Perfection of Character
One of the current errors in Christianity is that there is justification (Romans 4:24, 25), i.e. saved by grace (Ephesians 2:5, 8) without sanctification, i.e. change of character and habits through obedience to the truth (Acts 16:26, 1 Peter 1:2). Study these precepts in the following lines, Romans 8:1 and 2 Corinthians 5:7 and Acts 26:18. The two work together.
Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently (1 Peter 1:22)
Jesus said to the demoniac and to the woman caught in adultery, “go and sin no more”. Sin is transgression of the law (1 John 3:4). The law of God is spelled out for us in the 10 Commandments (Found in the Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, all the way to the Gospels, Paul’s letters and finally in Revelation).
Recurring themes: victory over sin; overcoming; being perfect; purifying our souls; and many more
Living a sinless life through the merits of Christ is possible!
Since you’re interested in understanding more of God’s word, here are some texts for further study (this is by no means and exhaustive list of bible texts):
Zephaniah 3:13 [no guile in our mouths]; Revelation 14:1, 5 [the 144,000]; Revelation 7:1-8 [144,000 receive the seal of God]; 1 Peter 1:16 [be ye perfect]; 1 Peter 2:21 [Christ our example]; Hebrews 8:8-10 [the sealing of God’s law in our hearts is the new covenant] and many more
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
THE REFINED GOSPEL - PROCESSED RELIGION
The Refined Gospel – Processed Religion
“And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man saying, we will eat our own bread and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name to take away our reproach” (Isaiah 4:1)*
There is a plethora of religious options to choose from, all claiming to be true. The patient seeker of truth has the guarantee that they will find it (Jeremiah 29:13). In the hodgepodge of religious teachings there is a pure and undefiled religion (James 1:27) and there is a processed religion.
In the processed religion the people say, “prophecy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophecy deceits” (see Isaiah 30:10). The leaders of the people cause them to err (see Isaiah 9:16) and the idolatrous priests…that burned incense unto Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven (2 Kings 23:5) are misleading the flock.
When we begin to feed upon the pure, unrefined word of God it will have a powerful effect on our lives. We will preach with power (Revelation 18:1) and there will be no spiritual constipation or a form of godliness (2 Timothy 3:5). Just like food with its full fiber moves the waste and impurities from our bodies, so the pure word of the Lord purges the mind of impure thoughts and false teachings to the perfection of our character (Ephesians 5:26).
The word, however, must be chewed (studied) thoroughly (2 Timothy 2:15). If you’re not used to such full truth, it may be difficult at first, but as you become accustomed to the word of God, it will become easier to understand. Isaiah encourages us to study the word line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, there a little (Isaiah 28:10). By a casual perusal or by trying to take in too much at one time, we will not be edified and confusion and frustration will be the sure result.
Let us choose our spiritual food carefully.
*symbolic language: woman – church (Jeremiah 6:2; Revelation 12:17); bread - word of God (2 Peter 1:20; Matthew 16:12); apparel – character (Revelation 19:8; Isaiah 61:10); man/name – Christ (2 Chronicles 7:14)
“And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man saying, we will eat our own bread and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name to take away our reproach” (Isaiah 4:1)*
There is a plethora of religious options to choose from, all claiming to be true. The patient seeker of truth has the guarantee that they will find it (Jeremiah 29:13). In the hodgepodge of religious teachings there is a pure and undefiled religion (James 1:27) and there is a processed religion.
In the processed religion the people say, “prophecy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophecy deceits” (see Isaiah 30:10). The leaders of the people cause them to err (see Isaiah 9:16) and the idolatrous priests…that burned incense unto Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven (2 Kings 23:5) are misleading the flock.
When we begin to feed upon the pure, unrefined word of God it will have a powerful effect on our lives. We will preach with power (Revelation 18:1) and there will be no spiritual constipation or a form of godliness (2 Timothy 3:5). Just like food with its full fiber moves the waste and impurities from our bodies, so the pure word of the Lord purges the mind of impure thoughts and false teachings to the perfection of our character (Ephesians 5:26).
The word, however, must be chewed (studied) thoroughly (2 Timothy 2:15). If you’re not used to such full truth, it may be difficult at first, but as you become accustomed to the word of God, it will become easier to understand. Isaiah encourages us to study the word line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, there a little (Isaiah 28:10). By a casual perusal or by trying to take in too much at one time, we will not be edified and confusion and frustration will be the sure result.
Let us choose our spiritual food carefully.
*symbolic language: woman – church (Jeremiah 6:2; Revelation 12:17); bread - word of God (2 Peter 1:20; Matthew 16:12); apparel – character (Revelation 19:8; Isaiah 61:10); man/name – Christ (2 Chronicles 7:14)
Friday, May 14, 2010
UNLEARN
"Seeing is believing."
This is an unbiblical teaching. It's the theme of songs, books, movies, and many other forms of instruction.
The unfallible Word of God states, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen"(Hebrews 11:1).
From birth, we have been in the school of the enemy of our souls. It's time to unlearn his unbiblical teachings and learn what "Thus saith the Lord!"
This is an unbiblical teaching. It's the theme of songs, books, movies, and many other forms of instruction.
The unfallible Word of God states, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen"(Hebrews 11:1).
From birth, we have been in the school of the enemy of our souls. It's time to unlearn his unbiblical teachings and learn what "Thus saith the Lord!"
Monday, May 10, 2010
RANDOM QUOTE
"There is more peace when a relationship is severed with a full disclosure of information than one that ends because of inadequate disclosure"
Still wondering why a friendship I had years ago ended suddenly
Still wondering why a friendship I had years ago ended suddenly
WHAT IS DEATH?
When we die, we become:
- useless
- unfruitful
- stagnant
- unedifying
"For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun."
"Whatsoever they hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, wither thou goest." (Ecclesiastes 9:5,6 & 10)
"Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man (a human being), in whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish." (Psalm 146:3,4)
- useless
- unfruitful
- stagnant
- unedifying
"For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun."
"Whatsoever they hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, wither thou goest." (Ecclesiastes 9:5,6 & 10)
"Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man (a human being), in whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish." (Psalm 146:3,4)
Sunday, May 9, 2010
RANDOM QUOTE
"If you don't know who you are, then anyone can name you, and you are then theirs by right of possession" - partial quote on the *Metro New York Men's Prayer Ministry conference call, with my addition
Romans 6:16 says, "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?"
Praise the Lord for the encouragement that follows in verse 17,18 of the same chapter, "But God be thanked, that ye were servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being made free from sin ye became servants of righteousness."
*Metro New York Men's Prayer Ministry
Daily 5:30am (EST)
218-486-1622
Pin: 13514#
N.B. Women are invited and welcome to participate as silent listeners and prayer partners
Romans 6:16 says, "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?"
Praise the Lord for the encouragement that follows in verse 17,18 of the same chapter, "But God be thanked, that ye were servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being made free from sin ye became servants of righteousness."
*Metro New York Men's Prayer Ministry
Daily 5:30am (EST)
218-486-1622
Pin: 13514#
N.B. Women are invited and welcome to participate as silent listeners and prayer partners
SEVEN (7) THINGS THE LORD HATES...
BUT WE THINK THEY ARE NO BIG DEAL
Six Things the Lord Hates; The Seventh is an *Abomination (Proverbs 6:12-19)
Proverbs 6:12-15 and Proverbs 6:16-19:
He that winketh with his eyes - A proud look (haughty eyes)
A naughty person, a wicked man,[who] walketh with a froward mouth - A lying tongue
He that teacheth (points)[accuses] with his fingers - Hands that shed innocent blood
He deviseth mischief (evil) continually - A false witness that speaketh lies
He speaketh with his feet (shuffles)[slothful] - Feet that be swift in running to mischief
Frowardness (perversity) is in his heart - A heart that deviseth wicked imaginations
He soweth discord - He that soweth discord among brethren
*Abomination
loathsome (Genesis 46:39)
defiles (Leviticus 18:30)
cursed (Deuteronomy (7:26)
detestable (Deuteronomy 18:9; 25;16)
odious (1 Samuel 13:4)
[brackets] are my addition
Six Things the Lord Hates; The Seventh is an *Abomination (Proverbs 6:12-19)
Proverbs 6:12-15 and Proverbs 6:16-19:
He that winketh with his eyes - A proud look (haughty eyes)
A naughty person, a wicked man,[who] walketh with a froward mouth - A lying tongue
He that teacheth (points)[accuses] with his fingers - Hands that shed innocent blood
He deviseth mischief (evil) continually - A false witness that speaketh lies
He speaketh with his feet (shuffles)[slothful] - Feet that be swift in running to mischief
Frowardness (perversity) is in his heart - A heart that deviseth wicked imaginations
He soweth discord - He that soweth discord among brethren
*Abomination
loathsome (Genesis 46:39)
defiles (Leviticus 18:30)
cursed (Deuteronomy (7:26)
detestable (Deuteronomy 18:9; 25;16)
odious (1 Samuel 13:4)
[brackets] are my addition
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