True Grace, False Grace, and Legalism, Written by my Husband

True Grace, False Grace, and Legalism

Written  by my Husband Mel

Grace is defined as unmerited favor. You cannot earn your salvation through trying to be a good or honest person, nor can you transform yourself into the model Christian through the strivings of the flesh. Salvation is a free gift provided by God. God is a holy God who cannot look upon sin. Mankind was separated from God because of sin, so the Father paid the ransom for mankind by giving his only son upon the cross. Christ paid our debts (sins) in full and made peace between the Father and mankind by bridging the great divide through his cross. Redemption and salvation come only through the blood of Christ. The works of the Law, as well as our own works were not enough to bring salvation, so the Father bestowed his love upon us through the gift of his son.  

 

 Salvation begins with repentance of sins. Repentance is a change of mind and heart in regard to the old sinful lifestyle, as well as a desire to become a new creation in Christ Jesus. To be truly saved, you must hunger and thirst for righteousness and turn away from the old rebellious life you once knew.  When you repent and put your faith in the finished work of Christ upon the cross you are saved from perdition (damnation) and have been given eternal life. We are justified by faith alone and saved by grace alone (unmerited favor). Christ will wash you clean and remove all of your sins and grant you a clean slate. Because of Christ's atonement made upon the cross you walk perfectly before him as long as you remain in the light. God gives us grace to grow in him. We come to him as babes on milk and learn to walk by taking baby steps.

 Through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, we are transformed from the inside out. If you are truly saved, then you are clean as long as you remain in Christ. You do not need to repent over and over because bankruptcy court has already occurred, and you have been declared debt free! Yield to the Holy Spirit and give him the reins of your life. Make him the governor of your life and he will produce good fruit. You cannot produce good fruit apart from the vine of Jesus Christ (John 15). The love of Jesus will be poured into your heart by the Holy Spirit. To walk in the Spirit is to walk by faith and walk away from sin.

True Grace is for those who walk in the light and Not for those who love darkness and are apathetic toward righteousness. Many profess to know Christ but refuse to give up the darkness in their lives. There is no grace for the majority of television shows and movies that people watch, God himself spoke this to me more than once. Television shows, pornography, adultery, fornication, substance abuse, homosexuality, lying etc. are examples of darkness that will lead to damnation. However, God will forgive these sins if you repent and turn away from them. Cheap grace or greasy grace is a term to describe the junk food gospel being taught in many churches today. The unconditional eternal security doctrine teaches that a saved believer cannot lose their salvation. This doctrine is contrary to scripture and leads many people to Hell. Heb 10:38-39 states that a believer can drawback unto perdition (Hell) if they do not remain in the faith. There are Christians who have lost their faith and died as atheists, Buddhists, agnostics etc. these will not enter the Kingdom of God. 

Legalism is trying to obtain salvation through works or religious observances. Legalism sows doubt in regard to salvation and annuls faith in the power of the blood of Christ to atone for sins. Legalism proclaims that the blood of Christ is not enough to save you, and religious works must be added. Legalism is contrary to faith and is a stronghold of Satan that often leads to damnation. Roman Catholicism, Judaism, Jehovah Witness, as well as many Christian churches are bound by legalism. 

(Romans 10:9-13) that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

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

(1 Timothy 6: 11-12) But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

(2 Corinthians 7:10) For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

(Luke 15:7) I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.

(1 Corinthians 6:9-11) Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

(1 Peter 4:7-8) But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” 

(Matthew 22:37-40) Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’  On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

(John 15:1-4) “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

(Hebrews 10:38-39) Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. 

(Galatians 5:4 NKJV) You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

 (Romans 7:4-6 NKJV) Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death. But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.

Who are you following?

 

In December 2018 we adopted a six-year-old German Shepherd from the pound. We named him Dresden. In May 2020 we purchased two puppies to keep him company. We named them Sierra and Jubilee. Since day one, the three of them have been a tightly bonded trio, and the puppies took to Dresden as their surrogate father.  For the past four years the "puppies" follow Dresden's examples in deciding when to eat, when to go outside, when to come back in, where they sleep, etc.  This morning, as I watched them imitating their leader's behaviors, the idea for this blog came to me.  I started thinking about how the puppies emulate all Dresden does because of their great love for him and his love, gentleness, and care for them.  They even respect his discipline, and never show anger when he "scolds" them but continue to show him love. The puppies respect Dresden as the leader of their small pack and have never tried to usurp his role as alpha and honor him as their leader. 

How many of us can say the same for the One we claim to be the leader of our souls?  Do we fight for dominance over the will of Jesus and refuse to respect and honor the rules of the Bible? Do we get angry when He tells us we need to change a certain behavior?  Or do we do our best to emulate the person Jesus is (Because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile [slyness or deception] found in his mouth. 2 Peter 2:21-22) and strive for holiness for a God that is ever-present (But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1 Peter 1:15-16)?

Your primary leaders should be Jesus, God, The Holy Spirit, and the Bible. Yet, it is okay to have human spiritual leaders as well.  That's why God raised up bold and moral people like Paul and Peter from the Bible, the late holiness preachers such as David Wilkerson and Leonard Ravenhill, and current people of faith like my husband, Mel. We need people we can see and hear and be an example to follow and show us the ways to righteousness and encourage us in our walks with the Lord (Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. Proverbs 27:17.).

However, we need to be so very careful who we choose to lead us. While this seems like an obvious statement, too many people fall into the trap of never or rarely opening their Bible, but instead take their pastor's, family members', friends', or even the corrupt Hollywood's words and examples for what the Bible says on issues of sin. This does not make you any less accountable for doing something that goes against the Word of God.  If you have access to a Bible, you have no excuse for not obeying what it says. As any police officer will tell you, "Ignorance of the law is no excuse." The below scripture, said by Jesus, says it all.  When you follow the wrong ways of an ignorant or immoral leader, you will follow him/her straight to hell.

They be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. Matthew 15:14   

I am not so arrogant as to call myself a leader or to say you should follow me, with the one exception when I apply this verse to my life:

Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1

I am so very far from perfect, but I do my best to follow Christ, so in areas of reading my Bible, trusting God in all circumstances, spending time in prayer and praise, doing my absolute utmost best to follow the rules of Jesus Christ, and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide me, yes, please follow my example. Again, these are the only areas in my life I would dare claim such a thing. I would like to emphasize, NOT I, BUT CHRIST IN ME!  (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) For apart from Jesus, I would be living and walking in darkness! (Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. John 15:4-5)

I want to encourage you all to be so very, very careful who you imitate. Anyone can say they are followers of Jesus, but if he/she is not a living example of the Bible, they are a liar (He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 1 John 2:4). 

Ask yourself these questions to determine if you should be following the person you consider your spiritual leader. Does he/she: watch or read ungodly entertainment, dress provocative, go to bars, get drunk/take drugs, listen to/dance to worldly music, have no problem with witchcraft/the occult/new age practices, swear, steal, lie, cheat, flirt with someone other than their spouse, bully people, backbite, gossip, love money, have sex outside marriage, look at pornography, think homosexuality is acceptable, or abuse people/animals?       

While I write this, I am feeling compelled to tell you to do even better than try to find someone Godly to follow.  Instead, quit being followers and start being the one who leads others to Jesus. Pray the Holy Spirit gives you the courage to be bold and take a stand for the Truth, even when no one listens or follows your example. And even when you are rejected by others.  Study to know what the Bible says so you can be the light and show others the way and so you never lead them astray. (Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15) 

As always, there is so much more I could say on this subject, but I will leave you with these verses from Ephesians.  If you just read these verses, they should be enough to convince you not to follow the wrong leader, and/or to choose to be the right leader.

 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:1-20

Hope for The Backslider

You and I know that God's salvation is a free gift that we do not have to earn, but too often, God's beautiful gift of grace is abused, and people do not think they need to be responsible for their actions. However, God's Word is very clear that grace is not an excuse to sin.

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. Romans 6:1, 2, & 6

When one uses grace as a reason not to live a Holy life, they are in danger of backsliding away from their salvation. Not every mistake we make automatically causes us to lose our salvation, of course, but living in habitual sins we refuse to get rid of and repent from, will risk losing our place in paradise with God. It is open rebellion that keeps us separated from a Holy God.

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. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.Revelation 20:12 & 21:8

There are many verses in the Bible that speak of the backsliding Christian, and also many verses that offer hope for those who have fallen away from the Truths of Jesus Christ. I am going to let the Holy Word of God tell you the story with just a few of these scriptures.

The verses in Hosea were written for Israel, but we can all apply it to our lives. The hope here is that God will heal all who have backslidden away from Him and wants them return to His ways of holiness.

I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him... His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree... [they] shall say, "What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found." Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein. Hosea 14:4-9

Both 2 Peter 2 and Hebrews 6 give great picturesque examples of what it means to backslide. It is a very devastating thing when one has known the Truth of the Bible and even lived according to the ways of Jesus Christ, but for whatever reason, be it peer pressure or blaming God for the bad things that happen, they have chosen to give up on God and backslide back to the world, to do those things they know go against Biblical principles. Peter described it so boldly by saying when we choose to turn away from God and go back to the world, we are like a dog eating his own vomit!

For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. 2 Peter 2:20-22

Hebrews 6:6 should be a huge eye opener for a reason not to go backwards in our walk with the Lord. I know that verse shakes me to the core!

If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. Hebrews 6:6

Our hope is in 1 John 1, notice the first 5 words. God is so very gracious to always respond to our sincere prayers of contrition.

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

You can find more hope for the backslider in Jeremiah 3. Again, notice that one must first acknowledge their sins. It is a beautiful passage of scripture that let's us know that God wants so deeply for us to return to him ( The Lord... is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.2 Peter 3:9).

"Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy God... and ye have not obeyed my voice," saith the Lord. "Turn, O backsliding children," saith the Lord; "for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family... And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding." Jeremiah 3:13-15

Finally, let's look at God's words to the church in Ephesus,

"Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent." Revelation 2:4-5

Without a change of heart and allowing yourself to become and stay a new creation in Christ (Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17) we absolutely risk losing our salvation, having our "candlestick" removed from "out of his place" if we refuse to do what we know is right in the eyes of God.

I will leave you with more hope and good news:

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh [destroys sin] will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. Revelation 2:7

In other words, true repentance of sins will lead to eternal life with the Holy Trinity in Heaven!

(You can read more on this subject in a blog written by my husband that I posted on July 7, 2024: https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2024/07/backsliding-unto-perdition-written-by.html )

From my Other blog: Week 39: Talk & Television

Here is an excerpt from my other blog, "The ABCs of a Joyful Marriage" (I am just sharing the paragraphs on television.) https://abcsofajoyfulmarriage.blogspot.com/

Week 39: Talk & Television 

Television (and Movies):  Mel and I got rid of our television and gave up movies in 2015 due to the over-sexualized nature, the constant use of God's name in vain as well as other swear words, the justification of violence, occultism, and the LGBTQ agenda. However, we do watch the news, some documentaries, Christian concerts, and sermons from holiness preachers on YouTube. We tried to limit ourselves to "Christian" movies but even many of them are full of scantily clad women and swearing and have very watered-down messages.  Moreover, the “Biblical” movies are excessively violent and not accurate; they just confuse those not familiar with what the Bible truly says.  Truthfully, since 2015, we have considered several times since returning to TV/movies as long as we stuck with "innocent" or "spiritual" programs, but God ALWAYS speaks to one or both of us whenever we have chosen to go backwards and makes it very clear to get rid of Hollywood yet again. We know without any doubt that God is calling us to separate ourselves from this form of entertainment.  It really is not difficult when you think of it this way: would you still be watching your favorite programs if Jesus was sitting next to you? 

Before I get into this subject a little deeper, I want to give you an assignment that will go beyond this week.  Keep a television and movie viewing journal and record how you feel each time a sexy woman is on the screen.  Wives, do you feel ugly and inadequate? Men, are you titillated (remember Matthew 5:28)? Do sex scenes and nudity make you feel dirty or stir up unhealthy temptations to cheat?  How about when a violent scene is depicted.  Are you experiencing unexplained bouts of anger or depression?  What about programs that reverse gender roles?  Do you experience dissention in your home?  What about the shows glorifying witches, wizards, vampires, and other demons/false gods?  Is anyone in your home having nightmares?  Are you or your children in rebellion?  Feel like your prayers are blocked?  Record it all.  By the end of two weeks (or even go a full thirty days), read this week again, and you will see where I am coming from.

I am speaking out of experience.  I too was once obsessed with television and movies (and books), filled with the occult, violence, and carnality.  I was plagued with bad dreams, bad moods, and bad decisions.  We also let go of a large number of books along with television and movies. 

The below portion was written by my husband, Mel in 2014:

"The Lord has been dealing me on the issue of television. I felt that if I were careful to what programs I watched, everything would be okay. I became aware that television was an idol to me, as well as a compromise to my Christian faith. Television is filled with extreme violence, fornication, adultery, occultism, profanity, swearing, etc. I was filling my eye gates and ear gates with the trash that Hollywood produces. For the eyes and the ears are gates to the soul. Should Christians be filling their souls up with darkness?

"Even commercials have become X-rated. How much of this are we going to tolerate as Christians? Also, consider the heavy metal music played in the background of movies, shows, and commercials. Many claim that they would never allow this type of music to be played within their homes, but they are allowing it in their homes through television. After watching a show, how many times have you gone to bed and had undesirable music playing in your head? It has happened to me many times.

"Also, consider how the family structure is perverted by Hollywood. The children are always fussing or cussing at their parents. Women are always in charge of their husbands and belittling them. Men are always cheating on their wives. The homosexual agenda has really taken over as well as many shows feature gay parents raising children. In an effort to desensitize the American public, homosexuals are featured in most programs today (even gay children are depicted). And this type of brainwashing is working. 

"Also, consider the occultism within television and movies today. Witchcraft, Satanism, Buddhism, New Ageism, Hinduism, yoga, channeling, ghosts, reincarnation, Ouija boards, etc. are all being promoted. Even children's cartoons are filled with occultism.

"The Lord gave me some dreams, as well as words concerning television that reflects how serious this issue is to the Lord. The Lord said that I was cut off from Him due to compromise by watching television. The Lord showed me that watching television would prevent him from healing and blessing his children, as well as hinder a person's relationship with him. This is a very serious issue to the Lord.  The Lord showed me that even supposedly innocent shows were still wicked to him because they are produced by Hollywood. Everything from Hollywood is accursed to God.

"In a day and age when most people have television, these words may seem hard to believe, as they were for me at first. However, when God destroyed the earth with a flood, only Noah was found righteous in his eyes. So just because everybody else does it, does not make it right in God's eyes. God's standards do not change with our culture. God is still the Ancient of Days.”

Marriage-Enhancing Ideas for the Week:

Television (and Movies):  I know there will be resistance here but take the week off from television and movies. You can catch the news on the radio or Internet as I mentioned we do.  But do not use the Internet as a substitute for television to get your worldly fix.  

Art Project Option: Instead of an art project, I would like to see both of you continue keeping the journal I mentioned above.  After a week with no Hollywood connection, reevaluate how you feel.  Now that you have been television and movie-free for seven days, are you hearing God’s Voice more clearly?  Connecting to your mate and kids better?  Feeling more attractive now that the unnatural-looking women have been removed from your living room? After you realize you have not disintegrated from lack of immoral entertainment and realize how much better you feel emotionally and especially spiritually, prayerfully consider letting television and movies go for good!  

Clay for the Potter's Hand, Written by my Husband

 

Clay for the Potter's Hand, Written by my Husband, Mel

Romans 9:20 But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, "Why have you made me like this?" 21 Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?

 

We cannot save ourselves through the strivings of the flesh, nor be transformed by our own merit. We must get out of the way and yield our lives to Christ, and his transforming Holy Spirit. We are saved by faith in the atonement that Christ provided upon the cross following true repentance. Then the Holy Spirit molds the clay into vessels of honor. We are sanctified by the blood of Christ unto salvation, and transformed (sanctified, set apart) by the Holy Spirit. To walk in the Spirit is to walk away from sin. You must be born again to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

If you belong to Christ, you are an ambassador for the Kingdom of Heaven, and your life should be a living testimony to those around you. We are not all called to be pastors or evangelists, but there are many members to the body of Christ, and we are called to be faithful to the ministry that God has placed us in. God is the potter, and we are the clay, if we will allow His Spirit to have His perfect work in us, then we will be vessels of honor that He may work through. A potter is an artist that molds, and shapes vessels into many forms, for many different uses.  If we live a sinful lifestyle, then we will be vessels of dishonor to be destroyed by the potter. For the wages of sin is death, but there is forgiveness through Christ if we repent and turn from sin. The Bible also gives us examples of people who were vessels of dishonor, like Pharaoh king of Egypt, whose heart was hardened by the Lord so that God could show the world His miraculous power. Through His foreknowledge, God knows who vessels of honor or dishonor will be, however, we still have a freewill. We must choose this day, whom we will serve.

 

If you do not know where you fit into the body of Christ, I suggest that you pray, as well as fast, for an answer. When a person goes on a fast, they are showing God that they desire heavenly food more than earthly food. When you seek after God, as well as, put his Kingdom first, He will reveal his plan for your life. God’s timing is perfect, but we sometimes get impatient waiting upon the Lord to open doors to ministry. A Christian preparing for a ministry does not need a theological degree, or any training from man- made institutions. However, we are to study God’s Word to show ourselves approved, a workman who is not ashamed. We need to get alone with God and allow his Holy Spirit to teach us the ways of the Kingdom of Heaven. I refer to this time of Spirit led training, as the wilderness experience.

 

 There are many examples in God’s Word of holy men who left their hometowns and spent time in wilderness locations, or foreign lands, being taught by God’s Spirit. After being water baptized, the Spirit led Christ into the wilderness to be tested and tried by the devil for forty days and nights. Christ fasted during this time of testing and fought off the devil by quoting scripture. After this time of preparation, Christ began his ministry. We are not above our master, if Christ was tested and tried by Satan, we will also most surely be tested. When Moses was forty years old, he fled pharaoh and dwelled in the land of Midian for another forty years, before beginning his ministry at the age of eighty. During his forty years in the wilderness God was purging Moses of his former life in Egypt and preparing him to be a vessel of honor that he might work through. The wilderness experience is a time, when the potter molds and shapes his vessel into the object that he desires. Joseph is another example of a man who was hand crafted by God for a great purpose. When Joseph was seventeen years old, he was sold into slavery by his brothers. After the incident with Potiphar’s wife, he was thrown into prison for thirteen years until the day he was brought before Pharaoh. This time of preparation for leadership was necessary for Joseph to be the humble man useable for God’s purpose. When Joseph’s wilderness experience was concluded, Pharaoh made him governor over all of Egypt and he prepared for the time of famine.

      

 After his road to Damascus encounter with the risen Christ, the Apostle Paul also had his time of preparation for ministry. Paul did not confer with any man, nor did he go immediately to Jerusalem to see the apostles. Instead, Paul went into Arabia for three years, to be taught by God’s Spirit before going back to Jerusalem.  When he returned to Jerusalem, he stayed with Peter for fifteen days and also met with James the brother of Christ. Then Paul went into Syria and Cilicia for another fourteen years, before he presented himself to the churches in Judea.  It was by revelation from God’s Spirit, that Paul knew when it was time to present himself to the Judean church. A true vessel that God can work through, is taught and led by God, not man, nor man- made institutions. Man- made theology stifles the Spirit, as well as shuts people out of the Kingdom of Heaven.

 

 

Galatians 1:15 But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me, even from my mother's womb, and called me through his grace, 16 to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles; straightway I conferred not with flesh and blood: 17 neither went I up to Jerusalem to them that were apostles before me: but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned unto Damascus. 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and tarried with him fifteen days. 19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother. 20 Now touching the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not. 21 Then I came unto the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was still unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ: 23 but they only heard say, He that once persecuted us now preacheth the faith of which he once made havoc; 24 and they glorified God in me. Galatians 2:1 Then after the space of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me. 2 And I went up by revelation; and I laid before them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles but privately before them who were of repute, lest by any means I should be running, or had run, in vain.

Romans 8:28

 

This blog was inspired by my Bible cover. 

Whenever someone is facing a difficult time, they love to quote Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."  It is a beautiful promise from God, but have you ever really stopped to think what it means or are you just scripture picking to comfort yourself?

Let's look at this verse a little closer.  Yes, God can absolutely work every bad situation into something positive. Just look at the story of Joseph in Genesis chapters 37-50.  His brothers betrayed their own kin and sold him into slavery purely out of jealousy. Yet through Joseph's captivity, and through dreams from God, he was able to eventually plan for an upcoming famine and saved many lives.  Jospeh loved God enough that he was able to see that God used his brothers' evil intentions. He said in Genesis 50:20, "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive." 

If you are following the ways of the Lord, then I am certain that when you take a closer look at all the difficult times in your life, you can see how God worked a bad event to bring glory to His name.  I know I can see God's plans over all 52 years of my life.

Now let's see what else Romans 8:28 says. He works things "for good to them that love God."  Yes, God is more gracious than we realize and often helps people who are living deep in sin.  However, James 5:16 tells us, "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."  In other words, the prayers of those who are actively seeking out a righteous life, are more likely to have their prayers answered. God knows we can never be perfect but if we desire to please God and shun evil, God will be glorified. 

Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 1 Thessalonians 4:1 & 7

People are quick to call on God and demand He help them but then refuse to obey the laws of Jesus Christ.  Galatians 5:19-21 is just one example of what Jesus expects from us: Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 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.  (See also Ephesians 5:3-5 & Revelation 21:8)

You might insist that maybe you ARE intentionally choosing to go against the Bible, but you love God. In fact, you read your Bible, pray, memorize scripture, teach the Bible to other people, and you even help the less fortunate. But what does the Bible say about that?

"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. 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?' And then will I profess unto them, 'I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.'"  Matthew 7:21-23   

Pretty strong words from Jesus, so we need to take them very seriously.  If you are "working iniquity," that means you are living in active rebellion against God, and He knows what is truly in your heart.

He answered and said unto them, "...you hypocrites, as it is written, 'This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.'" Mark 7:6

1 John makes is very clear that if we say we love Jesus, but refuse to do as He expects, we do not truly love Him.

And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  1 John 2:3-5 & 15-16

You make think God is asking too much of you by wanting you to follow the rules. First, the rules are not just for you, but also to protect other people.  Your wrong choices hurt other people when you steal from, cheat on, lie about, them, etc.  Consider all God has done, not just for you in your limited little world, but for the entire world: 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 3:16. Then, when you read Romans 12 you should feel a lot less rebellious and will agree with the apostle Paul that obeying Jesus is very reasonable:

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. 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. Romans 12:1-2

Hopefully you are beginning to see Romans 8:28 in a slightly different light, not just mere words you use to comfort yourself when things go wrong, or to bitterly claim that the Bible lies when you believe that God has not worked things for your good.

Just a reminder that God doesn't always answer our prayers as we expect.  Cancer may not be healed, houses and loved ones may be lost, but you can use any negative circumstance to bring glory to the name of Jesus. It is not about our imperfect will for our lives, but God's perfect, holy will.  We may never understand this side if Heaven why some things were allowed to happen, but we can trust God knows what He is doing. ("For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isiah 55:9).  

Therefore, we can remember that when we are not actively choosing to rebel against what we know is right, but we are serving Jesus with all our heart, soul, and might, He is indeed working things for our good.  When the above-mentioned Joseph spent 13 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit, Genesis says he continued to be a man of integrity so much so that the prison guards showed him much favor and treated him well and even gave Joseph some authority. Joseph knew God was always working for his good because Joseph had a purpose to help save many lives.   

You may explore the end of Romans 8:28 and say, "Yes, I do love the Lord, and I am doing my best to follow His ways, but do I really have a purpose?" We are not all called to be a Jospeh, Daniel, David, Paul, Peter, etc., but we are called to share the gospel (And He said unto them, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15). Therefore, that is one purpose you can claim, and I am certain that if you pray and seek God's will for your life, He can use you in many more ways to advance His Kingdom, and you can focus on not working your life for your own good, but for the good of others, and more importantly for the glory of God!  

Make America Godly Again

Instead of focusing on making America great again, we need to pray that America will see a true revival marked by repentant hearts.  We need to make America Godly again.  When people are quick to worship celebrities and politicians blatantly living lives that do not reflect Biblical values, and ignore the Holy Power of God, we become a country on sinking sand. The end times are drawing closer every day, who you chose to put your faith in could very well determine where you spend eternity!

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. Psalm 20:7 

Questions and Answers about the Rapture

This is an abridged version of chapter 15 from my (unpublished) novel, "The Visionary." 

Chapter #15

Answers

Jubilee had brought out a Bible as he had requested and held it in her lap.

“I don’t want to overwhelm you by throwing too much at you at once,” Peter began.

“I’m already overwhelmed,” she returned, “So please just say whatever you want to say and if I feel my brain can’t keep up, I’ll let you know.”

“Deal,” he agreed, and then took a deep breath as he contemplated where to begin.  “To make things clear, I want to address your question about what time frame of the world’s history we have been dreaming of.  Although only the Lord knows when the last day of this world will be, I strongly believe we will live to see the beginning and end of the tribulation.  In other words, yes, I believe the end of this planet will come during our lifetime.  In fact, I doubt our children will live to see thirty, maybe not even twenty.” 

“What do you mean that we will see the ‘end of the tribulation?’  Aren’t the Christians supposed to be raptured off the earth before the tribulation?” 

“To answer your question, open your Bible to Luke 17:26-37.  Go ahead and read it out loud if you want.”

“Alright,” Jubilee agreed.  She took less time than Peter had expected to find the passage he recommended, and read, “’Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. On that day no one who is on the roof of his house, with his goods inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything. Remember Lot's wife! Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left. "Where, Lord?" they asked. He replied, "Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather."’”  She finished the verses and looked at him, “See, right there it says one person will be ‘taken and the other left.’  The rapture, right?”

Peter shook his head.  “That’s what the churches are teaching because they don’t read the entire passage.  Notice that neither Noah nor Lot were removed from the earth, but God removed them from danger when He passed His judgements.  It also says, ‘Remember Lot's wife,’ because she was killed, not raptured away.  Those passages say that the time of the Son of Man, in other words the end of the age, will be just as those times,” he explained, “Also please notice that when one of Jesus’ disciples ask him where those taken will be going, Jesus does not say, ‘raptured to heaven.’  He says those taken are going where ‘the vultures will gather.’  That means they are taken in death.  The book of Revelation mentions all the many ways people will die in the end days.  But now turn backwards from Luke to Matthew 24:29-31.”

Jubilee once more did as instructed, her mind already feeling more enlightened.  Again, she read aloud, “’Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.’”

“Did you notice the first seven words?”

“’Immediately after the tribulation of those days,’” she repeated, “It says “’after the tribulation,’ doesn’t it?  These verses and the ones in Luke all show Jesus will return after the earth has been judged, not before.  I see now that the rapture is real but will not occur until the end.  The very end.”

He nodded; pleased she caught on so quickly.

“So why are the churches still teaching it backwards if it’s so clear?  I’m assuming if we continued to read, we would find the same message in other books as well.”

“Yes, also in Mark 13 and 1 Corinthians 15, just to name a few” he said, “And as to the reasons why so few ministers choose to preach it wrong, I have several theories.  Some are ignorant because they are lazy and refuse to do their own Bible study and just parrot all they were incorrectly taught.  Others may know the truth but also know if they speak out against the lies being taught, they will lose their congregations and therefore, lose the money that pays for their luxury items.  Still others are afraid and in denial that we are all going to go through the terror of the tribulation period.  It is, after all, going to be so terrifying that the Bible says in Luke 21:26 that ‘men's hearts’ will ‘fail them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken.’”

“I dreamt about concentration camps for Christians,” Jubilee stated in a near-whisper, “I know you have too.  Does that mean that those of us that refuse the Mark of the Beast are all doomed to suffer?”

Her eyes were so round and expression so fearful, Peter instantly felt the need to comfort her.  “Don’t worry, J.B., there’s hope for all who follow the instructions. Right after Jesus tells His disciples that hearts will fail from fear, He goes on to say in Luke 21:27-28, ‘Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.’ If you then read Revelation 12, verse 6 mentions a woman who flees to the wilderness, ‘where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.’  The woman represents the True church and the Christians who are being persecuted by the Anti-Christ, the one referred to as the dragon in this chapter.  Although Revelation is full of symbolism, we can take verse six literally.  If we flee to remote locations and make certain to stockpile enough food for a minimum of 1,260 days, or roughly three and a half years, we stand a good chance of surviving to see the Lord’s return where we will be transformed and meet Him in the air.  Turn now to Revelation 12 and read verses 13-17.” 

“’Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.’”  She silently reread the verses again before saying, “I see the symbolism again of the Anti-Christ and the woman’s child representing believers.  I’m guessing that the ‘time and times and half a time’ also refers to three and a half years of safety in the wilderness areas.”

“Honestly, I’ve heard many theories in the meaning behind ‘time and times and half a time,’ but when you compare it with the above 1,260 days as you just did, logic states this also means three and a half years,” he agreed.

   “What you are saying makes so much sense,” she admitted, “In one of my dreams I saw myself loading a semi-truck full of food into a large warehouse.  In another dream, I was living in the middle of the woods and standing near a small group of log cabins.  I was handing out food and supplies to the other people.  It almost seemed as if I was a co-leader of this group.”  She looked at him from the corner of her eye, afraid if she looked too directly into his handsome face, she would admit the other leader in the dream was her husband she only saw from the back, but he easily could have represented Peter.  “How remote will we need to be?  The Pacific Northwest has many mountains.   But will America even be a safe place during the tribulation, if those concentration camps are real?”

“They’re very real.  Some of them are already being built.  I can show you articles I’ve read that will convince you that even the existing FEMA camps will someday be used against us by,” he said, “And while I cannot say a hundred percent that there are no safe places to hide in America, I feel it would be best to leave this country.  Don't get me wrong, I love America, and I would hate to leave, but invaders will eventually come; it will not be safe here. Our plans are to head farther north.”

“You already know where?”

“Not precisely.  It will be an expensive venture, and the money will have to be very carefully budgeted to last the entire seven years of the tribulation.  If we relocate too soon, we could run out of funds and we won’t do anyone any good if we also run out of food,” Peter answered.

“You’ve cleared up a lot for me, but I still feel like I have a million more questions,” she said with a sigh.

“I know there’s a lot to discuss, but we don’t have to talk about it all in one night,” Peter reminded.

“You say seven years of the tribulation just as Revelation suggests, but why are only the last three and half years the most dangerous?” Jubilee wondered.

“The entire seven years will be fraught with danger, including the time before the official start of the tribulation.  In Mark 13:8 Jesus says, ‘For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows.’ So even before the beginning of the end, this world will be in great peril,” Peter answered, “I don’t know exactly when during the actual tribulation period that we’ll move, only that the last half is when the Bible mentions fleeing for safety’s sake.  All I know is that God has promised to make it clear to let me know when the time is right.  If I had to guess, the move will happen one and a half to three years into the tribulation so that we have time to prepare the area for the people we will help feed and protect,” Peter went on to explain, “I also believe the reason why the last half of the tribulation will be the worst part for believers is because of what those verses in Revelation 12 tell us, that the dragon will be warring his worst against us, and it will be crucial to flee before the Mark of the Beast is mandatory.”

Jubilee leaned forward and placed the Bible on the coffee table.  “I don’t think I can take any more tonight,” she confessed.

“I understand.  I hope I have been able to help and not add to your confusion,” he said

“You have helped more than you know.”