Revelation 22

Sola Scriptura

Christ Jesus is proclaiming the truth, the so-called churches are hiding in sin!

THE SITUATION
You here it from some of you’re Christian buddies, they tell you of members of their church that are living in sin. They talk to you about a friend that loves Jesus supposedly yet is a practicing homosexual. Oh to them that person is just as saved and filled with the Holy Ghost, as you are. Yeah! The cover up their mess that we have to LOVE like Jesus and not judge, and try to prove to you this sinner is stuggling with some things. What??? They say “Pastor is sleeping with the ladies, yet he loves Jesus”! “He is just struggling in some things!” What? Oh no, your pastor and those so-called Christians are on their way to hell, lest they repent and believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ. O brother Karsten, how can you say such a thing? Well let’s look at the scriptures and hear what thus says the Lord.

Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. (1 John 3:4-10)

Now, before you go saying with the argument, “so you saying I cannot sin Karsten!”. Let’s look into this thing and really understand. Verse 6 says:

Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

The Greek word for sinneth is hamartano ham-ar-tan'-o. This word means in its bible usage : 1) to be without a share in 2) to miss the mark 3) to err, be mistaken 4) to miss or wander from the path of uprightness and honour, to do or go wrong 5) to wander from the law of God, violate God's law, sin

They key is when you look at the tense, mood, and voice of this verb, it is in the Present Active Participle. This indicates that the action happens over and over again (continuous practice of). It is not limited to a one time deal. So put plainly, a Christian that commits a sin is a single event. But a so-called Christian practices sin habitually? It’s impossible that the person is a Christian.

You don’t believe me yet, you still think your sinning pastor or friend really loves Jesus and obeys His commands. You think he can be a homosexual and preach the Word of God. You’re saying you’ve seen them speak in tongues, and praise Jesus? Oh so that makes them a Christian? No my friend. Let’s look at Peter for a minute. Alright here comes the scripture:

And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone. (John 1:42)

Here Jesus is showing that He is the Messiah because God has the given power to change a name to bring life and change in character (i.e – when Jacob was named Israel Genesis 32:28). Well the name Simon means the following: “Hot-Tempered, volatile, and violent.” Well we know from the scripture that Peter lived up to this sinful lifestyle.

When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. (Luke 5:8)

Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. (Matthew 26:74)

Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. (John 18:10)

Even Christ told him:

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. (Luke 22:31-32)

So you see at this point Peter was practicing his sin. Yes, he was. But when Jesus Christ converted him to be the like Cephas, we see a different life come out. And what does Cephas mean? In the Aramaic term, it means “Stable as a rock or in the Greek (Petros) – Stone. And we see the conversion of Peter where he strengthened his brethren:

But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: (Acts 2:14)

Now I want you to search hard and see where you see Peter striking anybody with a sword or cursing and swearing again and again? Where do you see him saying again that he lives as a sinful man? You won’t find it. You will find some wrong behavior:

But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? (Galatians 2:11-14)

Want to see a little Christian resolve from Peter after Paul’s correction? No problem let the scripture show you:

And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. (2 Peter 3:15-18)

CHRIST THE REVEALER

See, the Christ Jesus of the bible is open about the sins of His own. He doesn’t hide it and try and cover it up. Christ Jesus doesn’t try and vouch for sinners continuance in sin. No, Jesus Christ came to save them out of their sin (Luke 19:10). Let’s look at the bible. Where do you see Jesus Christ overlooking the sin of the woman in John 8? He didn’t condemn her, but what did our Messiah deal with: her sin. O you still don’t believe me?

When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. (John 8:10-11)

STOP, wait, what did he tell the adulterous woman? Go and what? Sin no more, because the loving, merciful and wrathful God wanted to free her from what? SIN. No cover up or saying “you just keep loving the Lord, I'll pray for you!” It’s true love to deal with sin (1 Corinthians 13:6).

THE HIDERS

So when you get mad at me because I tell your pastors like Jamal Byrant, Creflo Dollar, T.D. Jakes, Fred Price, Todd Bentley, TBN and so on are on their way to hell (on the road to), lest they repent and believe the Gospel, don’t get mad at me. Look at the scriptures and hold their doctrine they teach and lives they live up to the bible, The Word of God.

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. (Romans 16:17-18)

Did I say condemn them? No! But we must understand that the Lord Jesus Christ was honest about sinful lifestyles. Why are these churches trying to cover things up? Why are they trying to affirm sinful lifestyles and say it’s Christian? Did they not read this?

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21)

Cash Flow and others don’t want to deal with this. Why? They’ll lose their congregations that support their lavish lifestyles. They have done like the unbelieving Jews that James speaks:

Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you. (James 5:1-6)

I had a Christian brother of mine tell me God allows these so-called men of God to be rich. There’s nothing wrong with gaining riches. Why my brother are you covering for these liars? Why? Is it because Eddie Long spoke a message really touched your spirit? It made you feel good didn’t it? But what did the Word of God do to you?

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. (Proverbs 3:11-12)

Jamal Bryant isn’t doing that. Creflo is not doing that. No, the sinning pastor is opening the bible, twisting scripture and giving you false hope. He’s telling you, claim it in the blood and demand of God your authority! And you say that speaks to your spirit. You say that is lifting you up. But the secular churches are not dealing with what is making you sick: SIN. Oh no, they’re keeping their sinful lifestyles hidden. The may give you hints of what their doing in their sermons, but they are not coming out and admitting it. But what does the Lord say:

But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out. (Numbers 32:23)

The Christian does not do this. He doesn’t try and lie to you about sin. Look at James as he finishes his letter speaking to the brethren about their sins:

Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. (James 5:19-20)

MY APPEAL

My appeal to you is to follow after the Lord Jesus Christ Christians. Be imitators of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1) I love Creflo Dollar, Fred Price, Jamal Bryant and so on. I am not attacking them. My love is for you not to be deceived or fall for their tricks/lies. I have. I have gone into debt trying out their false doctrines. See, I am not angry at them, I am appealing to you to follow after the Lord Jesus Christ of the bible. I want you to grow in the Word and become fruitful Christians. Stop chasing the money and the fame, all the things that are doing nothing for your soul! Chase after the Word of God and seek the Lord Jesus Christ. Set your affection upon Him. I love you my brethren. Here’s my final appeal from the scripture:

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. (Colossians 3:1-17)

Objections to Doctrine of Election

HT to YoungCalvinist for the video. Great video, enjoy.

Owe no man but to love them!

I pulled into the parking spot at my townhouse and became angry. My neighbor had taking my sprinkler and moved it out of place to cut his lawn again (I water my grass with a set timer and the sprinkler sits right on my property not to far from his property line. To get his entire grass cut he sometimes has to move my sprinkler for some reason). Anyways, I said allowed to my wife that “he should have put my house back!” I was angered because he didn’t care to place my sprinkler back. It’s just a thing a respect. See I know that he sees my sprinkler turn on daily and he knows I take care of my lawn well. Just have the respect of putting my sprinkler back, which is not even on your property. Anyways, my wife attempted to correct me, saying “I didn’t have righteous anger”. I told her that “anger should not lead to sin” is what the scripture says. She said okay waiting to see if I was going to defend my answer. I just kept a peaceful tone and finished helping her and my sons get out of the van. When I left for work this morning I put my sprinkler back in the right spot and began to think about God’s love. I thought about cutting my neighbors grass for him. I thought about doing something good to him, even though he angered me yesterday. I said within myself, “I am going to cut my neighbors lawn next time I see his grass growing, so he doesn’t have to worry about cutting it. This way he doesn’t have to go outside and can be with his family.” That’s love in action my friends.

No doubt, I was angry, but was I to let the sun go down on my anger. Oh no, instead I desired to love my neighbor, to do something good to him. You may say, “you cutting his lawn keeps him from moving your sprinkler!!”. True, but I want to cut his yard so he can rest for change and spend time with his family. What’s more important is that my neighbor is comforted. Do you see Christians, how the love of Christ operates? There’s no thought of me getting him back. There’s no anger that I want to go and tell him off. No, I desired to love him and do good to him. This leads us into the scripture.

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. (Romans 13:8)

Many times we can look at this verse and only take what the first part says: Owe no man any thing. But we have to look at the whole thing to understand what the scripture is teaching us. In the 13th Chapter of Romans, the verses before this one, Paul is speaking about the governments and authorities all being under God’s rule. He teaches us how to be peaceful with the governments that rule over us. To help us get the full concept Paul writes about what fulfills the law: LOVE. In verse 7, the scripture says:

Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. (Romans 13:7)

Then we are told in verse 8 to owe no man. Wait, I thought I was to render therefore all their dues? Yes, but that is done through loving them. Aha, do you see it? LOVE. In verse 8, the Greek verb agapaō (ä-gä-pä'-ō ) is used. This used to mean to welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, or to love dearly of a person. Verse 10 in Romans 13, explains even better:

Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. (Romans 13:10)

So the love that I am to owe to everyone is that which works no ill against my neighbor. If I love my government, then I will pay what they say is due them because I don’t want to work no ill towards them, according to the will of God. Remember what Jesus Christ taught about this love:

And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. (Luke 10:30-37)

Doing this type of love to all men shows the very nature of God. For God’s divine nature is to love. The love that seeks not to work any ill towards His people:

The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. (Deuteronomy 7:7-8)

If God loves like that, should not we do the same, even when our neighbor upsets us? Or have we forgotten what the Lord Jesus Christ has said to us?

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5:43-48)

The love of God should be in our actions. When neighbors do us wrong, and as angry as we are, our minds should be focused, or should become focused on doing that which is good. Taking the situation I presented to you earlier, what would have been the wrong action? Sure, to go up to my neighbors door, knock on it at, and let him know just how I really felt about him, displaying all my anger over a sprinkler being out of place. Or maybe lie in wait for the best time to tell him not to move my sprinkler again. I’ll even add a please in there for respect’s sake. This is still wrong because where is the love of Jesus Christ being shown? Oh I told him about the sprinkler but where was the good that comes with it. I just wanted him/her to know not to disrespect me anymore, but what does the scripture say:

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; (1 Corinthians 13:4-5)

Do you see anything about me getting my way? You may be thinking of some situation to challenge me about what is being presented here. Maybe like me being in court, looking at a man who just killed my wife and family, receive his sentence of death. What good could I do to him? He received his just reward, and I did the right thing by testifying against him. I didn’t kill him when I saw him viciously attack my family. Oh I wanted to, but I didn’t. What love could I do? I’ve done enough right? No, I’m talking about a love that would write this inmate as he’s waiting on death row. I’m speaking of a love that would tell him that I love him and though I miss my family, I forgive him. And that if he has nobody to be their for him while he’s in jail, I’ll comfort him and love him until the day he’s taken to the gas chamber and his lungs are filled with all sorts of stuff. Could you do that type of love? Because that is the type of love the scriptures speak about.

Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:9-21)

Is that the kind of love that we as Christians show today? Is that what the world sees? Don’t get mad; let’s get real with our Christian walk. Debating the issues in Christendom is fine, but what about living out the Word of God? Do they see Jesus Christ, or just that Reformed Baptist Calvinistic robot? Do our neighbors see you loving the erring sister, or just flashing your “I disagree with women preachers badge”? I have worn that know-it-all badge and acted like a robot, instead of living out the Christ-is-all life at times. Look what did Jesus say we would be known by:

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (John 13:34-35)

Wouldn’t it be great if people can say to you, “I definitely know you are Christian! What must I do to be saved?” That’s because they saw you living out Romans 13:8. They knew anytime they come to you, they receive the truth in love, and not truth in condemnation with damnation. But Jesus Christ spoke the truth in love. He tore up tables and drove out the money lenders. Where is love and good seen in that?

And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them. And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased, And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise? And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there. (Matthew 21:12-17)

Or Mark 11 says it better:

And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves. And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine. (Mark 11:15-18)

Why teach or talk to the people you just cast out right? Aha, because if we had casted them out, we wouldn’t of said a thing to them later on. We would have turned up our noses and said “I am done with you!” Could you be like the Lord Jesus Christ, and teach them, and heal their blind and those sick that came to them? Would the people see you do wonderful things after you have just thrown over tables? Oh my friends, we are called to love, and to love really the way the Lord Jesus Christ loved. We owe no man but to love them. I encourage you to love the Lord God with all your heart, mind, strength and soul. But also, love your neighbor as yourself. Let’s begin to do good to all men.

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:10)

Stay in the Word of God and live Him by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. May His grace be with you!

Love,
Bro. Karsten Miller

Walking in the Spirit

Walking in the Spirit

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16)

Here’s the scenario: your sitting in your office, praying hard and pleading with God to lead you in the right direction. “O Lord, don’t let me crack the disgusting joke! Lord just lead guide me, teach me to walk after Your Spirit!” And what happens. The unregenerate co-worker comes around the corner with something juicy to talk about and you give in. Why couldn’t you take the stand for Christ? Why couldn’t you walk in the Spirit, and not fulfill your flesh’s lust? I have wished this a 1000 times, “Lord Jesus, just let me walk in Your Spirit for 24hrs a day! It makes my life so easier” Never has happened. But how can we as Christians walk in the Spirit of Christ consistently? By the Scriptures, we will explore how we can effectively follow after our Lord Jesus Christ. First we must get a clear understanding of what walking in the Spirit is. Then, we shall search the scriptures to see how to make application of God’s Word in our lives.

What is walking in the Spirit?

Looking in Galatians 5:16 shows us what walking in the Spirit is. This verse defines for us if we live in the Spirit of God, we will not fulfill the lust of our fleshly desires. The word walk in the Greek transliteration is peripateō. In its biblical usage, it is used to mean: to walk, in the Hebrew to live by regulating one’s life, conducting one’s life or passing one’s life. According to exert taken from Vines Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, figuratively to walk can be used to signify the whole rounds of activities in one’s life. Plainly put, as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, we walk by how we live. To walk is to live. Romans 6:4 tells us to live in the newness of life:

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4)

While Romans 8:4 says to walk after the Spirit, and not to live after our flesh:

That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:4)

Here are well some other scriptures using the word walk as the way a Christian should live:

Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. (Romans 13:13) – Honest living

(For we walk by faith, not by sight:) (2 Corinthians 5:7) – Living by faith

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10) - By good works

Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. (Colossians 4:5) – In wisdom

So walking in the Spirit is living in the Spirit of God. We must live a godly life. The tense of the verb in this verse is present and the voice is active. Meaning we the Christians are the doers of this action. So what is the best example for those who want to live in the Spirit? THE LORD JESUS CHRIST is the best example.

And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him. And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee? And many other things blasphemously spake they against him. (Luke 22:63-65)

Now here in Luke 22 was a good time for Jesus Christ to take action. These men smacked our Savior in the face and He did not respond back. Hmmmmm? His living was not to react back to the smack (Isaiah 53:7, Luke 6:29). Is that living in the Spirit? Yes, this is why Jesus Christ is our best example in who we should pattern our lives after. The way we should conduct our walking (living) should produce the fruit that Christ produced. See walking in the Spirit of God produces the things of our Lord. If we live in our flesh we produce the things of this world (Galatians 6:7-8). Look later down in the scripture of Galatians 5 to see the sharp contrast of what’s produce by living in your flesh versus living in the Spirit. Let’s see:

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (Galatians 5:19-25)

So back to our original scenario, you crack the joke following after the flesh. What will that produce? Uh huh, exactly, it will produce things of the flesh. But what if you don’t answer with a joke but instead in the wisdom of God (which may be no answer at all), what will that produce? So do you see that walking in the Spirit is how we live and conduct our lives? We should pattern them after the Lord Jesus Christ to produce the fruit of Spirit and God Almighty will be pleased with our faith (Hebrews 11:1-6).

How can do we apply walking in the Spirit to our lives in Jesus?

Now that we understand what walking in the Spirit is, how can I be an effective witness for the Lord Jesus Christ? How can I not crack that joke? How can I not give into the world’s compromise? Simple! Do the works that the Scripture says to do (obedience to God’s Word)! If Christ be in you, then as you grow in grace, He will work out Himself in you. One thing that the Christian must understand is that the only way you can show forth righteousness is if Christ Jesus is within you. If you possess the Spirit of God, then you will live His way. The Scriptures speak on this:

I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. (John 5:30)

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (John 15:4-5)

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12-13)

Without the Lord Jesus Christ, you will not perform these things to produce the fruit of the Spirit. I know you struggle and what I am attempting to point you to is not what you can do, but what the Lord Jesus Christ can do within you. The Scripture says:

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4)

So why do you believe you can’t when Jesus Christ can. James makes it very clear that if you have the Lord Jesus Christ in you, then the works will show.

But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (James 2:20-26)

We hear these scriptures many times, let’s believe them and they will be applied to our lives. You believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, He will do the work. He will keep you from cracking the joke. You sin, yes, but as God Almighty chastens you, He will sustain you. They way you apply the living is to believe in Christ living in you.

Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. (John 6:28-29)

Did you hear what Jesus Christ said? Okay maybe this will be of more help. This is a scripture used by many but we must believe this Proverb:

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

The first word is what? Trust? Trust, which in the Hebrew (batach) means to have confidence, be confident, is what we should do in the Lord. Now look at what the Lord will do. Yes, He will direct your path. He will do the work. A commonly used scripture describes how we can apply living for Jesus in our lives. See, the unregenerate man has no Spirit of God in him, so what is going to work in him? But you have the Spirit of Christ, Christian, so why don’t you trust Him to work in you? It’s hard? I’m struggling? Do you trust in the Lord Jesus Christ? You want to live for Jesus Christ, and conduct your life after Him. Believe, and it shall be done!

A life for Christ Jesus?

First things first, I am not writing this post to expose K Swift, because I personally do not know her. I pray her family be comforted during this time of grief. The reason I am writing this is to speak on some biblical truths on the death of those who we see living in sin. Am I saying that K Swift was a sinner? I am pointing the Christian to be honest about the lives of those people around them. What I mean is let’s stop playing games like everybody is going to heaven when the Word of God teaches otherwise.

What I do know of K Swift is that she was a popular 92Q Baltimore Club DJ that had a love for hip-hop and club music (click here for article on her death). She had an accidental death which currently investigators are looking into whether she had alcohol in her system before she jumped into her pool at a late night party at her home. Rumors have been flying saying K-Swift was drunk when she dove into her pool. Supposedly no one recognized that she had not come back up because they were drunk as well. Whether that is true or not, I do not know. I’ve listened and danced in the clubs as well before, and such a lifestyle is not Christian nor glorifying to the Lord Jesus Christ.





Check out this You Tube clip and tell me if this is not so Christians? (I pulled this from the radio's YouTube Clip, if there's any offensive language or images, please forgive me)

Now, let’s jump into the scripture.

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
(Matthew 16:24-26)

Clearly we see in verse 24, Jesus Christ describe the process of coming after Jesus Christ. A person must deny himself first, take up his cross second, and then follow the Lord Jesus Christ. The transliteration of the greek word for deny is aparneomai. This means to deny utterly, that is, disown, and abstain. Now, looking at the YouTube clip and reading the article, do you see such a denial? See the bible is very clear what a true Christian’s life look like. A good example of denial of self can be found in this scripture:

And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
(Luke 19:1-10)

Wow, Zacchaeus, showed his denial of his former ways in verse eight of Luke 19. His profession as a tax collector was no a well liked one. Zacchaeus was a sinner who renounced his sinful ways obeying the scripture in Leviticus 6:1-5 and Psalm 41:1. He denied himself.

So what happens to the person who does not do so? Simple, they do not receive eternal life, they go to hell. Don’t believe? The scriptures give us a great example:

There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
(Luke 16:19-31)

Does that open your eyes as to where you end up not following after Jesus Christ the Lord? Hell is real, and many are going!

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
(Matthew 7:13)

Since we see that the Lord does not play around, we should look at death as a serious matter. I believe we all have that question in the back of our mind when someone we know in sin dies. Did they go to hell? Well according to scriptures, if they were not a believer by their death, they are in a waiting place of torment until God’s judgment. When K-Swift died, and by looking at her YouTube clip, did a similar thought came to mind? People can say, “don’t judge and you don’t know?”. This is what I do know.

There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
(John 3:1-21)

And this:

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
(Hebrews 9:27-28)

People are dying and hell is where many are going. Is Jesus Christ your Lord? Oh yes, I am debauched and filthy too, and should examine myself. The point is Christians, we have many around us dying and living the lives not worthy of the Gospel. Let us allow God to work in us through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let us obey the scriptures and live as the Word says we should live (Matthew 5:13-16). I leave you with this scripture. God bless.

Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul. But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand. So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. Therefore, O thou son of man, speak unto the house of Israel; Thus ye speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sins be upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live? Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth. When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it. Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right; If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die.
(Ezekiel 33:1-15)

Daniel 5 -Sermon by Elder Bill Brown

This is a sermon from the church my family and I have been attending these past couple of months. Click on link below to hear. You can hear more sermons here: Grace Baptist Church

Daniel 5

Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand. Belshazzar, while he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein. Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them. They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone. In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaster of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another. The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spoke, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and show me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom. Then came in all the king's wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof. Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were astonished. Now the queen, by reason of the words of the king and his lords, came into the banquet house: and the queen spoke and said, O king, live forever: let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed: There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers; Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and showing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation. Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spoke and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry? I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee. And now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not show the interpretation of the thing: And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom. Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation. O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honor: And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down. But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him: And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will. And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this; But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified: Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written. And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians. Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom. In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.
(Daniel 5:1-31)