AN ETERNAL HOPE

1 Corinthians 15:12 Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

1 Corinthians 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

In this difficult and evil day we are living in, let us not be seduced into becoming so earthly minded we are of no heavenly good.

For a time Christian people were accused of being so heavenly minded they were of no earthly good, but, if that was ever the case, it was not because a view of heaven was the problem, but a lack of something very important. For the Bible has instructed us to – Colossians 3:1-2 and Matt. 6:19-21

1 Seek things that are above

Colossians 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Set our affections on things that are above. (Not on things on the earth)

Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

3 To lay up treasures in heaven.

Matthew 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

The reason? Our hearts should be in heaven.

21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

These verses of scripture are very clear. Even so, it may be difficult for men to comprehend how they are to apply such words to their lives, after having heard so many messages about building the kingdom of God on the earth and so much focus has been placed on earthly prosperity.

But remember the words of Jesus -

John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Jesus came to earth for the purpose of giving his life to restore man to a relationship with Himself and the Father. He went to the cross for this purpose and instructed us to also take up our cross and follow him. We are to follow Him and His example of laying down our lives that others might also live and have a relationship with Him. Those who receive Him and that relationship with Him have a pre-planned destination. This destination is that heavenly place, where we will be with Him forever.

Abraham understood this and considered himself a pilgrim and stranger on the earth. Speaking of him and his descendants we are told -

Hebrews 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth

Hebrews 11:16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

So it is evident by the words of God, that men of old, who were men of faith, had their eyes set somewhere far beyond this earth.

How can we reconcile this truth with the fact that, until we die, we must live on this earth? How do these facts affect how we live in the here and now?

Did not, even these men of old, build up their homes and possessions?

The answer is not really as difficult as it might seem. We live here and now with the purpose of eternity always in mind.

If you are a parent and have a young child who you want to see go to college one day, you may make a financial plan and work to ensure that the necessary funds will be there when your child is old enough and ready to go to college. But while you are saving and building your resources, if you are wise, you will spend each day of your life, living with, loving, enjoying and building up that child. You will hope to build his self worth, form a strong relationship with him and do all that is in your power to see him become a happy, confident person of good character. This you will do from the day of his birth, until the day he is ready to go off to college. In other words, you will begin preparing him, from the day of his birth, for the day he must go out on his own. But to do so, you will have to be with him in the here and now. You will have to be present here and now.

But even before there is a child to raise there must be conception and birth. You will, hopefully, fall in love, give of yourself to another, conceive, bring life into the world, and love every day you have with him or her, while preparing him for his destiny. All of these things will make up the life you live and you hope to find joy in it every day.

So it should be for the child of God. First comes believing in and falling in love with God, then a commitment is made to Him and you are born again, you become His child. You then lay down your life to see new birth, (souls born into His kingdom), to build the family of God. Then each day is family building. This should be joyous living, even though sometimes it is hard work.

Each day we should be living to build the precious each others that are part of our family, the family of God and to see new births happen as often as possible. But to do this, will require taking care of everyday needs, even personal needs as you go.

You need a home in which to live, raise your children, and in which to fellowship with others. Each day, as you live and raise your own children, preparing them for their futures, though you must live in the present, you are fully aware of the goal ahead and always in preparation for that goal. At the same time, we also build the family of God, with an eye on the sky, so to speak. We live, love and work today, while looking forward to the return of our Lord, always ready should He call at any moment.

What is our goal and the desire of our hearts? Eternity with the Savior in a better place to which we are en route and eternity with the loved ones we are living our lives, with and for, right now. Our precious each others are the treasures that are being laid up in heaven.

This is why, if we only have hope in this life, we are most miserable, because in this life we are in preparation for an eternal future. If all we get is the preparation and never reach the goal, what is that?

In order to be so heavenly minded you were of no earthly good, you would have to have your mind on heaven and getting there yourself, while completely ignoring the instructions of God, that let us know what our activity on earth is to be. Our activity in the here and now is to be building the family (the kingdom) of God and preparing them and ourselves for eternity with them and our Lord. The kingdom of God, is the place where God rules. Where is He to rule? In His people. In His own family, of which He is the head!

Everyday life for the believer is a family building life. It is sowing the seed, which is the Word of God, so that conception and birth can take place. It is labor pains, that involve pressure and extreme focus and work. But it is repeated times of exhilaration and overflowing joy, each time we see new birth take place. It is relationships that are rewarding, in spite of the work that is involved. We live our lives, first in relationship with God, then too, in relationship with His children, our spouses, brothers and sisters. We fellowship and share, for this is part of being a family. This is a very important and real part of our life on earth which will have eternal value. And all of our life, all of our work on earth, is to be with a constant view of where we are headed. If we love others now, we work to see that they will be with us and God forever. This is our hope and goal.

Notice, again, the verses at the beginning of this study.

1 Corinthians 15:12 Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

1 Corinthians 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

As can be seen from verse 12 of 1 Corinthians15, the writer was speaking of the resurrection. The resurrection is that time when those who have passed, who were 'in' Christ, are raised out of their graves to live physically once again. T is the time when all those who died as mortals are changed to immortality.

Paul went on to say, then, that if in this life only we have hope, we are miserable. Paul knew that when we die, our spirit goes to be with the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

This being the case, why would he say, speaking of resurrection, that we are miserable if we have no hope beyond this life, if there was no resurrection? It is because Paul knew the importance of even our bodies being raised in victory, changed to immortality.

This is something Satan has wanted to steal from us. He has worked to make us feel guilty if we think of eternity with loved ones rather than only eternity with God. But what does the Bible say?

1 Thessalonians 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

Here, the apostle Paul prefaced an important bit of information, that he wanted the children of God to know and that he was about to give.

There was some particular thing that he did not want them to be ignorant of. It was a hope that the children of God were to have that the unbelievers did not have. He wanted them to know of and have this hope so that they would not sorrow in the way that others did, who did not have this hope.

What was this hope about? It was about those who are 'asleep.' This is the term used for those who die, who are born again children of God. Why are they called 'asleep' and not just dead? Because when you are asleep, you are going to wake up and get up once again. Every child of God who dies physically will one day awake and rise again.

So the apostle then goes on to give step by step information as to what is going to happen to those who have died, who are 'in' Christ. This was very important and he did not want us to go through life without this hope.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Keep in mind that Paul is beginning to give detailed information in order that the children of God would not be ignorant concerning those who had died in Christ. The knowledge he is about to impart should keep them from sorrowing as others, who were unbelievers.

These verses have been read from pulpits many times as verses that tell of the rapture of the church. While this may not be incorrect, still, the purpose, the thing that Paul did not want us to be ignorant of, has too often been left out of the message. This is sad, considering that Paul's main objective is overlooked.

Let us take a close look at Paul's words and see the picture he is presenting, step by step, or line upon line.

First speaks of this hope. The next verse shows us that when he uses the term 'sleep' he is referring to those who have died.

1 Thessalonians 4:13+14 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

From what he told us in 1 Corinthians, we can see more clearly what he is referring to.

2 Corinthians 5:6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

Here we see Paul speaking of our spirit, which is that part of us that lives in our bodies. He is telling us that while we (our spirit) is in our body, we are physically absent from God. However, when our spirit leaves our body, it goes to be with the Lord. So then, it is our bodies that sleep when we die, but our spirits are alive with the Lord.

Again, the term 'sleep' is appropriate because God knows that, those who belong to Him, are going to get back up when he resurrects our bodies one day.

Now, going back to 1 Thes. we understand that Paul is about to give us important information about those who we love, who are asleep in Christ. Or, in other words, our loved ones who have died before us. He wants us to know about a hope that we have. Once we understand what this hope is, we should not need to sorrow in the way others do, who do not have the same hope.

He goes on to tell us in verse 14, - For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

Here he speaks of a time that Jesus is coming and bringing those who 'sleep' with him. What can this mean? What is 'with' him? Our spirit is with him, while our bodies are in the grave.

As he goes on in verse 15, Paul uses a Greek word that has been translated in such a way as to make it difficult to get his full meaning. Perhaps in the days of King James, this word was understood differently than the way it is used in the English language today. It is the word 'prevent.' He tells us -

15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

The meaning of the word phthano, that is here translated – prevent - has this meaning (Strong's) - to be beforehand, i.e. anticipate or precede; by extension, to have arrived at:-... prevent.

What he is telling us, by the word of the Lord, is that when Jesus returns, those of us who are alive are not going to go, to met the Lord, before our loved ones who are asleep. Remember that he already told us in the previous verse, that he is bringing our loved ones 'with' him. Now he goes on to tell us how this is going to all play out.

16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

So, the Lord himself is going to descend with a shout, with the voice of the archangel. There will also be the trump of God at the same time. When this happens the dead are going to rise, first, or, that is, before anything else happens.

Here the word 'rise, in the Greek means (Strong's) – to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive):--arise, lift up, raise up (again), rise (again), stand up (-right).

This word 'rise' is not referring to rising up into the air, but as we can see from it's meaning, it is speaking of standing up, rising again or to stand upright.

The meaning of this word is similar to the meaning of the word when speaking of Jesus rising from the dead.

1 Corinthians 15:12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

We know that this is not speaking of his ascension into the air but his rising from the dead.

Rose (Strong's) - Egeiro eg-i'-ro (through the idea of collecting one's faculties); to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e. rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from obscurity, inactivity, ruins, nonexistence):--awake, lift (up), raise (again, up), rear up, (a-)rise (again, up), stand, take up.

How can a dead body stand up once again? How can a dead man collect his faculties again? Only if his spirit re-enters that body. When the Lord descends with a shout, he will be bringing our loved one's spirits with him so that they can re-enter their bodies and they can – stand up again. Praise the Lord! And this is going to happen before any of us rise into the air to meet our Lord. See what Paul says next. -

17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Now notice carefully how the apostle uses the word 'then' after he tells us that the dead are going to stand up again, first. Then...

This word 'then', in the Greek, means – (epeita, ep'-i-tah) - thereafter:--after that (-ward), then.

So then, after the dead come back to life and stand up again – after this happens – we who are alive are going to be caught up – together - with our loved ones who have just stood up once again, and - together - with them - we are going to meet the Lord in the air.

Notice that speaking of our leaving together, Paul uses the term 'caught up.' Notice the vast difference in this term and the word 'rise.'

Caught up (Strong's) – harpazo (har-pad'-zo) to seize (in various applications):--catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force).

At this point, we are going to be seized, taken by force, up to be with the Lord!

The dead are not going to be caught up to meet the Lord before us. We are not going to be caught up to meet the Lord before them. But we are all going to be caught up together. Paul wanted us to know about this blessed reunion that is going to take place when the Lord comes for His own.

But, he does not stop there. After telling us that we are going to be 'caught up' together with our loved ones who have been asleep in Jesus, Paul uses two very important words that I feel are usually overlooked. He uses the words – and so.

Look at the meaning of the word 'so.' So, (Strong's) – houto (hoo'-to), in this way (referring to what precedes or follows):--after that, after (in) this manner, as, even (so), for all that, like(-wise), no more, on this fashion(-wise), so (in like manner), thus, what.

“... and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

In this way – shall we ever be with the Lord. In what way? TOGETHER!

This is the blessed hope that Paul wanted us to know about, so that we would not sorrow in the way unbelievers sorrow, when their loved ones die. When an unbeliever loses a loved one, the word 'lost' seems appropriate. Indeed they can well say “I have lost my mother,” or whoever it may be. But when the loved one of a believer who is also a believer, dies, it is appropriate to use the word 'sleep.' For indeed they are going to rise up again. And we who are in Christ do not 'lose' our loved ones. We are only temporarily separated from them until the day that the Lord descends and they are awakened to rise and be reunited with us!

This is why Jesus could say what he did in Matthew 22:32. He says “I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”

Now, we know that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob died long ago. And yet Jesus says he is the God of these men who died long ago but that he is the God of the living, not the dead. What sort of a statement is this? A very true one. For while the bodies of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob 'sleep,' these men are very much alive, in the presence of the Lord. When Jesus descends with a shout, he will bring them with him. Their bodies will be awakened, changed to immortality and they will reenter their bodies to stand up again and to be caught up into the air with the rest of the saints who are ready to meet the Lord, at His coming!

The children of God are to live their lives edifying and building each other up in the most holy faith, in the here and now as they live their daily lives. But all that we do is to be done with a looking forward to the return of our Lord and Savior. Knowing that He is coming and that it could be any day. Preparations are to be in order. First we see that we are prepared individually, then we seek to see that others come into the family of God and are prepared to meet him as well.

Knowing these things should give us hope and joy that what we do here on earth has eternal value. We are not just spinning our wheels, going nowhere.

We can have a home and family. We can enjoy life on earth. But inside our homes, inside our relationships, is to be eternal purpose. May we be so aware of eternity that the lives we live here and now have greater purpose and greater joy than they could otherwise have.

Work for those things that have eternal value, not the things that will pass away. If you have a home, make it nice with the goal of loving and serving others within it's walls so that soon and very soon, you and those you love can be together in a better home, in the presence of God – FOREVER.

Avoid all the things that war against your souls, remembering that you are on a journey to a better place and you want nothing to hinder you reaching your goal – to forever be with the Lord and those you love.

1 Peter 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

Yes, if in this life we live, work on relationships, fellowship and minister, but it is only of value temporarily, we can easily lose heart and become miserable and depressed. But this is not the case! We have eternal hope, even concerning our loved ones. So let us do what the apostle Paul instructed us to do in verse 18.

18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Do not sorrow as the unbeliever. Your loved ones are going to return from heaven, stand up again and leave with us, when the Lord catches us up and brings us to His presence! Be comforted my brother and sister. Find joy and rejoice! Your loved ones are not just your past but a great and joyous part of your future with the Lord!

GOD IS OUR FATHER NOT OUR PUPPET

GOD IS OUR FATHER NOT OUR PUPPET

2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the OBEDIENCE of Christ;

If you have a want or need, YOU WILL NOT get all that you want by, clicking 'Amen' to a post. You will not even necessarily get it by simply claiming it in "Jesus name." You will not get it by thinking positive and sending out (so-called) positive thoughts. Angels of God are not going to get busy to fulfill your desires because you emailed a message to 12 people. As a matter of fact, it is when you surrender to God and want what He wants, what He says, as He directs and you are in obedience to Him that your every need will be met.

James 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
Hebrews 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that OBEY him;
Acts 5:32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that OBEY him.
Romans 2:8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not OBEY the truth, but OBEY unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,

Those who will not obey the truth do not get what they want either because they do particular gestures nor because they demand, try to get angels to help them acquire it, or throw temper tantrums to get it. This only brings on them God's indignation, wrath and chastisement.

GOD IS NOT A FAIRY GOD-MOTHER!

You are the servant of who you obey. If you obey the leadings of Satan and seek your own way rather than God's, you will be self-serving and Satan serving. Such does not bring you the blessings of God.

Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to OBEY, his servants ye are to whom ye OBEY; whether of sin unto death, or of OBEDIENCE unto righteousness?
Galatians 5:7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not OBEY the truth?
2 Thessalonians 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that OBEY NOT the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 Thessalonians 3:14 And if any man OBEY NOT our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.

God loves to give good gifts to His children, to those who love and obey Him.

Matthew 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

But it is the 'GOOD GIFTS' He wants to give. Not what we think is good for us, but what He 'knows' is good for us. HE IS OUR FATHER NOT OUR PUPPET! He knows what is best for us. Spoiling us by granting our wishes while we walk in irresponsibility and disobedience is not what a truly loving father does. But a loving father will correct and give consequences to the child he loves and who he wants to learn what is important and necessary in life.

Hebrews 12:6-7 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

Yield first to God as the head and authority in your life. Respect and obey His Words. Love the Lord. He wants you to increase in love more than in material things.

2 Thessalonians 3:5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the PATIENT WAITING for Christ.
1 Thessalonians 3:12[ And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:

WAIT ON THE LORD WITH PATIENCE

Lamentations 3:26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.
Romans 8:25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with PATIENCE wait for it.
Hebrews 6:12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and PATIENCE inherit the promises.
Hebrews 10:36 For ye have need of PATIENCE, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
James 1:3-4 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh PATIENCE.
4 But let PATIENCE have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

God knows what you have need of even before you ask. Sometimes He may need for you to learn obedience, faith, and patience before giving you the thing you are focused on getting. He hears your cries. Let Him guide you and meet your needs as He sees them and knows what is best for you. Let Him truly be your Father and trust in His love.

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Matthew 6:7-8 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

Let us purify our souls and see what our loving Father God will do in our lives!

1 Peter 1:22 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:
2 Corinthians 2:9 For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.

Go and Sin No More

GO AND SIN NO MORE

1 John 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Ephesians 2:8-9 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.

There has been a great misunderstanding and misuse of these verses of scripture. And the error has caused many to live in bondage that Jesus came to free them from.

God had the plan of salvation made, even before we were made, as He knew that man would sin and already had determined the way to save them.

This He did of His own free will. He sent His only son to die for our sins and He did so, not based on our having earned this most precious gift.

But what was it Jesus was really doing when He died for us? He was dying to save us 'from' our sins, not leave us in them and simply forgive us while we were still bound in those sins. How would that have been better than the way things were under the Law of Moses?

But Jesus came to bring us a new and better way.

Hebrews 8:6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

How could He save us 'from' our sin and cleanse us?

By taking our sins into His own body and letting that body, full of our sins, be killed. As the blood flowed from His body our sins were washed away. This work is applied to each of us, if we believe and accept Jesus as our Savior. At that point we are considered to be a part of His body, because the Word of God, (His seed) is in us. So then, as His body was cleansed from sin, we now being a part of His body, are also cleansed.

Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

If then, we have been cleansed from sin, why would we believe that we still had to live in sin?

Romans 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

It is a lie of the enemy that tells men that they cannot help but to sin, when the truth is that we have been cleansed 'from' sin. We do not have to let sin rule us and tell our bodies what to do!

Romans 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

We are told - NOT TO - let sin rule our mortal bodies. This fact does not mean we are being saved by works. To the contrary it means that we were (past tense) saved 'from' sin and given the power to become God's sons. We have been given the power to do all things that are holy and righteous. This power was given freely to those who would be born again and surrendered to God. We did not earn either the cleansing 'from' sin, nor the power God has given us that enables us to resist the enemy and live without sinning.

1 Peter 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

When we hear the Word of God that tells us of the work of Jesus Christ, when we believe that Word and receive it into our hearts and surrender our lives to Him, we become the children of God. We have received the seed of God, which is His Word and have been born again.

Luke 8:11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

The seed which is the Word of God is given out to all men, but it is those whose hearts are, as it were, good ground, who will receive that Word and allow it to take root in their hearts. When he does so, the Bible tells us that that person is made new. He is new, because not only is he forgiven of the sins he has committed, but those sins are washed away, removed from him and he is given the power to become a son of God. Because his sins have been removed from him, he now is good soil, in which the Word of God can grow. So then he will begin to produce good fruit.

Matthew 13:23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

God sanctifies us, or sets us apart from the life of sin, by cleansing us from all sin. He does this when we receive and submit to His Word. Then we are new creatures in Christ and we are given the power to live without sinning.

Ephesians 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

We are not the same only forgiven.

WE ARE CHANGED! ALL THINGS ARE MADE NEW BY THE CLEANSING OF JESUS CHRIST!

We have been 'freely' given the power of God – unto – salvation. But it is up to us whether we are going to access that power and allow God to continue to work in our lives or whether we are going to yield ourselves to sin once again.

Romans 6:13-14 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Notice that it is because you are under 'grace' that sin shall not have dominion over you. It is not that because you are under grace, you are now free to sin but rather you are free from it! Now you have been given the power to resist the devil and see him flee!

Romans 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

The apostles were given power over the enemy. They did not remain subject to sin and Satan, while only being forgiven. God gave us His Holy Spirit, not just to make us feel good, but to give us power to live for God, live above sin, and to do the works – yes the works – He has called us to do. The salvation was a free gift. The infilling of the Spirit of God is a free gift. Yet these enable us to DO something.

Luke 9:1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases

Ephesians 3:19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

Acts 11:16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.

To say that because we were saved by grace rather thant because of our works, means that we are forgiven even while we continue to sin and be controlled by it, is to give Satan place in our lives that he should not be given.

Ephesians 4:27 Neither give place to the devil.

The idea that since we received salvation by grace we have nothing whatsoever to do, that we have no work to do is ludicrous.

It is like saying that if I give you a brand new car, with a tank full of gas, that I also have to drive it for you! I may have given the car out of love and grace. I may not have given it because you did anything to earn the gift of a new car. But I would expect you to not only drive it, but to take care of it, if you appreciated and valued the gift. Because I gave it to you does not mean I am required to drive it, keep it clean and tend to all of the maintenance.

God cleansed us by His love and grace when we did not deserve it. He gave us the power to become His sons and daughter and to live free of sin. Now He requires that we take this free gift of salvation and the power of the Holy Spirit and live in obedience to Him. We still have access to Him for forgiveness and cleansing should we make a mistake, but it is up to us to come to Him for this care. The maintenance of our spiritual lives are up to us.

We can choose to seek His guidance and care and He will give it, but He will not force it. Nor will He answer all our prayers based on our demanding of Him, while we yet walk in disobedience to Him.

It is when we remain in Him and keep His Word living in us that we can ask of Him, those things that are according to His will, and He will do them for us.

John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

1 Corinthians 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

1 Corinthians 15:17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

You are yet in your sins – only if – Christ did not raise from the dead.

1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

We can live a life of victory and power. We can see God do mighty, even supernatural things in our lives if and when we are surrendered to Him and walk in obedience to Him.

Romans 1:5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Acts 5:32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

Romans 6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

Do not be deceived, there is something we must do. We have been given the grace and the power to do it, but do it we must. We must obey God and do His will.

James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Galatians 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

As a matter of fact, if the Spirit of the living God lives in you, He will give you the power to do what the Word of God tells you to do.

Ephesians 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Children of God are able to do whatever is required of them because of the free gift of salvation they have received and the power of the holy Spirit.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Do not blame God, if after coming to Christ you did not continue to live in obedience and have suffered at the hand of the enemy. There is power. There is help. There are answers to be had. These are available to those who live by faith and obedience. All who submit themselves to Christ can do so by the strength and power of the Holy Spirit that is freely given.

Let us then, obey the Word that has been given us.

2 Corinthians 6:17-18 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Romans 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

James 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

Remember that a father not only gives gifts to his children that they desire, but he also disciplines them, which is a great gift in itself.. So it is with Father God.

Hebrew 12:6-7 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

It is time to begin to understand the great gift that God has given us and to realize that this gift includes a freedom 'from' sin, a right relationship to God, the opportunity for continued fellowship with God and the strength and power to work the works God calls us to do.

Jesus did not require more of the woman, who was caught in the act of adultery, than he requires of us all. He told her - John 8:11 … go, and sin no more.

It is time to not be spoiled brats, trying to claim the promises of God while we give place to God's enemy, letting him motivate us to sin, which is to work against the God we claim to serve.

It is time to put on the whole armor of God and live as soldiers of the cross.

Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 

1 John 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

DOCTRINE

    What Has Jesus to do With Doctrine?

Isn't Love all the world needs, because God is love?

True love will motivate a person to action. It will inspire us to show our love, through words, tender expressions, physical affection, patience, self-denial, long-suffering, and acts of kindness. It will also cause a person, when necessary, to do the uncomfortable thing that he knows is best for the one he loves.

It will motivate a parent to say 'no' to a child he loves when he would rather say 'yes.' It will cause him to give unpleasant consequences to a child who needs to learn the danger of his wrong actions when the parent wishes he could just ignore those actions.

It will cause a parent to make a child rest when he wants to play, eat healthy food when he wants sweets and do chores to learn responsibility and selflessness when he wants to play.

And love will give a parent the resolve to teach his child what he needs though he has no desire to learn it.

It will motivate a person to tell a friend the hard truth, rather than telling a lie to avoid discomfort and conflict, while the truth will do more good.

It will compel him to urge the one he loves to move out of his comfort zone and press toward a goal.

Today some want us to think we should never make another uncomfortable. We should never mention the sins that are separating them from God and sending them to eternal punishment. They would have us believe the only way to help another find salvation is to speak words of acceptance, wearing a warm smile and winking, so-to-speak, at their sin.

In reality, what we should do, is love those Christ died for with the love that motivated Christ to action.

The love that forgave the thief on the cross next to him, and told him he would be with Jesus in Paradise on the same day Jesus died. The love that caused Him to take on the sins of the world. The love that loved us while we were yet sinners.

The love that caused Jesus to preach repentance, to upbraid some who would not believe, to rebuke and reprove.

The Jesus we picture as gentle and tender of heart is the Jesus who called Pharisees vipers, told some they were hypocrites and took a whip to the money changers in the temple.

God is love and His love motivated Him to do that which was comfortable to the ones He created, even when at times, it may have shamed and embarrassed them.

If we are going to speak of the love of Jesus, let us honestly speak of Him as He was and as He is.

I recently read these statements about Jesus - “The only thing we can offer that will truly satisfy the heart's cry is Jesus. He isn't doctrine. He isn't theology. He is a person.”

The fact that the only thing that will satisfy the heart's cry is Jesus, is true. But the following statements is deceptive. Doctrines invented by men, are not Jesus. But Jesus' doctrine, are the words He spoke and these are expressions of Himself. As a matter of fact, the Word of God tells us that Jesus is the Word of God.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Not only so but speaking of Him we read in Revelations -

Revelation 19:13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

Jesus is the Word. His doctrine cannot be separated from Him.

Luke 4:32 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.

Doctrine - (Greek) – idached, (id-akh-ay') - ... instruction (the act or the matter):--doctrine, hath been taught.

John 7:16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.

Hebrews 1:1-3 1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

THE WORD OF HIS POWER

Word (Greek) – rhemah, (ray'-mah) - ... an utterance (individually, collectively or specially),....

How often do we think of God's power separately from His Word or the other way around? But look at the amazing thing that is said here. Jesus, the Son of God, who is the brightness of God's glory, the express image of God's person, is UPHOLDING ALL THINGS by the Word of His Power!

It does not say the power of His words, as if to say - “those are powerful words,” though His words are, indeed, powerful! But it says – the Word of His Power!

Consider the meanings given for the word 'of' in http://www.dictionary.com/browse/of.

1 (used to indicate distance or direction from, separation, deprivation, etc.): 2. (used to indicate derivation, origin, or source): 3. (used to indicate cause, motive, occasion, or reason): 4. (used to indicate material, component parts, substance, or contents): 5. (used to indicate apposition or identity): 6. (used to indicate specific identity or a particular item within a category): 7.(used to indicate possession, connection, or association):

Think for a minute. This word 'of' is used to indicate the source or origin of a thing. What is the source of God's Word? It is His power! Not only are His words powerful, but they usher out of or are created by - His Power! Think of a beautiful bowl taking form out of a piece of clay, or a piece of art coming out of or taking shape from a piece of wax.

This word 'of,' is to indicate the substance or the material of a thing. What is the substance of God's Word? It is His power!

This word 'of,' is used to indicate the specific identity of a particular item. Applying this definition, we might say that God's Word and His power are synonymous!

This word 'of,' is used to indicate possession, connection, and association. God's Word is connected to, associated with and possessed by His power!

This word 'of,' is used to indicate identity. Thus God's Word is the identity or is identified by, His power!

God's Word and His power cannot be separated!

If we truly want to love Jesus, we must love all that He is. This includes His Word, for He is the living Word and His Word is His doctrine.

Be not deceived. You cannot truly have Jesus and bypass His doctrine.

If you have been inundated with doctrines of men and conflicting opinions, you can go to God and ask Him to cleanse from you all that is not truly of Him. You can go back to the first words of scriptures and begin to take in the words of Jesus slowly. You can take time to digest a bit at a time, listening carefully to the voice of God found in His word with the influence of the Holy Spirit.

But do not be deceived into thinking the world does not need the true doctrine of Jesus. His doctrine is His Word and He is the Word.

If the enemy can get you to believe that the love of God is found only in what is easy to receive and makes you feel happy or gives you the warm fuzzies, then he will keep you from knowing what the true love of God is.

Jesus' Words are His doctrine and His Words are life.

John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

It is His words that are spirit and life. His Word draws us to salvation. It is His words that we believe to salvation. He is the Word and to have Him is to have His word. His words are His doctrine. The flesh is in a dying condition. It cannot give itself life. But the Spirit of the living God can give our flesh spiritual life and health now and eternal life after death. But do you hear what is said here? The Spirit does give life - but – it is the words that He speaks that are spirit and life! They are Spirit and life!

Some people may want to 'feel' the Spirit and/or have spiritual encounters and spiritual experiences without knowing God's Word. Others may want to try to determine what is or is not the correct interpretation of the Bible, without having the Spirit of God in their lives, not having submitted their lives to God.

Seeking the 'Spirit' without the Word of God can get you into all sorts of troubles. There are unclean spirits that will be glad to give you 'spiritual' highs and all sorts of spiritual experiences, none of which are of God.

Trying to understand the scriptures without the Spirit of God can produce all sorts of confusion and heresies.

The Words that Jesus speaks are spirit and life. If you want Jesus, you must have Him as He is. He is the Word, which is Spirit and life.

Psalms 107:17-20 Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.

18 Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.

19 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses. He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

Even those who find themselves, afflicted, whether in soul or body or both, so that they find themselves near death, are healed - how? He sent his Word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

Some try to say that healing is not for today. If that is so, then God's Word is not for today! For He has sent His Word and it is what heals! Hallelujah to God!

If you have received enough of His Word to believe unto salvation, then you are blessed and have passed from death unto life. But you will need to go on and learn more of Him through His Word in order to stand against the wiles of the enemy.

.John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life

It is by hearing Jesus' words and believing on the God who sent Him that you will pass from death to life and not receive condemnation.

Romans 6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

Yes! IF you have obeyed what? That form of doctrine which was delivered to you. You have everlasting life when you hear His WORD and believe on Jesus the Son and the father who sent Him (who are one God). You are no longer servants of sin - if - you have obeyed what? That form of doctrine that was delivered to you. And what was that? The Word of the living God!

1 Timothy 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

Give attendance to -

1 Reading

2 Exhortation

3 Doctrine

1 Timothy 4:16 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.

Take heed unto -

1 Yourself

2 the Doctrine

And – Continue in them. What will be the result? Thou shalt save thyself and them that hear you!

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine

Do all of these things with all -

1 Longsuffering

2 Doctrine

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

All scripture is profitable for what?

1 Doctrine

2 Reproof

3 Correction

4 Instructions

All of these things IN righteousness.

Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

This faithful word that we are to hold fast, is able to both exhort and convince the gainsayers how? - BY SOUND DOCTRINE.

John 7:1 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

How will we be able to know whether the doctrine is of God? If we do the will of God.

Mark 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

Those who are ashamed of Jesus and His Words, He will be ashamed of when He comes.

John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

We are His disciples – IF – we continue in His Word. His Words are His doctrine.

Indeed let us love one another. Let us love the lost who Jesus died for.

1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

But let us live and love as Jesus did. He was in all ways obedient to His Father and spoke the things the Father wanted Him to speak'

John 12:49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.

Let us learn to listen to the Father's voice and speak as He leads us to do. Whether it is words that are pleasing to the hearer or words of reproof, let us speak in love and as directed by the Spirit of God.

John 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

1 Peter 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Oracles are –(Greek [Strong's]) - logionlog'-ee-on - logios; an utterance (of God):--oracle.

Let us speak the words of God, in agreement with God and from a heart of love.

Ephesians 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

Let us purify our own hearts and then let us speak as the Holy Spirit directs, always speaking the truth in love.

1 Peter 1:22 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.

How do you purify your soul? By obeying the truth through the Spirit! And where will that lead you? To unfeigned love of the brethren!

Never think you can love as you ought to do, without the Word of God. His Word cannot be left out of the equation. Go to the Word of God, ask Him to reveal the truth that is there, by His Spirit. Obey the truth you find there and let God teach you to love

If the way we are showing love, is only in words that we speak, words that we think others will want to hear and will make them feel good, words that originate from our thinking separate from the Word of God's Power, we are not only wasting time but may be doing more harm than good.

Our own words may be far removed from God's.

1 John 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

Do not just speak words of so-called love, but love in 'truth' and in action. Remember that Jesus said -

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

If you think you are loving someone by presenting a Jesus to them that is not really who or what He is, while withholding from them the truth, do not think you are really doing them any good.

Let us not only speak the words that make the hearer comfortable in their condition but let us through hearts of true love, speak that which is needed, that which is right, that which is true and that which is the Word and heart of God.