, yet they were not willing to listen. God sent Jeremiah with this pronouncement of judgment with the hope that the people would repent of their evil behavior and return to the Lord. The majority was incensed at the pronouncement of judgment, but God raised up those who protected Jeremiah reminding the others that a prophet had declared God’s judgment against Judah in the days of Hezekiah and the people had repented. They warned the angry mob not to murder Jeremiah and bring great evil against their souls. These princes and elders were the very ones who would be carried captive to Babylon. This was God’s deliverance for these souls who received the Word of Jeremiah and repented of their sin. The ones who preferred the heresy of the false prophets and the evil arrogance of the priests were the ones who rejected the Word of the Lord proclaimed to them by the prophet Jeremiah and they would remain in the land of Judah receiving the full retribution of the Lord against their evil idolatrous ways.

“Just as the remnant was removed from Judah and protected in Babylon, the sad reality is that those who belong to the Lord Jesus Christ through faith in Him find their safety and God’s blessings by not assembling with the wicked crowd.”

¹The LORD showed me, and, behold, two baskets of figs were set before the temple of the LORD, after that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon had carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, and the princes of Judah, with the carpenters and smiths, from Jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon. ²One basket had very good figs, even like the figs that are first ripe: and the other basket had very naughty figs, which could not be eaten, they were so bad. ³Then said the LORD unto me, What seest thou, Jeremiah? And I said, Figs; the good figs, very good; and the evil, very evil, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil.⁴Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, ⁵Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel; Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for their good.⁶For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull them down; and I will plant them, and not pluck them up. ⁷And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart. ⁸And as the evil figs, which cannot be eaten, they are so evil; surely thus says the LORD, So will I give Zedekiah the king of Judah, and his princes, and the residue of Jerusalem, that remain in this land, and them that dwell in the land of Egypt:⁹And I will deliver them to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth for their hurt, to be a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all places whither I shall drive them. ¹⁰And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, among them, till they be consumed from off the land that I gave unto them and to their fathers. Jeremiah 24:1-10

As it was in the time of Jeremiah, so it is today. There are many abroad who proclaim the imaginings of their own hearts and claim to speak for the Lord. There are many who twist the Scriptures to agree with what they proclaim and lead many astray. False teachers proliferate within the church asserting the doctrines and vain philosophies of man rather than teaching the glorious Word of God. Just as the remnant was removed from Judah and protected in Babylon, the sad reality is that those who belong to the Lord Jesus Christ through faith in Him find their safety and God’s blessings by not assembling with the wicked crowd. Our loyalty is to the Lord Jesus Christ and we must follow Him, not the vainglory of man.

After God reveals to John the end-time apostate church in all of her filthy betrayal of the Lord Jesus Christ and His saints, John hears a voice from heaven warning God’s people to come out of her lest they share in her punishment.

⁴And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. ⁵For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. ⁶Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. Revelation 18:4-6

The corruption of the church is roiling to a climax of complete apostasy for the appearance of the one world religious institution that rejects God, renounces His Christ, repudiates His Word the Bible, resists the Holy Spirit and instead enthralls itself with man’s musings and embraces the folly of sin, as they are led by the devil. Continuing to support this evil institution is not an option for the children of God, bought by the precious blood of Christ, filled with His Spirit and fed by the Word of the Living God. We must renounce all the works of the flesh and follow our Savior rejoicing in His grace, mercy and love given to us. Just as God’s deliverance for those who listened to and obeyed His Word spoken by His prophet Jeremiah seemed contrary to His promises for His people, the deliverance that He has for His children today is to turn away from the apostate church and find fellowship with those who see the deception for what it is, even if that means we turn from the “corporate church body”. May God bless us in our exile for His glory, praise and honor.

by Eliza

image: pd

Originally posted at Holding Forth His Word: God’s Deliverance

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Test Time

Those who have studied and prepared themselves well will most likely pass the tests they must take in order to complete a particular course. In science class I can tell who has and who hasn’t studied for the exams that I give. Those students who use the study guides, helps, practice midterms, homework and lecture notes can be fairly confident that they will pass the exam. Those who have neglected to do the homework and apply themselves to study can be fairly confident that they will not pass the exam. God our Father in Heaven examines our hearts as revealed in the Holy Scriptures; let’s look at those passages to find out how we can pass the tests He uses to reveal the true nature of our hearts.

1 “If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, 2 and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, ‘Let us go after other gods’-which you have not known-‘and let us serve them,’ 3 “you shall not listen to the words of the prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the Lord your God is testing you to know whether you love the Lord you God with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice; you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him. 5 But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has spoken in order to turn you away from the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of bondage, to entice you from the way in which the Lord your God commanded you to walk. So you shall put the evil from your midst. 6 If your brother, the son of our mother, your son or your daughter, the wife of your bosom, or your friend who is as your own soul, secretly entices you, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods,’ which you have not known, neither you nor your fathers, 7 of the gods of the people which are all around you, near to you or far off from you, from one end of the earth to the other end of the earth, 8 you shall not consent to him or listen to him, nor shall your eye pity him, nor shall you spare him or conceal him; 9 but you shall surely kill him; your hand shall be first against him to put him to death, and afterward the hand of all the people. 10 And you shall stone him with stones until he dies, because he sought to entice you away from the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. 11 So all Israel shall hear and fear, and not again do such wickedness as this among you. Deuteronomy 13:1-11

Did the children of Israel do as they were warned? Did they reject the messages of false prophets and stone those who would lead them away from the God of heaven and earth? The prophet Jeremiah describes the spiritual condition of the people of Israel in the waning years of the kingdom of Judah.

16 “Therefore do not pray for this people, nor lift up a cry or prayer for them, nor make intercession to Me; for I will not hear you. 17 Do you not see what they do in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? 18 The children gather wood, the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead dough, to make cakes for the queen of heaven; and they pour out drink offerings to other gods, that they may provoke Me to anger. 19 “Do they provoke Me to anger?” says the Lord. “Do they not provoke themselves, to the shame of their own faces?” 20 Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Behold, My anger and My fury will be poured out on this place-on man and on beast, on the trees of the field and on the fruit of the ground. And it will burn and not be quenched.” Jeremiah 7:16-20

The northern kingdom, Israel, was already removed from the land due to their gross idolatry. Now it was the southern kingdom’s turn. Their rejection of God and embrace of false gods was so complete that Jeremiah was warned away from praying for these reprobate sinners. Their apostasy was so final that God determined to destroy them and the land that they inhabited.

11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 1 Corinthians 10:11-12

This is a timely warning for us today. Do we love the Lord our God with all our hearts and all our minds so that we turn from the lie and cling to the truth? Are we being led away from Christ and His sure word to us by the deceitful scheming of wicked workers, by lying signs and wonders? Are those who are named “men of God”, those serving as leaders in the church, performing the Lord’s work or their own deceptive philandering? We must take seriously the many admonitions in the New Testament to turn away from false teaching and cling to the Word of God. We must examine anything that anyone says by the light of the Holy Scriptures through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Lying wonders abound leading many into error and apostasy. As we see the time fast approaching for the return of Jesus Christ the incidence of corrupted preaching and apostate teaching will continue to increase. The lies the devil tempts us to embrace are preparing the way for the son of perdition, the Antichrist. If we are not well exercised in the Scriptures, prayer and godly living, standing fast for the faith and rejecting and exposing the lie, then we will fall prey to Satan’s wicked schemes.

12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to who we must give account. 14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:12-16

12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Hebrews 5:12-14

“Are we being led away from Christ and His sure word to us by the deceitful scheming of wicked workers, by lying signs and wonders?”

The way that we battle against the forces of darkness arrayed against us is by knowing the Scriptures so very well and relying upon Jesus Christ so very much that we are well equipped to resist the attack, fend off the attacker, and put the enemy to flight. We have weapons that are not of this world but are mighty for the tearing down of strongholds and destroying the works of the enemy.

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints- Ephesians 6:10-18

As we rely upon the Lord, His Word, His Spirit, and one another, we shall not be deluded by the end time deception that will ultimately carry the world away to destruction.

Sadly, it is apparent that many within the church today are completely unprepared to combat deception, and so they are easily fooled by the latest false teaching and the greatest charlatan that speaks great swelling words of emptiness enticing them to embrace the devil’s deceit and destruction. These ones who are so completely misled are being prepared for the coming of the Antichrist who will mesmerize them with lying wonders and wicked words leading them to embrace this one as their god.

3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. 5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy by the brightness of His coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12

Loving the truth will keep us from this ungodly deception and prove that we are true to our Father in Heaven. God our Father put the Israelites to the test allowing false prophets with lying wonders to lead them astray in order to prove them as true or false. During these last days, the Lord God Almighty has allowed the infiltration of His church with fakes and phonies who work by the flesh and give no opportunity to the Spirit to lead God’s people to the springs of living waters that they may be refreshed and strengthened during their pilgrimage. Instead these false teachers leave them thirsting in a dry and dreary land. Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior leads us from this darkness to His light and carries us along the way as we resist the work of the enemy and expose him for the vile evil operative that he is. Our thirsting hearts, resistance to the lie, and love for the truth prove our faith in Christ. Our humble obedience gives witness to the fact that we are the children of God so that we do not fail the test. Our stand for Christ gives us preparation to stand against Antichrist. To God be the glory who gives us the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior as we avail ourselves of His resources which He so generously gives us, so that we pass the test and prove that we are the children of God through faith in Jesus Christ.

by Eliza

image: Pong, FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Originally posted at Holding Forth His Word: Test Time

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Deception in the Church

Brethren, be on your guard for deception has crept into the church wholesale. It has crept into the church through false teachers and false brethren.

1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. 2 Peter 2:1-3

6 “My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray; They have turned them away on the mountains. They have gone from mountain to hill; they have forgotten their resting place. 7 All who found them have devoured them; And their adversaries said, ‘We have not offended, Because they have sinned against the Lord, the habitation of justice, The Lord, the hope of their fathers.” Jeremiah 50:6-7

28 “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Acts 20:28-30

4 For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. Jude 4

19 These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit. Jude 19

Looking at these verses we can identify the marks of false teachers. They secretly bring in destructive heresies and deny the Lord Jesus Christ. Destructive heresies are doctrines that oppose the sound teaching of the Scriptures. They will rely on books and the opinions of men rather than the pure Word of God. They deny Jesus Christ by denying He is God, or claimed to be God; they say His redemptive work on the cross isn’t sufficient and must be added to by our works, baptism, the works of others, suffering in purgatory, or rule keeping. They are greedy and look at believers as a means of lining their coffers. They use books, symposiums, seminars, schools, the pastorate, videos, music, movies, supposedly “good works” and all manner of merchandise to enrich themselves. They talk much about money, using guilt to convince those who listen to them to hand over their hard earned money. They extort and abuse the elderly and those who are entering their twilight years. These are evil vile abusers of those who desire to know and obey Jesus Christ. These false teachers are the greatest hypocrites and should be avoided at all costs. False teachers lead the people away from God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ and instead draw them away after themselves through their false teaching and perversion of the Scriptures. They are ungodly and count on others extending grace and forgiveness to them so they can continue in their wickedness. They encourage others to continue in wickedness and sin and don’t exhort others that the Beloved of the Lord depart from unrighteousness and sin. They can only live in the flesh since they are devoid of the Spirit and are led by the devil. God’s Word commands that we separate ourselves from these false teachers, and that means avoiding their assemblies, concerts, seminars, books, music, whatever the enemy uses to lead the vast majority of those who claim to be Christians astray.

14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness: 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 17 Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” 18 “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

“Brethren, be on your guard for deception has crept into the church wholesale. It has crept into the church through false teachers and false brethren.”

We have to remember that deception has also entered the church through false brethren.

9 That this is a rebellious people, Lying children, Children who will not hear the law of the Lord; 10 Who say to the seers, “Do not see,” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us right things; Speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceits. 11 Get out of the way, Turn aside from the path, Cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.” Isaiah 30:9-11

6 My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. Hosea 4:6

12 I have written for him the great things of My law, But they were considered a strange thing. Hosea 8:12

You have plowed wickedness; You have reaped iniquity. You have eaten the fruit of lies, because you trusted in your own way, in the multitude of your mighty men. Hosea 10:13

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 2 Timothy 4:3-4

“For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me , the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns-broken cisterns that can hold no water. Jeremiah 2:13

10…and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for his reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2 Thessalonians 2:10-11

False brethren reject the Lord and His Word, the Bible. They reject the knowledge that comes from knowing Jesus Christ and His Word and substitute the empty opinions of men which have their origins in the doctrines of demons. Rejecting God and His truth they embrace the lie, because they have pleasure in unrighteousness and therefore God sends upon them a strong delusion. They desire their own way and will not submit to God’s way. They turn away from the truth and away from God. They are of the flesh and do not have the Holy Spirit just like the false teachers. We can try to bring these back to the faith by the power of God, but if they still reject the truth regarding Jesus Christ and His Word, then we must leave them to God.

19 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. James 5:19-20

Deception has entered the church through the enemy, through false teachers and false brethren. The enemy has always used this tactic against the people of God through the ages. When we read the Old and New Testament, we see prophets warning the children of God over and over again to turn away from idols and lies and to cling to God and His truth. The distinguishing marks of those who truly know Jesus Christ are their love for God, love for God’s Word and love for God’s children. Those who are false will always reject those who are true. Those who are true must reprove those who stray from the faith, seek to restore them to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ and then reject those who refuse correction. May God empower us for this task as we seek to live to God’s glory holding fast to His truth, His Son and His children.

by Eliza

image: ETPR/Stuart Miles, FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Originally posted at Holding Forth His Word: Deception in the Church

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In Name

1 Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust. 2 O my soul, you have said to the Lord, “You are my Lord, My goodness is nothing apart from You.” 3 As for the saints who are on the earth, “They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.” 4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied who hasten after another god; Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer, Nor take up their names on my lips. 5 O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot. 6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance. 7 I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel; My heart also instructs me in the night seasons. 8 I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope. 10 For you will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow your Holy One to see corruption. 11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16

These words penned by David under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit show the essence of those who have been redeemed by God Almighty by grace through faith in His Son Jesus Christ, our Lord and Redeemer. The believer’s life is found in God. His supply is from God. His salvation comes from God. His joy, glory, blessing and trust stem from his intimate relationship with God. Those who follow after false gods have only multiple sorrows for their lot and inheritance.

There is a God given difference between the redeemed and the nominal Christian. I want to look at a number of those differences from Scripture to give clarity for the reason that bedlam reigns within much of “Christianity” today. First and foremost one must have experienced the providential sovereign work of God in their lives by the Holy Spirit. Without God initiating and procuring salvation there would not be any among the redeemed.

3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered , “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? 11 Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness.” John 3:3-11

10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:10-13

It is the flesh that conjures up distractions, devilish doctrines, deadly vice. It is the flesh that must be condemned, put to death. It is only through the work of Jesus Christ, His death on the cross for our sins and His resurrection from the dead that delivers us from the futility and falsehood of the flesh. Any who have not believed in the biblical testimony regarding Jesus Christ, believed in Who He is and what He has done, realizing that they are sinners justly condemned to eternal damnation for their willful rebellion against God Almighty, repented of their sin and received Him are not born of the Spirit and so are damned in the sins of their flesh and under the delusion of the devil.

8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. Romans 8:8-9

The confusion and babble of false doctrines that are endemic within the visible church are the result of the work of Satan in the flesh of those who are not redeemed. Jesus Christ came to destroy the works of the devil and deliver us from Satan’s power and kingdom.

13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13-14

15 “So I said, ‘Who are You Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 16 But arise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. 17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me. ’ Acts 26:15-18

8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. 10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. 11 For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, 12 not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous. 1 John 3:8-12

The sin of teaching false doctrine which contradicts the doctrine that accords with godliness found within the pages of the Bible proves that those who practice such wickedness are of the devil and are doing his bidding. These are the ones who hate those who reprove them with the Word of God and will not repent and turn to the truth. These men and women of the flesh practice sin under the auspices of their lord the devil and they hate those who are truly redeemed by Jesus Christ. They cause divisions through the promulgation of their heresies, leading multitudes astray and pleasing the fleshly desires of those who listen to and support them. Rather than loyalty to Jesus Christ and His Word they are enamored by the philosophies and intellectual wranglings of those who are bereft of the truth being citizens of the world system.

Believers in Jesus Christ have no confidence in the flesh and reject idle and profane babblings of the intelligentsia of this fallen world system. Those who profess to know Christ but tear down the walls of separation between the world and genuine saving faith by embracing the varied and complex thought systems of this world organization headed by the devil prove they are bound for hell. These false brethren will always persecute those who belong to Jesus Christ through biblical faith in Him.

16 “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 These things I command you, that you love one another. 18 If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, the will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates Me hates My Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. 25 But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’ 26 But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, He will testify of Me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.” John 15:16-27

“Work centered faith traditions, liberal belief systems, mystical practices, ecumenical assertions all deny Jesus Christ and His Holy work on our behalf and so emanate from the worldly religious structure led by Satan.”

The worldly religious system inculcated in any and all religious belief traditions that deny the veracity of the Scriptures by rejection, supplementation or twisting also reject Jesus Christ and so are enemies of God. That is why the Scriptures enjoin us to not love the world!

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:15-17

13 Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. 1 John 3:13-14

2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcome the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:2-5

18 We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. 19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. 20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. 21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen 1 John 5:18-21

It is obvious that false religions are of the world, but perhaps less clear are the corruptions within the visible church that deny the truth of the Scriptures regarding God’s work done in this world through His Son Jesus Christ. Work centered faith traditions, liberal belief systems, mystical practices, ecumenical assertions all deny Jesus Christ and His Holy work on our behalf and so emanate from the worldly religious structure led by Satan. If you are in such a body and profess to know Christ then get out! You have no business consorting with the enemy.

14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them, I will be their God, And they shall be My people. 17 Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” 18 “I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

If you have opportunity to share the truth with these lost souls then ask God to empower you by the Holy Spirit as you share the truth of God’s Word with them.

19 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death ad cover a multitude of sins. James 5:19-20

As the beloved of the Lord let us prove our salvation by avoiding those who treacherously teach lies and reach out with the truth of Jesus Christ to those caught up in falsehood and deception. We, the children of God, are His through the salvation He has given us when He opened our eyes to our lost condition, being bound by Satan and captive to this world system, and turned us to believe in His Son Jesus Christ. Let us live as the children we are!

13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, 14 to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14

Let us throw off the works of darkness and refuse to be named with the nominal.

by Eliza

image: PD

Originally posted at Holding Forth His Word: In Name

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God’s Call to Sinners

SINNER, WILL YOU HEED THE CALL TO REPENT? Put your faith in Jesus Christ. — **SINNER, WILL YOU HEED THE CALL TO REPENT?** Put your faith in Jesus Christ.

God sent judgment upon the Israelites as they complained against God and Moses yet another time after God gave them a major victory over their enemies.

4 Then they journeyed from Mount Hor by the Way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way. 5 And the people spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water and our soul loathes this worthless bread.” 6 So the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died. 7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, “we have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord that He take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. 8 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived. Numbers 21:4-9

Jesus references this episode in the historical account of the wanderings of the people of Israel found in Numbers when explaining to Nicodemus the way of salvation in John chapter 3.

14 “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:14-18

Notice that the Israelites confessed their sin and asked Moses to pray for them. God instructed Moses to make a fiery serpent, set it on a pole, and then tell the people of Israel to look at the serpent and be saved. God, once again demonstrated His mercy, love and forgiveness to His wayward children. In the same way, sinners who confess their sin, turn from sin and believe in Jesus Christ are saved from the judgment of God in hell. Just as there were Israelites who died after being bitten by the fiery serpents, there will be those who will refuse to repent and believe in Jesus Christ and so will perish in hell.

“So dear sinner, will you heed the call and repent and put your faith in Jesus Christ? His mercy and grace given to us in the gospel, the death of Jesus Christ on the cross for our sins and His resurrection from the dead, are sufficient to save the most wretched sinner.”

In Second Peter chapter three, Peter writes about the return of Jesus Christ and says the supposed delay is due to God’s mercy.

8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:8-9

In Ezekiel chapter 18 after the prophet has warned the people of Israel to turn from sin to live, and exhorted those who were righteous to continue in righteousness so they would not be judged, God expresses His heart toward the rebellious.

30 “Therefore I will judge you. O house of Israel, everyone according to his ways,” says the Lord God. “Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. 31 “Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? 32 “For I have no pleasure in the death of the one who dies,” says the Lord God. “Therefore turn and live!” Ezekiel 18:30-32

God wants all to turn from their sin and turn to Him so they may have eternal life. The Father in Heaven wants all to repent of their sin and believe in Jesus Christ, placing their faith in Him as their Lord and Savior.

Twice in both the first and second chapters of 1 Timothy Paul reveals the mercy and grace that God has in store for sinners who turn to Him and turn from their sin.

12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, 13 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus come into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1:12-17

3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, 7 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle-I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying-a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. 1 Timothy 2:3-7

This comports exactly with what Jesus said in Matthew the eleventh chapter:

27 “All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. 28 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:27-30

God has said in so many different ways that His will and desire is for sinners to repent and place their faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior so they may have eternal life and be saved from God’s just judgment in hell. Those who repent of their sin and believe that Jesus died on the cross for their sins and rose again from the dead have eternal life.

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life, He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 “And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26

“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,”… Acts 3:19

So dear sinner, will you heed the call and repent and put your faith in Jesus Christ? His mercy and grace given to us in the gospel, the death of Jesus Christ on the cross for our sins and His resurrection from the dead, are sufficient to save the most wretched sinner. Won’t you trust your loving Savior and Lord Jesus Christ? God bless you.

by Eliza

image: PD

Originally posted at Holding Forth His Word: God’s Call to Sinners

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Do You Love the Sinner?

Do you love the sinner? Do you treat others the way you want to be treated? Do you follow the example of Jesus Christ who showed His love to sinners? If you have the Spirit of Christ indwelling you then you will love the sinner. Jesus instructed us how we should love the sinner. We can see where we stand if we compare our behavior with the commandments of Christ. We can see if we do love the sinner.

Jesus not only told us how to love the sinner, He also modeled that behavior for us. When He was hanging upon the cross, dying for the sins of the world, dying to reconcile us to God, He said these statements from the cross showing His love for the sinner.

33 And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right had and the other on the left. 34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots. Luke 23:33-34

Later on He assured one of the criminals of eternal life for his faith in Jesus Christ.

39 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” 40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom. 43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 23:39-43

Showing us how to love our family members, the sinners in our families, He reached out to His mother while hanging on the cross.

25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” 26 Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his home. John 19:25-27

In each instance He showed no concern for Himself, only for the sinners that He ministered to while dying on the cross, a death that for Him was unjust, but for us, our justification. He did not retaliate; He did not cry out, He did not call curses on or threaten those who were persecuting Him. He asked the Father to forgive them because the crucified Him in ignorance. He assured the dying criminal of eternal life because of his statement of faith. He delivered His mother to His beloved disciple so that she would be taken care of in the faith. He did all for others, He did all for sinners. Do you love the sinner?

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus taught sinners how to love sinners through many amazing exhortations beginning in Matthew chapter five.

21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ 22 “But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. 26 Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny. 27 You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 “But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. 30 “And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you ; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for you whole body to be cast into hell. 31 “Furthermore it has been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 “But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery. 33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ 34 “But I say to you, do not swear at all; neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one. 38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 “But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 “And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heave is perfect.” Matthew 5:21-48

Our relationship to the sinner is to mirror Christ’s love for the sinner and God’s gracious mercy given to all, the wicked as well as the righteous. We must love the sinner from the heart for that is where all behavior originates. We must be severe with ourselves so we can love the sinner with purity and God’s grace. Our conduct must be honest and humble. This high and lofty standard is impossible for any but the ones who have been born again by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ and His awesome work on the cross for us and resurrection from the dead and who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Additionally, we cannot obey God’s commands if we are in fellowship with false teachers and compromisers because we will be led by the flesh, and flesh begets flesh. We must walk in the light as He is in the light in order to obey and love the sinner. Do you love the sinner?

God continues to give His exhortation to love the sinner in the epistles; and in 1 Peter chapter three we are given glorious commands that embody true love for the sinner, the saved and the lost.

8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; 9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For “He who would love life and see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. 11 Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and purse it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 13 And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. 1 Peter 3:8-16

Ultimately we love the sinner by doing good. If our brothers or sisters in the Lord Jesus Christ sin against us, we must ask the Lord to bless them. We can seek to reconcile with them, but it must be done on the Lord’s terms with grace and forgiveness. If unbelievers attack our good conduct in Christ Jesus, we must stand our ground and continue to do good, sharing the truth about Jesus Christ and His gospel as we have opportunity.

21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow in His steps: 22 “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”,23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we having died to sins, might lie for righteousness-by whose stripes you were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. 1 Peter 2:21-25

Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator. 1 Peter 4:19

Our commitment to doing good and loving the sinner bears witness to our understanding that we are doing the will of God and He is leading us in all of life. As we love the sinner, we exemplify the glory of Jesus Christ and His love for mankind. Let us do good to all around us that God may be glorified and the sinner saved. During the past few years, my wonderful Father has given my husband and me the opportunity to love a sinner, a family member who has gone astray. We have seen Jesus answer prayers and make provision as we have served Him in loving the sinner. Do you love the sinner? May we remember the example that Jesus Christ our beloved Lord and Savior has given us, and love the sinner as He gives us grace and opportunity. May the Lord bless us for this blessed task.