“The Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  (Hebrews 4:12)

Why are so many people uncomfortable around people that represent God and His Word? There are many reasons but for our purpose, we will name (1) one. The believer that knows his or her Bible well can usually read persons. These people of the Word have been called by God to judge what is right and wrong; good or bad; true or false. While the believer must be careful not to be judgmental of the person in their scope, the one being read will feel judged. This is due to the fact that the wicked man fleas when no man pursueth. The person’s own conscience is judging the person while the believer is judging the action of the person. It is for the self and God to judge the person and for God to execute the judgment, not the believer. The Scriptures state, “If we judge ourselves; we will not be judged [by God].

Where does the believer find this authority to judge? The believer is authorized by God, Himself (1 Corinthians 2:14). The Christ-ian learns the standards of judgment from the Word of God. So when a person feels the eyes of judgment upon themselves, it comes from God and His Word through the believer and not from the believer. The one in the docket or hot seat,  are aware of this judgment even though they may have never read the Bible. They is aware of right and wrong because their own conscience testifies against them. God’s will is written upon their conscience.

A group that is fully aware of God’s condemnation upon themselves and their actions is the homosexual agenda. By the title of this article one can plainly see my position on this wicked movement. Let me be clear, however, I am not speaking about what (2) people do in the privacy of their own bedroom(s). God has made His judgment clear on this sin as He has all sin. This sin is equal to all other sin, like back biting, gossiping, bitterness, the evil eye, pride, etc.What we will speak to (DV) is the intent and motivation of the agenda,itself. In other words, what is the real intent of the agenda? Is it equal rights? Obviously not, as they are able to get married and insure one another. The homosexual can legally adopt and they have received overall acceptance in society, they have parades, and hold political office and have highly rated television shows. The homosexual is usually the good guy and anyone not 100% behind them is the bad guy.

What more do they want, one might ponder. If they are waiting for everyone to love them, they should read history. There is not one group in this society that is 100% accepted by all. Not the Christians, not the Blacks, not the Jews, not the Whites, not the Hispanics, not the Asians, not the Middle eastern, not one group. In fact, many groups are hated by their own kind! My homosexual friend, you will never find love and or acceptance by all…never ever….my straight friend, neither will you.

One way this group is alienating more and more people is by their non tolerance. Case in point: A gay couple enters a bakery and requests the baking establishment to bake a cake for their gay union. The Bakery, Christ-ian owned, politely explains their reluctance to satisfy the gay couple’s request. The gay couple, instead of, accepting the polite decline, seek to sue and put the bakery out of business! This is the intent of the agenda and this will bring more and more disapproval from logical, critical, and clear minded thinking persons. Disapproval, not of the couples private sin, but of their intent and motivation to destroy anyone and anything that stand in it’s way of liberal progressiveness.

Question: There is a small Christ-ian ministry. In a month or so this ministry will (DV) celebrate their x year anniversary of establishment. This ministry unwittingly, asks a gay owned bakery and catering company to provide a proposal of services for the celebration. The ministry is then informed that the establishment, gay owned, would rather pass as they disagree with our position on homosexuality. Would this be acceptable and legal? Would society rise up and protest this business or would this business find support and praise by their sub-culture and society in general? What do you think the small church would do? Would the church seek to bring charges against the catering company or would they say, “very well and thank you for your time.?” Methinks, the latter. Why? When was the last time you heard a news story reporting on a church suing a gay baker? On the other hand, when was the last time a gay couple sought vengeance on a small bakery or Christ-ian owned business?

Let the writer be very clear on one point. Some will agree and some will not. We are happy and look forward to the backlash.

I could not careless if you are Black, Hispanic, Asian, or if you choose to live a homosexual lifestyle. [I do equate the homophile, one with unfulfilled homosexual urges, in the class as “one born this/that way.” A Homosexual, is one that, gives into the urge and lives the sinful lifestyle. A Homosexual is not born, but the homophile is]. I will, however, take great ex by choiceception if one throws their choice in my face and seeks to define me by my reaction thereunto. I take exception to any person, the person challenging me included, defining me or themselves by any one adjective.

A Black man/woman is not a criminal or on welfare because of his or her Blackness. The Hispanic is not affiliated with a gang because of his/her Hispanic-ness, nor is the Asian an over-achiever in math because of the Asian-ness. A White person is not rich, successful, and racist because of the Whiteness. The Homophile or person attracted to the same sex is not gay or Homosexual because of the urge s/he was born with. Persons are what persons are based upon their choices. Stereotypes are stereotypes for a reason. Stereotypes are, generally, more true to life and experience than not.

Why are stereotypes more true to life and experience that not? Because the Black person, the Hispanic, the Asian, the White, and the gay believe the stereotypes about themselves and cause others to believe them, too.

When I see a person, I see a person. Sure, I can note their features, their movements, and their societal leanings. However, by the great Grace of God, none of that means a thing to me. When we approach people in public whether they be black, brown, yellow, red, or all the colors of the rainbow, we are approaching a person without any prejudice or presuppositions. One looks at a large man, heavily bearded, adorned in leather and denim, with shades hiding their eyes. What does one assume? Biker. What does one assume about bikers? Tough, mean, sinful, rebellious…scary. But, then the scary man turns around and you see on the back of his leather jacket, the words, “Real Men Love The Lord Jesus?” Who is full of sin now?

When we approach a man described above, we do so, expecting nothing, but hoping for an opportunity to share Christ and make a friend. This is true of those with different skin colors, and different lifestyle.

The Homosexual agenda is nothing more than bitter, angry, sinful, power-hungry, audacious, chaos-minded, anarchists that have gained the ears of those in power. What does the homosexual agenda do with this new power? Destroy businesses and hurt families that agree with God and disagree with them. This has all happened before. Study the French Revolution. Insert Homosexual in place of French. You find all the same emotions, actions, fears, and hatred as you do today. This Homosexual agenda will go the route of the French Revolution….on to the Guillotine! (Revelation 20:4).

This revolution will grow as other envious and liberal minded progressives start to blame their own failures on others and they will vent like others. The government, the man, the white man, and God will all be blamed. All the emotionally-possessed mobs will seek for the downfall of all that we just listed. The revolt will include, organizations like, Black Lives Matter, the Gay Agenda, the poor, and the beaten and weakened left wing progressives, I.E. God-haters. The defeated left wing progressives have the power, the money, the access to television and radio outlets and the throngs of mindless Emoticons, that are American in name only.

So again, do what you will in the privacy of your own dwelling, but do not put it before me, expecting me to approve, to give a thumbs up, or to give a nod of acceptance, etc. If one does challenge us or puts us in the proverbial corner, we will bring forth and smite thee with the entire weight and authority of Scripture, logic, and history.

To the many, many persons, we know, who are in this lifestyle or are feeling these same sex urges, You know that our love belongs to you. We cannot go along with the choice but we can go along with you, as one who is beloved and cherished, just as you would not agree with someone cheating on one’s spouse, stealing, killing. etc. However, we all would still love one who has done any of the just listed.

In closing, to any one who senses the urge of same sex attraction, but chooses to live the life of an eunuch, we give you the hope and blessings of Isaiah 56:4-5.

Please, Beloved Reader, overlook any misspellings, incorrect grammar, and punctuation errors. Godspeed.

“Neither shall the name anymore be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham: foe father of many nations have I made thee.”  (Genesis 17:5)

“And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him , and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.” (Judges 6:12)

 

In these (2) two passages above hold a very important and powerful truth. This truth, like all of truth contained in Scripture, can change lives. The prerequisite for this power to be experienced is belief and approbation based upon belief. For example: Scripture states over and over again that a person can be saved from sin and can have peace with God. There have been innumerable persons that have had this truth made real to them. These persons have believed the promise and appropriated it by repentance toward God and faith in Christ. Christians have found God’s promise to honour prayer to be true. These believers appropriated God’s promise by asking God in prayer and trusting Him to hear and answer.

In the (2) two quoted passages we find one (1) truth that can revolutionize Christ-ians and the church. Before we explain this truth, let us first state that we are not talking about pop-psychology or some new book concept. This truth dates as far back as the book of Genesis. This truth has been applied by saints as far back as Abram. Abram, Gideon, David, Peter, Paul, and others that have taken heed to God’s calling upon them to fulfill His pleasures and purposes.

Now let us reveal this truth.

God said unto Abram that he would be the father of many nations. This revelation was made before Abram had any children and was, humanly speaking, too old to have any children. God, years later, revealed to a young man that he was a mighty man of valour. This was before young Gideon ever fought a battle or played the role of iconoclast, someone that would destroy icons or false gods. These were some wild revelations made to these (2) two men.

Abram and Gideon had (1) one of (2) options. Option (1) one, they could try to ignore what God had said, or (2) two, they could have believed God and appropriated his claims. Abram, believed God and God counted this as faith. God renamed him Abraham, father of many nations. We know from the rest of the inspired narrative that God kept his Word to Abraham.

When we look at Gideon, however, we find a young man that requested, humbly, for some more information. God, taking into account the man’s age and the fact that Gideon never requested any of this, had patience with him. Again, the narrative proved God faithful to those that believed and acted upon this belief.

When a person receives a call upon their life, they to can attempt to ignore it (Jonah) or they can act upon it. When God calls a young believer to become His mouthpiece, the young man must believe God and appropriate all that God will make available to him, by way of gifts and ability, and to faithfully obey God’s direction and instruction. In order for the man to do these things and appropriate these things, he must take the mantle of God’s man.

This truth is not only for those called to fulfill God’s purposes and pleasures but to enjoy enjoy the abundant life promised them by God.

To enjoy the abundant and full life of Christianity, one must appropriate all that God has promised. If one is to overcome a life of crippling fear, one must believe God’s “fear not’s” and walk thru life appropriating “I will fear no evil; for [T]hou are with me…” or “Thou are my [S]trength; of whom shall I be afraid; of whom shall I be afraid?” One must believe that God is for him/her and that no one can be against them. One must appropriate God’s, “Be of good courage, for I am with thee.”

If one is to enjoy the blessings of God, one needs to cease from asking for them and realize that God has “blessed us with all spiritual blessings” already. One must believe that they are “partakers of the divine nature” of god. Instead of asking God for grace, faith, hope, courage, etc. one should start thanking Him for these things as they are already present in the Person of the indwelling Holy Spirit. One should thank God for the faith that indwells him presently, and ask Him to help you appropriate it. One should not ask God for courage, instead, one should praise Him and give thanks. Ask Him to show you how to use the already present courage.

More counsel of appropriated God’s blessing; Live in the Spirit, walk in the Spirit, pray in the Spirit and you will find the fruits of the Spirit ripening and manifesting them in you and in your every day life. One will find love, joy, peace, hope, temperance, etc. already at hand. One will not have to request them from God all the time. One can use that energy to thank God and praise God. One will find the time to pray for others instead of them selves. If one were to study the prayers of the Apostles one will be hard presses to find them praying for themselves. The Apostles were more preoccupied in praising God and praying for others.

Beloved readers, Believe what He has said about you and act upon it.

Godspeed

Please forgive any mispunctutaion, grammar or speiiling errors.

“He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.” (Proverbs 28:26)

“…be wise, and guide thine heart in the way” (Proverbs 23:19)

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”                                                                                                                                               (Jeremiah 17:9)

“This evil people…walk in the imagination of their heart, [they] are good for nothing.”                                                                                                                                   (Parts of  Jeremiah 13:1o)

 

When the Scriptures speak of the heart in the way that they do above, it is speaking to the emotionally ruled mind. The Scriptures speak often on the heart and one needs to interpret the meaning within the context of the passage. When the Bible tells us, if a sinner believes and confesses in his heart that Christ is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead, they will be saved from their sin and it’s eternal penalty, it’s pleasure, and it’s power, the Bible is speaking to the new creature’s love, loyalty, and adoration for it’s Lord, Master, and Saviour.

The Scriptures speak to the purifying of the heart, which is the same as saying, the saint’s mind is renewed and is being renewed everyday, as are the Lord’s mercies new everyday; for everyday is “the day which the LORD hath Made, and we will rejoice and be glad in it.” We will…. we will rejoice and be glad in it. The renewed mind makes the decision to rejoice and to be glad. The renewed mind knows that God has made this day and that all things shall work together for our good….for those who love God and have been called to His purposes.

Persons who know me know that I dress with a shirt and tie everyday. They ask me repeatedly,  “Why do you dress like that?…nothing special is going on.” My reasoning is this; We dress ourself everyday as to acknowledge God and to be a blessing to my  Lord.  We dress, knowing that we will be standing in His Presence and I want to be ready, reverent and respectful to Him and to the day He has crafted for me. That is an insight to my thought process. That is how I think In my mind.

Thinking soundly, rightly, logically, fairly,  and critically is what God created the mind to do. When God made man in His Image, He was speaking of the spirit, soul and body. The spirit, in the context of this article, will (DV) be = to one’s mind set and the heart will be = emotions.

We were in Walmart (2) nights ago and saw a t-shirt that read, “Follow Your Heart.” This shirt was in the little girl’s section; it was positioned so as to be seen by all the passing shoppers. The shirt sure caught my eye. The shirt was pink and had glitter on it. We, then, thought to ourself, “It is the fool that follows their heart.” This demon-strates how ignorant, and silly minded the old creation/creatures in Adam really are.

Then, today we read articles, in which persons like Jill Stein and Jesse Jackson are praising Fidel Castro. These people [Beloveds you must forgive me, as I use the word “people” as a curse word] are using words like, symbol of justice and the word freedom was even attached to Castro. What are these “people” thinking? How do these “people” think? What kind of thoughts run through their head to think F. Castro was a good guy and symbol of freedom and justice?

F. Castro was a murdering, oppressive, evil, wicked narcissist that held people down, with a twinge of sadistic pleasure. I have often thought, what form would (s)atan take if he were to walk among his “people.” F. Castro fit the bill perfectly… A lone dictator, on an island nation, able to do whatever he pleases. F. Castro pleased himself through sadism,  oppression and murder. But now all those, that he controlled and tortured for decades, can rest tonight, knowing that this “Symbol of Justice” [Jill Stein] is in Hell at this very moment and being, himself, oppressed by the absence of God’s mercy. The absence of God’s mercy is fury and wrath.

As we finish up with Castro and throw him away, like used toilet paper, let us now consider Jill Stein, and Jesse Jackson. This Jillenstein monster-thing and J. Jackson are really, for our purposes, simple minded representatives of the old creatures still in Adam. These “people” [think curse word] actually think that the oppressive Castro was a good guy. This tells us what kind of leaders they would be, does it not? We are at a time, when fools that are “following their heart”, actually do and say what they want. They protest and decry authority every chance they can. Peter, in his second letter, chapter two, calls these empty “people,” natural brute beasts that are made to be taken and destroyed.

These “people” seem to be possessed by dim witted, dumbed down, and vexing demons. How can a grown person say things like, “we have to pass the bill, so we can see what it says?” or call a depraved murderous dictator, just? We have even read threads that are calling the OSU Samoan Jihadist, the victim. Yes, reader, these evil “people” consider the Jihadist a victim, a victim because he grew up in Somalia and was probably bullied as a child. There is also a man who was happy that Tennessee was on fire. His reason for joy? Tennessee was a Trump state. This, soon to be reaping, fool also wished the entire state would burn. Readers, these “people” are truly wicked and evil. They are dead inside, which leaves a vacuum. The vacuum is then filled with stupidity, ignorance, hatred, and bitter maliciousness. And the truth is, God put it there as a judgment. They demon-strate their vileness with their words, which Christ said, reveals their dark stony-hardened heart.

Beloved Readers, We must look at the world in a different way. We must come to understand that it is old creation in Adam – versus –  new Creation in Christ. I’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, Study the french revolution in detail, because it is coming to a town near us all. We are not sensationalistic, but the birth pangs have started. Tribulation is coming, all the signs speak loudly, the “people” are being encouraged to resist lawful authority….by certain politicians and false prophets.

The liberal left does not have any moral authority that they can point to. They are led or driven by their emotions, they are mindless, dim-witted, dead on the inside, hollow “people.” They call good, bad and bad, good. They are backward, inside out, upside down emotions, personified. They are possessed by their feelings and emotions, and their children are thrice as wicked as they are.

To summarize, fools follow their heart/emotions, and they are betrayed by their own heart, as it is desperately wicked and no one can truly know it. They do not know what they would do in any given circumstance until it happens and then they “follow their heart.” This also explains why they contradict themselves at every turn. They do not think, they only feel and their feelings change depending on the mob mentality of polls. They are tossed “to and fro” just like (s)atan, their daddy.

Godspeed, beloveds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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“…I am continually with [T]hee: [T] hou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with [T]hy counsel, afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but [T]hee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside [T]hee.  (Psalm 73:23-25)

 

Through out our red threaded history there have been eras that are distinguished by our ancestors. After our Lord ascended, the era of the Apostles began, or technically at Pentecost, I suppose. Then came the Church fathers, Augustine, Polycarp, Jerome, etc. After this came the Mystics, then the great Reformers, the Puritans, that seemed to be transcendent in so many ways,. After the Puritans, it seems to me, we entered the era of the Remnant, where we are today, methinks, anyway.

Though there was the era of the Mystics, that knew God, but had no Bible of their own. The Words were being written upon their hearts as they worshiped and served.These mystics have always been here. When some hear the word, mystic, they think Catholic and though the Catholic church claims many mystics as their own, the mystics were not Catholic as we understand Catholicism today. In fact, many mystics were condemned by the Catholic church during the purging or inquisition. Persons considered mystic, are Joan of Arc, Meister Eckart, Madame Guyon, Gregory of Nyssa, Bernard of Clairvaux, John of the Cross, John Tauler, Julian of Norwich, Thomas A’ Kempis, Brother Lawrence and others. One could be intellectual honest and put Augustine, Calvin, Luther, Jonathan Edwards, John Wesley, D.L. Moody, A.W. Tozer and even A.W. Pink and Martyn Lloyd Jones.

I don’t know if any of the persons named in the above paragraph would have considered themselves mystic. Upon reading  them, however,  and learning of them through biography or collected letters, there is no doubt. Tozer, however wore the title without apology as does many others, though they may not know it. Being a mystic is like logic. One uses logic everyday but does not realize it. If you wake up one morning and the ground it wet, you think, it rained last night. That is a logical deduction. You saw evidence and reasoned backward. Mysticism is similar.

What is a mystic? Does a mystic wear a cape and a hood? Do they walk in a smoke cloud? Do they float? Are they magical? The answer is yes, in a manner of speaking. Some mystics, I suppose wear hoodies, they walk in and with the Spirit of God continuously,  they are or seem to be on a different plane/plain than others, and they have prayers answered on a regular basis.

What is a mystic? before we define it allow us to name Biblical mystics, first. One should consider the following as mystics: Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Lot, Moses, Joshua, David, Elijah, Elisha and all the prophets, The Lord Jesus, and the apostles, all. What is a Mystic, then?

A mystic is one who simply, walks with God, talks with God, and has God in all of his/her thoughts, decisions, and actions. The mystic acknowledges God in all [his/her] ways, and is instant in prayer, or rather prays without ceasing. The mystic senses Him and has a God- awareness at all times. To the mystic, the Presence of Christ is more real than the presence of the person standing in front of him/her. The mystic understands Jephthah of old. The mystic understands, “Come up hither”, of John in Revelation, in a prayerful way. The mystic is not a Christ-believer, but a Christ-knower.

To put this in pop culture perspective, as Reagan MacLeish, of “Exorcist” fame was/is possessed by a demon, so to, is the mystic, “possessed” by the Holy Ghost. The mystic sees God every where, s/he looks for Him every where and at all times. The mystic wakes up, thinking, God and falls asleep thanking God.

Paul, in Acts 20:13, “[minded] himself to go afoot.” Luke and other friends of Paul “sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul…” However, Paul decided to walk instead. Commentators suggest that this was due to sea sickness, but methinks not. Methinks, Paul wanted to walk with his Ever-Present Companion. Paul loved his friends, for he endured all the world’s punishment and hatred for the sake of God’s elect. Albeit, Paul wanted time alone with His Lord and God. Paul was a mystic and mystics, in general, walk alone, they walk alone with God on that other plain/plane.

In Luke 9:18, we find this gem, “And it came to pass, as [H]e was [A]lone praying, [H]is disciples were with [H]im…” Our Lord was Alone, yet surrounded by disciples. Our Lord was Alone and praying, being surrounded by many. That is what a mystic does, the mystic is always, always alone with God, even when he is surrounded by family and friends. The mystic is a balloon and God is his Air. If the Air is let out the balloon deflates and dies, likewise, is the mystic.

In our quoted text, David says there is no one else but he and God, this is the core spirit of the mystic minded saint. A mystic loves his family and his friends, but God is Preeminent, above and over all else and all others; family and friends know this and sometimes they get to enjoy the Presence, as well, I.E. Moses’ glowing face.

If one knew this writer, one would know that we are not sensationalistic. Our feet are planted firmly on the [holy] ground. We do not accept the silliness of going to heaven and coming back nor do we subscribe to charismatic experience over sound doctrine.

One of our titles above, however, gave us the “inspiration” to write this article. We saw two (2) cars next to us in traffic this evening. One car had on it’s license plate, “Mystical” and then the other car passed by and it’s plate read, “Beeness.”  “Beeness & mystical,” being interpreted, “Be mystical.” We do not suggest this as a “sign” but it did cause us to think about our mystical heritage.

Are you a mystic? Would you like to be?  Is a mystic made mystical by God or can one attain to a level of mystic? I know not. What I know is this, we were envious of David’s walk with God. We were envious of Enoch and the prophets. We wanted that kind of faith and relationship with Him, too. We read of Tozer’s love for mystics, and Pink’s “Communion” tract, LLoyd-Jones counseled his people to “Read Pink” and he recommended Pink’s “Union and Communion.” Brother Lawrence’s book, “Practicing the Presence of God,” was the game changer. This small  and humble book taught me about walking with God, as Enoch did, and as Moses did, and as Noah and David did. I learned to “go afoot” and to be “alone praying, [my family and friends being with me]. I asked God to possess me, as a demon possesses the child.

The mystic is one who is born again, then stripped of everything, and re-dressed in a white robe with a hoodie, so to speak. He is one that is on a short leash. He holds God’s Hand, lest he fall. To the mystic, God figures into everything, he cannot stop experiencing God’s Presence, nor would he ever want to. The mystic is God’s “door keeper,” always in front of Him and ready to serve at His Master’s pleasure.

The mystic walks in the Spirit, lives in the Spirit, prays (wordlessly) in the Spirit, engages the enemy in the Spirit and the Spirit, so lovingly, and tenderly, bears witness to his spirit. The greatest fear of the mystic is being left alone without God, his Air.

Godspeed.

 

 

“And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city. Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. (Matthew 10:14-16)

The Christ-ian, by divine nature, is full of hope. The Christ-ian is salt and light upon this world. We walk by faith; not by sight. We see the “God in the bad.” In fact, it is written, our peace passeth all understanding.

However, there is a darker side to our light. The night Christ was betrayed, Peter took a sword and fought to defend his Lord and his dearest friend. Peter cut the ear of Malchus, though, methinks, he was aiming for his neck. The Lord, with full composure, and control commanded His “man at arms ” to stand down. He said to Peter, “for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.”

The sword that Peter used cuts both ways. It cut off an ear of a soldier and amidst the arrest, The Lord cut Peter with a reproof.

In our text from Matthew 10, we learn that one who witnesses to Christ will be a blessing to those who are awaiting the coming Messiah. We also learn that the witness to the Christ will be a witness against those that reject the coming Messiah. The dust that is shaken from the feet of the witnesses shall testify against the Christ-rejector. Methinks this is akin to the stones praising Christ, if people do not.

Soul winning or witnessing or testifying is a double edged sword. One who hears the Gospel is responsible to respond in one way or the other. One will either repent and believe or one will cast the Gospel off as “not for me or not right now or no thank you.” In other words,  No decision is the wrong decision.

Think about the men, who came to the Lord, of their own volition. One was told to sell all his luxuries and give the money to the poor. The other was told to let the dead bury the dead. Neither, were willing to submit to Christ as Lord, therefore  He will not be their Saviour either. [side note: methinks the “rich young ruler” may have reconsidered and in my sanctified imagination, I like to think he was the naked one, who followed Christ afar off.] To think …Christ, Himself, spoke to these two (2) men and they walked away. Imagine being one of these two (2) at the Great White Throne Judgment. God, Himself “witnessed” to them and they received Him Not. [another side note: theologically, these men demonstrate that it is impossible for man to come to God on his own volition.]

Another doubled edged sword is, the Will of God. A brother of our’s posted this: Safest place in the world is in the will of God [Paraphrased]. We, then, thought, the most dangerous place in the world is also the center of God’s will. The safest place and the most dangerous place, at the same time, is the center of God’s will.

Allow us to draw your attention to the prophets, to the Apostles, and the Reformers. All these, we assume, were in the will of God. The prophets suffered great inhumanities. Tradition tells us, Isaiah was martyred inside a log and cut in half. The Apostles, all found their release in terrible deaths. St. John is the one (1) exception [Another side note; God has His favourites]. John Wycliffe, the precursor to the reformation, was burned at the stake. John Huss, also , burned at the stake.

The sinless, Son of God, The Lord Jesus, dying the sinner’s death, was at the center of God’s will.

Therefore, to be in God’s will… is a double edged sword. In His will, we remain………

” A bishop then must…Not [be] a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.”  (1 Timothy 3:2 a, 6)

A wise man, we are taught, does not answer a matter before it is heard. Before one takes a stand or a position one should, if one is wise, investigate all of the ins and the outs. Paul said, “Prove all things.” John Said, “Try the spirits.” Our Lord said, Take heed to what you hear and to what you see. In Isaiah, it is written, you see but you do not observe [paraphrased]. In other words, anything one hears or sees must be put on trial. One must judge if it is…Good or bad, true or false, right or wrong. One must judge all things without being judgmental. One should not try to judge another’s intents or motives…only the actions….even then, one should be slow to judge in an absolute sense.

As a minister of the Word, we are very slow to recommend other ministries or books written by contemporary authors. This is due to the possibility of the ministry or author “falling from grace.”

When I was much younger, both physically and spiritually, I met Jake the “Snake” Roberts, a pro wrestler. Jake’s gimmick was draping his snake, Damien or Lucifer on his defeated opponent. Jake left the wrestling scene for a while and when he returned, years later, he was a Bible believer. He spoke about the Blood of the Lamb …ON T.V.!!! on a wrestling program. I was really into that. His new snake was named, Revelation.  Revelation was a pygmy python I.E. it was white with yellow mixed in. It spoke to Jake’s new found purity.

Many of the televangelists had Jake on their show and many churches invited him to speak about his life. The next chapter of his “walk” would see Jake on the independent wrestling circuit. There he would wrestle drunk; wrestle high; at one show he actually exposed himself. Today, Jake is in a good place and we hope he remains there.

The point of the above is this…When God saves a celebrity, it is the same as saving a homeless person at a mission. The saved celebrity may be awarded an Oscars or an Emmy and the homeless person is awarded with a safe place to sleep and (3) three meals a day. They both will (DV) learn from Scripture and other books on Scriptural topics. The celebrity will learn in a church and will (DV) obtain books that furthers their knowledge. The Homeless person will learn from the mission and will read from very, very used books.

On the outside, these (2) two are nothing alike. One is glitz and glamour; the other one is flannel and denim. On the inside, however, they are both, apprehended and saved by the same Lord Jesus. When it comes to Him, they both kneel. They both kneel B4 Him in the spirit of loving worship and reverence, as they are both on = ground.

We, as God’s chosen people, should not be more excited about a celebrity professing faith in Christ than we would anyone else. Is God made bigger and greater when a celebrity gives witness to Him? No, Nope, nada, nnnnnyet!!! Is God more acceptable since X gave witness? It would seem to us, if a celebrity is celebrated for their faith, God is made small. Samuel said to King Saul, ” You did well, when you were small, in your own eyes.[paraphrased]” When Saul was small in his own sight, God was BIG and GR8. However, as King SAUL’s pride grew BIGGER and BIGGER in his own sight, he lost GOD….he lost the kingdom…he lost all.

One should not elevate a “celebrity new saint” because there is no such thing. One should not ask a “celebrity new saint” to speak in one’s church because if the novice falls there will be great damage to many lives. The church will look foolish, as well. Paul said, the ministry must be blameless.

Back to the “Snake, ” Jake was on many Christ-ian programs and he sounded good. But, he like so many, fell…Alcohol & drugs.  Is that the message, we, the church, want to send? Juxtaposition, there are real ministries backed by former pro wrestlers. Ted Dibiase, Nikita Koloff, Shawn Michaels, and Sting AKA Steve Borden come to mind. These men did not make their salvation a public spectacle or make it part of their gimmick. These men have been living a Christ-ian life. [Perseverance = Salvation.] However, no one should exalt a believer due to celebrity. As a person lives, a person may fall; bringing many lives with them.

The only true celebrity is our Lord Christ Jesus.

If we recommend an author to someone, said author will most likely be dead. The dead are safe. The “Living celebrity new saint” are always questionable.

As to Jake, he is in a good place now. He is in a good place now, because someone loved him enough to intervene and hold him accountable. Is he a believer? I know not.

Finally, we conclude with this, When one has been privileged and honoured to celebrate God, in Christ, the Triune Sovereign, everyone else is………………………… everyone else.

“The foolish shall not stand in [T]hy sight: [T]hou hatest all workers of iniquity. Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: The LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.”                                                                                                                                                         (Psalm 5:5,6)

“And then shall I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from [M]e, ye that work iniquity.”  (Matthew 7:23)

“As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.                                                                                                                                              (Romans 9:13-14)

 

There are certain doctrines in Scripture that a preacher/teacher knows will anger people. The doctrines of election and definite atonement are two that many people find controversial and would rather not consider. Me thinks this is due to a wrong assumption, RE: Witnessing/Testifying/Soul winning. The believer might think these doctrines discount one’s part in evangelism. The fact is, these doctrines should encourage and excite believers toward evangelism. These doctrines tell us that God’s chosen are “out there” and waiting for you/me/us to share with them the Glorious Gospel of Christ!!! These doctrines should increase one’s wonder of God’s love. One should grow in their love and thankfulness to their Lord, “Christ died for me” when He did not die for others.

Some charge the Calvinistic believer with pride but the opposite is true. The fact that God chose me and Christ died for me is the most humbling of truths and these truths promote life long loyalty and service unto God. This truth does not cause the believer to look down on sinners, instead these doctrines cause the believer to look at everyone with wonder and hope. The believer approaches persons with the possibility in mind, that this is one of His.

The (2) two doctrines above, as we wrote, are trouble-makers but, they are in Scripture and are part of the whole counsel of God. One must not consider the reaction of his listeners, lest he becomes a pleaser of men, which disqualifies him from being a pleaser of God. The preacher must not fear man, nor the evil glare of men or the shaking heads of men. The preacher must fear God and fear God, Alone.

If the above (2) two doctrines are trouble-makers, this next doctrine will burn the church down…metaphorically speaking. Many preachers tell sinners, “God loves you and Christ died for you.” There is no Scripture that warrants any man to utter these words. No man can tell another man, “Christ died for you” because no where in Scripture does it say that. The Scriptures teach that Christ died for sinners. However, no where is that word made personal until said sinner repents and believes. The Scriptures teach that Christ died for us, but the us is the Christ-ians and is after the receiving of Christ. God’s love is not the message to sinners. Repentance from sin and belief in Christ is God’s message to the sinner.

When a preacher proclaims, “God love you” the sinner hears him and then doubts that this God that loves him will ever throw him into Hell. It doesn’t make sense. How can God throw someone He loves into Hell? or How would God even Allow it?  If God loves everyone why did He throw fire upon Sodom and Gomorrah? If God loves everyone, why did He say He hates Esau? If God loves everyone why did He allow David’s words in Psalm 5:5,6 to be put in His Word of Truth? If God loves everyone, why does He destroy the bloody man and the deceitful man? The bloody man and the deceitful man are the (2) two extremes of the sinner, or at least, in the human mind they are. The gamut of sin runs from lying, all the way to the murderer. Liar………..>……………..>………………>……………………>…..Murderer. This would indicate that God does not love the liar or the murderer or any life long sinner in between.

Did God love Pharaoh? Did God love the Jebusites, the Canaanites, or any of the nations He commanded Israel to smite? Did God love the worshipers of Molech? Did God love the worshipers of Baal on Mt. Carmel? Did God love the (42) forty-two children that were killed by (2) two she-bears after said children mocked Elisha, God’s prophet? Did God love Haman, of Esther? Did God love Voltaire?  Did God love Alistar Crowley, the self proclaimed Beast? Did God love Hitler or Stalin?  Did God love Bin Laden? Methinks the answer to the above questions is……. no, nada, nope, no way, etc.

If God loves a person, Christ died for that person, and the Holy Spirit lives in that person, and that person will dwell in God’s Presence whether in Heaven or on earth. If a person dies and goes to Hell it is because God did not love said person and said person did not love God. How can one say that God loves everyone, when Christ, Himself, says, “I never knew you” to the unrepentant and unbelieving sinner. The Scriptures speak of those known and loved by God, before “the foundation of the world.” The Scriptures speak, also, of those that Christ, “never knew.” In these passages the word, know/knew has the force of intimacy or love, as in the Old Testament husband knowing his wife. So, when Christ says to the God hating sinner, “I never knew you,” He is saying, in essence , ” I never loved you.”

Before objectors start quoting John 3:16 and 1 John 2:2 let me answer them. The world in 3:16 speaks to different peoples on the earth. When Herod taxed the whole world, did he, in fact, tax the whole world? Methinks not. When Paul writes, “Your faith is spoken of throughout the world,” Does he mean to say, every person on earth is speaking about your faith? Methinks not. Revelation 5:9 defines the redeemed world as “every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.”

1 John 2:2 speaks to the fact that peoples other than the Jews were saved by Christ’s Propitiation. In Galatians, Paul states that Peter, James, and John would go to the Jews as Paul would go after the Gentile nations. This statement made by Paul brings 1 John 2:2 into perspective and context. When John, an Apostle to the Jews, writes, “And [H]e is the [P]ropitiation for our [Jews] sins: and not for ours [Jews] only, but also for the the sins of the whole world [Gentile nations],” John is speaking of “every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” where the Gospel would seek and save them that are lost.

Christ-ians should not be troubled by this doctrine. It always boggles our mind when Christ-ians side with sinners over Biblical truth and God’s Free Choice. We are to love Him above ALL others, as He has loved us, while not loving others. His love for us is what makes us new creatures in Christ. The Christ-ian is a hybrid, “Simul Justus et Peccator.” The Christ-ian is a saint and a [Justified] sinner at the same time.

“For in many things we offend all…”                                                                                                                                                          (James 3:2)

“So be it” the English translation of “Amen”

 

When one is called by God to be His servant in the area of preaching, God warns him about the response and reactions of sinners and saints. He forewarned Jeremiah about this a number of times. He warned Moses and Joshua of this many times. God puts a boldness in those He calls to His purposes, which are according to His pleasure. James knew this well, as he wrote, “….we offend all.” The man of God will offend sinners; he always has, he always does, and he always will. To be offensive is a job description.

However, one should not seek to be offensive for the sake of being offensive. In fact, truth be told, the man is not what offends the sinner…it is God and His Word. Sinners are offended by the Word and they demonstrate this offense by despising the man. This is what God told Moses. Christ told His disciples that the world would hate them, but know that it hated Him first. We have shown kindness to strangers and they were appreciative …until we offered them a Gospel tract and a witness to Christ. The appreciation died when God or Christ was mentioned.

The preacher learns not to be phased by the sinners glares or words. The preacher is not offended by the sinners hatred anymore than he is offended by a barking dog or a hissing snake. On the other hand, however, the preacher can be jarred at times by the saints or those professing sainthood.

When this preacher states Bible truth like, The Love of God is enjoyed by His elect alone and not sinners or workers of iniquity he is thought to be wrong. When a Bible Truth like- People do not die, go to Heaven, and return to earth is shared, the one who shared is thought to be a downer. A Bible Truth like- Certain holiday traditions are not in line with Scripture are really liked and appreciated…not. If one shares other truths like- “Barney the Dinosaur” is teaching socialism to children and “Dora the Explorer” is meant to desensitize our young people to illegal immigration one is thought to be Looney-toons.

The statements above are not made lightly or meant to incite or provoke anger. We would be able to logically support the truths above with Scripture and examples.

To be Scripturally sound we admit that Paul and John went to Heaven in the form of visions. It could be argued that Paul went to Heaven in his person. However, Paul was forbidden to reveal his findings. John was allowed to reveal certain aspects of what he saw and was forbidden to reveal other aspects. Today there are many people “going to Heaven and to Hell” and they are full of descriptions. These persons are revealing all of what they “saw.” Those in Christendom are delirious over these reports as they betray their ignorance of sound doctrine. Another difference with Paul and John is they didn’t die and return.

One of the persons who “went to Heaven”  and wrote a book or had a book written about him, now admits his lie. This person has heard the Voice of the Shepherd in the Word(s) of Scripture and by faith “went to Christ” and found salvation. Due to his conversion to Christ, he confessed his childhood deception. The church should not be angry with this person for he only did what sinners do. The church should usher this person in with the spirit of understanding and acceptance.

We do have a theory about all these fictional “non-fiction” books. This theory extends to the many apocalyptic films and television shows that are popular today, as well as the increase of good Christ-ian films and films depicting demon possession.

Our theory: In the early days of Creation one would look to the sky for one’s weather report and the time of day. The sky also acted as one’s calendar of upcoming events. As time wore on clocks were invented, calendars were published, television brought pictures to life, and then the internet bridged and brought the world to one place. Today, one does not look to the sky; one looks to the television and the internet for one’s information. Therefore, God, we believe, is speaking to the people of earth through the television and internet. This speaks to the eternal mercies of God and to His longsuffering and patient kindness. Some may say, ” NO! God speaks through His Word!” and we would wholeheartedly agree. Although God primarily speaks through His Word, we would ask this question in reply, “Does God use persons to speak to a lost world…does God use Christ-ian tracts to speak to the lost…Did not God use an ass to speak to Balaam…Might God use the television and the internet to speak, also?

Another theory we posit is the “Plagiarism of God’s Word.” If one looks at any written work or any film produced there is some semblance to the “Greatest Story Ever Told.” Whether it be the last “Harry Potter” movie, where the hero dies and rises again or “Godzilla” falling and appearing dead only to rise up with greater strength than before. One could watch “John Wick” and see elements from the Second Coming of Christ as taught in Revelation.

The Christ-ian could and should find Christ-figures everywhere. For example: Sherlock Holmes, prepared to die so that a criminal mastermind could not continue to harm others…thought dead for (3) three years only to return with greater control over himself. John Watson, his biographer, did not recognize his friend at first. Holmes had his arch nemesis, Moriarty, and defeated him in the wilderness. However, Holmes finds Moriarty’s agents still seeking him, whom they want to destroy. Holmes fasts during his investigations, he saves people from danger, he teaches his methods to others and children like to be around him. Holmes recognizes depravity and he know that their is design behind the universe. There is a Christ-figure from literature and film.

Holmes, John Wick, The Lion-Aslan, Harry Potter, Superman, Batman, Thor, the Vision, etc. are all Christ-figures in one way or another. They all share attributes with the Godman. However, these characters are fictional. The Lord Jesus Christ, the Godman is as real as real can get. He is Alive and lives in Heaven, in physical form and indwells His people, in the Person of His Holy Ghost of God.

To be Chrystal Sea clear, I am not putting anyone or anything on par with my Lord and Saviour, Christ Jesus. There is none other name under [H]eaven; given among men, whereby we must be saved. Christ and Christ Alone is Lord and Saviour. It is at His Name that every knee shall bow and that every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is LORD.

An application: Seek for Christ and His Gospel everywhere and ye shall find Him being represented and sometimes where ye least expect. Learn to see God everywhere…in a seed, in a book, in a movie, in other persons, in the daily news, in the clouds; for they declare Him, in the intricacy of a watch, in the wind, in a candle, in a door, in a gate, in a slice of bread, in a drink of water, and in a person rising from sleep. Look at a clock and relate it to Scripture. For example:  It’s 3:16 am, quote John 3:16 and dwell on it’s teaching for a while.  It’s 5:16 pm, so rejoice evermore as 1 Thessalonians enjoins….it’s 5:17 pm, so think to thyself, I should pray without ceasing , as 1 Thessalonians 5:17 teaches.

God is Omnipresent, so look for Him.

“Judge not lest, ye be judged.” (Matthew 7)

“Judge not lest, ye be judged” (Quoted and misapplied by the Biblically illiterate.)

‘[Sharpton] have I hated.” (A paraphrasing of Malachi 1:13 and Romans 9)

 

Some might take exception to the title(s) and the liberty I have taken in quoting Malachi 1 and Roman 9. Those that do take exception to these liberties do not cause me a moments concern. They are the types of Biblically illiterates I quoted in the (2nd) second text above. Those completely ignorant to and without Biblical understanding love to quote Matthew 7. When they hear someone saying something they dislike , “Judge not” spews from their asp like tongues. To understand Matthew 7 is to know what Christ means. “Judge not lest, thou be judged [also]”  speaks to one’s standard of judgment. In other words, when we say, that God judges the likes of Al Sharpton we speak to Sharpton raping of sound doctrine. We further apply  this manner of judgment upon ourself if we twist and wrest sound doctrine. If one were to say,” God should strike …down for his/her crime.” One is placing that same measure of judgment upon themself if they commit the same crime.

In the third (3rd) text I loosely quote Malachi 1. In Malachi 1 God states, “Esau, have I hated.” When God say’s He hates someone we should not imagine God being controlled by an emotion. When a human states his/her hatred for another he/she is stating a felt emotion. When God sates His hatred He is stating His sovereign opposition for an entity. This opposition is based in God’s holiness and, justified anger.

Someone may still take exception to my liberty in Malachi. Again that doesn’t concern me. However, if someone is genuinely confused, let me explain. In Psalm 5:3, It is written that God hates all workers of iniquity and God utters these same words to the condemned at the great white throne judgment, “Depart from [M]e, ye workers of iniquity. Therefore, one is safe in interchanging Sharpton with Esau. Sharpton is a worker of iniquity and one of the worst kind because what he perpetrates and perpetuates is in the Name of God. Sharpton is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Sharpton seeks to scatter the sheep. He speaks for his father, the devil, and the lusts of his father Al will do. He will lie and murder peace.

The sons of (s)atan, Al and Jesse seek where they might cause division and spread hate between the races. They seek to raise up violence against legal authority that represents divine Authority. Like all children of wrath and disobedience these serpents are under the constant watch of Holy God. He is angry with this wicked ilk everyday. They should not consider God’s forbearance as approval, but they should consider it as extra time. Extra time to fill up their, already, overflowing cups of sin and wrath.

The teachings of hate these wicked men spew everywhere they slither is the opposite of sound doctrine found in Scripture. The Apostle Paul wrote that there is no difference between those in Christ. There is no male or female in Christ. There is no Jew or gentile in Christ, and there is no skin color in Christ. There is, however, a unity and oneness in Christ!!! The answer to all of the racial prejudices and hatred is not talking about racial differences. The answer is the Gospel and the oneness that the Gospel demands. The longer one is saved and walks with Christ the less one notices differences. Christ said, “I must needs go through Samaria.” Samaria was a town where the Samaritans dwelt. This people was the product of Jews mixing with other cultures and nations. The Jews despised the Samaritans, yet Christ sought them out. Likewise one does not see a brother or sister who has a different skin color, accent, or nationality. No! a Christ-ian sees one for whom Christ died and rose again. One sees another child of God. One sees a beloved brother and/or sister in Christ. One sees another who is like-minded and who’s heart is knitted to his/her!!! Christ and His Gospel is the answer.

We have preached a number of times in a “black” church. There was no consideration on the congregants part as to our “whiteness” and we know there was none on our part. We preached the Word of God, they were animated as the Word was proclaimed and we spent hours afterward enjoying great food and uplifting fellowship. We have preached in “white”churches and cannot say the same, other than we preached sound doctrine. We are sorry to say that we have introduced ourself to self confessed “black” believers and their was little warmth and at other times there is great warmth. We have come a cross many ‘white” believers and found excitement. The point is that it is not the color of the individual but the individuals themselves.

Why does the likes of Al Sharpton and J. Jackson spread such hatred? The reason is their theology and their ancestry. Their theology is not based in the sound teaching of Scripture but in the wicked theology of “liberation.” Before you say, “But, Brian, don’t you preach on  Christian liberation?” The liberation they speak on is based in racism and reparations. They see the meaning of the book of Exodus as the white man holding down the black man and God raising up the black man to break the chains of bondage and to be liberated. Egypt is White oppression. The children of Israel are the oppressed black man, and Moses is Al Sharpton, who will lead the black man out of their disenfranchisement. This is the un-Biblical allegory at it’s absolute worst. This is on par with (s)atan’s “Hath God said?”

Al Sharpton and J. Jackson have more in common with Nation of Islam leader, Louis Farrakhan than with a sound Biblical expositor. All (3) three men and their ilk are men of hate. Farrakhan, in my opinion, was judged by God in the form of mouth cancer, err rather of the rectum…same thing in his case. I do not say that cancer is a personal judgment upon all that suffer from it.  For there are many godly saints that have, do now, and will in the future suffer from it. However, when a man as wicked as Farrakhan is smote with such a disease it is hard not to wonder. God, in the past, has used hemorrhoids as a form of judgment.

I cannot be dogmatic on the above, Re: God’s judgment upon Louis Farrakhan …understand that and repeat it before commenting.

We will dogmatic on this next point. Lest the men written above repent and truly believe upon Christ’s atonement and lives to undo the harm they have committed they will all be judged by God and without any mercy.

The above is true not only of liberation theologians but of supposed Christ-ian preachers and other proclaimers of unsound doctrine. The like of prosperity preachers and motivational “preachers” will also answer to God and if We/I fall from sound Biblical preaching and teaching so shall I. I will judge what is right/wrong; true/false; good or bad because I will place myself in that judgment, as will God.

 Liberation theology is preached by those still in bondage to sin for they are liberated from Righteousness.

“Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look upon iniquity.”                                                                                                                                               (Habakkuk 1:13)

 

An unbeliever might read this verse in his search to find a contradiction they always think they find. He might hear this passage quoted and go into a diatribe that betrays his foolishness.

To be fair this passage is one of the many paradoxical teaching in God’s Word, however, a paradox is different from a contradiction. A contradiction is two (2) statements that do not line up together, like “That is the same only different.” A paradox is a statement that seems to have contradicting terms but upon further study and consideration they line up perfectly. A paradox statement in Scripture is, “When I am weak then am I strong.” The meaning of this paradox is when a Christian finds himself weak he will find himself strong as he leans upon God’s strength.

The quoted text under the title(s) is a paradox. The teaching or meaning behind it speaks to the fact that God hates sin and does not behold or dwell upon it. God does not find pleasure in sin. Habakkuk 1:13 is a paradox because other Scripture states clearly that God see the wicked and the good everyday and that He is angry with the wicked everyday. Other Scripture states that God is kind to the wicked also. in the last sentence we see examples of paradoxical statements, as well.

An example of Habakkuk 1:13 is reality shows like the Kardasian circus. A few times a year I walk past a television where it is being advertises or someone is watching it. Each time this happens I wonder, “How can someone watch this, I shake my head [SMH], pass judgment and walk away quickly. I may see it, hear it but I will not sit and behold it.

One of these few times of hearing these sisters, one said to the others, “I think these [gun shot survivors] would like to meet you guys [paraphrased]. She did not say, “I think you would be benefitted by meeting these survivors.” Do you see the big difference in meanings? Do you see the high regard the one sister holds herself and her family in? Here is a contradiction, when a family goes to a food shelter they are going to see how blessed they are and how thankful they should be as well as to be a blessing to the less fortunate.

As the conversation between the K. sisters continued, one of the other sisters replied about the possible backlash from pro gun advocates and/or anti gun advocates. Do you see, they aren’t interested in being a blessing but they are concerned about the effects upon themselves! SMH, again.

Our text from above is focusing on the purity of God and not so much upon sin and iniquity. The Scriptures speak very often upon the ineffable holiness of God and the text above is only one (1) of them. God judges all sin from a place of holiness and righteousness. In the White throne judgment, God will judge the sinner from this place as well. The sinner will be judged from God’s books that revealed His holy standards as well as His great patience and longsuffering. The sinner will be reminded of God’s longsuffering, the many, many witnesses the sinner received from God’s people, the sinner’s idle words, and their despisement they held God in and their marriage to sin and their pleasure, therein.

The text should not only remind all mankind of God’s holiness but the believer as well. The Christ-ian should be reminded of such passages as, “Be ye holy, for I am holy.” We should be reminded of the words and warnings of our Lord Jesus, such as, “Take heed to what you see” and “Take heed to what ye hear.” The wise man of Proverbs counsels his son, “If sinners entice thee, consent thou not.” Paul, after giving a litany of the unrighteous, continues with, “and such were some of you…” but they are not anymore.

Much of John’s intent in 1 John is to command his readers to, “walk in the light as He (Christ) is in the light.”

In the Old Testament most  of the prophets wrote about the Holiness of God and what that meant, which was God’s wrath being unleashed and the utter annihilation of many nations. To the nations spoken of in Isaiah forty (40) God likened them to being ‘less than nothing” in His sight!!! To Edom, God said, He would destroy their nation and as often as they would rebuild it and rebuild it, He would continue to pull it down. In the first (5) books of Moses and the Book of Joshua we see nation after nation after nation after… leveled and wipe out. These nations stood in Israel’s path to the land that was promised to them by God. These nations not only stood in the way but they offended God’s holiness.

 

So why is it that shows like the Kardashians are so vile to some people, myself included? I would suggest that this family offends the righteousness and holiness that resides in the believer, in the Person of God’s Holy Spirit, as well as the Word that lives in us. I have been told by some that they watch it because they are so repulsed with the content. This is questionable. Some may question my viewing choices in response, however my viewing choices are scripted and draw a line between good and evil. The reality shows are advertised as non-scripted. Whether they are non-scripted or not they are preported to be and many of the viewer thereof believe them to be. Another reason some may view reality shows is to justify their own lives and to say , “At least I’m not like…” This does not and never does justify one’s behaviour. One should never compare themselves to another sinner but to the sinless and holy Christ of God. Sinners use to compare themselves with Hitler, “Well at least I’m not like Hitler.” In other words, “I haven’t killed and tortured millions of Jews!” Hell will be carpeted with people who have compared themselves to other sinners. However, in Scripture, Christ and His holiness is the Standard of judgment and comparison. So the question is not, “Are you better than Hitler and reality show celebrities?” but, “Are you as holy as the Lord Jesus Christ?”

Many will rightly answer, “No one is as holy as Christ!” and they would be right… and wrong. Those that find in Christ a Master and Saviour are as righteous and holy as Christ!!! Certainly in their own person they are not, but in the Person of Christ they are. When a sinner realizes their corrupt nature. When they recognize their hopeless condition before God and His Word and cry out for His help and forgiveness. It is just what they receive. Christ takes up residency in their inward parts and identifies them as His Own. His righteousness is made theirs through the legal act of justification and is seen and experience outwardly in sanctification, I.E. good works and holy living. This is what happens when one is saved by God’s grace through the divine gifts of repentance and faith.

When one is saved one falls in love with Christ, God’s Word, and God’s people. This is instantaneous and other attributes of Christ will follow and be discovered over time.