ARE WE FIGHTING THE WRONG BATTLES?

As a citizen of the United States of America I can clearly see the things that are transpiring in our nation. With that in mind, I’d like to begin this lesson by saying this. Often my wife and I will sit and talk about being lonely for things we use to see as common place in our lives. Most of those things have long since passed and will never come back in our lives. For instance, all of our parents have now passed away. Even though we now live in the house I grew up in it is impossible to bring back the things that I can only think about now.

My wife will often speak of childhood events and her family as well. Speaking of a loneliness that cannot be fulfilled in a time when often the places, the people have long since gone. WE have to learn to comfort each other, remembering that now we have the responsibility of creating the same types of memories that we once had in our lives.

In a spiritual sense, do we not often do the very same thing as we look at the very nation we live in? I long for a time once again when I at least think that I can trust and depend on my government. A time when the people in our nation looked at abortion as sin. We see living together, having children out of wedlock as ungodly. We could look at a man or woman and tell exactly, with clarity what they were. A time when our nation, being led by God’s Spirit called the act of sodomy sin and condemned the very of such things.

I long for a time when teachers, the kind of teachers that taught me in grade school set an example of morality and character and expected the children she or he taught to do the very same thing. A time when discipline was mainstream and often used to set an example that others might see the consequences of the lack of discipline in their lives.

I long for a time again when I can sit in any Church and see the preacher preach with a God given power, that with a passion for those people that are lost in a world of sin without a loving, forgiving Savoir. A time when Godly people will not except any less from the man that stands behind the pulpit in their home Church.

A time when the Church in our communities is a pillar of spirituality conviction, the members seek to be seen as different from the things of this world and even hate the sinful failures in their own lives. I long for a time when the truth is not evil spoken of, and that evil men and women cannot prevail within the cities they live in because the majority of the citizens are God fearing people and will not tolerate wickedness in any form. A time when our children are taught respect for the policemen and women, any people that stands for justice, not because of who they are but because to the righteousness and justice they hold sacred.

I pointed out that my wife and I often are lonely for something that we cannot go back to but, can we get back to this place as a nation? Yes! I believe we can. However, I also believe we are fighting the wrong battles as a nation or, the common citizens of this nation.

If you follow or study the things, I write you will notice that I make it a point to never call out Churches by name or even religious organization. I simply try to allow God’s Spirit us use what I might write to change individuals, if necessary, in their spiritual walk no matter what Church they might attend. However, here I’m going to call a religious organization by name. I remember back in the late 1950’s when John F. Kennedy was a candidate for President. One of his famous quotes was this: (Ask not what your country can do for you but, what can you do for your country). One of the things that the people didn’t like at that time about him was he was Catholic. It was often discussed by the news media, many wondered if he could be elected simply because of that one aspect of his life.

1960 has now been over sixty years ago! What has changed in our country? Anything? Most people know that John F. Kennedy did become President of our country. And, I might add that he, being Catholic has nothing to do with where we are as a nation. However, the spiritual mindset of our people has a great deal to do with where we are.

I only bring that up because I believe that our nation, during that time and even a few years before began a spiritual decline, bring us to the point we are today. In 1960 we, as a nation were just fifteen years beyond the conclusion of World War Two. Lat’s consider some things that were beginning to unfold. Many people at that time that were just beginning to start families had a desire, was determined to have their children live better lives than they had. Seemingly the focus was more on worldly goods and accomplishments that it was the spiritual aspects of life.

Many people became obsessed with bringing about the integration of our black and white schools and so on. It actually became a spiritual battle in our Churches. It doesn’t matter what side you might have fallen on, whether it was a black Church in favor or a white Church against it. The problem was that we left the very concept of preaching God’s word and turned to that issue.

Now, while we’re here let’s consider something. From the very beginning of our nation, if it was ever a place that integration should be a recognized normality, should it have been in every local Church? One of the cornerstones of the teaching in God’s word is the fact that we are all seen as equal. No Jew, no Greek, no Gentile. We are all one in the spiritual sense of Jesus Christ.

With that point being made, that wasn’t the case, was it? In our Churches, many pastors were segregationists as well as many people that were members of those same Churches. When these things became a debate in our country, the very institutions that should have been a power of spiritual teaching and a place of understanding became a place of great resistance, even to the very will of God.

I read a book once named (The story of John Jasper). You can still find it online. This book is about the life of a man that God called to preach. He was a black man. He preached fifty years, twenty-five as a slave and twenty-five as a free man. While in slavery a white man had to stand on the platform with him the whole time he preached. That was before the Civil War. What if God’s people at that time would have taken a stand for righteousness and declared that he was an equal to them no matter what color he was.

The point is that even born-again believes, the body of Christ on this earth far too often get caught up in the wrong battles because we are often afraid to be seen as different from the world. When, in fact we are different! Look at this verse:

John 12:32

AND I, IF I BE LIFTED UP FROM THE EARTH, WILL DRAW ALL MEN UNTO ME.

John 3:14

AND AS MOSES LIFTED UP THE SERPENT IN THE WILDERNESS, EVEN SO MUST TO SON OF MAN BE LIFTED UP:

I realize that both of these verses are speaking of the necessity of Jesus Christ being crucified on the Cross. However, it also has a spiritual application as well. God’s people are to (HOLD UP) the name of Jesus Christ. Not only his name but all that he represents. It’s actually relating to (Knowing Him) and the power of his resurrection. We are trying in our Churches to fight the worldly battles in our flesh without to authority granted us through the blood of Jesus Christ and his saving grace.

We, for instance try to get the world to look at abortion just as we, as believers do. It’s not up to us to change the habits of this world but rather the hearts of the people of this world. Often that, it at all will be one person at a time.

We can use another Old Testament picture of Moses to make my point.

Exodus 17:11-12

AND IT CAME TO PASS, WHEN MOSES HELD UP HIS HAND, THAT ISRAEL PREVAILED: AND WHEN HE LET DOWN HIS HAND, AMALEK PREVAILED. (12) BUT MOSES’ HANDS WERE HEAVY; AND THEY TOOK A STONE, AND PUT IT UNDER HIM, AND HE SAT THERE UPON; AND AARON AND HUR STAYED UP HIS HANDS, THE ONE ON THE ONE SIDE, AND THE OTHER ON THE OTHER SIDE; AND HIS HANDS WERE STEADY UNTIL THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN.

The Bible also tells us this:

2 Thessalonians 3:13-14

BUT YE, BRETHREN, BE NOT WEARY IN WELL DOING. (14) AND IF ANY MAN ABEY NOT OUR WORD BY THIS EPISTLE, NOTE THAT MAN, AND HAVE NO COMPANY WITH HIM, THAT THEY MAY BE ASHAMED.

It’s our responsibility hold up the oracles of the very word and will of God. To know what his will is and to stand and proclaim that will. It’s easy to get weary in well doing and to allow people that are not of us to crepe in to undermine the things that God desires for us to do. We often hear a term (the dumbing down of America). Well, we see that same thing in our Churches. It causes us to fight the wrong battles; that; completely apart from what we are called to do. It’s not that the causes might not be good things to fight but that it must our secondary calling, not our first.

The primary concern of any Church should always be the true act of the (born again) experience) and (the spiritual education) of that new babe in Christ.

I’d like for you to consider something here. Right now, in the United States of America we are facing the situation where schoolteachers are trying to teach our children about sexual orientation beginning at the age of five. Some years ago, we were told to or forced by law to send our children to a public school. Look what we have now!

Also, in our Churches we now have (Children’s Church). we send our young children to that Church rather than making them by our own discipline to sit in Church and hear God’s word. We also have (youth group) which, in many cases have their own pastor. Well, in a spiritual sense, whose responsibility is it to teach our children? Exactly what are they being taught in children’s Church and in our youth groups? (In my opinion) and you can agree or disagree. It all starts with the (lack of true spirituality) of the Senior pastor. He is teaching a false salvation in the very name of Jesus Christ, never mentioning (YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN) and that same false teaching is taking place in every pastor below him!

In most cases, the parents desire for their children to acknowledge Jesus Christ. From birth they, we they call dedicate their Children to the Lord in front of the Church, the pastor overseeing that formal dedication. As time moves forward, children’s Church, youth Group normally from a very young age. One day the child we say we love tells the pastor they desire to join Church just they have been taught. The say they believe in Jesus Christ; we watch them get baptized and join Church. However, there is never any mention of any Holy Ghost, sin cursed conviction and, not one of those children are ever challenged about their salvation again!

We spend millions of dollars paying pastors, buying religious literature, Sunday School quarterly’s and so on that is used to indoctrinate our children and ourselves to a gospel that is not of Jesus Christ! We fight the wrong battles often because we dodge our responsibilities and would rather pay someone else to do our jobs. How often have you either said or heard this: that’s the pastor’s responsibility? Let someone else do that. I’ll teach a Sunday School class, but you must give me a quarterly, I’ll teach what someone says, I can’t understand the Bible.

Have you noticed that now, anytime we have a funeral in our Churches? No one goes to hell. they all go to heaven! You might be sitting there thinking something completely different but, you’ll never say a word to anyone about it. Often in our Churches we fight against the very Holy Spirit, the only Spirit that can truly set us free. We don’t even realize we are fight the wrong battle.

In our Churches we have people that fight against abortion. It’s a very worthy cause but let’s look a little deeper. Let’s say there is a teen in your Church that is pregnant but not married. We know that sin happens, even to the very best of us. You are this teens youth pastor so; she confides in you. She says she is considering an abortion. The very first thing you should do is to question here salvation, not because she’s pregnant but because of the choice she is making. You should ask; haven’t you been born again? If she replies yes then next, what would God’s Spirit have you do. You can also tell her that God’s Spirit would never lead her to have an abortion unless it is a medical reason to do so. As a young man, I’ve been there! I had a very wise pastor listen to every word I said, never interrupted me one time the whole time I spoke. Once I finished this is the first thing he said: (two wrongs will never make one right)! When he made that statement, it’s like a light turned on in my being!

The problem is, no matter what choices we make, the very fact we sinned in the beginning will live with us our whole lives, no exceptions! As I look back at my life, do you realize I was baptized at the age of twelve and joined our Church? I question, was it just the lust of my flesh that brought about the sin in my life or, did it have just as much to do with the lack of real spiritual teaching and instruction from my parents and the Church I attended. Abortion is sin! So is fornication! Do we teach our children from an early age those things? Look at this verse of scripture:

Matthew 23:23-24

WOE UNTO YOU, SCRIBES AND PHARISEES, HYPOCRITES! FOR YE PAY TITHE AND MINT AND ANISE AND CUMMIN, AND HAVE OMITTED THE WEIGHTER MATTERS OF THE LAW, JUDGMENT, MERCY, AND FAITH: THESE THINGS OUGHT YE TO HAVE DONE, AND NOT TO LEAVE THE OTHER UNDONE. (24) YE BLIND GUIDES, WHICH STRAIN AT A GNAT, AND SWALLOW A CAMEL.

We read that verse of scripture and assign it to those people of that day. However, doesn’t it fit us just as well if we neglect to give our children the spiritual education and knowledge they need? Often, we are trained very well to be Pharisees. We become hypocrites because with our mouth we say one and in our actions another.

We have pregnancy centers fighting against abortions. we have grief ministries fighting against grief seeking to comfort those that are grieving but, in all of these things we forget even to pray to share Jesus Christ and his saving grace. Even if we do, we forget to change babe into spiritual giants by instructing them in scripture, allowing the Holy Spirit to do the things we are seeking to change.

Do you realize that the world has its own definition of love? The way the world defines love has crept into the average Church. And the way God shows his love has greatly diminished to the point that often salvation never happens. We are seeking to fight spiritual battles with the weapons of this world! I often say that our greatest enemy is standing behind the pulpit in our Churches.

Our Churches are seeking to change the habits of this world without changing the very heart of the people we are talking about. Let’s say we actually get laws passed in our land totally against abortion. Now it’s completely illegal. Has that changed the heart of even one person? If every baby is now born, a perfect birth; what happens to that child if they grow up never knowing the truth about their never dying souls because the Church never tells them truth?

What happens is that we have fought a very good battle but lost the war! What happens if we help people through a very hard time in their lives but forget to share Jesus Christ helping them to see the true spiritual need in their lives? Again, we have won the battle but lost the war!

In closing, I’d like to make a couple of points to make the point of the whole matter using this verse:

Matthew 6:31

THEREFORE TAKE NO THOUGHT, SAYING, WHAT SHALL WE EAT? OR, WHAT SHALL WE DRINK? OR, WHEREWITHAL SHALL WE BE CLOTHED?

You can go to that chapter and read the whole account that he’s speaking of there. I would like to show you one other verse right below this one.

Matthew 6:33

BUT SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD, AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS; AND ALL THESE OTHER THINGS SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU.

Our lives, our Churches have become saturated with the things of this world! Have we become so vain within ourselves that we never even consider the righteousness of God? If we are going to begin to seek out a new Church to attend; what would be the reason or, what would be some attributes of any Church that might draw us to that new Church to become a member?

Let’s look at this from a strictly spiritual perspective. The very first thing I’d say would be to leave your children completely out of your decision or choice, no matter what they might say. With that point being made, if you visit a Church that focuses on the youth or children’s Church; that within itself might tell you something about that Church. The fac that you didn’t allow your children to have a voice, you already know that the children in that Church speak very loudly.

As (the husband) prayer while seeking spiritual direction for his family, it takes spiritual wisdom to make wise spiritual decisions! It’s so much to say here! However, let’s start here in:

1 Timothy 3:1-5

THIS IS A TRUE SAYING, IF A MAN DESIRE THE OFFICE OF A BISHOP, HE DESIRETH A GOOD WORK. (2) A BISHOP THEN MUST BE BLAMELES, THE HUSBAND OF ONE WIFE, VIGILANT, SOBOR, OF GOOD BEHAVIOUR, GIVEN TO HOSPITALITY, APT TO TEACH; (3) NOT GIVEN TO WINE, NO STRIKER, NOT GREEDY OF FILTHY LOCRE; BUT PATIENT, NOT A BRAWLER, NOT COVETOUS; (4) ONE THAT (RULETH WELL HIS OWN HOUSE, HAVING HIS CHILDREN IN SUBJECTION WITH ALL GRAVITY; (5) FOR IF A MAN KNOW NOT HOW TO RULE HIS OWN HOUSE, HOW SHALL HE TAKE CARE OF THE CHURCH OF GOD?) (6) NOT A NOVICE, LEST BEING LIFTED UP WITH PRIDE HE FALL INTO THE CONDEMNATION OF THE DEVIL. (7) MOREOVER HE MUST HAVE A GOOD REPORT OF THEM WHICH ARE WITHOUT; LEST HE FALL INTO REPROACH AND THE SNARE OF THE DEVIL;

As we read these verses can’t we say that this is the way a Godly home should be even if the man does not desire the office of a bishop? If the question I presented is not true, does that mean that since I don’t desire the office of a bishop my wife doesn’t have to submit to me, and my children don’t have to be subject unto me, and don’t have to have a good report of those outside the Church? And we can add all the rest that is said here also.

Now, how about the wife? What is her responsibility in the decision making? How should she fit in? I honestly believe that in the average (Christian) household we are force today to fight the wrong battles as men and (supposedly) spiritual leaders. A wife should never be forced to submit unto her husband. She is commanded by God to do so but, it a choice she must make, a desire she must have.

The problem is that according to the world we live in that never needs to happen, as a wife see should be free to do as she pleases even when she is married, the husband has nothing to do with her choices, if he tries to, he is the one out of line. In most cases we have put the cart, even ponies in front of the cart!

The children like what they see in a Church, mom’s desire is for the children to be happy, and the dad says OK; knowing that he is going to lose the battle! There is no spiritual, Holy Spirit leadership whatsoever!

I’m going to say something here that, to me makes perfect sense. You can see if you agree with me. The wife, being a woman has, or if she is spiritual has far greater peripheral vision that a man, her husband will ever have. (I even believe) that a man’s wife can be considered much wiser in her ability to make decisions than the man. If not, why would it be considered a curse to have to submit to the man? (Don’t forget) we are seeking to learn to fight the right spiritual battles. Any woman can be lazy and simply want the husband to do all the work, just look after her. But that’s not what we are talking about.

A wise spiritual wife understands her position in her marriage, knows full well what the Holy Spirit expects from her. Often, by the world’s standards a (stay at home mom) is seen as someone that doesn’t have to work. However, she has a much tougher job if she does what she is supposed to do than any man ever will. As a matter of fact, her shift is never over even as she sleeps.

There is nothing more powerful that a man that understands his spiritual position in his family and a wife that submits to him and helps him make wise spiritual decisions while being completely submissive to his leadership. A wise man that has a wife he can trust will always listen to her advice as he seeks to see the whole spiritual picture through her peripheral vision. What she does is to bring the whole picture into his tunnel vision sight that can better help him make wise spiritual decisions, she is being willing to follow him even if she doesn’t like the choice he made, bringing her children with her as they follow him.

Because of the lack of spiritual teaching in our Churches and in our homes, we often don’t even understand the battles we have to fight. Let’s look at these verses:

James 4:1-6

FROM WHENCE COME WARS AND FIGHTINGS AMONG YOU? COME THEY NOT HENCE, EVEN OF YOUR LUSTS THAT WAR IN YOUR MEMBERS? (2) YE LUST, AND HAVE NOT: YE KILL, AND DESIRE TO HAVE, AND CANNOT OBTAIN: YE FIGHT AND WAR, YET YE HAVE NOT, BECAUSE YE ASK NOT. (3) YE ASK, AND RECEIVE NOT, BECAUSE YE ASK AMISS, THAT YE MAY CONSUME IT UPON YOUR OWN LUST. (4) YE ADULTERERS AND ADULTERESSES, KNOW YE NOT THAT THE FRIENDSHIP OF THE WORLD IS ENEMITY WITH GOD? WHOSEVER THEREFORE WILL BE A FRIEND OF THE WORLD IS THE ENEMY OF GOD. (5) DO YE THINK THAT THE SCRIPTURE SAITH IN VAIN, THE SPIRIT THAT DWELLETH IN US LUSTETH TO ENVY? (6) BUT GOD GIVETH MORE GRACE, WHEREFORE HE SAITH, GOD RESISTETH THE PROUD, BUT GIVETH GRACE UNTO THE HUMBLE. (7) SUBMIT YOURSELVES THEREFORE TO GOD, RESIST THE DEVIL, AND HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU.

As we speak of (fighting the wrong battles; I believe it’s something we need to consider here. The Apostle James is an Apostle to the Jews. Actually, he is one of eleven that were strictly for the Jewish people. The Apostle Paul was the only Apostle to the Gentiles. As I make that statement, this is something we must see. Once the Church came into being, at that very moment there was neither Jew nor Gentile. That actually changed at the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross. We can even say that through it all it has always been only two types of people that God recognized: those that believed and those that believed not. That picture became crystal clear at the birth of the Church.

I say all that to say this. When we speak of fighting, it doesn’t matter if it’s between a husband and wife, a Church and a pastor, two countries, two cities or two people it’s all of this world if no one has the Spirit of God. That is the point that the Apostle James is making to the Jewish people and, even us if we are not saved.

Let’s take a perfect spiritual marriage situation. Here’s a husband that loves his wife as Christ loved the Church, he seeks to be always obedient to the Spirit of God as that Spirit directs him. His wife is completely submission to him in every way possible. This couple sits down to talk, they pray, she gives her spiritual input, and he listens. Within that, when he makes a decision, she follows her husband.

Well, as they move forward, they begin to have children. Can you see the importance of instilling these same spiritual values within their children as they begin to grow? Each of these children will be born in sinful flesh. They will have a mind of their own, not their mothers or fathers. At the very est these two parents can do they will have to contend with a very corrupt world as they daily seek to instill spiritual values in their children and by grace see them born-again by God grace.

If we, as born-again believers fight any other battle other than that very concept then we fight the wrong battle! Most of us have to fight daily battles. We fight a battle for money to pay bills, to keep a house over our head, food on our table, pay insurance, for a automobile to drive, the list goes on and on!

However, those things are because we live in a sin cursed world. We cannot allow those things to become our main focus. If we do, then it’s very possible we will lose our children and the aspect of a spiritual community and family will be weakened.

I’d like to point out a scripture that I think we often don’t get and possibly never taught in our Churches.

Matthew 4:19

AND HE SAITH UNTO THEM, FOLLOW ME, AND I WILL MAKE YOU FISHERS OF MEN.

In this verse, Jesus was speaking to Peter and Andrew his brother. These two men would later become two of the Apostles of Jesus Christ, however there is no way they could have known that when Jesus said to them (I will make you fishers of men). The point is that when we say we are going to follow Jesus then everything else such as fishing becomes less important in our lives. It’s not that we don’t still do things, but we now have a totally different priority.

I realize that there is no such thing as a husband or wife, even being born-again being perfect. We all know that! The secret is to get our priorities in order. Let’s be honest, most husbands spend a lot of time doing the things they like to do, that apart from the family. Things like fishing, golfing, racing, sports, we can go on and on. Although they say they believe in Christ, nothing, not onr thing changes in their lives.

In most cases today, we don’t understand marriage, a marriage relationship, salvation or the relationship with Christ. Therefore, we spend our lives fighting to wrong battles!

I thought today that I would take the time to share this message with those on truth social that follow me. If you wish you can retruth the message to other people. This verse of scripture often comes to mind when I begin to mention these things.

Matthew 12: 32

AND WHOSOEVER SPEAKETH A WORD AGAINST THE SON OF MAN, IT SHALL BE FORGIVEN HIM: BUT WHOSOEVER SPEAKETH AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST, IT SHALL NOT BE FORGIVEN HIM, NEITHER IN THIS WORLD, NEITHER THE WORLD TO COME.

If you follow this through the gospels, you will see that the Pharisees had just called Jesus Christ a blasphemer. Think about that! Here’s a common man, looking into the eyes of the very Son of God, God in flesh and calling him a blasphemer.

I’d like to give you my take as a pastor on this partial of scripture. If we go back to the Old Testament, we see that God the Father spoke directly to men. We could name some of those men such as Moses, Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah. It was then those men’s responsibility to tell God’s people what God had given them to say.

Once we leave the Old Testament, we get to the gospels. Here, Jesus Christ is born, and we actually hear from the very Son of God, Jesus Christ. Although we see the gospels in the New Testament; Jesus Christ lived in the very end of the Old Testament. As a matter of fact, the Old Testament came to an end the very moment Jesus Christ died on the Cross of Calvary. As far as I can see, God the Father only spoke twice in the gospels. You can check me out. One time he said this: (THIS IS MY BELOVED SON IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED). The other time he said this: (THIS IS MY BELOVED SON, HEAR YE HIM). Therefore, in the Old Testament, God the Father spoke, in the gospel, God the Son spoke.

This Pharisee called Jesus Christ a blasphemer. In the verse that we read Jesus told him this. You can reject me if you like. However, if you reject the Holy Ghost there will be no forgiveness for you in this world or, the world to come. As we watch the Bible unfold, we see that Jesus Christ was crucified, died and was buried. On the third day he arose from the dead. As we get into (Acts) we see where the Holy Ghost fell on 120 believers and the Church, the body of Christ was born. Within the concept of the Church, we now hear God the Spirit speak. Although God still uses men to speak, it’s not that man we need to hear, it’s God’s Spirit that now speaks to our hearts.

In the Trinity there are three very distinct parts of the Godhead. God the Father, God the Son and God the Spirit. God the Father sent his son to this world to die for the sins of men. (God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself). Jesus Christ was God! God, himself became our sacrifice for sin. He offered himself for every man, woman, boy and girl.

I seek to share truth! There are very few people that like truth anymore, they actually run from the very concept of truth. When Jesus Christ was speaking to the Pharisee, looking into his eyes, the Pharisee had no idea what all he was saying! One reason he didn’t know was because he was all wrapped up in religion and not even considering the truth. There were those in that day that were looking for the events that were unfolding because they had studied the Old Testament and knew what was about to happen. However, religion will never tell you the whole truth. If it would then, it would cease to be religion and become truth.

Although many people were looking for that truth as it unfolded, most or, all of them was exactly like you and I. Once the Holy Ghost had fallen on them, they became babes in Christ and, at that point began to grow in the knowledge and truth of Jesus Christ.

We now live in a time when the Holy Spirit is upon this earth. Within the picture of the Godhead, he is it! another way of saying it is to say that God the Father will not send anyone or anything else that we, the people of this world might turn from our wicked ways to him. The Holy Spirit is it! When Jesus Christ told the Pharisee that he’d be wise not to reject the Holy Spirit, that’s exactly what he was saying. God the Father tied, God the Son tried and now God the Spirit is seeking to draw all men to God the father.

Within the concept of the course of this world since the Holy Ghost fell in (Acts 2) men have seen a lot of changes in the way we live. We can see that picture of the Church as it unfolds in (Revelation 3). In the last part of that chapter, we see that basically the Church has locked the very Spirit of God outside and will not let the very Spirit that offers salvation even in the building! You can read the whole chapter but, look especially at this verse:

Revelation 3:20

BEHOLD, I STAND AT THE DOOR, AND KNOCK: IF ANY MAN HEAR MY VOICE, AND OPEN THE DOOR I WILL COME IN TO HIM, AND WILL SUP WITH HIM, AND HE WITH ME.

Jesus’ call is to individuals (any person) that will hear him, the Church in a lot of cases has locked him out! Many people have locked him out of their hearts! They simply reject truth!

Many people that follow me know very well my position on the King James Bible. It’s the only one I study. I don’t push that Bible on anyone else but all that I might teach comes from that book.

I only point that out because I’d like to show you this verse:

John 3:16

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.

If you will notice in that verse, the word (LOVED) is used. That word is past tense! With that being said, what else did God do once he had offered his only begotten son? Within the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ also game the gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ promised us in scripture that if he went away he would send a comforter and, he did!

Since God loved us so much he gave us the Holy Spirit to draw conviction on our sinful hearts that we might be saved by grace.

(IN MY OPINION) it’s getting harder and harder to find a Church, a person or anything now we’re you can feel the conviction that’s required for salvation, the transforming power of God through his word.

Blaspheme is the rejection of God’s Spirit. Often, that Spirit will speak to a heart multiple times in the course of a life trying to draw a single person away from sin into the very grace of God through the blood of Jesus Christ. I, for one know that for a fact, he did me! It took me a while to see myself as a sinner in need of salvation.

It’s a very terrible thing to fall into the hands of an angry God! God’s done all he’s going to do! This world, even many Churches is rejecting God’s Spirit. The world has chosen its own way of religion and that apart from Jesus Christ. However, God’s Spirit is still speaking to people if we will listen!

FOR GOD SO LOVED! Right now, God’s on his throne, his son, Jesus Christ on his right side. The Holy Spirit is within we that are born again and it’s our responsibility to share the gospel story to this world!

I often try to get people to see God’s point of view by putting it this way. Some two thousand years ago God sent his son as a sacrifice for the sins of this world. The blood his Son shed on the cross covered the sin of every person that ever lived on the face of this earth.

No matter what your sin is, it’s been paid for by that blood. All any person has to do to receive the gift of salvation is believe! Ask Jesus Christ to move into your heart!

Consider, the sin of every person in hell today was paid for by the blood of Christ, they simply didn’t except that free gift!

That Spirit I speak of will soon leave this world! We call that (The Rapture). God, in his love for mankind gave all he had to give! (HE LOVED) us that much! What he’s saying, that’s it! You can now except my son, or you can go to hell!

Now, I realize that sounds cut and dry! But, is it? Just like in my case, how many times has God spoken to you but you didn’t listen?

There’s no greater joy than knowing Jesus Christ as savior! If you don’t know him, ask him into your heart today!

Marshall Clayton

2 Timothy 1:7

Have you ever considered the fact that God has a word? We call it the Bible. He tells us that he comes (in the volume of the book it is written of me).

Hebrews 10:7

THEN SAID I, LO, I COME (IN THE VOLUME OF THE BOOK IT IS WRITTEN OF ME,) TO DO THY WILL, O GOD.

Not only did he come in the volume of a book, but he also came in flesh.

John 1:14

AND THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH, AND DWELT AMONG US, (AND WE BEHLED HIS GLORY, THE GLORY AS OF THE ONLY BEGOTTEN OF THE FATHER,) FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH.

That very word became flesh and walked among men. Now, we can deny that act as if it really doesn’t matter. We can even burn every Bible in existence but will never change the fact that God does have a word. He reveals to those that will seek to know him everything about him and all that he fells with passion, desiring that we might know and, love him as he is.

I once had a man ask me if I knew I was going to heaven when I died? I replied, yes, I do! There happened to be a much younger man standing there when I gave my answer that we weren’t even talking to but, when I gave my answer; this is what he said, and I quote: no, hell you do not know, no man knows where he’s going when he dies.

I then looked him and said, sir, do you mind if I ask you a question? He answered, no, go ahead. I asked him to tell how much of God’s word he had read or studied? He answered, you know, I probably haven’t read more than two or three verses in my whole life. The I replied, but you have the knowledge to me, a man that been studying for about twenty years what I know or don’t know? To that, he didn’t say another word. However, I did a little witnessing to him!

I only share that story to make the point that each person has a God given right to their own personal freewill. There are people that call themselves by a word that this world had come up with to define what can be said with a person’s mouth, using his God given tongue and the ability afforded him by a loving God. The word is Atheist! The people that call themselves by that name ssy that there is no God. The Bible has another name for a person that makes that claim, (A FOOL)!

At that, I’d like to begin with (TRUTH) according to God’s word. Truth whether any person chooses to except it or not. First of all, what is it that makes men, women, humans different than other animals? The actual only difference is people, ever person is born with a (God Consciousness), no exceptions! We see that in the creation of Adam.

Genesis 2:7

AND THE LORD GOD FORMED MAN OF THE DUST OF THE GROUND, AND BREATHED INTO HIS NOSTRILS THE BREATH OF LIFE; AND MAN BECAME A LIVING SOUL.

now, look at these verses:

Genesis 1:24-25

AND GOD SAID, LET THE EARTH BRING FORTH THE LIVING CREATURE AFTER HIS KIND, CATTLE, AND CREEPING THING, AND BEAST OF THE EARTH AFTER HIS KIND: AND IT WAS SO. (25) AND GOD MADE THE BEAST OF THE EARTH AFTER HIS KIND, AND CATTLE AFTER THEIR KIND, AND EVERY THING THAT CREEPTH UPON THE EARTH AFTER HIS KIND: AND GOD SAW THAT IT WAS GOOD.

We can clearly see here that God breathed into the nostrils of man, Because of the fact, the fact that God created man in his own image, every man has a soul, a consciousness of God the Father.

So, let’s start here with an Atheist. This person is not an animal. An animal can kill. An animal can commit what we would call adultery without any consequences. As a matter of fact, you can point a gun at an animal and will not even draw back from the fear of it. An Atheist, by law it he kills, he will be held accountable. It’s the same with committing adultery or any other sin, he’s accountable, and that person cannot deny that fact.

The Bible says this:

Psalms 53:1

THE FOOL HATH SAID IN HIS HEART, THERE OS NO GOD. CORRUPT ARE THEY, AND HAVE DONE ABOMINABLE INIQUITY: THERE IS NONE THAT DOETH GOOD.

We see that twice in scripture. the other place is (Psalms 14:1). Why would God call a person that says there is no God a fool? Because when that person was a younger person (they knew truth)! The, at some point knew there was a right and wrong. They also know the difference in what sin is and, what sin is not. Their God consciousness revealed that truth to them whether they admit it or not. That’s why God calls them a fool, they know better. Not only that, but they also rejected the very knowledge that revealed himself to them. How stupid is that!

We’re actually not talking about Atheists, are we? I just thought I’d mention them because once a person becomes a reprobate, there’s no difference in them. So, as we get into Pedophiles, homosexuals and transgenders, let; s look at some scripture. Before we take a look at scripture remember, all these people were born of woman, they had a father and, they grew to adulthood. Within that time, no matter what they might say with their mouth, the God consciousness within them revealed truth to them. That is an undeniable fact, if not then they cannot be human. However, their ability to do human things even reveals truth!

If a child is born a girl, as time moves forward, one day she will become a woman. When that happens there are things within her body that are going to take place just because of that simple fact. We can say the very same thing about any man! Now, let’s look at these verses:

1 Corinthians 10:13-14

THERE IS NO TEMPTATION TAKEN YOU BUT SUCH IS COMMON TO MAN: BUT GHOD IS FAITHFUL, WHO WILL NOT SUFFER YOU TO BE TEMPTED ABOVE THAT YE ARE ABLE; BUT WILL WITH THAT TEMPTATION ALSO MAKE A WAY TO ESCAPE, THAT YE MAY BE ABLE TO BEAR IT. (14) THEREFORE, MY DEARLY BELOVED, FLEE ADOLATRY.

We’ll be looking at some more things here but, first I’d like to share another true story with you. I had a nephew that was a homosexual, (past tense), he gone now, he died from a gunshot wound. One of his aunts, his mom’s sister passed away. He and I both attended that funeral. The man that preached the funeral was my half-brother and his uncle. He preached one of the hardest messages I ever heard at a funeral. I shared with you that this homosexual was at that funeral. Just a year or so later, the homosexual was dead. The same preacher also preached his funeral. At the beginning of that message, he shared this story. He said that this young man approached him at this aunt’s funeral. He told him he preached a good message. He said, when I die, I want you to preach my funeral. He told him exactly what he was and told him he was not going to change! He would die just as he was!

Now, you tell me, if this young man died and went to hell, whose fault, was it? Didn’t God offer him a way of escape? This young man was raised in Church. He had heard these types of messages all his life! He made his choice!

The truth is that every person whether they are an Atheist, homosexual or transgender knows exactly what they are in the beginning of their lives. As each person grows and matures physically the very God of this universe gives them and, every person the knowledge of Good and evil. Each of us comes to a point that we know that we have a God consciousness. We all have the ability to deny that if we make that choice to.

Rich this minute I can write anything I like. Any person can say anything they like. The problem is we can’t change things to make them like we want them no matter how hard we try. That is and be pleasing to the God that created us. I’ve often said this, if we as a people made the decision today to completely except the mindset that there is no God, a person has the right to be any sex he chooses to live a homosexual lifestyle or to be a transgender and completely change who he or she is. We all still have to stand before Jesus Christ and give an account. All we might try to change doesn’t change one thing about what already knows and the fact that he, being our God consciousness tried to direct our footsteps.

What most people that choose a lifestyle apart from being what God would have them be is this. There is no such thing as a person that is not struggling with some type of sin. We all are sinners! I want to share one more scripture that I believe is very telling before I close this.

Hebrews 4:15

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.

Do you realize what this verse (verse 15) is saying? There is no sin that we can face in our flesh that Jesus Christ didn’t face himself. Now, I want you to consider something. As a man in my lifetime, I’ve been tempted to commit adultery often. However, I can’t say I’ve ever been tempted to be an homosexual. I

ve been tempted to steal, even done it a few times. I’ve been very tempted to kill but, only in my mind have a actually killed anyone! I could go on but you get my point. I know that each person that reads this can offer things they have both been tempted to do and, things they have done.

The point is that none of us can say we have been tempted (in all points) like Jesus Christ was! Do you remember Jesus Christ crying from the Cross (My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me!?

Matthew 27:46

AND ABOUT THE NINETH HOUR JESUS CRIED WITH A LOUD VOICE, SAYING, ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI? THAT IS TO SAY, MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAST THOU FORSAKED ME?

I’d like for you to put some thought into this point. The very God of the universe lived within the fleshly body of Jesus Christ. According to the verse (verse 15) even Jesus Christ was tempted in his flesh to believe there was no God! That, while that God, God the Father lived within him! I’ve been born again, washed in the blood of Jesus Christ and, I confess, I’ve been tempted to believe there is no God as well!

Therefore, even an atheist cannot say that Jesus Christ was not tempted as he or she is. Can you imagine being tempted to commit every sin known to man yet never committing even one of them?

The next verse here (verse 16) is very often misunderstood and miss quoted. It’s a call for every person to come boldly to the throne of grace. That verse is not just for believers but for all people. In:

Isaiah 1:18

COME NOW, AND LET US REASON TOGETHER, SAITH THE LORD: THOUGH YOUR SINS BE AS SCARLET, THEY SHALL BE AS WHITE AS SNOW; THOUGH THEY BE RED LIKE CRIMSON, THEY SHALL BE AS WOOL.

If we will simply become willing to bow before God at His throne of mercy, we can obtain mercy. His desire is for us to come to him no matter what sins we are guilty of. He desires to show us mercy forgiving us of all sin. Now, this is where a lot of people misunderstand. He says we can (find grace to help) in our time of need. That doesn’t mean that we won’t still be tempted at times to commit sin, we will but, when we asked Jesus Christ to move into our hearts, filling our God consciousness with the power of the Holy Spirit we will have the strength mot to allow those sins to dictate our lives.

Often as born again believes we, even I tend to be too hard on people that we are not like. For instance, I stated that I’d been tempted to commit adultery. Well, not only have I been tempted to but, I have since I’ve been born again. I fallen short. That truly bothers me! However, that is not the lifestyle I live. I confessed at his throne of mercy, and found grace continue to move forward as a believer seeking to be just like Jesus Christ.

Often when we see someone such as a homosexual it’s hard to allow that person to be less than perfect in our minds. If he or she is truly born again that doesn’t mean that they are not still tempted to commit the sin of their weakness, just as we are. Let’ put it this way. If you, are I lay in our bed at night, all in our mind can’t we commit adultery in the darkness of the night being all alone? Can’t a homosexual do the very same thing?

Romans 7:24-25

O WRETHED MAN THAT I AM! WHO SHALL DELIVER ME FROM THE BODY OF DEATH? (25) I THANK GOD THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. SO THEN WITH THE MIND I SERVE THE LAW OF GOD: BUT WITH THE FLESH THE LAW OF SIN.

We are all frail, sinful people in need of the blood of Jesus Christ. God help each of us to know that! What often happens to people that live in sin and refuse to (come to the throne of grace) (to obtain mercy to help), God turns them over to a reprobate mind. At that, they no longer hear God’s Spirit as he seeks to speak to him. What a terrible place to be!

Right this minute, if you are reading this and God’s Spirit is speaking to your heart, yield to that Spirit! He loves you and truly wants to reason with you! Help you in your time of need! It’s your choice now, it always has been!

Marshall Clayton

@ Timothy 1:7

I’d like to teach this lesson by comparing the Nation of Israel to what we call the Church today. To do this we’ll use this verse to kick it off:

Philippians 3:10

THAT I MIGHT KNOW HIM, AND THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION, AND THE FELLOWSHIP OF HIS SUFFERING, BEING MADE CONFORMABLE UNTO HIS DEATH;

Each year at this time we celebrate the actual resurrection of Jesus Christ. As I make that statement, look at these verses:

Matthew 28: 10-15

THEN SAID JESUS UNTO THEM, BE NOT AFRAID: GO TELL MY BRETHREN THAT THEY GO INTO GALILEE, AND THERE SHALL THEY SEE ME. (11) NOW WHEN THEY WERE GOING, BEHOLD, SOME OF THE WATCH CAME UNTO THE CITY, AND SHEWED UNTO THE CHIEF PRIESTS ALL THE THINGS THAT WERE DONE. (12) AND WHEN THEY WERE ASSEMBLED WITH THE ELDERS, AND HAD TAKEN COUNCEL, THEY GAVE LARGE MONEYUNTO THE SOLDIERS, (13) SAYING, SAY YE, HIS DISCIPLES CAME BY NIGHT AND STOLE HIM AWAY WHILE WE SLEPT. (14) AND IF THIS COME TO THE GOVERN OR’S EARS, WE WILL PERSUADE HIM. AND SECURE YOU. (15) SO THEY TOOK THE MONEY, AND DID AS THEY WERE TAUGHT: AND THIS SAYING IS COMMONLY REPORTED AMONG THE JEWS UNTIL THIS DAY.

WE can get very deep into this! However, we see here where there were some that were bound and determined not to allow Jesus Christ to be seen as anything special, at least not to be seen as the Messiah that was to come as they had been taught and knew very well as being taught in the Old Testament.

I often teach a principle that I believe to be true. Way back when Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden, God used the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil to show that man was not able to live up to expectations of God the Father on his own. We know that God shed the blood of an animal to make a covering for their sin.

As we move forward, we also see the Nation of Israel. If we simply begin with Moses, also looking at every person, even the prophets God sent, no matter what God spoke to that man, Israel as a nation would not conform to his voice coming from the men he spoke through.

In the verses I shared in (Matthew 28) wasn’t it the high priests of that day that conspired to bring about the conspiracy to bring a lie to pass in the mind of Israel? Going again, all the way back to Adam, man is a fallen being, corrupt and a sinner by nature.

My point is that people in their natural sinful flesh will never be changed simply by trying to keep the law as presented by another man, even if that man is perfect, such as Jesus Christ.

From the very beginning, God has spoken to man seeking to have man yield to his will! What we often fail to understand is that God, in the body of Jesus Christ already knew that no matter what he did before men, mankind was not going to follow him as a whole. We also know because of scripture that he didn’t come to this world to be the King of the Jews or to be followed at that time. Look at this verse:

John 18:37

PILATE THEREFORE SAID UNTO HIM, ART THOU A KING THEN? JESUS ANSWERED, THOU SAYEST THAT I AM A KING, TO THIS END WAS I BORN, AND FOR THIS CAUSE CAME I INTO THE WORLD, THAT I SHOULD BEAR WITNESS UNTO THE TRUTH. EVERY ONE THAT IS OF THE TRUTH HEARETH MY VOICE.

Jesus Christ came to this world, born of a virgin, born of woman to become the sacrifice for the sin of the world. His express mission was to live a perfect sin free life, that without blemish that he might be the perfect Lamb of God. He shed his blood, died and on the third day he arose from the dead, proving that God the Father had excepted his sacrifice.

When he has done all, he was supposed to do, he returned to the right hand of the Father. In all this, to all of us that believe; it is a small thing that God raised Christ from the dead. We always knew he had the ability to do that!

We need to understand what the Apostle Paul is saying in (Philippians) the power of his resurrection. Because of the resurrection of Christ, each of us can be born again allowing the very Spirit that lived in Jesus Christ to also live, grow and mature within our own hearts.

Almost every day of my born-again life I try to recognize that power within me! Let’s consider something! When we are born-again, we become members of the bride of Jesus Christ. As long as we live on this earth, as along as the Church is allowed to stay here the fact that we are espoused to become married to Christ, we have the awesome responsibility to allow Christ Jesus to speak through us.

Jesus Christ is now seated at the right hand of the Father, therefore where is his strength upon this earth? It’s in his bride (the Church)! We, as members of the bride of Christ are the power of his resurrection! In essence, on Easter when we celebrate his resurrection, we should be celebrating the fact that his life is now within us because of his sacrifice!

The Apostle Paul said this in:

(Philippians 3)

YEA DOUBTLESS, I COUNT ALL THINGS BUT LOSS FOR THE EXCELLENCY OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST JESUS MY LORD: FOR WHOM I HAVE SUFFERED THE LOSS OF ALL THINGS, AND COUNT THEM AS DUNG, THAT I MIGHT WIN CHRIST.

What he is saying is that he desires too completely forget all that he is and become all that Christ is! Let’s put it this way, while Jesus Christ truly appreciates the fact that we show our gratitude. it pleases him much more when we are willing to die to ourselves and allow him to live through us, doing his will each and every day.

I’m going to say this here. I realize it can be a very controversial statement but, it needs to be understood. Can you see how any person that chooses a homosexual lifestyle is doing exactly contrary to what Christ is asking of them? He or she is drawing everything possible unto themselves and not giving anything at all to the will of Christ. I even might add that it’s not only that, but it also even goes to any person that chooses to do things pleasing to themselves rather than even considering dying to themselves, their will and allowing Christ to live in them.

We have members of Churches that got up this morning early and went to sunrise service, they paid attention to (Good Friday) thinking that these things made them please God the Father when tomorrow or, even today, they will simply continue their lives as they always have never even considering dying to themselves that Christ might speak through them.

In closing, if you are born again then you are or, can be the power of his resurrection. The Bible says this (and the word became flesh and dwelt among us). Yes, it did! Now we are to become the word in our flesh that dwells among men, speaking, living his word! If we don’t, does that mean that we are spiritual homosexuals, drawing all thing unto our own selves? (MY CUP RUNNETH OVER) is that not supposed to be who we are? So filled with the love of God that we can’t help but allow him to shine through us?

In our Churches aren’t we doing exactly the same thing the nation of Israel did. We listen to a man, believe what he says, stay just as we are and say we believe. We never venture out to make our calling and election sure. What we hear becomes our truth, right or wrong, whether God id content with us or not!

Is Christ alive in you? Or are your actions speaking so loud not one person can hear a word Christ is saying? All they see is (YOU)! All they hear is (YOU)! because, all it is (IS YOU)!

Have you been born again? Has Christ been resurrected within you? If not, then I pray for you daily!

Marshall Clayton

@ Timothy 1:7

THE WICKED BLIND WORLD WE LIVE IN!

THROUGH IT ALL, GOD ONLY SEE TWO THINGS!

As we consider all the things we see today, seeking to remember that there is only one true and living God, can we do anything to cause people to open their blinded spiritual eyes that salvation might be there’s?

In the world we live in there’s always been a spiritual battle between evil and righteous. I’ve now lived on this earth for seventy-one years and have seen a lot of changes in the time I’ve lived here. Whether we can see it as good or bad might be as seen through the eyes of any given group of people. However, in reality the whole process has caused a downward spiritual spiral whether we choose to see it or not.

So, let’s go back in time and see what we can find. As we look at some of these things, you might not like what I have to say but, at least consider the thoughts before you judge me to be right or wrong. First of all, I believe it has all to do with the coming of Jesus Christ and the establishment of a one world order. In that one world order there will be no righteousness. The truth will be as defined by Satan himself and, if you defy that truth, you will die!

Let’s look at two things that began to happen some sixty years ago. If you remember I said: God only sees two things as far as this is concerned. As God looks down upon this earth, he either see people that are born-again or, people that are lost. To him, there’s no such thing as male or female in the sense of salvation, nor is there black or white, red or yellow. As I make that statement; as we live upon this earth, there are spiritual positions we all have within the very mindset of God.

My whole reason for writing this is to speak to the people of this world. Is this world all that you have? As stated, any person that has been born-again is not of this world. If we say we are born-again and, at the same time make the affairs of this world our main focus then we are not where God the Father would have us be.

When we make the cares and causes of this world our main focus, we then void the very reason we say we are born-again. Look at these verses:

1 Peter 2:9

BUT YE ARE A CHOSEN GENERATION, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, AN HOLY NATION, A PECULIAR PEOPLE; THAT YE SHOULD SHEW FORTH THE PRAISES OF HIM WHO CALLED YOU OUT OF DARKNESS INTO HIS MARVELOUS LIGHT: (10) WHICH IN TIME PAST WERE NOT A PEOPLE, BUT ARE NOW THE PEOPLE OF GOD: WHICH HAD NOT OBTAINED MERCY, BUT NOW HAVE OBTAINED MERCY.

As we move forward from here, look at this verse:

John 18:37

PILATE THEREFORE SAID UNTO HIM, ART THOU A KING THEN? THOU SAYEST THAT I AM A KING. TO THIS END WAS I BORN, AND FOR THIS CAUSE CAME I INTO THIS WORLD, THAT I SHOULD BEAR WITNESS UNTO THE TRUTH. EVERY ONE THAT IS OF THE TRUTH HEARETH MY VIOCE.

What’s the difference in Jesus Christ and you and I? I confess, when I was born in the flesh, I was of this world. However, when I was born-again that birth is not of this world. Where Jesus Christ was born in the flesh to fulfill a responsibility, as born-again believers, we are now born with the very same responsibility.

Was Jesus a politician? Did he seek the riches of this world? Did he seek to be the equal to any other person or place himself above any other person? It appears that there are many people that say they are born-again. At the same time, it appears their main desire is to involve themselves with the cares of this world. According to (1 Peter 2) we were not even a people, but we became a people in Jesus Christ.

Look at this world! There are women seeking to be equal to men. There ate women seeking to be men and, men seeking to be women. There are blacks fighting against both blacks and whites. There are whites fighting against both blacks and whites. There are nations against nations, states against states, religions against religions, denominations against denominations. Shall I go on?

As we consider these things; it appears that we are trying our best to not appear to be racist, we are seeking to make it appear that women are equal to men in every respect. We paint pictures with TV and radio, with words we say to make people think things whether it’s real or not. I want you to consider this:

Proverbs 23:7

FOR AS HE THINKETH IN HIS HEART, SO IS HE: EAT AND DRINK, SAITH HE TO THEE; BUT HIS HEART IS NOT WITH THEE.

We become even greater sinners because of the lies we live. I mentioned looking back fifty or sixty years. We went through great rebellion. A lot of the things that were being fought for might have been needed to bring about change in this world. We still hear about equal rights for women, equal rights for blacks. We even seen it necessary about that time to do away with the very God we said we served. I wonder why we did that? Was it because some of the stands we took were directly related to the God we served? If we continued to walk in his light, we couldn’t bring about the changes necessary?

Often when we set out to bring about certain changes such as being equal, the people that think they are being mistreated are never satisfied, no matter how hard we try or, how equal we might become!

When we consider the only two things in this whole world that God sees, it brings into focus why we see such chaos in our world today. As stated, God the Father sees you as either born-again or still lost and on your road to hell. There is no middle ground! It doesn’t matter what color you are, whether you are male or female. what nation you belong to or, what you might think of yourself.

The part of any person that keeps them from being content is the very God consciousness that lives within every person. I argue and, will continue to say that there is no such thing as an atheist. That word like many words are words that this world devised to define a person that lies about what they already know within their own selves. For instance, the word transexual. There is no such thing. That word was made up to define a person that desires to be something other than what God made them to be! Within themselves, they know! The very God consciousness within them tells them what and who they are.

May I share something with you? I’m not a fool, I realize that the sexual orientation of any individual can vary just as the very color of our skin. There are men and women that are born with far more sexual drive toward to opposite sex than normal and, there are those born with a sexual drive toward the same sex. There are people born with very dark skin all the way to very light skin. That my friend is just the way it is in this sin-cursed world. We don’t even have to stop there, we can even mention a desire to steal, lie, murder, worship a false god, love of money, you name it, the world is completely filled with sin-cursed people of all colors, creeds and sexual orientation. Actually, there is no difference in any of us other that the choices we make. We are all sin-cursed sinners. The only difference is what we are willing to yield ourselves to.

Today we see that fact more than any time in history as we know it. Most of it came about because of the breakdown of the family the sixties. More than likely it started long before that time but, the fact that we as a nation turned our backs on God along that time truly advanced the wickedness in our society.

It just so happens that I, as an individual made a choice many years ago not to involve myself with the affairs of this world. I am not of this world, I’m born-again and am an ambassador for Jesus Christ. When it comes to being a witness, I don’t see male or female, black, white or any other color. At the same time, I see every person as my equal. The ground is now and has always been level at the foot of the Cross of Calvary. Another point that must be made is that since the love of God is shed abroad in the heart of every born-again believer it becomes impossible to know hate for any person.

If you are white and harbor hate in your heart for any person that is black, then the love of God is not in you! If you are black and harbor hate in your heart for any white person, the love of God is not in you! In a political sense, if you have the ability to hate any member of any other party, the love of God is not in you!

Right now, we hear a lot about (BLACK LIVES MATTER) (ALL LIVES MATTER) and so on it goes. We even have a organization in the town in which I live that is called (MY LIFE MATTERS). All those things and I could mention more is all of this world, God has nothing to do with it. The organization in our town is said to be (Christ centered). However, even Jesus Christ himself warned us against things being done in his name.

Before we move on let’s look at a couple of scriptures:

1 John 4:20

IF A MAN SAY, I LOVE GOD, AND HATETH HIS BROTHER, HE IS A LIAR: FOR HE THAT LOVETH NOT HIS BROTHER WHOM HE HATH SEEN, HOW CAN HE LOVE GOD WHOM HE HATH NOT SEEN?

I mentioned that a little while ago.

Matthew 7:22-23

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.

I’m a member of the Church of Roxboro. I’m seeking to get the people of this world to understand this fact. There are those that are influencing your life, directing you to see certain things about your own life that are leading you in the complete wrong direction! The world we live in is trying its best to get people to except homosexuals, transgenders as their equal. They are trying to get the people that live these lifestyles to fir in as a normal group of people in our communities. If, at some point this world, your town, your community does look at this lifestyle as normal then, so be it. However, if you think God has changed one thing about how he views those lifestyles, you are badly deceived by the very people that are leading you!

Let’s make an argument here. Let’s just assume a homosexual is born like they are. Well, guess what? I was born just like I was born as well. I, like every other person on this earth had to come to the resolve within myself that God was not pleased with me (the way I was born)! Look at this verse:

Romans 3:11-13

AS IT IS WRITTEN, THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NO NOT ONE: (11) THERE IS NONE THAT UNDERSTANDETH, THERE IS NONE THAT SEEKETH AFTER GOD. (12) THEY ARE ALL GONE OUT OF THE WAY, THEY ARE TOGETHER BECOME UNPROFITABLE; THERE IS NONE THAT DOETH GOOD, NO, NOT ONE. (13) THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN SEPULCHRE; WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY HAVE USED DECIET; THE POISON OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS:

WE need to understand this fact! There’s not but one hell. I am equal to every sinner that ever lived. Also, any sinner, no matter what sin it is, if they die as a part of this world will burn in the very same hell with every other sinner!

I want you to consider this, if you happen to be white. if you teach your children, they are special simply because they are white; all you are doing is lining them up with the linage of this world and, and possibly sending them to the very same hell that the rest of this world will go to! If you happen to be born black and you’re teaching your children that (black lives matter), making that the focus of your home, Church, school and community it’s very possible that you are setting them up to spend a lifetime in a place called hell, part from the very grace that is offered freely by Jesus Christ our Lord.

We’ve come to the place in our world that we try to make Jesus Christ a part of all of our little petty issues we see in this world. Even our Churches become magnets for the things of this world.

The point I’m trying my best to make is this. No matter who you are, you are born as a member of this world. That fact must change because being a member of this world alone brings about destruction in hell for eternity! I’m not speaking to you as a member of this world. I was a member of this world but, that citizenship changed the very moment I asked Jesus Christ to be my Savior! I now have citizenship in a place we call heaven. The only reason I’m still hear is to share the truth, the Gospel of Jesus Christ with every member of this world.

What part of this world are you caught up in? Please consider what I’m saying. Let’s say you are a member of a local Church that takes meals to senior citizens each week, you call that your ministry. However, you take the meals to those people every week, feeding their physical bodies but never one time tell them about Jesus Christ, never asked them if they are born-again, you have no passion for their soul. If you say you are born-again, you have missed the very calling God the father has placed on every one of his children!

Is it important to feed the poor? Sure, it is however, as citizens of heaven, ambassadors of Jesus Christ there is a much higher calling than just looking after the flesh of men, we must realize that spiritual fact!

Look at these verses in closing:

2 Peter 1:10-11

WHEREFORE THE RATHER, BRETHREN, GIVE DILIGENCE TO MAKE YOUR CALLING AND ELECTION SURE; FOR IF YE DO THESE THINGS, YE SHALL NEVER FALL: (11) FOR SO AN ENTRANCE SHALL BE MINISTERED UNTO YOU ABUNDANTLY INTO THE EVERLASTING KINGDOM OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST.

I’m sure that there are well meaning parents, teachers, pastors, civic leaders and so on all across this country that are seeking to truly help people in some small way. However, the pit of hell is filled with people with good intentions! It also isn’t partial in any group of people, color or creed. If you die in ignorance and end up in hell then, hell is filled with people that listened to what someone else taught them in ignorance.

Yor, as an individual, black, white, male female, Church member. Check your heavenly status! Make (YOUR) calling and election sure. Don’t let even the most passionate person, such as I stop you from knowing truth by acknowledging Jesus Christ and becoming a citizen of the world he is from!

John 3:7

MARVEL NOT THAT I SAID UNTO THEE, YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN.

No if’s and’s or but’s about it. You cannot remain a citizen of this world, fight for the things of this world and be what God desires for you to be. Ye must be born again. Become a citizen of the world of Jesus Christ!

Marshall Clayton

2 Timothy 1:7

As far as I know the word reprobate is only mentioned three times in scripture. Most people that read God’s word would relate it to:

(Romans 1:28)

AND EVEN AS THEY DID NOT LIKE TO RETAIN GOD IN THEIR KNOWLEDGE, GOD GAVE THEM OVER TO A REPROBATE MIND, TO DO THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE NOT CONVENIENT;

Now, let’s see what it says in the next four verses:

(Roman 1:29-32)

BEING FILLED WITH ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS, FORNICATION, WICKEDNESS, FULL OF ENVY, MURDER, DEBATE, MALIGNITY; WHISPERERS, (30) BACKBITERS, HATERS OF GOD, DESPITEFUL, PROUD, BOASTERS, INVENTERS OF EVIL THINGS, DISOBEDIENT TO PARENTS, (31) WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING, COVENANTBREAKERS, WITHOUT NATURAL AFFECTION, INPLACABLE: (32) WHO KNOWING THE JUDGMENT OF GOD, THAT THEY WHICH COMMIT SUCH THINGS ARE WORTHY OF DEATH, NOT ONLY DO THE SAME, BUT HAVE PLEASURE IN THEM THAT DO THEM.

I’d like to make a point here that I feel is very important. As we read here in Romans, the Apostle Paul is speaking to people that call themselves saints.

Romans 1:7

TO ALL THAT BE IN ROME, BELOVED OF GOD, CALLED TO BE SAINTS, GRACE TO YOU AND PEACE FROM GOD OUR FRATHER, AND THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.

Therefore, let’s look at a man’s life as respect to that man being born and, in the process, of time being born again. No man is ever born a reprobate. Personally, I believe that there are reprobates that are lost as well as people that are born again. Have you ever considered what the only sin is that a person repents from the very minute they are born-again? If a preacher is preaching a message of salvation to a congregation of people that has within it those that are not saved, it’s very possible that he will not even mention any specific sin that a person might be guilty of.

The message could be a general message proving that all people are sinners and, desperately in need of salvation. It’s very possible that a person can feel the convicting hand of God as far as their nonbelief in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That person can come to an altar, confessing their belief in Jesus Christ, never even realizing that a certain lifestyle they live is sin.

I’ll give you an example. As a young believer I went to Church one Sunday just as I would on a normal Sunday. There was also another young man there, a friend of mine that had gotten saved a few weeks after I did. That particular Sunday morning our pastor preached a message that revealed a sin that he and I both were guilty of. After the service as we were leaving the other young man came out of Church and found me. As we stood and talked one to another, he asked me; did you hear what the preacher said about that sin that we are both very guilty of? I replied, yes, I did! It brought about great conviction on me. He told me that it did him as well however, I don’t think I can quit living like I live. To that, I replied, I know but I’m going to ask the Lord to help me with it, you should do the same.

We left Church that day, he never came back. However, I’ll confess, I still struggle with that sin in my life! I’m still seeking daily to walk in the light of the gospel of Christ, I’m also maturing spiritually in Christ, always asking him to allow himself to be seen in me and not, me, myself.

Here, we can argue whether this young man was saved or not. However, there are also those that will doubt whether I am saved or not! We are speaking about being a reprobate. It doesn’t matter whether or not a person is saved. What matters is whether a person is willing to hear God’s Spirit and yield to the very voice of God.

I want you to notice these three verses, all in different books:

Colossians 4:14

LUKE, THE BELOVED PHYSICIAN, AND DEMAS, GREET YOU.

Philemon 1:24

MARCUS, ARISTARCHUS, DEMAS, LUCAS, MY FELLOWLABOURRERS.

2 Timothy 4:10

FOR DEMAS HATH FORSAKEN ME, HAVING LOVED THIS PRESENT WORLD, AND IS DEPARTED UNTO THESSALONICA, CRESCENS TO GALATIA, TITUS UNTO DALMATIA.

The man Demas we see here, was he saved? Look at this verse:

Galatians 5:7

YE DID RUN WELL, WHO DID HINDER YOU THAT YE SHOULD NOT OBEY THE TRUTH?

The Apostle Paul here is again speaking to a whole Church. Were they saved?

In Romans, the first chapter it appears that the Apostle Paul is speaking to people that are living a homosexual lifestyle, that is, at least some of the people are. I’d like for us to consider something here. At the time the Apostle Paul was writing this letter to the Romans, the whole concept of the Church, even the New Testament was a brand-new concept. The Apostle Paul is also preaching, teaching Gentiles that have no concept of anything spiritual concerning the true and living God.

So, let’s say that the Apostle Paul went to Rome simply preaching a salvation message. Sharing that we all are sinners, we all have fallen short of God’s glory. However, Jesus Christ died on a Cross for our sins and, God desires to save ever man. As you read the verses in (Romans 1:28-32) we see a picture of the type sins were present on the day he preached that message of salvation. These people, hearing the gospel message came forth and asked Jesus Christ to become their savior!

Before we go any farther, let’s look at another verse:

Galatians 4:19-20

MY LITTLE CHILDREN, OF WHOM I TRAVAIL IN BIRTH AGAIN UNTIL CHRIST BE FORMED IN YOU, (20) I DESIRE TO BE PRESENT WITH YOU NOW, AND TO CHANGE MY VOICE, FOR I STAND IN DOUBT OF YOU.

What is salvation by definition? It’s being born again! It is the act of excepting Jesus Christ into your heart. Therefore, who is Jesus Christ?

Colossians 2:9

FOR IN HIM DWELLETH THE FULNESS OF THE GODHEAD BODILY.

If we look at salvation from the perspective of God, the Father, we can define it this way. We can say that salvation is the express desire for any person to show a will to die to self and, allow God to be form in their body.

Salvation has nothing to do with being perfect but, a desire to become as much as possible like the body of Jesus Christ which was perfect. (I believe) that what we see today, and call abortion is a perfect picture of what happens in the hearts of many people. If abortion occurs, then that means that two people have gone through a motion of bringing life into this world. However, a choice has been made not to accept that life.

When any person goes to a Church for instance. On the morning that they are at Church the preacher preaches a message that draws great conviction on their heart as a sinner. If we stop here, no matter what they do from that point, wasn’t the conviction on their heart? That fact cannot be changed! God’s Spirit has done his job. Here we see two people, a preacher yielding to God’s Spirit and a sinner. The seed has been planted.

So, let’s say that this sinner goes down to the alter. The sinner says, they desire Jesus Christ to be their savior. Well, no matter what they say or do, hasn’t the seed been planted? Without saying a word. What they do from that moment on will become their life! Let’s get a little closer. The very fact that you are under conviction proves that the Holy Spirit has convinced you that you are a sinner. The fact that you go down to an alter is confessing that fact. Even though you might say you desire for Jesus Christ to be your savior, you actually don’t know Jesus Christ at all!

Hebrews 6 puts it this way:

HEBREWS 6:1-3

THEREFORE LEAVING THE PRINCIPLES OF THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST, LET US GO ON UNTO PERFECTION; NOT LAYING AGAIN THE FOUNDATION OF REPENTANCE TOWARD GOD. (2) OF THE DOCTRINE OF BAPTISMS, AND OF LAYING ON OF HANDS, AND OF RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD, AND OF ETERNAL JUDGMENT. (3) AND THIS WE WILL DO, IF GOD PERMIT.

I mentioned that the New Testament was just being written, the Apostle Paul is one of the writers. Consider this: as Apostle Paul left the Church of Rome, he left someone in charge. In the case we read about in Acts, it was a group of men call Elders. These men had the responsibility of seeking to hear the Spirit of God, the very same Spirit that spoke to the Apostle Paul.

Were they willing, not only to hear that Spirit but, yield to what he was saying? The Apostle Paul is writing this letter to people that say they are saved but, they are allowing things to take place that is unbecoming to a born-again believer. I showed you a verse where he says (I stand in doubt of you)! It’s not his place to say whether any person is actually born-again or not. Neither he nor the people, like me can be a judge. However, just like the picture of baptism being an outward picture of an inward transformation, our lives should also show that transformation.

Becoming a reprobate can occur in at least two ways. One way is that the word of God is preached to us but, we reject the truth we hear. We could argue that this is the only way it can take place. However, what happens when the man that is preaching doesn’t preach complete truth. Let’s say he convinces you that you are a sinner, you ask Christ to be your savoir but, you never understand what sin is. You are left to believe that you are fine just as you are. Maybe we can’t call that person a reprobate but, isn’t he still living an unprincipled life, just in ignorance?

My whole point is this. Salvation means more than you just saying (you believe) in Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul says (he travails) until Christ be formed in you! I’ll use a metaphor to make my point. Let’ say you are about to drown. Just before that you do, a person comes by, throws you a rope and, pulls you to safety. Yor are very excited, very thankful for what that person did for you. Therefore, you asked, do you mind if I walk along with you? The person that just saved you, says, yes you can, I’ll be glad to have you.

As you two walks along and fellowship he begins to share who he is, what he expects of those that desire to be a part of his life. Yor begin to reconsider whether you like walking with him or not. He’s actually asking you to give up things in your life you would rather stay the same. In just a little while, although you are thankful for being saved by him, you decide to walk another way, more pleasing to the way you think.

Doesn’t the fact that you are saved still remain? I realize that this is just a metaphor. However, in a spiritual sense I can see it both ways. While I can’t say whether you are saved or not, I can see how both lost sinners and saved sinners can become reprobate being not willing to submit themselves to the very will of Jesus Christ.

In (Hebrews 6) the Apostle Paul is making this point. In a true spiritual setting, we can’t just simply preach a salvation message and expect our members to grow to a mature spiritual level. That’s why I say that it’s possible to be unprincipled in your spiritual walk but not know it. The people teaching you have let you down spiritually.

As you read the list of things that the Apostle Paul mentions in (Romans 1) often we like to point out the homosexual lifestyle here but neglect to mention all the other things he says.

I feel compelled to use this scripture here;

Matthew 13:3-9

AND HE SPAKE MANY THINGS UNTO THEM IN PARABLES, SAYING, BEHOLD, A SOWER WENT FORTH TO SOW; (4) AND WHEN HE SOWED, SOME SEEDS FELL BY THE WAY SIDE, AND THE FOWLS CAME AND DEVOURED THEM UP: (5) SOME FELL UPON STONY PLACES, WHERE THEY HAD NOT MUCH EARTH; AND FORTHWITH THEY SPRANG UP, BECAUSE THEY HAD NO DEEPNESS OF EARTH: (6) AND WHEN THE SUN WAS UP, THEY WRE SCORCHED; AND BECAUUSE THEY HAD NO ROOT, THEY WITHERED AWAY. (7) AND SOME FELL AMONG THORNS; AND THE THORNS SRUNG UP, AND CHOCKED THEM: (8) BUT OTHER FELL INTO GOOD GROUND, AND BROUGHT FORTH FRUIT, SOME AND HUNDREDFOLD, SOME SIXTYFOLD, SOME THIRTYFOLD. (9) WHO HATH EARS TO HEAR, LET HIM HEAR.

This is a picture of what I’m saying. The difference is we are the people that actually make the choice whether the seed falls on good ground or not. The question is (do you desire to hear? In a Church setting, if the man of God is preaching under the power of the Holy Ghost; the same truth goes out to every person under the sound of that preacher’s voice. What we do with what we have the ability to hear is up to us! Now, let’s move on:

(Verse 28)

AND EVEN AS THEY DID NOT LIKE TO RETAIN GOD IN THEIR KNOWLEDGE, GOD GAVE THEM OVER TO A REPROBATE MIND, TO DO THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE NOT CONVENIENT:

I believe we could write a book on this alone! Look at the very first one: (unrighteousness). When we consider all the things mentioned below this one word being unrighteous, why would he mention this word? There is a very good reason for it. There are many people, this world is filled with the unrighteous They are not guilty of any of the things he mentions here however, they still never even consider seeking God’s will. As a matter of fact, there are possibly more people like this than any other sinner that we can name!

In other words, they are righteous in their own minds. The pastor is always speaking to some else, not them! Let’s look at a couple of verses here:

Romans 10:3

FOR THEY BEING IGNORANT OF GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS, ARE GOING ABOUT TO ESTABLISH THEIR OWN RIGHTEOUS, NOT HAVING SUBMITTED THEMSELVES UNTO THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD.

2 Corinthians 5:21

FOR HE HATH MADE HIM TO BE SIN FOR US, WHO KNEW NO SIN; THAT WE MIGHT BE MADE THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN HIM.

God’s righteousness is Jesus Christ! Do you remember (until Christ be formed in you)? Let’s consider what we are seeing often today. Our Churches are seeking to teach us how to live righteous. They call out sin we might say and seek to get you to refrain from living in those sinful ways. Most people might appear to be living that righteous life to those that see them. What does Jesus Christ say about that?

Luke 11:39

AND THE LORD SAID UNTO HIM, NOW DO YE PHARISEES MAKE CLEAN THE OUTSIDE OF THE CUP AND THE PLATTER, BUT YOUR INWARD PART IS FULL OF RAVENING AND WICKEDNESS.

let’s look at another verse:

Matthew 12:44-45

THEN HE SAITH, I WILL RETURN INTO MY HOUSE FROM WHENCE I CAME OUT, AND WHEN HE IS COME IN, HE FINDETH IT EMPTY, SWEPT AND GARNISHED. (45) THEN GOETH HE, AND TAKETH WITH HIMSELF SEVEN OTHER SPIRITS MORE WICKED THAN HIMSELF, AND THEY ENTER IN AND DWELL THERE: AND THE LAST STATE OF THAT MAN IS WORSE THAN THE FIRST. EVEN SO SHALL IT BE ALSO UNTO THIS WICKED GENERATION.

We’re speaking about being reprobate, unprincipled. When we decide to clean up our lives, even say we asked Jusus Christ to come into our lives; we can say we empty ourselves, our hearts from evil. So, what do we fill it back up with? Our own righteousness? The righteousness of a Church or some religion?

If we go back to abortion, the act of two people, through that process something is happening inside a body that we don’t like. Therefore, we stop its growth. Isn’t it the very same way spiritually? The Holy spirit has moved on your heart. He is attempting to place something in you. His desire is to transform you into the very will of Christ. However, you refuse that transformation!

As we consider the word (reprobate) (unprincipled) I might have already mentioned this but, it’s worth saying again. The very principles we are speaking of is (as defined) by God the Father. We, as the people of this world don’t get to define that word. (I believe) there are whole Churches, religions and spiritual organizations that are completely reprobate. Look at this verse:

2 Corinthians 6:17

WHEREFORE COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM, AN BE YE SEPERATE, SAITH THE LORD, AND TOUCH NOT THE UNCLEAN THING, AND I WILL RECEIVE YOU.

Now, why did he say that? You can read this whole chapter but, I’ll only write one verse to make my point.

2 Corinthians 6:12

YE ARE NOT STRAITENED IN US, BUT YE ARE STRAITENED IN YOUR OWN BOWELS.

I’m going to say something here that I believe God’s Spirit laid on my heart. As I go about my days, I often will ask people, members of Churches if they are saved. In most cases they will reply (yes)). Then, I will change the term and say (are you going to heaven when you die)? There reply (I hope so)! Is that not a contradiction in terms? How do we define salvation if it’s not going to heaven?

Can you imagine going to Church your whole basic life and still being unprincipled as far as God is concerned? Your whole life you listened to what some Church taught and missed the true meaning of being born-again! All you know is what some Church taught you to know. In many cases, in situations such as this, even if you attempt to show them truth, they are so engrained in what they have been taught, they will not hear truth!

Since we started this in (Roman 1) and many people relate that to a homosexual lifestyle; let’s consider something here. There are many people that are very guilty of some of the other sins mentioned in (Roman 1). However, they view a homosexual as being unprincipled as taught by the Church they attend. Let’s say that in a local Church there’s a lesbian that desires to be a member of that Church. In her heart, she has asked Jesus Christ to be her savior, she truly desires for her heart to be transformed into all God desires her to be. The members of that Church, they know her lifestyle and reject her on that very principle. She is truly trying to turn from her sin but, she is rejected by the very place that God designed to help her.

In that Church, among the membership there are (whisperers)! They are talking among themselves, making sure the deacons, the pastor and other members know this woman’s lifestyle. While the lesbian is truly seeking to turn her life to Christ, be transformed into what God would have her be, the whisperers hadn’t even considered themselves as (her equal). Who would you say is the most spiritual?

These people have been (straitened in their own bowels)! They are a (law unto themselves)! I know and completely realize that there are homosexuals that have become reprobate, that’s their choice. That doesn’t mean they all have! And, I might add, I don’t know of any whole Church with that mindset! However, there are whole Churches that are reprobate having (been straitened in their own bowels)!

Isn’t it very possible that if I ask a homosexual if they are saved, their reply would be an instantaneous (yes, I know I’m going to heaven when I die)? At the very same time there are those that will not say that but, judge them when they do, all because of being straitened in their own bowels!

Are you reprobate, not having the principles of God governing your walk? Have you been convinced in your own bowels that you are going to be alright? I’m not the justifier of any sin. I’m simply saying that we all are sinners in need of Jesus Christ as our Savior. Any of us, no matter what our sin might be can become reprobate meaning that will can no longer hear God as he seeks to speak to us and direct our paths.

(I believe) that the greatest reprobate of all times believed in Jesus Christ! His name was and is Lucifer, we call him Satan. He is also the (prince of the power of the air). (Ephesians 2:2) He, right at this moment is working in the children of disobedience. He appears as (an angel of Light) (2 Corinthians 11:4). Every person that is a reprobate is controlled by his spirit. He teaches in our universities, our colleges, our Christian schools. He teaches in Sunday School; he stands behind pulpits. He holds the office of deacon. You can always expect him to mix some truth with the lies he tells!

One of his greatest lies of all times is that you are fine just as you are! Just come to the alter and confess your belief in Christ, get baptized and join our Church! (In my opinion), that means you don’t have to agree with me! People that allow themselves to be taught by reprobates, become reprobates by default. What do I mean by that statement? I stated that I believe that both people that are born-again and those that are lost can become reprobate in their mindset. If I teach you a falsehood, even if you are saved. You allow yourself to be led by that same spirit, won’t you stand before God accountable for the same things the people that are teaching you will? If you are lost and you allow yourself to fall for false teaching; won’t you go to the same hell your teacher does?

The Apostle Paul made this statement: (I am the least of all Apostles). (1 Corinthians 15:9) As you consider this; also consider that the Apostle Paul was a man that had started Churches and was now seeking to help these same Churches see the truth we now find in God’s word.

The people that might read this are very special to me. Each of you have an appointment with Jesus Christ our Lord. You have no reason to listen to me! I, like the Apostle Paul am the least of all men! However, I know this; the truth is very hard to come by! There are very few people, pastors and teachers today that truly seek to hear the very voice of God. I like this verse:

Matthew 13:46

WHO, WHEN HE HAD FOUND ONE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE, WENT AND SOLD ALL THAT HE HAD, AND BOUGHT IT.

If you’ll look around the city, the village, the town you live in you will see many Churches that you might have the opportunity to visit. If you make a choice to visit one or, are already a member of one it still boils down to this. You are an individual that is very loved by Jesus Christ. Far beyond any Church you might attend, he desires to speak directly to you! If you’re lost without him, he desires to save you. If you are already born-again, his desire is to share truth with you, lead you through this troubled world, fellowship with you on a daily basis.

Reaching reprobate status means that you can no longer hear the spirit of God as he speaks to you. You have rejected his call and you now only hear what you choose to. If you are reading this, is God still dealing with your heart? Can you feel the nudge of God’s spirit seeking to lead you into his divine will? If so, you’re not a reprobate! You might be lost, you might be a Church member confused, you might even be born-again but haven’t been shared the truth of God’s word. God’s Spirit is right there in your midst! His love for you goes far beyond all that you might think and, no person’s love will ever come close to just how much he loves you!

Forgetting all that I might say or teach, seek to hear truth from him! Learn to pray, listen to him, read his word. Allow His Spirit to be your teacher! In every person that might teach you, including me, always weigh what is taught in light of God’s word as directed by his Spirit!

One day, you will be glad you did!

Marshall Clayton

2 Timothy 1:7

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON FOR: SUNDAY, MARCH 27,2022

Ephesians 2:1

WHEREIN IN TIME PAST YE WALKED ACCORDING TO THE COURSE OS THIS WORLD, ACCORDING TO THE PRINCE OF THE POWER OF THE AIR, THE SPIRIT THAT NOW WORKETH IN THE CHILDREN OF DISOBEDIENCE:

This is one of my favorite verses in scripture and I refer to it very often. In this verse and in verse three we see the phrase (in times past). That means that if you are a member of the Church, the body of Christ something has happened to you! Something has caused you to do a turnabout in the way you walk.

Although the Church at Ephesus was an actual place, a place the Apostle Paul started a Church; in this book he is revealing the true Church. It goes far beyond just what a local Church is but all it should be! I feel compelled here to make one point that is often missed as we speak of the true Church. Just as in any Church or family there are people that are mature and, from that place we can find members all the way down to newborn babies.

So, as we consider this; let’s look at it from a family standpoint. My dad and mom had four children, three girls and one boy. When my oldest sister was born; can you see how the maturity of my mom and dad had to be in place to bring about growth in my sister? As each child was born and grew to a place to become some help to my mom and dad, even in aiding the in education of the younger; that’s what each child did.

What if my mom and dad just began to act like children, babies when each child was born? That’s exactly what happens often in a spiritual sense in our local Churches. The Bible, in Ephesians shows us just how it’s supposed to work.

Look at these verses:

Ephesians 5:25-27

HUSBANDS, LOVE YOUR WIVES, EVEN AS CHRIST ALSO LOVED THE CHURCH, AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR IT; (26) THAT HE MIGHT SANCTIFY AND CLEANSE IT WITH THE WASHING OF THE WATER BY THE WORD, (27) THAT HE MIGHT PRESENT IT TO HIMSELF A GLORIOUS CHURCH, NOT HAVING SPOT, OR WRINKLE, OR ANY SUCH THING, BUT THAT IT SHOULD BE HOLY AND WITHOUT BLIMISH.

The last wedding, I had the privilege to preside over, I believe the bride’s dress cost fifteen hundred dollars. That was probably cheap compared to some dresses. But why? Why would any young woman spend that kind of money to buy one dress for one event? Can’t we say they would be just as married if they both, husband and wife simply wore their work uniforms? It all has to do with how we desire to present ourselves to the people around us and, to our husband to be!

I went to a Wednesday night service at a Church once. I was dress in a white shirt, a tie and Khaki pants. As I sit there waiting, one of the deacons came in, a friend of mine dressed in a pair of shorts and a tee shirt. I looked at him and said, man what’s wrong with you, look how you are dressed? He replied, God doesn’t care how I dress. To that I replied, when’s the last time you asked him? If you think for one minute you can lower your spiritual standards in any way and, your children do not drop theirs lower, you’re badly mistaken!

Now, I suppose you or we can argue about that but, what if Jesus would have lowered his standards? We now look at every aspect of our Churches as being a symbol of this world, seeking to draw people into that building. We rarely if ever even consider how God sees all that we do! I suppose that I’ve done some of my best preaching in my work uniform, even while I was working. However, there’s a stand of spiritual excellence I sought to put out even in my work uniform.

I often see pastors of Churches preaching in a tee shirt. I understand that the message is just the same. However, do you realize that as he stands behind that pulpit, he is standing where only Jesus Christ would be standing if he were here? I once made a statement using a canal as an example. I said that it doesn’t take much to lower a ship down from one water level to another, all you have to do is pull a plug. However, if your desire is to raise a whole ship to a higher level, it takes power?

Isn’t it the same way spiritually? Anyone can lower the spiritual standard of any Church. No problem! All you have to do is simply set low standards in all, you do! Have we allowed the (course of this world) to set our standards in the place we call Church? The verse we are looking into says that we (walked) being in the past tense (according to the course of this world)! Have we allowed (the course of this world) in every aspect to become a part of our Churches?

Look at this verse:

Ephesians 5:21

SUBMITTING YOURSELVES ONE TO ANOTHER IN THE FEAR OF GOD

The Bible, even here in Ephesians uses an example of a man and his wife as it relates to our relationship with Christ. There’s even going to be a marriage supper of the Lamb that we as believers will be attending one day. The verse we see here tells us to submit ourselves one to another. So, is there any other standard that we see set in that verse? It says, (IN THE FEAR OF GOD).

Let’s say that all is now said and done. We as the Church, the body of Christ is just before marrying Jesus Christ, God in flesh. Everything is now set. Jesus Christ is standing at the altar; he’s waiting for his bride to walk down the aisle to stand beside him for the marriage to take place. How do you suppose he will be dressed? He represents all the Godhead bodily. He is complete perfection!

(IN THE FEAR OF GOD) is a very powerful statement! I realize that the way we dress might not be as important as our actual spiritual life but, don’t we often relate how we dress to certain aspects of our lives? All I’m saying is that the Church is supposed to set a standard that is seen as not a part of the world. It’s supposed to set a standard that prepares us to walk down the aisle for marriage to the most perfect man that ever lived one day.

In a wedding ceremony often the father of the bride will walk his daughter down the Asile. The pastor will ask who gives this woman to be warried to this man? In a spiritual setting, I believe that we can call the Apostle Paul the Father of the Bride in this case. He will be the one that presents the bride to Jesus Christ.

Look at this verse:

2 Corinthians 11:2

FOR I AM JEALOUS OVER YOU WITH GODLY JEALOUSY: FOR I HAVE ESPOUSED YOU TO ONE HUSBAND, THAT I MAY PRESENT YOU A CHASTE VIRGIN TO CHRIST.

Any father that has a daughter, if this man understands the spiritual aspect of marriage with love for his wife and for his daughter desires to present his daughter to a spiritual man that will lead her unto righteousness just as he, the father has sought to teach her spiritual values all her life.

The responsibility of doing just that to the body of Christ, the Church was laid by Jesus Christ on the shoulders of the Apostle Paul. Even from the very beginning Satan has sought to destroy the spiritual beauty of the Bride of Jesus Christ. So, what happened to the Church that the Apostle Paul started at Ephesus?

Revelation 2:1-4

UNTO THE ANGEL OF THE CHURCH OF EPHESUS WRITE; THESE THINGS SAITH HE THAT HOLDETH THE SEVEN STARS IN HIS RIGHT HAND, WHO WALKETH IN THE MIDST OF THE SEVEN GOLDEN CANDLESTICKS; (2) I KNOW THY WORKS, AND THY LABOUR, AND THY PATIENCE, AND HOW THOU CANST NOT BEAR THEM WHICH ARE EVIL: AND THOU HAST TRIED THEM WHICH SAY THEY ARE APOSTLES, AND ARE NOT, AND HAST FOUND THEM LIARS; (3) AND HAST BORNE, AND HAST PATIENCE, AND FOR MY NAME’S SAKE HAST LABOURED, AND HAST NOT FAINTED. (4) NEVERTHELESS I HAVE SOMEWHAT AGAINST THEE, BECAUSE THOU HAST LEFT THY FIRST LOVE.

John the revelator is looking at this from a purely spiritual aspect. For instance, the first love of any person that makes this statement is the world. (Wherein in times past ye walked according to the course of this world). In that respect, that was your first love. However, now being born-again and now separated spiritually from this world by the blood of Christ; you love is completely toward Jesus Christ. He’s saying to the people of Ephesus that they have left that love they had for Christ!

Personally, I don’t believe that today the average Church member ever feels that true loving relationship with Jesus Christ. This is a burden on my heart! I believe many join a Church, a group of people, never even truly seeking to know Christ! In that, we never truly turn from this world and the world actually becomes a part of the Church.

The Church that the Apostle Paul is speaking of is totally separate from any aspect of this world. While we as born-again believers live in this world, we are not of this world. That line has to be clearly drawn, if not then there is a problem within our Churches.

The problem! How do you get people to see this? How can we get the members of the average local Church to see that the course they are walking is still governed by the love of this world? Look at these verses:

2 Peter 3:15-18

AND ACCOUNT THAT THE LONGSUFFERING OF OUR LORD IS SALVATION; EVEN OUR BELOVED PAUL ALSO ACCORDING TO THE WISDOM GIVEN UNTO HIM HATH WRITTEN UNTO YOU; (16) AS ALSO IN ALL HIS EPISTLES, SPEAKING IN THEM OF THINGS; IN WHICH ARE SOME THINGS HARD TO BE UNDERSTOOD, WHICH THEY THAT ARE UNLEARNED AND UNSTABLE WREST, AS THEY DO ALSO OTHER SCRIPTURES, UNTO THEIR OWN DESTRUCTION. (17) YE THEREFORE, BELOVED, SEEING YE KNOW THESE THINGS BEFORE, BEWARE LEST YE ALSO, BEING LED AWAY WITH ERROR OF THE WICKED, FALL FROM YOUR OWN STEDFASTNESS. (18) BUT GROW IN GRACE, AND IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. TO HIM BE GLORY BOTH NOW AND FOREVER.

Here we see two completely separate groups of people. The Apostle Peter even tells us that some things written by the Apostle Paul is hard to understand. However, they can be understood. He’s saying that many people, Church people struggle with these and other scriptures. He says they are unlearned and unstable.

Which group are you in? Actually, there is nothing wrong with being born-again and struggling with scripture if we are seeking to focus on learning things as taught by God’s Holy Spirit. It’s when you are not born-again and have no desire to be taught by his spirit that makes you still a part of this world. Even if you are a Church member with no interest in spiritual teaching, you do that to your own destruction.

When we are born-again, that fact changes the course of our lives. Often, it’s someone with spiritual maturity that brings about our yearning inside to know all we can about Jesus Christ. In the spiritual mindset it’s supposed to be our pastors and teachers that inspire that desire in us. It will always come from a cleansing process in our worldly walk through the convicting power of the Holy Spirit.

It’s an established fact that I can’t work with a plumber every day if I expect to be an electrician. I must work with an electrician and also allow that person to correct me as I move toward my goal. That instruction will be just as much in teaching me where I’m wrong as I learn the things I need to do. It works in tandem, one with the other. It’s called growing toward maturity, learning to stand on our own two feet.

The truth is, you can’t continue to walk in the course of this world and expect to grow spiritually. Old things must pass away, and all things must become new. Do you remember the verse in the gospels (new wine in old bottles)?

Matthew 9:17

NEITHER DO ME PUT NEW WINE INTO OLD BOTTLES: ELSE THE BOTTLES BREAK, AND THE NEW WINE RUNNETH OUT, AND THE BOTTLES PERISH: BUT THEY PUT NEW WINE INTO NEW BOTTLES, AND BOTH ARE PRESERVED.

Spiritual learning is the very same picture. If any person is still seeking the course of this world, no spiritual truth will absorb into his being because his mind is corrupt by the things of this world We must put on the new man and, then we can learn the spiritual lessons that are taught to us. I’ll also add this. It must be new wine that is taught. Many teachers are not attempting to teach new spiritual truth. They are actually pouring old wine into old bottles, doing nothing as far as the spirit is concerned.

Don’t be deceived people. I often try my best to bring all I teach down to one individual, you! If every person around you desires to stay as they are, (come out from among them and be ye separate saith the Lord). Don’t allow pastors and teachers, even friends keep you on the course of this world. Stand up! Be heard or, allow God’s spirit to speak to you! Find that place of spiritual growth in your life even if someone gets upset with you and, often they will!

In closing, God’s desire is to use his Spirit to fill you with himself. We see where the Apostles Peter praised the Apostle Paul in the epistle he wrote. (In my opinion) it took the Apostle Peter a little time to get to the place he understood the teaching of the Church and the importance of all the Apostle Paul was teaching. Just like Paul, Peter, me or any spiritual person you know, it takes time to be spiritually educated but, we must start somewhere!

I truly believe that it’s by design that many of our Church’s desire to keep us in spiritual ignorance. Their desire is to cause you to only see their spiritual knowledge, if you can call it spiritual. Please, I challenge you to step outside their little bubble and allow God’s Spirit to direct you to his perfect will for your life, in Jesus Name! Don’t allow yourself to continue to be caught up in the course of this world! Don’t forget, (all religion is of this world and, not of God)! Learn to know the difference between the religions of this world and the leadership of the Spirit of God, choosing to walk the course laid out by God’s Holy Spirit!
Marshall Clayton

2 Timothy 1:7

EXODUS 8:14

AND THEY GATHERED THEM TOGETHER UPON HEAPS: AND THE LAND STANK.

THE STINKING LAND, IN THE LAND OF PLENTY.

I’s ‘ start the message off by sharing a personal story. I’m an electrician by trade. I once went to a tenant house that was owned by a farmer in my neighborhood. It was a few outlets in the house that didn’t work, and he got me to try and fix them. One of the outlets was behind the bed. Just to let you know, it was in the middle of summer. This bed was old and was sunk in in the middle of the mattress. It was at least a two-inch strip of dirt right down the middle of that mattress. However, I didn’t say a word to the owner of the house which was following right behind me. As I reached to pull the curtain back at the window behind the bed, it seemed like a thousand flies flew out of that curtain. It startled me. I jerk my hand back! when I did, I elbowed the owner right in his stomach. At that, I felt I had to apologize. At that point he opened up and began to share his feelings with me. He took me to the front door and pointed to a garden spot beside the house.

In that garden spot was all kinds of vegetables just going to the bad. He said, you see that. I supplied the tractor to work that garden, the fertilizes o help it grow, the seed and plants to plant it, even paid the tenants of this house to plant this garden. Not one of them will get out here and save anything in this garden!

He said, they get a welfare check and food stamps. As long as the government gives them all they need, you can’t even get them to work!

You know as well as I that as time moved forward, that garden spot begin to stink because of the rot there. However, can you see how that this whole situation was already stinking in the nostrils of the farmer, the man that own this land?

As we look at the verse of scripture, we see that the Nation of Israel were slaves to the land of Egypt. Time after time, God had sent Moses to Pharoah asking him to (let his people go) but he refused. God had begun to send plagues on the land of Egypt to open the eyes of Pharoah. We see in this verse that the land (stank).

Look at this verse:

Amos 4:10

I HAVE SENT AMONG YOU THE PESTILRNCE AFTER THE MANNER OF EGYPT: YOUR YOUNG MEN HAVE I SLAIN WITH THE SWORD, AND HAVE TAKEN AWAYS YOUR HORSES; AND I HAVE MADE THE STINK OF YOUR NOSTRILS: YET HAVE YE NOT RETURNED UNTO ME, SAITH THE LORD.

Most of us know what corruption smell like. We turn our heads and try to get away from the smell of it. Things such as a dead carcass or the infection we often see on our own bodies. If we go into a home that we consider as unclean, we don’t have any desire to eat there. As a matter of fact, we often refuse even to go to a place like that.

But consider this! In the mind and heart of God, this world is completely corrupt, rotten with the curse of sin. Yet he in the body of Jesus Christ chose to come and live among us! He wrapped his arms around you stinking body, pulling you to him in all of your ungodliness. I’m reminded of the father of the prodigal we read about in (Luke 15). You can read the whole account if you wish but I’ll just show these few verses that’s relevant to our message.

Luke 15:22-24

BUT THE FATHER SAID TO HIS SERVANTS, BRING FORTH THE BEST ROBE, AND PUT IT ON HIM; AND PUT A RING ON HIS HAND, AND SHOES ON HIS FEET: (23) AND BRING HITHER THE FATTED CALF, AND KILL IT; AND LET US EAT, AND BE MERRY, (24) FOR THIS MY SON WAS DEAD, AND IS ALIVE AGAIN; HE WAS LOST, AND IS FOUND. AND THEY BEGAN TO BE MERRY.

I’ll try and get to why I point this out in a moment. But first I like telling personal stories to help make points. Before I was born-again, I cursed terribly. I also smoked, even for a while after I got saved. Once I quit smoking, I could walk into a room with an ashtray and think, did i use to smell like that? When I quit cursing, I could hear someone cursing and think, boy, I use to sound just that ungodly.

I was asked to come preach at a small Church once. While I was preaching the message, I told the people just how bad I use to curse. I told them I still had all those words within my head, I would still use them if I chose to. I walked out into the congregation in front of two ladies, looked at them and asked them, you want to hear me say them. They replied (no)!

If you will notice in the verses, we read. The son wasn’t cleaned up, his was simply covered with a robe. I’d say the ring was a symbol of acceptance, and the shoes, the ability to walk a new path.

When we ask Jesus Christ to be our Savior, we don’t become clean, we are simply covered in his blood! Our very testimony is significant in the way the ring was on the son’s finger or hand. We reveal that we have been excepted by our Lord, just as we are! That doesn’t mean we are to stay as we are but, we are accepted as we are.

As we move forward, we are to allow God’s word to cleanse us by the washing of his word.

Ephesians 5:25-26

HUSBANDS, LOVE YOUR WIVES, EVEN AS CHRIST ALSO LOVED THE CHURCH, AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR IT; (26) THAT HE MIGHT SANCTIFY AND CLEANSE IT WITH THE WASHING OF WATER BY THE WORD.

If we used a metaphor of what I’m trying to say, it would be this. If you stood over an open septic tank peering down into all that corruption and stink that would be how God, the Father looks down and views this world. It’s all worthless and filled with the sinfulness of man.

God devised a way through the blood of Jesus Christ to find something beautiful in all that corruption. When the blood of Jesus Christ is applied, a beautiful flower, a rose can grow from the corruption sending a sweet-smelling savor into the very nostrils of God.

2 Corinthians 2:15-16

FOR WE ARE A SWEET SAVOR OF CHRIST, IN THEM THAT ARE SAVED, AND IN THEM THAT PERISH: (16) TO THE ONE WE ARE THE SAVOR OF DEATH UNTO DEATH; AND TO THE OTHER THE SAVOR OF LIFE UNTO LIFE. AND WHO IS SUFFICIENT FOR THESE THINGS? (17) GOR WE ARE NOT AS MANY, WHICH CORRUPT THE WORD OF GOD: BUT AS OF SINCERITY, BUT AS OF GOD, IN THE SIGHT OF GOD SPEAK WE CHRIST.

Just as the corruption of dead frogs stank in the nostrils of the Egyptians, if we are still part of this world, we stink in the nostrils of the Almighty God! The whole world stinks, filled with corruption to God. WE, as people have a way of looking at people and seeing beauty in their flesh, admiring them for how they look, what they do, how much they own. However, without the blood of Jess Christ as a covering for our sin, we stink in the nostrils go God!

Once we are born-again, one of the sweetest blessings for our Lord is to see the word of God preached in our presence and that very word causing us to wash the corruption of sin off ourselves. For us to be willing to hear that word and yield to the very desires of a righteous God is a sweet smell in his nostrils.

As born-again believers we are ambassadors in this septic tank of sin we live in. The only thing that is good about us is the fact that we speak the name of Jesus Christ and, seek to bring the covering of his precious blood to each sinner that is lost that we come in contact with. Our complete desire should be to have God to smell the sweet savor of the blood of Jesus Christ on them as well as our own bodies.

When God come in contact with you, what does he smell? Do you still stink, smell of the corruption of this world? Or does he smell the blood of Jesus Christ as he walks close by your side?

2 Corinthians 6:2

(FOR HE SAITH, I HAVE HEARD THEE IN A TIME ACCEPTED, AND IN THE DAY OF SALVATION HAVE I SUCCOURED THEE: BEHOLD, NOW IS THE ACCEPTED TIME; BEHOLD, NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION.)

Marshall Clayton

2 Timothy 1:7

As we consider this segment and try to distinguish a spiritual place that would be satisfactory to God the Father for each ambassador of his as we walk through this world; where would be a good place to start? As in almost every case, I believe we can go back to Adam and Eve, the beginning and learn a lot about what we actually need to see as it relates to lifestyles that are respected by God the Father.

When we go back to the first two sons that this couple had; we see a picture. Their first born was Cain. Cain, as seen in Genesis is a perfect picture of every person that is ever born on the face of this earth. Every one of us are first born in the flesh. As we look at their second son, Abel, he’s a picture of every person that is born-again. As we see these boys, Cain chose to remain (just as he was) that is ruled by the desires of his flesh while Abel Chose to forget himself and seek to be pleasing to God the Father.

Let’s look at some verses:

(Genesis 4:7)

IF THOU DOEST WELL, SHALT THOU NOT BE EXCEPTED? AND IF THOU DOEST NOT WELL, SIN LIETH AT THE DOOR. AND UNTO THEE SHALL BE HIS DESIRE. AND THOU SHALL RULE OVER HIM.

As we look at these two sons, we must realize this one fact. God has his way and, we have ours. We can also relate that to the word we used (lifestyle). So, let’s consider this. Cain gave of (the fruit of the ground). Can’t we consider that a sacrifice as well? Yes, we can however, it has nothing to do with God the Father. Can we also look at this as (giving a tithe)? We work with our hands, and we bring of the fruit of our labor as an offering. It’s not that (the tithe) is not important and, it can be even seen as a sacrifice to do so.

Let’s look at another verse:

(1 Samuel 15:22)

HATH THE LORD AS GREAT DELIGHT IN BURNT OFFERINGS AND SACRIFICES, AS IN OBEYING THE VOICE OF THE LORD? BEHOLD, TO OBEY IS BETTER RHAN SACRIFICE, AND TO HARKEN THAN THE FAT OF RAMS.

Now, before we go any farther, let’s look at the (offering of Abel);

(Genesis 4:4)

AND ABEL, HE ALSO BROUGHT OF THE FIRSTLINGS OF HIS FLOCK AND OF THE FAT THEREOF. AND THE LORD HAD RESPECT UNTO ABEL AND TO HIS OFFERING:

Notice this word (firstlings). If you will notice that word is plural. That means that Abel kept every first born of his flock and offered them to God for a sacrifice, saving none. When we see (the fat thereof) we know he killed them. Personally, I don’t necessarily believe that this fact is the fact that is important. The fact that he recognized the blood sacrifice that God offered for the sins of Adam and Eve being (God’s way) was the important part. Cain didn’t recognize the blood sacrifice as being the important part or, it being God’s way.

Let’s go back to this verse: (IF THOU DOEST WELL, SHALT THOU NOT BE EXCEPTED? AND IF THOU DOEST NOT WELL, SIN LIETH AT THE DOOR, AND UNTO THEE SHALL BE HIS DESIRE, AND THOU SHALT RULE OVER HIM.)

As we look at this verse, we see the tale of two men. One, while he was willing to sacrifice of his goods, he was not willing to give up his lifestyle to be pleasing to God the Father. The other, seen perfectly, God’s way, recognized it and sought to walk in the statutes that pleased God the Father. In other words, it was more than just an offering of substance, it was an offering of self. The willingness to give up the things you do in your life and, seek to be pleasing to God the Father. (Offering your very lifestyle)!

When we attend Church faithfully, do all the things that are required by that Church to do such as driving a bus, tithe, teach Sunday School, be a part of all the activities that reach out to the community but, are never willing to change who we are, seeking to hear God’s voice as he speaks then we are following to (way of Cain).

(SIN LIETH AT YOUR DOOR)! Sin is our lifestyle. What we often forget is that we are sinners. Simply (what we might call) sacrificing is not what is pleasing to God. It becomes awfully convenient for us to look at someone else, see (what we call) sin in their life, to see the lifestyle they have but never really see that we are under the same condemnation of sin as well.

I often make this assessment when teaching through the book of Genesis. In the time from Adam and Eve, even with their very own children we see a progression away from what they taught them about God the Father. By the time we get to Noah, there were only eight people that believed, changed their lifestyle from what they were doing before to now building an Ark by God’s design. They changed their lifestyle!

We never see in scripture where God actually spoke to anyone but Noah after he walked with Adam in the cool of the day. Do you realize, even as I say that; he did speak to Cain didn’t he. He sought to correct Cain in the way he walked. With that, we never see where he directed either Abel of Seth. Can we glean anything spiritual from that fact? I believe so! For instance, what happened between Cain and Abel right after God sought to (reason together) (Isaiah 1:18) with Cain? Didn’t Cain kill Abel?

I often say that these two men are a type of every person that is ever born. (Cain) being our flesh and, (Abel) being God’s spirit within us as born-again believers. That’s the second birth! When any sinner rejects the voice of God, we ourselves kill the Spirit within us, choosing rather to stay as we are, maintaining our own lifestyle. The Bibles puts it this way.

(Ephesians 2:1-2)

AND YOU HATH HE QUICKENED, WHO WERE DEAD IN YOUR TRESPASSES AND SINS; (2) WHEREIN IN TIME PASSED 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”

When we choose God’s lifestyle, denying our own then we are no longer dead but alive in Christ! Now, what about God only speaking to Noah? (I believe) that God actually spoke to every person through scripture; we’ll say beginning with Seth. I’ll try to use this as an example. As a farm boy that use to plow with a mule; this is something I seen. We had a mule named Matt; I would plow tobacco with him. I had reigns tied to the bit in his mouth to direct him in the way I wanted him to go. However, Matt was so obedient, when we would come out of the end of the row, without me touching the reigns; he would turn and go right back up into the next row. The only time I had to touch the reigns was when I wanted him to do something different.

God deals with each of us the same way! As long as we are sensitive to his will, his way being obedient to his voice we are pleasing to him and, only when his desire is to redirect us does he pull our riegns.

I believe it’s important for us to look at something here. Seth, being the Spirit man; so, to speak raised his family in the way of the Lord. He and his family went about to share the (gospel) to every person that would listen. You see, all the way back from the beginning, by faith mankind knew that God would offer himself a sacrifice. That’s what Adam and Eve taught their Children and Seth taught his children.

Where we now look back to the Cross of Calvary by faith, the people in the Old Testament looked forward to that very same Cross by faith. (I believe) that every person from Cain to Naoh heard the voice of God seeking to instruct them in (his way). However, as time moved forward most of them followed the (way of Cain). That lead up to a man named Noah. God pulled his reigns and directed him to build an Ark for the saving of them that believed. The next time we see God speak to a man to change his direction, it was Abraham. (Genesis 12)

Lifestyle! Are you willing to put yours aside for the glory of God? Am I? I’d like to share something here that I’ve shared before. I went to a revival one night in a Church out of the town I live in. The man that was preaching was a man I had known for a while, and I enjoyed his preaching. Before he preached that night, he sits down at the piano to play and sing a song. As he begins to play the melody, suddenly he stops and says this: you know people, I don’t know you! However, I do know this, if I knew you like you know you, I probably get up and leave this building right now. We all laughed as he begins to play again. All of a sudden, he stops again. This time he says this; you know what, if you knew me like I know me, you’d get up and leave too!

The Apostle Paul says this:

(Galatians 2:20)

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.

I’ll have to admit to very same truth! If you people that might choose to read the things, I write actually knew who and what I use to be and, even how short I now sometimes fall of being all I need to be in Christ, you might just forget what you are reading even, leave me alone!

However, the life I now live is a (lifestyle) for Jesus Christ! I’ve sought to put the old man behind me and to press forward for the mark of the high calling of Jesus Christ! It is the sanctification of a lifestyle lived, sacrificing my own self, seeking the will of God in my life!

The world has what we can call its own lifestyles that many are pleased with and, readily except as being excepted as a normal part of this world. The fact is it doesn’t matter what the world calls alright. The only thing that matters is how God sees you and the fact that we transform ourselves by his power, by faith in his finished work into all he desires for each of us to be.

Now, I’m going to say something here that many might not agree with. However, if we can at least look at what I’m saying, consider all that God’s Spirit would have us see, is it possible we can begin a true transformation in our lives? We don’t actually have a choice with how we are born or, what we might be taught to become? Isn’t it now a known fact that family genetics has something to do with who we are? If we then add that to what we are taught often from the beginning of our life, can’t that be seen as less than God’s will altogether?

Let’s start with this. Let’s say that you are born in a family that is completely sold out to worshipping God in a certain denomination or religion. Therefore, no matter what your mom or dad is genetically, you are taught from the first day of your life how a certain denomination or religion expects you to be. At the very same time, your mom’s parents were genetically prone to steal, they were accused of it very often. Your Dad’s parents were drug addicts and, that was their lifestyle. Well, just because you are now in a certain denomination or religion, being taught from youth up the genetics within you have not changed.

Therefore, at some point the genes within you begin to be seen above the denomination or religion that you have been taught. It’s even very possible that both your mom and dad are born again believers but, what you are genetically is who you are. The fact is those genetics can also be defined by another word (sin). The truth is that just because someone looks good in Church doesn’t mean that a spiritual transformation has taken place in their lives.

It doesn’t matter who we are, what sin we are prone to commit, we are all sinners, prone to sin. I truly believe that one of the worst things that can happen to any person is to be deceived into thinking they are within a relationship with Jesus Christ, and they are not.

Therefore, well start this with (living a religious lifestyle). There are thousands of people that live a certain way just because they have been taught to live that way. I bring this lifestyle up first because in (my opinion) this is the most damning lifestyle it is!

If I were to create a scale of from one to ten on basically any sin level it is, most people would fall somewhere between four and six on that scale. That means that most people are average. We are not murders, thieves, we very seldom lie, we are somewhat normal in our sexual way of thinking and so on. Maybe I should mention addiction as well. We take medicine but we seek not to be addicted to drugs or alcohol. We’re just average families, seeking to do our jobs, serve God and go about our business.

In many cases we are even taught to live lifestyles to would be considered to be pleasing to God the Father. The problem is that, although we are not seen as one to three or, seven to ten in a sinful way; a transformation must also take place in our lives as well as what we might call (hardnosed sinners). In more cases than not we even see ourselves as being above those people. That’s not something that we say but, it is implied by the very lifestyle we live.

We often draw a line between a denomination and a religion. Actually, it’s not a line between to two mindsets. If I were to draw a comparison between to two, I’d say this. A religion might be seen as people that don’t recognize Jesus Christ while a denomination does. I realize there are variations to that point, but you see what I mean.

The kind of people that bother me or, burden my heart are those that come up in a nice home, go to Church on a regular basis, live good clean lives and, keep their sinful self under a religious cover for the most part. Although we join the religion we are in or, say we believe in Jesus Christ, get baptized and join Church, we never come to the place that we feel the great conviction for what we really are, these people never actually get born again. Their lives are never transformed into an actual walk with Jesus Christ.

The world often readily accepts this (lifestyle) as being very good people. But guess what! There’s not but one (HELL)! If you die in your sins being a member of a religion or, sitting on a pew in your local Church you end up in the very same (HELL) as the most ungodly of all people.

I often go back to Genesis and relate it to a picture of the Church. If we, in that book look at Adam and Eve as being right where God desired for them to be (in the Garden of Eden) that is, until sin came. At that point they were placed outside of (that place) into a sin-cursed world. At that point they begin to have children. As we move forward to the Ark, we can see a very important fact. Most of the people (of this world) rejected God and his will.

With that being said, in all the sinfulness of this world there could still be security found in the very grace of God. Noah and his family found that place of God’s grace. Most people will agree with me that those eight people on that Ark (believed). They trusted God for their security. So, with that being said, let’s move on to some more lifestyles of this world.

When we speak of (lifestyles of this world) we must understand this:

(James 4:4)

YE ADULTERERS AND ADULTERESSES, KNOW YE NOT THAT THE FRIENDSHIP OF THE WORLD IS ENMITY WITH GOD? WHOSOEVER THEREFORE WILL BE A FRIEND OF THE WORLD IS THE ENEMY OF GOD.

As we get into these things and, you see the words here (adulterers and adulteresses); what do you think he is talking about? Let’s go back to (James 1:1-2) and notice what he says:

(1) JAMES, A SERVANT OF GOD AND OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, TO THE TWELVE TRIBES WHICH ARE SCATTERED ABROAD, GREETINGS, (2) MY BRETHREN, COUNT IT ALL JOY WHEN YE FALL INTO DIVERS TEMPTATIONS;

Notice that James says he is a servant of God and of Jesus Christ. He is writing this to (his brethren) (the twelve tribes). These are people that know God and Jesus Christ. He isn’t writing this to those in the world, (the lost). He’s writing it to people that say they are born again! If you will notice in the verses (1-4) he’s making the point that they lust, they desire to have but, have not. Why, because they ask amiss!

(In my Opinion) spiritual adultery is far more damning than any adultery we might commit in our flesh will ever be. The word (enmity) means: THE STATE OF BEING ACTIVELY OPPOSED OR HOSTILE TO SOMEONE OR SOMETHING. When we choose anything of this world over our desire to seek unity with God, if we are born again, it’s like spitting in God’s face and saying: I don’t care what you think!

I’m going to get back to Noah’s Ark and show you some things in a little while, but I’d like first to look at some other things. I will say this. do you realize that the eight people that walked onto Noah’s Ark simply showed the world a type of simple salvation? I continue to say this, when you go down to an altar, typically speaking. There at that alter you asked Jesus Christ to be your savior, you just stepped on the Ark! When you went down on your knees, you just stepped on the Ark. When you get up from the alter, the Ark just settled back to earth, and you are now stepping of the Ark onto dry land. Now, what are you going to do with the faith you say you have.

When those eight people stepped out of that Ark, they stepped onto a brand-new earth. The old one and all its corruption, God had destroyed. Aren’t you and salvation the very same way? Every sin you had ever committed was washed away there at that alter, no matter what that alter was. You are now a brand-new creature in Christ Jesus! Now, let’s add something here. If Noah or any of his family members committed sin once they left the alter, did it change the fact that they were on the Ark?

Spiritual adultery is how God the Father sees our love for this world after we have been saved. That’s what James is speaking of! In our homes, families, Churches, counties, States and countries; we have not because we asked not and, when we ask, we ask amiss, desiring our own lusts.

As we consider (this world and its standards) do you realize this world has no set standard? Most of the standards we see in this world are mostly set for the benefit of someone else or for selfish reasons. It has absolutely nothing to do with God the Father.

Let’s look at a man and his hair to begin with. What’s the difference in a man’s hair and a woman’s hair? Is there any difference? If both are left to themselves, won’t they both grow in most cases to any length? Can I ask, is there a right length for a man’s hair to be? As we look at this world, what might we say is the set standard? You see, we can debate that can’t we? However, actually the length is neither now nor has it ever been the issue. The real question is (did you seek God’s direction on the matter) instead of just looking at the world as a standard to govern your choice?

If we leave it up to the world to set our standards, wouldn’t that then change from culture to culture? In that case, can’t it change from household to household as well? Do you realize that although there are many languages, many cultures and households there isn’t but one true and living God? He only has one word, and one will! Do you think that if a man speaks Spanish and I speak English that God’s will changes according to that language, or a culture?

I simply used (hair) as an example however, I believe we can take God’s word and prove what I’m about to say. God’s will is for any person to be able to look at you in the way you wear your hair, dress and even act and know for sure, without a doubt whether you are male or female. That’s the same in any language or culture.

I promised you that I would come back to Noah’s Ark. I want you to see this. We have seen and know beyond any doubt that every person on the Ark (believed). The each believed by faith that God would do what he said he would do. Now, I want you to notice something. What were the first two sins recorded once the Ark settled back to the new earth? Have you ever thought about that?

Look at these verses:

(Genesis 9:20-27)

AND NOAH BEGAN TO BE AN HUSBANDMAN, AND HE PLANTED A VINEYARD: (21) AND HE DRANK OF THE WINE, AND WAS DRUNKEN; AND WAS UNCOVERED WITHIN HIS TENT. (22) AND HAM, THE FATHER OF CANAAN, SAW THE NAKEDNESS OF HIS FATHER, AND TOLD HIS TWO BRETHREN WITHOUT. (23) AND SHEM AND JAPHETH TOOK A GARMENT, AND LAID IT UPON BOTH THEIR SHOLDERS, AND WENT IN BACKWARD, AND COVERED THE NAKEDNESS OF THEIR FATHER; AND THEIR FACES WERE BACKWARD, AND THEY SAW NOT THEIR FATHER’S NAKEDNESS. (24) AND WHEN NOAH AWOKE FROM HIS WINE, AND KNEW WHAT HIS YOUNGER SON HAD DONE UNTO HIM. (25) AND HE SAID CURSED BE CANAAN; A SERVANT SHALL HE BE UNTO HIS BRETHREN. (26) AND BLESSED BE THE LORD GOD OF SHEM; AND CANAAN SHALL BE HIS SERVANT. (27) GOD SHALL ENLARGE JAPHEPH, AND HE SHALL DWELL IN THE TENTS OF SHEM; AND CANAAN SHALL BE HIS SERVANT.

First of all, let’s look at Noah. He planted a vineyard. There’s nothing sinful about a vineyard or the fact that he drank wine. The sin comes when he, or we allow another spirit to control us rather than the Spirit of God.

(Ephesians 5:18)

AND BE NOT DRUNK WITH WINE, WHEREIN IS EXCESS; BUT BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT;

We’ve proven that Noah believed however, that didn’t bring about perfection in his life, did it? When we allow ourselves to be led by another spirit other than God’s Spirit, just what all can happen because of our disobedience?

I feel that, as we consider the (lifestyles of this world) we might need to stop here for a while and notice some things as it relates to those that are believers and those of this world. The verse we just wrote is a verse that, as believers we all can read it and understand what he is saying to us. However, Noah didn’t have that luxury, did he? How did Noah or any of his children know right from wrong? As a matter of fact, we don’t see where God the Father says anything about the fact that Noah got drunk and, as it relates to what Ham did, it’s Noah that placed the curse on him, not God. As I make that statement, we still must understand that it was God that honored the curse on Ham because Noah could not have carried it out on his own.

I shared with you how that (believing) as it relates to the Ark is a picture of going down to an alter and trusting Jesus Christ as your Savior. When that Ark came back down to the earth and the eight people came off ot it, that’s a picture of how you live your life after you are born-again. It’s something we can prove from the word of God. When Noah got drunk, and Ham (seen his nakedness) was a few years alter the Ark had landed. Look at this verse:

(Genesis 9:18)

AND THE SONS OF NOAH, THAT WENT FORTH OF THE ARK, WERE SHEM, AND HAM, AND JAPHETH: AND HAM IS THE FATHER OF CANNAN.

We see here that a child has now been born. Can we agree that it takes time for that to happen? My desire is to teach spiritual things and to reveal the (lifestyles of this world). as this unfolds, we can see how God separates the will and choices of men from the things he desires as we grow spiritually. What often happens to believers is that we begin to stray back into the ways of this world. Once we do that; not only does it affect us but also the people around us.

So, Noah got drunk. What’s the big deal? Can we agree that if Noah hadn’t committed the act, he committed it wouldn’t have opened the door for Ham to do what he done? Because of the act that Ham committed his son was cursed and also Japheth. Look at these verses:

(Genesis 9:24-27)

AND NOAH AWOKE FROM HIS WINE, AND KNEW WHAT HIS YOUNGER SON HAD DONE UNTO HIM. (25) AND HE SAID, CURSED BE CANAAN; A SERVANT OF SERVANTS SHALL HE BE UNTO HIS BRETHREN. (26) AND HE SAID, BLESSED BE THE LORD GOD OF SHEM; AND CANAAN SHALL BE HIS SERVANT. (27) GOD SHALL ENLARGE JAPHETH, AND HE SHALL DWELL IN THE TENTS OF SHEM; AND CANAAN SHALL BE HIS SERVANT.

I don’t know that you can actually call the fact that (Japheth has to dwell in the tents of Shem) a curse however, it was part of the curse that Noah pronounced at that time. Personally, I believe it’s all very spiritual as it relates to separating believers from the lifestyles of this world.

We see two sins here committed by first Noah and then, Ham. For a spiritual argument, instead of saying Noah was drunk, let say he was being influenced by another spirit other that God’s Spirit. When he was under the influence of something besides God’s Spirit, Ham, the Bible says (seen his nakedness). It also says that when Noah (knew what his younger son had done unto him) he brought about the curse.

It’s assumed here that Ham committed a homosexual act on his father here. However, just what does that mean as far as God is concerned? The Bible tells us this:

(Matthew 5:28)

BUT I SAY UNTO YOU, THAT WHOSOEVER LOOKETH ON A WOMAN TO LUST AFTER HER HATH COMMITTED ADULTERY WITH HER ALREADY IN HIS OWN HEART.

Can you see here in this verse how that Ham simply looking at his father’s nakedness and desiring him is considered sin in the eyes of God? What he actually did other than simply seeing his nakedness, we don’t know but, we do see that his other two sons would not even look upon his nakedness.

These two people were believers. We will have to admit that all sin has its root in the hearts of men. That’s where it begins. I believe we take (sin) far too lightly, even as believers. Because of this, people that are not believers considers most things as not sin at all. As these things fester and grow it becomes almost common place and (a lifestyle of this world).

So, what is spiritually actually happening when we see the curse that Noah placed upon his two sons? As we see; Shem is not cursed. In the spiritual picture, Shem is the son that is seeking God’s will and that alone. What is actually being taught here is that no man or, train if thought can be left outside of the influence of God’s Spirit or direction, no matter what it is. When we allow any lifestyle to be governed by this world, it will bring about a curse of destruction.

Just to keep it simple, we see this in (Genesis 9). In (Genesis 10) we see that these sons were divided, building their own nations. So, what happened? Both Ham and Japheth said (NO) to the rule of Seth, in the sense of (His Lord God). We will not be your servants! Therefore, they departed. Let’s not forget that all these sons were believers. They all came off of the Ark of Noah. However, they also rejected the voice of God and would not have him rule over them!

If you remember, I said that the worst of all (worldly lifestyles) is the religious one. I’d like to make a point there. Let’s say you are like either Ham or Japheth. Here, (you believe). However, you have made a choice that you don’t like the (Godly standards) that are expected of you. Therefore, you either leave the Church you attend or, you replace the pastor of that Church with a pastor that will be willing to comply with your way of thinking. Now, you are happy! Well, what about your children and grandchildren? This is exactly what we see in our world today! Many believers refuse to submit to the will of God for their lives. They have the power to either transform their Church or move on to one of their choosing, never considering the curse they are placing on their children. The very love they declare for their children is a (love defined by this world) and not a Godly love.

When these things happen, sin multiplies, it becomes more and more corrupt bringing about the very judgement of God the Father. How much time passed from Adam and Eve to Noah? How much time has now passed from Noah to this present day?

In the Picture we see of Ham and Japheth we must notice something. As far as we can see there is actually no difference in Japheth and Shem. We can’t detect sin in either of their lives. However, the truth is that whether we think we are sinners or not, we must recognize our need to put God first in our lives. We can see that Ham was easily seen as a sinner. It appears that he was homosexual or, at least had a mindset toward that way of life.

Within the lives of these three son we see a picture of this world today. Shem represents a man that willingly submits to the (Godly standards) while living in a (sin cursed world).

Japheth represents (the religious world). He doesn’t see himself as needing to change anything about his life!

Ham represents (content sinners). People that live their lives just as they please, never considering the consequences thereof.

So, let’s consider this (worldly lifestyle). We know that this man (Ham) was a believer. Now, can he as a believer submit himself to the will of God? You might ask, how can he do that? He can willingly become a servant of his brother Shem and, follow the (Godly lifestyle) that he has willingly chosen.

Now, I’m going to say something here that many might not agree with. However, I only ask that you consider what I’m saying and allow God’s Spirit to speak to your heart. We see that (Ham) committed the sin of homosexuality. This sin represents far more than just that simple lifestyle. It relates to the complete reproductive lifestyle whether it’s spiritual or physical. For instance, it is completely impossible for two people of the same sex to bring about new life. In a spiritual sense, when we seek to build a Church void to the true leadership of God’s Spirit, it’s impossible to bring about any new spiritual life.

When any pastor refuses to allow God’s Spirit to speak through him, meaning he has become just like to people he is speaking to, there can be no Godly convicting to any person’s heart! The word of God is completely contrary to any person’s flesh. When it is injected to the sinful minds or hearts of man it brings about great conviction against sin! If any Church is seen this way, can’t we define that Church as a (homosexual Church) meaning that no spiritual birth can ever take place?

So, let’s look at something here about both Ham and Japheth. The very same curse was placed on Japheth as it was Ham. We read this in (Genesis 9:25-27). We can see a little variation in how the curse is read but, they are both to be servants and dwell under the influence of (The Lord God of Shem). Therefore, as both of these men set out, leaving the principles of the lifestyle of (The Lord God of Seth) didn’t both also become a (worldly religious mindset)? Do you realize that every sinner is trusting some type of religious mindset to keep them safe from the wrath of God? No exceptions!

There are many (worldly religious people) that will tell you that if a person is homosexual they’re going to hell. O.K. Does that mean if you are a spiritual homosexual you’re going to hell as well? What the difference?

Let’s just say that when Ham chose not to submit to God, he departed and started a (lifestyle) that was pleasing to him. Well, didn’t Japheth do the very same thing? I often try to relay this message. Sin has never been the vessel that takes any person to hell! If sin was the vessel that carried people to hell, then, we all would spend eternity there because we are all sinners. The only vessel, no matter the sin that sends people to hell is (unbelief) period!

Can’t we assume that the mindset of every person on the Ark was there as they entered the Ark? Can’t we say that the same mindset also came off the Ark? All of these people were believers. All of them were also sinners! The Bible teaches us that (Believing on Christ) is salvation! There are all kinds of people that struggle with the lifestyle they have. Even I, struggle with mine! The fact I know who I am, my lifestyle! I simply choose not to allow that lifestyle to rule my life. Does that mean that I never submit to the weakness of my flesh? No! I’m just like any other person; I fall short of God’s glory! As I say that, I also refuse to look at any other person’s sin and judge them as lost because of what I see.

The Bible says this, speaking to those that are born-again:

1 John 1:8-9

IF WE SAY THAT WE HAVE NO SIN, WE DECEIVE OURSELVES, AND THE TRUTH IS NOT IN US. (9) IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS, HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST TO FORGIVE US OUR SINS, AND TO CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.

Ever person’s flesh is part of (the lifestyles of this world), no exceptions! It’s when we renounce the lifestyles of darkness and step into the light of God’s spirit that causes us to be born-again. As we live in this world, we slowly die to what we are and seek to become all God desires for us to be.

Just by way of giving an example of what I’m saying, let’s do this. There are two families that live on the same street, they attend the same Church, they both have a son. The son in one family is a football star in the college he attends. Although he attends Church, he been baptized and says he believes in Jesus Christ, he is also a party animal. He has basically slept with every cheerleader, often drinks too much. However, these things are seen as just being a teen and he’ll one day get through sowing his wild oats, so to speak.

In the other family, their son sings in the glee club. He is seen to have homosexual tendencies; he acts very feminine. as a younger boy, he also joins Church, got baptized, confessed his faith in Jesus Christ. While very little is every said about the football star, this son is highly chastised and condemned for who he is. Even if it’s not it’s not said out loud, his mom and dad know and also hear the whispers. To the average Church member, this is far beyond just sowing wild oats, this is sin!

What? Does God except one lifestyle and condemn the other? Or is that just something we do? I’d like to make one more point about this as it concerns Ham. If Ham was a homosexual or, had thoughts about being so of which would be sin; he also had a wife with children. We see that in (Genesis 10:9). So, what might be the spiritual problem here? The problem is that we can make our sexual desires simply a way of self-satisfaction then it becomes sin in our lives. It’s possible that Ham wasn’t concerned about how or who it was that he got that satisfaction from, as long as he got it. That is what became the sin in his life.

As we continue to look at lifestyles, this will be an important point to remember! Just as God made languages, color, male and female, he also devised a way to replenish the world with people. But, that way of replenishing was only supposed to be between a man and his wife, and for a specific purpose. Personally, I believe that sex in a marriage has multiple purposes other than simply having children. However, it’s still supposed to be just between a man and his wife. Marriage is always between a man and a woman. The lifestyles of this world might allow us to have things in other ways than what is designed by God, but God will never be pleased with the lifestyles of this world.

LET’S LOOK AT COLOR

As we look into this, let’s see where it all started. If we look at the first son born to Canaan, his name is Cush. Simply put, the word means black. It’s believed that when he was born, he was born black. If that’s the case, as he grew doesn’t it make sense that he was the only one black at that time? As we read in (Genesis 10:7) we see he had sons. That means he had to marry a woman of another color or, of the color that everyone else was.

I can see how this brought about the difference in people and their color today. However, what actual difference does it make as far as God is concerned? I’m a Caucasian male. Does that make me special or better than anyone else in this world? The answer is no! God doesn’t see my color as being any different than any other person.

We know that there are people that make promoting their color a lifestyle they live by! There are people that believe that just because they are a certain color, they are special or better than someone of another color. Can you explain to me what is gained spiritually when we focus more on color than we do Jesus Christ?

I believe it’s something that can be taught here that most people never even consider. And also, as we look at this, depending on how you look at Israel as a nation might make you even consider how you decide whether you desire to be more concerned about your color or your walk with Jesus Christ.

If you were going to place the color of the people that are Jews, true members of the Nation of Israel on a scale from one to ten. One being looked at as white and, ten being black, where would you place them? In my judgement, I’d place them between four and six. They are not white and Thay are not black. As we consider color, do you think this might be a relative point?

I want to take my time in doing this! My desire is to take the Nation of Israel and their spiritual walk with God to prove just how little color has to do with your relationship with God the Father. Yet many people that say they are born-again focus far too much on the color of their sin! They seek to place themselves above someone or even equal to someone simply because of their color. With this mindset they lose the very principle of the salvation they say they have. By doing that they place themselves in a very low place in eternity!

I said I would take my time in doing this. So, let’s make a point. Some time ago a friend of mine, a man of a different color than I made this statement to me. He said he couldn’t understand why any person that proclaimed that God had called them to preach would desire to be the President of the United States thereby taking a lower seat. Why would any person, being a born-again child of God desire any part or title in this world? I totally agree with him! However, I might have the answer. The reason is twofold. First of all, they’re in love with this world! Secondly, they are ignorant of what they possess or, can possess in Christ!

Let’s say you father is a multibillionaire. You are an only child. He tells you as you begin to become a man that he will allow you to inherit it all, no strings attached as far as other people are concerned. However, all he asked of you is that as long as he lives you obey his will, do what he asked you to do. Would you, do it?

That is exactly the deal that God the Father offered the Nation of Israel, the people he chose to be his people. God the Father, speaking to us by His Spirit is a great teacher. He seeks to teach every one of his children no matter what color you might be or what culture you might have. If you remember, in the Garden of Eden he placed Adam and Eve. They had it all, no troubles at all. God even came down and walked with them in the cool of the day. The one thing they were commanded to do was not to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. They failed at that!

God told Israel; you will inherit the earth. All I asked you to do is to do what I command you. They failed at that! We could say that, at that time in both case what they were offered was a treasure. However, we now know it was a teaching experience for the rest of mankind in both cases. In both cases God knew what the outcome would be, he just needed for us to know for our instruction in righteousness. We know for example that there were men in Israel that believed God but not the whole nation. Now, we need to ask, where do you stand with God and his leadership?

God will never break any promise that he makes! He promised Israel that they would inherit the earth and they will. However, in the concept of righteousness and being obedient to God thew Father, what is the value of inheriting the earth? Is it any place that in a spiritual sense you would be better off to be? Is it anything the members of the Nation of Israel would be better off to be a part of rather than (a Jew), claiming that heritage?

In comparison, look at you and your lifestyle. It doesn’t matter what that lifestyle might be, you are so focused on proving you are the best or you are going to be what you are that it becomes counterproductive in the true mindset of what God desires to offer you. Just like Israel being so proud of being (God’s chosen people) that they could not see the higher calling of God the Father.

So, you’re homosexual, ok. So, you’re an adulterer, ok. So, you’re a certain color and very proud of it, ok. Every person on the face of this earth is something similar to what you are. We can go on naming sins or situations forever. I heard once two brothers got into a fight over a plow they wanted in the funeral home, standing at their father’s coffin. We wrap our minds around, allow some of the stupidest things that could ever be spoken of in this world. completely ignoring the very points that God is fervently seeking to get us to see!

Now, if you’re willing to give up your lifestyle and seek the place in eternity God desires for you to be, let’s look at some scripture. Let me ask you a question to begin with. Do you, as an individual believe that (the Bible) is God’s Holy Word to us? Do you believe that it is inspired by God the Father? If not, then everything I might teach here means nothing to you. However, my prayer would be that God’s Spirit might draw conviction on your heart and change your direction.

Let’s first look at Israel as God’s chosen people.

Genesis 12:1-3)

NOW THE LORD HAD SAID UNTO ABRAM, GET THEE OUT OF THY COUNTRY, AND FROM THY KINDRED, AND FROM THY FATHER’S HOUSE, UNTO A LAND THAT I WILL SHEW THEE: (2) AND I WILL MAKE THE A GREAT NATION, AND WILL BLESS THEE, AND MAKE THY NAME GREAT; AND THOU SHALT BE A BLESSING. (3) AND I WILL BLESS THEM THAT BLESS THEE, AND CURSE THEM THAT CURSE HIM THAT CURSETH THEE: AND IN THEE SHALL ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH BE BLESSED.

I always seek to prove, with scripture all I teach. However, I still content that it takes the Holy Spirit of God to convince you of truth, not me! So, let’s ask a (what if). As we move forward from Abram to Abraham, from there to Isaac, the con of the promise all the way to the actual creation of the Nation of Israel. We see they were disobedient, filled with unbelief. What if they would have simply trusted God, obeyed him and conquered the world at that time? Where would that leave the Gentiles?

Now, let’s look at this:

Daniel 9:20-27

AND WHILES I WAS SPEAKING, AND PRAYING, AND CONFESSING MY SIN AND THE SIN OF MY PEOPLE iSRAEL, AND PRESENTING MY SUOOLICATION BEFORE THE LORD MY GOD FOR THE HOLY MOUNTAIN OF MY GOD, (21) YEA, WHILES I WAS SPEAING IN PRAYER, EVEN THE MAN GABRIEL, WHOM I HAD SEEN IN THE VISION AT THE BEGINNING, BEING CAUSED TO FLY SWIFTLY, TOUCHED ME ABOUT THE TIM OF THE EVENING OBLATION. (22) AND INFORMED ME AND TALKED WITH ME, AND SAID, O DANIEL, I AM NOW COME FORTH TO GIVE THEE SKILL AND UNDERSTANDING. (23) AT THE BEGINNINGOF THY SUPPLICATIONS THE COMMANDMENT CAME FORTH, AND I AM COME TO SHEW THEE; FOR THOU ART GREATLY BELOVED: THEREFORE UNDERSTAND THE MATTER, AND CONSIDER THE VISION. (24) SEVENTY WEEKS ARE DETERMINED UPON THY PEOPLE AND UPON THY HOLY CITY, TO FINISH THE TRANSGRESSIONS, AND TO MAKE AN END OF SINS, AND TO MAKE RECONCILIATION FOR INIQUITY, AND TO BRING IN EVERLASTING RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND TO SEAL UP THE VISION AND PROPHECY, AND TO ANOINT THE MOST HOLY. (25) KNOW THERFORE AND UNDERSTAND, THAT FORM THE GOING FORTH OF THE COMMANDMENT TO RESTORE AND TO BUILD JERUSALEM UNTO THE MESSIAH THE PRINCE SHALL BE SEVEN WEEKS, AND THREESCORE AND TWO WEEKS: THE STREET SHALL BE BUILT AGAIN, AND THE WALL, EVEM IN TROUBLOUS TIMES. (26) AND AFTER THREESCORE AND TWO WEEKS SHALL MESSIAH BE CUT OFF, BUT NOT FOR HIMSELF: AND THE PEOPLE OF THE PRINCE THAT SHALL COME SHALL DESTROY THE CITY AND THE SANCTUARY; AND THE END THEREOF SHALL BE WITH A FLOOD, AND UNTO THE END OF THE WAR DESOLATIONS ARE DETERMINED. (27) AND HE SHALL CONFIRM THE COVENANT WITH MANY FOR ONE WEEK: AND IN THE MIST OF THE WEEK HE SHALL CAUSE THE SACRIFICE AND THE OBLATION TO CEASE, AND FOR THE OVERSPREADING OF ABOMINATIONS HE SHALL MAKE DESOLATE, EVEN UNTIL THE CONSUMMATION, AND THAT DETERMINED SHALL BE POURED UPON THE DESOLATE.

I don’t want you to forget, we’re speaking about lifestyles of this world! Do you think just because you are a member of a certain Church, nationality, race, color or culture that there’s something special about you! If you consider, who are God’s chosen people, what would actually be the truth?

God’s whole plan, even from the very beginning was to have a (called out people). People that loved him, people that were willing to forget themselves and totally seek to do his will. Everything else in scripture from Adam and Eve to Noah’s Ark, the Nation of Israel. the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. even the birth of the Church in Acts was all about that very concept.

Let’s say that all has unfolded. Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Israel has now inherited the earth, it’s there’s! Look where they are living!

Acts 7:49

HEAVEN IS MY THRONE, AND THE EARTH IS MY FOOTSTOOL: WHAT HOUSE WILL YOU BUILD ME? SAITH THE LORD: OR WHAT IS THE PLACE OF MY REST:

Luke 20:41-43

AND HE SAID UNTO THEM, HOW SAY THEY THAT CHRIST IS DAVID’S SON? (42) AND DAVID HIMSELF SAITH IN THE BOOK OF PSALMS, THE LORD IS MY LORD, SIT THOU ON MY RIGHT HAND, (43) TILL I MAKE THINE ENEMIES THEY FOOTSTOOL.

Look at this verse:

Roman 11:25

FOR I WOULD NOT, BRETHREN, THAT YE SHOULD BE IGNORANT OF THIS MYSTERY, LEST YE SHOULD BE WISE IN YOUR OWN CONCIETS; THAT BLINDNESS IN PART IS HAPPENED TO ISRAEL, UNTIL THE FULNESS OF THE Gentiles BE COME IN. (26) AND SO ALL ISRAEL SHALL BE SAVED: AS IT IS WRITTEN. THERE SHALL COME OUT OF SION THE DELIVERER, AND SHALL TURN AWAY UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB: (27) FOR THIS IS MY COVENANT UNTO THEM, WHEN I SHALL TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS.

Notice the phrase (blindness in part). God blinded the Nation of Israel, that as a nation, not individuals. He did that because his desire was for Jesus Christ to be the savior of the world. He wants the people of Israel to be more concerned about Jesus Christ being their savior than seeing him as their King. Even now, Israel desire is for their Messiah, their King to come, set them up as shall we say the powerhouse of this world. That’s a lifestyle mindset!

Every person, even if that person is born-again and seeks to cling to their lifestyle is doing the very same thing! We’re seeking to be who we desire to be and not allow the Spirit of God to transform us into what he desires us to be!

In (Acts 7:49) these questions are asked. (WHAT HOUSE WILL YOU BUILD FOR ME)? (WHERE IS THE PLACE OF MY REST)? When you are saved; we could even say if you are not saved but you continue to live the lifestyle you love you are not going to like the place that house is. Where is the place of his rest? Wise believers seek that place. They willingly give up all they might be, their very own lifestyle to find that place!

Now, consider this: Israel chose its own lifestyle. As a nation for all eternity, we see where they will possess, live on God’s footstool! That’s what the inherited by the choice they make. As I say that, that is as a Nation. If you remember, the Apostle Paul said this:

Galatians 3:10-11

LIE NOT ONE TO ANOTHER, SEEING THAT YE HAVE PUT OFF THE OLD MAN WITH HIS DEEDS, AND HAVE PUT ON THE NEW MAN, WHICH IS RENEWED IN KNOWLEDGE AFTER THE IMAGE OF HIM THAT CREATED HIM: (11) WHERE THERE IS NEITHER GREEK OR JEW, CIRCUMCISION OR UNCIRCUMCISION, BARBARIAN, SCYTHIAN, BOND NOR FREE: BUT CHRIST IS ALL, AND IN ALL.

What he’s teaching here is to individual people. As a nation, the Jews will inherit the earth. The Jewish people: just like any other people live and die. Within each life they can either ask Jesus Christ to be their savior of die lost. There is only one place lower than earth, we call it hell!

With that being said, what is above this earth? If often tell people that there is a difference in the Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God. Jesus Christ will establish the Kingdom of Heaven, a place for the nation of Israel right here on this earth. Do you realize that the Jewish people will never cease to exist, in the flesh right here on this earth? They will always be or, at least as far as can be seen in God’s word. That is a completely different study however, it can be proven in scripture. According to their lifestyle, that is what they inherited!

May I show you one other verse of scripture?

Matthew 27:25

THEN ANSWERED ALL THE PEOPLE, AND SAID, HIS BLOOD BE ON US, AND ON OUR CHILDREN.

You read that whole account! That’s the Jews telling Pilate their desire! Be careful what you ask for! Those people that will be living upon this earth in the Kingdom of Heaven will be the children of those that made that statement. Jesus Christ will be their king. However, his heart felt desire is to be their savior. If any Jewish person will ask Jesus Christ to be their savior, then they have the very same opportunities as any other born-again believer.

We’ll get to the believer in a moment. I’d like to say here. Let’s look at the lifestyle of a (so called) atheist. First of all, I’ve said this before and stand on it here. There’s no such thing as an atheist. That word is a man-made word to describe a person that speaks with his mouth but will not reveal his heart! I know for a fact that God put a part of himself into the being of every person that is born. Therefore, God speaks and reveals himself to every person, with that part of him just like he does me or any person that has ever lived.

Now, let’s consider something. The Jews on the day that the statement was made about their children were very bold in their speech; just like any atheist that speaks. To me, although my heart will not allow me to rejoice at the fact that an Atheist dies and goes to hell, actually that is a very minor point. What about his children?

Again, let’s consider! Although the Jews hated Jesus Christ so much that they made a statement such as this, Jesus Christ Loved them so much that he would still save them and their children. It’s the very same with and atheist. The love of Christ goes far beyond the simple ignorance of any person, reaching to every generation.

I’ll go as far as to say this, if there’s an atheist that died not believing in Christ and went to a Devil’s hell, right now he screaming to the top of his voice for his children to take heed, to forget all that he taught and learn Christ!

We see the lifestyle of them that believe not and, we see the earth as God’s footstool. What about those that have a lifestyle of believing? Those that are born-again? What happens to them? This is a subject that I never hear anyone teach about. I wonder why? Are we left to believe that since we believe and, that alone will bring us all that God offers, every person will be just the same? I often hear people make a statement such as this: well as long as I get to heaven, that’s all I want. Do you see that as a wise statement? Is this a good lifestyle to build upon?

What is what we call heaven? We, being born-again, where do we go when we die? The Bible gives an answer to that question. Before we go any farther, I’d like to show you something.

1 Corinthians 3:10-15

ACCORDING TO THE GRACE OF GOD WHICH IS GIVEN UNTO ME, AS A WISE MASTERBUILDER, I HAVE LAID A FOUNDATION, AND ANOTHER BUILTETH THEREON. BUT LET EVERY MAN TAKE HEED HOW HE BUILDETH THERE UPON, (11) FOR OTHER FOUNDATION CAN NO MAN LAY THAN THAT IS LAID, WHICH IS JESUS CHRIST . (12) NOW IF ANY MAN BUILD UPON THIS FOUNDATION GOLD, SIVER, PRECIOUS STONES, WOOK, HAY, STUBBLE; (13) EVERY MAN’S WORK SHALL BE MADE MANIFEST: FOR THE DAY SHALL DECLARE IT, BECAUSE IT SHALL BE REVEALED BY DIRE, AND THE FIRE SHALL TRY EVERY MAN’S WORK OF WHAT SORT IT IS. (14) IF ANY MAN’S WORK ABIDE WHICH HE HATH BUILT THEREUPON, HE SHALL RECEIVE A REWARD. (15) IF ANY MAN’S WORKMSHALL BE BURNED, HE SHALL SUFFER LOSS: BUT HE HIMSELF SHALL BE SAVED; YET AS BY FIRE.

Luke 12:46-48

AND THE LORD OF THAT SERVANT WILL COME IN A DAY WHEN HE LOOKETH NOT FOR HIM, AND AT AN HOUR WHEN HE IS NOT AWARE, AND WILL CUT HIM IN SUNDER, AND WILL APPOINT HIM HIS PORTION WITH THE UNBELIEVERS. (47) AND THAT SERVANT THAT KNEW HIS LORD’S WILL, AND PREPARED NOT HIMSELF, NEITHER DID ACCORDING TO HIS WILL, SHALL BE BEATEN WITH MANY STRIPES. (48) But HE THAT KNEW NOT, AND DID COMMIT THINGS WORTHY OF STRIPES, SHALL BE BEATEN WITH FEW STRIPES. FOR UNTO WHOMSOEVER MUCH IS GIVEN, OF HIM SHALL BE MUCH REQUIRED: AND TO WHOM MEN HAVE COMMITTED MUCH , OF THEY WILL HE ASK MORE.

Does either set of verses should like a joy ride to you? We can see for a fact that (1 Corinthians) is talking directly to dose that say they are born-again. We might be able to argue about (Luke) because it’s just a parable. Personally, I can see how he’s speaking to either group.

I once wrote an article i called (Just how close can a person get to hell without actually going)? The Bible teaches us that the place we, as born-again believers will be living for eternity is a place that is a cubic 1500 miles each way. It actually says (12,000 furlongs in) (Revelation 21:16). That’s the place the bride of Christ will be living!

I’m making a point about the lifestyles, even as believers we choose to live. Therefore, I’ll make some remarks here trying to help you see the importance of allowing your lifestyle to be all that God wants you to be rather than simply choosing your own.

This is some things I have studied out over the years; I won’t even attempt to prove them now but, I’d like for you to at least consider what I’m saying. If you remember I mentioned that (Israel as nation) will inherit the earth. The people that inherit the earth will be (in the flesh), they will not have spiritual bodies. We, as the bride of Christ will have spiritual bodies. While I believe that we will be able to come down to this earth; even having responsibilities here, the members of the Nation of Israel cannot come into our home. If any person, as a Jew if born-again while the Church is here on earth, they are a member of the bride of Christ just like any other person.

We can get into a lot of scripture here to prove all this out but, my point is where do you desire to stand as it relates to how close you are to Jesus Christ? Our lifestyles will determine that fact! So let me draw you a picture. In (Luke 12) I can see how there are different levels of hell depending on what you know and, what you do with what you know. All that is below the earth that Israel inherited. Just above earth there is also different levels of places we might say to live; all the way to the top of that city where Jesus Christ abides.

If you will notice in (Luke 12) is also uses the word (servants) in the text he writes. Again, we can debate to whom he’s speaking but I have a question I’d like to ask concerning what he’s saying there. (To whom are you servant to)? Also, (how informed are you? How much do you know)? These two questions, I believe can run the spectrum all the way from the bottom of a place called hell to the uttermost close relationship to Jesus Christ!

The Bible shows us this:

Acts 1:25

THAT HE MAY TAKE PART OF THIS MINISTRY AND APOSTLESHIP, FROM WHICH JUDAS BY TRANSGRESSION FELL, THAT HE MIGHT GO TO HIS OWN PLACE.

Luke wrote the book of Acts. When he penned the phrase (that he might go to his own place); it was written under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost of God. Realizing that fact, just where was his own place? Where might you be on day? Where is your own place? Here’s a man. Judas: he seemed so close to Jesus Christ that he kissed him! Basically, I believe we all earn our own place? The Bible says this:

Romans 6:23

FOR THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH; BUT THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD.

We see here that, if we don’t make a choice to take the gift offered to us then we earn wages. you will receive those wages! It also says here that eternal life is a gift. Therefore, what are you doung with the gift of eternal life that you received at salvation?

We looked the (1 Corinthians 3). We see there the word (rewards). Those rewards must be earned. Having eternal life is one thing. How you live with your eternal life is a totally different thing. If you will notice in (1 Corinthians 3) there are six things mentioned. Gold, silver, precious stone, wood hay and stubble. It also says that we will be tried as of by fire.

When you place gold, silver or precious stone in fire, it will either remain the same or just become more refined, getting better and better depending on just how hot the fire gets. However, what happens to wood, hay and stubble when it’s placed in fire? It either burns completely up or, if anything remains, it’s more than likely worthless.

Now, let’s look at another verse:

Matthew 18:30

BUT MANY THAT ARE FIRST SHALL BE LAST; AND THE LAST SHALL BE FIRST.

Lifestyles of this world! We go about our days as we live. Doesn’t matter whether we are lost or saved. WE put very little thought about what we do, how we live or, what the end of it all will be. We just go about our merry way; seemingly very content with who and what we are.

That’s about what the Nation of Israel was doing. However, let’s take note of something here. It’s just so much to teach! Look at this:

Mark 3:28-29

VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, ALL SINS SHALL BE FORGIVEN TO SONS OF MEN, AND BLASPHEMIES WHEREWITH SOEVER THEY SHALL BLASPHEME: (29) BUT HE THAT SHALL BLASPHEME AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST HATH NEVER FORGIVENESS, BUT IS IN DANGER OF ETERNAL DAMNATION:

We could say a lot here. However, I’m simply making a point. In the Old Testament, God the father spoke directly to man, he is being first. In the Gospels, God the Son, Jesus Christ spoke directly to men being the second. Starting in the book of Acts, God came to us in the form of His Holy Spirit. Now, God’s Spirit speaks to us, Guess what! There is nothing else going to take place. If we blaspheme, reject the call of God’s Holy Spirit, that’s it!

In these verses Jesus Christ is actually speaking to the Jews. Weren’t they first chosen? Remember, the first shall be last? In the Book of Acts, God, through his Spirit even offered the gospel of Jesus Christ (to the Jew first)! Now, I contend that now there is no difference in any individual member of the Nation of Israel that any other person. If, they, as an individual will except Jesus Christ as their savior then they can climb all the way to the very first if they are willing to earn all they can in the life God has offered them. The ground is level at the foot of the Cross. We all have the same opportunity to do great things for Jesus Christ!

So far, we see the Nation of Israel being first, the Gentiles second. We also see the same thing with the Apostles. Jesus Christ himself picked twelve men to be his Apostles. We just read where one of them fell by transgression. Do you think that caught God by surprise? Of course not. That was by design! In the book of Acts, we see where Jesus Christ picked the Apostle Paul to be the (last) Apostle. Even he said (he was the least of all Apostles)!

When we look at the lifestyles of this world; the way that born-again believers live is still a lifestyle of this world. I know that I might not be able to completely prove what I’m about to say however, a 1500 mile cubic, a place we will one day call home is a very big area! It will extend from just above earth to all the way to the place of the living quarters of Jesus Christ. What you choose, what you do with the free gift of eternal life that Jesus gave you will determine, not only where you live in eternity but, what responsibilities you have for eternity.

I ask you in closing to understand that all I might say still needs study. That study needs to be from you. For example, I believe that the four and twenty elders mentioned in (Revelation 4). That phares is mentioned a number of times in that book but, we see it first in chapter four. I believe that these men will be the Twele patriarchs in the Old Testament and the twelve Apostles in the New Testament. They will be seated right around the throne of our savior, Jesus Christ. Who will be on the next level we might say? Will it be Moses, Jeremiah, Abraham or, you? Now, you don’t have to believe that just because I said it. But you prove me wrong!

Even if you believe concerning yourself that you will be right in the very bottom of Hell, if you’re reading this you can still change your lifestyle and become a great warrior for Jesus Christ.

I didn’t come anywhere close to mentioning all the lifestyles that could be mentioned, you know that however, lifestyle matters or, it will in eternity. I see people that truly desire to be looked at and admired. They do things with clothing, with their hair, with jewelry. on their bodies, houses, automobiles, on and on we go! Do you realize that our very lifestyles can cause us to become reprobate?

As a society, haven’t we reached reprobate status? Look at your own personal lifestyle. How do you think God looks at that lifestyle? Did the fact that I just ask those two questions, seeking an answer from you, offend you? Look at the definition of reprobate: (an unprincipled person (often used humorously or affectionately). We’ve reached a place in history that we can’t offend anyone, they can’t take any criticism. The Bible teaches us that the word of God is an offense, it’s meant to be offensive to those that live a life apart from God’s will. Therefore, if I can’t offend you, then, I cannot share truth with you!

We often present ourselves, using our lifestyles in a very humorous way. Well, look at these verses:

Proverbs 1:24-27

BECAUSE I HAVE CALLED, AND YE REFUSED; I HAVE STRETCHED OUT MY HAND, AND NO MAN REGARDED; (25) BUT YE SET AT NOUGHT ALL MY COUNCEL, AND WOULD NONE OF MY REPROOF: (26) I WILL ALSO LAUGH AT YOUR CALAMITY; I WILL MOCK WHEN YOUR FEAR COMETH; (27) WHEN YOU FEARETH COMETH AS DESOLATION, AND YOUR DESTRUCTION COMETH AS A WHIRLWIND; WHEN DISTRESS AND ANGUISH COMETH UPON YOU.

I’ve used those verses before but, they are very needful as we speak of reprobates! We choose a lifestyle, never even consider what God thinks, we never even ask him how he feels. However, he will get the last laugh!

I’ll be closing this segment of this here. However, I feel impressed to call the next segment (REPROBATES AND THE LIFESTYLES OF THIS WORLD).

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