WHAT DISCIPLESHIP NEEDS!

 What words are missing from the text of Mark 10:29-30?

“…there is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands; and in the world to come eternal life.”

The missing words reflect what comes TO a disciple for judging with righteous judgment. It comes FROM those who desire to live by doing what is right “IN THEIR OWN EYES” rather than what God commands. (Proverbs 14:12; Jeremiah 10:23; John 7:24).

The missing words are “WITH PERSECUTIONS”. We need to understand the significance of these two words because they are necessary to discipleship.

Here are some other passages which point out the relationship of discipleship to persecutions: John 15:20; Acts 14:22; 2 Corinthians 12:10; 2 Thessalonians 1:4; 2 Timothy 3:11-12).

The persecution that Jesus underwent was due to His doctrine [He called His teaching ‘TRUTH’] – He claimed to have authority from God to teach the things He taught (John 10:18; 12:49-50; 14:24). He taught that only obedience to truth would bring freedom from sin (John 8:32).

Persecution exists today over the same two issues – authority and truth. Those who preach a message claiming it to be TRUTH and proclaim it as the ONLY way to heaven will suffer persecution from those who do not want to acknowledge an absolute standard, but rather want to do “what is right in their own eyes” (Judges 17:6; 21:25; Deuteronomy 12:8).

Persecution is necessary to discipleship, but so is God’s authority and truth.

5/10/2020
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IS IT FUTILE TO SERVE GOD?

Zephaniah described God’s people in his day and time as follows: “…men who are stagnant is spirit, who say in their hearts, ‘The LORD will do nothing, either good or bad’.” (Zephaniah 1:12). Because of this attitude, God was bringing punishment upon His people Israel (Jerusalem and Judah). It begs several questions: ‘How could God’s people become stagnant? WHY would God’s people become stagnant? What factors contributed to this? More importantly, “Is this mindset prevalent among God’s people today?” Let us consider these matters in this article.

Stagnation is a failure to develop, progress, or advance. When water becomes stagnant, a foulness or staleness, emanates results. When people become stagnant, this concept of foulness or staleness is seen in their dullness of hearing and their senses unable to discern right from wrong. 

From Zephaniah 1:5-6 we see the characteristics of stagnant behavior in God’s people. They “…bow down and swear to the Lord and yet swear by Milcom.” They had “…turned back from following the Lord, and...not sought the Lord or inquired of Him.”

How had this happened? We find the answer in the record of their own lives. God’s people had persisted in disobedience to the Law of Moses. They were strictly warned not to imitate the idolatrous practices of the Canaanites (Deuteronomy 6:14), yet they did this very thing! They had become “settled" in this way of living. Zephaniah said, “And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil…” (1:12). This describes their complacency. Other prophets gave us similar explanations.

~ Ezekiel wrote, “Son of man, have you seen what the elders of Israel are doing in the darkness, each at the shrine of his own idol? They say, The LORD does not see us; the LORD has forsaken the land” (8:12).

~ Malachi revealed even more insight. He described their complaining and murmuring as follows: “You have wearied the LORD with your words. ‘How have we wearied him?’ you ask. By saying, ‘All who do evil are good in the eyes of the LORD, and he is pleased with them’ or ‘Where is the God of justice’?” (2:17)

~ “You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the LORD Almighty’?” (3:14)

Stagnation is no respecter of persons. Complacency can ‘set in’ today when a person persists in disobedience. A stagnant life undergoes change in repentance.  The gospel message declares this necessity. When a child is raised in an environment of complacency, it presents the most difficult obstacle to overcome in giving one’s life to Christ. Herein we see the need for the training up of a child in righteousness by both word and example of the parents.

Complacency can return in the life of Christians. When Christians suffer from complacency, they become weary of standing for the truth! Read again what Malachi said: ‘It is futile to serve God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the LORD Almighty’?” (Malachi 3:14). Weariness in well-doing is an ever-present threat. It wears on us. We see the parade-like atmosphere in the religious world about us on the TV and on social media as they praise the Lord for their blessings and prosperity, while we go about “carrying out his requirements, like mourners…” Enticed by the glitter many have sought to incorporate their practices into the worship of the Lord to “liven up” things. They see the proverbial “greener grass” among the denominational ways and desire to be fed with their ‘social’ food! They see the prosperity…the large numbers among them and conclude that there is not ‘justice’ with God. As the Psalmist stated of the wicked in Psalm 94:7 – “…they say ‘The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob does not perceive’.” God answered with a reply that is still applicable today in Psalm 94:8-15:

⁸ 

Pay heed, you senseless among the people;
And when will you understand, stupid ones?
He who planted the ear, does He not hear?
He who formed the eye, does He not see?
He who chastens the nations, will He not rebuke,
Even He who teaches man knowledge?
The Lord knows the thoughts of man,
That they are a mere breath.

Blessed is the man whom You chasten, O Lord,
And whom You teach out of Your law;
That You may grant him relief from the days of adversity,
Until a pit is dug for the wicked.
For the Lord will not abandon His people,
Nor will He forsake His inheritance.
For judgment will again be righteous,
And all the upright in heart will follow it.

5/10/2020

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LESSONS FROM JAMES 1:21

"Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls."

"RECEIVE WITH MEEKNESS"...the implanted word...

The word of God is to be "implanted" in the sense that the change in one's life reflects that a new master rules. Sin no longer reigns because of repentance. What caused this change? The Word? Well, notice that the Word had to be "RECEIVED"...WITH MEEKNESS.

Who was to do the receiving? Would it not be the 'hearer' of the Word? Simple to understand isn't it? This shows that salvation involves two parties...God (the provider/source of the Word) and man (the one in need of being salvation).

God, because of His grace, offers man salvation thru His Son. Man has a choice; either to accept or refuse this offer. There are terms and conditions laid out by God in His gracious offer, one of which is to repent. Man, in "receiving with meekness" this Word of salvation, must comply with God's command to repent, for God has commanded all to repent (Acts 17:30).

Repentance is but one condition that God has, in His grace, called upon man to do. It is certainly not a work of merit, but simple obedience...or as James words it, the way to "receive with meekness" God's Word. Repentance never occurs without a reason. That reason for choosing to change how you are living, is belief in God's promise of eternal life thru His Son.

If your belief is to save, you will "receive with meekness" what God has commanded; you will repent, and live for Christ.

Saving faith obeys...this is what the phrase in the Bible "obedience of faith" means (cf. Romans 1:5; 16:26; James 2:17-22).

The "works" of James 2 that "perfects" faith, is obedience. Abraham's offering of Isaac was called a "work"...not a work of merit, but an act of obedience...obedience to a command of God. Abraham believed God, and did as God commanded. In doing so, his faith was made perfect.

This "receiving with meekness" is an on-going process. Faith and obedience therefore, are to continue. Paul expressed his thanks for the continued obedience of those in the church at Rome (Romans 16:19). Their obedience was "known by all", and therefore an encouragement to other disciples.

So will it be with you and I. Do we have saving faith? How can we be certain? Look at your obedience for the assurance. Obedience is your expression of love for God's word. It ensures your continued fellowship with the Father and with the Son.

As the apostle John stated, "He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son." ~ 2 John 1:9

5/8/2020

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The TRUTH and the LIE about the role of PRAYER in salvation.

God searches our hearts and tests our minds, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”

[Jeremiah 17:10]

HOW does God do this "searching"? It is by giving us instructions as to how to live and how to worship Him. God says to do things in a certain way, will we respect His right to tell us HOW to live our lives?

This verse says God "searches"..."tests"...our minds. How else would the mind be tested?

We recognize this in the raising of our own children. We give them instructions, expecting an obedient response. We "test"...we "search" their minds in this manner. We then do as God does to us...depending upon their reaction, we give to them..."according to their ways...according to the fruit of their deeds". This is how we deal with one another, because we were taught it from God. God's word is the means by which we are "tested". Our response to His instructions...His commands...either in obedience or in disobedience will be dealt with justly by God.

God wants to bless us, and purposed to do so thru His Son by giving Him up for our sins. The thing that stands between man and these spiritual blessings (i.e., forgiveness) is our obedience to the commands of His Son; particularly in HOW to be saved thru Him. What did His Son command?

"Accept Him personally"? "Receive Him into your heart"? "Call upon His name"? Yes, but these are all generic in content. Exactly HOW do you "accept"? HOW do you "receive"? HOW do you 'call"?

The answer lies in what the Savior told the apostles to preach on these matters. Their preaching answers the "HOW" with specifics. These "specifics" explain how to "accept"; "receive" and "call upon". The book of Acts contains their preaching. The first time that salvation was preached "in Jesus' name" was in chapter 2. When they asked "what shall we do"?  What answer was given? It is in verse 38. Did Peter say "pray"? If PRAYING is how you "accept"; "receive", and "call upon" the Lord, why didn't Peter tell them to "pray the sinner's prayer"? Have you ever wondered why? Look at each and every example in the book of Acts and you will never find that "praying a sinner's prayer" was preached as the manner in which a sinner "accepts"; "receives" and "calls upon the name of the Lord". 

If you were told to "pray" to "accept him personally"; if you were told to "pray" to "receive him into your heart"; if you were told to "pray" to "call upon the name of the Lord"...you need to consider whether you were preached the truth on HOW to "ACCEPT", "RECEIVE", & "CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD".

Is it possible to be preached error on this matter of how to "ACCEPT", "RECEIVE", & "CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD"?

If not, why are there warnings in EVERY epistle in the New Testament warning against FALSE TEACHING? Why warn, if there is no danger?

- There is THE gospel, and there are "OTHER" gospels - Galatians 1:6-9.

- The "way of truth" can be "evil spoken of" - 2 Peter 2:2.

- The gospel can be "perverted" - Galatians 1:7.

- There are evil men who are deceived and who deceive others - 2 Timothy 3:13.

- There is "sound doctrine" or "fables" - 2 Timothy 4:3-4.

- People fall away from the truth by being preached lies - 1 Timothy 4:1-2.

- There are warnings for those who preach to NOT teach a different doctrine, yet some did - 1 Timothy 1:3-7.

- There is the "prophetic word" or "cleverly devised fables" - 2 Peter 1:16, 19.

- There is truth and there is a lie - 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12.

What is the TRUTH about PRAYER, and what is the LIE about PRAYER? Prayer is a most important and needed resource, yet it can be cleverly used to mislead, in preaching about how to "ACCEPT", "RECEIVE", & "CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD". The reality, is that people with good intentions; people who are under conviction of their guilt; people who don't know WHAT to do, or HOW to respond, CAN be told the WRONG response. Such is done when people are preached that a PRAYER is how you you "ACCEPT", "RECEIVE", & "CALL".

Prayer is NOT a resource for a sinner to use; but rather for one who IS in a covenant relationship with God thru Christ. HOW does a sinner enter into that covenant relationship? This is what the book of Acts shows. Remember from John 9, in the story of a sinner who was healed by Jesus, that this sinner recognized that a prayer was not heard by one who did not first obey. In verse 31, this sinner says, "“We know that God DOES NOT HEAR SINNERS; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him."

Prayer is said to be an abomination by one who refuses to obey. (Proverbs 28:9) Prayer is not the means by which you are 'born again', but a privilege and blessing for those who have obeyed the gospel. A prayer for forgiveness is in order for one who, transgresses the covenant by sin. The sin must first be confessed, THEN the prayer, asking for forgiveness is in order. But such is NOT the case for one who has NEVER been in relationship (1 John 1:6-9). This passage is not describing an alien sinner, but a child of God who walks in darkness, while claiming to have fellowship with God. Prayer is wrongfully preached by many who preach as the means by which a sinner "accepts", "receives", and/or "calls upon the name of the Lord". Then when the truth of how accepting, receiving, and/or calling is heard, the person is confused and often becomes angry, and is prejudiced against the bearer of truth. This is the danger of false doctrine. Satan is shrewd, cleverly working his will in the hearts of men. The truth is evil spoken of by those with "smooth words and fair speeches" deceive the hearts of the simple. - Romans 16:17-18.

If you are one who was told to "PRAY" to "accept Jesus as your personal Savior"; to "receive Him into your heart", or to "call upon the name of the Lord"; I ask you only one thing. Look at the examples of those from the book of Acts and ask yourself why none of them were ever told to to this by any of the apostles of the Savior? Could you have been told a lie? Re-examine and compare what you were told, with what the Lord's apostles' preached. Do what THEY said, and you can be certain of your salvation. Be a worshiper of God, and do His will. Then your prayers will avail.

5/7/2020

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A PRAYER NEED

1 Timothy 2:8 - God desires that prayer be made with and without certain conditions.
With: holy hands

Without: wrath and dissension

Prayers are rendered abominable to God if praying:
Without: holy hands
With: wrath and dissension

Elsewhere we find: "Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? And who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood and has not sworn deceitfully. He shall receive a blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation." - Psalm 24:3-5

"He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination." - Proverbs 28:9

The condition of your hands; not the position of your hands is the "prayer need".

5/4/2020

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