Tag Archives: John 8:42-45

Changing Truth??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #264

25 Wednesday Sep 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Come to Jesus, Follow Jesus, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, Grace, Jesus Is Truth, The Blood of Jesus Cleanses from SIN, The Broad or Narrow Way?, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Truth is True

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 Changing Truth???    A Word from THE WORD!!! #264

 

I would like to spend some time this morning considering what God says about truth; and like it or not our world is steadily changing what they consider truth.  As one who follows Jesus and The Word of God, I believe that God’s truth is truth, and we must remember that the enemy of our soul is the great liar—Jesus said so!  As the old folks used to say, Jesus told the leaders “how the cow ate the cabbage”!

“Jesus said unto them,

If God were your Father,

ye would love me:

for I proceeded forth and came from God;

neither came I of myself,

but he sent me.

43 Why do ye not understand my speech?

even because ye cannot hear my word.

44 Ye are of your father the devil,

and the lusts of your father ye will do.

He was a murderer from the beginning,

and abode not in the truth,

because there is no truth in him.

When he speaketh a lie,

he speaketh of his own:

for he is a liar,

and the father of it.

45 And because I tell you the truth,

ye believe me not.”  John 8:42-45

We have been called to “speak the truth in love”, but when it is not received, we cannot force people to believe only call them to the Savior Jesus!  Jesus never changes, and He never chased after anyone to follow Him.  We must all choose, but remember we are to be fishers of men and sowers of the seed—the cleaning and harvesting is in God’s hands!  Truth never changes!

“Jesus Christ the same

yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.”  Hebrews 13:8

This same Jesus made it clear that the choice belongs to each person, and that we who follow Him will never be in the majority in this world!

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be that find it.

15 Beware of false prophets,

which come to you in sheep’s clothing,

but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits…”.  Matthew 7:13-16a

Notice the difference between the “strait” and the “broad” roads, and between the “many” and the “few”; it is one of the most significant things in understanding truth and realizing that not everyone wants truth!  Or Jesus!  And believe it or not, scripture tells us what the standard is—Jesus, the living Word, and the breath of the written Word!

“For the word of God is

quick,

and powerful,

and sharper than any twoedged sword,

piercing even to the dividing asunder

of soul and spirit,

and of the joints and marrow,

and is a discerner

of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature

that is not manifest in his sight:

but all things

are naked and opened unto the eyes of him

with whom we have to do.

14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest,

that is passed into the heavens,

Jesus the Son of God,

let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest

which cannot be touched

with the feeling of our infirmities;

but was in all points

tempted like as we are,

yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore

come boldly unto the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy,

and find grace to help

in time of need.”  Hebrews 4:12-16

I give testimony that Jesus has never failed, and I know He never will.  I’ve walked with Him for some 50 years; and no I didn’t always get it right, but when I failed it was usually because I was going my way and not His.  So, I praise God for not only His truth, but for his forgiveness, mercy and grace that can always be found at that “throne of grace”!  Don’t forget that God is always on call!  He neither slumbers nor sleeps (See Psalm 121:4)!

So as we go from day to day in this lost and dying world remember that there is truth, and it will stand!  We must choose what kind of nation we desire to see and stand fast for truth.  It’s of urgent importance.

“Righteousness exalteth a nation:

but sin is a reproach to any people.” Proverbs 14:34.

Amen and Amen!!!

Seeking For A Sign??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #206

07 Sunday Apr 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Form of godliness?, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Be not conformed to this world, Commitment Or Convenience, Compromise, Father of Lies!, Father's Way!, Fickle or Faithful, JESUS, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus is our peace, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Saves!, Jesus--our all in all, Satan, Signs of the times?

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Seeking For A Sign???      A Word from THE WORD!!! #206

We live in a culture, even much of our Christian culture, that seems to be fixated on signs!  Not the signs that we are called to observe (the signs of the times that Jesus speaks of in Matthew 23-25, as well as other places) but seeking proof of God’s presence, His work, and often just to prove a point—Jesus makes it clear that there are “signs of the times”, but He also makes it clear that “seeking signs” is a different thing!  I just want us to consider what Jesus says, in deference to what men may say.

As Jesus spoke to the religious leaders, He didn’t mince words—He never does!  And I don’t think He’s mincing words as He speaks to us today if we’re willing to hear Him!

“The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came,

and tempting

desired him

that he would shew them a sign

from heaven.

2 He answered and said unto them,

When it is evening, ye say,

It will be fair weather:

for the sky is red.

3 And in the morning,

It will be foul weather to day:

for the sky is red and lowring.

O ye hypocrites,

ye can discern the face of the sky;

but can ye not

discern the signs of the times?

4 A wicked and adulterous generation

seeketh after a sign;

and there shall no sign be given unto it,

but the sign of the prophet Jonas.

And he left them, and departed.”  Matthew 16:1-4

Jesus talks about this again in Matthew even with a bit more information; He tells us what the “sign of the prophet Jonas” was referring to; for they were demanding that He prove Himself with “a sign” just for them.  What are you asking God to prove to you?  How shall we find the purposes of God?  In Jesus, and by abiding in Him, not looking inside of ourselves as many are promoting these days; our culture, including many Christians, who are turning to pantheistic self-improvement from within ourselves!  I challenge you to find self-improvement in scripture; God’s Word is replete with reminders that “all have sinned” and only Jesus can, will and does provide salvation to those who believe in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin—a transforming power.  Paul says it better than I can, we must be transformed by the work of Jesus’ saving power and grace, not self-improvement, or the world’s message to look inside of yourself.  Oh, my friends, only Jesus can change hearts and lives by the blood that He shed for you and me; and three days in the grave from which He arose victorious over sin, death, and hell!  Don’t be like the religious leaders of Jesus’ day and reject the only true salvation.  You cannot do it yourself!

“For of him,

and through him,

and to him,

are all things:

to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect,

will of God.

3 For I say,

through the grace given unto me,

to every man that is among you,

not to think

of himself more highly

than he ought to think;

but to think

soberly,

according as God hath dealt

to every man

the measure of faith.”                   Romans 11:36-12:1-3

So, back to the words of Jesus, that we may hear truth from Him who IS truth—The Only Way to God—Jesus!

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am

the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:6

On to Jesus’ truth about signs!

“O generation of vipers,

how can ye,

being evil,

speak good things?

for out of the abundance of the heart

the mouth speaketh.

35 A good man

out of the good treasure of the heart

bringeth forth good things:

and an evil man

out of the evil treasure

bringeth forth evil things.

36 But I say unto you,

That every idle word that men shall speak,

they shall give account thereof

in the day of judgment.

37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified,

and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying,

Master, we would see a sign from thee.

39 But he answered and said unto them,

An evil and adulterous generation

seeketh after a sign;

and there shall no sign be given to it,

but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights

in the whale’s belly;

so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights

in the heart of the earth.

41 The men of Nineveh

shall rise in judgment with this generation,

and shall condemn it:

because they repented at the preaching of Jonas;

and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.

42 The queen of the south

shall rise up in the judgment with this generation,

and shall condemn it:

for she came from the uttermost parts of the

earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon;

and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.”            Matthew 12:34-42

And my friends, we must examine the things that we allow into our lives to see whether they be of God or of the world.  As Hebrews chapter 11 puts it so concisely, we must come to God by faith, and then live by faith.  Are we walking by faith or filling our lives with the faulty solutions of the world; we must look unto Jesus “the author and finisher of our faith”!

“(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)”. 2 Corinthians 5:7

“Now faith is

the substance of things hoped for,

the evidence of things not seen…

…. 6 But without faith

it is impossible to please him:

for he that cometh to God

must believe that he is,

and that he is a rewarder

of them that diligently seek him.”  Hebrews 11:1 & 6

In closing, remember to measure things by God’s yardstick and not the world’s.  Satan, the great deceiver is a master of deception and deceit; don’t fall for his lies.

“For such are false apostles,

deceitful workers,

transforming themselves

into the apostles of Christ.

14 And no marvel;

for Satan himself

is transformed into an angel of light.

15 Therefore it is no great thing

if his ministers

also be transformed

as the ministers of righteousness;

whose end shall be

according to their works.”   2 Corinthians 11:13-15

Be sure you’re lining up with Jesus and not His enemy; for you can’t ride the fence and not be in danger of falling off on the wrong side.

“No man can serve two masters:

for either he will hate the one,

and love the other;

or else he will hold to the one,

and despise the other.

Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”  Matthew 6:24

“Jesus said unto them,

If God were your Father,

ye would love me:

for I proceeded forth

and came from God;

neither came I of myself,

but he sent me.

43 Why do ye not understand my speech?

even because ye cannot hear my word.

44 Ye are of your father the devil,

and the lusts of your father

 ye will do.

He was a murderer from the beginning,

and abode not in the truth,

because there is no truth in him.

When he speaketh a lie,

he speaketh of his own:

for he is a liar, and the father of it.

45 And because I tell you the truth,

 ye believe me not.”  John 8:42-45

I pray that we will all hear the “truth” speaker, Jesus, and align our lives with His Word and His ways—not fall for the lies of the enemy of our souls.  I pray that this will be received in the love with which I write it!

Amen and Amen!!!

Spiritual Hacking??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #103

02 Sunday Jul 2023

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, Father of lies, Father of Lies!, Liars, Lies That Defeat Us, Spiritual Hacking???

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Spiritual Hacking??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #103

Social media has made “hacking” a key word in our modern vocabulary; and it makes our lives a bit complicated when others seek to harm us in various ways by invading our “space”!  I was thinking about this the other day, as I was giving a bit of practical advice to my friends about keeping their media accounts safe, and I couldn’t help but think of the spiritual application to our lives every day. So, I’d like to spend our time together today considering “our options”.  We can pursue confident, secure, connections, or we can go our own flippant way and do what we want without regard to the consequences.  Are you considering your options?  The consequences?  Let’s see what scripture has to say.

“There is a way which seemeth right

unto a man,

but the end thereof

are the ways of death.”  Proverbs 14:12

And Joshua made his decision clear to those around him.

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD,

choose you this day

whom ye will serve;

whether the gods

which your fathers served

that were on the other side of the flood,

or the gods of the Amorites,

in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house,

we will serve the LORD.

16 And the people answered and said,

God forbid that we should forsake the LORD,

to serve other gods;” Joshua 24:15-16

Our Lord Jesus IS the only real security that we can have–all else is simply imitation, pretend, or things with ulterior motives.  Will you take the secure path, or fall to the lies of the one who desires to lead you to death and hell?

“Then said Jesus unto them again,

Verily, verily, I say unto you,

I am the door of the sheep.

8 All that ever came before me

are thieves and robbers:

but the sheep did not hear them.

9 I am the door:

by me if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out,

and find pasture.

10 The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come that they might have life,

and that they might have it more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd giveth his life

for the sheep.”  John 10:7-11

 Jesus also named this “thief” –the one who wants to destroy lives, incapacitate people, and blind the eyes that men, women, boys, and girls will follow his path of self, lies, arrogance, pride, and rebellion toward God!  Give it some thought.

“Jesus said unto them,

If God were your Father,

ye would love me:

for I proceeded forth and came from God;

neither came I of myself,

but he sent me.

43 Why do ye not understand my speech?

even because ye cannot hear my word.

44 Ye are of your father the devil,

and the lusts of your father ye will do.

He was a murderer from the beginning,

and abode not in the truth,

because there is no truth in him.

When he speaketh a lie,

he speaketh of his own:

for he is a liar,

and the father of it.

45 And because I tell you the truth,

ye believe me not.”  John 8:42-45

So to pull this all together, let’s sum it up with two of the most important passages about the devil from Isaiah and Ezekiel; and just in case you were wondering, we do have a verifying passage that clearly identifies our enemy!  And to be secure we must cling to our Lord Jesus and recognize that we have an enemy who is ever trying to “hack” our spiritual journey, so we must keep our armor on (our two-step verification, so to speak, although our armor takes more than two steps–see Ephesians 6:10-18), and our eyes on our “account IN JESUS”!

“And the great dragon was cast out,

that old serpent,

called the Devil,

and Satan,

which deceiveth the whole world[…]”.  Revelation 12:9

Now, let’s see where pride in our own way can take us!

“How art thou fallen from heaven,

O Lucifer,

son of the morning!

how art thou cut down to the ground,

which didst weaken the nations!

13 For thou hast said in thine heart,

I will ascend into heaven,

I will exalt my throne above the stars of God:

I will sit also upon the mount

of the congregation,

in the sides of the north:

14 I will ascend

above the heights of the clouds;

I will be like the most High.

15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell,

to the sides of the pit.”  Isaiah 14:12-15

And Ezekiel’s account:

“Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

12 Son of man, take up a lamentation

upon the king of Tyrus,

 and say unto him,

Thus saith the Lord GOD;

Thou sealest up the sum,

full of wisdom,

and perfect in beauty.

13 Thou hast been in Eden

the garden of God;

every precious stone was thy covering,

the sardius,

topaz,

and the diamond,

the beryl,

the onyx,

and the jasper,

the sapphire,

the emerald,

and the carbuncle,

and gold:

the workmanship of thy tabrets

and of thy pipes

was prepared in thee

in the day that thou wast created.

14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth;

and I have set thee so:

thou wast upon the holy mountain of God;

thou hast walked up and down

in the midst of the stones of fire.

15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways

 from the day that thou wast created,

till iniquity was found in thee.

16 By the multitude of thy merchandise

they have filled the midst of thee

with violence,

and thou hast sinned:

therefore I will cast thee as profane

out of the mountain of God:

and I will destroy thee,

O covering cherub,

from the midst of the stones of fire.

17 Thine heart was lifted up

because of thy beauty,

thou hast corrupted thy wisdom

by reason of thy brightness:

I will cast thee to the ground,

I will lay thee before kings,

that they may behold thee.

18 Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries

by the multitude of thine iniquities,

by the iniquity of thy traffick;

therefore will I bring forth a fire

from the midst of thee,

it shall devour thee,

and I will bring thee to ashes

upon the earth in the sight of all them

that behold thee.

19 All they that know thee among the people

shall be astonished at thee:

thou shalt be a terror,

and never shalt thou be any more.” Ezekiel 28:11-19

So, my friends, will you keep your eyes on Jesus and secure your soul, or will you fall for the lies of “the father of lies” and suffer the consequence?  I pray that we will continually be “fixing our eyes on Jesus”!

Amen and Amen!!!

Liars Lie??? Really??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 16

08 Sunday Aug 2021

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Almost But Lost, Amazing Grace, Liars, Lies, Lies That Defeat Us, Life or Death?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 16  Liars Lie???  Really???

 

Sounds pretty simple, doesn’t it?  Yet, the ‘father of lies’ is still using the same tricks he used on Adam and Eve, and we just trot after him like naïve babes.  I would like us to spend some time today perusing God’s Word and hopefully enlightening ourselves to be prepared, as Paul said to the Ephesian believers: “that you may be able to withstand in the evil day”.  And my dear ones, we are there. (See Ephesians 6:13)

“Jesus said unto them,

If God were your Father,

ye would love me:

for I proceeded forth

and came from God;

neither came I of myself,

but he sent me.

43 Why do ye not understand my speech?

even because ye cannot hear my word.

44 Ye are of your father the devil,

and the lusts of your father

ye will do.

He was a murderer

from the beginning,

and abode not in the truth,

 because there is no truth in him.

When he speaketh a lie,

he speaketh of his own:

for he is a liar,

and the father of it.

45 And because I tell you the truth,

ye believe me not.”  John 8:42-45

Jesus was, if nothing else (although HE was, is, and ever shall be the very Son of God), a plain-spoken man (the God-Man-Savior), who confronted those who stood against HIM with the truth of who they were, who they were following, and why they wouldn’t receive or believe HIM.  Jesus clearly stated who HE was, where HE was from and WHO sent Him!  He was, is and ever shall be “from God”, and He went on to call the religious hypocrites of HIS day just what they were, children of the devil!  And some of you thought I was blunt!  Jesus identified Satan as a liar, and the one who not only “speaketh a lie” but is “a liar, and the father of it”!  We can go back to the beginning to see his tactics, and while he decorates them a bit differently now, they are the same basic preponderances of untruth, deceit, and fallacy as they have always been.

“Now the serpent was more subtil

than any beast of the field

which the LORD God had made.

And he said unto the woman,

Yea, hath God said,

Ye shall not eat of every tree

of the garden?

2 And the woman said unto the serpent,

We may eat of the fruit

of the trees of the garden:

3 But of the fruit

of the tree which is in the midst

of the garden,

God hath said,

Ye shall not eat of it,

neither shall ye touch it,

lest ye die.

4 And the serpent said unto the woman,

Ye shall not surely die:

5 For God doth know

that in the day ye eat thereof,

then your eyes shall be opened,                                and ye shall be as gods,

knowing good and evil.

6 And when the woman saw

that the tree was good

for food,

and that it was pleasant

to the eyes,

and a tree to be desired

to make one wise,

she took of the fruit thereof,

and did eat,

and gave also unto her husband with her;

and he did eat.”  Genesis 3:1-6

If we go back to Genesis 2, we find out what God really said, and yet Satan deceived Eve into doubting God, twisting what HE said, and not believing in God’s total pure goodness, and the veracity of what HE says!  Let’s take a walk through what he did, and his methods, which have not changed from then until now.  We are just plain ignorant of his tactics and so often fail to put on the “armor of God” to resist him and be able to “withstand in the evil day”!

Satan beguiled Eve and caused her to:

Question what God really said—it’s why we must know

 The Word—

 Did God REALLY SAY……?

Misquoting God’s commands—she added to The Word—

God is ever true to HIS WORD….!

He plainly contradicted God—We must know

God’s Word—

He twisted God’s Word—When we know God’s Word—

We will recognize lies—

He caused Eve to reconsider what she knew about God-

HIS goodness—

HIS veracity—

 His clear instructions—

And decided to rely upon

Her own ‘wisdom’—

What do we do today?  The very same thing, just as in their sin, Adam and Eve caused all mankind to fall and become the children of the devil.

“And you hath he quickened,

who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2 Wherein in time past ye walked

according to the course of this world,

according to the prince

of the power of the air,

the spirit that now worketh

in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also

we all had our conversation

in times past

in the lusts of our flesh,

fulfilling the desires

of the flesh

and of the mind;  

and were by nature

the children of wrath,

even as others.

4 But God,

who is rich in mercy,

for his great love wherewith he loved us.

5 Even when we were dead in sins,

hath quickened us together

with Christ,

(by grace ye are saved😉

6 And hath raised us up together,

and made us sit together

in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:”  Ephesians 2:1-6

Today, Satan does put a little spin on this tactic today in that instead of promising that we will “be wise” and “be like God”, he has convinced modern man that he/she is already wise in his own right and IS God!  And the man/woman who never sees his sin as sin, has no need for a redeemer!  It’s why Jesus came, to deliver us from our sin.

“And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people

from their sins.”  Matthew 1:21

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith,

Behold the Lamb of God,

which taketh away the sin of the world.”  John 1:29

“And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith,

Behold the Lamb of God!”  John 1:36

Even Jesus himself told Nicodemus that self-righteousness was not sufficient nor was religion, or titles or position!  Only one thing can give eternal life.

“Jesus answered and said unto him,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born again,

he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him,

How can a man be born when he is old?

can he enter the second time

into his mother’s womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born

of water

and of the Spirit,

he cannot enter into

the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh

is flesh;

and that which is born of the Spirit

is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee,

Ye must be born again.”  John 3:3-7

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent

in the wilderness,

even so must the Son of man

be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.”   John 3:14-16

While the world says there are many ‘gods’ and many ways to ‘gods’, Jesus said that there was only one way to GOD and HE, Jesus, would purchase that “way” with His own blood.

“And from Jesus Christ,

who is the faithful witness,

and the first begotten of the dead,

and the prince of the kings of the earth.

Unto him that loved us,

and washed us from our sins

in his own blood…

….9 And they sung a new song, saying,

Thou art worthy to take the book,

and to open the seals thereof:

for thou wast slain,

and hast redeemed us

to God

by thy blood

out of every kindred,

and tongue,

and people,

and nation;

10 And hast made us unto our God

kings and priests:

and we shall reign on the earth.”   Revelation 1:5 & 9-10

When we come to Jesus, He, through the power and presence of HIS Holy Spirit, enables us to walk in truth.

“For I rejoiced greatly,

when the brethren came

and testified of the truth that is in thee,

even as thou walkest in the truth.

4 I have no greater joy

than to hear that my children

walk in truth.”  3 John 1:3-4

And the bedrock of truth is that Jesus is The redeemer and savior—HE paid for my sin and yours on Calvary and forgives sin—all sin—for those who come to HIM in repentance and faith!

“Giving thanks unto the Father,

which hath made us meet

to be partakers of the inheritance

of the saints in light:

13 Who hath delivered us

from the power of darkness,

and hath translated us

into the kingdom of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:”  Colossians 1:12-14

In closing I want to remind each of us of the words of our Lord, that it’s not just “saying so” but being right with our God through the blood of Jesus and doing HIS righteous work!

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things

shall be added unto you.”   Matthew 6:33

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be

which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

 and few there be

that find it…

…. Wherefore by their fruits

ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth

the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.”   Portions of Matthew 7:13-23

Have you entered in through the “strait gate”?  Or are you allowing the enemy of your soul to lie to you and lead you wrongly, for “broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat”!  The majority is seldom right!  May you seek to discern the truth from the lies of the enemy.  It’s the difference between eternal life and eternal destruction!  The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there is a test!

Amen and Amen!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deniable Truth??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 26

13 Sunday Sep 2020

Posted by in Deniable Truth? Really?, Jesus Is Truth, Who's Your Father?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 26      Deniable Truth???

 

I would like to spend our time today considering some things that Jesus said about truth, and then seeing if we can make some helpful conclusions; and I want to start with a startling statement from our Lord Jesus.

“Jesus said unto them,

If God were your Father,

ye would love me:

for I proceeded forth and came from God;

neither came I of myself,

but he sent me.

43 Why do ye not understand my speech?

even because ye cannot hear my word.

44 Ye are of your father the devil,

and the lusts of your father

ye will do.

He was a murderer

from the beginning,

and abode not

in the truth,

because there is no truth in him.

When he speaketh a lie,

he speaketh of his own:

for he is a liar,

and the father of it.

45 And because I tell you the truth,

ye believe me not.”  John 8:42-45

As Jesus encountered the leaders of His day, He often confronted them with difficult truths, usually truths that they did not want to hear; even His followers often had trouble with His startling revelations of truth.  In fact, just a few chapters earlier, Jesus shared some difficult truths with those around Him, and for many it was too much to believe and accept.

“Many therefore of his disciples,

when they had heard this, said,

This is an hard saying;

who can hear it?

61 When Jesus knew in himself

that his disciples murmured at it,

he said unto them,

Doth this offend you?

62 What and if ye shall see the Son of man

ascend up where he was before?

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.

64 But there are some of you that believe not.

For Jesus knew from the beginning

who they were that believed not,

and who should betray him.

65 And he said,

Therefore said I unto you,

that no man can come unto me,

except it were given unto him

of my Father.

66 From that time

many of his disciples went back,

and walked no more with him.”  John 6:60-66

The people of Jesus’ day had the same problem that we have today—they wanted following Jesus to be easy, simple and convenient.  They wanted to eat the “loaves and fishes” without any commitment to “pay” the price.  What about you and me?  Have we put restrictions on what we are willing to do for Jesus!  Is God your Father, or is Satan your father?  Not a very popular question, but one that every person will answer now or later; for every person ever born on this earth will bow before Jesus!  The question isn’t “will you bow”, but rather “when” will you bow.

“And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also

hath highly exalted him,

and given him a name

which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.”  Philippians 2:8-11

Will you bow before Jesus now, as your Lord and Savior while there is time and opportunity?  Or will you bow before Him at the Great White Throne as your judge, with no opportunity for salvation?  The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there is a test—and there won’t be any ‘fudging’, ‘excuses’ or ‘justification’ for your sin, if you’ve refused Jesus as the payment for your sin!

“And the devil

that deceived them

was cast into the lake of fire

and brimstone,

where the beast

and the false prophet are,

and shall be tormented

day and night for ever

and ever.

11 And I saw a great white throne,

and him that sat on it,

from whose face

the earth

and the heaven

fled away;

and there was found

no place for them.

12 And I saw the dead,

small and great,

stand before God;

and the books were opened:

and another book was opened,

which is the book of life:

and the dead were judged

out of those things

which were written in the books,

according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead

which were in it;

and death and hell delivered up the dead

which were in them:

and they were judged every man

according to their works.

14 And death and hell

were cast into the lake of fire.

This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found written

in the book of life

was cast into the lake of fire.”  Revelation 20:10-15

Peter reminds us of the import of the One Way to God—Jesus–and Jesus’ example of holiness that God wants us to not only receive from Jesus, but to also exhibit before the world.  Yet like Jesus, when we take our stand on truth, it can often bring suffering and ridicule.

“As obedient children,

not fashioning yourselves

according to the former lusts

in your ignorance:

15 But as he which hath called you is holy,

so be ye holy

in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written,

Be ye holy;

for I am holy.

17 And if ye call on the Father,

who without respect of persons

judgeth according to every man’s work,

pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

18 Forasmuch as ye know

that ye were not redeemed

with corruptible things,

as silver

and gold,

from your vain conversation

received by tradition from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ,

as of a lamb without blemish

and without spot:

20 Who verily was foreordained

before the foundation

of the world,

but was manifest in these last times

for you,

21 Who by him do believe

in God,

that raised him up

from the dead,

and gave him glory;

that your faith and hope

might be in God.”   1 Peter 1:14-21

Peter goes on to paint an amazing picture of what Jesus did for us!  We are to heed His redeeming work and His example of faithfulness before God, and before a lost and dying world, committing ourselves “to him that judgeth righteously”!

“For what glory is it,

if, when ye be buffeted for your faults,

ye shall take it patiently?

 but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it,

ye take it patiently,

this is acceptable with God.

21 For even hereunto were ye called:

because Christ also suffered for us,

leaving us an example,

that ye should follow his steps:

22 Who did no sin,

neither was guile found in his mouth:

23 Who,

when he was reviled,

reviled not again;

when he suffered,

he threatened not;

but committed himself

to him that judgeth righteously:

24 Who his own self

bare our sins

in his own body

on the tree,

that we,

being dead to sins,

should live unto righteousness:

by whose stripes

ye were healed.

25 For ye were as sheep

going astray;

but are now returned

unto the Shepherd

and Bishop

of your souls.”  1 Peter 2:20-25

Jesus Himself, warned us of the response of the world to truth; what are you expecting from the world around you?  If the world hated Jesus for speaking the truth, why would we be expecting to gain fame, fortune and popularity by following Jesus, and speaking His truth, in love? While there are some fine men of God who may be ‘well-known’, Jesus told us that we could expect the same results that He received.  Jesus’ way and the world’s way are diametrically opposed—why can we not remember and understand this principle?  I think it’s mostly because the majority keep telling us that we must do God’s work the world’s way to succeed—but Jesus told us that if we follow Him, we can expect opposition (to say the least)!  And remember that Satan is an expert at lying and deceit—even to believers!

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me…

….25 These things have I spoken unto you,

being yet present with you.

26 But the Comforter,

which is the Holy Ghost,

whom the Father will send

in my name,

he shall teach you

all things,

and bring all things

to your remembrance,

whatsoever I have said unto you.

27 Peace I leave with you,

my peace I give unto you:

not as the world giveth,

give I unto you.

Let not your heart be troubled,

neither let it be afraid…”.  John 14:6, 25-27

And Jesus continued in this same discourse with the disciples just before His death.

“If the world hate you,

ye know that it hated me

before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world,

the world would love his own:

but because ye are not of the world,

but I have chosen you

out of the world,

therefore the world hateth you.

20 Remember the word that I said unto you,

The servant is not greater

than his lord.

If they have persecuted me,

they will also persecute you;

if they have kept my saying,

they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things

will they do unto you

for my name’s sake,

because they know not him

that sent me.

22 If I had not come and spoken unto them,

they had not had sin:

but now they have no cloke

for their sin.

23 He that hateth me

hateth my Father also.

24 If I had not done among them

the works which none other man did,

they had not had sin:

but now have they both seen

and hated both me

and my Father.

25 But this cometh to pass,

that the word might be fulfilled

that is written in their law,

They hated me

without a cause.

26 But when the Comforter is come,

whom I will send unto you

from the Father,

even the Spirit of truth,

which proceedeth from the Father,

he shall testify of me:”   John 15:18-26

What are your expectations from following Jesus?  Or are you following Jesus for your own reasons?  Jesus makes it clear that there is a cost to those who will put their trust in Him and be born again through repentance and faith in HIS substitutionary, redeeming sacrifice.

“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.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life

for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange for his soul?

27 For the Son of man shall come

in the glory of his Father

with his angels;

and then he shall reward every man

according to his works.”   Matthew 16:24-27

Taking up my cross means that I identify with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus for salvation from my own sin; it also means that I live by the Holy Spirit and His power that God gives to His own to live a life of faith—waiting on HIM, and going His way—denying ‘self’ and obeying Jesus!  His way—His timing—His purposes—His glory; and my ultimate good!

“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.”   Isaiah 40:31

As Paul so aptly put it:

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live

in the flesh

I live by the faith of the Son of God,

 who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”   Galatians 2:20

And in this same letter to the Galatian believers, Paul describes what the work of God’s Holy Spirit looks like, and what it shouldn’t look like!  My life and yours will reflect who we have given our allegiance to—who’s your “Father”?

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil the lust

of the flesh…

….19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these;

Adultery,

fornication,

uncleanness,

lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry,

witchcraft,

hatred,

variance,

emulations,

wrath,

 strife,

seditions,

heresies,

21 Envyings,

murders,

drunkenness,

revellings,

and such like:

of the which I tell you before,

as I have also told you in time past,

that they which do such things

shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is

love,

joy,

peace,

longsuffering,

gentleness,

goodness,

faith,

23 Meekness,

temperance:

against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ’s

have crucified the flesh

with the affections and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.

26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory,

provoking one another,

envying one another.”  Galatians 5:16 & 19-26

So, just as Jesus said in the first passage that we observed, “because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not”; do you believe Jesus?  Does your life reflect the truth or the “father of lies”?  To whom do you belong? Are you denying the truth or living it?  You may choose to deny truth, but it is God’s “undeniable” truth that never changes.  It’s your choice—but there is a test!

“Jesus Christ

the same yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.”  Hebrews 13:8

Amen and Amen!