Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Basing Our Lives on the Word of God Rightly Divided

Fraudulent voting, the right to bear arms, and abortion are three different issues. They may be lumped together in certain references, but for real clarity’s sake, wouldn't it be wise to discuss them separately? (Note: We must know that some people don’t want real clarity. They intentionally present things in a way that promotes their aspirations and brings about confusion and ignorance rather than clarity, therefore keeping the uninformed under their control. History proves that this has worked time and time again.)

In discussing any topic, on what standard of truth or fact should one base their statements or conclusions? My personal preference, first and foremost, is to use the Word of God rightly divided. After that, as an American, I like to base my thoughts and statements on our U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Bill of Rights rightly divided. But the Word of God rightly divided is the bottom line and trumps everything.

In all of the topics mentioned in the opening paragraph above, it is important to recognize and accept that Americans have the freedom to express their preferences, opinions, desires, political viewpoints, etc. But Americans who are true Christians have something else to consider that is so important it absolutely affects what they will someday hear from the Lord Jesus Christ. True and mature followers of Jesus Christ are to always prayerfully continue in the Word until they know truth and have their senses trained to discern good and evil—what is of God and what is not of God. After this training in maturity, their thoughts, words, and actions will, in essence, be “Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” It becomes a lifestyle, rather than a prayer learned as a child. It brings glory to Jesus Christ and keeps our old nature, with its opinions and desires, on the cross where it belongs.

It would be wise to remember that all Christians will stand before the Lord Jesus at the Judgment Seat of Christ, where there will be only one standard of judgment—the Word of God as Jesus interprets it. Those worldly souls who do not know Christ have no other recourse than to lean to their own understanding. But regrettably, some in parts of earthly Christianity have for a long time also leaned to their own understanding while dividing the Word as they want it to be divided (or interpreted), but that will not be acceptable before the Lord. Actually, it may cause some to stand at the Great White Throne for judgment and hear Jesus say, “Depart from Me. I never knew you.”

Let’s repent where needed and begin to truly be witnesses for Jesus Christ while we are on earth. He paid it all for us and sent His Spirit to lead, guide, teach, anoint, and help us continue His work while we are on earth. The Holy Spirit is always available to teach us how Jesus interprets His Word to help us do His will and nothing but His will while on earth. Let’s submit our all to Him and look forward to someday hearing Jesus say, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” Those who stubbornly maintain their course, not allowing the Spirit to teach them, may stand at another judgment! Let's clear our minds and hearts and become students of the Word of God under the tutelage of the Holy Spirit. Let those with ears to hear, hear what the Spirit says.


 

 

 

Monday, April 1, 2013

Is Our Witness Biblically Balenced?

I stand for God and stand against what is not of God as the Spirit of God leads me. I stand for the Spirit of God and I stand against the spirit of the Antichrist which is already at work in the world around us, but I make it clear that greater is He that lives within us than he that is in the world.

I respect freedom of speech rightly divided but question that some who profess to being a follower of Jesus  spend more time focusing on exposing the wrong and not enough time on sharing the truth of Jesus and His kingdom? Jesus did spend time exposing the devil and destroying His works but He spent more time preaching and teaching the gospel of the kingdom and ministering to people and their needs. We are supposed to carry on His work!
Do we need to check our focus? Are we spending enough time and energy revealing (ministering) things such as the truth and importance of the birth of Jesus, our being born again, His life on earth, His ministry, His kingdom, His word of truth, His suffering and crucifixion for us, His resurrection, His ascension, His sending the Holy Spirit and our being baptized in the Spirit, His intercession, His desire to have a church with Him formed within, His prayer for the unity of His church, His bride preparing herself for the marriage of the Lamb, His return and our ruling and reigning with Him throughout eternity?
Let’s do all that the Word directs us to do but let’s keep the Lord’s priorities in mind and heart.  Let’s forsake all to follow Jesus; let’s seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness as we take the good news of Jesus and His kingdom into all the world as a witness to all nations (Matthew 24:14). Paul gives us a good example in the last chapter of Acts. He describes his ministry two times (Acts 28: 23, 31).