12/19/2017
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Do you ever fill burden down by all the “LAWS” that make up living your life as an “American Evangelical Christian” or any other RELIGION for that matter?
If your answer is YES, then you are one of the ones JESUS was sent to the EARTH to LIVE and DIE and LIVE again for. If your answer is NO or not really then you are definitely being blinded by the RELIGION you are following.
We learn from John that Jesus had to come into the World be lifted up only to end up dying to the flesh so that sinful mankind could be saved through His shed blood.
Just as Moses lifted up the [bronze] serpent in the desert [on a pole], so must the Son of Man be lifted up [on the cross], so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life [after physical death, and will actually live forever]. “For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge and condemn the world [that is, to initiate the final judgment of the world], but that the world might be saved through Him. Whoever believes and has decided to trust in Him [as personal Savior and Lord] is not judged [for this one, there is no judgment, no rejection, no condemnation]; but the one who does not believe [and has decided to reject Him as personal Savior and Lord] is judged already [that one has been convicted and sentenced], because he has not believed and trusted in the name of the [One and] only begotten Son of God [the One who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, the One who alone can save him]. John 3:14-18
So as you can see God loves His Creation so much that sending His One and Only Son to die for the sins of ALL mankind was the only option He felt was left to do. Considering God promised Noah that He would not flood the World again and sealed that promise with the Rainbow; it is amazing that He would send His Only Son to try and make things right between mankind and Him again.
I will establish My covenant with you: Never again shall all flesh be cut off by the water of a flood, nor shall there ever again be a flood to destroy and ruin the earth.” And God said, “This is the token (visible symbol, memorial) of the [solemn] covenant which I am making between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations; I set My rainbow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth. Genesis 9:11-13
God also tells that Jesus did not come in this World to judge or condemn the World; His mission was to teach the World how they could have everlasting life free from the Bondage of Sin through believing and trusting in Him. Praise God for His great love for ALL of us, including God’s Rainbow Children, the LGBTQI+ Community. Jesus paid the price for ALL mankind.
There are so many RELIGIONS in the world today that one can become a SLAVE to the BONDAGE of LAWS made by MANKIND to keep you enslaved to that RELIGION.
Thankfully we have a SAVIOR that sits at the RIGHT HAND of the FATHER in HEAVENLY PLACES that actually FREED us from the BONDAGE of RELIGIOUS LAWS. Read these Scriptures to know the Jesus Christ GOD sent to make you whole.
Through a study of the NEW TESTAMENT you will find that JESUS was sent by GOD to become sinful flesh that NEVER SINNED to be sacrificed so the OLD LAW, which NO MAN or WOMAN could keep, could ONCE and FOR ETERNITY be FULFILLED in HIM FREEING EVERYONE who FOLLOWS HIM from the LAW. Let us take a look at what the Word of God has to say about being freed from the Law of Moses being saved by Grace through the Blood of Jesus Christ, the only Son of the Almighty God.
Escape now from the Bondage of Sin and Death through the TRUTH which sets you Free. Therefore there is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior]. For the law of the Spirit of life [which is] in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For what the Law could not do [that is, overcome sin and remove its penalty, its power] being weakened by the flesh [man’s nature without the Holy Spirit], God did: He sent His own Son in the likeness of sinful man as an offering for sin. And He condemned sin in the flesh [subdued it and overcame it in the person of His own Son], so that the [righteous and just] requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us who do not live our lives in the ways of the flesh [guided by worldliness and our sinful nature], but [live our lives] in the ways of the Spirit [guided by His power]. For those who are living according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh [which gratify the body], but those who are living according to the Spirit, [set their minds on] the things of the Spirit [His will and purpose]. Now the mind of the flesh is death [both now and forever—because it pursues sin]; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace [the spiritual well-being that comes from walking with God—both now and forever]; the mind of the flesh [with its sinful pursuits] is actively hostile to God. It does not submit itself to God’s law, since it cannot, and those who are in the flesh [living a life that caters to sinful appetites and impulses] cannot please God. However, you are not [living] in the flesh [controlled by the sinful nature] but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God lives in you [directing and guiding you]. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him [and is not a child of God]. If Christ lives in you, though your [natural] body is dead because of sin, your spirit is alive because of righteousness [which He provides]. And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you. So then, [brothers and sisters, we have an obligation, but not to our flesh [our human nature, our worldliness, our sinful capacity], to live according to the [impulses of the] flesh [our nature without the Holy Spirit]—for if you are living according to the [impulses of the] flesh, you are going to die. But if [you are living] by the [power of the Holy] Spirit you are habitually putting to death the sinful deeds of the body, you will [really] live forever. For all who are allowing themselves to be led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading again to fear [of God’s judgment], but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons [the Spirit producing sonship] by which we [joyfully] cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies and confirms together with our spirit [assuring us] that we [believers] are children of God. And if [we are His] children, [then we are His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His spiritual blessing and inheritance], if indeed we share in His suffering so that we may also share in His glory. Romans 8:1-17
Here we just learned 6 amazing things God did for All who chose to trust and follow in His Son Christ Jesus.
1. No more condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment].
2. The Law of the Spirit of Life which is in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
3. He condemned sin in the flesh [subdued it and overcame it in the person of His own Son].
4. If Christ lives in you, though your [natural] body is dead because of sin, your spirit is alive because of righteousness [which He provides].
5. If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.
6. As long as you live by the Power of the Holy Spirit of God and not the fleshly desires [our human nature, our worldliness, our sinful capacity] you become children of God , heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His spiritual blessing and inheritance] which is eternal life with God.
Now that sounds like a God who really has a great love for His creation. There was absolutely nothing in that Scripture that condemns the LGBTQI+ Community. The only thing we find in this Scripture is a NEW BEING through believing and following Jesus.
Now let’s take a look at what it means to Walk or Live by the Holy Spirit of God given to us in Galatians 5.
It was for this freedom that Christ set us free [completely liberating us]; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery [which you once removed]. Notice, it is I, Paul, who tells you that if you receive circumcision [as a supposed requirement of salvation], Christ will be of no benefit to you [for you will lack the faith in Christ that is necessary for salvation]. Once more I solemnly affirm to every man who receives circumcision [as a supposed requirement of salvation], that he is under obligation and required to keep the whole Law. You have been severed from Christ, if you seek to be justified [that is, declared free of the guilt of sin and its penalty, and placed in right standing with God] through the Law; you have fallen from grace [for you have lost your grasp on God’s unmerited favor and blessing]. For we [not relying on the Law but] through the [strength and power of the Holy] Spirit, by faith, are waiting [confidently] for the hope of righteousness [the completion of our salvation]. For [if we are] in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but only faith activated and expressed and working through love. You were running [the race] well; who has interfered and prevented you from obeying the truth? This [deceptive] persuasion is not from Him who called you [to freedom in Christ]. A little leaven [a slight inclination to error, or a few false teachers] leavens the whole batch [it perverts the concept of faith and misleads the church]. I have confidence in you in the Lord that you will adopt no other view [contrary to mine on the matter]; but the one who is disturbing you, whoever he is, will have to bear the penalty. But as for me, brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision [as I had done before I met Christ; and as some accuse me of doing now, as necessary for salvation], why am I still being persecuted [by Jews]? In that case the stumbling block of the cross [to unbelieving Jews] has been abolished. I wish that those who are troubling you [by teaching that circumcision is necessary for salvation] would even [go all the way and] castrate themselves! For you, my brothers, were called to freedom; only do not let your freedom become an opportunity for the sinful nature (worldliness, selfishness), but through love serve and seek the best for one another. For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is fulfilled in one precept, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, you shall have an unselfish concern for others and do things for their benefit].” But if you bite and devour one another [in bickering and strife], watch out that you [along with your entire fellowship] are not consumed by one another. But I say, walk habitually in the [Holy] Spirit [seek Him and be responsive to His guidance], and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the sinful nature [which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts]. For the sinful nature has its desire which is opposed to the Spirit, and the [desire of the] Spirit opposes the sinful nature; for these [two, the sinful nature and the Spirit] are in direct opposition to each other [continually in conflict], so that you [as believers] do not [always] do whatever [good things] you want to do. But if you are guided and led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the Law. Now the practices of the sinful nature are clearly evident: they are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control), idolatry, sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote heresies], envy, drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature together with its passions and appetites. If we [claim to] live by the [Holy] Spirit, we must also walk by the Spirit [with personal integrity, godly character, and moral courage—our conduct empowered by the Holy Spirit]. We must not become conceited, challenging or provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5
Here we have learned 12 amazing fact about living in the FREEDOM the Holy Spirit brings to us when we chose to believe and follow Christ Jesus, leaving our old sinful nature behind.
1. Christ set us free [completely liberating us] from the yoke of slavery and bondage [which we removed] when we chose to follow Him.
2. Circumcision [as a supposed requirement of salvation under the old law] is of no benefit to you who chose to follow Christ Jesus.
3. According to the New Law those who chose circumcision lacked faith in Jesus as their Salvation therefore they were to continue living under the old law.
4. If you seek to be justified [that is, declared free of guilt of sin and its penalty, and placed in right standing with God] through the Law; you will be severed from Christ, will have fallen from grace therefore losing your grasp on God’s unmerited favor and blessing.
5. Do NOT let yourself be deceived by false teachers who pervert the concept of faith and mislead the church. Those false teachers will bear the penalty for trying to deceive those who believe in Christ Jesus.
6. We are called to freedom; however we must not let our freedom become an opportunity for the sinful nature [worldliness, selfishness] take hold, but we must through love serve and seek the best for one another.
7. The Whole Law is fulfilled in one precept, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, you shall have an unselfish concern for others and do things for their benefit].”
8. If you walk habitually in the Holy Spirit seeking Him and being responsive to His guidance, then you will not carry out the desire of the sinful nature. Our sinful nature always opposes the Holy Spirit so we must chose to live by the Holy Spirit.
9. Now the practices of the sinful nature are clearly evident: they are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control), idolatry, sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote heresies], envy, drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
10. The fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature together with its passions and appetites.
11. If we [claim to] live by the [Holy] Spirit, we must also walk by the Spirit [with personal integrity, godly character, and moral courage—our conduct empowered by the Holy Spirit].
12. We must not become conceited, challenging or provoking one another, envying one another.
I know this may seem a little overwhelming to someone who has never decided to follow Christ
Jesus, but it really is simple. Jesus wants us to love and follow Him and love our fellow mankind as He has loved us. He gives His Followers FREEDOM over sin and darkness. Here are some encouraging Scriptures to learn just how easy it is to be a Follower of Jesus.
James 4:7 tells us that when we, “submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] that he will flee from you.” So you can see from this one little verse that the devil is afraid of God; therefore he is afraid of the Spirit of God that lives in you when you chose to follow Christ Jesus.
2 Corinthians 3:17 – “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty [emancipation from bondage, true freedom].”
1 Corinthians 6:12 – “Everything is permissible for me, but not all things are beneficial. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be enslaved by anything [and brought under its power, allowing it to control me.]
Galatians 3:22 - But the Scripture has imprisoned everyone [everything—the entire world] under sin, so that [the inheritance, the blessing of salvation] which was promised through faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe [in Him and acknowledge Him as God’s precious Son].
Ephesians 3:10-12 – “So now through the church the multifaceted wisdom of God [in all its countless aspects] might now be made known [revealing the mystery] to the [angelic] rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This is in accordance with [the terms of] the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him [that is, our faith gives us sufficient courage to freely and openly approach God through Christ].”
Acts 13:38-39 - So let it be clearly known by you, brothers, that through Him forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you; and through Him everyone who believes [who acknowledges Jesus as Lord and Savior and follows Him] is justified and declared free of guilt from all things, from which you could not be justified and freed of guilt through the Law of Moses.
Romans 6:22-23 - But now since you have been set free from sin and have become [willing] slaves to God, you have your benefit, resulting in sanctification [being made holy and set apart for God’s purpose], and the outcome [of this] is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God [that is, His remarkable, overwhelming gift of grace to believers] is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
1 Peter 2:16 - Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover or pretext for evil, but [use it and live] as bond-servants of God.
Colossians 1:21-23 - And although you were at one time estranged and alienated and hostile-minded [toward Him], participating in evil things, yet Christ has now reconciled you [to God] in His physical body through death, in order to present you before the Father holy and blameless and beyond reproach— [and He will do this] if you continue in the faith, well-grounded and steadfast, and not shifting away from the [confident] hope [that is a result] of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which [gospel] I, Paul, was made a minister.
Galatians 2:4 - My concern was because of the false brothers [those people masquerading as Christians] who had been secretly smuggled in [to the community of believers]. They had slipped in to spy on the freedom which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us back into bondage [under the Law of Moses].
Isaiah 61:1 – “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed and commissioned me to bring good news to the humble and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up [the wounds of] the brokenhearted, To proclaim release [from confinement and condemnation] to the [physical and spiritual] captives and freedom to prisoners”
Luke 4:18 - “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me (the Messiah), Because He has anointed Me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent Me to announce release (pardon, forgiveness) to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are oppressed (downtrodden, bruised, crushed by tragedy)
Here are a few Scriptures to teach you what living in Spiritual Bondage looks like.
2 Timothy 2:25-26 - He must correct those who are in opposition with courtesy and gentleness in the hope that God may grant that they will repent and be led to the knowledge of the truth [accurately understanding and welcoming it], and that they may come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.
John 8:34 - Jesus answered, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, everyone who practices sin habitually is a slave of sin.
Hebrews 2:14 - Therefore, since [these His] children share in flesh and blood [the physical nature of mankind], He Himself in a similar manner also shared in the same [physical nature, but without sin], so that through [experiencing] death He might make powerless (ineffective, impotent) him who had the power of death—that is, the devil—
Romans 7:24 – Wretched and miserable man that I am! Who will [rescue me and] set me free from this body of death [this corrupt, mortal existence]?
Romans 6:18 – And having been set free from sin, you have become the slaves of righteousness [of conformity to God’s will and purpose].
1Timothy 3:7 –And he must have a good reputation and be well thought of by those outside the church, so that he will not be discredited and fall into the devil’s trap.
Once you learn to let the Holy Spirit of God guide your life, you find out that the power you have received through the Holy Spirit will be evident in the way you talk, live your life and interact with other people. Through the Power of the Holy Spirit we are given Power to lay hands on the sick and see them healed by the blood of Jesus, we can cast out demons that possess and oppress people, and many more signs and miracles will follow you. One of the greatest bondages a person can live under is following after the ways of a pagan cult. Let us now see how we are to handle those who would claim to be followers of Jesus, yet their actions prove they are following the ways of a pagan cult.
In Acts 8:9-24 we read about a man named Simon who practiced magic; but when he saw the Great Miracles that followed the Disciples of Christ Jesus, he lusted for that power even offering to pay them for the power. Read how the Disciples responded to Simon.
Now there was a man named Simon, who previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great. They all paid [a great deal of] attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is what is called the Great Power of God!” They were paying attention to him because for a long time he had mystified and dazzled them with his magic. But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, both men and women. Even Simon believed [Philip’s message of salvation]; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he watched the attesting signs and great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed. When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that [the people of] Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. They came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; for He had not yet fallen on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus [as His possession]. Then Peter and John laid their hands on them [one by one], and they received the Holy Spirit. Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this authority and power too, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter said to him, “May your money be destroyed along with you, because you thought you could buy the [free] gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this matter, because your heart (motive, purpose) is not right before God. So repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, this thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are provoked by bitterness and bound by sin.” But Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me both of you, so that nothing of what you have said will come upon me.” Acts 8:9-24
Peter and John could tell that Simon was wanting POWER for personal gain, instead of the glorification of Christ Jesus who had paid the price so mankind could FREELY receive the POWER through the HOLY SPIRIT. Peter used the words of Deuteronomy 29 to cause Simon to think very seriously about his sin and the dire consequences which could follow, if repentance were not sincere and speedy. Here we see a man who wanted to buy what was Freely given by God, therefore he was not allowed to obtain it. Simon was a man who operated in the Flesh and NOT the Holy Spirit of God.
Even today we have many “False Preachers and Teachers” operating in the flesh and not the Holy Spirit of God deceiving many as they ROB them of their MONEY. I am sure you will be able to pick out some of the many “False Preachers and Teachers” once you see what the Word of God says about them. The Word of God tells us the Rise of False Prophets will be plentiful in the Last Days.
The Rise of False Prophets
But [in those days] false prophets arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will subtly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways, and because of them the way of truth will be maligned. And in their greed they will exploit you with false arguments and twisted doctrine. Their sentence [of condemnation which God has decreed] from a time long ago is not idle [but is still in force], and their destruction and deepening misery is not asleep [but is on its way]. For if God did not [even] spare angels that sinned, but threw them into hell and sent them to pits of gloom to be kept [there] for judgment; and if He did not spare the ancient world, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought [the judgment of] a flood upon the world of the ungodly; and if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly lives thereafter; and if He rescued righteous Lot, who was tormented by the immoral conduct of unprincipled and ungodly men (for that just man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by what he saw and heard of their lawless acts), then [in light of the fact that all this is true, be sure that] the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trial, and how to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, and especially those who indulge in the corrupt passions of the sin nature, and despise authority. Presumptuous and reckless, self-willed and arrogant [creatures, despising the majesty of the Lord], they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties, whereas even angels who are superior in might and power do not bring a reviling (defaming) accusation against them before the Lord. But these [false teachers], like unreasoning animals, [mere] creatures of instinct, born to be captured and destroyed, reviling things they do not understand, will also perish in their own corruption [in their destroying they will be destroyed], suffering wrong [destined for punishment] as the wages of doing wrong. They count it a delight to revel in the daytime [living luxuriously]. They are stains and blemishes [on mankind], reveling in their deceptions even as they feast with you. They have eyes full of adultery, constantly looking for sin, enticing and luring away unstable souls. Having hearts trained in greed, [they are] children of a curse. Abandoning the straight road [that is, the right way to live], they have gone astray; they have followed the way of [the false teacher] Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the reward of wickedness; but he was rebuked for his own transgression: a mute donkey spoke with a man’s voice and restrained the prophet’s madness. These [false teachers] are springs without water and mists driven by a tempest, for whom is reserved the gloom of black darkness. For uttering arrogant words of vanity [pompous words disguised to sound scholarly or profound, but meaning nothing and containing no spiritual truth], they beguile and lure using lustful desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error. They promise them liberty, when they themselves are the slaves of depravity—for by whatever anyone is defeated and overcome, to that [person, thing, philosophy, or concept] he is continually enslaved. For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world by [personal] knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, their last condition has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them not to have [personally] known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to have turned back from the holy commandment [verbally] handed on to them. The thing spoken of in the true proverb has happened to them, “The dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “A sow is washed only to wallow [again] in the mire.” 2 Peter 2
False Preachers - Being and Doing
“Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention. “Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don’t be impressed with charisma; look for character. Who preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook. These diseased trees with their bad apples are going to be chopped down and burned. “Knowing the correct password—saying ‘Master, Master,’ for instance—isn’t going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills. I can see it now—at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, ‘Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.’ And do you know what I am going to say? ‘You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don’t impress me one bit. You’re out of here.’ “These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock. “But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards.” When Jesus concluded his address, the crowd burst into applause. They had never heard teaching like this. It was apparent that he was living everything he was saying—quite a contrast to their religion teachers! This was the best teaching they had ever heard. Matthew 7:15-29
“Difficult Times Will Come”
But understand this, that in the last days dangerous times [of great stress and trouble] will come [difficult days that will be hard to bear]. For people will be lovers of self [narcissistic, self-focused], lovers of money [impelled by greed], boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane, [and they will be] unloving [devoid of natural human affection, calloused and inhumane], irreconcilable, malicious gossips, devoid of self-control [intemperate, immoral], brutal, haters of good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of [sensual] pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith]. Avoid such people and keep far away from them. For among them are those who worm their way into homes and captivate morally weak and spiritually-dwarfed women weighed down by [the burden of their] sins, easily swayed by various impulses, always learning and listening to anybody who will teach them, but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres [the court magicians of Egypt] opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, unqualified and worthless [as teachers] in regard to the faith. But they will not get very far, for their meaningless nonsense and ignorance will become obvious to everyone, as was that of Jannes and Jambres. 2 Timothy 3:1-9
What did we learn from these three different passages of Scripture about “False Preachers and Teachers”?
1. They will subtly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction on themselves.
2. Many will follow their shameful ways, and because of them the way of TRUTH will be maligned.
3. In their greed they will exploit you with false argument and twisted doctrine.
4. God will punish the False Preachers and Teachers just like He has done the wicked generations of people in the past.
5. God delivers those who follow after His ways, but brings destruction upon those who disobey Him.
6. The False Preachers and Teachers are presumptuous and reckless, self-willed and arrogant [creatures, despising the majesty of the Lord], they do not fear angels or the Lord.
7. These [false teachers], like unreasoning animals, [mere] creatures of instinct, born to be captured and destroyed, reviling things they do not understand, will also perish in their own corruption [in their destroying they will be destroyed], suffering wrong [destined for punishment] as the wages of doing wrong. They count it a delight to revel in the daytime [living luxuriously].
8. They are stains and blemishes [on mankind], reveling in their deceptions even as they feast with you.
9. They have eyes full of adultery, constantly looking for sin, enticing and luring away unstable souls.
10. Their hearts are full of greed; children of a curse.
11. They have strayed from the ways of the Lord, choosing instead the reward of wickedness.
12. They are springs without water and mists driven by a tempest, for whom is reserved the gloom of black darkness.
13. They utter arrogant words of vanity [pompous words disguised to sound scholarly or profound, but meaning nothing and containing no spiritual truth]
14. They beguile in error.
15. They promise liberty, even though they are the slaves of depravity [defeated and overcome] to that [person, thing, philosophy, or concept] he is continually enslaved.
16. It would have been better if they had never known the ways of the Lord, yet they fall away, come back, then fall away again. They have become the thing spoken of in the true proverb, “The dog returns to his own vomit”, and , “A sow is washed only to wallow [again] in the mud.”
17. They will be lovers of self [narcissistic, self-focused], lovers of money [impelled by greed], boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane, [and they will be] unloving [devoid of natural human affection, calloused and inhumane], irreconcilable, malicious gossips, devoid of self-control [intemperate, immoral], brutal, haters of good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of [sensual] pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith].
18. Avoid such people and keep far away from them. For among them are those who worm their way into homes and captivate morally weak and spiritually-dwarfed women weighed down by [the burden of their] sins, easily swayed by various impulses, always learning and listening to anybody who will teach them, but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
19. Just as Jannes and Jambres [the court magicians of Egypt] opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, unqualified and worthless [as teachers] in regard to the faith. But they will not get very far, for their meaningless nonsense and ignorance will become obvious to everyone, as was that of Jannes and Jambres.
20. Teachers of False shortcuts to God flooding the market with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff even though the crowds of people do.
21. Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other.
22. Don’t be impressed with charisma; look for character. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook.
23. Knowing the correct password—saying ‘Master, Master,’ for instance—isn’t going to get you anywhere with me.
24. I can see it now—at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, ‘Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.’ And do you know what I am going to say? ‘You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don’t impress me one bit. You’re out of here.
25. But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards.”
Following after Jesus and NOT these many “False Preacher and Teachers”, allowing His Truths to penetrate your life so you live your life according to His Will, you will be like the smart carpenter who built his house on a ROCK and nothing could destroy it. Jesus is our ROCK. Let’s go back now and finish Romans 8.
Here in verses 18-25 we learn that the World is actually looking for the POWER that we as believers receive from God through the Holy Spirit when we Follow Jesus and Do the Will of the Father.
“For I consider [from the standpoint of faith] that the sufferings of the present life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us! For [even the whole] creation [all nature] waits eagerly for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration and futility, not willingly [because of some intentional fault on its part], but by the will of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will also be freed from its bondage to decay [and gain entrance] into the glorious freedom of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been moaning together as in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only this, but we too, who have the first fruits of the Spirit [a joyful indication of the blessings to come], even we groan inwardly, as we wait eagerly for [the sign of] our adoption as sons—the redemption and transformation of our body [at the resurrection]. For in this hope we were saved [by faith]. But hope [the object of] which is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait eagerly for it with patience and composure.” Romans 8:18-25
Finally my friends know that you will have Victory in Christ Jesus through the anointing of the Holy Spirit in your life as seen in verses 26-39.
“In the same way the Spirit [comes to us and] helps us in our weakness. We do not know what prayer to offer or how to offer it as we should, but the Spirit Himself [knows our need and at the right time] intercedes on our behalf with sighs and groanings too deep for words. And He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because the Spirit intercedes [before God] on behalf of God’s people in accordance with God’s will. And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose. For those whom He foreknew [and loved and chose beforehand], He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son [and ultimately share in His complete sanctification], so that He would be the firstborn [the most beloved and honored] among many believers. And those whom He predestined, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified [declared free of the guilt of sin]; and those whom He justified, He also glorified [raising them to a heavenly dignity]. What then shall we say to all these things? If God is for us, who can be [successful] against us? He who did not spare [even] His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against God’s elect (His chosen ones)? It is God who justifies us [declaring us blameless and putting us in a right relationship with Himself]. Who is the one who condemns us? Christ Jesus is the One who died [to pay our penalty], and more than that, who was raised [from the dead], and who is at the right hand of God interceding [with the Father] for us. Who shall ever separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? Just as it is written and forever remains written,“For Your sake we are put to death all day long;We are regarded as sheep for the slaughter.”
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us]. For I am convinced [and continue to be convinced—beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:18-39
Praise God for setting us ALL FREE, including the LGBTQI+ people, who have chosen to follow Christ Jesus and His Law of Grace, instead of being in BONDAGE to the Law of Moses that so many “Evangelical Christians” still try to get their followers to abide in.
Remember NO ONE could keep ALL the LAWS of MOSES so GOD sent HIS SON JESUS CHRIST in the “flesh” of mankind to become the Law of Moses crucified to a cross, raised from the dead into a NEW LIFE through the LAW of GRACE. Glory to God from whom all BLESSINGS FLOW to ALL [including LGBTQI+] who chose to Follow Jesus and His Law of Grace and Love.
Blessings and Peace,
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