Category: religious bondage

Fallen from Grace?

Thursday, July 28, 2011

“Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace” (Galatians 5:4 KJV).

Today’s Scripture has been greatly misunderstood, often being used to support the idea of loss of salvation. The Galatians were saved because Paul called them “brethren” nine times (1:11, 3:15, 4:12, 4:28, 4:31, 5:11, 5:13, 6:1, 6:18).

“Fallen from grace” describes many Holy Spirit-indwelt Christians today. They are saved, eternally secure in Christ Jesus, but like the poor Galatians, they have fallen prey to denominationalism. They have inadvertently or deliberately abandoned God’s grace to us in Christ. Sadly, they prefer Israel’s legalistic program of time past.

Galatians 3:1-3 could be written to today’s average “Bible-believing” church: “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?”

Protestant and Catholic churches force their members to keep the Mosaic Law in order to gain favor with God. Are we saved by keeping the Law? No. We are saved by God’s grace, apart from our works (Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5). How do our Christian lives operate? On the basis of Law? No. Our Christian lives operate by Christ living in and through us, not us living the Christian life (Galatians 2:20).

“I do not frustrate [hinder, make of no effect] the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain” (Galatians 2:21). The way you prevent God’s grace from operating in your Christian life is to force yourself back under Israel’s yoke of bondage, the Mosaic Law. At that point, your Christian life will be utterly destroyed, like the Galatians’.

Brethren, do not fall from grace. “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage” (Galatians 5:1).

Little is Much

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

“And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and behold how the people cast money into the treasury: and much that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing” (Mark 12:41,42 KJV).

In today’s Scripture, Jesus watched people throw money into the Temple treasury. A poor widow cast in two mites, a farthing—only 1/64th of a laborer’s daily wages! The Lord Jesus calls over His disciples and tells them (verses 43,44): “Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.”

This poor widow had almost nothing, and yet she gave what little she did have. Today’s “make-a-quick-buck” religious systems demand you give large “tithes.” Give a generous donation for candle lighting and prayers. In special cases, some churches press their members to give away all their savings to the church!

In this the Dispensation of Grace, the Apostle Paul never sets a minimum (or maximum) for giving. Today, you cannot give “too much” or “too little.” Then how do you know what amount to give? We read in 2 Corinthians 9:7, “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” No matter how much you give, do it “cheerfully” (put your whole heart into it!).

God’s work needs to be accomplished through the ministry of the local church. It requires money. You need to consider playing a role in giving to your local grace church or ministry. Let God’s Word work in you and God’s Word working in you will cause you to give what He wants you to give. Never let someone tell you that you gave too much or too little.

If you cannot afford to give much just remember the poor widow: little is much!

Our Liberty Which We Have in Christ Jesus

Monday, July 4, 2011

“And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:” (Galatians 2:4 KJV).

Today, 235 years ago, on July 4, 1776, the United States’ Founding Fathers declared independence from Great Britain by adopting the Declaration of Independence. We in the United States are grateful for our liberties, but there is greater news in Christ. See our freedom in Christ:

  1. We are free from Satan’s control! Man fell into sin and Satan’s policy of evil in Genesis 3. But, the Bible says God “hath delivered us [Christians] from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Colossians 1:13).
  2. We are free from sin’s dominion. We do not have to serve sin. “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin” (Romans 6:6-7).
  3. We are free from the condemnation of the Law. Romans 8:1 explains: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
  4. We are free from the bondage of works-religion! Galatians 5:1 says: “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” The Galatian believers were deceived by a false gospel, believing they had to work for their salvation. Hence, they were in bondage to the Mosaic Law (see today’s Scripture).
  5. We are free from self-righteousness. Ephesians 2:8,9 say: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” We are saved by Christ’s righteousness, not ours (Romans 3:21; 2 Corinthians 5:21)!

We are free in Christ! Never let someone rob you of that freedom by forcing you under Israel’s performance-based acceptance system.

A Heavenly Way to Hell

Friday, June 24, 2011

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Timothy 4:3,4 KJV).

Today’s Scripture warns that as we draw nigh to the closing day of the Dispensation of Grace, there will be an increase in false teaching.

The fiery preachers of generations past are just that—generations past. Thankfully, some preachers unapologetically teach and proclaim God’s Word rightly divided. However, most “Christian” leaders have abandoned the truths of God’s Word to embrace “fables” (religious tradition, human viewpoint, et cetera).

Rather than fearing souls going to hell, many churches are merely interested in having lengthy membership rolls and sufficient funds in the collection plates! This is especially true in the mega-churches, notorious for their damnable social gospels that deify man’s “good” deeds and “feel-good” sermons that entertain. Christ’s words echoing, “Hypocrites, hypocrites, hypocrites!”

There is nothing evil about someone who speaks properly. However, God warns us on numerous occasions to beware of smooth-talking individuals, especially in religion. God cautions us to not be tricked by “enticing words” (Colossians 2:4). Romans 16:18 speaks of divisive people who “by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”

In the Old Testament, Israel forbade God’s prophets from speaking against their sin. Israel wanted a feel-good message. “That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: which say unto the seers [prophets], See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us” (Isaiah 30:9-11).

“Give us a feel-good message, preacher! Nothing about sin, judgment, and hellfire—just tell us about love, blessings, and prosperity!” Sadly, those same words are shouted today in nearly every church.

Beloved, flee from the smooth-talking preachers and their “heavenly way to hell!”

Beware of the Money-Hungry Preachers!

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

“A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife…Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;…” (1 Timothy 3:2,3 KJV).

Today’s Scripture lists a few qualifications of the bishop, the overseer of the local church. One of the qualities of a bishop (sometimes called “pastor”) was that he be “not greedy of filthy lucre” (cf. Titus 1:7). The deacons were to also be “not greedy of filthy lucre” (1 Timothy 3:8). What is “filthy lucre?” Extorted money. Considering those qualifications, many preachers and deacons would be out of a job!

The Apostle Peter instructed leaders of the Jews, “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof… not for filthy lucre” (1 Peter 5:2). Titus 1:11 speaks of many Jewish religious leaders who were “unruly and vain talkers and deceivers… who subvert [overthrow] whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.”

Religion is the world’s most profitable business, and for good reason. As long as someone occasionally reads from the Bible and mentions the name of Christ, no one would ever suspect the person would be guilty of extortion. Unfortunately, this very thing took place during Christ’s earthly ministry. Israel’s religious leaders “devoured” whole houses—all for the sake of money! Jesus called Israel’s Temple a “den of thieves” (Matthew 21:12,13; Mark 11:15-17; Luke 19:45,46; John 2:14-17).

Notice Jesus’ rebuke: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation” (Matthew 23:14; cf. Mark 12:40 and Luke 20:47). The Pharisees and scribes had a good outward appearance, but they ministered under false pretenses—all for money. Just like today, if you pay enough, churches will pray for you.

Grace is not against giving, but it is against covetous preachers who extort money. Never let someone force you to give, such as binding you with Israel’s tithe. Beloved, beware of the money-hungry preachers!

Do You Know About the Grace Life?

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;” (Titus 2:11,12 KJV).

Religion demands “do this” and “do that” in order to please God. In time past, Israel was under the Mosaic Law, a performance-based acceptance system. If the Jews wanted to receive the blessing, and avoid the curse, they had to obey God’s laws (Deuteronomy 28:1-68). By the cross of Christ, God abolished that system of Law, since it condemned everyone as sinners (Colossians 2:13,14).

Today, in the Dispensation of Grace, we are “not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14,15). In today’s Scripture, we learn that God does not teach us through the Law system, the manner in which He taught Israel. Today, God’s grace teaches us that HE—not us—will fulfill the Law as He works within our inner man. Our performance (or lack thereof) is not an issue today.

God’s Word “effectually worketh also in you that believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:13). As we study and believe God’s Word “rightly divided,” the indwelling Holy Spirit will take that sound doctrine and transform our lives. The Christian life is the life that Jesus Christ lives in and through the Christians, as the Christians walk by faith in an intelligent understanding of God’s Word to them (Colossians 2:6,7).

Galatians 2:20 affirms: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” See Philippians 1:21.

Grace living is letting God’s grace teach you that His indwelling Holy Spirit will equip you as a Christian to offer your body “a living sacrifice… proving what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1,2). “…Nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me!”