Heb 12:14-17

14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; 16 lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. 17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.

Rom 9:13
13 Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

John 3:7-8
7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’

My beloved friends, I am heart broken in coming to understand some tragic news. After watching the clips below you will discover why “Christianity” is fighting for its very life. Oh how this reveals that our King is SOON to return. Jesus is at the very door. This will also reveal why we need to get back to what “Biblical” repentance means and also what “regeneration” really is.  Jesus was not kidding when He said, “you MUST be born again.” What does He mean by this statement? Well, it is just that, a statement of fact. Nothing more and nothing less. It is not a command that anyone, except God Himself, can perform. I will even show you from the Greek text just how TRUE this is. Look at the word “MUST”. It is in the indicative mood.

Pierce, Larry: Tense Voice Mood. Ontario : Woodside Bible Fellowship., S. TVM5791

Luke 13:23-30

And He said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying,’Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you,’I do not know you, where you are from,’  26 then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’ 27 But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’ 28 There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out.  29 They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God.  30 And indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last.”

So now as a result of this “New Birth” the “christian” is now empowered to repent and believe the command Jesus gives the “whole” world.  Now “christian” please watch the clips below to see why we need to get back to this “foundational” teaching. The broad road is full of so-called Christians who “think” they are on the path to heaven when in fact they are heading for hell.  Lets all repent and weep for these lost souls.

PART 1

DUE TO GRAPHIC NATURE VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED

PART 2

PART 3

PART 4

WRETCHED RESPONSE

UNREPENTANT CHRISTIANITY PART 1

PART 2

The vast majority in the Church today thinks it is ready to move on to greater things. I believe we really need to look at what God’s will is and then step back and examine the Church objectively and refocus our mission until Christ performs.

Heb 6:1-3

6 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do IF GOD PERMITS.

Now stepping back and making our calling and election sure are we “the Church” in the faith? Can you see if God is permitting His church to move onto greater things?

2 Thess 2:7-12
7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of THE TRUTH, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Rom 1:18-32

18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools ……
24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of THEIR hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator — who is forever praised. Amen.
26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.
28 Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Although they KNOW God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also APPROVE of those who practice them.

You see christian, this is the state of the nation and the whole world for that matter. Jesus is coming and He is coming to Judge the world in righteousness. Will He find anyone righteous? Luke 18:8
8 I tell you, He will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find FAITH on the earth?”

Heb 10:35-11:1

35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. 36 You need to PERSEVERE so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. 37 For in just a very little while,

“He who is coming will come and will not delay.
38 But MY righteous one will live by faith.
And if he shrinks back,
I will not be pleased with him.”

39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.

11 Now faith is being SURE of what we hope for and CERTAIN of what we do not see.

Are you SURE Christian? Are you CERTAIN? I pray the God of our salvation will give you that assurance. He said you will find Me when you seek Me with ALL your heart. Do it TODAY, you are not guaranteed tomorrow. Today is the day of your salvation!

Col 3:1-14

3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things ABOVE, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things ABOVE, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming! 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

May the Lord Christ give “HIS Church” this most blessed gift of unity. Lord I pray You change our hearts and empower us to forgive much because we were forgiven much. Make us ONE and bring us HOME to Yourself, rescue us from this “body of death”. While we wait on You we will work to seek and save that which is lost. We only pray that You bless our efforts and go before us and prepare the hearts of all the “ones” you will call. Amen

Does 1 Corinthians 7:10-16 authorize divorce when one marriage spouse abandons another?
First Corinthians 7:10-16 deals primarily with the situation arising after one partner in a marriage relationship becomes a convert to the Christian faith but the other does not. Because of the complete change in outlook and ideals on the part of the newly saved spouse, sharp differences of opinion with the unsaved mate are bound to arise. Because of a desire to lead a holy life, the new Christian my be tempted to feel that it would be better to split up with his or her spouse and thus terminate the problems arising from disagreements and misunderstanding that divide the home. It is in this light that we are to understand vv. 10-13, which direct the Christian husband not to send away (aphienai) his unconverted wife and the Christian wife not to “leave” (chrōristhēnai apo, lit., “be separated from” ) her unbelieving husband. In other words, the initiative for separation must always come from the unsaved mate, not from the Christian. The apostle points out that the unbeliever comes under the “special influence” of the Holy Spirit as long as they both live under the same roof; in that sense the pagan mate is “sanctified” by the Christian partner. First Peter 3:1-2 suggests how this pressure is exerted on the conscience of the unbeliever: “In that same way, you wives, be submissive to your husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior”. (NASB) Second, the apostle points out that if the children of this spiritually divided home have even one parent who is a true believer, they come into a special relationship with God that constitutes them
as “holy” (hagia), instead of defiled or unclean (akatharia), as the children of unbelievers necessarily are (1 Cor 7:15). In other words, they are eligible to be received into a covenant relationship with God (through dedication or infant baptism) as already belonging to Him. Not that such children are already born again, but they belong to the Lord in the same way that Isaac belonged to the Lord when Abraham had him circumcised one week after he was born (Gen. 17:12; 21:4), (Note that Ishmael also was circumcised as a thirteen year old, but he seems to have wandered away from the Lord when he grew up and may possibly have forfeited the benefits of the covenant; cf. Gen. 16:12). What 1 Corinthians 7 teaches is that a spiritually divided household is not obligated to remain together under the same roof if there is such alienation or bitterness that the unsaved spouse no longer is willing to stick it out with his Christian mate. Verse 15 says, “Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister [i.e., the Christian spouse] is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace” (NASB). In the following verse Paul points out that there is no ironclad guarantee that things will get better if the Christian partner elects to say on and endure the persecution and abuse of the recalcitrant unbeliever. Even such self-sacrificial devotion may turn out to be completely unavailing, so far as the conversion of the unsaved mate is concerned. This passage has given rise to much discussion in regard to the matter of divorce. Matthew 5:32 and 19:9 clearly establish “unchastity” (porneia) as a valid ground for divorce, for a marriage is dealt a deadly wound by adulterous relations with an outsider. But does 1 Corinthians 7 refer to divorce at all? Apparently not. The Matthew passages speak of remarriage after the original couple has broken up (under the law of Moses, the guilty party in such a case was to be executed by stoning, along with the paramour; cf. Lev. 20:10; Deut. 22:24). But 1 Corinthians 7 makes no reference to a second marriage on the part of the innocent partner. On the contrary, it says quite specifically in verse 11: “But if she [the separated wife who is a Christian] does leave, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband” (italics mine, NASB). Unquestionably the same would be true of a husband who was compelled by his unconverted wife to leave her. But the requirement to remain unmarried or to be reconciled to the same spouse again does not amount to a ground for divorce, at least not according to the law of Christ – which is of course final and binding for every practicing Christian. 21 Separation is permitted, if the two cannot live together in harmony; but divorce is definitely not permitted on the ground of desertion alone. It will normally happen that when such a separation has occurred and continues for a lengthy period of time, the unbelieving mate will obtain some sort of divorce under the provisions of the civil courts and will marry someone else. That, of course, would constitute adultery under the rule of Matthew 5:32 and 19:9; and the innocent party would then be free to marry again. But until that happens, no second marriage is possible without rejection of the authority of Christ. Mere desertion, by itself, is not a ground for divorce. Two questions remain to be discussed in this connection. Suppose the unconverted spouse goes on for years without sexual involvement with another
partner? Must the Christian husband or wife remain in a separated state? Suppose the children are at an age when they very much need a two-parent home in order to develop in a normal and healthy way? Such situations frequently occur, and they raise severe and anguishing problems. Often the opportunity of marrying someone else who will be more congenial, or who is perhaps even a fellow believer, seems to be
very attractive. Would it not result in more good than harm to take this easier way out, and thus benefit the children in their growth and development? The answer to this question is the same as in every other situation where it seems easier to solve a problem by doing what any unbeliever would do under the circumstances. The issue of full submission to the revealed will of God and complete trust in the faithfulness of God is really at stake here. Even more important than our achieving and maintaining the so-called happiness that worldlings consider to be the final yardstick of value is the test of faith and faithfulness to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. God has not called us to be happy, but He has called us to follow Him, with all integrity and devotion. Hebrews 11:35 honors the memory of those Old Testament believers who “were tortured, not accepting their release, in order that they might obtain a better resurrection.” Verses 36-38 refer to the terrible persecution and hardship that they had to endure for the Lord’s sake; then v. 39 states that “all these gained approval through their faith.” None of them enjoyed what the world would call “happiness,” but they did obtain something far more important: the “approval” of God. Surely this applied to living with the dismal disappointment and frustration of an unhappy marriage The husband or wife who makes the best of a single-parent situation may be forfeiting happiness, but the favor and approval of Christ, will in the end mean far more both to the believing parent – and even to the children as well – than resorting to a second-marriage alliance without scriptural grounds for divorce. The second question has to do with a couple who were married and divorced before either came to know the Lord. If the divorce was not on the ground of adultery, or if both of them were involved in a violation of their marriage vows, what then? Suppose one – or both – of them gets married to a second partner and then becomes a born again believer? What should the new covert do? Should he or she endeavor to terminate the second marriage and persuade the original mate to patch up the first marriage once more? Suppose the original spouse will not consent to this, will the new Christian have to remain under a cloud of guilt the rest of his life? Not if he (or she) has made every effort to a achieve restitution. (A converted robber would certainly be expected to repay his victim the full amount of his theft; likewise, a slanderer would certainly have to confess his lie and beg the forgiveness of the one he wronged prior to his conversion). In some instances, it appears that restitution might result in even greater wrong than the original offense. For example, if children have been born as a result of the second marriage, it would seem to work a grave injustice to them if a reversion to the original marriage partner were attempted. This would surely result in more harm than good. The only honorable option under such circumstances would seem to be faithfulness to the second marriage partner and an honest endeavor to bring up the children of the second marriage in the “nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Yet those children would have to be informed sooner or letter of the past mistakes of their other parents and would need to be carefully instructed in Christ’s own standards for marriage.                                                                             Written by Mark Keilar

We never read anything like John Bunyan’s personal battles
with fears and doubts (as he recorded those fears and doubts in his
book “GRACE ABOUNDING”) in our contemporary books! Nor do
we read anything like the experiences of “Christian” in “Giant Despair’s
Doubting Castle” (from Bunyan’s classic: Pilgrim’s Progress”).
Why not, do you think? Has divine wrath become less fearful in our
day than it used to be in his? Are we much better at trusting by grace,
through faith?
Whatever the reason is, there can be no question that we walk in a
much greater freedom of conscience than, very often, our forefathers
did. (Whether or not our “freedom” is not really more of a reckless
carnality is another matter)!
Regardless, it would be an excellent question to ask ourselves:
“Am I less fearful of judgment than such godly men were because I
have such strong faith in grace, and such marks of that grace upon my
life?
… OR … is it closer to the truth that my peace comes more from
PRESUMPTION than PURITY”?
I believe that when we properly (and sincerely) consider these
matters we shall find out that, the holier a man is, the more liable he is
to experience seasons of assaults of doubt, and fear, and even despair.”

Authentic Christianity
Acts 2:40-47

A Vital Church Grows

40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.  42 And they “CONTINUED” steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then FEAR came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.

46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

Wow! What a text!  Lets look closer and deeper at it, shall we?  Peter just finished preaching the “gospel” and this is what an authentic response looks like. Those who received Christ where baptized. We have to be careful here because of the word “for” in verse 38. It should be translated “because of” the remission of sins. Why? Baptism is act of outward obedience of expression of inward faith in the Work of Christ on the Cross. Next they “continued” in the apostle’s doctrine and fellowship. In other words they followed Christ’s chosen teachers and they had fellowship with one another “because” they now had everything in common because Christ was now LORD of all. The “FEAR“ of God was upon them because of all the “awesome” works the Lord did through them. Now notice the “ones” who were together where the “ones” who believed. They where together because they followed the “apostle’s” doctrine and that is what resulted in true fellowship. Christ Himself was “WITH” them because they lived on every word that came from HIS mouth. He was their “Daddy”. Fear was upon them because they understood:Heb 12:3-11

3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. 5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:[I want to add most would not consider this an exhortation, but God does]
“My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens,And scourges every son whom He receives.”
7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits AND LIVE? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the “PEACEABLE” fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Isn’t Jesus just Wonderful? If you have received all of Christ then He is your Father. Oh, how he trumps all earthly fathers. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He tears you down, ONLY to “build” you back up again, because He wants to shape and conform you back into the image of His ONE and ONLY TRUE SON, JESUS CHRIST! Look up Christian, our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. Oh!! What a glorious day that will be! May the God of our salvation bless your labors and give you HIS perfect Peace. Amen

Authentic Christianity Part 1

Authentic Christianity Part 2

What was wrong with him?

(Arthur Pink)

“One thing you lack” Mark 10:21

Those words addressed by our Lord to the rich young ruler who had approached Him with such apparent eagerness and earnestness, and in whom there were some admirable qualities which are rarely found in young men, especially those of affluence.

Yet there was a fatal defect, for the sequel informs us that he turned from Christ, and “went away sad” (Mark 10:22). What was wrong with him? “‘One thing you lack–Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.’ At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.” (Mark 10:21-22).

There was a struggle between his convictions and his corruptions; he desired to serve two masters–God and mammon; and when Christ told him that was impossible, he was chagrined.

His fatal deficiency may be described in a variety of ways. He had no conviction that he was a ruined, lost and Hell-deserving sinner, no consciousness that he was a spiritual leper in the sight of God, no realization of his utter helplessness to better his condition. Though religious, he was still in nature’s darkness, and therefore, his affections were not raised above the vanities of this world. There was no love for God within him; and consequently, he was unwilling to deny himself, abandon his idols, and give God His rightful place in his life–serving, pleasing, and enjoying Him. He lacked a real and unreserved surrender of his heart to God.

Is that the case with you, dear reader?

~  ~  ~  ~  ~

We have published the following short article by Robert Murray M’Cheyne:

Conviction of Sin

Go, take your fill!

(Thomas Sherman, “Divine Breathings; Or, a Pious Soul Thirsting after Christ”)

“In Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures!” Psalm 16:11

Your happiness arises from that object on which your affections are placed.  Where your treasure is–there will your heart be also. If your affections are placed upon a poor empty creature; or, if like Judas, your heart is so depraved, that you desire only the money-bag; or, like Reuben, you are content, for worldly convenience, to continue on this side Jordan–then remember that you are bartering eternal life for a mere fantasy, and deceiving yourself into irretrievable and endless ruin!

If you will be content with . . .
a breath of honor,
a blaze of pleasure,
a snare of riches, or
a parcel of vanity,
then go, take your fill! But know assuredly–that the end of these things is death!

When you shall draw your last breath,
when honor will appear only as air,
when your deathless soul shall be forever ensnared
–then you will greatly lament your past conduct,
and wish you had never been born!

But now, O true Christian, if you are risen with Christ from the dead, and are looking at unseen and eternal realities–then for you is prepared . . .
a golden crown,
a celestial harp,
a glorious mansion,
and eternal hallelujahs!
You shall enjoy the presence of God and the Lamb forever and ever! You shall gaze on the incomparable brightness of God, and forever contemplate the wonders of redemption!

Lord, if this is my happiness–then let others enjoy the things of this world! For my part, I am content to deny myself, and take up my cross and follow You!

~  ~  ~  ~

A needed book

(J. R. Miller, “Counsel and Help” 1907)

“I have put my hope in Your Word.”
Psalm 119:81

So long as there are . . .
tears and sorrows,
and broken hearts,
and crushed hopes,
and human failures,
and lives burdened and bowed down,
and spirits sad and despairing–
so long will the Bible be a needed book.
It is full of inspiration, light, help and strength for earth’s weary ones.

“The law of the LORD is perfect–reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy–making wise the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right–giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant–giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the LORD is pure–enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.
They are more desirable than gold–even the finest gold.
They are sweeter than honey–even honey dripping from the comb.
By them is Your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.”
Psalm 19:7-11

~  ~  ~  ~  ~

O think upon your dignity!

(Thomas Sherman, “Divine Breathings; Or, a Pious Soul Thirsting after Christ”)

Christian! You are a child of God’s love, an heir of His glory, and reckoned among His favorites! O think upon your dignity, and consider:

Will an Emperor live like a beggar?

Is it befitting for those who are clothed in scarlet–to wallow in the mire?

Am I born of God–and shall I live like a beast?

Has God raised my soul to the purest excellencies–and shall I stain my dignity with the world’s filth?

May I feed upon Christ–and shall I feed upon empty vanities?

Shall I who am to judge the world–be a drudge to the world?

Has Christ prepared for me a mansion in the heavens–and shall I be groveling in earthly mire?

Am I a child of light–and shall I commit the works of darkness?

No! I am born to greater and higher things–than to be a slave to lust, and a drudge to the world!

He’s Not Willing That ANY Should Perish. ANY of WHOM?

Does God Love Everyone?

Hebrews 2:9: A Denial of Particular Redemption?