The bible is full of stories of divine appointments, and not just happening through the big guys like Moses and Elijah and Paul. No, God can and does use ordinary people like me and you for extraordinary purposes. Look at when Jesus sent the two disciples to get the donkey for him to ride into Jerusalem. Can you imagine someone out of the blue coming up to you and asking for your car? Just like that? He told them to say that the Lord has need of it. Simple. This man handed them the reins to the donkey that would carry Jesus through the crowd, as they laid out palms and cried “Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord.” Go and do, or stay and give.
Divine appointments come in different ways, for different purposes. One of the things a divine appointment does is to right a wrong. Look at Esther. When Mordecai heard that all the jews were to be killed, he went to Esther for help. He asked her to go to the king to influence him. Esther didn’t do this right away. She considered the danger and sent word to Mordecai tht to appear unannounced before the king meant death. Mordecai answered that if she did nothing she would perish anyway along with her kinfolk. He said a line that moves me everytime I say it or hear it. “For such a time as this.
This message was somewhat of a cross between two messages I have shared both here on Gates of the City and preaching elsewhere. One being Justified in the Spirit and the other Because of the Angels.
I hear it all the time, how God loves us all unconditionally. Over the years of having conducted services at a mandatory rehab for people whose crimes were drug related, ministered at homeless shelters and having countless conversations with “believers” who readily admit they are not walking with God as they should, I frequently run into those who enthusiastically confess to me how they know, absolutely know, that God loves them unconditionally and that He accepts them just as they are.
This has led me into many discussions with people about what it means to “believe” and what exactly this “grace” is that these people are boasting about since they know they are saved because of it. Sadly, many have no real understanding of what grace really is, they simply repeat what they were once told, “It is unmerited favor.” It is as if people are convinced that when God looks at them He has on some special “Jesus only” colored glasses because they think God only sees Jesus when He looks at them and not themselves for how they truly are.
Grace is truly an amazing gift of God given to the believer, but there are four things about grace we can readily know from scripture –
1. Grace is sufficient
2. Grace can be frustrated
3. Grace while working similarly in all God’s children, still has a uniqueness to it purpose as it is given to each of us
In the last article I had written about the unfaithful steward who wasted his master’s goods, I discussed the attitudes of the Pharisees that were there listening. Amazingly, instead of agreeing with Jesus that the steward’s behavior was sinful, they instead began to deride Jesus to publicly mock Him. The more I ponder their attitude towards Christ the more I am amazed at how just how hard an arrogant and religious heart can be. Not only were they failing miserably at being faithful stewards of the oracles of God which they openly boasted to be the keepers and teachers of, they failed miserably in their living by them.
Jesus said the Pharisees were “those who justified yourselves before men,” but warned them that God knows the hearts of all men. But what was it though that they had been “justifying” themselves about? These were the prominent religious leaders of the day . . . up until the Light of the world appeared unto men exposing them for what they really were. They were covetous not only of worldly things, but also of the praise and admiration of men. No wonder Jesus spoke such sharp condemning words to them that what they “highly esteemed” was an abomination in the sight of God.
If you are an America Christian who is faring well and yet yearn for, or look for the praise and approval of men, then I strongly urge you to listen to Jesus words against these religious men –
Luke 6:24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. 25 Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. 26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
In the Gospel of John it was recorded how many of the chief rulers actually believed on Jesus, but only two of which are mentioned in scripture and eventually came forward and stood for Jesus, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathaea. However, many of them would not openly confess Jesus because they feared the Jews, i.e., the Pharisees –
John 12:42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on Him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: 43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
In Luke chapter 16 Jesus tells His disciples about a certain rich man who had a steward who had wasted his goods. The setting for this discourse is that He was speaking to His disciples, but not only to them, for Luke also says in verse 14 that “the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided Him.” Now Luke doesn’t share what exactly the Pharisees were saying, but the Greek word translated “deride” was only used twice in the NT, with the second place being in Luke as well when Jesus was on the cross.-
Lu 23:35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided Him, saying, He saved others; let Him save Himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.
In both places it is noteworthy that such was the response towards Jesus. There wasn’t any dignified attempt to reason or refute Jesus; it was an eruption out of the abundance of their hearts of iniquity as they spoke, a blatant display of arrogance by corrupt religious leaders against the greatest Rabbi of eternity. Their outburst of unashamed scoffing and ridicule was meant to convey their total rejection of Him. What makes this even more shameful is they were doing it in a vain attempt to justify their own selves. I am sad to say I have witnessed this type of behavior with the same motive among those professing to be Christian, leaders included.
Lu 16:15 And He said unto them, “You are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knows your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.”
Why we need faith, why we must hear and believe God’s word to us . . .
Ro 11:18 Do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; 21 for if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will He spare you. 22 Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off. 23 And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in; for God is able to graft them in again.
Test yourselves to see if you are truly in the faith.
Examine yourselves!
Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you
Sadly, what is mostly offered to the world as “The Church of Jesus Christ” is in truth nothing more than an apostate whoring religious system which, though naming the name of Jesus Christ, has succumbed to the worldly wisdom of marketing experts in order to increase their numbers. To avoid offending the attending ignorant, they eagerly embrace the latest fashionable watered down translations of Holy Writ reducing God’s word into a flimsy weapon useless against the adversary and too dull to pierce the heart of unrepentant sinners . . . many who already proudly boast in their illusion of “salvation.” Have they forgotten the warning “If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life?” Or are they just so arrogant and lacking of fear?
Jesus taught us that “all things whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you unto them: for this is the law and the prophets.” This is one of the great distinctions from those of other belief systems clarified by Jesus’ teachings on the oracles of God. Many religions out there aggressively preach messages of constraint, i.e., don’t treat people the way you don’t want to be treated. Often such religions and institutes affix to their messages oppressive obligations of repetitious prayer, have vain ceremonies and require their followers to maintain a cultural appearance of (perceived) piety.
Here Jesus takes us immediately into servitude to others, “Do for others what you would want them to do for you.” All those out there who continually harp on the difference between the law and grace, they would do well to pause and consider Jesus words here “for this is the law and the prophets.” Jesus wasn’t throwing away the law and saying, “From now on, this is what we do.” He was actually warning everyone not to get caught up in mere religion, that this is what God has always really required.
In the Old Testament when Balak, king of Moab, consulted with Balaam what he needed to do that he might know the righteousness of the LORD. Being ignorant to the righteousness of God, he asked what was it he had to give. Listen to his question and Balaam’s reply –
Micah 6:6 Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the high God? Should I come before Him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? 7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Should I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what the LORD requires of you, do justly and love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.
Sadly, because the churches are no longer teaching from the whole Bible, many people nowadays fail to understand the distinction between the two separate aspects of “The Law,” that part which was fulfilled and done away with, and that part of which not one jot or tittle will pass away until after all is fulfilled. Let’s look at Jesus words –
Sometimes I think people had more fear and reverence for Comet Elenin then they did for God. It seemed so many people sat up and started paying attention to all the noise about the comet, everywhere there sermons available, youtube videos and articles (just like mine) that grabbed the attention of people all across the world. I too was caught by the fury of claims and uncertainty around it. But if we truly believe God’s word, the ultimate certainty, the sure word of prophecy, then why isn’t the Gospel of Jesus Christ having the same effect around the globe? Is it because it has become powerless in so many places? Has it become incapable of living up to its claims? Or have we become powerless and lost our sight of where our faith is to be?
It was really unbelievable the incredible rousing Comet Elenin was having in every corner of the earth. I even had my post about it translated into Korean, German and at least one other language I cannot immediately recall. My initial reaction was extreme disappointment which I thoroughly articulated to my cherished friend Sister Rhonda who shares this blog with me. I sorrowfully shared how there were several other more valuable posts I have written that I felt would truly benefit earnest seekers of Christ, but except for a few readers many of those posts have been completely ignored by the masses. Why so many are caught up about the end of things and yet for the most part neglect that which matters here and now still amazes me today as much as it did when I lived the very same way myself . . . back when I was “a wretched man” myself.
There was a time when I thought I was a Christian, a follower of Christ. But like so many others, I too believed what so many religious teachers out there are teaching as the Christian dilemma, that we will always be somewhat stuck in those things we hate and many times unable to do the right things we want.
Romans 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20) Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21) I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22) For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23) But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24) O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
I was told that sin was in me and evil was always going to present with me and therefore (like Paul himself admitted) I was always going to be sinning and unable to be the person I wanted to in Christ. I just needed to accept that as fact and quit being so hard on myself and accept that was who I was “in Christ” or I would never have any peace. To this day I continually meet believers who teach this and have wholly accepted it as sound doctrinal fact and consequently have absolutely no real motivation to be “perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” That is scary, since without holiness no man shall see God on favorable terms.
It is not enough that we each have our own set of Christian beliefs that we faithfully hold to. For many religions have faithful followers; many of which that would shame the half-hearted “Christian” who professes to be a true follower of Jesus Christ. Even if one was faithful to their favorite religious creed, faithfulness cannot deliver from sin or offer an assurance of eternal life.
Yet so many people boldly declare they are free simply because they have a belief system, a religion of choice, and their favorite translation or particular version of holy oracles or religious book which they cling to above all others. Many going about their daily lives with absolutely no clue that they are deceived and dead in their trespasses and sins; having only a form of godliness while they deny the true power of God which truly sets men free and transforms them.
John 8:31-36 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, “If you continue in My word, then are you My disciples indeed; And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” They answered him, “We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how say you then, ‘You shall be made free?'” Jesus answered them, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever commits sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abides not in the house for ever: but the Son abides ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.”
If one is off a little in their foundation of their theology, then they will be considerably more off as they continue to build upon the principles they have embraced for their faith. As a building contractor I learned a long time ago that if I start off out of square, unlevel or out of plumb, the more I build off my starting reference point the further off I get. It is the same with the tenants of faith in Christendom.
Part of the devil’s plan was to saturate Christendom with theologies that are “mostly” true. I have a saying I use often with my kids, “The best lie is the one with the most truth in it.” Reason being, that if you want to deceive someone, let’s say someone with a little understanding and knowledge of God’s word, you will need to bait them with certain truths and plausible theories in their own popular Christian lingo.
They will then recognize some of those aspects of the truth they are acquainted with and will be more likely to embrace it, since it appealed to their logic and familiarity. However, because of their weakness of scriptural knowledge and understanding they can be tricked into embracing a carefully forged lie simply because they saw logic in it and will therefore often embrace a whole theology without thoroughly proving it. This is because most people have a pride that causes them to trust in their own ability to recognize truth without having to prove it.
Watching the news today in regards to the Mississippi flooding there was considerable concern mentioned regarding “sand boils.” For those who don’t know what those are, according to Wikipedia these “occur when water under pressure wells up through a bed of sand. The water looks like it is “boiling” up from the bed of sand, hence the name.” As I watched them addressing the seriousness of these occurrences I was strongly impressed that this phenomenon actually has a equivalent that similarly takes place in both the moral and spiritual realm as well. I say moral as well as spiritual because there are many people who are not godly who really believe they are “good people.” They have consistently lived their lives by a defined level of morality and have therefore kept themselves in their minds distinct from those they consider to be a more abase manner of people.
However, as is life, there are times when circumstances get out of our control and these external pressures steadily build up. When this happens, the moralities of these individuals are invaded by the same pollutions they had thought themselves to be greater than. If challenged regarding their moral change or outburst of behavior it is quickly explained that it was only because of the extenuating circumstances; there is a defensible justification for their apparent change of conduct. If it had not been for the forces beyond their control they never would have reacted the way they did, therefore (they argue) their behavior should be considered “justifiable” and would be debated so if the matter were to make into a court of law.
If you have been to many churches, religious gatherings, or have been a Christian for a while now, then I am sure you been exposed to Prayer-Preaching. It is that part of public prayers where the person who is supposed to be praying is actually speaking to everyone else in the room instead of to God. Sometimes people treat prayer like it’s a pulpit in the pocket, any opportunity to pray to them becomes a must take opportunity for them to preach. Now, let me state right off that prayer-preaching isn’t a bad thing . . . but that doesn’t mean it is a good thing always. Sadly, some people just can’t seem to stop themselves from taking public prayer and using it to show others what they know, or pass over a chance to address someone in the room “anonymously.”
I have to admit most of the time when I hear someone prayer-preaching, I feel the sanctity of prayer is being compromise, that it is almost insulting to our Lord. However, sometimes it is the absolute right way to be praying . . . which is why I want to look at some of those last words of our Lord on His Cross.
Matthew 27:46 – And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken Me?
There have been so many conclusions put forth as what Jesus was saying here. Some say that the Father literally turned away and abandoned Jesus on the cross and therefore Jesus cried out in forsaken agony. The reasoning goes that the Father couldn’t look upon Jesus with all the sins of the world placed upon Him.
For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head . . . because of the angels.
In the last few decades there has risen much confusion around this particular verse, as well as the whole of the subject matter being addressed here by Paul to the Corinthians. All the same, this verse is part of God’s Holy Word and is intended to be both informative and instructive, though tucked neatly away here in a very illuminating passage of scriptures.
Since it is part of God’s Word that never changes, believers today are still obliged to give the utmost prayerful consideration as to its application to their lives. So as lights in the midst of a dark and blind world, they may properly “adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things” that they say and do, to give the glory and honor due to the Blessed Name of our Glorious Savior Jesus Christ.
Nonetheless, for a variety of reasons “believers” nowadays simply choose to ignore Paul’s two hundred and ninety-eight instructive words, (counted in the King James prior to verse sixteen) and imprudently conclude “we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.” In so doing, they treat Paul’s instruction here as completely irrelevant to them, as if it was written without reason, a complete waste of time and parchment.
Nevertheless, up until the last 40-50 years the majority of “the churches of God” did keep the custom of women wearing head coverings to some degree. This shows that most believers in today’s Church have lost the very attribute for which Paul was praising the Corinthian church in the first place, “I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
So, what was Paul saying, “we have no such custom, neither the churches of God?” Well, what was the beginning of that verse?
It has been said by some that “the God of the Old Testament was an angry God.” Now that creates a need for clarity because God never changes. That He is the same yesterday, today and forever is in fact the teaching of scriptures, but they also state that God is indeed angry with the wicked everyday (Psm 7:11), because they have made themselves to be His enemies. His word also clearly tells us that to become friends with world is to willfully engage in war with Him.
Gates of the City 