Category: flesh-walking

No Good Deeds, No Good Things #6

Monday, July 23, 2018

“Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you” (Jeremiah 5:25 KJV).

Here is the result of being under any performance-based acceptance system!

According to Leviticus chapter 26, Israel would endure five courses (stages) of curses or judgments for disobeying the Mosaic Law. The second course involved God weakening Israel politically (verses 18,19). Once King Solomon died, his kingdom split into two kingdoms—the 10 northern tribes (retaining the name “Israel”) and the two southern tribes (assuming the title “Judah”).

Reading today’s Scripture in context: “[23] But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone. [24] Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest. [25] Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you.” Since the Jews have been habitually wicked, God has not given them rain—the first course of judgment (Leviticus 26:18-20). The second, third, and fourth courses are already working. Number five is coming!

The fifth and final course of chastisement is expulsion from the Promised Land (Leviticus 26:27-39). About a century before Jeremiah, the Northern Kingdom was deported into Assyria (2 Kings 17:1-23). The Southern Kingdom, where Jeremiah conducts his ministry, will be deported to Babylon in just a few years (2 Kings 24:1–25:21; 2 Chronicles 36:14-21).

We can just hear the echo of Israel 900 years earlier at Mount Sinai: “All that the LORD hath spoken we will do” (Exodus 19:8). That little two-letter word—“do”—doomed them. Romans chapter 3, verses 19-20: “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. [!!!!] Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. [!!!!]” Dear friends, the Law exposes (not empowers!!) and condemns (not commends!!) sinners! Works-religion damned God’s special nation, Israel, and it damns all sons of Adam even today….

ATTENTION: Shorewood Bible Church’s 2018 Summer Family Bible Conference continues today, Monday, at 9 A.M. Central U.S. Time. The theme is “God’s Prophetic Calendar,” and the conference runs until Thursday. Watch the LIVE video feed streamed here: http://understandgrace.com/watch-live/. Visit http://understandgrace.com/2018-summer-family-bible-conference/ for more information. Come and join us!

No Good Deeds, No Good Things #5

Sunday, July 22, 2018

“Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you” (Jeremiah 5:25 KJV).

Here is the result of being under any performance-based acceptance system!

Some 900 years after giving the Mosaic Law, God said of Israel in Jeremiah 1:16: “And I will utter my judgments against them touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands.”

Chapter 2: “[7] And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination. [8] The priests said not, Where is the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal [pagan god], and walked after things that do not profit [idols]…. [11] Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit.”

“[20] For of old time I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot [spiritual whoredom]…. [27] Saying to a stock [stick], Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us. [28] But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah. [29] Wherefore will ye plead with me? ye all have transgressed against me, saith the LORD. [30] In vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction: your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion. [32] Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number.” Also see Jeremiah 3:6-9,13,21 and Jeremiah 4:1.

Israel has broken God’s Law to such an extent that today’s Scripture has come to pass….

ATTENTION: Shorewood Bible Church’s 2018 Summer Family Bible Conference continues today, Sunday, at 9 A.M. Central U.S. Time. The theme is “God’s Prophetic Calendar,” and the conference runs until Thursday. Watch the LIVE video feed streamed here: http://understandgrace.com/watch-live/. Visit http://understandgrace.com/2018-summer-family-bible-conference/ for more information. Come and join us!

No Good Deeds, No Good Things #4

Saturday, July 21, 2018

“Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you” (Jeremiah 5:25 KJV).

Here is the result of being under any performance-based acceptance system!

God said to Abram in the Abrahamic Covenant: “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and [I will] make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and [I will] curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 12:2,3). Doubtless, God will make Israel His people.

Contrariwise, the Mosaic Covenant (Law): “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel” (Exodus 19:5,6). That little, conditional word—“if”—is weighty. Israel will be God’s people only “if” she obeys His every command. “If” she fully complies, “then” God will bless her. Conversely, “if” Israel disobeys the Law Covenant, “then” she is disqualified from being God’s people! This is “legalism.” When man’s performance is inserted, uncertainty is certain.

Moses says to Israel in Deuteronomy chapter 28: “[1] And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: [2] And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God…. [14] And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them. [15] But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:….”

ATTENTION: Shorewood Bible Church’s 2018 Summer Family Bible Conference begins tonight, Saturday, at 7 Central U.S. Time. The theme is “God’s Prophetic Calendar,” and the conference runs until Thursday. Watch the LIVE video feed streamed here: http://understandgrace.com/watch-live/. Visit http://understandgrace.com/2018-summer-family-bible-conference/ for more information. Come and join us!

No Good Deeds, No Good Things #3

Friday, July 20, 2018

“Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you” (Jeremiah 5:25 KJV).

Here is the result of being under any performance-based acceptance system!

Fast-forward over 400 years after Abraham. His seed through Isaac—the nation Israel—is in bondage to Egypt. Israel is helpless: she cannot rescue herself, and must depend on God’s power to deliver her with mighty signs and wonders (Exodus chapters 1-13). The culmination is God’s parting of the Red Sea to allow Israel to escape Pharaoh and his army (chapter 14). In chapters 15 through 18, God graciously blesses Israel with His provisions. He has done so much to make them His people. Will they rest in this grace?

Notice Exodus chapter 19: “[3] And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; [4] Ye have seen what I [God] did unto the Egyptians, and how I [God] bare you on eagles’ wings, and [I God] brought you unto myself. [5] Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: [6] And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. [7] And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him. [8] And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD.”

How tragic! They have not learned the lesson that their father Abraham had centuries earlier. Instead of letting God work to fulfill His promises (namely, the Abrahamic Covenant—He will work to make them His people), their sin nature has deceived them into thinking they can perform to get the blessing. They believe they can make themselves God’s nation. Grace has been tossed aside, and thus begins the strict, cruel reign of the Law! Sinful Israel is doomed….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Is Matthew 25:31-46 a plan for our salvation unto eternal life?”

No Good Deeds, No Good Things #2

Thursday, July 19, 2018

“Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you” (Jeremiah 5:25 KJV).

Here is the result of being under any performance-based acceptance system!

The “Abrahamic Covenant” appears in Genesis chapter 12: “[1] Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: [2] And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: [3] And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” These are God’s promises to Abram rather than Abram’s promises to God. God will work on Abram’s behalf to produce a nation. Abram is to separate from his pagan family—idolaters (Joshua 24:2)—so he can be set apart for God’s purposes. He believed the LORD God, and he relocated as instructed.

Abram is 75 years old (Genesis 12:4); Sarai his wife is 10 years younger. God has pledged to use them to build a great nation, yet they are elderly and childless! In chapter 16, Abram is now in his mid-eighties… and disheartened to still be without a son. Well-meaning Sarai develops a plan to “help” God. She gives Abram her handmaid, Hagar, to use as a surrogate mother. Through Sarai’s plan and Abram’s efforts, Ishmael is born.

Over a decade later, Abram is 99 years old (Genesis 17:1). God changes his name to “Abraham” and his wife’s name to “Sarah,” and then He remarks: “Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him” (verse 19). God performs a miracle. Isaac is born in chapter 21, when Abraham is 100 (and sterile!). By the way, the Ishmael–Isaac struggle continues even today as the 4,000-year Arab/Muslim–Jewish war!

God rejected Abraham’s struggles (Ishmael); He accepted only His work (Isaac). If man will receive God’s blessings, it will be God’s efforts and not (!) man’s….

No Good Deeds, No Good Things #1

Wednesday, July 18, 2018

“Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you” (Jeremiah 5:25 KJV).

Here is the result of being under any performance-based acceptance system!

The Apostle Paul had been a rabbinical scholar—a Pharisee (Philippians 3:5; cf. Acts 26:5), an “uncompromising Judaistic fundamentalist.” He was certainly no ignoramus when it came to the precepts of the Mosaic Law. After all, he trained under Gamaliel (Acts 22:3), a rabbi whom orthodox Jews know and revere even today!

When writing to young Pastor Timothy, Paul penned in 1 Timothy chapter 1: “[3] As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, [4] Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. [5] Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: [6] From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; [7] Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

“[8] But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; [9] Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, [10] For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; [11] According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.”

Verse 3 shows us that, in Ephesus, some legalists are causing spiritual turmoil by teaching doctrine contrary to Pauline revelation. The Holy Spirit exposes their error in verse 7: “Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.” Considering Paul’s background, he could rightly evaluate what was and was not the purpose of the Mosaic Law. Scripture can indeed be twisted to teach error….

Powerful Service

Tuesday, July 17, 2018

“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” (1 Thessalonians 2:13 KJV).

Christian friend, is your life functionally dead? Here is the “jumpstart” to restore your spiritual energy!

We all tend to get “burned out” eventually. Actually, some of us take “breaks” for years! For those still going, it may be “low-energy”—just barely getting by. Love for God, His Word, and fellow man has waned to little or nothing. Perhaps, dear friend, you know firsthand how that is a sure way to utter misery!

It is easy to know the Bible, but unless we believe it, God’s indwelling Holy Spirit will not “effectually worketh” in us (today’s Scripture). “Effectually worketh” is the Greek word “energeo,” from which we derive “energy.” A related word is found in the classic verse, Hebrews 4:12: “For the word of God is quick, and powerful [energes]….” When God’s Word is trusted, there results great activity. It was by these spoken words of God that He made the worlds from nothing (Hebrews 11:3)! What high-energy there!

God’s power will work in us when we put God’s Word within us. His Spirit will take His inspired words and work to produce His desired results. “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). “Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily” (Colossians 1:29). Paul provided two illustrations. Firstly, Galatians 2:8: “(For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:).” Secondly, Galatians 3:5, “He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?”

Dearly beloved, may we take the King James Bible, especially Paul’s epistles of Romans through Philemon, and believe what we read. That is the key to getting God’s power operating in our lives. There is no need to be “low-energy!”

Bible Q&A #515: “Why could the disciples not cast out the devil in Matthew 17:14-21?”

Liberated to Serve

Wednesday, July 4, 2018

“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13 KJV).

Today, as we in the United States celebrate the 242nd anniversary of our nation’s independence, we invite our Christian brethren worldwide to rejoice with us concerning our freedom in Jesus Christ.

When we proclaim Romans 6:14—“Ye are not under the law, but under grace”—people tend to assume “loose living.” Does “grace living” really mean we can now live any way we want? Lest anyone be misled in that regard, God the Holy Spirit moved the Apostle Paul to write in the next verse, “What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid [May God never let that happen!]” (Romans 6:15). Grace living is not Law-keeping, but it certainly is not Law-breaking either.

God still cares how we live, albeit He is not operating the “weak and beggarly” system of “bondage” (Law) that He once did with Israel (Galatians 4:9). God proved to the entire world that since Israel could not keep His commandments perfectly, no other sons of Adam (the Gentiles) could either: “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them [Israel] who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world [Gentiles] may become guilty before God” (Romans 3:19).

We sinners cannot keep the Law. However, God in His grace provided us a way to escape that condemnation by sending Jesus Christ to offer Himself on Calvary’s cruel cross to pay for our sins. By simple faith in Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection as the fully-satisfying payment for our sins, we can now be “made the righteousness of God in [Christ]” (2 Corinthians 5:21). We can be delivered from the penalty of sin (hell and the lake of fire) and the power of sin (flesh-walking).

Why are we Christians free? To selfishly live any way we want? NO! Today’s Scripture says we are liberated to now serve others, especially our Christian brethren, just as Jesus Christ selflessly served His Father and selflessly died on our behalf. That is grace living!!!!

Please see our 2011 Fourth of July Bible study “Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land,” which can be watched here or read here.

The Work of the Ministry #2

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” (Ephesians 4:11,12 KJV).

Ministry—what “work” it is!

Ancient religious tradition has caused terrible confusion concerning someone doing good works to become a Christian versus someone doing good works because he or she is a Christian. Unquestionably, dear friends, there is a major difference! Since God invites believers in Him to do good works, unbelievers have snatched such verses in (futile) attempts to become God’s children. What deception straight from the pits of Hell!! Good works will never, ever play any role in getting anyone into Heaven (Ephesians 2:8,9).

Now, as Christians, we who have trusted Jesus Christ alone as our personal Saviour, we have a ministry of “good works” (Ephesians 2:10). True, we are not all pastors, deacons, elders, evangelists, missionaries, seminary professors, or Bible teachers. Howbeit, God Himself says we all have a ministry. The first and foremost “good work” to which He has ordained us in Christ is that we preach the Gospel of Grace to a lost and dying world!

Second Corinthians chapter 5 continues: “[18] And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; [19] 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. [20] Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. [21] 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.”

It is “work” to study Scripture and prepare evangelistic sermons. It is “work” to travel to foreign lands and preach the Gospel of Grace. It is “work” to visit sick and shut-in Christians. It is “work” to counsel with burdened and hopeless souls. It is “work” to distribute Gospel tracts. It is “work” to teach the Bible to a congregation. Indeed, it is “the work of the ministry….”

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Why did my Christian loved one not share the Gospel with me when I was unsaved?”

The Work of the Ministry #1

Monday, June 25, 2018

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” (Ephesians 4:11,12 KJV).

Ministry—what “work” it is!

Laziness never belongs in the life of the believer in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8-10 declares: “[8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast. [10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

God does not save us unto eternal life because of what we do. He saves us only because we trust in the merits of the sacrifice His Son Jesus Christ offered on Calvary’s altar. However, that does not mean God does not care what we do. As Christians, we should walk in our new identity. Our old identity in Adam is gone forever; it is senseless to behave otherwise.

Second Corinthians chapter 5: “[14] For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge [reason, conclude], that if one died for all, then were all dead: [15] And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. [16] Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. [17] Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

First Corinthians chapter 12 says: “[12] For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. [13] For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” God the Holy Spirit has placed us into the Church the Body of Christ for a reason. We are “created in Christ Jesus unto good works….”