It is 1:30 am. And I've never been more wide awake. I was jerked out of my sleep with a warning and it comes with such urgency that I cannot say if I will ever have another chance to warn anybody. I have written warning articles before but never with the sense of dire urgency that this comes. I have said before that we needed to prepare because hard times were coming but now they are here. This has nothing to do with being prepared with extra food, water or medicines though you need those things too but this is about the preparedness of your soul. Tragedy is falling all around us and is only beginning. What we are now seeing are warnings from a loving God who is trying to wake us up to what is ahead. The reason that I know this is because when flooding or tornado or fire or some other severe thing happens to a community there are always stories of miracles, people escaping with their lives when they thought they should have died. This is God in His mercy, showing His ability to spare whoever He wishes. This will not always be the case. Many of those escaping with their lives are not Christians and are not giving God credit for sparing their lives and He is giving them a chance to turn to Him. However, the days are coming and much sooner than anyone thinks when not a single life will be spared unless they are solidly committed to Christ and are steadfast in their faith. Scripture warns not only of the judgement of God falling on sinful man but that the "Restrainer" being removed from the earth Who has restrained the devil and then the full wrath of the devil is released on the earth and his wrath is great because he knows that his days are short. The time is near when he will be cast bound into the pit for a thousand years and he is determined to do as much damage as he can before that happens. This warning is to everyone even if you believe you are a Christian. It is time to examine your life in every aspect and don't rely on your own judgement but pray and ask the Lord to search your heart because the Apostle Paul who wrote most of the New Testament said that he did not judge himself because he knew his own heart and that lack of conviction did not vindicate him. He trusted in God to reveal what was in him if he asked and you can too but you must ask and sincerely want to know. God is faithful and desires that no one perish but it is up to us. You may think I'm being arrogant by saying that God told me to send out this warning, well I personally don't care anymore what anybody thinks about me but I do care very much about humanity and what is now happening and is only going to get much worse. Scripture says that what has begun and will continue is worse than anything the world has ever experineced or ever will again and if God does not cut those days short that not a single person will survive but for the elect's sake He will cut those days short. Are you among the elect? Are you sure? If you want to know more about what is to be among the elect then you need to review my previous blogs for I have done my best to lay it out. It certainly is not about the complacent life that most people are living now. I titled this blog "The Passover" and the reason being that we have entered the time of a new Passover and now I will proceed to describe the Passover for those who are not totally familiar with it. Scripture states that first is the natural and then the spiritual. 1 Corinthians 15:46
New King James Version (NKJV)
46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. There was a natural Passover clear back in Egypt which was the last plague to strike the people of Egypt because Pharaoh would not let the Hebrews go. God instructed Moses to tell the Hebrews to slaughter a lamb without blemish and take it's blood and put it all around the door frame of their home because at midnight the Angel of the Lord would pass over the land and destroy the firstborn of every household that did not have the blood over the door. That is exactly what happened and their was a great cry throughout the land for every single home without the blood had a dead person in it and it was the first born and the firstborn was always considered the most important. This was the final straw for Pharaoh and he finally caved in and released the Hebrews. That's not exactly the end of the story but it is enough for this article because now we need to get into the spiritual aspect of this. Before that horrible Passover there were 8 other plagues that were warnings that he did not heed. Today we have warnings that people are not heeding either. God has offered a remedy because there is indeed another Passover coming and is very near. The remedy is His Son. We can learn from scripture that Christ was God's Passover Lamb and His blood was shed and intended to be applied to the door of our hearts in order that when judgement came upon all mankind that those who had the blood applied could be passed over.
His blood is more than sufficient to save you even from a nuclear explosion. Take out a moment and read Psalm 91 for it is a promise of shelter from whatever is coming upon mankind in the last days and you may see there nearly every possible disaster is covered though the language is quaint it is the only way someone who lived thousands of years ago could describe what we are seeing today. Right now tornadoes are stronger than we've seen in our lifetime and doing tremendous damage but it is only the beginning because when God's hand of mercy is lifted not a life will be spared except those who truly belong to Him nor will a single building be left standing. There won't be anybody to proudly say "we'll rebuild". The bible says that when this starts coming upon us that it will be as a man who is fleeing from a bear and meets a lion or when he is in his house and leans his arm against the wall and a snake bites him. There will be no escape. The Bible speaks of pestilance, we'll the news is now telling about a new e'coli that has broken out in Europe that is deadly and resistant to antibiotics and they don't even know what it is from. this is only the beginning.
So we have a narrow window in which to make a choice and I don't know why it's so hard for some people to make that choice. I have spent litterally hundreds of hours trying to describe what a wonderful life it is when it is fully submitted to God. It cannot be compared to anything earthly because it is supernatural and full of surprises. I fear there are not many who call themselves Christian that know what I am talking about because I talk to quite a few and I rarely hear anyone mention experiences of the nature that are common daily occurences for me and the few others that I know that have learned to walk with God.
Many say they are committed but they are not "submitted" and there is a vast difference. In my last article I tried to lay out the diffence and I truly hope that you can get a hold of it and act on it rather than to find out the hard way that you really didn't have the Blood over your door after all. I'm praying for you. May God open the eyes of your heart and may you act on it before it is too late.
john
Friday, June 3, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Friend or Foe
You may ask why it is so important to know all this stuff? Isn't it enough to know that Christ is the Son of God and that He was the perfect sacrifice for the sins of mankind? Wasn't His blood sufficient to satisfy a Holy God? My answer is yes to all these questions but it is the response of the individual to these facts that makes the difference.
Jesus has no casual acquaintances, only friends or enemies. Those who would be considered casual acquaintances are in scripture called lukewarm and He declares that He will spew them out of His mouth,
Revelation 3:15-16 (New King James Version)
15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot,[a] I will vomit you out of My mouth.
It is impossible to be on fire for Jesus unless you know Him and all that pertains to the new life that He gives. Yes there are varying degrees of hot and if you are pressing into Him your love and passion for Him will be growing and so will the fruit of the Spirit be increasing. I sometimes use the phrase victory or victorious as though it was something we accomplish but that is in error for it is the life of Christ producing Himself in us and we are not to take credit for it at all. The more that we experience this development taking place in us the more we will tend to love and appreciate Him.
Let's continue on with the matter of our heritage. Some accuse God of being unfair because all of creation bears the mark of Adams curse but whereas by one man all came under the curse then also by one Man, the Lord Jesus Christ all can become partakers of a holy life leading to eternal life. In a sense nothing has changed since the first Adam because Adam was created and given choices and if he had not sinned then all his offspring would also had a choice and could have made right or wrong choices. Well in God's wisdom He sent His Son to rectify Adams choice which then leaves all of humanity the freedom to make their individual choice to accept or reject His offer of eternal life.
1 Corinthians 15:45-47 (New King James Version)
45 And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.”[a] The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord[b] from heaven.
We live in the realm of the natural and it is difficult for us to understand the spiritual for it is supernatural and we receive it only by Revelation when our eyes are opened by God. We cannot understand the new life that comes from Christ until we receive it. How would you describe sleep to someone who has never experienced sleep?
The scripture says "you must be born again" John 3:3 (New King James Version)
3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3:7 (New King James Version)
7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’
The term born again is a very misused and misunderstood term, through misuse and abuse it has lost it's true meaning and because there is not anybody explaining it there are few who truly experience it. I will do my best to explain it. Being born again is supposed to imply a brand new life, before there can be a new life there must be a death, it's that simple. Most folks today who "get religion" do just that. They have nothing more than a new philosophy in which they have no real power nor real relationship with Christ. Jesus told a parable known as the Parable of the Sower.
Matthew 13:3-9 (New King James Version)
3 Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. 6 But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. 8 But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
Now in the simplest terms good groundis ground that has been properly prepared, it must have good topsoil that is full of nutrients and it needs to be loose soil not hard packed or clay like. It needs to be able to absorb water but not hold it near the surface but will allow it to filter down to the roots of the plants. It also needs to be located where the sun can shine upon it and bestow it's blessing to warm the soil which promotes plant growth. It is no mystery that Jesus likened a person with an open heart for truth to good soil but also it is important to realize that even good soil needs to be cultivated and that in scripture represents teaching the truth in it's fullness. This is where most ministries fall of the Gospel wagon because they leave out key truths because they are hard truths and they fear that if they speak of them the people will feel uncomfortable and will leave and go somewhere that they can continue to feel comfortable. I say let them leave because if they can't or won't bear the truth then they are a waste of valuable time and resources. They are lukewarm at best and God has already rejected them, but the ministers want them to remain because there financial contributions make up their livelyhood. These ministers are known in scripture as hirelings and I believe there are more hirelings now in the pulpit than there are true servants of God with one purpose and goal such as the Apostle Paul who said "Galatians 4:19 (New King James Version)
19 My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,\"
Though Paul aknowledged that a minister had the right to expect to be supported by the people he served he chose to support himself with tent making so that he could speak the truth even though at times the truth was hard in order that people could not threaten him with loss of support. I truly believe we need many more of this type of minister today that will speak the Word of God without fear and without regard to loss or gain. I believe a very large majority of lukewarm Christians have never heard the true Gospel in all it's fullness because if they did many would repent and turn because the benefits to completely outweigh the costs. There is such a lack of understanding that it's no wonder that nobody is excited about the Christian life. On the one hand we have the commonly known Christian life and on the other we have the "crucified life" and the two are light years apart.
I will stop here for now as I must get ready for work but will continue at the earliest possible time. May God give you insight and a hunger for more.
john
Jesus has no casual acquaintances, only friends or enemies. Those who would be considered casual acquaintances are in scripture called lukewarm and He declares that He will spew them out of His mouth,
Revelation 3:15-16 (New King James Version)
15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot,[a] I will vomit you out of My mouth.
It is impossible to be on fire for Jesus unless you know Him and all that pertains to the new life that He gives. Yes there are varying degrees of hot and if you are pressing into Him your love and passion for Him will be growing and so will the fruit of the Spirit be increasing. I sometimes use the phrase victory or victorious as though it was something we accomplish but that is in error for it is the life of Christ producing Himself in us and we are not to take credit for it at all. The more that we experience this development taking place in us the more we will tend to love and appreciate Him.
Let's continue on with the matter of our heritage. Some accuse God of being unfair because all of creation bears the mark of Adams curse but whereas by one man all came under the curse then also by one Man, the Lord Jesus Christ all can become partakers of a holy life leading to eternal life. In a sense nothing has changed since the first Adam because Adam was created and given choices and if he had not sinned then all his offspring would also had a choice and could have made right or wrong choices. Well in God's wisdom He sent His Son to rectify Adams choice which then leaves all of humanity the freedom to make their individual choice to accept or reject His offer of eternal life.
1 Corinthians 15:45-47 (New King James Version)
45 And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.”[a] The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord[b] from heaven.
We live in the realm of the natural and it is difficult for us to understand the spiritual for it is supernatural and we receive it only by Revelation when our eyes are opened by God. We cannot understand the new life that comes from Christ until we receive it. How would you describe sleep to someone who has never experienced sleep?
The scripture says "you must be born again" John 3:3 (New King James Version)
3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3:7 (New King James Version)
7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’
The term born again is a very misused and misunderstood term, through misuse and abuse it has lost it's true meaning and because there is not anybody explaining it there are few who truly experience it. I will do my best to explain it. Being born again is supposed to imply a brand new life, before there can be a new life there must be a death, it's that simple. Most folks today who "get religion" do just that. They have nothing more than a new philosophy in which they have no real power nor real relationship with Christ. Jesus told a parable known as the Parable of the Sower.
Matthew 13:3-9 (New King James Version)
3 Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. 6 But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. 8 But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
Now in the simplest terms good groundis ground that has been properly prepared, it must have good topsoil that is full of nutrients and it needs to be loose soil not hard packed or clay like. It needs to be able to absorb water but not hold it near the surface but will allow it to filter down to the roots of the plants. It also needs to be located where the sun can shine upon it and bestow it's blessing to warm the soil which promotes plant growth. It is no mystery that Jesus likened a person with an open heart for truth to good soil but also it is important to realize that even good soil needs to be cultivated and that in scripture represents teaching the truth in it's fullness. This is where most ministries fall of the Gospel wagon because they leave out key truths because they are hard truths and they fear that if they speak of them the people will feel uncomfortable and will leave and go somewhere that they can continue to feel comfortable. I say let them leave because if they can't or won't bear the truth then they are a waste of valuable time and resources. They are lukewarm at best and God has already rejected them, but the ministers want them to remain because there financial contributions make up their livelyhood. These ministers are known in scripture as hirelings and I believe there are more hirelings now in the pulpit than there are true servants of God with one purpose and goal such as the Apostle Paul who said "Galatians 4:19 (New King James Version)
19 My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,\"
Though Paul aknowledged that a minister had the right to expect to be supported by the people he served he chose to support himself with tent making so that he could speak the truth even though at times the truth was hard in order that people could not threaten him with loss of support. I truly believe we need many more of this type of minister today that will speak the Word of God without fear and without regard to loss or gain. I believe a very large majority of lukewarm Christians have never heard the true Gospel in all it's fullness because if they did many would repent and turn because the benefits to completely outweigh the costs. There is such a lack of understanding that it's no wonder that nobody is excited about the Christian life. On the one hand we have the commonly known Christian life and on the other we have the "crucified life" and the two are light years apart.
I will stop here for now as I must get ready for work but will continue at the earliest possible time. May God give you insight and a hunger for more.
john
Monday, May 23, 2011
In The Beginning
Let me share an illustration with you that may help you understand what our life in Christ should look like.
In my garage I have a Raleigh bicycle, it is a very nice quality bike and much desired by bicycle enthusiasts. It is very well built and can support a person of 250 pounds or more. The wheels of this bicycle have 32 spokes each and that is what makes the wheels able to support so much weight. Now if I were to remove all but 4 of the spokes the bike would still remain upright but as soon as I got on it the wheels would collapse under the strain.
Our life in Christ can be said to be similar. The outer rim can be compared to the all encompassing Christ and spokes represent all the historical facts that make up the Gospel message. The hub can be compared to the individual Christian. We are supposed to be Christ centered and it is only when we are Christ centered that we are living as we should. It is the individual spokes of the wheel that give strength and keep the hub exactly where it is supposed to be so that the wheel can run straight and true. Now let's assume that I have removed all but 4 of the spokes and these 4 represent the salvation message that Christ died for my sins. This is very true and we would not have salvation without that fact. It is a historical fact and when I accept it then it becomes life in me. However if that is all that I have, and that really is about all that the majority of Christians do have in their knowledge basket, then my walk with God is going to be very wobbly and the first thing that puts too much pressure on my Christian wheel will cause a collapse. This collapse may be some serious moral sin or it may even result in a total destruction of my walk with God and I return to my worldly ways because I am disillusioned. Let me explain the word "disillusioned" it simply means that I was suffering under an illusion and now I am no longer under that illusion. Those who would tell you that all you need for a victorious Christian life is the acceptance of the fact of Christs shed blood are filling you with illusion and sooner or later you are going to discover that something is missing because the reality is somehow not measuring up to the promise.
Now before the doctrine police come and arrest me for heresy let me state that the shed blood of Jesus is definitely enough to save you if you are laying on your deathbed and are fortunate enough to be conscious so that you can confess that indeed you accept His free gift of eternal life. However for most of us there is a journey over a span of time from the moment we accept His gift of grace until we receive the redemption of our bodies and we will encounter many difficulties that must be overcome. As I wrote in my previous article, it is the over comer who will be saved. Every other facet of the works of God in Christ are vital not only to our arrival at the pearly gates but in navigating all the pitfalls, overcoming sin and developing the nature of Christ which are all requirements. We can look forward to hearing from Him "well done good and faithful servant or depart from me you workers of iniquity for I never knew you". Yes those last words will be spoken to many who professed to be Christian.
These articles are not written to judge anyone but rather to help those who desire to attain to the highest purposes of God.
Now with this preface in mind let us begin at the very beginning. There probably are not many living today who do not know the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. For many it is even a source of jokes but there is really nothing funny about it for it describes a great tragedy yet it is all a part of the great plan of God for mankind. I know that there are those who would argue with me that had sin not taken place then life would have been wonderful to this very day. That was never the plan of God. God's purposes are much higher than that and in due time we shall understand but for now let us consider what happened there in the Garden. Every day in the cool of the evening God actually came down and walked and talked with Adam and Eve. I often wonder what they talked about. Anyway during one of these conversations He told them to enjoy everything there in the Garden but to stay away from a certain tree that was called the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Don't touch it and don't eat it's fruit. Now we all know that if you forbid your child to do something it is like saying sic um to a dog when he sees a cat. You may ask why but I don't have an answer for you, you need to ask God. My opinions are worthless so I just give you the facts as much as possible which can be verified by scripture and try to leave speculation alone. If we accept and stick to the facts and live them out the fruit should be answer enough. God states in Isaiah 55:9 " My thoughts are higher than your thoughts and My ways are higher than your ways". Also in Proverbs 3:5&6 He tells us to "trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding and in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths".
It wasn't long before Eve found herself looking with great curiosity at this forbidden tree and wondering like all the rest of us WHY God? Old slue foot was there ready to help her out by explaining that though God said that she would die if she touched or tasted it that it was not really so and matter of fact she really would become very wise and as smart as God himself. Folks he's still here with the same old story, what God has said He really doesn't mean cause He's just a loving God. We know the rest of the story, she bought the lie and ate the fruit. Now if it had ended there things would have been much different because she was deceived and God knows how to deal with deception and to deliver us from it but she took some of the fruit to Adam and he with eyes wide open and with full knowledge that he was disobeying the command of God he ate it even knowing the consequence. Now the word of God is sure and true and unchangeable and they did die for their true life was derived not just from God but in God and God had to withdraw Himself from them because He cannot tolerate sin or perhaps I should say that sinful natural man cannot even continue to breath in the presence of our Holy God. It was only in their purest state that the first couple could walk and talk with God. Now here is the point that I needed to make and it is not a secret to most Christians but needs to be made for it is the basis for many other vital historic facts.
Romans 5:12 (New King James Version)
Death in Adam, Life in Christ
12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—
How is it that all humanity bears the burden of Adams deliberate sin? It is by heritage, he is the father of all mankind and because of his fallen nature he had no life of God in him therefore everyone after him bore the same likeness. It is simply a fact of life and could not be changed. By the same unchangeable fact came our deliverance. In the fullness of time God came and took on human form and in His sinless perfection sacrificed Himself on a cruel cross. Now what most are not aware of because it is simply not taught is the fact that when Christ died on that cross all humanity died with Him.
2 Corinthians 5:14 (New King James Version)
14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died;
This is where it gets difficult to grasp for there is divine truth that needs to be understood. Not only did all humanity that was on the earth at that time die with Him but all humanity that would be born through all future generations and here is why: What was true with Adam is true with Christ. In Adam all sinned or have become sinners for sin is not an act of disobedience but a state of being where one is without the life of God in them. Therefore if all men became sin or sinners then in Christ all men became dead. But whereas death could not hold Him He was resurrected to eternal life and thus all humanity also was raised from the dead with one little caveat: We must accept the historical facts and choose to Abide in that life of God that He freely gives. He does not give us eternal life as a thing, He gives us Himself Who is Eternal Life. Do you see the difference? Eternal life is a person not a thing that is why the person and the relationship with that Person is so vital.
1 John 5:11-12 (King James Version)
11And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
12He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
This is merely the beginning of the understanding that we need to embrace in order to experience the Abundant life that Jesus promised. We will continue another day.
God bless and keep you and open the eyes of your heart to understand and ingest these truths so they can build you up in Him.
john Martin
justjohn@eoni.com
In my garage I have a Raleigh bicycle, it is a very nice quality bike and much desired by bicycle enthusiasts. It is very well built and can support a person of 250 pounds or more. The wheels of this bicycle have 32 spokes each and that is what makes the wheels able to support so much weight. Now if I were to remove all but 4 of the spokes the bike would still remain upright but as soon as I got on it the wheels would collapse under the strain.
Our life in Christ can be said to be similar. The outer rim can be compared to the all encompassing Christ and spokes represent all the historical facts that make up the Gospel message. The hub can be compared to the individual Christian. We are supposed to be Christ centered and it is only when we are Christ centered that we are living as we should. It is the individual spokes of the wheel that give strength and keep the hub exactly where it is supposed to be so that the wheel can run straight and true. Now let's assume that I have removed all but 4 of the spokes and these 4 represent the salvation message that Christ died for my sins. This is very true and we would not have salvation without that fact. It is a historical fact and when I accept it then it becomes life in me. However if that is all that I have, and that really is about all that the majority of Christians do have in their knowledge basket, then my walk with God is going to be very wobbly and the first thing that puts too much pressure on my Christian wheel will cause a collapse. This collapse may be some serious moral sin or it may even result in a total destruction of my walk with God and I return to my worldly ways because I am disillusioned. Let me explain the word "disillusioned" it simply means that I was suffering under an illusion and now I am no longer under that illusion. Those who would tell you that all you need for a victorious Christian life is the acceptance of the fact of Christs shed blood are filling you with illusion and sooner or later you are going to discover that something is missing because the reality is somehow not measuring up to the promise.
Now before the doctrine police come and arrest me for heresy let me state that the shed blood of Jesus is definitely enough to save you if you are laying on your deathbed and are fortunate enough to be conscious so that you can confess that indeed you accept His free gift of eternal life. However for most of us there is a journey over a span of time from the moment we accept His gift of grace until we receive the redemption of our bodies and we will encounter many difficulties that must be overcome. As I wrote in my previous article, it is the over comer who will be saved. Every other facet of the works of God in Christ are vital not only to our arrival at the pearly gates but in navigating all the pitfalls, overcoming sin and developing the nature of Christ which are all requirements. We can look forward to hearing from Him "well done good and faithful servant or depart from me you workers of iniquity for I never knew you". Yes those last words will be spoken to many who professed to be Christian.
These articles are not written to judge anyone but rather to help those who desire to attain to the highest purposes of God.
Now with this preface in mind let us begin at the very beginning. There probably are not many living today who do not know the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. For many it is even a source of jokes but there is really nothing funny about it for it describes a great tragedy yet it is all a part of the great plan of God for mankind. I know that there are those who would argue with me that had sin not taken place then life would have been wonderful to this very day. That was never the plan of God. God's purposes are much higher than that and in due time we shall understand but for now let us consider what happened there in the Garden. Every day in the cool of the evening God actually came down and walked and talked with Adam and Eve. I often wonder what they talked about. Anyway during one of these conversations He told them to enjoy everything there in the Garden but to stay away from a certain tree that was called the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Don't touch it and don't eat it's fruit. Now we all know that if you forbid your child to do something it is like saying sic um to a dog when he sees a cat. You may ask why but I don't have an answer for you, you need to ask God. My opinions are worthless so I just give you the facts as much as possible which can be verified by scripture and try to leave speculation alone. If we accept and stick to the facts and live them out the fruit should be answer enough. God states in Isaiah 55:9 " My thoughts are higher than your thoughts and My ways are higher than your ways". Also in Proverbs 3:5&6 He tells us to "trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding and in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths".
It wasn't long before Eve found herself looking with great curiosity at this forbidden tree and wondering like all the rest of us WHY God? Old slue foot was there ready to help her out by explaining that though God said that she would die if she touched or tasted it that it was not really so and matter of fact she really would become very wise and as smart as God himself. Folks he's still here with the same old story, what God has said He really doesn't mean cause He's just a loving God. We know the rest of the story, she bought the lie and ate the fruit. Now if it had ended there things would have been much different because she was deceived and God knows how to deal with deception and to deliver us from it but she took some of the fruit to Adam and he with eyes wide open and with full knowledge that he was disobeying the command of God he ate it even knowing the consequence. Now the word of God is sure and true and unchangeable and they did die for their true life was derived not just from God but in God and God had to withdraw Himself from them because He cannot tolerate sin or perhaps I should say that sinful natural man cannot even continue to breath in the presence of our Holy God. It was only in their purest state that the first couple could walk and talk with God. Now here is the point that I needed to make and it is not a secret to most Christians but needs to be made for it is the basis for many other vital historic facts.
Romans 5:12 (New King James Version)
Death in Adam, Life in Christ
12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—
How is it that all humanity bears the burden of Adams deliberate sin? It is by heritage, he is the father of all mankind and because of his fallen nature he had no life of God in him therefore everyone after him bore the same likeness. It is simply a fact of life and could not be changed. By the same unchangeable fact came our deliverance. In the fullness of time God came and took on human form and in His sinless perfection sacrificed Himself on a cruel cross. Now what most are not aware of because it is simply not taught is the fact that when Christ died on that cross all humanity died with Him.
2 Corinthians 5:14 (New King James Version)
14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died;
This is where it gets difficult to grasp for there is divine truth that needs to be understood. Not only did all humanity that was on the earth at that time die with Him but all humanity that would be born through all future generations and here is why: What was true with Adam is true with Christ. In Adam all sinned or have become sinners for sin is not an act of disobedience but a state of being where one is without the life of God in them. Therefore if all men became sin or sinners then in Christ all men became dead. But whereas death could not hold Him He was resurrected to eternal life and thus all humanity also was raised from the dead with one little caveat: We must accept the historical facts and choose to Abide in that life of God that He freely gives. He does not give us eternal life as a thing, He gives us Himself Who is Eternal Life. Do you see the difference? Eternal life is a person not a thing that is why the person and the relationship with that Person is so vital.
1 John 5:11-12 (King James Version)
11And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
12He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
This is merely the beginning of the understanding that we need to embrace in order to experience the Abundant life that Jesus promised. We will continue another day.
God bless and keep you and open the eyes of your heart to understand and ingest these truths so they can build you up in Him.
john Martin
justjohn@eoni.com
Sunday, May 22, 2011
On Becoming Over-comers
Revelation 2:11 (New King James Version)
11 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”’
Revelation 2:26 (New King James Version)
26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—
Revelation 3:5 (New King James Version)
5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
As you can see from these scriptures it is very important to be an over-comer rather than to be overcome by the things of the world. For many who call themselves Christian this is a very difficult matter. The Bible states that we are entangled in a spiritual battle and that the flesh is fighting against the Spirit.
Galatians 5:17 (New King James Version)
17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
I don’t know anyone who would not agree that this is true though some would argue that it’s not a real issue because God only sees us through the blood of Jesus so our sin doesn’t really matter too much because there is forgiveness there for us. This is nothing short of blasphemy and does great disservice to the sacrifice of Christ on our behalf. God declares that Christ is coming back for a bride that is pure and spotless and that doesn’t sound much like the Church of today.
I haven’t written anything for quite some time and there’s been good reason for it for I have been in the school of the Spirit and He’s been teaching me some very vital truths and now I am about to share them and I hope there are hungry hearts out there that desire to grow in their life with Christ for if you get these truths deep into your heart I can assure you that your life will change for the good and you will stop spinning your wheels.
It will take several chapters to lay it all out and we must begin at the very beginning because the story of salvation must be laid out all over again. The matter has been condensed down to a few facts that while true leave huge gaps and leave the believer to work out his own salvation so to speak without any tools. No wonder we have so much sin and disorder in the Church. So before I really begin I suggest that the reader stop reading and pray that God would open the eyes of your heart and reveal truth to you and give you a discerning mind to separate truth form falsehood. Jesus said “you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” So the most vital thing that we can do is ask Him to guide us into all truth and nothing but the truth. He will honor that if you are willing to open your heart and give up your pre conceive ideas and seek only the truth that can be verified by scripture.
I will be using a lot more scripture than I normally do and expect that you will get your bible out and check to make sure that it actually says what I am saying that it says.
For those who want to know, I use the New King James Version and the reason being that it is very close to the original King James but without all the difficult words that are no longer part of the English language. I do not approve of most of the newer translation because they tend to lose much of the real deep meanings of the scriptures and if you are trying to get the mind of God we cannot modify His word. I’m sure that many would argue with me on this point but I would answer back that if all these new translations are so helpful then why is the Church in worse shape than it’s ever been?
So to begin let me share with you a new understanding that the Spirit gave me just this past week. We all know that when we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior that He gives us a new life and that new life is His life or at least we should know that. However our experience often reveals something else in reality and we are disappointed and some even turn away.
Here’s the secret that I was shown and it has been right there in plain sight all along.
Colossians 3:3 (New King James Version)
3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
We look here and there and everywhere for that new life. We pray and ask Him for things we need, money, patience, strength, love, forgiveness, power and on and on. The struggle goes on and on and we do not achieve any or very little of the life that we desire.
What we are missing is the fact that this new life in hidden and must be sought after with diligence like no other. We must not be asking Him for things but to reveal His life in us. Here’s another scripture to verify the truth that what I’m trying to say, namely that our life is Christ and nothing else and when we get a hold of that in reality everything will change.
Colossians 3:4 (New King James Version)
4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
Please note that is says “Christ is our life” literally there is no life apart from Christ. That is why Jesus said to the man who He told to follow Him and the man answered “I need to bury my father” and Jesus answered him “let the dead bury the dead”. I will explain this further later but suffice it to say right now that in reality that anyone who is not in Christ is dead even though they may be breathing and walking around. They are the walking dead.
Another scripture verifying that Christ is everything to the Christian.
2 Peter 1:3 (New King James Version)
3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,
This verse states that He has given us everything that is needed for life and godliness. What is most important to note is the means by which we obtain all of this.
It is through our knowledge of Him. Diligent seeking after Him, seeking to know Him and understand Him and understand what He has done and is doing yet today and will continue until the second coming. We are not talking about head knowledge but heart knowledge for there is a huge difference between the two. Head knowledge may make you proud and boastful but heart knowledge will make you a different person for you don’t just know it but you live it.
Jeremiah 29:13 (New King James Version)
13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
I don’t think many today even understand what it means to seek Him with all their heart.
Friends it must become a driving force and a passion that motivates you more than anything else in life. If that’s how you feel, if that is what you want then I can promise that you will find Him and you will find a life that is more abundant than you could ever imagine.
So in closing let me say that when you find Christ in reality and truth you will also find your life for it is hidden in Him.
In my next article we will trace the history of salvation and grace beginning with Adam and Eve. To fully understand we must begin at the Beginning.
Grace, Mercy and Peace to you all,
john Martin
justjohn@eoni.com Web. www.acts2216.blogspot.com
11 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”’
Revelation 2:26 (New King James Version)
26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—
Revelation 3:5 (New King James Version)
5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
As you can see from these scriptures it is very important to be an over-comer rather than to be overcome by the things of the world. For many who call themselves Christian this is a very difficult matter. The Bible states that we are entangled in a spiritual battle and that the flesh is fighting against the Spirit.
Galatians 5:17 (New King James Version)
17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
I don’t know anyone who would not agree that this is true though some would argue that it’s not a real issue because God only sees us through the blood of Jesus so our sin doesn’t really matter too much because there is forgiveness there for us. This is nothing short of blasphemy and does great disservice to the sacrifice of Christ on our behalf. God declares that Christ is coming back for a bride that is pure and spotless and that doesn’t sound much like the Church of today.
I haven’t written anything for quite some time and there’s been good reason for it for I have been in the school of the Spirit and He’s been teaching me some very vital truths and now I am about to share them and I hope there are hungry hearts out there that desire to grow in their life with Christ for if you get these truths deep into your heart I can assure you that your life will change for the good and you will stop spinning your wheels.
It will take several chapters to lay it all out and we must begin at the very beginning because the story of salvation must be laid out all over again. The matter has been condensed down to a few facts that while true leave huge gaps and leave the believer to work out his own salvation so to speak without any tools. No wonder we have so much sin and disorder in the Church. So before I really begin I suggest that the reader stop reading and pray that God would open the eyes of your heart and reveal truth to you and give you a discerning mind to separate truth form falsehood. Jesus said “you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” So the most vital thing that we can do is ask Him to guide us into all truth and nothing but the truth. He will honor that if you are willing to open your heart and give up your pre conceive ideas and seek only the truth that can be verified by scripture.
I will be using a lot more scripture than I normally do and expect that you will get your bible out and check to make sure that it actually says what I am saying that it says.
For those who want to know, I use the New King James Version and the reason being that it is very close to the original King James but without all the difficult words that are no longer part of the English language. I do not approve of most of the newer translation because they tend to lose much of the real deep meanings of the scriptures and if you are trying to get the mind of God we cannot modify His word. I’m sure that many would argue with me on this point but I would answer back that if all these new translations are so helpful then why is the Church in worse shape than it’s ever been?
So to begin let me share with you a new understanding that the Spirit gave me just this past week. We all know that when we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior that He gives us a new life and that new life is His life or at least we should know that. However our experience often reveals something else in reality and we are disappointed and some even turn away.
Here’s the secret that I was shown and it has been right there in plain sight all along.
Colossians 3:3 (New King James Version)
3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
We look here and there and everywhere for that new life. We pray and ask Him for things we need, money, patience, strength, love, forgiveness, power and on and on. The struggle goes on and on and we do not achieve any or very little of the life that we desire.
What we are missing is the fact that this new life in hidden and must be sought after with diligence like no other. We must not be asking Him for things but to reveal His life in us. Here’s another scripture to verify the truth that what I’m trying to say, namely that our life is Christ and nothing else and when we get a hold of that in reality everything will change.
Colossians 3:4 (New King James Version)
4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
Please note that is says “Christ is our life” literally there is no life apart from Christ. That is why Jesus said to the man who He told to follow Him and the man answered “I need to bury my father” and Jesus answered him “let the dead bury the dead”. I will explain this further later but suffice it to say right now that in reality that anyone who is not in Christ is dead even though they may be breathing and walking around. They are the walking dead.
Another scripture verifying that Christ is everything to the Christian.
2 Peter 1:3 (New King James Version)
3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,
This verse states that He has given us everything that is needed for life and godliness. What is most important to note is the means by which we obtain all of this.
It is through our knowledge of Him. Diligent seeking after Him, seeking to know Him and understand Him and understand what He has done and is doing yet today and will continue until the second coming. We are not talking about head knowledge but heart knowledge for there is a huge difference between the two. Head knowledge may make you proud and boastful but heart knowledge will make you a different person for you don’t just know it but you live it.
Jeremiah 29:13 (New King James Version)
13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
I don’t think many today even understand what it means to seek Him with all their heart.
Friends it must become a driving force and a passion that motivates you more than anything else in life. If that’s how you feel, if that is what you want then I can promise that you will find Him and you will find a life that is more abundant than you could ever imagine.
So in closing let me say that when you find Christ in reality and truth you will also find your life for it is hidden in Him.
In my next article we will trace the history of salvation and grace beginning with Adam and Eve. To fully understand we must begin at the Beginning.
Grace, Mercy and Peace to you all,
john Martin
justjohn@eoni.com Web. www.acts2216.blogspot.com
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