They say the longest two feet is from from your head to your heart. The HOLY SPIRIT supernaturally will do that for you, but only if you are entirely surrendered to Him, and GOD KNOWS if you are or not! It comes ALIVE. Actually becomes a part of WHO WE ARE. "Illumination" indeed... is by the Holy Spirit. I remember the week after I got saved and filled with the Holy Spirit... "the Bible" , having formerly been a dry, boring, dead book to me ALL OF A SUDDEN came ALIVE to me. And I distinctly remember, as it seemed as though a giant spotlight shined down upon its Pages to me, saying out loud to myself... "WHERE HAVE I .. BEEN... ALL OF THESE YEARS?!!" Truly, I can say without a doubt, that true Christianity is a SUPERNATURAL THING!
2. God will only accept our faith in HIS Sacrifice (Christ/ the Cross), not faith in OUR'S (whatever that might be, even GOOD things). CAIN found this out, with his vegetable offering. (Gen. 4:3-8). ... and then he grew hateful and killed the one (Abel) who DID have faith in God's Sacrifice; Was Abel better than him? No, but in God's Eyes he was accepted because... of THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB ALONE !!!
Same holds true today among professing Christians, regardless of the ministry or pastor they follow.... whatever. So what was the difference then, between Cain and Abel? A... humble, contrite, repentant HEART.... submitted to God! And we each DECIDE that, with our free will. And unfortunately, if the offerING is not accepted by God, neither will be the offerER. God has His reasons for that, the main one being "the motives of the heart. He does not want proud, self-willed people in His Kingdom to continuously stir up trouble. Can you blame Him? Isn't that what has happened with this present earth? God knows this, and will put an end to it. His plan WILL be carried out, despite all of the puny power and might of Satan, his demons, and rebellious people! Pride and self-will is always manifested by LEGALISM ("LAW") every time. Sometimes that can even get downright silly! ... manifesting in numerous man-man silly rules and regulations, many of them not even in the Bible! Jesus during His ministry mentioned about the Scribes and Pharisees, and the "washing of pots and cups".
3. Jesus, after showing GRACE to the healed lame man, and the woman caught in adultery, told each of them to SIN NO MORE". (Jn. 5:14; 8:10-11). So grace does NOTmean "license to sin" (Also see Rom. 6:1-2).
4. The "heart", where faith resides (Rom. 10:10), can only be changed by THE HOLY SPIRIT & GOD'S WORD; Not by seminars, psychological studies, & facts (which only change the MIND).
The mind (WILL-power) has absolutely nothing to due with keeping "the sin nature", with its bent toward worldliness.... subdued. ... Only a constant faith EXCLUSIVELY in Christ and His Blood. This is the foundational Doctrine of the Bible, and the Way & Means whereby the Holy Spirit functions, in both SAVING and SANCTIFYING the believer.
lThe HOLY SPIRIT then illuminates the mind to KNOW that this or that song, tv show, activity, etc. is wrong.
It is not necessarily "sin" or wrong for a preacher to address these subjects, but, again, it will have no effect on the HEART of l...isteners; And most likely will be DETRIMENTAL because of man's propensity to make "laws" out of nonessentials, and then to feel condemned (or condemn others) for not doing those convictions.
5. GRACE and LAW cannot mix in a professing Christian's life; Justification and sanctification from sin must be purely by "grace through faith" in Christ & the Cross, or there will be DEFEAT. (Eph. 2:8-9; Col. 2:6; Rom. 11:5-6; 1 Cor. 15:56b; Gal. 2:21; 5:4; Rom. 10:3-4; Hab. 2:4; Jn. 3:36; Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11; Heb. 10:38).
The Bible is VERY CLEAR on this. The Holy Bible is what Christians are to go by, period. Grace operates through faith in the Message of the Cross ("Jesus Christ and Him Crucified"). If law/legalism gets mixed in, that grace is "frustrated" (Gal. 2:21), and the sin nature can STILL COME ALIVE in ...those who purport to HAVE the ...Message of the Cross, because "the strength of (the) sin (nature) is the law" -(1 Cor. 15:56b). If one has this mixture, he is in a "lukewarm" state of deep deception, and the "light" in him is "darkness" (Matt. 6:22-23). Beware, my brethren! We must have faith in a PURE "Message of the Cross"!
6. According to the Bible, it should be normal for a Christian to BE SEPARATED FROM WORLDLINESS & ENJOYMENT OF EVIL (1 Jn. 2:15-16; 2 Cor. 6:14-18; Pr. 8:13), and to have PERSECUTION (Jn. 15:19-20), DIVISIONS (Lk. 12:51-53), TRIALS (Jn. 16:13; Acts 14:22), and.... "ABUNDANT LIFE" (Jn. 10:10b; Gal. 3:13-14; Psa. 91).
Plus.... the LOVE OF GOD for one another (Jn. 13:34-35). This is a supernatural Divine Love from God given to the believer in Christ. It cannot be faked, or produced by will-power, but it can be derailed by choice. It is either there, or it isn't. This is a Love which is able to love those who disagree and even those who hate and persecute. According to the Bible, no hatred, unforgiveness, or grudges are allowed by the Lord, or a believer is disqualified from His grace.
7. A Christian life void of daily faith exclusively in Christ & His Blood Sacrifice... is like being on a diet of stale bread & a drop or two of water. The thing is though... you don't REALIZE that until you got STEAK and UNLIMITED Water! That might just barely keep one alive, but.... no thanks when I can enjoy full nourishment and enjoy a great meal! (And oh, btw... much more besides the steak. There's anything ya might like, including dessert, if you can handle it!).
8. Isaac could not be born until all hope of the flesh had died. YOU cannot truly have the "abundant Life" which Jesus promises to us (Jn.10:10b) until you "come to the end of yourself" and trust EXCLUSIVELY in Christ and HIS Sacrifice. Until then... FRUSTRATION will be your lot, as it is for anyone. ... and you will get mad at those who do.
9. One must completely come OUT of a system of legalism/ law (both institutional, and in our life) in order to grow in "the grace of God". The two will not mix. (Eph. 2:8-9; 2 Pet. 3:18; Rom. 11:6). This also applies to our "living for God" (Col. 2:6; 1:20-23; Heb. 3:14).
And again, no, this is not a "license to sin" (Rom. 6:1-2), or a "trying to get away with sin". That is ridiculous. If one has a pure, sincere heart, the grace of God in Christ will actually KEEP him from bondages of sin (Rom. 6:14; Rev. 12:11) ! Because the HOLY SPIRIT will then give him the POWER against it (Rom. 8:2). Am I telling you to leave your church? No. However... if GOD is telling you to, you better listen. YOU are the one who will suffer. Sometimes He tells us some hard things to do, in the flesh. It gives us an "ouchy". You know the old saying though... "No PAIN, no GAIN".
10. "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear". SIXTEEN TIMES in scripture is this phrase spoken (Mt. 11:15; 13:9,43; Mk. 4:9,3; 7:16; Lk. 8:8; 14:35; Rev. 2:7,11,17,29; 3:6,13,22; 13:9). Meaning we can be DULL OF HEARING (ie: "wanting to understand") GOD'S TRUTH!
"This people draweth close unto Me with their MOUTH, and honours Me with their LIPS; but THEIR HEART IS FAR FROM ME.
But in vain they do worship Me, TEACHING FOR DOCTRINES THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN." -(Matt. 15:8-9). The result? DECEPTION!
"And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; BECAUSE THEY RECEIVED NOT THE LOVE OF THE TRUTH, that they might be saved.
And for this cause God shall send them (allows) STRONG DELUSION (from Satan...), THAT THEY SHOULD BELIEVE A LIE:
That they all might be damned who BELIEVED NOT THE TRUTH, but HAD PLEASURE IN UNRIGHTEOUSNESS. -( Thes. 2: 10-12). WAKE UP, CHURCH! THE BRIDEGROOM COMETH! WILL THERE BE OIL IN YOUR LAMPS, THAT YOU MAY "SEE" IN THIS HOUR OF WORLDWIDE DARKNESS (DECEPTION)?.... ONLY YOUR EMBRACING OF "THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS" FOR... EVERYTHING (SALVATION AND SANCTIFICATION) WILL PLACE THAT OIL IN YOUR LAMP AND K-E-E-P IT FILLED !!!!!
It is not necessarily "sin" or wrong for a preacher to address these subjects, but, again, it will have no effect on the HEART of l...isteners; And most likely will be DETRIMENTAL because of man's propensity to make "laws" out of nonessentials, and then to feel condemned (or condemn others) for not doing those convictions.
5. GRACE and LAW cannot mix in a professing Christian's life; Justification and sanctification from sin must be purely by "grace through faith" in Christ & the Cross, or there will be DEFEAT. (Eph. 2:8-9; Col. 2:6; Rom. 11:5-6; 1 Cor. 15:56b; Gal. 2:21; 5:4; Rom. 10:3-4; Hab. 2:4; Jn. 3:36; Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11; Heb. 10:38).
The Bible is VERY CLEAR on this. The Holy Bible is what Christians are to go by, period. Grace operates through faith in the Message of the Cross ("Jesus Christ and Him Crucified"). If law/legalism gets mixed in, that grace is "frustrated" (Gal. 2:21), and the sin nature can STILL COME ALIVE in ...those who purport to HAVE the ...Message of the Cross, because "the strength of (the) sin (nature) is the law" -(1 Cor. 15:56b). If one has this mixture, he is in a "lukewarm" state of deep deception, and the "light" in him is "darkness" (Matt. 6:22-23). Beware, my brethren! We must have faith in a PURE "Message of the Cross"!
6. According to the Bible, it should be normal for a Christian to BE SEPARATED FROM WORLDLINESS & ENJOYMENT OF EVIL (1 Jn. 2:15-16; 2 Cor. 6:14-18; Pr. 8:13), and to have PERSECUTION (Jn. 15:19-20), DIVISIONS (Lk. 12:51-53), TRIALS (Jn. 16:13; Acts 14:22), and.... "ABUNDANT LIFE" (Jn. 10:10b; Gal. 3:13-14; Psa. 91).
Plus.... the LOVE OF GOD for one another (Jn. 13:34-35). This is a supernatural Divine Love from God given to the believer in Christ. It cannot be faked, or produced by will-power, but it can be derailed by choice. It is either there, or it isn't. This is a Love which is able to love those who disagree and even those who hate and persecute. According to the Bible, no hatred, unforgiveness, or grudges are allowed by the Lord, or a believer is disqualified from His grace.
7. A Christian life void of daily faith exclusively in Christ & His Blood Sacrifice... is like being on a diet of stale bread & a drop or two of water. The thing is though... you don't REALIZE that until you got STEAK and UNLIMITED Water! That might just barely keep one alive, but.... no thanks when I can enjoy full nourishment and enjoy a great meal! (And oh, btw... much more besides the steak. There's anything ya might like, including dessert, if you can handle it!).
8. Isaac could not be born until all hope of the flesh had died. YOU cannot truly have the "abundant Life" which Jesus promises to us (Jn.10:10b) until you "come to the end of yourself" and trust EXCLUSIVELY in Christ and HIS Sacrifice. Until then... FRUSTRATION will be your lot, as it is for anyone. ... and you will get mad at those who do.
9. One must completely come OUT of a system of legalism/ law (both institutional, and in our life) in order to grow in "the grace of God". The two will not mix. (Eph. 2:8-9; 2 Pet. 3:18; Rom. 11:6). This also applies to our "living for God" (Col. 2:6; 1:20-23; Heb. 3:14).
And again, no, this is not a "license to sin" (Rom. 6:1-2), or a "trying to get away with sin". That is ridiculous. If one has a pure, sincere heart, the grace of God in Christ will actually KEEP him from bondages of sin (Rom. 6:14; Rev. 12:11) ! Because the HOLY SPIRIT will then give him the POWER against it (Rom. 8:2). Am I telling you to leave your church? No. However... if GOD is telling you to, you better listen. YOU are the one who will suffer. Sometimes He tells us some hard things to do, in the flesh. It gives us an "ouchy". You know the old saying though... "No PAIN, no GAIN".
10. "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear". SIXTEEN TIMES in scripture is this phrase spoken (Mt. 11:15; 13:9,43; Mk. 4:9,3; 7:16; Lk. 8:8; 14:35; Rev. 2:7,11,17,29; 3:6,13,22; 13:9). Meaning we can be DULL OF HEARING (ie: "wanting to understand") GOD'S TRUTH!
"This people draweth close unto Me with their MOUTH, and honours Me with their LIPS; but THEIR HEART IS FAR FROM ME.
But in vain they do worship Me, TEACHING FOR DOCTRINES THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN." -(Matt. 15:8-9). The result? DECEPTION!
"And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; BECAUSE THEY RECEIVED NOT THE LOVE OF THE TRUTH, that they might be saved.
And for this cause God shall send them (allows) STRONG DELUSION (from Satan...), THAT THEY SHOULD BELIEVE A LIE:
That they all might be damned who BELIEVED NOT THE TRUTH, but HAD PLEASURE IN UNRIGHTEOUSNESS. -( Thes. 2: 10-12). WAKE UP, CHURCH! THE BRIDEGROOM COMETH! WILL THERE BE OIL IN YOUR LAMPS, THAT YOU MAY "SEE" IN THIS HOUR OF WORLDWIDE DARKNESS (DECEPTION)?.... ONLY YOUR EMBRACING OF "THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS" FOR... EVERYTHING (SALVATION AND SANCTIFICATION) WILL PLACE THAT OIL IN YOUR LAMP AND K-E-E-P IT FILLED !!!!!
"Give glory to the Lord your God (by walking in His grace through faith exclusively in CHRIST'S Blood Sacrifice), before He cause DARKNESS, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, He turn it into... the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.
But if ye will not hear it, My soul shall weep in secret places for YOUR PRIDE; and Mine Eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the Lord's flock is carried away captive." -(Jer. 1:16-17). "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty Hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time." -(1 Pet. 5:6). "REPENT YE therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the Presence of the Lord. -(Acts 3:19).
But if ye will not hear it, My soul shall weep in secret places for YOUR PRIDE; and Mine Eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the Lord's flock is carried away captive." -(Jer. 1:16-17). "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty Hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time." -(1 Pet. 5:6). "REPENT YE therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the Presence of the Lord. -(Acts 3:19).
"And He said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand NOT; and see ye indeed, but perceive NOT.
Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and HEAR WITH... THEIR EARS; lest they see with their eyes, and HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, and understand WITH THEIR HEART, and convert, and be healed.
Then said I, Lord, how long? And He answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate.
And the Lord have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land (THE GREAT TRIBULATION).
But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance is in them, when they cast their leaves: so THE HOLY SEED shall be the substance thereof (TRUE CHRISTIANS WASHED IN THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB!!!)." -(Isaiah 6:6-13).
Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and HEAR WITH... THEIR EARS; lest they see with their eyes, and HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, and understand WITH THEIR HEART, and convert, and be healed.
Then said I, Lord, how long? And He answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate.
And the Lord have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land (THE GREAT TRIBULATION).
But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance is in them, when they cast their leaves: so THE HOLY SEED shall be the substance thereof (TRUE CHRISTIANS WASHED IN THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB!!!)." -(Isaiah 6:6-13).
Do YOU have "ears to hear"? , like MARY, who "sat at Jesus' Feet, and HEARD HIS WORD."? Or are you like MARTHA, who was "cumbered about with 'much serving'"? (See Lk. 10:38-42)
Having "ears to hear" results from our faith being EXCLUSIVELY... in Christ and His Blood Sacrifice on the Cross! Martha was not paying attention. Her focus was on the "WORK", not the MASTER !!!!! If YOUR focus is on your "work", your focus will not be on the MASTER of the work (Who says "focus on MY SON AND THE CROSS!!!").
11. What is "SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS"?
Having "ears to hear" results from our faith being EXCLUSIVELY... in Christ and His Blood Sacrifice on the Cross! Martha was not paying attention. Her focus was on the "WORK", not the MASTER !!!!! If YOUR focus is on your "work", your focus will not be on the MASTER of the work (Who says "focus on MY SON AND THE CROSS!!!").
11. What is "SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS"?
It is righteousness (that which is morally "right") based upon
"self", and its PERFORMANCE of any sort of "laws". These can be laws of any kind, including GOOD laws, like "the ten commandments"or instructions from God's Word, all the way to... silly laws like not playing cards or board games, keeping pots and cups washed, wearing no jewelry, etc. In Philippians 3:9, Paul compares both THAT kind of righteousness, and the kind of Righteousness that GOD approves. Which kind of righteousness do YOU trust in?. Truly, this will determine your future!
"self", and its PERFORMANCE of any sort of "laws". These can be laws of any kind, including GOOD laws, like "the ten commandments"or instructions from God's Word, all the way to... silly laws like not playing cards or board games, keeping pots and cups washed, wearing no jewelry, etc. In Philippians 3:9, Paul compares both THAT kind of righteousness, and the kind of Righteousness that GOD approves. Which kind of righteousness do YOU trust in?. Truly, this will determine your future!
SELF-righteousness is the default condition of man, and the vast majority of people never do make it out of this morass, with folks having various degrees of it (although ANY of it is deadly!). RELIGIOUS folks have the greatest degree of th...is. They do many good things, couch it in religion, tack some scriptures to it, and sincerely believe that this merits them favor with God; In a sense "blinding themselves" to reality as GOD sees them! Self-righteousness places man under a "curse" (Gal. 3:10), making him a slave to "the sin nature" (1 Jhn. 1:8) and "the law of sin and death" (Rom. 8:2). Being self-righteous and religious is the most miserable state a person can find himself it. On the one hand, he cannot enjoy "the pleasures of sin", being condemned for his actions; And on the other... he cannot enjoy "the Presence of God", being out of His Grace. He finds himself in a sort of "no-man's land", a "twi-light zone" of sorts, barely "hanging on".
Friend, this is NOT what God has intended for us. This is what SATAN wants, to keep us in BONDAGE! Jesus said that He came to give us LIFE, and to have it M-O-R-E A-B-U-N-D-A-N-T-L-Y (Jhn. 10:10b). He came to BREAK the power of the sin na...ture in our life (Jhn. 8:34-36; Rom. 6:14), and to give us an ABUNDANCE of His LIFE-GIVING S-P-I-R-I-T (Jhn. 7:37-39). O HALLELUJAH !!!!!! He BROKE the curse of the broken law for us when He became "the ultimate Sacrifice" for our sins, shedding His spotless, pure BLOOD to redeem us from ALL POWER OF THE ENEMY!!! Right before He breathed His last, He said thise to monumental words: "IT IS FINISHED!". And now, for all of those who humble themselves, are truly repentant of their sins, and place their faith FOR H-I-S RIGHTEOUSNESS exclusively IN His Sacrifice, He declares in the sight of all.... "I find you N-O-T G--U-I-L-T-Y!" ....
"But now THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD WITHOUT THE LAW is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets the old testament);
Even THE RIGHTOUSNESS OF GOD which is BY FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST unto all and upon all them that believe; for the...re is no differen
ce:
For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God;
Being justified freely BY HIS GRACE through the redemption that is 'in Christ Jesus':
Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through FAITH IN HIS BLOOD, to declare HIS Righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
To declare, I say, at this time HIS Righteousness; that He might be just, and the Justifier of him which BELIEVETH IN JESUS.
Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay; but by the LAW OF FAITH." -(Rom. 3:21-27). Self righteousness makes one mean and ornery. Christ's Righteousness fills one with God's Divine Love.
12. "And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints." -(Rev. 19:8). There is only one type of "Righteousness" that God will honor: HIS- symbolized by "white garments", "White" representing purity and holiness IMPUTED through faith in 'th...e Blood of the Lamb'- JESUS.
"IMPUTED" is not an attractive word to the one favoring "pride and self-importance"; Only when one truly sees his real state of lack in the face of the hoardes of hell arrayed against him, can he see the infinite value of GOD'S GRACE AND POWER OF THE HOLY GHOST that comes ALONG with that imputation of God's Righteousness! Lord may you open the blinded eyes of self-sufficient Christians !!!!! Paul said "for when I am WEAK am I STRONG".... (in GOD'S Strength!).
Even THE RIGHTOUSNESS OF GOD which is BY FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST unto all and upon all them that believe; for the...re is no differen
ce:
For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God;
Being justified freely BY HIS GRACE through the redemption that is 'in Christ Jesus':
Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through FAITH IN HIS BLOOD, to declare HIS Righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
To declare, I say, at this time HIS Righteousness; that He might be just, and the Justifier of him which BELIEVETH IN JESUS.
Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay; but by the LAW OF FAITH." -(Rom. 3:21-27). Self righteousness makes one mean and ornery. Christ's Righteousness fills one with God's Divine Love.
12. "And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints." -(Rev. 19:8). There is only one type of "Righteousness" that God will honor: HIS- symbolized by "white garments", "White" representing purity and holiness IMPUTED through faith in 'th...e Blood of the Lamb'- JESUS.
"IMPUTED" is not an attractive word to the one favoring "pride and self-importance"; Only when one truly sees his real state of lack in the face of the hoardes of hell arrayed against him, can he see the infinite value of GOD'S GRACE AND POWER OF THE HOLY GHOST that comes ALONG with that imputation of God's Righteousness! Lord may you open the blinded eyes of self-sufficient Christians !!!!! Paul said "for when I am WEAK am I STRONG".... (in GOD'S Strength!).
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