1 Peter Chapter One
1 Peter 1:1-2
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
Note: All Greek & Hebrew word references with definitions are taken from Strongs Talking Greek and Hebrew dictionary.
The apostle Peter addressing the saints of God as strangers, scattered through various cities and/or countries. Later in the epistle, chapter 2:11 he writes, “Dearly beloved, I beseech [you] as strangers and pilgrims abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.” Peter is ascribing that we are strangers in this present world. That Christ would pray that “They are not of the world….” (John 17:16), makes us strangers and foreigners to this world, its ways, attitudes and customs. The word stranger, from the Greek word parepidēmos means ‘resident foreigner,’ and the base of the word is epidemeo, meaning ‘to reside in, dwelling (as in a foreign country).
• ‘Elect’, from ‘eklektos’, meaning to be chosen, select or favorite. Referencing that we are a chosen, favored people. 1 Peter 2:9 “But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation.” All persons have the opportunity to be chosen if they receive the call of Christ. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world……that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Matthew 2:14 For many are called, but few [are] chosen. Matthew 18:11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. God loved the ‘world’ all the lost and Christ came to save all that are lost. He gives the call to ‘all’ but only those that choose to receive the call and obey his ‘commandments’ are chosen to be children of the king, a royal priesthood and holy nation.
1 Peter 1:3-5
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
How blessed it is for me that the supreme, divine deity would give have compassion and extreme mercy to call me his son. Luke 15:24, “For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found…” God gives each of us the promise of a ‘lively hope.’
Hebrews 6:18 That by two immutable things, in which [it was] impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
• ‘Inheritance,’ from klēronomia meaning heirship and/or patrimony. Heirship; one who inherits or is entitled to inherit. Patrimony; an estate inherited from one's father or ancestor. God according to his mercy give us the promise and hope, as a son the ‘entitlement’ to inherit from him, the father, the incorruptible and undefiled in heaven. ‘Incorruptible’, from aphthartos, meaning undecaying, immortal. ‘Undefiled’, from amiantos, meaning unsoiled, pure.
But the writer qualifies it not as a blanket promise that will happen regardless of any other requirements. But continues in vs. 5, “Who are kept by the power of God….” How? The answer is through faith? This is faith unto salvation.
1 Peter 1:6-9
6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. In 1 Peter 1:6-8 we see that we must have works of obedience through the distress of various types of adversity to our soul yet being kept by the power of God. Not giving in to the trial but going through and coming out as pure gold. 1 Cor. 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; continuing vs 15, “If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss:..” Wood, hay & stubble will burn up when the fire is applied to it. When fire is applied to gold, it will purify it. Apply ‘hot fire’ (temptations) to gold will cause the gold to become pliable. Keep the fire hot enough it turns to liquid. We may be put through the fire to the point of us becoming spiritually like liquid gold. Liquid will find it’s way through any crack, crevice of outlet that it can find to escape. 1 Cor. 10:13, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful,……but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it]. Gold when having gone through the fire, having the dross (impurities) removed, shapen and beaten into whatever form the ‘goldsmith’ (GOD) wants us to be in will be pure. Gold is consistent. There are no different grades of gold, so there is no danger of being stuck with an inferior quality. Gold is the most malleable (capable of being shaped by the beating of a hammer) of all metals. Jeremiah 23:29 [Is] not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer [that] breaketh the rock in pieces? When we’ve come through the fire and have been hammered by the word of God, if we are pure gold we won’t fall to pieces like a rock, but will come out pure, malleable and shaped into a vessel of praise and ‘honor and glory.’
Verse 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
• The apostle Peter describes the trial of your faith, as ‘more precious than of gold.’
The word trial, from dokimion is a time of testing, trustworthiness. Faith, in this scripture, from the word pistis means persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth). Though my belief, conviction of the truth, persuasion of salvation of my soul is tested and tried, by God’s grace and strength, I might be found a vessel unto praise and honour.
1 Peter 1:10-13
10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
Though there were many ‘messianic prophecies’ by the prophets, the grace that came with the advent of Christ, never became a reality to them. Many scriptures, that we won’t look up but note here, prophecies of the messiah: Psalms 68:18, Psalms 69:19-21, Psalms 110, Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6-7, Isaiah 52:13-14, Isaiah 53:1-10, Isaiah 61:1-3 [Matt. 3:16], Jeremiah 23:5, Daniel 2:34,44, Daniel 9:25, Micah 5:2, Zechariah 6:12-13 and Zechariah 9:9 [Matt. 21:2-9]. These Old Testament prophets sought the glory that Christ brought. The wrote many ‘testimonies’, before they ever happened (prophesied) of Christ, his sufferings and the glory that followed, the gospel (good news) and the promise of the gift of the Holy Ghost. Even the angels in heaven, with all of its splendor, desire to look into this promise of glorious salvation and infilling of the Holy Ghost.
1 Peter 1:13-16
13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
We must ‘bind up’ the loins of our mind. Loins, from the Greek word ‘osphys’, the hip, procreative power. The mind is where our creative power is that we need to ‘bind up’ and brought into subjection of the truth of Gods word and the Holy Ghost. Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth. What will be the result? Isaiah 11:5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. Continuing in vs 13 “…be sober and hope to the end..” we see Peter admonishing us to be ‘sober’, abstain (as from wine), discreet and hope to the end. Hope, from the Greek word elpizō, meaning ‘expect, confide trust’. The phrase ‘to the end’, in this context is not what our minds may comprehend. ‘To the end’, from the Greek teleiōs, meaning completely, without wavering (to the end). The apostle is admonishing us to expect and put our complete trust, without wavering in the grace that the coming of Jesus Christ brought to us.
14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance.
To many times we see a child obey their parents but in observing the child we can see they are not doing it willingly but grudgingly. The word ‘obedient’ in this scripture, from the Greek word hypakoē, meaning attentive hearkening, compliance or submissive. It is clear that the English word does not do the real meaning of the sentence justice. Here we see the description that we need to be attentive and harkening to be submissive to God’s word and leading of the Holy Ghost. ‘…., not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance.’ Fashion, not meaning style of clothing, hair or other worldliness, but from Greek word syschēmatizō to fashion alike, i.e. conform to the same pattern. ‘Lusts’ from the Greek word, Epithymia, longing (especially for what is forbidden). Now that we are attentive and submissive children to God and his word, we will not conform to or ‘fashion ouselves’ alike to our past. We won’t conform ourselves to the former things, places, people, lusts, ideas or philosophies that we did prior to salvation ‘in ignorance.’ Why? We are no longer ignorant!
15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
God, who has called us is HOLY! The word holy, from the Greek word hagios, means: sacred (physical pure, moral blameless). In context, spiritually we are called to be holy, pure and morally blameless in all manner of conversation. Again the English language fails us because the word conversation has a greater meaning than our speech that we have between one another. The word conversation, from the Greek word anastrophē, meaning behavior :- conversation. Our conversation between one another is included in our behavior but our behavior extends to the way we act, attitudes, reaction to others and circumstances, deeds and anything we do or say, with or without anyone else around. It extends to our private moments. God sees whether our ‘conversation is Holy’ whether others around see or not. Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. The word ‘corrupt’ from ‘sapros’ which is derived from two Greek words ‘sepo’ and ‘poneros.’ Sepo meaning; rotten, i.e. worthless (literal or moral) and poneros meaning; hurtful, i.e. evil (properly in effect or influence). We must ask ourselves is our communication (talk or writing) foul, rotten in nature, worthless, hurtful or evil? Or is our communication good, beneficial, building up, encouraging to fit the spiritual need that it may be a blessing to those that hear? Remember even if no human is around, God still hears and knows what we say.
1 Peter 1:17-21
17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
God, the father, judges each of us impartially according to our deeds. He is NOT a respect of persons. Romans 2:11 For there is no respect of persons with God. God is going to judge each of us, without impartiality, according to our works and deeds that we do ‘passing’ the time in this temporary home on this earth. Sojourning from the Greek word paroikia, meaning; foreign residence. Reference 1 Peter 2:11, previously written about in the first commentary paragraph concerning being ‘strangers and pilgrims.’
18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
Thank God we are not ‘ransomed’ from our sinful life by things that are perishable and corrupt. We do not follow the traditions of Babylonian false religion or the law, that puts their trust in their good deeds (that corrupt), gifts of money or earthly sacrifice (in any way) whether literal of figuratively, because we have no sacrifice for sin but the blood of Jesus Christ that was shed once, for our sin. Hebrews 10:11-12 11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; In the old testament the ‘priests’ ministered through physical sacrifice for the sins of the people. It never ‘cleansed them of their sin’ just pushed the sin forward until the time came when Christ came and died once for our sin. We no longer have to continue to ‘repent of our sins,’ because we are redeemed (ransomed) from the useless, unfruitful way of living (unholy & sinful). If we commit an willful act of sin after receiving the ‘once sacrifice for sin’, Hebrews 10:26 tells us, “…….there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.” The only way there can be a sacrifice for sin, is to repent and do our first works over. Hebrews 6:1,3- 6 warns each of us of the dangers of ‘presumptuous sin’. Hebrews 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, continuing though verse 3-6; 3 And this will we do, if God permit.
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
The sacrifice brought, a lamb, was a type of Christ in the Old Testament. Exodus 12:5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. The description “of the first year” means so much more than a young lamb. The reference from the Greek word bēn actually means, a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc. What a wonderful type of Christ! The ‘son’ (male child), builder of the family name of GOD. We are sons of God, “..ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation…..”
(2 Peter 2:9).
20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
It is stated that God new before the world was created, that Christ was CHOSEN to be revealed as the ‘Son of God’, the Messiah, in these last days, at the end of time. When we believe in God (complete trust in, have faith and rely on), that raised Christ from the dead, he gives us faith, from the Greek word pistis meaning persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth) and hope, from the word elpis, primary word elpo meaning to anticipate, usually with pleasure; expectation or confidence. Us that really believe are persuaded, with a deep moral conviction of truth and anticipate with great confidence in God. This confidence is in the power that God can (and will) keep us to the end with victory over sin and one day see Christ and God in eternal Glory .
2 Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
1 Peter 1:22-25
22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
God sees that we having made our souls clean, sanctified (set apart) our soul in harkening, listening and being attentive to the truth that the Holy Spirit reveals to us. No we have not ‘cleansed ourselves from sin’, only Christ’s blood and unmerited favor (Grace) can perform that work. But we see in Ephesians 5:25 – 26 26 “…..Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.” After we are saved (cleansed from SIN) and now are part of the family of God (his CHURCH), we must make the effort to read (and hear) the word of God so he (God) can cleanse us from our ways, our ideas and anything that we do not know is wrong. Thereby, we see the Apostle Peter, referring to this process as us purifying our souls through obedience to what Gods word and the Holy Spirit reveals to us is wrong. It is extremely important that we obey God in this matter for having done so it gives us a real, non-hypocritical love for our brethren in Christ. We cannot have this without being born again, not of the seed that decays (earthly, sinful) but being re-born by the truth of Gods word, first through the cleansing (regeneration) power of the blood of Jesus Christ and the obedience through the washing of the water by the word and listening (harkening) to and obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
This earthly man is like ‘grass and the flower that dies.’ We are corruptible in our body and our ideas and ways are just as corrupt. It is only when we totally turn our corruptible mind and heart over to God’s have hope of life eternal, spiritually in this life and in heaven to come. The word of God, it’s divine instruction, endures forever. It is this word of the ‘Good News’ (gospel) that is preached to us that we are to take heed to for the rest of our life if we want to continue in this hope that only God gives.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Am I Keeping His Commandments Every Day?
Today I write this as a saved individual that has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. How do I know? I love not in word but in deed, 1 John 3:18 "....let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth." I can only do this through the grace and strength that Christ gives every day.
Phillipians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Paul, the apostle did not say some things...but all! What I can do is.... " [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:" 1 Peter 3:15.
So it with meekness and fear that I write.
I had someone within previous correspondence ask me this question concerning sin.:
1. If you recognize something to be wrong in your life, thought, word or deed... is this sin? If so, must you ask forgiveness for every standard broken that is not exactly Christ-like? If so, have you backslid every time forgiveness must be asked? If you have to ask forgiveness of another, for anything, have you sinned against them?
I can only go to scripture for my reference as to what sin is. The word of God (with the spirit witnessing) alone is my teacher. If any man or woman teaches anything that the word of God does not reveal to me as truth or is contrary to what God has shown me personally through his word then I am to reject that or shelve it until (unless) God reveals it to me in the future.
Galations 1:9 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." When a person gets saved they are a ‘babe in Christ’, reborn of the spirit. Just as a baby doesn’t know how to walk, talk, stand or do things neither does a babe in Christ. As a child grows they are taught (and disciplined to teach) what is right and wrong. This is the same as a Christian.
I pray that God will reveal to you my desire is not to judge you or your knowledge of his word or your understanding (light) of his word. It is my desire only that you pray, seek his face diligently that he reveal ‘all truth’ that you may be, and remain clean before God. I pray that you will have his love and peace on a day to day basis with no regrets or guilt. I am no one to judge your fruit. God does that through his word and what he reveals to you personally. It is possible that you (or anyone for that matter) can get saved in a location that does not teach ‘all truth’ concerning sin and what Gods standard is. But, God will show each of us more truth which possibly will expose any error in teachings or previous beliefs. We then have a decision to make whether to 'obey God rather than man'(Acts 5:29).
When I refer to ‘standard’ typically I know most individuals minds will go immediately to the ‘outward standard.’ I am not referring to this at all! I am referring to the ‘inward standard’. 1 Peter 3:4 ‘But [let it be] the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible,[even the ornament] of a meek and quiet spirit…” In this chapter the Apostle Peter deals with outward ‘standards’ but he brings it down to point out that if we have the right ‘heart condition’ one which is not corruptible, then it is easy (and our desire) to listen to and do all that the word of God will ‘teach us’ as far as obedience in our walk with God and even outward standard as he reveals it to us. 1 John 1: 7 tells us to ‘walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another,…’ Walking in the light is being obedient to what scripture teaches (trains) us as we grow in Christ.
What is sin? James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth [it] not, to him it is sin. 1 John 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
The definition of Unrighteousness is: injustice (properly the quality, by implication the act); moral wrongfulness (of character, life or act):- iniquity, unjust, unrighteousness, wrong.—Strong's Greek & Hebrew. To commit unrighteousness (sin) I must do (commit an act) something that is ‘morally wrong or something unjust to God or not do what I know to do that is good!
1 John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
Definition of committeth means to: to make or do; perform or execute (as in an act)—Strong's Greek & Hebre. Of the law, means: illegality, i.e. violation of law; wickedness :- iniquity,, unrighteousness.—Strong's Greek & Hebrew (G & H)Iniquity means: evil, sin (Strongs G & H).
If we do (perform or execute and act of) sin we violate God’s law. What law is the Apostle John writing about? The law of God brought through Christ! This law of God comes from the commandments Christ taught and ultimately what his disciples/apostles taught, as they were taught by him first hand. Jesus said in John 14: 15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. Vs 21 ‘He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me:…’
John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
Jesus is clear that ‘If we keep his commandments’ we shall ‘abide in his love.’ This thought can only lead us to the conclusion (along with multiple other scriptures) that if we ‘don’t keep his commandments’ we shall NOT ‘abide in his love.’ What are some (just a few) of his commandments? A few listed that are writings of his own words and the Apostles that knew him best and heard his words/teachings first hand:
1. Love your enemies: do good to them that hate you (Matt. 5:44).
2. Bless them that curse you; let no cursing come out of your mouth (Matt. 5:44).
3. Pray for them that despitefully use you and afflict you (Matt. 5:44).
4. Be not conformed to this world: love not the world (1 John 2:15).
5. Deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts. If thy right hand offend thee, cut it off (Titus 2:13; Matt. 5:30).
6. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate (Rom. 12:16).
7. Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart (Matt. 22:37).
8. Pray always; pray with brevity and simplicity; pray secretly (Luke 18:1; Matt. 6:7).
9. As you would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them (Matt. 7:12).
10. Take Christ for an example and follow in his steps (1 Pet. 2:21).
11. Esteem Christ more highly than all earthly things; yea, than your own life (Luke 14:26
12. Confess Christ freely before men (Luke 12:8).
13. Beware lest the cares of life or the allurements of pleasure weaken his hold on your heart (Matt. 24:44).
14. Let your light shine before men: hold forth the word of life. Do good to all men as ye have opportunity (Matt. 5:16).
15. Be holy in all manner of conversation (1 Pet. 1:15, 16). Conversation means: behavior *Strongs Greek & Hebrew Dictionary.
20. And certainly not least, Go and Sin No More (John 5:14)‘….sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.’(John 8:11)‘…Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.’
21. The definition of 'No' more means: no further :- any longer,(not) henceforth, hereafter, no henceforward (longer, more, soon), not any more.—Strong's Greek & Hebrew Dictionary
22. 1 John 3:5-6 5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
23. This is the same John who wrote the Gospel of John.
John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
The question I must ask of myself is:
‘Am I keeping his commandments every day?’
I must be honest with myself and God.
It is he alone that I will stand before in the day of judgment.
Phillipians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Paul, the apostle did not say some things...but all! What I can do is.... " [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:" 1 Peter 3:15.
So it with meekness and fear that I write.
I had someone within previous correspondence ask me this question concerning sin.:
1. If you recognize something to be wrong in your life, thought, word or deed... is this sin? If so, must you ask forgiveness for every standard broken that is not exactly Christ-like? If so, have you backslid every time forgiveness must be asked? If you have to ask forgiveness of another, for anything, have you sinned against them?
I can only go to scripture for my reference as to what sin is. The word of God (with the spirit witnessing) alone is my teacher. If any man or woman teaches anything that the word of God does not reveal to me as truth or is contrary to what God has shown me personally through his word then I am to reject that or shelve it until (unless) God reveals it to me in the future.
Galations 1:9 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." When a person gets saved they are a ‘babe in Christ’, reborn of the spirit. Just as a baby doesn’t know how to walk, talk, stand or do things neither does a babe in Christ. As a child grows they are taught (and disciplined to teach) what is right and wrong. This is the same as a Christian.
I pray that God will reveal to you my desire is not to judge you or your knowledge of his word or your understanding (light) of his word. It is my desire only that you pray, seek his face diligently that he reveal ‘all truth’ that you may be, and remain clean before God. I pray that you will have his love and peace on a day to day basis with no regrets or guilt. I am no one to judge your fruit. God does that through his word and what he reveals to you personally. It is possible that you (or anyone for that matter) can get saved in a location that does not teach ‘all truth’ concerning sin and what Gods standard is. But, God will show each of us more truth which possibly will expose any error in teachings or previous beliefs. We then have a decision to make whether to 'obey God rather than man'(Acts 5:29).
When I refer to ‘standard’ typically I know most individuals minds will go immediately to the ‘outward standard.’ I am not referring to this at all! I am referring to the ‘inward standard’. 1 Peter 3:4 ‘But [let it be] the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible,[even the ornament] of a meek and quiet spirit…” In this chapter the Apostle Peter deals with outward ‘standards’ but he brings it down to point out that if we have the right ‘heart condition’ one which is not corruptible, then it is easy (and our desire) to listen to and do all that the word of God will ‘teach us’ as far as obedience in our walk with God and even outward standard as he reveals it to us. 1 John 1: 7 tells us to ‘walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another,…’ Walking in the light is being obedient to what scripture teaches (trains) us as we grow in Christ.
What is sin? James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth [it] not, to him it is sin. 1 John 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
The definition of Unrighteousness is: injustice (properly the quality, by implication the act); moral wrongfulness (of character, life or act):- iniquity, unjust, unrighteousness, wrong.—Strong's Greek & Hebrew. To commit unrighteousness (sin) I must do (commit an act) something that is ‘morally wrong or something unjust to God or not do what I know to do that is good!
1 John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
Definition of committeth means to: to make or do; perform or execute (as in an act)—Strong's Greek & Hebre. Of the law, means: illegality, i.e. violation of law; wickedness :- iniquity,, unrighteousness.—Strong's Greek & Hebrew (G & H)Iniquity means: evil, sin (Strongs G & H).
If we do (perform or execute and act of) sin we violate God’s law. What law is the Apostle John writing about? The law of God brought through Christ! This law of God comes from the commandments Christ taught and ultimately what his disciples/apostles taught, as they were taught by him first hand. Jesus said in John 14: 15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. Vs 21 ‘He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me:…’
John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
Jesus is clear that ‘If we keep his commandments’ we shall ‘abide in his love.’ This thought can only lead us to the conclusion (along with multiple other scriptures) that if we ‘don’t keep his commandments’ we shall NOT ‘abide in his love.’ What are some (just a few) of his commandments? A few listed that are writings of his own words and the Apostles that knew him best and heard his words/teachings first hand:
1. Love your enemies: do good to them that hate you (Matt. 5:44).
2. Bless them that curse you; let no cursing come out of your mouth (Matt. 5:44).
3. Pray for them that despitefully use you and afflict you (Matt. 5:44).
4. Be not conformed to this world: love not the world (1 John 2:15).
5. Deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts. If thy right hand offend thee, cut it off (Titus 2:13; Matt. 5:30).
6. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate (Rom. 12:16).
7. Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart (Matt. 22:37).
8. Pray always; pray with brevity and simplicity; pray secretly (Luke 18:1; Matt. 6:7).
9. As you would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them (Matt. 7:12).
10. Take Christ for an example and follow in his steps (1 Pet. 2:21).
11. Esteem Christ more highly than all earthly things; yea, than your own life (Luke 14:26
12. Confess Christ freely before men (Luke 12:8).
13. Beware lest the cares of life or the allurements of pleasure weaken his hold on your heart (Matt. 24:44).
14. Let your light shine before men: hold forth the word of life. Do good to all men as ye have opportunity (Matt. 5:16).
15. Be holy in all manner of conversation (1 Pet. 1:15, 16). Conversation means: behavior *Strongs Greek & Hebrew Dictionary.
20. And certainly not least, Go and Sin No More (John 5:14)‘….sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.’(John 8:11)‘…Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.’
21. The definition of 'No' more means: no further :- any longer,(not) henceforth, hereafter, no henceforward (longer, more, soon), not any more.—Strong's Greek & Hebrew Dictionary
22. 1 John 3:5-6 5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
23. This is the same John who wrote the Gospel of John.
John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
The question I must ask of myself is:
‘Am I keeping his commandments every day?’
I must be honest with myself and God.
It is he alone that I will stand before in the day of judgment.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
My Heritage….My Testimony! Seeing God’s hand in my life
Psalms 16:5-6
5 The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.
6 The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.
Born : August 17, 1961 Daytona Beach Florida
Father – Allen L Wingate Sr Entertainer/Rock n Roll (Allen Page) 1957-1963
Evangelist / Pastor 1965 – 1993 Nine (9) Children - Eight (8) living
Mother – Joann Wingate
My father, Allen Wingte Sr (AKA – Allen Page) played in the clubs in Daytona, Cocoa Beach (Space coast) and Memphis, Tennessee where he recorded on Moon Records and had reasonable success for the time period. One of the first time God’s hand was evident to be working in my fathers life, looking back, and ultimately mine was when a day or so before he was slated to be promoted to a nationwide audience on Dick Clarks ‘American Bandstand, the Payola Scandal, in which disc jockeys accepted cash and gifts in exchange for airplay, broke. American Bandstand was removed from the airwaves, for a period of three years and Dick Clark investigated and testified to Senate subcommittees in 1960. Not having the opportunity to be promoted nationwide (and ultimately worldwide) caused us to return to the Space Coast area to continue his music career until about 1963. How do I see God’s hand in this, for my life? God knew what plan he had for dealing with my parents and if my father had been able to achieve nationwide fame & money, it would have been next to impossible for him to be willing to give up such acclaim.
It was not uncommon for the children (five boys at the time) to be taken to the venues that he played in and be there until the show ended many times until 5:00 a.m. in the morning.. There was heavy drinking, smoking, drugs, women and all the evil influences that go along with the entertainment industry life. This is the way we were being raised. My parents then had a sixth child, a girl (finally) Mary Lisa in 1962. She became my fathers pride and joy and he had big plans for her in the entertainment industry, singing, movies, etc..
Until God came on the scene! A close friend and fellow musician, Billy Brown, got saved and began to preach the gospel after only a few months time. Billy was a former entertainer (rock-a-billy/country music), RCA record label artist, who’s promoter became Gene Autry, after RCA decided to drop his contract. Billy began to do evangelistic work and God began to work in his ministry. It was through his ministry and the hand of God that my father got gloriously saved. In the summer of 1963, my little sister, Mary Lisa died on Daytona Beach at three (3) months 10 days old. I was almost three (3) years old. God used the death of the most precious thing that Dad worshipped, his baby girl.
God began to deal with both mom and dad, showing them that they did not have control of their own life and had them come in contact with other individuals that they knew whose lives had been changed by the power of God. Mom got saved first then about six weeks later dad got saved and our lives changed forever. Dad quit the entertainment industry and ultimately began to travel with Billy Brown, both traveling for the Lord, strictly by faith without any assistance of a missionary board, head quarters support or regular offerings from any local congregation.
God began showing Billy and Dad truth of the gospel. Whatever God showed them in his word, they preached it. When God showed them the truth on sanctification, faith, healing or unity and one church, the Church of God, they preached it. From 1963 to about 1968 the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ was preached in various parts of the United States while only living and trusting God through Faith.
Commonly I have heard it told how they left home with a full tank of gas, $5.00 in their pocket and milk and bread at home for the family and trusting God to provide the money to send back to the families (as there were three, Billy’s, Tommy Browns and the Wingate family) for food, needed items and bills. I have heard of many miracles that God wrought because of their faith (and have seen many with my own eyes). Deaf ears opened, crooked eyes straightened out, blind eyes opened, arthritic legs/knees healed, wheel chair bound individuals stand up and walk that had not walked in 5-10 years, appendicitis healed. I saw God raise my father up at a camp meeting in Manassas, Virgina from a heart attack / stroke one night, to preaching a 1 ½ - 2 hour message the following night. It was this kind of faith and trust in God that has given me such a GREAT HERITAGE.
God directed for our family to move to Valdosta, Georgia where Bro. Wingate became the pastor and God used various contacts to bring us around the Church of God, holding the Seventh-seal message of Justification, Sanctification and Unity of God’s people giving the call to all believers to Come Out from all false religion. Through God’s leading we ended up moving to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1970, where God led Brother Wingate to do full time evangelistic work (again) and travel all over the United States, Canada and Mexico holding revivals and meetings.
While in Ohio, at the age of 11, I came down with Rheumatic fever. Dad (and Mom) were very aware of the extreme danger that I was facing. Dad had Rheumatic Fever at a young age and again shortly after being saved. They asked me if I wanted to go to the doctor or trust in God. From an early age, I had been taught (and led by example) to trust in God. He had healed my brother Allen of deafness, Tommy of Appendicitis and raised Dad up from Rheumatic fever again, shortly after being saved. Trusting in God for all things was a large part of the heritage that God gave me as a young child. I became extremely sick with fevers in the 105 degree range. Mom and Dad getting me up out of bed with me crying/screaming from the pain and fever, putting me in the tub full of ice water to try to keep my temperature down while praying, believing God would heal me, quoting many scriptures of God’s promises……. knowing that Gods word is true ……healing is promised if we will ask, with faith believing.
Isaiah 53:4-5
Surely He hath borne our griefs (Hebrew: sicknesses) and carried our sorrows (Hebrew: pains) yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and by His stripes we are healed.
Through much prayer, fasting and laying on of hands by men of God that had faith, God raised me up. I thank God for his faithfulness. There is much more that I could expound upon on this subject of God being faithful and showing his goodness to me and my family. God raising me up from Chorea, also known as St. Vitus Dance, while blessing me with the ability to pass all of my school courses with high marks.
In 1975, the spirit of God, directed Bro. Wingate to move our family and establish the congregation of the Church of God in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. I can testify to God providing for our families needs, through my parents believing and trusting in God in a real way, that cannot be explained any other way. The fact that we moved to Florida with eight children and a congregation comprised of six adults and sixteen children (of which eight was our family), shows the faith and trust that my parents had in God. Until the congregation grew to such size to be able to provide income to support our family, God’s hand was seen each day to provide for our needs. We knew the real meaning of the verse from 1 Timothy 6:6&8, Vs 6 “But godliness with contentment is great gain. Vs 8, And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” Raising up the congregation, only with the grace and direction of God, showed me the moving of Gods hand in my life for many years.
In 1993,God took my father home to be with him and his reward. This was after a life of faithfulness, service and living and dying the way he preached, by faith. He was only fifty-six (56) years old.
This was the single most earth shaking time in my life. I could not understand how this man, of ‘great faith’, who’s life by 100% example as he taught, preached and lived his Life, could be taken away at such a young age. This shook me to my core and I later came to understand that my faith, trust and strength was more in this man, my father, than what it should have been in and that is my heavenly father, GOD.
It was during this time that God blessed me to write several songs. I had tried previously to write songs but had failed in my endeavors, but God gave me words and tunes that blessed me personally and I believe were sent to give me encouragement through this time of shaking in my life. Looking back in retrospect, I don’t believe I ever really got planted and grounded with God and struggled for a real relationship and experience and ultimately this led to me giving up on myself. I knew that God did not fail me. The church did not fail me. My pastor did not fail me. I failed to do what I needed to do to establish and keep a real relationship with my savior and king and to lean on his strength when the toughest times would come against me spiritually.
To many people looking on within the church, I appeared a rock in my family. One of only two Wingate children that had been faithful for many years in the work of the Church of God in New Smyrna Beach. This was attested to by many saints and ministers in multiple meetings, camp meetings and fellowship meetings, but within myself I found that I was struggling to keep an experience and I did not seek God’s face in the hardest times and leaned on my own understanding and wisdom which failed me. My strength spiritually, had been mostly gained from my father’s great faith but when he was gone, I did not have the proper personal relationship with my Lord Jesus Christ, thereby I was unable to stand.
This led me to give up my experience openly and backslide. This was only a short time after God had mercy on my life when I developed congestive heart failure and I was able to come through a open-heart, double valve replacement surgery with no complications and an extremely short recovery time.
For several years prior, my personal family life and marriage began falling apart. Not being in the spiritual condition that I needed to be in and following God’s direction fully and my wife rejecting counsel concerning friends and influences, destroyed fully what relationship we had including trust, through terrible circumstance, ultimately killing any love we ever had for one another. Believing that my open backslidden condition would be for a ‘short’ time until my marriage issue was resolved and I could be ‘clear’ to obey God without the strife and sin that was ever before me in the home and in my own life, I reasoned that I would soon be back in the fold of God’s people, saved. This did not happen! My wife of nineteen years, filed for divorce and it was finalized within a short time. I was devastated that I could allow sin to control my personal life but also the lives of those that I influenced the most, my children. But without Gods control, sin and SATAN will always control.
I began to partake of worldly pleasures as I reasoned that I might as well try to have some fun and not just be miserable in my sin. After I was unsaved for a period of about a year I met the woman who eventual became my wife, Candy, for the first time. Through some unusual circumstances, we met and over a period of time we grew to love one another. I personally believe that this was God’s ‘permissive will’ (not his perfect will) to allow me to find a good woman to love and one that would help me re-build some self-esteem and respect back to my life which ultimately is what I needed (along with faith!) to believe that I could seek God’s face again.
I made it as clear to her as I could, that some day, if God had mercy on me, to deal with me, that I would get saved. I explained the doctrinal teachings of the Church of God and how getting saved, would affect our relationship. She said she understood what that would mean, but I know that she really didn’t and did not know what that change really meant to us, our home life, social life and relationship.
I believe this is part of the hand of God that he used to start me back on the road to returning to him. Even though we both began to seek much pleasure in sin, for a season, and even though we both could have allowed ourselves to get caught up in some extremely wicked things that could have destroyed us both and our life together, I believe God was faithful to me to allow us to put the brakes on some things and not just give into every sinful pleasure that ‘felt good!’
There are many other examples of faith, which is my great heritage and one that I am asking God to allow me to be an example of (to the believer) in a real way. I have witnessed so much personally that God used, for me to use, in my journey back to him.
It was shortly after our home was decimated by the hurricanes in 2004 that God used an unusual event, in my life that caused me to seek getting to a location that I could get around the gospel to begin rebuilding my faith through hearing the preaching of the word of God. This event was such nature that I have only told two individuals about it as it is extremely personal and humbling that God would do this for me to shake me spiritually. I will not explain this further, as it was and is very personal, but God was and continues to be faithful!
It was through this that too, my wife and I decided that it would be better for us (physically and mentally) to leave the state of Florida. I then began to send out resumes and contact companies outside the state of Florida. In my doing so, I desired to be near a congregation of the Church of God because I wanted to be in a location where if (when) God began to work with me that I would be able to go and get the faith that I needed to be able to make a positive move. My desire also was to be able to listen and gain confidence in that pastor and congregation. All of the localities that I sent resumes to and in all my job searches were within 50-75 miles (+/-) of cities that I believed to have Church of God congregations, throughout the United States.
It was a short period of time that I was contacted by a firm in Memphis, Tennessee. They made me an offer and we put our home up for sale. This was in September, 2006. I then went to Tennessee to get established in the position and flying back and forth every 4 -6 weeks for a week at a time.
I was in Tennessee for a while, when I contacted Bro. Jennings in Forrest City, Arkansas. I spoke to him at great length concerning my desire. For various reasons I did not (or was unable to) attend as often as I would have liked.
In late winter (’06) and early spring (’07). I began to get depressed at not being with my family and with our home not selling. I came home over Memorial Day weekend (2007) and God provided, in a unusual manner, which enabled me to come back to the area. I believe this was God working in my life preparing me for what was to come.
Sometime in early fall 2007, I received a phone call from Bro. Carlos Gonzalez from Plant City, FL. I had known Bro. Carlos when we both were young boys. I did not even know that he lived within 10-12 miles from my home, in Lakeland, Florida. In mid-February 2007, I visited the congregation of the Church of God, in Plant City, for the first time. I believe that I was open and honest with Bro. Carlos and the congregation here as to what my intentions were and what I knew that I needed. One year, almost to the day that God began his work in my behalf for my return to Florida, God saved me at an altar of prayer! He worked with me, dug around and prepared my heart and gave me the faith that I could trust in him to save me and KEEP ME!
On May 25, 2008 God gloriously saved me! Now over two (2) years later, I give God praise and Glory, that I am still saved, sanctified and have complete victory over sin and Satan! I have found that I have unity & fellowship with ALL the saved that God has allowed me to come in contact that are walking in the ‘light of God’. 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another,’
Pray for me that I continue to walk in all light that God sheds upon my path and that I ever stay in the center of his will.
Saints of God please receive admonition.
Please don’t ever take someone coming around the Gospel for a period of time and not going to the altar as a rejection of the Gospel. Please don’t ever stop holding a burden for a soul because they look or act hard on the outside. We never know what God is doing on the inside. Breaking up the stony heart and preparing it for the planted seed to take root, building faith in that individual for them to really believe that God can and will do what he has promised. How do I know? He did it for me!
God has been better to me than anyone I know. I know that many may feel that way but you are not going to take that away from me….!
I have so many stories of the goodness of God and how he led me to the place and the experience that I hold today. It came down to honesty of heart before God, seeking his face, hearing the word of God, gaining faith to be saved and ultimately confessing my sin and forsaking my way to follow God's way.
His way is above our way and his thoughts above our thought!
I ask myself, “Am I continually honest with God in my experience and relationship with him?” I can say yes and AMEN to that 100% and I know it is only God who has helped me to keep it just that way! As a message admonished us, “Brethren, pray FOR ME”……that I stay in the center of His will, that God continue to work with me on the work He wants me to do, now and in the future all for the building up of the Kingdom of God, seeking the Lost …..and dying! Pray for me…that I remain true and faithful…. trusting God with faith unwavering….
This is my testimony of the workings of the hand of God.
This is my heritage........
5 The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.
6 The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.
Born : August 17, 1961 Daytona Beach Florida
Father – Allen L Wingate Sr Entertainer/Rock n Roll (Allen Page) 1957-1963
Evangelist / Pastor 1965 – 1993 Nine (9) Children - Eight (8) living
Mother – Joann Wingate
My father, Allen Wingte Sr (AKA – Allen Page) played in the clubs in Daytona, Cocoa Beach (Space coast) and Memphis, Tennessee where he recorded on Moon Records and had reasonable success for the time period. One of the first time God’s hand was evident to be working in my fathers life, looking back, and ultimately mine was when a day or so before he was slated to be promoted to a nationwide audience on Dick Clarks ‘American Bandstand, the Payola Scandal, in which disc jockeys accepted cash and gifts in exchange for airplay, broke. American Bandstand was removed from the airwaves, for a period of three years and Dick Clark investigated and testified to Senate subcommittees in 1960. Not having the opportunity to be promoted nationwide (and ultimately worldwide) caused us to return to the Space Coast area to continue his music career until about 1963. How do I see God’s hand in this, for my life? God knew what plan he had for dealing with my parents and if my father had been able to achieve nationwide fame & money, it would have been next to impossible for him to be willing to give up such acclaim.
It was not uncommon for the children (five boys at the time) to be taken to the venues that he played in and be there until the show ended many times until 5:00 a.m. in the morning.. There was heavy drinking, smoking, drugs, women and all the evil influences that go along with the entertainment industry life. This is the way we were being raised. My parents then had a sixth child, a girl (finally) Mary Lisa in 1962. She became my fathers pride and joy and he had big plans for her in the entertainment industry, singing, movies, etc..
Until God came on the scene! A close friend and fellow musician, Billy Brown, got saved and began to preach the gospel after only a few months time. Billy was a former entertainer (rock-a-billy/country music), RCA record label artist, who’s promoter became Gene Autry, after RCA decided to drop his contract. Billy began to do evangelistic work and God began to work in his ministry. It was through his ministry and the hand of God that my father got gloriously saved. In the summer of 1963, my little sister, Mary Lisa died on Daytona Beach at three (3) months 10 days old. I was almost three (3) years old. God used the death of the most precious thing that Dad worshipped, his baby girl.
God began to deal with both mom and dad, showing them that they did not have control of their own life and had them come in contact with other individuals that they knew whose lives had been changed by the power of God. Mom got saved first then about six weeks later dad got saved and our lives changed forever. Dad quit the entertainment industry and ultimately began to travel with Billy Brown, both traveling for the Lord, strictly by faith without any assistance of a missionary board, head quarters support or regular offerings from any local congregation.
God began showing Billy and Dad truth of the gospel. Whatever God showed them in his word, they preached it. When God showed them the truth on sanctification, faith, healing or unity and one church, the Church of God, they preached it. From 1963 to about 1968 the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ was preached in various parts of the United States while only living and trusting God through Faith.
Commonly I have heard it told how they left home with a full tank of gas, $5.00 in their pocket and milk and bread at home for the family and trusting God to provide the money to send back to the families (as there were three, Billy’s, Tommy Browns and the Wingate family) for food, needed items and bills. I have heard of many miracles that God wrought because of their faith (and have seen many with my own eyes). Deaf ears opened, crooked eyes straightened out, blind eyes opened, arthritic legs/knees healed, wheel chair bound individuals stand up and walk that had not walked in 5-10 years, appendicitis healed. I saw God raise my father up at a camp meeting in Manassas, Virgina from a heart attack / stroke one night, to preaching a 1 ½ - 2 hour message the following night. It was this kind of faith and trust in God that has given me such a GREAT HERITAGE.
God directed for our family to move to Valdosta, Georgia where Bro. Wingate became the pastor and God used various contacts to bring us around the Church of God, holding the Seventh-seal message of Justification, Sanctification and Unity of God’s people giving the call to all believers to Come Out from all false religion. Through God’s leading we ended up moving to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1970, where God led Brother Wingate to do full time evangelistic work (again) and travel all over the United States, Canada and Mexico holding revivals and meetings.
While in Ohio, at the age of 11, I came down with Rheumatic fever. Dad (and Mom) were very aware of the extreme danger that I was facing. Dad had Rheumatic Fever at a young age and again shortly after being saved. They asked me if I wanted to go to the doctor or trust in God. From an early age, I had been taught (and led by example) to trust in God. He had healed my brother Allen of deafness, Tommy of Appendicitis and raised Dad up from Rheumatic fever again, shortly after being saved. Trusting in God for all things was a large part of the heritage that God gave me as a young child. I became extremely sick with fevers in the 105 degree range. Mom and Dad getting me up out of bed with me crying/screaming from the pain and fever, putting me in the tub full of ice water to try to keep my temperature down while praying, believing God would heal me, quoting many scriptures of God’s promises……. knowing that Gods word is true ……healing is promised if we will ask, with faith believing.
Isaiah 53:4-5
Surely He hath borne our griefs (Hebrew: sicknesses) and carried our sorrows (Hebrew: pains) yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and by His stripes we are healed.
Through much prayer, fasting and laying on of hands by men of God that had faith, God raised me up. I thank God for his faithfulness. There is much more that I could expound upon on this subject of God being faithful and showing his goodness to me and my family. God raising me up from Chorea, also known as St. Vitus Dance, while blessing me with the ability to pass all of my school courses with high marks.
In 1975, the spirit of God, directed Bro. Wingate to move our family and establish the congregation of the Church of God in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. I can testify to God providing for our families needs, through my parents believing and trusting in God in a real way, that cannot be explained any other way. The fact that we moved to Florida with eight children and a congregation comprised of six adults and sixteen children (of which eight was our family), shows the faith and trust that my parents had in God. Until the congregation grew to such size to be able to provide income to support our family, God’s hand was seen each day to provide for our needs. We knew the real meaning of the verse from 1 Timothy 6:6&8, Vs 6 “But godliness with contentment is great gain. Vs 8, And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” Raising up the congregation, only with the grace and direction of God, showed me the moving of Gods hand in my life for many years.
In 1993,God took my father home to be with him and his reward. This was after a life of faithfulness, service and living and dying the way he preached, by faith. He was only fifty-six (56) years old.
This was the single most earth shaking time in my life. I could not understand how this man, of ‘great faith’, who’s life by 100% example as he taught, preached and lived his Life, could be taken away at such a young age. This shook me to my core and I later came to understand that my faith, trust and strength was more in this man, my father, than what it should have been in and that is my heavenly father, GOD.
It was during this time that God blessed me to write several songs. I had tried previously to write songs but had failed in my endeavors, but God gave me words and tunes that blessed me personally and I believe were sent to give me encouragement through this time of shaking in my life. Looking back in retrospect, I don’t believe I ever really got planted and grounded with God and struggled for a real relationship and experience and ultimately this led to me giving up on myself. I knew that God did not fail me. The church did not fail me. My pastor did not fail me. I failed to do what I needed to do to establish and keep a real relationship with my savior and king and to lean on his strength when the toughest times would come against me spiritually.
To many people looking on within the church, I appeared a rock in my family. One of only two Wingate children that had been faithful for many years in the work of the Church of God in New Smyrna Beach. This was attested to by many saints and ministers in multiple meetings, camp meetings and fellowship meetings, but within myself I found that I was struggling to keep an experience and I did not seek God’s face in the hardest times and leaned on my own understanding and wisdom which failed me. My strength spiritually, had been mostly gained from my father’s great faith but when he was gone, I did not have the proper personal relationship with my Lord Jesus Christ, thereby I was unable to stand.
This led me to give up my experience openly and backslide. This was only a short time after God had mercy on my life when I developed congestive heart failure and I was able to come through a open-heart, double valve replacement surgery with no complications and an extremely short recovery time.
For several years prior, my personal family life and marriage began falling apart. Not being in the spiritual condition that I needed to be in and following God’s direction fully and my wife rejecting counsel concerning friends and influences, destroyed fully what relationship we had including trust, through terrible circumstance, ultimately killing any love we ever had for one another. Believing that my open backslidden condition would be for a ‘short’ time until my marriage issue was resolved and I could be ‘clear’ to obey God without the strife and sin that was ever before me in the home and in my own life, I reasoned that I would soon be back in the fold of God’s people, saved. This did not happen! My wife of nineteen years, filed for divorce and it was finalized within a short time. I was devastated that I could allow sin to control my personal life but also the lives of those that I influenced the most, my children. But without Gods control, sin and SATAN will always control.
I began to partake of worldly pleasures as I reasoned that I might as well try to have some fun and not just be miserable in my sin. After I was unsaved for a period of about a year I met the woman who eventual became my wife, Candy, for the first time. Through some unusual circumstances, we met and over a period of time we grew to love one another. I personally believe that this was God’s ‘permissive will’ (not his perfect will) to allow me to find a good woman to love and one that would help me re-build some self-esteem and respect back to my life which ultimately is what I needed (along with faith!) to believe that I could seek God’s face again.
I made it as clear to her as I could, that some day, if God had mercy on me, to deal with me, that I would get saved. I explained the doctrinal teachings of the Church of God and how getting saved, would affect our relationship. She said she understood what that would mean, but I know that she really didn’t and did not know what that change really meant to us, our home life, social life and relationship.
I believe this is part of the hand of God that he used to start me back on the road to returning to him. Even though we both began to seek much pleasure in sin, for a season, and even though we both could have allowed ourselves to get caught up in some extremely wicked things that could have destroyed us both and our life together, I believe God was faithful to me to allow us to put the brakes on some things and not just give into every sinful pleasure that ‘felt good!’
There are many other examples of faith, which is my great heritage and one that I am asking God to allow me to be an example of (to the believer) in a real way. I have witnessed so much personally that God used, for me to use, in my journey back to him.
It was shortly after our home was decimated by the hurricanes in 2004 that God used an unusual event, in my life that caused me to seek getting to a location that I could get around the gospel to begin rebuilding my faith through hearing the preaching of the word of God. This event was such nature that I have only told two individuals about it as it is extremely personal and humbling that God would do this for me to shake me spiritually. I will not explain this further, as it was and is very personal, but God was and continues to be faithful!
It was through this that too, my wife and I decided that it would be better for us (physically and mentally) to leave the state of Florida. I then began to send out resumes and contact companies outside the state of Florida. In my doing so, I desired to be near a congregation of the Church of God because I wanted to be in a location where if (when) God began to work with me that I would be able to go and get the faith that I needed to be able to make a positive move. My desire also was to be able to listen and gain confidence in that pastor and congregation. All of the localities that I sent resumes to and in all my job searches were within 50-75 miles (+/-) of cities that I believed to have Church of God congregations, throughout the United States.
It was a short period of time that I was contacted by a firm in Memphis, Tennessee. They made me an offer and we put our home up for sale. This was in September, 2006. I then went to Tennessee to get established in the position and flying back and forth every 4 -6 weeks for a week at a time.
I was in Tennessee for a while, when I contacted Bro. Jennings in Forrest City, Arkansas. I spoke to him at great length concerning my desire. For various reasons I did not (or was unable to) attend as often as I would have liked.
In late winter (’06) and early spring (’07). I began to get depressed at not being with my family and with our home not selling. I came home over Memorial Day weekend (2007) and God provided, in a unusual manner, which enabled me to come back to the area. I believe this was God working in my life preparing me for what was to come.
Sometime in early fall 2007, I received a phone call from Bro. Carlos Gonzalez from Plant City, FL. I had known Bro. Carlos when we both were young boys. I did not even know that he lived within 10-12 miles from my home, in Lakeland, Florida. In mid-February 2007, I visited the congregation of the Church of God, in Plant City, for the first time. I believe that I was open and honest with Bro. Carlos and the congregation here as to what my intentions were and what I knew that I needed. One year, almost to the day that God began his work in my behalf for my return to Florida, God saved me at an altar of prayer! He worked with me, dug around and prepared my heart and gave me the faith that I could trust in him to save me and KEEP ME!
On May 25, 2008 God gloriously saved me! Now over two (2) years later, I give God praise and Glory, that I am still saved, sanctified and have complete victory over sin and Satan! I have found that I have unity & fellowship with ALL the saved that God has allowed me to come in contact that are walking in the ‘light of God’. 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another,’
Pray for me that I continue to walk in all light that God sheds upon my path and that I ever stay in the center of his will.
Saints of God please receive admonition.
Please don’t ever take someone coming around the Gospel for a period of time and not going to the altar as a rejection of the Gospel. Please don’t ever stop holding a burden for a soul because they look or act hard on the outside. We never know what God is doing on the inside. Breaking up the stony heart and preparing it for the planted seed to take root, building faith in that individual for them to really believe that God can and will do what he has promised. How do I know? He did it for me!
God has been better to me than anyone I know. I know that many may feel that way but you are not going to take that away from me….!
I have so many stories of the goodness of God and how he led me to the place and the experience that I hold today. It came down to honesty of heart before God, seeking his face, hearing the word of God, gaining faith to be saved and ultimately confessing my sin and forsaking my way to follow God's way.
His way is above our way and his thoughts above our thought!
I ask myself, “Am I continually honest with God in my experience and relationship with him?” I can say yes and AMEN to that 100% and I know it is only God who has helped me to keep it just that way! As a message admonished us, “Brethren, pray FOR ME”……that I stay in the center of His will, that God continue to work with me on the work He wants me to do, now and in the future all for the building up of the Kingdom of God, seeking the Lost …..and dying! Pray for me…that I remain true and faithful…. trusting God with faith unwavering….
This is my testimony of the workings of the hand of God.
This is my heritage........
Friday, July 16, 2010
Stop Falling Into Sin! Live Holy
2 Peter 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
Election: What is, or who is of the ‘election?”
1 Tim 1:4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
Rom 8:28-31 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
If you are going to profess Christ, you must get serious about staying free from sin. The cycle of sinning and repenting must be broken and you must resolve to do it at any cost.
If a person is having problems falling into sin and they are not willing to commit to follow the ‘radical’ steps that it takes to GET free and stay FREE, then that person needs to stop professing as they are just deceiving themselves.
Luke 6:47-49 47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: 48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. 49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.
We are going to study if we “do these things” (2 Peter 1:10) and continue in them, we are guaranteed by the Word of God that “ye shall never fall” (2 Peter 1:10) into sin again.
1. Renounce the Sin-You-Must Teaching:
You must renounce the teaching that sin is compatible in any way, shape, or form with the Christian life.
What is sin? 1 John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
‘committeth’ – means to ..’ to make or do’, continue, execute, perform, agree, transgress
‘transgresseth’ – means…’illegality, violation of the law, wickedness…..unrighteousness.
When I say sin, I am not writing about driving 5-10 mph over the speed limit, lacking patience with others, or being late for some commitment you’ve made. I am writing about willful sins such as anger, lying, viewing porn, giving into hatred, acting spitefully towards others, drugs, drinking etc… Whatever God has shown YOU in a very clear way personally to do or not to do and if you do it or are not doing it then you are sinning. If you are obedient then you are not sinning!
Things where you are clearly tempted and where God promised to “make a way to escape” (1 Cor 10:13) but you refused to take it, and instead give into temptation and do what you clearly know is wrong because the Bible stands against it.
1 Cor 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
It is essential that we clearly understand Romans 7:19 and Romans 7:23 as the Apostle Paul’s experience under the old ‘covenant’ or old ‘Mosaic’ law.
Romans 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
Romans 7:23 I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Paul’s testimony of his ‘Gospel experience’ is written about in Romans 8:2-3
Romans 8:2-3 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
It needs to be revealed to you that 1 John 1:8 is written to those that John declared the Word of Life so that they “also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ” (1Joh 1:3), as those that don’t have fellowship with the Father and claimed to be sin free without Christ are deceived.
1John 1:5-10 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (Ps 94:20, 2 Cor 6:14-16, Prov 4:18-19,John 3:20, John 12:46).
Considering vs. 8, some would say, see even the Apostle John says that ‘if we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves.’ We must consider who John is writing to and why he is writing this letter. The angel of God had informed John that he was to get off the Isle of Patmos, when he was revealed 'the Revelation of Jesus Christ',' and preach again. If we study 1st, 2nd and 3rd John, the thrust is putting judgment on sinning religion and lack of love. This study is on the former. John found that in the years since the church was first established that men were bringing in ‘doctrines of devils.’ Some were teaching that they had no sin when they had committed sin and others teaching that they ‘have not’ (never) sinned. He does not address 1st John to any specific congregation of the Church of God, but to the body general. John is writing to the saints of God and challenging them to ‘judge righteous judgment’ and not deny that there is ‘sin in their midst.’ Vs. 8, again…”if we say (the body of Christ) that we have no sin (in our midst), we deceive ourselves.’ If we (as individuals and the body of Christ) acknowledge the sin and confess and forsake it, then he is ‘…. faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’ Then, in vs 10, he clearly teaches, ‘If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.’
It is those that claim to be Christians and “keepeth not his commandments” that are “a liar” and are deceived (1Joh 2:2-4).
1 John 2:2-4 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. (1 Jn 2:1, 1 John 4:20, James 2:14-16)
……….not those that are “born of God” and “sinneth not” and have the testimony that they “keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not” (1Joh 5:18).
1 John 5:18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. (I John 5:9, 1 John 3:9, James 1:27,
Jude 1:24)
We need to see that when Paul held that he was a chief sinner (1Tim 1:13-16), it was because he was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and injurious to the church .
1 Timothy 1: 13-16 13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 4 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. (1 Cor 15:9, Gal. 1:13, Phil. 3:6, Acts 26:9)
Verse 15 Paul says…’of whom I AM chief.’ This is why we can’t take the American English language as the only definition of words in the bible as to our understanding. We must ‘study’ to to prove all things. The words I AM in the bible in context in the Hebrew and Greek come from the Greek word:
eimi— i-mee’ (pronounced aamee) – meaning : I exist, have been, I was
After he got saved, Paul had a different testimony
Acts 24: 16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
1 Thess 2:10 Ye [are] witnesses, and God [also], how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
God needs to reveal to you that when Paul stated that there “is none righteous, no, not one” (Rom 3:10), he is referring to those “that understandeth” not and those that refuse to “seeketh after God” (Rom 3:11). Not to the Christian whom Christ has opened “their understanding, that they might understand” (Luke 24:45) or those that have been rewarded because they do “diligently seek him” (Heb 11:6).
Psalms 53:1-3 1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.
2 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.
3 Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
We as saints of God need to cast down, in our lives, and thoughts of those around us that Christ doesn’t have the power to ‘save his people from their sins’ (Matt 1:21). We need to cry out and protest aloud against false teachers and preachers and ‘slay them SPIRITUALLY,’ having nothing to do with any teaching that holds we must sin in word, thought and/or deed daily.
We can’t be Christ-like (Christian) if we continue sinning.
1 John 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
You can be no more a sinning saint (holy one) than you can be an honest thief, a chaste fornicator and/or adulterer, or a sober drunk!
2. Godly Sorrow & Repentance:
You must get before the Lord and beg for godly sorrow that will work repentance unto salvation.
2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
See the sins you have been committing as “exceeding sinful”.
Romans 7:13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
“Bewail” what a terrible example your sinning experience has been before your family, other Christians and the world.
2 Corinthians 12:21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.
But you may say, “I thought salvation was by grace alone through faith alone and that it is not of works least we can boast” .
Eph 2:8,9 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.
True faith will not be found where God has not worked godly sorrow and repentance in the heart.
Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
Godly sorrow and repentance is the ground where saving faith for salvation is born.
Forsake every sin that you have been making room for in your life. Do everything, take every ‘radical’ step or act that you must to….not enter into temptation.
Matthew 26:41 41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
If you have had problems with porn, don’t go where magazines are sold or go to websites on the internet or if it is to strong of a pull you the spirit of God may direct you to get rid of the internet! If you have problems with alcohol or drinking don’t hang around with those that drink or do drugs. Don’t go where drugs and alcohol are prevalent.
Renounce any, that you may want to hold to that has been a tool of Satan in your life that would have you deny Christ along the way.
Brethren, if you have fallen into sin by looking upon a “woman to lust after her” (Mat 5:28) then stay away from the beach and the mall and avoid immodestly dressed woman at all cost. Run from them, flee, and close your eyes, plea the blood! Whatever you must do! Take radical measures!
Sisters, Whatever your temptations are? To fit in, to go along, to flirt a little, immodest dress, attitudes …whatever it is. Take radical measures to flee from that temptation that can cause you to sin.
You may say “Why?… this sounds like bondage!” No! Sinning is bondage.
2 Peter 2:19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
(Romans 6:12-14, 16-22, 2 Tim 2:25-26)
Jesus said if you’re “right eye offend thee, pluck it out” and if you’re “right hand offend thee, cut it off” (Mat 5:29,30).
Matthew 5:29 29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
If the spirit of God directs me to give up the internet, the mall, beach, so-called friends ect. and I complain, SHAME on ME! I have yet to find true Godly sorrow!
1 Tim 4:1-2 1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times so
me 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;
2 Peter 2: 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
Proverbs 26:11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
It is not easy to break and turn away from a “form of godliness” that has been “denying the power thereof” and your habit of sinning and repenting over and over. You have seared your “conscience with a hot iron” by all your hypocrisy and all this going back to the barf and excrement of sin so many times. So make sure your godly sorrow is deep and true and your repentance is firm and solid.
3. Practical Christian Living:
After you have made a clean start you now need to take steps so that you will not fall back into sin.
a) Avoid the places, things, people, ideas or anything that will bring your mind into subjection to temptation of the sins that you have been falling into.
1 Tim 2:22 22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
1 Tim 6:6-11 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
b) Find spiritual persons, pastor and congregation that have victory over sin and follow them as they follow Christ.
Hebrews 10:24-25 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
(Rom 15:1, 1 Cor. 8:12, Col 3:16, Acts 2:42, Acts 20:7, 1 Cor 5:4)
c) Listen very closely to and obey the voice of the Lord – who will be faithful to warn you when temptation is near.
1 Cor 11:32 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
Hebrews 12:5-6 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
d) Start every your day with prayer and reading of the Bible
1 Tim 4:13, 15 13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
(PS 119:97-104, John 5:39, Acts 6:4, Acts 17:11
15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. (Joshua 1:8, Ps 1:2, Ps 63:6, Ps 143:5, Ps 119:15, 23,48,148)
This is more important than breakfast. Make sure you get to bed early enough so you can get up early enough and spend whatever time that Gods spirit directs you, this could be 30 minutes to ……whatever, in devotions every morning.
I will say this though, if I spend 1 -2 – 3 hours reading, listening to the radio, entertainment of whatever sort, internet and I am only giving God fifteen (15) minutes or nothing, I personally believe I better check my personal relationship with God.
It is by faith that we have the victory over the world and quench all the darts of the evil one.
Reading your Bible (Rom 10:17) and praying in the Spirit (Jud 1:20) will build faith.
Romans 10:17 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. \
Jude 1:20 20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
e) Get a good spiritual uplifting book and read a portion each day.
2 Tim 4:13 13 The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.
f) Meditate on f the Word of God. (1Tim 4:15).
1 Tim 4:15-16 15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. 16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
g) Memorize scriptures regularly.
Start with 1Cor 10:13; 2The 3:3; 2Pet 1:10; and Jude 1:24.
1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
2 Thess 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
2 Peter 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
Jude 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
h) Hide these scriptures and others in your heart, that you will not sin against the Lord
(Ps 119:11).
Election: What is, or who is of the ‘election?”
1 Tim 1:4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
Rom 8:28-31 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
If you are going to profess Christ, you must get serious about staying free from sin. The cycle of sinning and repenting must be broken and you must resolve to do it at any cost.
If a person is having problems falling into sin and they are not willing to commit to follow the ‘radical’ steps that it takes to GET free and stay FREE, then that person needs to stop professing as they are just deceiving themselves.
Luke 6:47-49 47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: 48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. 49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.
We are going to study if we “do these things” (2 Peter 1:10) and continue in them, we are guaranteed by the Word of God that “ye shall never fall” (2 Peter 1:10) into sin again.
1. Renounce the Sin-You-Must Teaching:
You must renounce the teaching that sin is compatible in any way, shape, or form with the Christian life.
What is sin? 1 John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
‘committeth’ – means to ..’ to make or do’, continue, execute, perform, agree, transgress
‘transgresseth’ – means…’illegality, violation of the law, wickedness…..unrighteousness.
When I say sin, I am not writing about driving 5-10 mph over the speed limit, lacking patience with others, or being late for some commitment you’ve made. I am writing about willful sins such as anger, lying, viewing porn, giving into hatred, acting spitefully towards others, drugs, drinking etc… Whatever God has shown YOU in a very clear way personally to do or not to do and if you do it or are not doing it then you are sinning. If you are obedient then you are not sinning!
Things where you are clearly tempted and where God promised to “make a way to escape” (1 Cor 10:13) but you refused to take it, and instead give into temptation and do what you clearly know is wrong because the Bible stands against it.
1 Cor 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
It is essential that we clearly understand Romans 7:19 and Romans 7:23 as the Apostle Paul’s experience under the old ‘covenant’ or old ‘Mosaic’ law.
Romans 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
Romans 7:23 I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Paul’s testimony of his ‘Gospel experience’ is written about in Romans 8:2-3
Romans 8:2-3 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
It needs to be revealed to you that 1 John 1:8 is written to those that John declared the Word of Life so that they “also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ” (1Joh 1:3), as those that don’t have fellowship with the Father and claimed to be sin free without Christ are deceived.
1John 1:5-10 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (Ps 94:20, 2 Cor 6:14-16, Prov 4:18-19,John 3:20, John 12:46).
Considering vs. 8, some would say, see even the Apostle John says that ‘if we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves.’ We must consider who John is writing to and why he is writing this letter. The angel of God had informed John that he was to get off the Isle of Patmos, when he was revealed 'the Revelation of Jesus Christ',' and preach again. If we study 1st, 2nd and 3rd John, the thrust is putting judgment on sinning religion and lack of love. This study is on the former. John found that in the years since the church was first established that men were bringing in ‘doctrines of devils.’ Some were teaching that they had no sin when they had committed sin and others teaching that they ‘have not’ (never) sinned. He does not address 1st John to any specific congregation of the Church of God, but to the body general. John is writing to the saints of God and challenging them to ‘judge righteous judgment’ and not deny that there is ‘sin in their midst.’ Vs. 8, again…”if we say (the body of Christ) that we have no sin (in our midst), we deceive ourselves.’ If we (as individuals and the body of Christ) acknowledge the sin and confess and forsake it, then he is ‘…. faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’ Then, in vs 10, he clearly teaches, ‘If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.’
It is those that claim to be Christians and “keepeth not his commandments” that are “a liar” and are deceived (1Joh 2:2-4).
1 John 2:2-4 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. (1 Jn 2:1, 1 John 4:20, James 2:14-16)
……….not those that are “born of God” and “sinneth not” and have the testimony that they “keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not” (1Joh 5:18).
1 John 5:18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. (I John 5:9, 1 John 3:9, James 1:27,
Jude 1:24)
We need to see that when Paul held that he was a chief sinner (1Tim 1:13-16), it was because he was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and injurious to the church .
1 Timothy 1: 13-16 13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 4 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. (1 Cor 15:9, Gal. 1:13, Phil. 3:6, Acts 26:9)
Verse 15 Paul says…’of whom I AM chief.’ This is why we can’t take the American English language as the only definition of words in the bible as to our understanding. We must ‘study’ to to prove all things. The words I AM in the bible in context in the Hebrew and Greek come from the Greek word:
eimi— i-mee’ (pronounced aamee) – meaning : I exist, have been, I was
After he got saved, Paul had a different testimony
Acts 24: 16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
1 Thess 2:10 Ye [are] witnesses, and God [also], how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
God needs to reveal to you that when Paul stated that there “is none righteous, no, not one” (Rom 3:10), he is referring to those “that understandeth” not and those that refuse to “seeketh after God” (Rom 3:11). Not to the Christian whom Christ has opened “their understanding, that they might understand” (Luke 24:45) or those that have been rewarded because they do “diligently seek him” (Heb 11:6).
Psalms 53:1-3 1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.
2 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.
3 Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
We as saints of God need to cast down, in our lives, and thoughts of those around us that Christ doesn’t have the power to ‘save his people from their sins’ (Matt 1:21). We need to cry out and protest aloud against false teachers and preachers and ‘slay them SPIRITUALLY,’ having nothing to do with any teaching that holds we must sin in word, thought and/or deed daily.
We can’t be Christ-like (Christian) if we continue sinning.
1 John 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
You can be no more a sinning saint (holy one) than you can be an honest thief, a chaste fornicator and/or adulterer, or a sober drunk!
2. Godly Sorrow & Repentance:
You must get before the Lord and beg for godly sorrow that will work repentance unto salvation.
2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
See the sins you have been committing as “exceeding sinful”.
Romans 7:13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
“Bewail” what a terrible example your sinning experience has been before your family, other Christians and the world.
2 Corinthians 12:21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.
But you may say, “I thought salvation was by grace alone through faith alone and that it is not of works least we can boast” .
Eph 2:8,9 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.
True faith will not be found where God has not worked godly sorrow and repentance in the heart.
Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
Godly sorrow and repentance is the ground where saving faith for salvation is born.
Forsake every sin that you have been making room for in your life. Do everything, take every ‘radical’ step or act that you must to….not enter into temptation.
Matthew 26:41 41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
If you have had problems with porn, don’t go where magazines are sold or go to websites on the internet or if it is to strong of a pull you the spirit of God may direct you to get rid of the internet! If you have problems with alcohol or drinking don’t hang around with those that drink or do drugs. Don’t go where drugs and alcohol are prevalent.
Renounce any, that you may want to hold to that has been a tool of Satan in your life that would have you deny Christ along the way.
Brethren, if you have fallen into sin by looking upon a “woman to lust after her” (Mat 5:28) then stay away from the beach and the mall and avoid immodestly dressed woman at all cost. Run from them, flee, and close your eyes, plea the blood! Whatever you must do! Take radical measures!
Sisters, Whatever your temptations are? To fit in, to go along, to flirt a little, immodest dress, attitudes …whatever it is. Take radical measures to flee from that temptation that can cause you to sin.
You may say “Why?… this sounds like bondage!” No! Sinning is bondage.
2 Peter 2:19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
(Romans 6:12-14, 16-22, 2 Tim 2:25-26)
Jesus said if you’re “right eye offend thee, pluck it out” and if you’re “right hand offend thee, cut it off” (Mat 5:29,30).
Matthew 5:29 29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
If the spirit of God directs me to give up the internet, the mall, beach, so-called friends ect. and I complain, SHAME on ME! I have yet to find true Godly sorrow!
1 Tim 4:1-2 1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times so
me 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;
2 Peter 2: 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
Proverbs 26:11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
It is not easy to break and turn away from a “form of godliness” that has been “denying the power thereof” and your habit of sinning and repenting over and over. You have seared your “conscience with a hot iron” by all your hypocrisy and all this going back to the barf and excrement of sin so many times. So make sure your godly sorrow is deep and true and your repentance is firm and solid.
3. Practical Christian Living:
After you have made a clean start you now need to take steps so that you will not fall back into sin.
a) Avoid the places, things, people, ideas or anything that will bring your mind into subjection to temptation of the sins that you have been falling into.
1 Tim 2:22 22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
1 Tim 6:6-11 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
b) Find spiritual persons, pastor and congregation that have victory over sin and follow them as they follow Christ.
Hebrews 10:24-25 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
(Rom 15:1, 1 Cor. 8:12, Col 3:16, Acts 2:42, Acts 20:7, 1 Cor 5:4)
c) Listen very closely to and obey the voice of the Lord – who will be faithful to warn you when temptation is near.
1 Cor 11:32 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
Hebrews 12:5-6 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
d) Start every your day with prayer and reading of the Bible
1 Tim 4:13, 15 13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
(PS 119:97-104, John 5:39, Acts 6:4, Acts 17:11
15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. (Joshua 1:8, Ps 1:2, Ps 63:6, Ps 143:5, Ps 119:15, 23,48,148)
This is more important than breakfast. Make sure you get to bed early enough so you can get up early enough and spend whatever time that Gods spirit directs you, this could be 30 minutes to ……whatever, in devotions every morning.
I will say this though, if I spend 1 -2 – 3 hours reading, listening to the radio, entertainment of whatever sort, internet and I am only giving God fifteen (15) minutes or nothing, I personally believe I better check my personal relationship with God.
It is by faith that we have the victory over the world and quench all the darts of the evil one.
Reading your Bible (Rom 10:17) and praying in the Spirit (Jud 1:20) will build faith.
Romans 10:17 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. \
Jude 1:20 20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
e) Get a good spiritual uplifting book and read a portion each day.
2 Tim 4:13 13 The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.
f) Meditate on f the Word of God. (1Tim 4:15).
1 Tim 4:15-16 15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. 16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
g) Memorize scriptures regularly.
Start with 1Cor 10:13; 2The 3:3; 2Pet 1:10; and Jude 1:24.
1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
2 Thess 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
2 Peter 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
Jude 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
h) Hide these scriptures and others in your heart, that you will not sin against the Lord
(Ps 119:11).
Introduction To The Church Of God
This article was written by Denise Nyenhuis. It is a good basic introduction and contains truth from God's holy word.
“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,” Ephesians 3:14, 15. The family of God is both those saints who have gone on to their eternal reward and those saints who are still here on this earth. God has named this family the church. His church!
Paul in Acts 20:28, exhorts those whom the Holy Ghost has made overseers or Pastors to, “feed the Church of God.” God has called Pastors to lead His family into the truths of His word. His desire is for His family to be gathered together. God says, “Gather my saints together unto me;” Psalms 50:5. God does not want His people scattered or divided. “Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the Lord. Therefore thus saith the Lord God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the Lord.” Jeremiah 23:1, 2. God is not pleased with those who rise up and cause division among his people or church.
God is aware that there will be false pastors who will scatter the flock. Yet He will not abandon His Church. “I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the Lord.” Jeremiah 23:3,4. God promises those who are truly seeking Him with their whole heart and called to be saints that He will not leave them desolate. God will “gather the church together,” He will bring His family together to be led by true shepherds. Who will feed them with the living words of truth.
God has ordained Pastors to lead his people, yet they are followed only as they follow Christ (1st Corinthians 11:1). Jesus said, “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” Matthew 16:18. Christ was saying that He would build a church. This verse also shows us that the church will never be destroyed. In Acts 20:28 we see that Jesus purchased the church, “with his own blood.” The death of Jesus Christ on the cross was the foundational act which paid for the church of God.
The Church of God is not just “another church among churches.” She is not a denomination nor is she undenominational. She is not Catholic, Protestant or Jewish. There is no earthly head quarters, conference or human organization to promote her. Her members do not join by any unscriptural method such as hand-shaking, card-signing, confirmation or baptism; but rather have been added to the church by the Lord. Acts 2:47 says, “The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” The Church is made up of saved people. Those who are living holy, righteous and obedient lives. Those who have been saved or delivered from their sin. Matthew 1:21 says, “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” The purpose of Jesus’ death on the cross was to free us from the life of bondage to sin and thereby add us to God’s Church.
Dear friend, the majority of those in denominational religion do not hold the testimony that they are delivered from all sin. God clearly shows us in 1st John 3:9, “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin:... he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” 1st John 3:8 states,“...For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” What are the works of the devil but sin! Even the Greek word for the Church (ekklesia) is significant. Ekklesia means, a calling out. What has the Church been called out of? She has been called out of sin! Called out from the evil of this world! Therefore we can see that God’s Church is a body of people who have separated themselves from sin. “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” 2nd Corinthians 6:14-18.
Christ built a holy Church, a sinless church, a church without spot or blemish. “...Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25-27. Any “church” or organization that does not meet this standard is not a part of God’s church. They are not the church of God.
Revelation 21:2 and 9 describes the church as a bride prepared for her husband, the Lamb’s wife. Jesus has purchased her, cleansed her and is preparing her for himself. Waiting for the day He will present her to His Father. “For the marriage of the Lamb (Christ) is come, and his wife (the church) hath made herself ready.” Revelation 19:7.
The question is have you made yourself ready? Are you a part of the church, the lamb’s wife? If the church is like a bride then she can commit spiritual fornication by listening to a false pastor, who preaches a false Christ. A church in such a backslidden, adulterous condition is the definition of Babylon.
The first Babylonian church was the “Roman Catholic Church of God.” They left the true doctrines of Christ and began to include heathen beliefs as part of their religion. The dictionary even defines “Babylonian” as: “A Roman Catholic.” Since the 1500’s the Catholic church has split up into many false religious groups called Protestant denominations. Again the dictionary definition of “Denomination” is: a sect, a division. “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ... that there be no divisions among you.” 1st Corinthians 1:10. The church of God is not a sect or a division. The church of God is one body endeavoring for unity, Ephesians 4:16.
Friend, do you find yourself in a Babylonian church? Are you one of God’s family held captive by false religion? Are you a part of a nominal “Christian” religion that teaches that everyone sins? God tells you in His word what you should do. “Come out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” Revelation 18:1-4, 2nd Corinthians 14:15-17.
Remember, the word church means called out. People need to separate themselves from sinning religion, as well as separate themselves from sin. If you have separated yourself and come out of sin and false religion what must you come to? God’s promises are still true. His desire is to gather His scattered children and bring them home; home to the church of God to the gathering of His people; to the church that lives the truths of Bible salvation; to the church that preaches all the Bible; to the church who will worship God in the beauty of holiness.
By Denise Nyenhuis
This article was written by Denise Nyenhuis. It is a good basic introduction and contains truth from God's holy word.
“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,” Ephesians 3:14, 15. The family of God is both those saints who have gone on to their eternal reward and those saints who are still here on this earth. God has named this family the church. His church!
Paul in Acts 20:28, exhorts those whom the Holy Ghost has made overseers or Pastors to, “feed the Church of God.” God has called Pastors to lead His family into the truths of His word. His desire is for His family to be gathered together. God says, “Gather my saints together unto me;” Psalms 50:5. God does not want His people scattered or divided. “Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the Lord. Therefore thus saith the Lord God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the Lord.” Jeremiah 23:1, 2. God is not pleased with those who rise up and cause division among his people or church.
God is aware that there will be false pastors who will scatter the flock. Yet He will not abandon His Church. “I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the Lord.” Jeremiah 23:3,4. God promises those who are truly seeking Him with their whole heart and called to be saints that He will not leave them desolate. God will “gather the church together,” He will bring His family together to be led by true shepherds. Who will feed them with the living words of truth.
God has ordained Pastors to lead his people, yet they are followed only as they follow Christ (1st Corinthians 11:1). Jesus said, “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” Matthew 16:18. Christ was saying that He would build a church. This verse also shows us that the church will never be destroyed. In Acts 20:28 we see that Jesus purchased the church, “with his own blood.” The death of Jesus Christ on the cross was the foundational act which paid for the church of God.
The Church of God is not just “another church among churches.” She is not a denomination nor is she undenominational. She is not Catholic, Protestant or Jewish. There is no earthly head quarters, conference or human organization to promote her. Her members do not join by any unscriptural method such as hand-shaking, card-signing, confirmation or baptism; but rather have been added to the church by the Lord. Acts 2:47 says, “The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” The Church is made up of saved people. Those who are living holy, righteous and obedient lives. Those who have been saved or delivered from their sin. Matthew 1:21 says, “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” The purpose of Jesus’ death on the cross was to free us from the life of bondage to sin and thereby add us to God’s Church.
Dear friend, the majority of those in denominational religion do not hold the testimony that they are delivered from all sin. God clearly shows us in 1st John 3:9, “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin:... he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” 1st John 3:8 states,“...For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” What are the works of the devil but sin! Even the Greek word for the Church (ekklesia) is significant. Ekklesia means, a calling out. What has the Church been called out of? She has been called out of sin! Called out from the evil of this world! Therefore we can see that God’s Church is a body of people who have separated themselves from sin. “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” 2nd Corinthians 6:14-18.
Christ built a holy Church, a sinless church, a church without spot or blemish. “...Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25-27. Any “church” or organization that does not meet this standard is not a part of God’s church. They are not the church of God.
Revelation 21:2 and 9 describes the church as a bride prepared for her husband, the Lamb’s wife. Jesus has purchased her, cleansed her and is preparing her for himself. Waiting for the day He will present her to His Father. “For the marriage of the Lamb (Christ) is come, and his wife (the church) hath made herself ready.” Revelation 19:7.
The question is have you made yourself ready? Are you a part of the church, the lamb’s wife? If the church is like a bride then she can commit spiritual fornication by listening to a false pastor, who preaches a false Christ. A church in such a backslidden, adulterous condition is the definition of Babylon.
The first Babylonian church was the “Roman Catholic Church of God.” They left the true doctrines of Christ and began to include heathen beliefs as part of their religion. The dictionary even defines “Babylonian” as: “A Roman Catholic.” Since the 1500’s the Catholic church has split up into many false religious groups called Protestant denominations. Again the dictionary definition of “Denomination” is: a sect, a division. “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ... that there be no divisions among you.” 1st Corinthians 1:10. The church of God is not a sect or a division. The church of God is one body endeavoring for unity, Ephesians 4:16.
Friend, do you find yourself in a Babylonian church? Are you one of God’s family held captive by false religion? Are you a part of a nominal “Christian” religion that teaches that everyone sins? God tells you in His word what you should do. “Come out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” Revelation 18:1-4, 2nd Corinthians 14:15-17.
Remember, the word church means called out. People need to separate themselves from sinning religion, as well as separate themselves from sin. If you have separated yourself and come out of sin and false religion what must you come to? God’s promises are still true. His desire is to gather His scattered children and bring them home; home to the church of God to the gathering of His people; to the church that lives the truths of Bible salvation; to the church that preaches all the Bible; to the church who will worship God in the beauty of holiness.
By Denise Nyenhuis
Bless the Lord...Bless his holy Name!
Psalms 103:1-19
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
Who am I that the Lord of Glory, the God of the Universe would send his son to die in my stead so that my life could be redeemed from certain destruction through his loving kindness and tender mercy? He forgave all my iniquities (sin)! It is of a surety that I must bless his HOLY NAME!
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
I thank God that he saw that I was oppressed in sin and executed righteous judgment for my soul. He was merciful to me! I am so very thankful that he was slow to anger with me, had mercy on me and if he had dealt with me after the wrong that I had done to him (sin) I would be lost today! It is only through his great mercy, grace and love that I am saved today.
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
The sins that I had committed, God, in his great mercy removed them as far as the East is From the West....never to be remembered again. But I must remember his mercy is everlasting to everlasting ..."upon them that fear him." If I ever lose my Godly fear and want to do things 'my way again', his mercy will cease for me. For if I read verse 18.....
18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
19 The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
Vs 17 indicates '...the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him..." and continues w/ vs 18 to say, "To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. " This is the qualifier! That I must fear him and keep his commandments. How do I keep his commandments...through obedience to what the 'Word of God' teaches and instructs me in every area of my life. Jesus said in John 14:15, "If ye love me, keep my commandments."
I thank my heavenly father that he gave me the promise that he would give me grace (the unmerited favor and power of God), strength, wisdom and even at times, in my weakest hour (humanly) fight my battles for me so I may have continuous real victory over sin and Satan!
Finally..
Phil 4:8-13
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Amen! Bless his HOLY Name!
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
Who am I that the Lord of Glory, the God of the Universe would send his son to die in my stead so that my life could be redeemed from certain destruction through his loving kindness and tender mercy? He forgave all my iniquities (sin)! It is of a surety that I must bless his HOLY NAME!
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
I thank God that he saw that I was oppressed in sin and executed righteous judgment for my soul. He was merciful to me! I am so very thankful that he was slow to anger with me, had mercy on me and if he had dealt with me after the wrong that I had done to him (sin) I would be lost today! It is only through his great mercy, grace and love that I am saved today.
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
The sins that I had committed, God, in his great mercy removed them as far as the East is From the West....never to be remembered again. But I must remember his mercy is everlasting to everlasting ..."upon them that fear him." If I ever lose my Godly fear and want to do things 'my way again', his mercy will cease for me. For if I read verse 18.....
18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
19 The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
Vs 17 indicates '...the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him..." and continues w/ vs 18 to say, "To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. " This is the qualifier! That I must fear him and keep his commandments. How do I keep his commandments...through obedience to what the 'Word of God' teaches and instructs me in every area of my life. Jesus said in John 14:15, "If ye love me, keep my commandments."
I thank my heavenly father that he gave me the promise that he would give me grace (the unmerited favor and power of God), strength, wisdom and even at times, in my weakest hour (humanly) fight my battles for me so I may have continuous real victory over sin and Satan!
Finally..
Phil 4:8-13
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Amen! Bless his HOLY Name!
Why I am Not A Protestant
This is from a tract written many years ago. I feel that it's truths are just as relevant today.
Why I am Not A Protestant
The above title may come as a surprise to some, as many people believe that all non-Catholics are Protestants. But this is not so, as we trust you will see, as you read this article.
I am not a Protestant because I am a member of the Church of God by virtue of salvation. (Acts 2:47) and the Church of God is not a Protestant church. All Protestant churches can trace their origin to the Roman Catholic church. But the Church of God was founded and established by Jesus Himself, (Matthew 16:18) several hundred years before the Roman Catholic church ever came into existence.
The Church of God is a divine institution and has no relationship with Protestantism. Christ built His church, His body, of which He is the Head. (Colossians 1:18) He places the members in the body (church) as it pleases Him. (1st Corinthians 12:18) His church is made up of lively stones, (1st Peter 2:5) saved, born-again people. There are no dead stones (sinners) in the Church of God. If a saint goes back into sin, he or she, is no longer a member of the Church of God, for the Church of God is without spot or blemish (Ephesians 5:27)
The Church of God was not built upon Peter, and he definitely was not the first Pope, Jesus said He would build His church upon the rock. The Apostle Paul tells us in 1st Corinthians 10:4 "—And that Rock was Christ." The Church of God is built upon the Rock Christ Jesus. He is also the chief corner stone. (Ephesians 2:19-22)
In contrast, all Protestant denominations are man-made organizations, who elect their heads, make rules. laws, etc. To become a member of a Protestant denomination. one must subscribe to a creed or discipline. By that act, one severs full fellowship with other Christians who do not belong in their sect. Someone may say, that is not true, for we have fellowship with all Christians. They would learn different if they would try and partake of the Lords Supper in some sects. It would be denied them, because of not being a member of that sect. Or try to find full fellowship in a denomination that one may worship with, and not join. The person would be denied many privileges that their own members have.
Born again people are not Protestants, unless they join a Protestant sect. If they join a Protestant sect that makes them Protestants and a part of the Protestant system. But God did not make them Protestants, Man does that. God makes saints out of sinners, but never Protestants.
If members of the Church of God are not Protestants, (and they surely are not Roman Catholics) what are they? They are called saints, (Romans 1:7, 1st Corinthians 1:2, Ephesians 1:1) and about 60 other places in the New Testament alone, Christians (Acts 11:26) Children of God, (Matt. 5:9) etc. They have no part of Protestantism, which is Babylon. (Revelations 17:5)
Members of the Church of God, have always been called saints, Christians, Children of God, etc., but never Protestants. The name Protestant belongs to Babylon, and the true Protestant belongs to Babylon, and the true saints of God have no part of Babylon. Many have come out of Babylon (Protestantism, Catholicism, etc.) into the true light and as they come out, leave the Babylonish garments behind, of which the name Protestant is one.
By A. J. Martin
Why I am Not A Protestant
The above title may come as a surprise to some, as many people believe that all non-Catholics are Protestants. But this is not so, as we trust you will see, as you read this article.
I am not a Protestant because I am a member of the Church of God by virtue of salvation. (Acts 2:47) and the Church of God is not a Protestant church. All Protestant churches can trace their origin to the Roman Catholic church. But the Church of God was founded and established by Jesus Himself, (Matthew 16:18) several hundred years before the Roman Catholic church ever came into existence.
The Church of God is a divine institution and has no relationship with Protestantism. Christ built His church, His body, of which He is the Head. (Colossians 1:18) He places the members in the body (church) as it pleases Him. (1st Corinthians 12:18) His church is made up of lively stones, (1st Peter 2:5) saved, born-again people. There are no dead stones (sinners) in the Church of God. If a saint goes back into sin, he or she, is no longer a member of the Church of God, for the Church of God is without spot or blemish (Ephesians 5:27)
The Church of God was not built upon Peter, and he definitely was not the first Pope, Jesus said He would build His church upon the rock. The Apostle Paul tells us in 1st Corinthians 10:4 "—And that Rock was Christ." The Church of God is built upon the Rock Christ Jesus. He is also the chief corner stone. (Ephesians 2:19-22)
In contrast, all Protestant denominations are man-made organizations, who elect their heads, make rules. laws, etc. To become a member of a Protestant denomination. one must subscribe to a creed or discipline. By that act, one severs full fellowship with other Christians who do not belong in their sect. Someone may say, that is not true, for we have fellowship with all Christians. They would learn different if they would try and partake of the Lords Supper in some sects. It would be denied them, because of not being a member of that sect. Or try to find full fellowship in a denomination that one may worship with, and not join. The person would be denied many privileges that their own members have.
Born again people are not Protestants, unless they join a Protestant sect. If they join a Protestant sect that makes them Protestants and a part of the Protestant system. But God did not make them Protestants, Man does that. God makes saints out of sinners, but never Protestants.
If members of the Church of God are not Protestants, (and they surely are not Roman Catholics) what are they? They are called saints, (Romans 1:7, 1st Corinthians 1:2, Ephesians 1:1) and about 60 other places in the New Testament alone, Christians (Acts 11:26) Children of God, (Matt. 5:9) etc. They have no part of Protestantism, which is Babylon. (Revelations 17:5)
Members of the Church of God, have always been called saints, Christians, Children of God, etc., but never Protestants. The name Protestant belongs to Babylon, and the true Protestant belongs to Babylon, and the true saints of God have no part of Babylon. Many have come out of Babylon (Protestantism, Catholicism, etc.) into the true light and as they come out, leave the Babylonish garments behind, of which the name Protestant is one.
By A. J. Martin
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