Category: spiritual warfare

Growing in Grace #3

Monday, August 13, 2018

“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18 KJV).

What does it mean to “grow in grace?”

Before the Holy Spirit penned today’s Scripture, He established this context: “[3] Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, [4] And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.”

The Apostle Peter’s earthly life and ministry are nearly over (1:13,14). Jesus Christ died, resurrected, and ascended into Heaven 35 years earlier. For four decades, unbelieving (Christ-rejecting) Israel has been warned of God’s coming judgment. Where is it? Was it a hoax? A bluff? A figment of the Apostles’ imaginations? A cheap scare tactic? Why has Jesus Christ not yet returned to consume them in fiery wrath? Before the chief Israeli Apostle expires, the Holy Spirit will use him to answer these mockers.

“[5] For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: [6] Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: [7] But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. [8] But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. [9] The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. [10] But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.”

Why has the Divine wrath of the prophetic program not yet been manifested? When will Jesus Christ return to address evil and punish unbelievers? Notice verse 9….

Growing in Grace #2

Sunday, August 12, 2018

“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18 KJV).

What does it mean to “grow in grace?”

Titus 2:11-13 says, “[11] For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, [12] Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; [13] Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;….” God’s grace was never a secret (cf. Genesis 6:8), but it was not a dispensation until the Apostle Paul’s salvation. “For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward” (Ephesians 3:1,2).

Paul said in Acts 20:24, “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Beginning with Paul’s salvation and ministry, God began to manifest His grace (favor toward undeserving man) in a very special manner. Grace once limited to the nation Israel (Matthew 20:28) had now been extended to “all men” (Titus 2:11 above).

First Timothy chapter 2: “[3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; [4] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. [5] For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; [6] Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. [7] Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not; ) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.” Be careful to notice verse 7! Paul was the first to proclaim that Christ Jesus gave His life “a ransom for all.”

We will now look at today’s Scripture in context to see what the Holy Spirit says through the Apostle Peter….

Growing in Grace #1

Saturday, August 11, 2018

“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18 KJV).

What does it mean to “grow in grace?”

Dear friends, it has been this author’s personal experience that, contrary to popular belief, the Holy Bible can be understood and enjoyed. Over the last decade-plus, he has come to realize just how wrong his former denominational system is! He has increasingly had to toss aside his, and others’, long-held opinions, that he may better align his mind with that of Almighty God. What a delightful, insightful journey it has been… and will continue to be!

“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ” (Colossians 2:8). Indeed, the wisdom of God far exceeds the wisdom of men, so philosophy is not the means whereby we grasp spiritual truth. The traditions of men and the rudiments of the world are of no use to us either because none of them lead us to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians chapter 2 says: “[1] And you hath he [Father God] quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; [2] Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: [3] Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. [4] But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, [5] Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved; )….”

The above Scriptures not only portray the evil world system in which we live, but also how Father God has labored so mightily with His Son Jesus Christ to deliver us from it. Satan and sin are responsible for the pervasive difficulties and profound suffering all around our world. Yet, in the midst of such pitiful plights, we can “grow in grace….”

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Can you explain 1 Corinthians 14:36?”

For Students This is Safe

Thursday, August 9, 2018

“Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way” (Psalm 119:128 KJV).

As a new school year dawns, let us awake unto spiritual truth!

Although the autumnal equinox is still over a month away here in the Northern Hemisphere, summer is finally beginning to wind down for most of us. Students—with long faces and deep sighs—have returned or are beginning to return to school. As students return to the classroom, they need to be particularly mindful of the following.

Firstly, learning in and of itself is not a sin. Moses was “learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians” (Acts 7:22). Luke was a medical doctor (Colossians 4:14). Daniel and his companions were skilled in science (Daniel 1:4). Adam was the first taxonomist (Genesis 2:19,20). The God of the Bible is never against learning new things—remember, He gave us His Holy Bible so we can have plenty to learn for all of eternity!

Secondly, what the God of the Bible opposes is when we believe/trust ideas that do not seek our best interests, that contradict the way He designed our lives to function. Certainly, we Christians should never go around believing anything and everything heard and seen. Just because the professor, preacher, pope, or president says it is true, that does not make it so. Scientific consensus has been wrong before, religion has been wrong before, politicians have been wrong before. Much of the ideas that permeate our world today are wrong.

Lastly, there are many wonderful, exciting ideas and concepts out there—medical advancements, technological breakthroughs, and so on—but there are equally detrimental ideas that will mess up your life—religious traditions, secular humanism, and other philosophies. Daily intake of the King James Bible rightly divided will cleanse our souls of the filth and foolishness that we hear and see day in and day out in this evil world system. We highly exalt God’s Word, we know it is right “concerning all things,” and we hate and ignore the error.

Have a wonderful school year in our Lord Jesus Christ! 🙂

Knowledge Not of God

Monday, July 30, 2018

“Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land” (Hosea 4:1 KJV).

While this is Israel 700 years before Christ, it could be said of the Church the Body of Christ 2,000 years after Christ.

One modern “Christian” author is a descendant of a popular “feel-good” minister from many years ago. Perusing through his new 200-page book, I counted 26 verses quoted overall! It was, on average, one verse every seven or eight pages. The verses he did use were quite basic. You would think that a seminary graduate—with two advanced Bible degrees—would be more knowledgeable in Scripture!!

Alas, most seminaries do not educate people using just the Bible. They focus on human wisdom (philosophy), denominational tradition, church history, linguistics (Hebrew and Greek studies), and systematic theology. There is no solid footing or grounding in the Scriptures. Oftentimes, they are taught to make their own Bible translations, which are usually radical departures from the standard English Bible (King James Bible).

In today’s Scripture, God laments the pitiful condition of His people (Israel). He has given them revelation—the Scriptures, prophets, angelic visitations, visions, dreams, and so on—and yet they still are so willfully ignorant of His Word and will for them. Verse 6 goes on to say, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.”

Ancient Israel knew plenty of religion (Judaism and heathenism), a lot of history, and plenty of entertainment, but they had no “knowledge of God.” Talk to the average church member, or even preacher, today. They know all about their denominational system, experiences, and theological speculations, but they have not a clue about Pauline doctrine (God’s current dealings with man). No matter what the dispensation, the Devil always distracts God’s people using erroneous teaching and thinking, especially bad Bible doctrine (non-dispensational Bible study) but also no Bible at all. Do not be distracted from valuable knowledge!

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Can you shed light on Galatians 3:20?”

A Child of God

Sunday, July 29, 2018

“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26-28 KJV).

Who is a “child of God?” Who is a Christian?

Someone once stated, “Today, it seems like a Christian is anyone who is not a Jew or a Muslim.” Think about it, dear friend. The name “Christian” has been used so flippantly and inappropriately that its meaning is misconstrued and buried under layers of false teaching. What makes a Christian? What is Christian doctrine?

The Bible rightly divided is the textbook of Christianity—the standard whereby we gauge right from wrong, truth from error. As English-speaking people, God’s Word for us is the King James Bible. It was translated properly (formal equivalence) from the correct Greek and Hebrew texts (Textus Receptus Greek and Masoretic Hebrew). It has every verse, every word, and every letter that should be there. We must be careful to identify and avoid competing authorities—corrupt modern English versions representing ancient but perverted Greek and Hebrew manuscripts, church tradition, preachers’ opinions, et cetera.

A Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ. The first (and most important) way a person follows Jesus Christ is by believing what He believes—He died for our sins, was buried, and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). Faith in this Gospel of Grace alone is how we show God we understand there is absolutely nothing we can do to please Him in our flesh (efforts). Notice, a Christian is not defined as somebody who faithfully attends church services, reads the Bible, prays, does good deeds.

God is not looking for our works (religion). He is looking first and foremost for “faith in Christ Jesus” (today’s Scripture). Faith is an admission that our works are not the issue, but an affirmation that Christ’s finished work at Calvary is the issue! After we trust Jesus Christ as personal Saviour, then we follow Him on a daily basis by reading and trusting what He instructed the Apostle Paul to tell us in the Bible Books of Romans through Philemon.

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Do Galatians 6:2 and Galatians 6:5 contradict each other?”

The Lord Stands With Thee Forever!

Saturday, July 28, 2018

“At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion” (2 Timothy 4:16,17 KJV).

“Friends” come and go; the Lord surely stays forever!

We read earlier: “[6] For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. [7] I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: [8] Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

The Apostle Paul knows he is in his final days on Earth. Rome has set his execution date. Now, he waits to leave and “be with Christ, which is far better” (Philippians 1:23). When having his previous legal problems, stating his case before the Roman officials, today’s Scripture says not one Christian was there to support him! Wow! Let that sink in, dear brethren; let that sink in deeply. They had all abandoned him—due to fear, apathy, inconvenience, et cetera. Add to that Christians’ departure from his (grace) doctrine: “This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes” (2 Timothy 1:15).

Chapter 4, verses 10-11: “For Demas [a once-dedicated ministry coworker] hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.” The Apostle Paul is living his last moments sitting in a dark dungeon, lonely. In the midst of such terrible heartache and loss, a touching ray of light, “notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me.”

Dear brethren, when all your “Christian” “friends”—even your “grace” “friends”—abandon you, just remember the Lord will remain and strengthen you! 🙂

Convert a Soul, Not the World!

Thursday, July 12, 2018

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come” (2 Timothy 3:1 KJV).

Are we called to convert the world? Nay! We are called to convert souls out of the world!

Recently, a Christian friend and fellow American told me he thinks “we have lost our nation.” My reply to that depressed brother was simple: “We [Christians] have never been called to turn our culture around. It must come to an end at some point anyway. Jesus Christ will straighten it all out at His Second Coming!” He thereby recalled today’s Scripture.

Indeed, brethren, we have never been called to turn around or destroy this evil world system. God’s purpose in the Gospel is to “deliver us from this present evil world” (Galatians 1:4) rather than we fixing it. So many believers are discouraged because they see conditions worsening. Had they known their Bibles, they would not be surprised. God said it would happen!!

Today’s Scripture foretells “perilous” (dangerous) times. God the Holy Spirit continues: “[12] Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. [13] But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse [not better and better!!], deceiving, and being deceived. [14] But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;….” Yes, the world is out of control, but that is to be expected. In the midst of such evil, we should continue in God’s Word rightly divided!

Chapter 4 supplements: “[2] Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. [3] 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; [4] And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. [5] But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”

Again, rather than growing angry at lost people, or becoming overwhelmed by fear and despair, we are to “preach the Word!” We are to convert a soul, not the world! 🙂

The Work of the Ministry #7

Sunday, July 1, 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!

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: [purpose or intent] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16,17). God the Holy Spirit gave us His inspired, preserved Word (in English, the King James Bible) so we would believe it. Once we trust it (1 Thessalonians 2:13), it produces in and through us “all good works.” The greatest Christian good work is “the work of the ministry,” but spiritual development comes first. After all, today’s Scripture says only “perfected saints”—spiritually mature Christians—do “the work of the ministry.”

“And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves” (1 Thessalonians 5:12,13). These church leaders do “the work of the ministry” (cf. today’s Scripture; 1 Timothy 5:17,18), and they need to be especially appreciated.

Ministry is not to be taken lightly or flippantly. It is not “fun and games:” it is “work!” Eternal souls are at stake and they need to hear from us a clear Gospel message they can believe (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)! Otherwise, they will face an angry God and wind up experiencing His eternal fury. Eternal souls are at stake and they need to hear from us a study they can understand (2 Timothy 2:15)! Otherwise, they will experience tremendous loss of reward for their lack of Christian understanding and service.

Dear brethren, how exhausting ministry can be and is, but there is no greater way to spend our time and resources! It seems like we are wasting our time, but God forbid! “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58)! 🙂

Bible Q&A #510: “Can you explain John 1:17?”

Grace Forsaken!

Monday, June 11, 2018

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1 KJV).

Grace did not leave the brother or sister—the brother or sister left grace!

A man trusted Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour. He eventually discovered dispensational Bible study and left his denomination. For many years, this minister and his wife preached a pure grace message. Finally, he died and relocated to Heaven. His wife left the grace message entirely after marrying a man of her former denomination. While she did not lose her salvation, she did lose Bible understanding.

Dear friends, none of us are immune from apostatizing, willfully casting aside the truths of God for the sake of pleasing our fellow men. Galatians 3:1 says: “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?” The idea of “bewitched” is someone operating under a spell, like living under hypnosis. False teachers have a powerful way with words, just as a magician would manipulate objects to fool an audience. There is no grace minister on Earth—even me (!)—who can boast exemption from ever becoming such a fraud.

Satan’s evil world system is quite charming—even a saved person’s flesh gravitates toward it. First Timothy chapter 4: “[1] Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; [2] Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;….” These “seducing spirits” are preacher’s voices (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:8—“the spirit of his mouth”). To “seduce” literally means “to lead away.” A “reward” or “delight” motivates someone to abandon his or her position or duty. In order to “depart from the faith” they had to first be in it!!!! Religion feels good, dear friends, for it provides grounds for boasting (see Galatians 6:12-14).

Whether the sins of the flesh (humanism/worldliness) or the sins of the spirit (asceticism/religion), may we do our best to gently recover, if possible, our ensnared brethren (2 Timothy 2:24-26)!

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Why did Naaman want some of Israel’s soil?”