09/21/30 Excerpted from a memory from 7 years ago.

09/21/30 Excerpted from a memory from 7 years ago.

A simple way to explain the work of God and the workings of the Innerman.

SS Innerman
Imagine a semicircle, with 5 crewmen (R, D, E, C. and W.) representing the five components of the inner man (Reason. Desire, Emotion, Conscience and Will)...

Reason is the Navigator. He gathers, analyzes, and assesses all of the information relevant to the ship's course.

Desire is the Purser, in charge of supplying the ship with everything to make a safe and pleasant cruise.

Emotion is the Cruise Director, addressing the various feelings and fears of the ships compliment.

Conscience is the Communications Officer, getting updates concerning destination, direction, and developing conditions.

Will is the Captain, making decisions based on input from the rest of the crew.

Outside of this semicircle of shipmates, the leading and enlightenment of God can be represented by a Cross, since God (the Father) is in Christ Jesus, reconciling the world to Himself.

God's revealed truth and teaching can be represented by a Bible...
The leading of the Holy Spirit in the beleiver's life can be represented with a Compass.

The Divinely ordained power of the human will is seen in the fact that it can disobey God, though it cannot overthrow God.

On the other hand, the human will is enabled to make right choices by the revelation, leading and grace of God, and by salvation, which enables the Emotions, Desires, Reason, Conscience and Will of the inner man.

We should be aware of the ways of God as well as the wiles of the wicked one. In understanding our responsibilities, opportunities and God's provision, we can bring every thought into obedience to Christ.

But Remember...
While people are still in an unregenerate condition, we are separated from God, being dead in our sins and trespasses, and our entire self is corrupted by sin. Sinners are out of sync with God, with other people and even with themselves. The five components of the soul are corrupted.

Reason is unreasonable. The mind has become deaf and blind to truth and wisdom.

Desire has been turned to the temporal, selfish and carnal things of life.

Emotions are bent away from normal and healthy expressions and focused on self service rather that God.

Conscience became less sensitive to God, and therefore unreliable as a guide to godliness.

Will has rejected the authority of God and chooses to submit to other masters.

It is only through spiritual regeneration and renewal that each and every part of the inner man is able to function in the way God intended. Through faith in Christ we are made alive to God and we begin to relate to God, others and ourselves according to God's plan.

ABOUNDING GRACE...
This is where grace comes into the picture.
God loved us when we were yet sinners.
God reached out to us in grace, when we were in rebellion.
God enabled us to believe and turn from sin, or He allowed us to freely choose to refuse His grace.

As we believed, by God's grace, we were transformed by grace. We became partakers of His grace and by His grace, we have continued in His grace. Without grace there would be no salvation. Without a real choice, there would be no salvation by grace through faith.

Grace does not negate free will and free will does not succeed without grace. Grace... Free Will... God's ideas, and they work together perfectly.

09/21/30 THE WAY OF ARROGANCE

09/21/30 THE WAY OF ARROGANCE 

Arrogance blinds people to their flaws, weaknesses, needs, sins and leads them away from God and true worth.

09/21/29 AND WHERE ARE THE MEN?

09/21/29 AND WHERE ARE THE MEN?
(this is not a new thought, but it is one that is being faced more frequently than before in our country)

Every local church is only one generation (maybe one faithful servant) from extinction.

It is (and always has been) the time for real men of God to step and answer the call to march in the blood stained path of Jesus.

There are millions of church going folks who have spent thousands of hours listening to the basic, foundational teachings of the Church, and still don't know their soteriology from a hole in their eschatology.

Then there are church folks who sat through thousands of sermons but don't know how many chapters in the book of Hezekiah, much less that the book of Hezekiah is not even in the Old Testament.

There are people who have been around for decades, but can't tell you the name of the present pastor or any of the five before this pastor.

There are churchmen who have not studied God's word, have not been faithful to morning and evening services, have not attended Sunday School Bible class since they were in elementary school.

There are church singers, musicians, associate pastors, teachers, youth workers, board members who are not even as faithful to the ministry services of their church as some other folks.

There are some "church pillars" who have little more grace in their life and little more concern for discipleship and the discipling of others, than the most faithful bar fly in the community's "watering hole."

NOW, you tell me, what happens to those churches when it is time for God's chosen man to step down or step aside? Often the church just fades away into obscurity and the community loses a witness for Christ.

It happens over and over in American churches. Sadly, there is almost no one to come forward, take up the torch, sound the battle cry and lead the church into victory as it charges the gates of hell.

The song says,
Rise up, O men of God!
Have done with lesser things.
Give heart and mind and soul and strength
To serve the King of kings.
Rise up, O men of God!
The kingdom tarries long.
Bring in the day of brotherhood
And end the night of wrong.
Rise up, O men of God!
The church for you doth wait,
Her strength unequal to her task;
Rise up and make her great!
Lift high the cross of Christ!
Tread where His feet have trod.
As brothers of the Son of Man,
Rise up, O men of God!
by... William Pierson Merrill, 1911
Source: Musixmatch

09/21/28 PREPARE YOURSELF

09/21/28 PREPARE YOURSELF

We are expected to prepare ourselves for eternity (this is not saying we spend our time trying to earn heaven).

We prepare ourselves by saving ourselves from this perverse generation by trusting Jesus, turning from sin, walking in God's light (truth), keeping ourselves in the love of God, making our calling and election sure, purifying ourselves by trusting His blood and His Spirit and His word, continuing in the faith and in His grace and in Jesus, just to name a few of the distinctions that identify followers of Christ.

None of these Biblical directives endorse or permit works salvation or works righteousness. It is not a matter of earning salvation. However, God does require obedient faith. If our faith is not obedient or our faith does not do the works of God, then our faith is not saving faith.

It is not a life of ought, or carnal works. It is a life of love, faith, trust, surrender. In fact, a right relationship with God is life. When we love life.

1 Peter 3:8-17
8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

09/21/28 REDEEM THE TIME

Some spend their time, energy, attention trying to make a doomed world fit their earthly dreams.

Christians spend their lives and their resources preparing themselves and others to fit into God's perfect and eternal plan.

It is one thing to follow Jesus through the jetties, shoals and channels of life, but it is futile to think we can transform a fallen world into paradise.

Quit wasting your time, breath, life.

Ephesians 5:15-17
15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

09/21/28 DOES RACISM EXIST? WELL DUH, YEAH

09/21/28 DOES RACISM EXIST? WELL DUH, YEAH

But the supposed anti racist narrative today that does not allow "white people" to say anything (whether negative or not, and whether true or not) is turning our society into speech police, reverse racists, history revisionists. It is a form of thought control and hate mongering that condemns free thought, free speech and free society, while promoting faux elitism and destroying true racial understanding.

Racism is of the devil and so too is reverse racism. Truth is attacked by Satan. People often do the work of darkness, while thinking they are doing the work of God. Sadly, this combination of arrogance and ignorance parades as Christianity, while robbing society of advancement and redefining truth and justice.

09/21/27 FIND AND FOLLOW GOD'S PLAN

09/21/27 FIND AND FOLLOW GOD'S PLAN 

Using N.T. imagery and nomenclature, pastors ought not to be serving tables. Their time should be spent in gathering, preparing and providing the spiritual meal, while other believers use their abilities, skills and gifts serving others. It is the work of ministry and the works of mercy working together that does the work of God.

If pastor has to do the work of the parishioners, then the church is reduced to a social services group. If the parishioners don't see themselves in the role of supporting the pastor do the spiritual work of ministry, then those parishioners could just as effectively serve in a civic organization.

The work of the ministry requires the work of the entire body. The entire body includes the individual parts and the family units. NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN DOING THE WORK OF MINISTRY.

GOD'S PLAN FOR THE CHURCH
Ephesians 4:11-16
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

GOD'S PLAN FOR THE PREACHERS
John 21:15-17
15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

GOD'S PLAN FOR CHURCH LEADERS
Acts 20:27-32
27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

GOD'S PLAN FOR THE CHURCH AT LARGE
2 Timothy 2:1-4
1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

If your entanglement with the worldly, the trivial, the passing things of this world occupy your time, energy, effort, focus, then you are not useful to Jesus or His cause.

09/21/27 BIBLICAL LEADERSHIP IN A CHANGING SOCIETY

09/21/27 BIBLICAL LEADERSHIP IN A CHANGING SOCIETY

Every parent, every parishioner, every church should be equipping their young people for a life of service, either for pastoral leadership or faithful lay ministry.

Churches need to be equipping young men for pastoral work and service, through discipleship, mentoring, studies, opportunities.
Young men need to heard and heed God's call.
They need to get serious.
They need to commit themselves to a life dedicated service, starting with submission to and pursuing Biblical, spiritual, ministry training.

Finding men for strong Biblical leadership roles in the future is going to be nearly impossible. The ministry training institutions are failing to produce the caliber of pastors needed in our changing society. Many of the revered schools have abandoned strong Biblical, doctrinal, personal, practical instruction. The message does not change, but the methods do and political, social, economic conditions are changing. Yesterday's Philadelphian mindset is not equipped for today's Laodicean order.

09/21/27 GOD CHOSE TO MAKE IT YOUR CHOICE

09/21/27 GOD CHOSE TO MAKE IT YOUR CHOICE

God does not call people in pretense. His call is an actual call, invitation, offer.

Those who are called but are not chosen (elected) are rejected by God because of their own willful and deliberate choice to refuse Gods sincere offer of the free gift of salvation. Thus, many are called and few are chosen.

There are Divine conditions concerning salvation. Since God's gift is free and since we are Divinely enabled to receive God's free gift of eternal life, then human rejection and refusal is all the more reprehensible and damnable.

God calls us to believe that Christ and Christ alone saves us from our sins through His sacrificial death and physical resurrection and He also calls us to confess our sins, to repent (turn from our sins) and follow Christ.

Though we are called to salvation, we only receive salvation if we believe, confess, repent and follow Jesus.

Many are called, but few are chosen.

God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Likewise, there are Christians who have been called to specific church ministries (such as pastor, missionary), but they have not been chosen for the work of ministry because they have either refused the call or they chose to follow a path which disqualified them for servant leadership in the Body of Christ.

Some folks accept the gift of salvation and continue to trust Christ for a lifetime.
Some folks accept the gift of salvation, but go back into a life of sin, then return to faith in Christ at a later time.
Some folks accept the gift of salvation, but go back into a life of sin, and never return to Christ.
Some folks accept the call of God to church ministry and follow the call from the time they are called, throughout their entire life.
Some folks acknowledge the call of God to church ministry, but they choose a path that either replaces their call or they choose to live in such a way that they are disqualified for church leadership.

The right response to both of these calls is, "Yes Lord. What would you have me to do." Then they should commit themselves fully to the pursuit of that calling. As Paul said, he apprehended (pursued, sought) that which apprehended (pursued, sought) him.

Be sure to make your calling and election sure, because many are called, but few are chosen. If you are not chosen, it is not because God neglected or rejected you unilaterally. It is because you neglected and rejected the gracious, loving, merciful, free gift of God which He not only offered you, but enabled you to receive.

09/21/26 YOU CAN COUNT ON GOD

09/21/26 YOU CAN COUNT ON GOD

Sometimes our suffering is related to our faithfulness to God. "All things work together..." (Ro. 8:28). Never doubt or despair.

09/21/26 DON'T CONFUSE THE TWO

09/21/26 DON'T CONFUSE THE TWO

Our blessings are ALWAYS because of God's kindness and our suffering is NOT ALWAYS because of personal failure.

09/21/26 LIKE LOVE AND MARRIAGE

09/21/26 LIKE LOVE AND MARRIAGE

You must admit, confess and turn from all known sins (as secret and harmless as they seem) to have victory in Christ.

09/21/26 THERE IS ORDER

09/21/26 THERE IS ORDER

Remember:
Hope sees the unseeable,
Faith secures the unseeable and
Love shows the unseeable.

09/21/26 THERE IS REASON TO THE RIDDLE

09/21/26 THERE IS REASON TO THE RIDDLE

I post my dreams and challenges: in praise to God, as a personal commitment and to encourage others to dream.

09/21/24 THEY LIE FOR EACH OTHER

09/21/24 THEY LIE FOR EACH OTHER

A video, posted by a strong John MacArthur follower, gave evidence (whether the quotes of MacArthur are accurate or not is not the point) that MacArthur has DENIED KNOWING that his church had experienced any Covid problem, but then he also ADMITTED THAT HE DID KNOW that his church had experienced a Covid problem. Remember, the quotes were supposedly taken from MacArthur's own words, in context, addressing the same situation, and reportedly contradictory.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT WAS ACTUALLY SAID. I do know that according to the blogger (and even according to the blogger's representation of the supposed MacArthur quotes) there were two diametrically opposed statements made by MacArthur.

HOWEVER, the blogger went on to say that even though the quotes (which the blogger did not doubt to be authentic), though the two comments were contradictory, openly, evidently contradictory, even so the blogger's position was that John MacArthur was not lying.
Here is the problem, regardless of the accuracy and veracity or inaccuracy and deception of the MacArthur quotes, the popular MacArthur follower and blogger said, in spite of the obvious contradictions and opposed positions in his blog, MacArthur WAS NOT LYING and basically could not be lying.

We are not talking about short statements about doctrine, taken out of context. We are talking about personal comments about personal knowledge and admission to, or denial of that knowledge. AS I said, I don't know the actual account. I am not accusing MacArthur of anything. I am addressing the willingness of the blogger to readily and groundlessly excuse a possible lie.

I see the same thing with the cult followers (especially cult ministers). I see the same thing with Roman Catholics, when they excuse their leaders. I run into this problem all of the time with LDS and JW and SDA and sinning religion followers.

I watched a presentation by an apologetics blogger (Allen Parr) as he interviewed another YOUTUBER (Justin Khoe) concerning the beliefs of SDA. Khoe (pronounced coo), equivocated and danced around the questions, using several Fallacy Arguments. I was not surprised at the SDA dodging the questions (since I have dealt with SDA pastors and parishioners doing the same thing for decades), but the thing that did disappoint me was Parr's failure to hold his friend to the subject, his failure to require Khoe to be honest.

Okay, I said all this to point out that the devil gets people (even "Christian teachers" to allow the devil to move the Biblical line of truth. Of course, if a person does not know the truth, they won't know when the line has been moved, or if they don't know the importance of the truth, they won't care when the line has been moved.

You need to know the truth, you need to love the truth, you need to hold fast to the truth, you need to clearly proclaim the truth.

09/21/23 DON'T TAKE YOUR MANY BLESSINGS FOR GRANTED

09/21/23 DON'T TAKE YOUR MANY BLESSINGS FOR GRANTED

In my studies and in my spiritual background I am so thankful that I was not raised in the confusion of the cults, the false religions of the world, the errors of sinning religion or under the oppression of dedicated God haters.

Sadly, there are untold numbers of Christian pastors and teachers who have neglected and rejected Biblical truths and have adopted false doctrines as being Christian faith and now their people are overwhelmingly entangled in the chaos and darkness of false teaching that makes it is almost impossible to reach them for Christ and even more difficult to lead them in the way of love, truth and purity than it was in days gone by.

Not only do the deceived believe the lies of Satan, they gladly teach the lies of darkness to those who fall into their trap. They eagerly mislead the gullible and they readily cover for the lies and other sins of their leaders.

If you have someone who teaches, lives and exemplifies the life, love and light of Jesus, follow the message of that individual as closely as possible. If you don't, you will follow a deceiver into the trap of eternal suffering.

09/21/22 THE HIGH ROAD IS THE RIGHT ROAD

09/21/22 THE HIGH ROAD IS THE RIGHT ROAD

Christians should recognize evil people and refuse to submit to their Christ usurping, Bible attacking rule, but Christians should not (will not) wage a personalized, ridiculing, vindictive, slandering war against them. Being recognized as a person who rejects evil laws is Biblical, being recognized as a person who is defined by anger for evil leaders is not Biblical.

Learn from the Bible and learn from dedicated Christians who have suffered under evil regimes. Remember, we wrestle not against flesh and blood (human beings) but against principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness in high places, which of course are demons of various ranks.

A Christian loves our enemies, prays for our enemies. While we resist and reject the evil rule of men, we do not target and build walls of separation. Let them be the ones who live in anger, hostility, name calling, persecution, slander.

This does not mean we open our arms and close our eyes to evil men and their behavior. It is a call to love as Jesus loved. It is a call to a Biblical view and attitude concerning our enemies. We are to hate sin and love the sinner, we are to love justice and hate oppression, we are to fight against sin but seek to reconcile the sinners.

It has been pointed out that, "you can't sling mud without getting dirty." Certainly Christians should live above the standards of sinners. Christians should be recognized for their love (love for other believers and love for our enemies). We have Biblical directives and Biblical examples of believers maintaining dignity while being attacked by their enemies.

A person can actually be civil and behave in a Christian manner, simply by choosing to change his own outward reactions.
BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, a person can be changed by the grace of God and actually love their enemy rather than loath and rant against their enemy.

Just because people are mean to us does not mean we should neglect being kind, merciful, tenderhearted, love, gentle, good, humble, compassionate, loving. We should follow Jesus in His attitude and behavior concerning sinners. Jesus had a right to take action against those who had turned the Temple into a house of thieves; we do not have that same right. If you are admonished by a spiritual leader about your speech, attitude, view, then you should Stop, Look and Listen; Search Your Heart; Submit to one another, to the pastoral leadership and above all, Submit To God, His word and His Spirit.

09/21/21 OFF BY 6 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AND 4 DAYS

09/21/21 OFF BY 6 MONTHS, 1 WEEK AND 4 DAYS

I posted one of my short articles recently, which resulted in me getting a myriad of phone calls from pastors all over the country.

Some of them expressed great appreciation because numbers of their church members were asking the pastor to set up a time to counsel and disciple them.
Some other pastors called and complained that they have not had a moment of peace and quiet because of so many church members wanting to be mentored and trained for active service in the church.

Here is the post that caused such an uproar.
"BE PART OF THE INNER CIRCLE
Christians that hunger and thirst for righteousness and desire to be all that God wants them to be are not only open to Biblical counsel, confrontation, correction, reproof and instruction in righteousness,"
they are eager for loving, honest, spiritual leading."

Okay, I have not really received any phone calls concerning my post. I only shared THIS post because I did not want to wait until April 1st.

Still, all in all, I think the quoted post is a really good exhortation, even if I say so myself. But remember, I happen to believe that it is God's plan for pastors to perfect their congregations, which is done with honest and loving, Biblical preaching, teaching and counseling.

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

Ephesians 4:11-15
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

Colossians 1:28-29
28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

09/20/21 BE PART OF THE INNER CIRCLE

09/20/21 BE PART OF THE INNER CIRCLE

Christians that hunger and thirst for righteousness and desire to be all that God wants them to be are not only open to Biblical counsel, confrontation, correction, reproof and instruction in righteousness, they are eager for loving, honest, spiritual leading.

 

09/19/21 DASH-CAM MESSAGE

09/19/21 DASH-CAM MESSAGE

WHO IMPARTS THE DETAILS OF YOUR LIFE?

09/19/21 BELIEVING, BEING AND BEHAVING IS NOT THE SIN OF LEGALISM, BUT IT IS LIBERATION FROM SIN

Doing is the companion of Being. Being and Doing are the results of Believing.

Hebrews 4:2
2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

James 1:19-27
19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

James 2:14-26
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 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.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

09/19/21 IT IS ABOUT TIME

09/19/21 IT IS ABOUT TIME

This would have been good to know decades ago, but who knew?
I knew with another few, and I screamed it and took steps to resist it, while friends and family mocked and berated me and my "unloving" and "radical" position. Even now, there are pastors and other Christians continue feeding children to the anti-Christian and anti-American system, which hates God, His word and our children.

Thomas Sowell said,
"Ours may become the first civilization destroyed, not by the power of our enemies, but by the ignorance of our teachers and the dangerous nonsense they are teaching our children."

So, why do I point out that I cried out against diabolic darkness and was rejected by others?
BECAUSE I want folks to come out of their blindness stop following the darkness. People still reject Divine truths and a life dedicated to following Jesus.

09/18/21 Found this NOTE I made in FB in 2013

09/18/21 Found this NOTE I made in FB in 2013
(coming back to finish formatting this post)

A short presentation of New Testament passages indicating that God calls, equips and requires believers to keep His commandments.

ELECTED, EQUIPPED AND EXPECTED TO OBEY GOD'S COMMANDS
Here are some verses that address the fact that God elects, equips and expects Christians to obey His commands. These passages use various words, like, Keep, Keepeth, Obey, Obeyed, Obedience, Obedient and Observe. I have also included a few verses that make reference to the consequences befalling those who choose NOT to obey God's word.

This indicates judgment for accountability rather than double, unilateral, unconditional election. Double, Unilateral, UncondItional Election is the errant notion that God unilaterally chooses to save some and chooses to not save others; and He chooses them, without any human participation, since this false doctrine denies that God enables humans to respond freely to His call. Therefore there are no conditions required of men, such as faith, repentance, confession or obedience.

DISCLAIMER FOR SINNING RELIGIONISTS
Before I give a list of New Testament passages indicating God's willingness and ability to enable believers to keep His commands I will make a few statements, in response to some false accusations that will be raised by proponents of sinning religion.

Those of us who believe God's grace can and does enable us to keep His commandments in this present evil world also believe:

We have all sinned.

Our sins have separated us from God.

Unregenerate sinners are incapable of obeying God's moral commands.

Believers are saved from sin by grace through faith in the atoning work of Christ and His physical resurrection.

Those who are saved by faith are enabled to keep His commandments, as long as they live by faith in Christ.

When a person is not living his life by faith, he is not saved.

STAND ALONE PASSAGES
I realize that occasionally a passage of Scripture needs to be explained, because it seems to stand in stark contrast to other portions of Scripture. However, these verses are self explanatory, since there are no verses in the Bible, which say a believer cannot be obedient to God's commands.

KEEP - KEEPETH
Matthew 19:17-22 (this passage indicates the young man's ability to keep the moral law).
(17) And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
(18) He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
(19) Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
(20) The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
(21) Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
(22) But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

Luke 11:28
(28) But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

John 8:51
(51) Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.

John 14:15
(15) If ye love me, keep my commandments.

John 14:20-23
(20) At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
(21) He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
(22) Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
(23) Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

John 15:10-14
(10) If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
(11) These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
(12) This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
(13) Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
(14) Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

1 Timothy 6:14
(14) That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

1 John 2:3-6
(3) And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
(4) He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
(5) But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
(6) He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

1 John 3:22-24
(22) And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
(23) And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
(24) And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

1 John 5:2-5
(2) By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
(3) For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
(4) For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
(5) Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

1 John 5:18
(18) We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

OBEY - OBEYED - OBEDIENCE - OBEDIENT
Acts 5:31-32
(31) Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
(32) And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

Acts 6:7
(7) And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Romans 1:5
(5) By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

Romans 6:15-18
(15) What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
(16) Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
(17) But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
(18) Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

Romans 15:18
(18) For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,

Romans 16:19
(19) For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

Romans 16:25-26
(25) Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
(26) But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

2 Corinthians 10:3-5
(3) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
(4) (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
(5) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Hebrews 5:9
(9) And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

1 Peter 1:2
(2) Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
1 Peter 1:13-17
(13) Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
(14) As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
(15) But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
(16) Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
(17) And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

OBSERVE
Matthew 28:20
(20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

THOSE WHO DO NOT OBEY GOD ARE NOT HIS CHILDREN AND THEY INCUR HIS JUDGMENT
John 14:24
(24) He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

Acts 7:39
(39) To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt,

Romans 2:6-10
(6) Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
(7) To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
  8)But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
(9) Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
(10) But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:

Galatians 3:1
(1) O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

Galatians 5:7
(7) Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

2 Thessalonians 1:7-10
(7) And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
8) In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
(9) Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
(10) When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

2 Thessalonians 3:13-15
(13) But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
(14) And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
(15) Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

1 Peter 4:15-18
(15) But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.
(16) Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
(17) For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
(18) And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

Launch Out and Hold Fast,Pastor David L. Gould