Dogs & Swine

Matthew 7:6

"Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lets they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you."

Jesus says to ignore them, reject them, and simply stay away from them. They have made the decision to remain in their state of defilement. Obviously, Jesus is not talking about four-legged animals here. Quite frankly, dogs and pigs are very smart animals; apparently smarter and cleaner than many human beings. 

God's Word is holy, and the truth in Jesus Christ is a pearl that cannot be valued, it is a priceless jewel. We would also do well to notice the well known verse at the beginning of Chapter Seven, with the noted words of Jesus, "judge not lest you be judged." These words are often quoted by those who would suggest that sin should not be called out, mentioned, or spoken against today. How can one refuse to give that which is holy to the dogs, and not throw pearls before pigs, unless they first determine or discern the dogs and the pigs. 

The dogs and the pigs are defiled, lost sinners who vividly display their hostility to the truth of God's Word.  They make it abundantly clear that they are not interested in truth; they blatantly reject, blaspheme, and deny Jesus Christ. When confronted with that which is clearly defined truth in the Word of God, they will turn on you with viciousness, hatred, and vile resentment. 

Giving that which is holy to dogs, and casting your pearls before swine will lead you to grow weary, tired, and discouraged. These defiled and uncleaned brute beast will wear you down with their vicious, unrelenting attacks. You must be discerning, recognize the line of demarcation. There comes a time to remain silent and let them continue in their defiled status. This verse is extremely applicable to the blatant sodomites of our day who refuse to recognize their defilement, and insist on continuing to live in their sin, while viciously resenting and attacking anyone who calls it sin.

Righteousness & Wickedness

Psalm 45:6-7

"Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness.; you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness."

Men and their kingdoms are continually falling by the wayside. They have no real substance nor longevity. Man seeks to build his own little kingdom in the here and now, only to leave it behind in a few years. Without God, the existence of man is but futility. The kingdoms of this world will one day fall and surrender to the Kingdom of God, of whom its King will reign forever and ever, for He is the Eternal Kings of all the ages. It is King Jesus who formed, fashioned, created and sustains the current universe. Jesus Christ, the God of the New Testament, the One who became flesh, and walked among men, is the God of the Old Testament who was from and even beyond the beginning, for He is the Eternal One. He created and upright world, formed man from the dust of the earth, and breathed into him the breath of life. My friend, we all owe our existence to the God of all creation -- Jesus Christ.

We must understand and clearly defined the God of both the Old and New Testament, and in this text we see the "whole counsel of God" as in defining His eternal nature. God, Jesus Christ is a God who "loves righteousness and hates wickedness." Many today wish to define God by completing eliminating certain elements of His nature. Many are guilty today of refusing to define God as One who hates, yet He is clearly defined here as One who hates wickedness; with the flip-side being that He loves righteousness.

Now, I would encourage you to notice the Word of God in First John where John writes: "We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in wickedness." Listen friends, there are two classes of people in this world, and they are defined as either righteous or wicked. As Jeremiah so rightly declared, "the heart of man is deceitfully wicked," or as some translate "desperately sick." Only those who have been born-again, born of God are defined as the "children of God."  All others are defined as the "children of the devil."  There is no neutral ground.

My friends, God has blessed us with the right and the privilege to believe as we will. We are given the choice of remaining in our lost, defiled, corrupt, wicked state of sickness, or turn to Christ and His righteousness by faith. God has an eternal kingdom planned and prepared for the righteous whom He loves. However, He is "angry with the wicked everyday," yet in His love He extends to us the Scepter of Righteousness -- grace and mercy in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Have you received, accepted, and acquired His grace by faith, or do you remain in the wickedness of your sin. Cleansing, justification, sanctification, and glorification can only be received in Christ.

Born Sinners

1 Corinthians 6:9-11

"Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."

We must first ask ourselves, who are the unrighteous?  The unrighteous are those who have never truly been born-again, who have not had the "righteousness of Christ" imparted to them. There is no righteousness outside of Jesus Christ, and those who do not truly know Jesus Christ, have no righteousness at all -- they are separated from God, lost and "dead in trespasses and sin."  After making it crystal clear that the "unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God," Paul defines several thing of which the unrighteous practice. The lifestyle of the unrighteous is a lifestyle of practicing sin. It's important to note that all other sins could be placed in this text, because all sin in indicative of unrighteous deeds.

Paul warns and cautions man about the element of deception. Many are deceived in our day with regard to righteousness, right and wrong. Many also fail to understand the difference between committing a sin, and practicing a lifestyle of sin. In 1 John 1:8-10 we read:

          "Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for

           the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason

          the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the 

          devil. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for

          God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning

          because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who

          are the children of God, and who are the children of the 

          devil: whoever doe not practice righteousness is not of God,

          nor is the one who does not love his brother."

It's imperative to understand that man is born a sinner.  Is man born sexually immoral? No! Is man born an idolater? No! Is man born an adulterer, a homosexual, a thief, a murderer, a drunkard, or greedy? No! Man is born a sinner, he is born into this world as an unrighteous creature, out of sync and out of touch with his Creator. Is man born a swindler? No  Being born in sin, born a sinner, he will inevitably commit sins. Man becomes an idolater when he makes the decision to worship a false god.  He becomes a liar when he lies.  He becomes sexually immoral when he commits the sin of sexual immorality, and he becomes a homosexual when he chooses to yield to this sexual lust. All men are possessed with sinful tendencies and weaknesses.  He is conquered by those tendencies and weaknesses when he surrenders to the demands of certain sins.

Paul is writing to the Corinthians and he writes to them with regards to their past sins. There were those in the congregation of Corinth who had been guilty of practicing such sins as mentioned, they had lived their lives in the practice of these sins. Paul says "and such were some of you."  Notice the past tense of were.  They were caught up in these sins, but then something happened.  Yes, they were born again, at which time they "were washed, sanctified, and justified."  They now recognize these sins as for what they are, and they are to now put them away, turn from these things, stop practicing these things, and start living like the "new creatures they had become in Christ."

When a man has truly been born-again, he will recognize the error of his ways, and will acknowledge his sin.  He may commit a sin, he may stumble and fall, he may even commit one of the sins listed in this text, but he will not continue to practice these things by habitually living in these sins.  He will come to despise these things, forsake them, and "press on toward the mark," that would be the mark of perfection set before him in Christ.  

Men are born sinners! They are not born adulterers, murderers, liars, homosexuals, swindlers or sexually immoral. The sinner becomes these things when he surrenders to his particular sins of choice. When a man is born again, he becomes a new creature, born of a divine seed, and the struggle of two natures remains within. Paul exhorts us to "put off the old man which is corrupt, and put on the new man which is holy."

Inspired By God

2 Timothy 3:16-17

"All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."

The Scripture (the Bible) is the written Word of God. In Jesus Christ we find the Living Word, "and the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us as the only Begotten Son." The author of Hebrews inspired by the Holy Spirit writes, "for the word of God is quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword......" We must understand that God has spoken to us in these last days by His Son, Jesus Christ, and He continues to speak to us today through His written word. We are living in a dangerous church age; an age in which many are claiming to hear directly from the Holy Spirit, and bringing with them extra-biblical revelations through various means. Much harm, division, strife, confusion, and false doctrine has proceeded from those claiming new revelation. The Revelation of Jesus Christ, as well as Christ and the written Word of God have warned us not to heed those who are following after false doctrines, teachers, and teachings. We must be steadfast in remembering: they come to us "disguised as ministers of righteousness."

When the man of God teaches, he should do so from the written Word of God, pointing men to Jesus Christ, and defending "the faith once delivered to the saints." Paul, in this text is clear regarding the sufficiency of Scripture in preparing the man of God for his calling. The man of God is called to teach, to reprove, to correct, and to instruct in righteousness. This is his calling; it's the written Word of God, along with empowerment from the Holy Spirit that enables him to effectively minister. The man of God who fails to spend quality and quantity time in the written Word of God, is ill equipped for the mission to which he is called. Unless he saturates himself in the written Word of God, he will be incomplete and negligent in his preparation for ministry, lacking the thorough spiritual nourishment he needs in order to feed, defend, teach, reprove, correct, and instruct sheep in righteousness.

Much of what presents itself as truth today is but mere speculation, philosophy, and opinion. Far too many pulpits are ill equipped for the mission at hand in this church age. Far too many in the pews are following after false teachers who are well equipped in twisting the written Word of God in their efforts to appeal to the fleshly desires of the old, natural man. Instead they lap up tainted water from the putrid wells of the world, while feeding off spiritual cookies and cream, while rejecting both the milk and meat of the word. We are living in a church age when true men of God are accused of arrogance, mean-spirited, bigoted, and judgmental. They are chastised for teaching the truth, reproving, correcting, and instructing as they are called to do. 

The old sinful nature is rebellious and doesn't appreciate being disturbed by those who wield the sharpness of God's Word via having followed the command in "studying to show themselves approved as men who rightly divide the Word of Truth, that word that is sharper than any "two-edged sword." Those who are the least appreciated in the pulpits of America today are those who refuse to compromise the Word of God, those who dare to believe the Scriptures are inspired and sufficient to meet the spiritual needs of man.

The Haters

John 15:25

"But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled.: They hated me without a cause."

In letter of First John we are counseled that "God is love." We must be careful when it comes to defining love. The "love of God" cannot be defined in worldly terms and philosophy, which is where many go astray in their attempts to understand and define love from a worldly perspective. We must also understand that it's impossible for anyone who has not been born-again, who has not had the love of God placed in their hearts via a supernatural transformation, cannot love with the love of God.  Lost people are incapable of loving as love is defined by the Word of God. Jesus Christ was, is, and always will be God, and if "God is love," then Jesus Christ was the essence of pure love in the flesh -- yet, He tells us with His own lips that they "hated him without cause."

Why did they hate Him?  Because He loved loved them, and because He loved them, He confronted them with the truth. The philosophy of many today is that Jesus walked around tolerating sin, never becoming angry, never pointed out sin, and never made men uncomfortable. They have conjured up a Jesus in their own minds which appeases them, justifies their actions, and refuses to hold them accountable.  They have conjured up a Jesus in their own minds who would never condemn sin, much less suggest that an eternal hell awaits those who reject the truth. Jesus said, "The world hates me because I testify about it, that its works are evil."  Did you get that, did you read that, can you hear that?  Jesus testified that man's works were evil. We should also be reminded that Jesus calls His own to "count the cost," to "take up the cross and follow Him."  This is where the Christian will bring down the wrath and hatred of the world upon his head -- by following the true Christ of Scripture, which is lacking in much of professed Christendom today.

Jesus warned His disciples as to how the world would view and treat them. He said, "men will hate you." He went on to say, "you are not of the world, therefore the world hates you." No, it's not those who truly love God and are sworn to follow Jesus Christ who are "haters," it's the world who hates the true Christ of Scripture that hate those who have truly been born-again and have Christ dwelling in their hearts.  It's the world who doesn't wish to have their sin, their condemnation, and their wickedness exposed, who are defined by Christ as the real haters.  In reality, it's those who accuse God's people of being haters, judgmental, and bigoted whom God defines, sees, and in the end will judge as the haters of Himself, of His Kingdom, and of His people. The world hated Christ with such venomous hatred that they spit on Him, mocked Him, ridiculed Him, beat Him, scourged Him, called Him a bastard, and then crucified Him with contempt.  In doing so, they exposed themselves as true haters of the love of God.

A Big Stick

Revelation 16:17-21

17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.

18 And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.

19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.

20 And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.

21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.

With certainty, you have seen the movie "Walking Tall." Those who have played the lead role in this action thriller carried a big stick, had a no non-sense attitude, and refused to compromise with those corrupting and rejecting the law. There are two ways to deal with corruption: you can wipe out those involved, or you can change those who are willing to change.  This is the offer that God presented to man in sending "His only Begotten Son."  The law defines man as sinful and corrupt, destined to an eternal death sentence.  That law still stands my friends, and it carries a "big stick." On the other end of the spectrum, God "in Christ" has extended His hand of mercy to those who would choose life over death, and allow Him to change them from within. 

Much of the modern day church has insisted upon negating an entire element of God's character. They have removed certain texts of Scripture which do not meet the definition of the Christ they have conjured up in their philosophical, religious minds in an attempt to justify sin and eliminate the reality of condemnation, justice, wrath, and judgment. In doing so, they have taken it upon themselves to negate "the whole counsel of God. Much of the current professing church has moved into fellowship with the apostate church. They have created a wimpy little tip-toe through the tulips Jesus who is all grace. love, mercy, and compassion, who is absent of any suggestion of as to being a God of judgment.

This Scripture text along with numerous other texts in the Word of God from Genesis to Revelation, displays the fact that there is a judgment side of God which can be quite severe. Notice the "flashes of lightening, rumblings, pearls of thunder, and the earthquake" that all originate from the throne of God. This pictures a God who has reached the pinnacle of His patience, whose wrath and anger is now vividly displayed. He will bring down nations with the "fury of His wrath." Now get this! This loving, compassionate, merciful, God of grace will literally rain "one hundred pound hailstones on the people," and it clearly states they come from heaven, from the throne of a God who is pouring out His wrath and judgment on a world that has rejected His way.

My friends, Jesus Christ will meet anyone where they are if they will humble themselves, come to Him by faith, and cry out for His mercy. He is indeed full of love, compassion, mercy, and grace. Those who accept and trust Him by faith will never suffer "the fury of His wrath.  But the Word of God is very clear regarding those who will dare to reject "His only begotten Son" and the hand of mercy He has extended. There is a God of judgment who said, "I change not;" whom the Scripture says is the "same yesterday, today, and forever."  No, Jesus is not some wimpy little tip-toe through the tulips dude who is going to cuddle everyone in His arms, excuse their sin, compromise with their rebellion, and talk sweet to them.  When called for, He will take your head off with the Sword of Truth.

Revelation 19:21

"And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of Him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh."

A Startling Revelation

Revelation 16:21

"And great hailstones, about one hundred pounds each, fell from heaven on people; and they cursed God for the plague of hell, because the plague was so severe."

"God is love" they so often proclaim, and a God of love He is indeed. The greatest aspect of God's love for us is that "even while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Yes, "God is love," yet love is not His only characteristic, and it alone cannot fully define His character. God is also a God of holiness who demands justice. God loves you, and He wishes for you to accept His prescribed way, which is Jesus Christ, the Christ which is rightly defined by Scripture alone.  When we read the last letter of the New Testament, we are reading the "Revelation of Jesus Christ."  Revelation displays to us the fact that "God is love," and yet we see a full display which also defines Him as a God of judgment.  There is a perverted, twisted, philosophical type of love which owns the world today, and has invaded most of the professing church. Many have sought to define Jesus Christ as being non-judgmental, totally accepting, and tolerant of all things; as one who will overlook sin, and would never hold anyone accountable or responsible via His judgment. This is a distorted and twisted view and definition of Jesus Christ, who is God, the very essence of love. Throughout the Revelation of Jesus Christ we see a God who pours out extreme wrath, anger, vengeance, and judgment on a rebellious world. The same God as defined in the Old Testament when He displayed His judgment on many occasions. The New Testament defines God as "the same yesterday, today, and forever." In the Old Testament, God says of Himself, "I change not." Where can this Christ be found among the professing body of Christ today?  This is the Christ of Scripture who has been thrown out of most churches in our modern day era, and He stands at the door knocking, seeking entrance. They are members an apostate church, tares which the devil has planted among the genuine, and defined in Revelation as a spiritual whore who has committed adultery against God. The modern day church era has created, produced, and is following after a Jesus of their own making. They live in the fantasy land, made up world of Hollywood, having chosen to write their own script about who and what Jesus Christ is. They have produced a Christ of their own making, and in doing so they have created their own little idol, a false god whom they follow and worship. They are in essence cursing the God of heaven, cursing the true Christ of Scripture, because His demands of accountability do not square with the Christ they have produced and created for themselves.

God Knows

2 Timothy 2:19

"But the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, the Lord knows those who are His, and, let everyone who calls on the name of Christ depart from iniquity."

Have you made the claim of Christianity?  Do you profess to be a born-again child of God? Can you say with absolute certainty, "God knows me, and I'm covered with the grace and righteousness of Christ?" Does the "Spirit of God" bear witness with your spirit that you are truly His, that you have more than a mere profession of Christ?  Does your life illustrate that transformation has transpired within? Those who are truly known of Christ have been sealed with eternal security, with certainty and assurance. A "sure foundation" will prove to be trustworthy and secure, regardless of what may come its way, because it's built on Jesus Christ and the sure Word of God. If you are indeed "known of God," if you truly are a possession of His, having been "bought with a price," then there should be some demonstration and evidence of it in your life. You should be striving with all that is within you to "depart from iniquity." You should turning from sin, turning from the world, and striving for a life of godly and holy living. Professing Christ is one thing, living for Him is another issue. The modern church era is strewn with multitudes of those who profess Christ, yet in reality, He knows them not. Have you placed you faith in Christ?  Can you say with certainty, "I'm the genuine thing?"  Make sure you're not among the tares with which the modern day church age has become riddled with. Follow the exhortation of Paul to "examine yourselves to make sure you're of the faith," the "faith that was once for all delivered to the saints."  May the "peace of God which passes all understanding" reign in your heart regarding he salvation of your soul; which is an experiential reality to those who possess it.

Babble & Contradiction

1 Timothy 6:20-21

"O Timothy, guard that which is committed to your trust. Avoid profane babblings and opposing views from so-called knowledge. By professing it, some have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with you, Amen."

Timothy, as with all ministers of the gospel, had been entrusted by God with the truth.  Jesus speaking to the Father said, "thy word is truth." It is a grave responsibility, as well as a command of God that the man of God vigorously guard the truth he has been entrusted with. Paul and Timothy faced a growing problem in the early church, much like the modern day church era is currently confronted with. False teaching and "so-called knowledge" are lies which the enemy uses to lead men astray; yes, including many professing Christians. There is much "so-called knowledge"  in the professing church that is nothing but mere babble and falsehood. It comes to the church from both internal and external sources. Error is a dangerous issue for the church to which God has called to be "without spot or blemish."  The current church era is plagued with babble and false knowledge, which occupies both pulpits and pews around the world, and the professing church within the United States has become a "Playground Of Babble," saturated by those who are following after false knowledge, which they somehow believe to be supernatural knowledge from on high. They are as the gnostics, believing they have a special revelation from God.  The ESV uses the word "contradictions" in place of "so-called knowledge."  There is much false doctrine pervading the professing church of our age, which is clearly a contradiction to the truth (the Word of God). The problem lies with a lack of true knowledge found within the pages of Scripture. Counterfeit, other gospels and "ministers masquerading as angels of light" abound in today's professing Christianity. The only real means of recognizing that which is counterfeit and contrary to the truth, is to have the Word of God "dwelling in you richly."  You can never know the Word of God well enough!  Study it, read it, meditate on it, and immerse yourself in it. When you do, you will find yourself with the much needed discernment necessary for recognizing "babblings and contradictions."

He Died For Who

2 Corinthians 5:14-15

"For the love of Christ constrains us, because we thus judge; that if one died for all, then all have died. And He died for all, that those who live should not from now on live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again."

The person with whom Christ indwells has the love of God living within his heart, and thereby should understand certain elements of God's love. God's Word defines "God as love," and the love of God contains certain attributes and characteristics. One gets to know God and the "love of God" by spending quality and quantity time in His Word, which tells us what God is like. The Word of God provides us with God's thoughts and ways. Knowing the love of God, His thoughts and His ways are very instrumental in "rightly dividing the word of truth," of which far too many are very inept at accomplishing, even in many pulpits because they have not spent both quality and quantitative time in the Word of God. Paul makes it abundantly clear in this text of Scripture that Christ "died for all" when he writes "if one died for all, then all have died." Notice again the words of Paul in verse fifteen as he declares, "and He died for all."  I am often amused by those who act as biblical scholars, yet are so inept as to defining the simple word "all" as presented in this text and others.  It's very clear my friends, Christ "died for all," because all were dead. Understand that Christ "died for all," thereby offering life to all. We should now live for Him rather than ourselves. Jesus Christ calls for us to "die to self," and live for Him.  We are to "take up the cross and follow Him."  Jesus said, "those who save their lives will lose it, and those who lose it will save it."  Jesus Christ has called us to not only receive Him as our Savior; He demands that we bow to Him as Lord, because He died for us.  When Christ died for us, He won the right to demand that everyone, and every religion bow the knee to Him. Man will choose to bow now to the Sovereign Judge of the earth, receive His mercy, grace, and forgiveness; else he will face eternal judgement as declared by the one who "died for all." My friend, you among the "all" for whom Christ died. Have you bowed to Him as the Lord and Savior of your life. It not, I would encourage you to do so this day -- tomorrow may be a day too late.  

The Noble

Acts 17:11

"Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if they things were true."

How noble are you when it comes to the Scriptures and defining the truth? Do you receive God's Word with "all eagerness," does it hold great value and meaning to you? The Christian should have a hunger and thirst for the Word of God, and if you do not, then you need to "examine yourselves." Just how much time do you spend in Scriptures my friend, my fellow professing brother or sister in Christ.  Is the Word of God a priority in your life; is God's Word on you daily menu; have you made it a mainstay of your life?  You should, if you claim to be a child of God. Jesus in speaking to the Father, said, "thy word is truth."  My friend, you'll only find the truth in the Word of God, you'll only get to know God by spending time in His word that defines who the "I AM" of Scripture is. Do you find yourself testing, questioning, judging, and examining everything in accordance with the Word of God? There are many voices in the world, as well as in the professing church of our day, which are claiming to be of God. John counsels us in 1 John 4:1 to test, or "try the spirits to see if they are of God."  Much that is being received today as gospel truth is rooted in a lie -- sometimes a deadly lie. Spiritual poison will make you spiritually sick my friends.  Spend time in the Scriptures, "study that you might rightly-divide the word of truth, and thereby display an attitude of spiritual nobility.

Blessed Indeed

Romans 4:7-8

"Blessed are those whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin."

Can you say, "I am blessed?"  Can you sing this little chorus with joy in your heart?

  "I am blessed, every day that I live I am blessed.  When I wake up in the morning, when I lay my head to rest, I am blessed, yes, I am blessed."  

Who are those who can be truly be defined as "blessed?" Those who know Jesus Christ, those who have had their sins forgiven, and are covered by the blood of Jesus Christ.  Here is a great truth of Scripture of which many Christians fail to comprehend and grasp by faith.  Listen my friends, we all commit sin, whether in deed, thought, or action, we're all guilty.  Yet, as Christians, God has made provision for us when we do sin, and we should always strive to sin not.  The Word of God never gives man a license to sin.  Yet, for those of us who are truly in Christ, our iniquities are forgiven, our sins are covered, and God does not hold our sin against us (it is not imputed to us). God does not credit any sin to our account, He does not blame us. This does not however mean that sin will have no consequence, nor does it mean that God will never discipline us. To the contrary, because He loves us, He will discipline us when necessary. How can God on the other hand not credit sin to our account?  Because when He looks upon His own, He sees us fully clothed with the righteousness of Christ, not in our own filthy rags.  The "righteousness of Christ" has been credited to our account, instead of our sins.  There is peace, joy, and rest to be found in this bedrock truth of Scripture.  Believe it, stand on it, rest in it, and live in it.  Oh my friends, it's true, "Whom the Son sets free, is free indeed."

No Way Out

Romans 8:37-39 (KJV)

³⁷ Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

³⁸ For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

³⁹ Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Get this my brothers and sisters in Christ. If you have truly been born-again, having entered into the Kingdom of God, there is no escape, no way out.  Paul describes those who know Christ as Lord and Savior as "more than conquerors through Him."  This means we cannot lose it my friends; that which we have been given is everlasting, and as Paul so aptly proclaims, nothing can separate us from God's love.  Once you're in, you're in to stay, and there is no such thing as separation from that point forward.  The Word of God proclaims that which God begins in us, He completes to the very end; He sees it through to the very completion, and God cannot fail my friends.  Paul was persuaded, and you need to be persuaded likewise, for such persuasion brings an everlasting "peace that passes all comprehension" to the believing soul of man.  God has proclaimed us "more than conquerors," and so will it be.  Those of us who know Christ are on the winning side of the past, the present, and the future; for Christ has given us the assurance of complete victory in Him.  If you will only believe, you can learn to rest in this doctrinal assurance, and experience the true "peace, joy, and righteousness" that God has provided for those who place their faith, trust, and confidence in Jesus Christ.

Knowing God

2 Chronicles 33:12-13

"And when he was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. And prayed unto him, and he was entreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God."

Do you know that the Lord is God?  Do you have a personal, intimate walk and relationship with Him.  I wish to tell you today that you can know and walk with God.  One of the great keys to knowing the "Lord is God," and having this personal relationship with Him if found in this text.  Notice that Manasseh turned to God in a time of affliction, in a time of desperation, at a time of need in his life.  God must bring us to the end of ourselves my friends, if we are to ever truly know Him.  The first step toward a relationship with God is discovered in verse twelve.  We must humble ourselves (lower ourselves), and seek God.  We must understand we are a nobody within our selves.  Without God, we are helpless, hopeless, worthless, and useless.  Get this, and keep it in mind each day!  The next step in getting to know God is found in verse thirteen --- "he prayed."  My friend, when you seek God with a humble heart, God will hear your cry and respond in His time and in His way.  Taking these important steps will lead you into a personal relationship with God.  Jesus said, "ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you" (Luke 11:9).  Jesus Christ is the Door my friend.  You must turn to Him by faith, look to Him by faith, ask Him by faith, and seek Him by faith.  Then, as did Manasseh, you will come to know that "the Lord is God."

Satan Uses The Name

Acts 19:13-16 

"Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists invoked the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, We command you to come out in the name of Jesus whom Paul preaches.' There were seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva doing this. The evil spirit answered, 'I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?' Then the man in whom the evil spirit was jumped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled from that house naked and wounded."

Notice carefully in this text that using "the name of Jesus" does not define one as a true man of God. These "exorcists" were using the name of Jesus, just as many use it today --- for personal gain. They even dared to invoke the name of Jesus in the exercise of a command. The modern day church age has flooded pulpits with those who use the name of Jesus, but do not truly know Jesus.  "Ear-tickling" preachers abound across the country today; those who are using the "name of Jesus," as well as the term God, but their message does not line up with "what says the Scriptures." These false teachers who use the name of God, who use "the name of Jesus" have actually been overpowered by the power of Satan who is using them to spread a false message, all while they pretend to know Christ. Satan has "prevailed against them," and their followers as well, having been led into deception by a lie which is promoted "in the name of Jesus." Both the false teachers and their followers are "naked and wounded," while actually running from the truth.  Attempts to tell them they are "naked and wounded" seems to be a futile effort; nevertheless, in the "name of Jesus" (the true Jesus), we must inform them.  

"He who thirst let him come unto the well and drink."

The Daily Drink

Acts 13:6-10

"When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, 'You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord?"

Notice the "false prophet" is referred to here as a magician.  He was a "person of charm," and the text tells us that he was a "person of intelligence." Likewise are the false teachers in the current church age; they are most often charming and intelligent.  This charmer heard the word of God, he was introduced to the truth, and was therefore without excuse. Our text also reveals the false prophet was guilty of attempting to "turn the proconsul away from the faith."  Herein lies the danger of modern day false teachers whether intentional or not, they are actually leading people away from "the faith once delivered to the saints." Paul recognized the works of this false prophet, this intelligent charmer, as coming straight out of the bowels of hell -- and Paul did not hesitate to say so. He was quick to speak to the deception, and expose it.  Note that Paul  was "filled with the Holy Spirit," and was therefore able to easily recognize this deceptive huckster.  Many are led away from the faith by modern day false teachers, and the reason being is that most do not have "the word of God dwelling in them richly," and therefore are not as Paul, "filled with the Holy Spirit." To truly be "filled with the Spirit," one must be filled with the "word of God." Many wish to believe that being "filled with the Spirit" is some magical, emotional experience.  They have an "experience," but they are not "filled with the Spirit."  The man of God who will dare to speak as Paul spoke in this text, would be quickly labeled as judgmental and mean-spirited. Nevertheless, Paul confronted it with boldness and sterness, referring to the false prophet as a "son of the devil," the "enemy of all righteousness," who was "full of deceit and villainy," and guilty of twisting the straight into something that was crooked.  The word of God is the rule of our faith, and to twist it in any direction is to make it crooked, and therefore be guilty of leading others away from the faith.  False teachers are preaching and teaching a crooked path, and guilty of promoting a twisted truth.