BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO WASH THEIR ROBES

 

 

Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city (the heavenly Jerusalem) by its gates.

 

Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying. 

 

The two scriptures above are a prefect example of contrasting statements.

The first speaks of those who are the redeemed by the blood of Christ and have free entrance into the New Jerusalem.

 

The second numbers some of those who will not be granted access to the Holy City.

 

This scripture came to mind when evaluating the candidates running for President of the United States of America. Among the number of presidential hopefuls were those who match the people named in the scriptures. One by one the number has been reduced effectively down to two candidates.

 

Those who had a strong testimony for Christ have been rejected and disapproved. In doing so America has rejected this strong Christian influence and leaves us with at best a nominal leading toward the Christian faith.

 

The nation isn't sure what they will get if one of the candidates becomes president.

 

On the other hand the other one who is running is obviously one who loves and practices lying. With that one the modus operandi is to deceive with lying statements.

 

Many find this to be acceptable and desirable. GOD"S word declares is unacceptable to the point where it is that which will keep the one who practices lying in word or deed on the outside with no entrance to the Holy City.

 

Chose ye well when you vote.

Three Enemies of the Whole Human Race

Made Alive in Christ

 

THE THREE ENEMIES OF THE WHOLE HUMAN RACE

Ephesians 2 (NIV) As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.

All of us at one time were with them, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts.

There is an oft used phrase; "The world, the flesh, and the devil." This phrase rolls off the tongue very easy and in the process reduces it to an almost harmless saying. In fact this is that which has been from the Garden of Eden where man died spiritually. This event was so tragic that it took GOD himself to provide a remedy for the damage done.

The world, the flesh, and the devil is a three fold enemy of all men. Even in an unsaved state they fight against the sinner. They will do everything in their power to keep the sinner from coming to Christ and receiving salvation. It doesn't stop there, they continue to harass the Christian even after being redeemed. A brief look at these three forces follows.

THE WORLD or better yet the world system. At every turn there are temptations of every sort and they are promoted as being good. They have perfected the ways to stimulate the lusts that dwells within all persons. This alone inhibits Christian growth. When one hooks up illicit desires with guilt (even if one never follows through) there is a breach in the relationship with GOD. We are lucky if there aren't lasting scars left as a reminder of our failure.

Another aspect of the world's system is political correctness. Evil men pass laws and insist Christians to accept them as their gospel and reject GOD'S truth. The pronouncement that if it's legal it must be right is deceptive to it's core.

2 Corinthians 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

When evil compares itself with evil the outcome is evil. The world judges it self and is found wanting for it can only gain acceptance but never the righteousness of GOD.

THE DEVIL Since the Devil or better known as Satan has been portrayed in cartoons as being impish and in people minds the true nature of this evil spirit has been nullified. He no longer is viewed as the destroyer of men's spiritual nature and sending them to the fires of Hades. Those who underestimate him are soon his willing servants. His captives are constantly doing his will and buoyed up by a myriad of spirits who were cast out of GOD'S presence along with Satan.

These evil spirits (there are no other kind who follow Satan) are constantly searching for someone they can possess. Without a body they are limited as to what they can do. All of the false gods are a product their handiwork through men they have possessed.

THE FLESH This is the area of our being where we are the weakest. It is where we scum to temptation.; Where lust is conceived, Where our wills are compromised.

It is where resistance to the leading of the Holy Spirit is the greatest. All sin is the product of the flesh. It is where pregnancy, birth, and nurture of the seed of sin becomes full grown. It will take control of the body to destroy it. It is the place where sinfulness comes to fruition and enjoyed.

It is where addiction brings the body into subjection to the flesh.  It is the hardest of the three evils to control and where spiritual warfare within the soul takes place.

There is only one way to control the flesh and the is to totally commit oneself to the word of GOD and the leading of the Spirit. This is pretty much what Jesus did when the devil came with all his temptation.

This is the end of my brief comments on your three greatest enemies.

Now as to resources; " The Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." Take advantage of the ministry of each of the trinity and you will make it through and hear; "Well done thou good and faithful servant" waiting at the end.

 

What is Man?

 

There are many struggles going on within mankind today. There are too many to try to categorize in this brief essay. I will mention just this one which is the biblical scriptures as opposed to what has been termed political correctness.

Admittedly the scriptures are pointedly and clearly defined when it comes to some subjects. One issue that is conflicted is the subject of “What is man?” 

Political correctness declares man is whatever one defines him to be while the scriptures take a narrower view.

Today there are those who have a long list of sub-categories as to kinds of man.  Homosexual, bisexual, transgender, and a host of other classifications.

The scriptural declaration is far simpler; from the beginning of creation, “God made them male and female.” For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife.

Any deviation from this pattern of life will bring on all peoples a price to be paid.

Christians would like to be excluded from having to be judged but such is not the case.

The scriptures further declare; He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

As we look around us we see confusion on every hand because those who reject the scriptural definition of man accept and take whatever persona that seems convenient and acceptable to those who are their companions. 

Hebrews 2:6  How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?  For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. But one in a certain place testified, saying, “What is man that thou art mindful of him or the son of man that thou visit him?”

Covet Earnestly the Best Gifts

 

 

Covet Earnestly the Best Gifts

 

 

This may be the best thing you may ever hear concerning the exposition of scripture.

Anytime someone expounds on the scripture what you are being taught is opinion and only opinion.

Their teaching may be right on but to make sure for yourself, you need to study it out.

Now to my opinion on the scripture below.

1 Corinthians 12:31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way.

Paul after saying this goes on and says love must be part and parcel of any and all of the gifts. He says without love the gifts are meaningless. That certainly elevates love to the highest pinnacle of the Christian experience.

As good as that is it isn't what I want to address.

The first six words of the scripture above have an important meaning of their own when linked together as they are. Study each of the words and let the full meaning of each as used here soak in till you feel their importance.

For instance the word "But." The word can have many uses but here it seems to indicate regardless of what I just said.

But seek, do not be passive concerning the gifts of the Spirit.

Covet, desire taken to it's highest level. Go after them and be a candidate for the Holy Spirit to use the gift through.

Earnestly, give it all you have. Don't hold anything back in your pursuit. The, Specifically speaking not randomly.

Best, only GOD knows which is considered to be the best gift but the one that is apropos to the moment would rank high with me.

Gift, GODS endowment for service.

Now it's your turn to analyze these words. There is an intimate relationship between the one endowed with one or more gifts, for you, the gift and the Holy Spirit are all working in harmony to accomplish GOD'S will in a matter.

Along with Paul I encourage you to: " But covet earnestly the best gifts" for it brings you into a more intimate relationship with GOD than you can experience any other way!

 

DON TRY TO BE DON QUIXOTE

 

Stare at the picture and what do you see ??

 

 

As a boy I used to hear about the story of this man who had became enamored by stories of chivalric romances and went forth to slay dragons of ill treatment.

Arthur Schopenhauer cited Don Quixote as one of the four greatest novels ever written and that is high praise.

I haven't heard anything about this “Want-a-be knight,” for many years. Perhaps it is because of the circle I travel in. In any case if you haven't read the story then do yourself a favor and experience the edge of insanity with him.

Getting back to real life; Christians need to keep their focus on reality and not going off to fight windmills. There are those who are afflicted with the Don Quixote type delusions and lead people astray.

They will do things like leading them out to try to avoid the end of the world by hiding in caves or putting on white clothes and standing on some hill waiting for the return of Christ.

Then there are propositions not nearly as easy to see through but just as foolish. When continually exposed to stories of non-existence battles they put forth; one isn't prepared for the real struggles of life when they come along.

Paul warned against such folly in

2 Timothy 4  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 

"For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

"Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience."

Don't fall for some off the wall scheme someone preachers but remain steadfast and true to the obvious meaning of scripture. 

There are two videos of the story of Don Quixote one is a movie and the other a bedtime version should you be interested. 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tWiLOOcYkE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhGewcEF-KA

 

 

But Ye Shall Receive Power

 

 

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you! 

There are other translations that I find helpful in understanding this promise Jesus made to the born again ones. 

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. This says the same thing but expresses it a little differently.

These words were spoken by Jesus to the apostles and possibly some others.

The passage written by Luke in Acts 1:1-14 indicates there were many believers in the area. On the day of Pentecost they all received the Spirit's infilling or baptism and after that they were referred to as being Anointed.

Acts 10:38 speaks of the anointing Jesus had;  

"You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached--how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him."

 

There are two things mention here and perhaps we should read it a bit more carefully. Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit and power. This is all conjecture on my part but the scripture declares the believer is anointed; 

1 John 2:20 "But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth."

But in everyday life the power seems to be missing. When we come face to face with a situation we need both the anointing and the power and we need to know we have both.

We need this assurance in order to pray with authority. If you find yourself questioning your ability to get answers when you pray then it should help to understand the anointing you have as a believer.

Check out the site below, be sure to read both pages. This site covers a lot of what I want to say.

 

http://www.biblecities.com/Understanding_the_Anointing1.htm