Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Keep the Gospel Simple!!

You could call this part 2 of my "Lordship Salvation" post.

"Acts 15:1, “And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.”

The Bible says that “certain men” came down from Judaea who taught false doctrine to the brethren, perverting the Gospel message. They taught that a person who is not circumcised and fails to keep the Law cannot be saved. This greatly troubled the brethren, who had been previously taught by the Apostle Paul that salvation was wholly of God's grace and not of works.

The Bible tells us in Romans 4:5,6,
"But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works."
Carefully notice the words "to him that worketh not." Salvation is without works of self-righteousness. This cannot be overstated. Also notice the words "unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works." We are saved by Christ's righteousness, and not our own efforts. It's not what we do that saves us, but what Jesus did.

The Word of God teaches that if the sinner recognizes his sinnership—acknowledging that he is guilty of being as vile as God's Word has declared him to be—and that person believes on the Lord Jesus Christ to be forgiven—he will be saved. Acts 10:43, "To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." We don't forsake a sinful life as a prerequisite to be saved; rather, we trust upon the Lord to forgive our sins and then he makes the necessary changes in our life.

There is no greater truth in the universe than the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are the sinners and Jesus is the Savior. Eternal life is a free gift (Romans 5:15,6:23). Salvation is receiving, not giving. It's not what you're doing that gets you to Heaven, it's where you're looking. Isaiah 45:22, "Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else." This is the simplicity and power of the Gospel."



“The Gospel is not a call to repentance, or to amendment of our ways, to make restitution for past sins, or to promise to do better in the future. These things are proper in their place, but they do not constitute the Gospel; for the Gospel is not good advice to be obeyed, it is good news to be believed. Do not make the mistake then of thinking that the Gospel is a call to duty or a call to reformation, a call to better your condition, to behave yourself in a more perfect way than you have been doing in the past …

Nor is the Gospel a demand that you give up the world, that you give up your sins, that you break off bad habits, and try to cultivate good ones. You may do all these things, and yet never believe the Gospel and consequently never be saved at all.”
A Quote by Harry Ironside (1876-1951)

The Words of that great old Hymn are so true:

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus
look full in His wonderfull face
and the things of this world will grow strangely dim
in the light of His Glory (Goodness) and Grace"

Many teachers/preachers will insist on preaching a "self examination" message, but that, simply, is NOT the Gospel, and it's NOT the way to overcome "sin cycles".
"Turn your eyes upon Jesus" is the way to overcome the things of this world. The Bible says that our FAITH is the victory that overcomes the World. Have Faith in the Gospel that Jesus has done it all already on your behalf in terms of your rightstanding before the Father - and all because He Loves us so much.
God wants us to be Jesus concious and NOT sin concious! (Heb 10)

Perhaps more of this in another post.

Remember, God Already Blessed you!!
Andrew

Are We Literally Righteous Or Positionally Righteous?

How true. Many believers these days accept we are Righteous because the Bible tells us so: "we are the Righteousness of God in Christ Jesus", and then comes the BIG..... "BUT" in the actual outworking whereby many still believe that "yes we are righteous, BUT not really......we still have to maintain that righteousness in order to keep it.
There are No big "Buts" in Gods economy.... God's "yes" is "Yes"!

By Steve McVey

"For years I couldn’t reconcile what I saw taught in the Bible. I read verses that clearly say we are righteous (Romans 5:17, Ephesians 4:24, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, etc.), but struggled with my own inconsistent behavior. So I took this aspect of truth to be only a positional truth. My argument went like this: “We aren’t literally righteous. God only sees us that way. Our position is one of righteousness, but our condition is that we are unrighteous.”

Let’s dissect that argument for a moment. We’ll get rid of the glaring error first — the idea that God only sees us as righteous. Exactly what could this mean? Would one suggest that God sees something that isn’t really there? It reminds me of the arrogant professor who saw the unlearned custodian reading his Bible and sneered, “Do you believe that book as it is?” Without hesitation, the custodian replied, “Do you believe it as it ain’t?” That’s a good question for this matter. Does God see something as it is or as it ain’t?

When we consider the argument that the righteousness of the Christian is positional, but not literal we must be intellectually honest. Romans 5:19 corrects the error of believing that we are only positionally righteous.

For as through the one man’s disobedience, the many were made sinners,even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.

This verse very simply presents the truth of our present righteousness in Christ. Paul reminds us that in Adam we were made to be sinners. In the same way, he says, we are now made righteous in Christ. According to principles of biblical hermeneutics, we must be consistent in interpreting scripture. If the last half of this verse means that we are only positionally righteous in Christ, then the first part of the verse must be interpreted to say that we were only positionally sinners in Adam. Were we literally a sinner in Adam or was it only positional? If we were literally sinners then, we are literally righteous now.

Some say that the verse teaches that we will be made righteous when we get to heaven. Does that mean that a person doesn’t become a sinner until he gets to hell? We were sinners for one simple reason — we were in Adam. Now are righteous because we have been placed into Christ.

Let’s don’t resist the truth! God says we are righteous because we are in Christ. It is a literal truth. That doesn’t mean we always act that way. How we act and who we are may not always coincide. Sometimes I act like a child even though I was born in 1954. Identity isn’t determined by our behavior, but by our birth. Occasionally my wife, Melanie, has even called me a big baby. But I know it’s not true! I have my birth certificate to prove it!"


Gos Blessed you!!
Andrew

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Rest in His Work!

Ruth 3:18
Then she said, “Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day.”

God does not want you to “sweat”. Sweat here does not refer to your body’s perspiration, but your self-reliance or self-effort. God does not want you to believe that if you don’t do anything, nothing will happen. That may be true for someone without God in his life, but it is not true for you because you have God. And when He is in the picture, the God-factor changes everything!


When you are resting in God, He works for you. In fact, when He works, you end up with more. He is the one who is giving to you. It is not about you trying to give to yourself.


This was what happened to Ruth in the Old Testament. After laboring in the barley fields from morning to evening, she was able to glean one ephah of barley (Ruth 2:17), which was equivalent to a 10-day supply of barley. Certainly, this amount was a blessing to her.


But when she rested at the feet of Boaz, her kinsman-redeemer, and did not labor, she received six ephahs of barley (Ruth 3:15), which was equivalent to a 60-day supply! When Ruth sought her own blessing, she obtained only one ephah. But when she sought the blesser, she received much more.


Ruth’s blessings did not stop there. While Ruth rested and sat still as her mother-in-law Naomi had instructed, Boaz, who was the owner of the barley field, went to work, initiating actions, executing them and speaking on Ruth’s behalf. Right through it all, Ruth sat still and rested. Eventually, Boaz, the barley man himself, married Ruth. (Ruth 4) That meant no more measured wealth of six ephahs, but the yield of the whole barley field in total!


Boaz is a picture of Jesus, our heavenly kinsman-redeemer. When we rest in the Lord, He will not rest. He will work on our behalf. What do we do then? We just trust in and enjoy His love for us.


Beloved, stop striving and be at rest. If salvation, the greatest work, comes to us by resting in Jesus’ finished work, how much more will all the other blessings?


God Blessed you!!
Andrew

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

“Good Works” vs “Works”

by Wayne Duncan

The bible talks about works in a positive and a negative light.
How do we know which is which.
Ephesians 2 :10
10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
And...
Isaiah 64:6:All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
So what are the works that are useless filthy rags, and which acts (works), are "good works"?
So there are good works and dead works. Now good is good and dead is dead. Dead things produce no life and no fruit.
If Christ has good works prepared for me, to walk in, then the new nature that resides in me wants to walk in those good works.
God has prepared things for me to do, to see, to taste and to feel. I want to walk in them.
Even that desire to do good works is as a result of grace, which is God working in me. It’s God Himself working in me. The transformed spirit working with the power of the living residing Holy Spirit

Phil 2:13
13for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure ESV
13for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose NIV

There is a natural desire in the hearts and spirits of born again believers. We became new creation upon conversion, that new creation loves God. That new creation loves to serve God, to be obedient to God, to do for God, to will and to act.
Four points from Phil 2:13
1) The work in us is a work of grace. It’s God working in us. We can claim nothing of ourselves. Any desire or work we have is as a result of His work in us. That’s why we’re His workmanship.
2) We will. We desire. We want. What do we will and desire and want? We want to do His will. He creates that will.
3) We want to work for God. He creates that work in and through us.
4) The will and work that is present, and that results is pleasurable to God.

Titus 2
11For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. ESV

14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good NIV

Grace is a powerful force, it teaches us.
Jesus has purified us, now zeal rises up to do what he wants us to do. It’s because were pure that desire is birthed!
I want to say that this is a very powerful force with in us. It’s the type of dealing in our hearts and spirits that can cause some real substance within us. It could look like radical obedience. It could produce faithfulness. It could release a commitment to a cause that is staggering. What makes a person lay down their lives for an act of obedience? When the motive is pure, the work is good.

So why the bad rap?

Works has become a swearword in the church today. And for good reason.
Here are some of the reasons:
It’s got to do with earning.
Legalism teaches that if I do these works, then God will love me more. The truth is that there is nothing that I can do to make god love me more or less.
Legalism teaches that the more works I do the more mature I am. The truth is maturity comes with an understanding about the gift of righteousness, and exposure to others gifts, and by the ministry of the spirit.
Legalism teaches that if I do works, I can earn favor with God.
Legalism teaches that if I do works I can manipulate God into blessing me or answering my prayers.
Legalism says…you must work. Take must pleasure…have to be zealous…be eager, do do do.
Legalism says “where are your works, are you doing enough, you must do more”
Any attempt to earn Gods favor, a reward, a blessing, love, acceptance, reputation, self righteousness etc will make the work a “work” instead of a “good work”.
Isaiah 64:6:All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
When we work for righteousness it is a dead work, or a work that is a filthy rag of it denies the work of Christ, the only legal claim to righteousness.
Can you see the difference? “Good works” flow from a healthy desire to do what you feel you want to do. That want comes from heaven. It’s who you are, expressing it’s self. It’s what gives you the deep conviction to carry on even when it gets tough. It’s what empowers and inspires you to keep on until the “good work” is finished.
Who I am as a result of His powerful work in me, as a result of His divine workmanship, says..
I take pleasure, I want to, I am passionate, I am zealous and I am eager.
Look at what Paul said about His driving passion that helped Him endure persecution and torture, stoning and whipping
1 Cor 15:10
10But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.
Ephesians 2 :10
10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
God has prepared things for every one of us to do. Even if you think you’re doing nothing, that’s fine, for your still loved, accepted, and righteous. BUT know this you’re being prepared, you have been prepared! “Good works” are part of who you are.
There is a God given grace inside you just busting to get out! How beautiful it will be, it will be a God pleasing “Good work”.


God Blessed you!!
Andrew

Friday, December 18, 2009

Grace is the Power of the Gospel

Hi Everybody,

I first read this at: http://www.awmi.net/extra/article/grace_power. Its written by Andrew Wommack, and I thought it was brilliant.
So many Believers are still under a False weight of needing to perform to impress God and man, and it is not neccesary!! God is already impressed with you - Praise Jesus!!
When we realise that:
"Rom 5:8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Rom 5:9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.
Rom 5:10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life." , then our craving to be accepted by man and impress our fellow man will stop, because we then KNOW that we are already embraced by the only One who really counts!

Here it is. enjoy:

"Many people around the world who embrace “Christianity” have never heard the true Gospel. They believe Christianity is nothing but a different set of rules, substituting Christian “dos and don’ts” for those of other religions. They continue to believe they must earn their way to God and then do their best to deserve the benefits of salvation. That’s not the true Gospel.


Accepting Jesus as your Savior with the belief that you are now going to abide by a certain set of rules, or exchange one set for another, is not the good news. Why? Because it still depends upon your performance. And I can guarantee you that the devil will make sure you know that your performance is not quite good enough. He is the accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10).

The truth that makes the Gospel the “nearly-too-good-to-be-true news” is that we are accepted by God through what Jesus did for us. The revelation of God’s grace will deliver you from a performance mentality to a total trust and reliance upon the Lord. Salvation is all about God’s faithfulness, not ours! This is foundational for maintaining a close relationship with God and receiving all the benefits of your salvation.

Romans 1:16-17 says,

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”

The book of Romans communicates that the Gospel is the power of God. It’s what produces the life of God in people. However, the word Gospel has become a religious term that has lost a lot of its meaning today. Many people associate “Gospel” with anything that has to do with religion, specifically the Christian religion. But “Gospel” literally means “good tidings,” or “good news.”


The Greek word euaggelion, which was translated “gospel” in seventy-four New Testament verses, was so rare in writings outside of the New Testament that it’s only found twice in extra-biblical manuscripts. The reason for this is because this word not only meant “good news,” but was actually describing “nearly-too-good-to-be-true news.”

Much of “Christian culture” today associates the Gospel with these statements: “You’re a sinner. If you don’t repent, you’re going to hell.” Now, these are true statements. There is a heaven and a hell, a God and a devil, and you will go to hell if you don’t repent and receive salvation, but even though all of that is truth, it’s not “good news.” It’s not “the Gospel.”

As a matter of fact, it’s the complete opposite of what Paul was teaching. Roman 2:4 says it’s the goodness of God that leads us to repentance, not judgment and condemnation. That is what Paul was talking about, and that is “good news.”

The Gospel is directly related to the grace of God. That’s the only way this forgiveness of our sins can be obtained. It isn’t through our holiness or good works. God doesn’t take the “good” people and save them; He justifies (extends salvation toward) the ungodly (Rom. 4:5).


This causes many problems for religious people. They say, “Wait a minute! I believe you must do this and that to be holy.” Religion—false religion, man’s concepts—teaches that right standing with God and His blessings come as a result of our own goodness and works.

Religious teachers say, “You must come to our church. You must pay your tithes, read your Bible, and pray more, to mention a few. Then, if you do all these things just right, God will accept you.” That’s anti-Gospel! It’s against the “good news” of God’s grace because it’s putting the burden of salvation on your back—and you can’t bear it. Nobody can save themselves.

That’s basically the false “Gospel” that religion preaches today. They may talk about the one true God and use terminology like “God the Father.” They may even mention that Jesus is the Savior of the world who died for our sins. But at its core, it’s another “Gospel”—which is no Gospel at all (Gal. 1:7).

The Gospel isn’t only the belief in salvation, but it’s also the understanding of the means by which this salvation is obtained. “If you’ll act good and do good, then you’ll be good” isn’t the true Gospel. Notice what Paul said while addressing the very first ministers’ conference at Ephesus:

“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24).

Another way Paul could have said this is, “I am testifying of the Gospel—which is the good news of the grace of God.” The words “Gospel” and “grace” are terms that can be used interchangeably. The good news—or Gospel—is the grace of God.

Even the word salvation is misunderstood. Evangelical Christianity says that salvation is a one-time occurrence, an experience when your sins are forgiven. That’s true, there is a moment when you pass from death to life, but that is not all that happens. It’s an incomplete definition. Salvation isn’t limited to the initial born-again experience.


Salvation is everything Jesus purchased for us through the atonement. Sozo, the Greek word from which “salvation” was translated means more than forgiveness of sin; it also means healing, deliverance, and prosperity. It’s a word that summarizes everything that Jesus provided for us through His death, burial, and resurrection.

James 5:14-15 vividly illustrates how salvation includes both healing and forgiveness of sin:

“Is any sick among you? let him call for this elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save [sozo] the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him” (brackets mine).

Salvation is a package deal and it’s all accomplished by the grace of God, not our works. However, Satan is always trying to deceive us. He is the one who wants us to believe we must earn things from God. He is the one causing us to doubt the Lord’s willingness to use His ability on our behalf, and unfortunately, the church is often reinforcing that belief.

I’ve had many believers come up to me in the prayer lines asking, “Why am I not healed? I’ve fasted, prayed, and studied the Word. I pay my tithes and go to church. I’m doing the best I can. What does God demand?” When I hear that, they have just given me the answer to their question. They aren’t pointing to what Jesus did; they are pointing to what they have done, and that always leads to failure.

Most people believe that God moves in their lives proportional to their performance. That was the error Paul was dealing with in the book of Romans. When Paul came along and said “I’m not ashamed of the Gospel!” he was saying “I am not ashamed to tell people about the goodness, grace, and mercy of God. The Lord loves us in spite of who we are and what we’ve done.” Now that’s “good news!”

The religious folks of Paul’s day thought this was terrible. They believed what he was preaching was heresy. People needed to recognize and relate to God based on how sorry they were. God wasn’t happy with them or the way they were acting. They were just worms in His sight. Sound familiar?

On the surface it looks like a humble position. In reality, it’s actually making a person’s relationship with God dependent on self. “Look what I have done for the Lord, how holy I’ve been, and how much I’ve denied myself.” This is actually a very self-centered, self-dependent way of approaching God that never produces any fruit in your life.


Religion wants to make sure that people know they are sinners and on their way to hell. However, the truth is that they already know that.

Romans 1:18-19 says,

“For the wrath of God is revealed [not going to be, but already is revealed] from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath [past tense] shewed it unto them” (brackets mine).

God’s wrath has already been revealed intuitively inside of every person. Each individual has within them the knowledge of God’s wrath against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. So when someone wonders If I just tell people about the goodness of God, what will make them understand that they are sinners in need of salvation? Paul’s answer was that they already knew. In their hearts, people already know that they aren’t good, but sinners in need of salvation.The point is that you don’t have to bombard people with the fact that they are sinners; deep in their hearts they already know. You may need to spend some time on that issue in order to make your point and strike that chord in their hearts, but not by condemning them and restricting them to religious dos and don’ts. Paul was saying, “That’s not the true approach.”

It’s the Gospel—the nearly-too-good-to-be-true news that God has provided. It’s salvation for us by grace that empowers men to receive the forgiveness of their sins, the healing of their bodies, the deliverance from Satan’s oppression, and more. We don’t need to convince people they are sinners; we need to show them the way out. That’s the Gospel!

Do you need to be healed? The power for healing is in the Gospel. Do you need to be prospered financially? The power for financial prosperity is in the Gospel. Do you need to be delivered from the power of demonic influence, from depression, from yourself, or from something else? The power for deliverance is in the Gospel! The Gospel is the power of God. It’s “nearly too good to be true.”

God Blessed you!!
Keep keeping it real

Andrew

Friday, December 11, 2009

Religion Drives..... Grace Directs

I read this by Steve McVey, its very good.

this where i got it, go have a look there, its well worth the visit
http://gracewalkministries.blogspot.com/2009/12/energized-by-grace_02.html

"Nothing is more invigorating to the life of a believer than continuously experiencing the grace of God. Religion drains a person. A religious man is a driven man. Grace doesn’t drive us, but directs us in a way that we enjoy serving God from a heart filled with gratitude. One walking in grace becomes increasingly energized as he serves, not spiritually exhausted.

Although he may at times experience the normal fatigue of mind and body which is common to humanity, he discovers that inwardly he is constantly empowered by divine life. His “inner man is being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16). He finds himself motivated from within to serve Jesus Christ with enthusiasm and consistency.“I don’t have to do anything because I’m under grace,” Becky said. She and her husband had disagreed many times about the responsibility of a Christian walking in grace. “I believe that there are certain things we need to do and grace has nothing to do with it, “ he argued. They had come to me to settle the question for them.

What would you tell them if they asked your opinion on the matter? Does a Christian have a duty to do certain things or is he free to sit down and do nothing for the rest of his life?It’s true that grace delivers the believer from the realm of religious duty. Becky wasn’t wrong in her assertion that Christians don’t have to do anything. However, during the course of my conversation with this couple, I sensed that neither of them clearly understood what it means to walk in grace. He did seek to impose his own religious expectations on her. There was no doubt about that. On the other hand, Becky didn’t appear to be on target in her perspective on the matter either. It sounded as if she had indeed become passive in many ways.

The good news of grace doesn’t stop by causing one to understand that he is free from the law. Genuine grace not only delivers us from something, but also delivers us to Someone. Grace opens our eyes to the union we share with Jesus Christ. It doesn’t give the believer an excuse to become lethargic and lazy. Instead it energizes him with the divine life of Jesus in such a way that he serves God with supernatural power. Grace is the divine enablement for one to powerfully express the life of Jesus Christ through his lifestyle.

Jesus was a man who was full of grace. (See John 1:14.) In three short years, His activity had impacted the whole known world because His actions were impregnated with divine power. This is hardly a description of a passive person. Concerning the lifestyle of those who follow Him, John said that “of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace” (John 1:16). God has poured the grace of Jesus Christ into us in a manner that causes us to be filled with grace. Our lives are piled high with grace on top of grace!Possessing the power of Jesus Christ, why would any Christian want to become passive?

One who suggests that the message of grace will produce passivity simply doesn’t understand what it means to walk in grace. One who has become passive hasn’t experienced its reality. A grace filled Christian usually won’t meet the expectations of the legalist, but he won’t become lazy in his Christian walk either. His lifestyle is a grace walk. Walking is always progressive, not passive.The Spirit of Jesus dwells within the believer.

An understanding of the implications of that truth will mobilize the believer. If the essence of Mozart suddenly came into you, what would you want to do? If the spirit of Picasso possessed you, would it make sense to never pick up a paint brush? If you were possessed by the life force of Mozart, nothing could keep you away from the piano. You would be thrilled by the awareness of the ability you possessed and would want to express it often. If the spirit of Picasso rested within you, a great desire to paint would continually motivate you toward the canvass. The knowledge of who was within you would be all the motivation you needed.

The good news of grace is that Jesus Christ is in you. What an awesome thought! You are privileged to live in a day that Old Testament saints couldn’t even imagine. They were thrilled when they met God on a mountain, in a burning bush, through a pillar of fire or a cloud of glory. These occasional encounters with Deity were often enough to change a man’s life forever. A fleeting glimpse of His glory and they were transformed.

If the glory of God were deposited in heaven, they were blessed to have pennies pitched their way.On the day that Jesus was crucified, the front door to the bank of heaven swung open wide and all the glory of God came pouring out all over those who received Him. The glory vault of heaven was opened and emptied out on those who believe! This concept was an unknown mystery in the Old Testament, but you belong to a chosen group “to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).

If Old Testament saints could be motivated by a rare glimpse of God, what impact can the resident glory of God in the New Testament believer have on his life and the lives of those around him? When one knows who he is in Jesus Christ, he will be forever transformed. Once the revelation of the indwelling Christ becomes a reality to him it can never be unknown again. He will never get over the impact of seeing Jesus in him; of knowing that Christ is his very life. He will be forever energized by the glory of Christ within him."

(This article is an excerpt from my book, Grace Rules.)"


God Blessed you!!
Andrew

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Holy and Pleasing to God!

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service.

In the Old Testament, sacrifices could not be offered to God unless they were first checked by the priest and found to be pleasing - no blemish whatsoever!
The living animal after being checked and found to be worthy was then sacrificed on behalf of the sinner. God had made a way that He could have mercy on the sinner via a substitutory sacrifice, so that His Pleasure and Goodwill could now be directed towards the sinner. Note that it was ALWAYS Gods intention to be Good towards and Bless mankind, but man had rejected Him and fallen into Unbelief towards His Goodness (Through Adam and Eve not believing God and believing Satan that were not already like God - created in His image and likeness, as well as Israel rejecting the Free Blessing of the Abrahamic Covenant that they were already under and choosing to be blessed by "sight" - by what they did outwardly, and not by "Faith" - by what they believed..... So God made another way through the Law, but this was NOT Gods best or First choice for man.)

Back to the living sacrifice of the Old Testament. Once God was pleased with the atoning sacrifice He could now have Mercy (which is based on His Righteousness in judging the atoning sacrifice) on the offerer and they were now "set-apart/holy/sanctified" until this offering was again due. So God had Mercy on the offerer because He was pleased with the Sacrifice
And because the offerer was accepted by God, he was set appart (or holy, or sanctified).
So Paul, in Romans 12:1 says, Brothers (Brethren - believers), I beg/exhort/encourage strongly/urge you, because you now know that Gods mercy is fully directed towards you, and His Mercy IS NOW upon you - as he has just reiterated a few verses earlier: (Rom 11:32 For God has shut up all in unbelief, so that He might show mercy to all.)
show yourself before God as He now sees you in the NEW COVENANT - as Holy/set appart/sanctified, and Pleasing..... because this is what you are!!
He then says that this is your "reasonable/logical" "service/thing to do".

Its completely logical, because of/by reason of/in view of, Gods mercy towards you that is ALREADY IN PLACE through the Cross, that you now show yourself to God as He sees you, because He IS already pleased with you - Evidenced by His Mercy towards you- and therefore you are set apart/Holy already.
Its most commonly taught - by me too in the past - that we must try to live holy and become pleasing to God because He has done so much for you. But part of the "so much" He has done for us is make us righteous already by JUST believing this Good News.

Here is the thing: Is Jesus Holy?..... Absolutely!!
Is Jesus Pleasing to the Father?..... most definitely!!

Now,:1Jn 4:17 Herein is love made perfect with us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as he is, even so are we in this world.

So because Jesus is holy and pleasing, SO ARE WE..... even NOW... "in THIS World"

When you and I begin to constantly see ourselves the way God already sees us, and not the way the world sees us - and tries to force us into its mould - we will automatically be able to distinguish what Gods will is because we know His heart:

Rom 12:2 And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, and ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

When your mind thinks like God thinks about you, you are able to PROVE that Gods will for you is Always Good/beneficial, Acceptable/fully agreeable/well pleasing and perfect in evey way.
The converse of this ofcourse is that if our minds are not renewed to the Gospel of Gods grace towads us, we will soon begin to think that Gods will is not always Good, pleasing and perfect for us. This "conformed to the world" type of unrenewed thinking has space for sickness, poverty, divorce, car accidents... and the like, as being from God to teach us or draw us nearer to Him or judgement as a result of sin in our lives, but this is Completely and Utterly ANTI-Christ because it ignores the Cross that was the means to reconcile us to God:

"2Co 5:19 whereas God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing/counting their trespasses/sins to/against them, and putting the word of reconciliation in us."

God wants us to know that He is FOR us and NOT against us.... He Loves us perfectly inspite of ouselves.... WE MUST SEE THIS!!
We are already holy and pleasing in His sight because of the atoning act of Jesus on our behalf.

(All this Goodness is available even for unbelievers, but they need to believe the Gospel/Good News that Jesus died for all their sins once for all time in order to access and appropiate/walk under Gods Good, pleasing and perfect will for themselves.)

Isnt it quite something that submitting to the Goodness of our Gracious Lord is often the most difficult thing to do - because we have been programed for so long work for and earn any kind of favour.... this Gospel really is "Almost too good to be true news"

God Blessed you!!
Andrew

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Love and Marriage

One of the most hated and most attacked areas of Christianity by the devil is the area of marriage. If Satan can get marraiges to become disfunctional, he takes a huge chunk out of our effectiveness as believers.
This is brilliant article written by Andrew Wommack. I have eddited it to make it a little shorter.

"Very few things in our world today are actually a part of Gods initial plan for his people, for instance the worlds goverment systems and monetry trading would certainly not be neccesary in a sinless world which is how God created it!

But one thing that God established while man was still in a sinless condition and said that it was not good for man to do without was marriage. Genesis 2:18 says, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet [or sufficient] for him." A perfect man who had none of the pressures or problems that we know of today still was not complete without a mate. And it was not Adam who approached God about the situation and asked for a companion. Adam didn't know what he was missing! It was God who initiated the whole thing because that was His perfect plan. This all emphasizes the high priority that marriage should have in our lives. However, it has not usually held that position.
God instituted marriage, so He certainly knows how to make it work properly. The only reason two out of three marriages end up in divorce is because the people involved don't follow the instructions God gave concerning marriage. It is that simple. The solution is not easy, but it is that simple.

We read in Eph 5 that Gods kind of love is absolutely essential for any marriage to work well. (That is.... GODS kind of love... not our kind of love): "Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the Church...."
Many believing husbands have dicovered Gods kind of love for the lost and for others in their local church family but this truth often doesnt bleed over to their own wives which actually where according to this passage, for husbands, it was primarily intended to be directed.

One of the most striking differences to me between the world's love and God's kind of love is that you can teach yourself to operate in God's love. Titus 2:4 says that the older women are to teach the younger women "to love their husbands, to love their children." Carnal love is completely motivated by the emotions or senses, but God's love comes from the heart.

"I can't act like I love them when I don't feel it." Oh, yes you can! God's Word tells us to even love our enemies (Matt. 5:44). It is a command. He didn't say to do it if you felt like it. If you will choose to do what God tells you to, your feelings will follow. You can teach yourself to love with God's kind of love.
It is not hypocritical to act in love when you don't feel it. It is actually hypocritical to act on what you feel instead of who you really are in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 5:22 says that love is a part of the fruit of the Spirit. This is specifically speaking of the Holy Spirit; but our new man was born of the Spirit, so it has to be true that God's love has been shed abroad in our spirits too. We do have God's love in our new man. Our feelings are not automatically changed, however. Our feelings will continue to act like they were taught to act until we subdue them and bring them under the control of our spirit man.
God's kind of love is a choice that you make on the basis of what God said, and then act on it in faith until it becomes a reality in your spirit, soul, and body.

If you can receive this basic truth about God's love, then you can begin to be consistent in your love to your mate because your love is based on a choice that you have made, not on the way they act.
Aren't you glad that God doesn't treat us that way? Romans 5:8 says, "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Praise God! God's love wasn't based upon what we had done for Him or what we deserved but upon His choice to love us. That is all! We didn't do anything to merit God's love. He just chose to give it. We can choose to receive that kind of love and then give it to others in the same way.

Jesus didn't wait until we were worth it or had repented before He gave Himself for our sins. He gave Himself for us while we were yet sinners and living a life of rebellion against Him.

Gods love is unconditional. If you live with a person for any length of time at all, you are going to find fault with them. If your love isn't unconditional, then you will begin to give them what they deserve, which is trouble.

Many couples actually use their conditional love as a weapon to try and motivate their mates to do things. That will destroy a marriage. If the thing that keeps your mate in line is a fear of your exploding if they mess up, then you are tormenting them. That's what 1 John 4:18 says, "Fear hath torment." You may see some results through that method, but it's a fact that you are building resentment and rejection in them, and sooner or later, it will explode. God's love is unconditional."

God blessed you!!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Ministers of Righteousness...... self righteousness!!

Much preaching and teaching happening today around the world has to do with ministers getting listeners to "live right" in order to recieve Gods blessing, and "live right" in order to avoid Gods jugement. This is contrary to the Good News of the Gospel which says that we are "made right" by simply believing the gospel.
The effortless glory in of believing the Gospel is that Right Believing = Right living.

When we get revelation of this amazing truth of what was accomplished by God through Jesus on the cross, we will automatically/accidentally begin to live right and overcome the things that we previously struggled with.

Whatever we give our attention to, to that will our hearts become receptive towards. If we give our attention to God and His Word, we will renew our minds to the exesting reality of who we are in Christ: A new creature, the righteousness of God, a co-heir with Jesus, a son.....
So, the more we focus on the Goodness of God, the more God concious we become.
On the other hand, when we incesantly focus on our shortfalls and sin issues, our hearts loose focus on God. This is the reason why preaching that focuses on behavioural modification instead of on the finished work of Jesus that earned for us as a free Gift, Gods righteousness for all who believe, is actually anti the Gospel.

Some would say that that is too harsh, well this is what Paul had to say:


2Co 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
2Co 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2Co 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.


Here Paul says that there are ministers (even apostles), who, just as Satan appears as an angle of light - not TRUE light! - they too, are ministers that are preaching righteousness!! But its not a true righteousness. Its a self righteousness.
Outwardly, these ministers appear "holy" and are preaching a message that says "live Right", but that is NOT the Gospel! The Gospel has not: "live right" as its primary focus, it has: "Believe right" at its centre. Thats Grace!

If our righteousness had to do with our right living then it is no longer by Grace, its by self effort.
Salvation is a free Gift for all who believe. Paul ends that off by saying that their end will be according to their works!
Now, a good question to ask is, would we want our end to be according to our own works, or rather according to Jesus' work on our behalf.....
We'll take Jesus any day, right? Then lets be keenly aware to avoid a "gospel" of false righteousness that appears good but doesnt have Jesus at the centre.

For God so Loved the world...... When we realise that God loved us First, before we ever became aware of Him, then we'll see that all our own efforts to please God by living right are meaningless.
Stay focussed on the Gospel and our behaviour will soon follow suit - trust God!

God Blessed you!!

Songs of Confusion

In our journey away from dead religion into the revelation of Gods Goodness
revealed in the Gospel, some things have become alot clearer about what was
really accomplished at the cross.

Many songs that are sung out in praise around the planet actually deny what
Jesus accomplished on the Cross and at Pentecost on our behalf, and are instead confusing songs that do not lead its singers into New Testament freedom - even though many sound nice and humble to sing! Many of those "humble" songs and are rooted in Old Covenant thinking.

One of the AWESOME truths of the New covenant is that HE will NEVER LEAVE OR FORSAKE US!! So to sing a song asking, "here I am waiting, abide in me I pray" and "come live in me" is either saying that you are not yet saved, or to deny the gospel if you are, because he has been living in you from the second you believed the Good News!

To not sing certain songs is not to be a nit-picker or a stick-in-the-mud, but its to line up with the New Testament and to bring honour to Jesus and to ACKNOWLEDGE that we believe what He did is true.
The vail IS already torn, there is no more separation between heaven and
earth that we need to still beg God to remove.

"As we lift up our hands, will you meet us here?" - He certainly will, but even if we didn't lift up our hands he will still because if you are a Christian He lives in you and meets with you even "while you sleep." (Ps139) In fact, "what can separate us from his love- nothing in all creation!" -(certainly not, not lifting up our hands!) "Where could I flee from your presence... wherever I go, you are there with me"- David, speaking of this Glorious New covenant"

The point is that when we beg God to do what he has already done, we certainly are breeding confusion in the singers hearts (subconsciously or consciously, because these types of songs are contrary to the New Covenant.)
The Gospel is freedom, we don't have to beg or urge God by our humble actions, we need to simply believe the "almost to good to be true news" (Gospel).

"We have been given every spiritual blessing IN Christ Jesus"- Eph 1.
Why would we now sing.. "We don't want blessings we want you.” That's not humility, that's actually pride! Its saying that we can get by in our own efforts, denying all that Jesus died to give us - Gods children!

And, we must see that this is not "semantics" as some might say.... because if its just a matter of "being fussy" over words or phrases that make no difference anyway (as some might say), then (if it makes no difference) lets rather use the language of the New Testament and not the Old.
In the Old Testament they didn't have the Holy Spirit permanently with them
and there certainly needed to be a humble consecration process (or sanctification- setting apart/making holy) before meeting with God, but in the New Covenant we are the very Righteousness of God if you are IN Christ (saved), you are already perfectly sanctified/holy by virtue of the indwelling Holy spirit.... Co heir... Adopted sons/daughters.
To sing songs primarily based on the Old Testament lack of Gods presence is
not honouring to God, its simply not worship.

The primary revelation that Jesus brought us of God - which is foreign to the Old Testament- is that of God as our Father. Any father who's children need to be "desperate for him" and "hungry for him" and grovel before him, before he will give them attention and be with them has missed the mark! And we "being evil" fathers even know this.
Yet we sometimes sing songs that imply that our Perfect Father in heaven misses that mark, to the point of us being as "thirsty as a dear is for water, that's how thirsty we are for God" - implying that He hasn't been around much to quench our thirst! Or "my soul thirsts for you"- Ps 63- That's because the Holy Spirit who is the ever flowing river of life had not yet come to reside in us. That’s Old Testament.... a fading covenant.
Jesus said "All who drink of me will never thirst again" - That's New Testament..... an everlasting covenant.

In saying all this, I know that the authors of these songs are sincere and probably love God, but WE must be true to and steward well the truth that we up to now understand.

"The Gospel (almost-to-good-to be-true-good-news-that-God-is-now-with-us-because-He-is-not-counting-the-sins-of-man-against-him-any-more!) is the power of God unto "Forgiveness of sins, healing, deliverance and wholeness" for All who BELIEVE." -Rom 1:16.
Therefore.... the problem with singing songs that are Not New Testament (gospel), is that they confuse the Good news of 'free mercy' with the Bad news of 'performance to avoid lack', which cant lead to the full measure of power available to each believer through the "Good News", because its not the Gospel. In other words, proclaiming/singing a mixed and confused "gospel" will lead to mixed and confused results (power) in those believers lives.

The essence of worship is from an overflow of the revelation of who God is and what He has done, not who we are and what we will do to convince God to be good to us..... It’s too late for that!!

God blessed you

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Walking in the Light

I came accross this article by a guy called Andre vd Merwe. Its brilliant, this passage certainly has been used over time to get Christians to focus on the wrong thing:

Walking in the Light
[1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from every sin (NKJV)].
Walking in the light as God is in the light, is a result of God giving us his righteousness – John is talking about our position here, not our behaviour. Our position in Christ is eternally secured the day we put our faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. From that day on we walk “in the light”.
What is “light”? Jesus said “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12) Thus Jesus is light. When we are born again we are IN Christ (1 Cor 1:30, Eph 2:10), and therefore we are IN the light. Also because we are IN the light, we also become the light. [Eph 5:8 you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light]. Jesus also says we are the light of the world. [Matt 5:14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden]. As He was (and still is) the light, so we have become as He is.
Most of the arguments against the Grace message come from the book of John. Most legalists that read this book see it as a book that tells us what we are supposed to do, instead of reading it in the correct context: The book of John was written by John to his “little children” who had just come out from under the false teachings of Gnostics. John was by no means trying to tell them to “DO THIS!” or “DO THAT!” No he was telling them how secure they were in Christ, assuring them of their eternal salvation.
[1 John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth]. This verse makes it even more clear – we can not say that we have fellowship with God (in other words that we have been born again) if we walk in darkness (which means we are not actually born again), because then we would be lying. In simple English: You cannot say you are a Christian if you have not been born again!!
[2 Cor 6:14 For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?] Did you see how these things are contrasted with each other? Righteousness vs. lawlessness, light vs. darkness, Christ (anointed) vs. Belial (worthless) & believer vs. unbeliever.
1 John 1:7 (our key verse) says the blood cleanses from EVERY sin, and that pretty much means EVERY sin. In the original Greek language the word that was used for “cleanses” was katharizo?. This literally means to “continually cleanse”. So if we make a mistake, the blood removes it completely, and this happens day & night without ceasing. If you believe you can “walk in the light” based on your own obedience, why then would you need the blood to continually cleanse you? Because now you are doing it all yourself! No, we walk “in the light” because we have been given the righteousness of God as a free gift. I say again, John is talking about our position in Christ and not about our external behaviour. Here are some more verses to explain this:
[Eph 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord;]
[Rev 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, nor of the moon, that they might shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 And the nations of those who are saved will walk in the light of it; and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honour into it].
Yes when we look at our behaviour we will clearly see that we make mistakes every day and that we don’t necessarily walk in the light in our actions, but that is because our minds have not been fully renewed yet. Until the day we die, there will always be some area in our lives that we will need to bring under submission of the authority of God, whether it be thought patterns, habits, or whatever. The point is that we don’t do these things to earn God’s approval, but they happen spontaneously as a result of us falling more in love with Jesus and becoming more and more aware of how wonderfully we have been saved: [Phil 2:12 … work out your own salvation with fear and trembling] (which actually means to “consider with awe and wonder”). It doesn’t say work AT your salvation, because Jesus has already done it all. But when you work something out, it means you figure it out for yourself.
Until the day we go to be with the Lord, we will always be able to improve our external behaviour and bring it more in line with our perfect position IN Christ. But until that day, God has already provided MORE THAN enough Grace to cover any mistakes we may make along the way: [Rom 5:20b But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound].
There is nothing wrong with living moral lives, but we should not use our ability to live moral as the measure/standard of our relationship with God."

God Blessed you!!

Lordship Salvation

Hi guys, I recently stumbled across a term that disturbingly describes
a prevalent thought concerning The Gospel and Salvation. The term is
“Lordship Salvation”.

At a glance it appears to be the old ‘Calvinistic / Armenian’ debate
called by another name but it appears that some proponents of both
camps (C & A) subscribe to a “Lordship Salvation” theology.

In a nutshell, here are the two views:

A) Faith = Justification + Works (The Gospel)
B) Faith + Works = Justification (Lordship Salvation view)

The easy mistake to make in (A), is to place an over emphasis on
‘Works’ above Justification, which automatically moves your view to
(B).

The Solution to complacency and passivity is not to point to the lack
of good works (in A) as a means to motivate, but rather to point out
and emphasize the value of Faith - (the Whole Truth of the amazing
Gospel). A Revelation of the True Gospel cannot help but bare Fruit.


The Following are some excerpts from an article by Tim Keller on the
Biblical Gospel:
(http://www.redeemer2.com/themovement/issues/2004/june/postmoderncity_1_p1.html)

"The gospel is not just a way to be saved from the penalty of sin, but
is the fundamental dynamic for living the whole Christian
life--individually and corporately, privately and publicly. In other
words, the gospel is not just for non-Christians, but also for
Christians. This means the gospel is not just the A-B-C's but the A to
Z of the Christian life. It is not accurate to think 'the gospel' is
what saves non-Christians, and then, what matures Christians is trying
hard to live according to Biblical principles. It is more accurate to
say that we are saved by believing the gospel, and then we are
transformed in every part of our mind, heart, and life by believing
the gospel more and more deeply as our life goes on.”

THE GOSPEL VS. RELIGION
The gospel is "I am accepted through Christ, therefore I obey" while
every other religion operates on the principle of "I obey, therefore I
am accepted." Martin Luther's fundamental insight was that this latter
principle, the principle of 'religion' is the deep default mode of the
human heart. The heart continues to work in that way even after
conversion to Christ. Though we recognize and embrace the principle of
the gospel, our hearts will always be trying to return to the mode of
self-salvation, which leads to spiritual deadness, pride and strife
and ministry ineffectiveness.
In other words, on one level, we believe the gospel but on another
level we don't believe.

So why do we over-work in ministry and burn out? Yes, we are not
practicing the Sabbath principle, but the deeper cause is unbelief in
the gospel! Why are we so devastated by criticism? The person whose
self-worth is mainly in his or her ministry performance will be
devastated by criticism of the ministry record because that record is
our very self and identity. The fundamental problem is unbelief in the
gospel.

At the root, then, of all Christian failures to live right--i.e. not
give their money generously, not tell the truth, not care for the
poor, not handle worry and anxiety--is the sin under all sins, the sin
of unbelief, of not rejoicing deeply in God's grace in Christ, not
living out of our new identity in Christ. This means that every week
in a different way the minister must apply the gospel of salvation by
grace through faith through Christ's work. Thus every week the
non-Christians get exposed to the gospel.
Underneath our behavioral sins lies a fundamental refusal to rest in
Christ's salvation and the drive instead to find our own.

Here is an excerpt from Martin Luther Treatise Concerning Good Works (1520):
All those who do not in all their works or sufferings, life and death,
trust in God's favor, grace and good-will, but rather seek His favor
in other things or in themselves, do not keep the [First] Commandment,
and practice real idolatry, even if they were to do the works of all
the other Commandments, and in addition had all the prayers, fasting,
obedience, patience, chastity, and innocence of all the saints
combined.
If we doubt or do not believe that God is gracious and pleased with
us, or if we presumptuously expect to please Him through our works,
then all [our compliance with the law] is pure deception, outwardly
honoring God, but inwardly setting up self as a false savior. Note for
yourself, then, how far apart these two are: keeping the First
Commandment with outward works only, and keeping it with inward
[justifying faith]. For this last makes true, living children of God,
the other only makes worse idolatry and the most mischievous
hypocrites on earth...
Comment: Luther says that if we obey God's law without a belief that
we are already accepted and loved in Christ, then in all our
'doing-good', we are really looking to something more than Jesus as
the real source of our meaning, and happiness. We are trusting in our
being a good parent, or being a good spouse, or our moral uprightness,
or our spiritual performance, or our service to other people as our
real "Saviors". If we aren't sure God already loves us in Christ, we
will be looking to something else as our foundational significance and
worth. This is why Luther says that we are committing idolatry
(breaking the First commandment) if we don't thoroughly trust in
Christ for our acceptability, even if we are otherwise totally moral
and obedient to God.

Religion is 'outside in': "if I work hard according to Biblical
principles, then God will accept/bless me". The gospel is 'inside
out': "because God has accepted/blessed me, I work hard to live
according to Biblical principles". Religion (explicitly in other
faiths and implicitly in legalistic Christianity) makes
moral/religious observance a means of salvation. Even people who
believe in the Christian God can functionally 'base their
justification on their sanctification' (Lovelace).

THE TWO "THIEVES" OF THE GOSPEL.
Tertullian said, "Just as Christ was crucified between two thieves, so
this doctrine of justification is ever crucified between two opposite
errors." Tertullian meant that there were two basic false ways of
thinking, each of which "steals" the power and the distinctiveness of
the gospel from us by pulling us "off the gospel line" (Gal. 2:14) to
one side or the other. These two errors are very powerful, because
they represent the natural tendency of the human heart and mind. These
"thieves" can be called moralism on the one hand, and or relativism on
the other hand.

The main problem, then, in the Christian life is that we have not
thought out the deep implications of the gospel, we have not "used"
the gospel in and on all parts of our life. Richard Lovelace says that
most people's problems are just a failure to be oriented to the
gospel--a failure to grasp and believe it through and through. Luther
says, "The truth of the Gospel is the principle article of all
Christian doctrine ...Most necessary is it that we know this article
well, teach it to others, and beat it into their heads continually."
(on Gal.2:14f).

The gospel produces a unique blend of humility and boldness/joy in the
convert. If you preach just a demanding God, the listener will have
"low self-esteem"; if you preach just an all-loving God, the listener
will have higher self-esteem. But the gospel produces something beyond
both of those. The gospel says: I am so lost Jesus had to die to save
me. But I am so loved that Jesus was glad to die to save me. That
changes the very basis of my identity--it transforms me from the root.

So we see that we must move away from the typical 'conservative
evangelical' preaching which basically says: "Irreligion and
immorality is bad; moral living is very good; Christianity is best."
Of course it is better to not rob and kill, whether you are a
Christian or not! But gospel preaching is careful to show the 'dark
side' of morality, so that non-Christians (who see the dangers of
religiosity and self-righteousness) will realize the gospel is
something else, and so that Christians will not be trapped in the
lifelessness of moral self-effort.”


God Blessed You!!

Gods Discipline

By Troy Thackwray

"Hebrews 12:7 is clear on the nature of God's discipline - that "it is for discipline that you have to endure". Which means that the process of correctly enduring hardship is, infact, our discipline (this word "discipline" is also referred to as "chastened" in some translations, but in the Greek simply means tutorage, education, training - it's got nothing to do with punishment or any form of reaction between God and us, regarding sin or bad behaviour!).

While Hebrews 12:7 describes the nature of our discipline, Hebrews 12:10 describes the purpose of this discipline, which is "for our good, that we may share in His holiness".

There would be many contradictions in scripture if the Holy Spirit was "leading us into all truth" by pointing out our mistakes and failures against an expired covenant of law. Hebrews 12:5 uses an interesting word to further explain this, it says "and you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons...". If discipline was punishment, then the correct word here should be "wrath" and not "exhortation", because exhortation means 'solace: comfort in distress, consolation', how would pointing us to the law (i.e. exposing our sins/bad behaviour) by the Holy Spirit create comfort and rest, when the law "increases sin"?

So the question is, what role does the Holy Spirit play in our discipline then?
Comfort...Strength...revelation of truth...gifts to edify...hope -------- all of this against the enemy!

The new testament says that our battle is not against flesh and blood. It's a spiritual enemy we have, but an enemy nonetheless. However, how awesome is this:
The only thing about the church that poses a threat to the enemy is our FAITH (our dependance and reliance on God). If he can topple that, he can render us ineffective, yet it is our faith in Jesus (Hebrews 12:2(a)) that helps us endure the schemes of the enemy.
If you think about it, why is it that so many christians are, and remain, immature babies? Is it because God's decided not to discipline (train, tutor and educate) those christians? No.
Some christians remain immature and feeble because either they are not enduring, or they are enduring under law (in themsleves and not in Christ (Heb 12:2(a)...actually, see our new covenant :-) ). It is up to us whether God trains/toturs/educates (disciplines) us - "His grace is sufficient"! And a revelation of this truth will explain exactly why we can and should literally "rejoice when facing trials", because as long as we endure them by remaining unshaken on the promises and word of God, the endurance of these becomes our training and equiping (of our character).

Anyone that says that the hardships themselves are infact from God, fail to understand the cross, the new covenant, the nature of God revealed in the new testament and the nature of God revealed in the old testament.
I specifically refer to "the gospel according to Isaiah" hahahaha - Isaiah chapter 53 & 54. Here we see clear reference to the sufferings of Christ and the glory that will follow, and it's not referring to the glory of eternity [alone], because in this very passage in Isaiah 54:14 we see an awesome promise of peace and protection, and the very next verse highlights 3 spectacular truths:

"If anyone stirs up strife...", well, we wont have to worry about strife in heaven, so clearly these wonderful promises apply to us today (where strife still exists), and not eternity.
This "strife" refers to the enemy gathering together against you (and who is our enemy....?), and God says here that whatever strife occurs, IT IS NOT HIS DOING!
As we remain in Christ, this enemy that rises against us, will fall by us.

IF GOD IS FOR US.......WHO THE "HELL" CAN BE AGAINST US!!!
Love you guys!"


God Blessed you!!

"Good news", or just "News"

During the week as i was thinking about how Good God is and His
amazing plan to redeem us back to himself - simply because He thought
we were worth it - that's Huge Love!!, I remembered an article I read
a few months back and read it again.
Its written by Andrew Wommack.


"Many people around the world who embrace “Christianity” have never
heard the true Gospel. They believe Christianity is nothing but a
different set of rules, substituting Christian “dos and don’ts” for
those of other religions. They continue to believe they must earn
their way to God and then do their best to deserve the benefits of
salvation. That’s not the true Gospel.
Accepting Jesus as your Savior with the belief that you are now going
to abide by a certain set of rules, or exchange one set for another,
is not the good news. Why? Because it still depends upon your
performance. And I can guarantee you that the devil will make sure you
know that your performance is not quite good enough. He is the accuser
of the brethren (Rev. 12:10).
The truth that makes the Gospel the “nearly-too-good-to-be-true news”
is that we are accepted by God through what Jesus did for us. The
revelation of God’s grace will deliver you from a performance
mentality to a total trust and reliance upon the Lord. Salvation is
all about God’s faithfulness, not ours! This is foundational for
maintaining a close relationship with God and receiving all the
benefits of your salvation.
Romans 1:16-17 says,
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of
God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and
also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed
from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”
The book of Romans communicates that the Gospel is the power of God.
It’s what produces the life of God in people. However, the word Gospel
has become a religious term that has lost a lot of its meaning today.
Many people associate “Gospel” with anything that has to do with
religion, specifically the Christian religion. But “Gospel” literally
means “good tidings,” or “good news.”
The Greek word euaggelion, which was translated “gospel” in
seventy-four New Testament verses, was so rare in writings outside of
the New Testament that it’s only found twice in extra-biblical
manuscripts. The reason for this is because this word not only meant
“good news,” but was actually describing “nearly-too-good-to-be-true
news.”
Much of “Christian culture” today associates the Gospel with these
statements: “You’re a sinner. If you don’t repent, you’re going to
hell.” Now, these are true statements. There is a heaven and a hell, a
God and a devil, and you will go to hell if you don’t repent and
receive salvation, but even though all of that is truth, it’s not
“good news.” It’s not “the Gospel.”
As a matter of fact, it’s the complete opposite of what Paul was
teaching. Roman 2:4 says it’s the goodness of God that leads us to
repentance, not judgment and condemnation. That is what Paul was
talking about, and that is “good news.”
The Gospel is directly related to the grace of God. That’s the only
way this forgiveness of our sins can be obtained. It isn’t through our
holiness or good works. God doesn’t take the “good” people and save
them; He justifies (extends salvation toward) the ungodly (Rom. 4:5).
This causes many problems for religious people. They say, “Wait a
minute! I believe you must do this and that to be holy.”
Religion—false religion, man’s concepts—teaches that right standing
with God and His blessings come as a result of our own goodness and
works.
Religious teachers say, “You must come to our church. You must pay
your tithes, read your Bible, and pray more, to mention a few. Then,
if you do all these things just right, God will accept you.” That’s
anti-Gospel! It’s against the “good news” of God’s grace because it’s
putting the burden of salvation on your back—and you can’t bear it.
Nobody can save themselves.
That’s basically the false “Gospel” that religion preaches today. They
may talk about the one true God and use terminology like “God the
Father.” They may even mention that Jesus is the Savior of the world
who died for our sins. But at its core, it’s another “Gospel”—which is
no Gospel at all (Gal. 1:7).
The Gospel isn’t only the belief in salvation, but it’s also the
understanding of the means by which this salvation is obtained. “If
you’ll act good and do good, then you’ll be good” isn’t the true
Gospel. Notice what Paul said while addressing the very first
ministers’ conference at Ephesus:
“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto
myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry,
which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the
grace of God” (Acts 20:24).
Another way Paul could have said this is, “I am testifying of the
Gospel—which is the good news of the grace of God.” The words “Gospel”
and “grace” are terms that can be used interchangeably. The good
news—or Gospel—is the grace of God.
Even the word salvation is misunderstood. Evangelical Christianity
says that salvation is a one-time occurrence, an experience when your
sins are forgiven. That’s true, there is a moment when you pass from
death to life, but that is not all that happens. It’s an incomplete
definition. Salvation isn’t limited to the initial born-again
experience.
Salvation is everything Jesus purchased for us through the atonement.
Sozo, the Greek word from which “salvation” was translated means more
than forgiveness of sin; it also means healing, deliverance, and
prosperity. It’s a word that summarizes everything that Jesus provided
for us through His death, burial, and resurrection.
James 5:14-15 vividly illustrates how salvation includes both healing
and forgiveness of sin:
“Is any sick among you? let him call for this elders of the church;
and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the
Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save [sozo] the sick, and the Lord
shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be
forgiven him” (brackets mine).
Salvation is a package deal and it’s all accomplished by the grace of
God, not our works. However, Satan is always trying to deceive us. He
is the one who wants us to believe we must earn things from God. He is
the one causing us to doubt the Lord’s willingness to use His ability
on our behalf, and unfortunately, the church is often reinforcing that
belief.
I’ve had many believers come up to me in the prayer lines asking, “Why
am I not healed? I’ve fasted, prayed, and studied the Word. I pay my
tithes and go to church. I’m doing the best I can. What does God
demand?” When I hear that, they have just given me the answer to their
question. They aren’t pointing to what Jesus did; they are pointing to
what they have done, and that always leads to failure.
Most people believe that God moves in their lives proportional to
their performance. That was the error Paul was dealing with in the
book of Romans. When Paul came along and said “I’m not ashamed of the
Gospel!” he was saying “I am not ashamed to tell people about the
goodness, grace, and mercy of God. The Lord loves us in spite of who
we are and what we’ve done.” Now that’s “good news!”
The religious folks of Paul’s day thought this was terrible. They
believed what he was preaching was heresy. People needed to recognize
and relate to God based on how sorry they were. God wasn’t happy with
them or the way they were acting. They were just worms in His sight.
Sound familiar?
On the surface it looks like a humble position. In reality, it’s
actually making a person’s relationship with God dependent on self.
“Look what I have done for the Lord, how holy I’ve been, and how much
I’ve denied myself.” This is actually a very self-centered,
self-dependent way of approaching God that never produces any fruit in
your life.
Religion wants to make sure that people know they are sinners and on
their way to hell. However, the truth is that they already know that.
Romans 1:18-19 says,
“For the wrath of God is revealed [not going to be, but already is
revealed] from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of
men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be
known of God is manifest in them; for God hath [past tense] shewed it
unto them” (brackets mine).
God’s wrath has already been revealed intuitively inside of every
person. Each individual has within them the knowledge of God’s wrath
against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. So when someone
wonders If I just tell people about the goodness of God, what will
make them understand that they are sinners in need of salvation?
Paul’s answer was that they already knew. In their hearts, people
already know that they aren’t good, but sinners in need of salvation.
The point is that you don’t have to bombard people with the fact that
they are sinners; deep in their hearts they already know. You may need
to spend some time on that issue in order to make your point and
strike that chord in their hearts, but not by condemning them and
restricting them to religious dos and don’ts. Paul was saying, “That’s
not the true approach.”
It’s the Gospel—the nearly-too-good-to-be-true news that God has
provided. It’s salvation for us by grace that empowers men to receive
the forgiveness of their sins, the healing of their bodies, the
deliverance from Satan’s oppression, and more. We don’t need to
convince people they are sinners; we need to show them the way out.
That’s the Gospel!
Do you need to be healed? The power for healing is in the Gospel. Do
you need to be prospered financially? The power for financial
prosperity is in the Gospel. Do you need to be delivered from the
power of demonic influence, from depression, from yourself, or from
something else? The power for deliverance is in the Gospel! The Gospel
is the power of God. It’s “nearly too good to be true.”


God Blessed you!