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."