Category: God: The Father, the Son Jesus Christ, & the Holy Ghost

False Prophets

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

“And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many” (Matthew 24:11 KJV).

While actually describing the future state of the world, today’s Scripture is easily seen today.

Recently, while visiting a local park, I encountered four cult members distributing free literature at a sidewalk booth. They undeniably call themselves “Christians.” While they were friendly people, and probably more generous and loving than the average Christian, their doctrine is so far removed from sound Bible teaching that they could not be rightly called and never be rightly called Christians. Having spoken with a friend who was saved out of that group, having read their literature, and having spoken with several of them over the years, I know their denominational hierarchy has them slaving away in doing good works in hopes of them entering God’s kingdom. You can be sure these four heard the Gospel of God’s Grace from me. What they do with God’s Son is on them now!

The Lord Jesus gave His Second Olivet Discourse in Matthew chapter 24—the context of today’s Scripture. His apostles wanted to know the characteristics of the end-times, events that would occur leading up to His return (Second Coming). He issued seven warnings not to be deceived (verses 4,5,11,23-26). The chief characteristic of the end-times is deception. In the words of Jesus Christ, “Many” deceivers deceiving “many.” Why?

People will be claiming to be “Christ,” God manifested in human flesh. There will be people professing to be “prophets,” God’s spokespeople to mankind. People will be performing miracles using Satan’s power, but claiming to be God’s miracle-workers. They will all pave the way for the Antichrist, the epitome of deception, the Man of Sin and the Son of Perdition (Damnation), the physical representation of Satan’s lie program. The world having been so deceived in the 2,000 years since Jesus spoke today’s Scripture, it is so easy to see just how easily the Antichrist will enter with little opposition. Having rejected the love of the truth, they can now enjoy “strong delusion [deception]” and “believe a lie” (2 Thessalonians 2:2-12).

Friends, let us stay with the Word of God rightly divided. ‘Tis the only way to avoid the deceivers!

Our special-edition Bible Q&A #275: “Was the Apostle Paul a false prophet?”

Spiritual Nobility

Monday, June 20, 2016

“And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:10,11 KJV).

Behold, the marks of spiritual nobility!

The Bereans were “noble” (distinguished) because of two attributes. Firstly, “they received the Word with all readiness of mind.” They heard Paul and Silas preaching supposedly the Word of God, and they were willing to accept it as possibly true. However, they did not blindly accept someone’s word for it. Secondly, “they searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” They actually looked into the Bible for themselves to see if Paul and Silas were really preaching God’s Word or just their opinions parading as “God’s Word.”

Exactly how much “Bible” the Bereans had, we cannot be sure. They, being synagogue-worshipping Jews, certainly had the “Old Testament,” Genesis through Malachi (cf. Acts 15:21; Acts 13:14,15). Perhaps Paul’s epistle to Galatia had been written and was in circulation in Acts chapter 17.

Millions upon millions of church members today would have spared themselves many years—even decades—of heartache and confusion had they just followed the Bereans’ example. Instead of simply sitting in church for years being indoctrinated with what they assumed was “God’s Word”—only to discover a long time later it was not God’s Word—they should have taken their Bibles to church and followed along as their minister spoke. Had they followed the Bereans’ pattern, the charlatans would have been manifested for them!

Whether an Old Testament Jew, or a Christian in our Dispensation of Grace, 1 Thessalonians 2:13 remains true: “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” God’s Word will work only in those who know and believe it—not them believing assumptions and/or presumptions about it. “Search and see; do not take it from me!” 🙂

Father: A Godly Man

Sunday, June 19, 2016

“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4 KJV).

Since today is Father’s Day, we dedicate today’s devotional to the godly (Christian) fathers.

What is a godly father? Oftentimes, fathers are either too authoritative (very strict) or too carefree (little to no concern for their children). According to the Bible (today’s Scripture in particular), fathers must have a balance between setting boundaries and enforcing them, and refraining from being a heartless tyrant.

  • On one hand, the Christian father is to “bring [his children] up in the nurture of the Lord.” “Nurture” is simply defined as “caring for and encouraging their growth or development.” All too often, fathers (sadly) ignore this, usually being too rough, or even, apathetic (unconcerned).
  • On the other hand, the Christian father is to “bring [his children] up in the admonition of the Lord.” “Admonition” is simply defined as “authoritative counsel or warning.” He is to lovingly guide them in life, instructing them from God’s Word rightly divided.

A father is not simply one who procreates. God’s Word makes it very clear that they should serve a lifelong, active role in their children’s lives. A Christian man, especially a father, should be a godly man in beliefs as well as in deed. He needs to set an example for his children (especially his sons): it is his duty as an older Christian man to set an example for younger men.

He should be a hard worker, he should meditate on the things of God (the Bible), his speech should conform to sound Bible doctrine, he should be hospitable and caring, kind and loving, he should respect and love his wife, he should love his children, and he should be reserved and cautious in his actions.

Are you a Christian man or Christian father who desires to be the man God intends you to be in Christ Jesus? Place your faith in this sound Bible doctrine, and God will take care of the rest! Then, you will become the godly man described on the pages of Scripture.

*Adapted from a larger Bible study with the same name. The Bible study can be read here or watched here.

The Good Shepherd

Friday, June 17, 2016

“I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep” (John 10:14,15 KJV).

Jesus came to do what Israel’s shepherds failed to do!

Four primary Bible chapters feature lengthy, stinging rebukes to Israel’s corrupt religious leadership—Jeremiah chapter 23 (they pervert the Lord’s words), Ezekiel chapter 34 (they mislead the Lord’s people), Matthew chapter 23 (they feign to be the Lord’s people), and John chapter 8 (they are Satan’s children).

Jeremiah 50:6 says: “My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their resting place.” In Ezekiel 34:1-31, God sharply disapproves of the way Israel’s religious leaders are guiding the whole nation into error. He promises to come personally and deliver His people from these evil leaders, and to cause His people to return to Him (Millennial Kingdom). This is the context of Christ’s earthly ministry: He is the Good Shepherd come to lead the wayward sheep of Israel back into His ways (today’s Scripture). In the Four Gospels, we read about “the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 10:6; Matthew 15:24) and Israel being a flock of sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36; Mark 6:34).

Peter wrote of Israel’s believing remnant who responded to Jesus Christ by faith: “For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls” (1 Peter 2:25). Hebrews 13:20 says: “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will….”

Ancient Israel’s shepherds were focused more on themselves than leading God’s people. Then, Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, came. He selflessly gave for Israel instead of selfishly taking from her. He laid down His life for His sheep, to save them from their sins and the ravening wolves of Satan, and to make them His people able to do His will!

Please see our related archived Bible Q&A article for additional insight: https://forwhatsaiththescriptures.wordpress.com/2016/01/25/is-john-10-16-the-body-of-christ/.

Sowing and Reaping

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:7-9 KJV).

You will reap what you sow, more than you sow, and later than you sow.

A documentary I recently watched featured the 1957 murder of two police officers. The killer escaped; the case went cold. Forty-six (!) years later, advancements in fingerprint-analysis computer software led to the criminal’s identification. The authorities tracked him down and knocked on his front door. Now 70 years old, he was a respected father, grandfather, and retired businessman. Imagine his shock when officers told him he was under arrest! While not remorseful, he confessed to the murders of “so long ago.”

Yet, there was another confirmation he was guilty. At his trial, officials asked him to remove his shirt. There was a bullet-wound scar on his back. It was where one of dying officers had shot him nearly 50 years earlier! He was convicted and sentenced to two consecutive life-terms. Over 80, he is still in prison today.

This astonishing case reminded me of today’s Scripture. While written to and about believers, it has a general application to non-Christians. Friend, whether you are saved or lost, if you live a life of sin, “be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23). However, if you (if you are a Christian) have a Spirit-filled life, led by God’s Spirit, you will enjoy God’s life here on Earth (not just in eternity in Heaven).

You will not see immediate results. Sin will bring you temporary success; righteous living will bring you persecution. It may take 50 years for reality to hit, but, rest assured, your sowing to the flesh will cause defeat and misery. Likewise, your sowing to the Spirit will bring God’s life into your life. Do not return to the flesh-life! Remember, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” 🙂

That They Shall Not Take Shame

Saturday, June 11, 2016

“Prophesy ye not, say they to them that prophesy: they shall not prophesy to them, that they shall not take shame” (Micah 2:6 KJV).

Has human nature changed in 2,700 years? Nay!

Mom and I recently visited a sickly, elderly relative whose life-threatening ailment requires surgery. The lady confessed she was “scared.” She knows there is a great possibility that, because of her advanced age, she may not survive the operation. When Mom tried to share the Gospel of the Grace of God with her, she refused to hear it. She said she was born into her particular religion, and she would stay with it until she died. When I asked her, “But what if they [our ancestors] were wrong?,” she refused to talk about it anymore. Mom and I changed the subject. Today’s Scripture parallels what happened here.

With the fifth and final course of judgment coming upon wicked Israel, unbelieving Jews were forbidding God’s prophets from preaching His Word to them. They were not interested in hearing the God of creation. Writing contemporary with today’s Scripture, Isaiah penned in chapter 30: “[8] Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever: [9] That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: [10] Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: [11] Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.”

Likewise, millions upon millions today tell Christians to stop preaching Jesus Christ. The sin nature operates in all peoples—as in ancient Israel so today. Eventually, God told His messengers to stay quiet (see the last part of today’s Scripture). The lost Jews refused to hear His truth. Now, His servants would say nothing. He would let the unbelievers reap the consequences of their evil. Beloved, may we react similarly when people persistently refuse our preaching of Jesus Christ… “that they shall not take shame!”

For more info, see our related archived Bible Q&A: “Why did Jesus forbid others from preaching that He was Christ?”

Well-Versed But Accursed!

Friday, June 10, 2016

“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8,9 KJV).

Well-versed but still “accursed!”

Recently, two members of a local church (cult) visited my house to spread their denominational literature. Always interested in learning more about the people to whom I minister, I eagerly took their pamphlet and discussed some of it with them. They had their “bible,” and I had my King James Bible. I delayed these individuals for 30 minutes, preventing them from reaching some of my neighbors. One church member was more resistant; the other listened intently.

When I asked them what their Gospel message was, they replied, “We preach God’s kingdom is coming on the earth.” I replied, “I noticed that you did not say ‘Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork.’ That is the Gospel of Christianity, but it is not forefront in your thinking. The Bible says that if you do not preach Paul’s Gospel, I should have nothing to do with you.” I was politely showing them that they were not Christians at all. Yes, they used some Bible terms, but their “Gospel” was a lie. While they came not knowing the Gospel of the Grace of God, rest assured they left here in quite a hurry after hearing it with shocking clarity!

The Apostle Paul said that the Gospel he preached was: “Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Through Paul, the Holy Spirit, in today’s Scripture, condemned any “Gospel-preacher”—even an angel—if he or she did not preach Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork as sufficient payment for our sins. The group I encountered, they are condemned of God. They are not Christians, they never were. Unless they believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and stop relying on their “good works,” they are sure to go to the same hell as the heathen who never picked up a Bible at all!

For more information, see our latest Bible Q&A: “Is Galatians 1:6-7 contradictory?”

The House of Israel

Thursday, June 9, 2016

“To whom [the Lord Jesus] coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:4,5 KJV).

Now we understand the Bible term “the house of Israel.”

Jews who had come to Jesus Christ by faith, the Apostle Peter affirmed they had become “living stones,” “a spiritual house,” and “an holy priesthood.” That is, He had made them the redeemed nation God had originally purposed to make Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 12:1-3). Whenever the Scriptures talk about “the house of Israel,” it is more than just a group of people. God wanted to make the nation Israel His dwelling-place: He wanted to fill them with His life (same idea as with us, the Body of Christ; 1 Corinthians 6:19). He desired to not only live with them but in them!

The writer of Hebrews wrote to Israel: “But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end” (3:6). Ezekiel chapter 36 had already promised: “[27] And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. [28] And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.” And, Joel 3:17: “So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.”

And, John 14:17: “Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” Finally, Revelation 21:3, the fulfillment: “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.”

Grace and Peace

Friday, June 3, 2016

“To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:19 KJV).

Jesus Christ is the Saviour, not the Judge, today.

Recently, a Christian brother told me God was keeping certain leaders in power here in America to “judge us.” That is, God was using evil politicians to punish the wicked United States. He pointed out God judged Israel for sins in the “Old Testament.” America’s current difficulties, the brother claimed, are the divine wrath disobedient Israel endured. Today’s Scripture, a verse of tremendous dispensational significance, teaches something entirely different.

Paul is “the apostle of the Gentiles [all nations]” (Romans 11:13). As God’s spokesman to all nations, Paul was led on 13 occasions to write, “Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:3; Ephesians 1:2; Philippians 1:2; Colossians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:2; 1 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 1:2; Titus 1:4; Philemon 3). Each of Paul’s epistles greets the world with “grace and peace” (opposite “wrath and war”). Again, today’s Scripture: “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them.” Because of Calvary, God is not angry at nations today. He is being kind to them!

Concerning “the Dispensation of the Grace of God” (Ephesians 3:2), God’s attitude toward all nations is “grace and peace.” There is no Law system operating today as in Israel’s program. Israel’s Law system was simply to prove that God would have to save mankind according to His grace, not man’s religious efforts. Now, He is manifesting His grace (unmerited favor) to mankind in a very special way today—the soul salvation found in Jesus Christ’s shed blood. In the Dispensation of Grace, God is freely and unconditionally offering the nations salvation through Jesus Christ. God is longsuffering, and has been for 2,000 years, for the people of the world to respond in faith. Once they trust His Son, He permanently reconciles with them individually.

As bad as it may seem in the United States or anywhere else, Earth is not facing God’s wrath… yet!

He Who Knew No Sin

Thursday, June 2, 2016

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV).

What does the Bible mean—Christ “knew” no sin?

The Greek word translated “knew” (ginosko) in today’s Scripture in the King James Bible, is rendered “had” in six modern English versions. That is, “had no sin” is found in: NIV, NIV-UK, Easy-to-Read Version (ERV), Expanded Bible (EXB), International Children’s Bible (ICB), and New Century Version (NCV). While this rewording avoids copyright infringements, it is a poor translation. Out of 50 English versions, only these six use “had.” The majority—agreeing with the KJV—renders ginosko as “knew.” Why is “knew” superior?

Jesus did not merely “have no sin.” As someone once pointed out, “had” allows the possibility that Jesus had personal sins that God did not simply credit to His account. Nay, our KJV has the correct reading—“who knew no sin.” As 1 John 3:5 says: “And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.” And 1 Peter 2:22 confirms: “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth….” Jesus had no sins for Father God to reckon because He never “knew” (experienced) sin! Our Lord Jesus had no relationship with sin like we. How was this possible?

The Lord Jesus was far from a “good man” and “great teacher.” He was the perfect Man, God manifested in our humanity. There is no way a man cannot sin… unless, of course, he lacks a human father. So, the Lord Jesus did not have a biological earthly father. Therefore, he had no Adamic sin nature to inherit. He merely had a human mother, with God the Holy Spirit supplying the male sex cell. Notice Luke 1:35: “And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” That “holy thing” was Jesus’ sinless human nature, contrasted with our “unclean thing,” or sinful human nature (cf. Isaiah 64:6).

Without a sin nature, Jesus could never “know” sin!