I will never leave thee

Hebrews 13:5 “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

When my daughter was small, this was her favorite promise. (Her favorite song was….”If Jesus said it, I believe it”)

Ask about a Bible verse, and she would quote this part….

….and I must admit, it is a blessing to read and hear it, for me as well.

The Lord has promised believers:

He will never leave us….therefore He is always with us, whether we “feel” like it or not.

He will never forsake us….therefore He will always stay after us, nudging us by His blessed Holy Spirit to keep coming….to keep praying….to keep taking that next step with Him. (Matthew 28:20)

Whether we acknowledge it or not, we are a people who are made for the fellowship and communion with God….for we have a light that “lighteth every man”. John 1:9. A desire for true belonging.

We have a spirit that should be filled with the Holy Spirit….

….yet by sin, man has become a solitary creature.

Full of secrets, of dark places in our minds and hearts….of anger, hate, or rebellion against good,……and we have chosen ourselves to consider,….first.

Many yearn for the comfort of “someone” caring about us…..but refuse to open their hearts to the greatest lover of our souls…..Jesus Christ.

He sees us,….He knows all about us, yet died to save us,….He cares for us….for He came to “seek and to save that which was lost”.

Luke 15:4-5 “What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.”

(What hinders our turning to Christ Jesus?

As there are three parts to our souls….mind, heart, and will.

There are three “lusts” which keep us in bondage.

1 John 2:16 “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”

I want to explain, “lust” in scripture means “I want this, and I want it now”.

It could be anything….anything which comes between God and our souls.

The lust of the flesh….something which we want to satisfy our taste, smell, touch, or sight.

The lust of the eyes….something which is pleasing or beautiful to us….we must have it, or something like it.

The pride of life….something we want that will elevate us…make us “better”…..either to ourselves or others.

These are the lusts which bind us, keep us prisoners……to this world’s influence…..and keep us wandering away from God.)

But though we are bound….God is not hindered…..He came to seek and to save that which was lost…

Matthew 18:11-12 “For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.

How think ye? If a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?”

Notice in this, Jesus said that the sheep was “gone astray”….

…..and that this sheep had chosen the worst conditions to be wandering around in….”the mountains”.

Lions and bears had dens there,…the way is steep and slippery,….rocks and cliffs are there….and this sheep thought that this way would be better than following the Shepherd!?

Yet, the Lord does not leave this sheep to die….for that is what is out there for it….

….He goes and finds it…brings it home….rejoicing over it.

“I will never leave thee.”

The term “gone astray” describes us:

Isaiah 53:6 “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”

If there was not that last part…..which God has done in Christ….the end of us all….sadly, would be…..”his own way”. (Proverbs 1:31-32)

1 Peter 2:21, 24-25 “….because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow HIs steps:

Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

For ye were as sheep going astray: but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.”

(It says “but are now returned”….not that we returned ourselves. How gracious God is.)

Ezekiel 34:11, 16 “For Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.

I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick:…”

God has never left us without witness to Himself—in nature and His Word;..

…..nor left us in our sins, without supplying a Way—through Christ Jesus, His Son—for salvation….

….nor left us to guide ourselves through this world—giving His born again ones His Holy Spirit.

Nor will He forsake us….in trouble, or shame, or storm, or enemy….He will never leave nor forsake us….for we are His sheep…..His flock….His people, whom He loves.

Jeremiah 31:3 “The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.”

“I will never leave thee.”

The Still Small Voice

1 Kings 19:12 “And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.”

When we think of God’s power, we think of miracles from the Bible:

The sun standing still (Joshua 10:12-14)

or time going backward as a sign for the healing of king Hezekiah. (2 Kings 20:8-11).

Indeed, there was power there….

But, when God’s power is usually seen, it is thru His Word.

(He stressed this , at the first:

Genesis 1:3 “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.”

He did not have to speak; all He had to do was will it.

But He did speak, to show the value He places on His Word.)

To stress the real Power of His Voice, we would do back to a cave and a hiding Prophet.

1 Kings 19:9 “And he (Elijah) came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?”

Indeed, What was Elijah doing in that cave? How did he come to this?

Elijah was a man of Gilead, who was distressed at the low spiritual state of Israel. They were worshipping idols, and killing those who worshipped God. Yes, things were very low.

So he began to pray. God had told Israel that if they worshipped other gods , then He would withhold the rain. (Deuteronomy 11:16-17).

Elijah prayed God would withhold rain, to get Israel’s attention…..so they would turn back to God.

James 5:17 ” Elijah was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.”

For six months Elijah prayed for God to withhold the rain, and He did.

Then Elijah was told to go to Ahab, king of Israel and tell him:

1 Kings 17:1 ” And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.”

This might seem the wrong way to go about it….for Ahab did not believe in God…he had completely become an idol worshipper.

But someone coming and saying , in effect, “The true God of Israel is listening to my prayers,….And He is going to stop the rain, all the rain and dew; until I pray again.”

That got Ahab’s attention!

Elijah was told to go and hide…for Ahab would try and kill him. He did try. But God hid him….till:

After 3 years, Israel was in famine….cattle, crops, everything withering,

Then…

Elijah was told (1 Kings 18:1). “….Go, show thyself to Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.”

How would he do that? Through Elijah’s prayer…but first, Elijah wanted to showed Ahab and all the Israelites,…..the power of God,…..when you obey Him.

So , he set up a “contest” between the priests of the idol, and him.

1 Kings 18:19 “Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred which eat at Jezebel’s table.”

It was a simple contest :

1 Kings 18:23-24 “Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under:

And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.”

So the prophets of Baal began:

1 Kings 18:26 “And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that heard. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.”

Notice, “No voice, nor any that heard”. Tricks and show…..but no reality.

So now it was Elijah’s turn.

Remember Elijah began this, by praying that God would withhold rain, so Israel would be awakened to their sin of idolatry and come back to God.

But how would they be awakened?

By a mighty demonstration of God’s Power?

For even under famine, the people had not turned back to God.

Called to the work of making everyone know that God was not pleased with Israel’s sin.

This he did when he went to Ahab.

Everyone knew that he had gone before the king and declared “No rain or dew” till he said.

And there had been no dew or rain for 3 years!

What were the means to Awaken the hearts to God’s demands for His people?

How were they to “hear” for themselves, and return to Him?

Well, it is through His Word spoken to our hearts…..

After three years of drought and famine; Elijah was told to go back and God would send rain.

God puts HIs people through a measured chastening….It was time to send rain. He would send it through Elijah’s prayer, but…….

As for the “contest”, I believe Elijah thought (as most of us would),…..if the people could just see some mighty work, that only God could do, then that would believe.

God’s people would know….once for all–that God was God….and return to Him.

(Remember the people are standing around, watching as the priests of the idol fail…..and now their attention is turned to Elijah)

1 Kings 18:30-35 ” And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down.

And Elijah took twelve stones, ….And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed.

And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood.

And he said, Do it a second time. And they did….And he said, Do it a third time. And they did it the third time.

And water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water.”

(Where did he get the water? Mt. Carmel is about a few miles from the Mediterranean Sea)

He made the Altar so wet it could never burn….except by the Power of God.

Listen to the Prayer of Elijah:

1Kings 18:37-39 “Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.

Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know a that thou art the Lord God, and that Thou hast turned their heart back.

The the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.

And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God.”

Two things to notice:

Elijah did not pray for rain, here.

And the people said “the Lord, he is the God”…….not our God.

The fire came down! First the burnt sacrifice was consumed, which meant God heard Elijah, and honored him before the king and the people.

Then the wood,

Then the stones of the altar, itself

Then the very dust on the ground where the altar sat.

And licked up the water in the trench.

Then the prophets and priests of Baal were slain!

This was a mighty demonstration; so….

Everything is set in order, right?

But what did it do for King Ahab, or the people?

Where was the rain?

It came, and at Elijah’s prayer, but who was noticing , then?

1 Kings 18:42-45 “So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees,

And said to his servant, Go up now , look toward the sea. And he went up and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times. And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man’s hand……..And it came to pass in the meanwhile, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain.”

The fire falling was a mighty answer to prayer, but the people’s hearts were not turned back to God.

They might have been shown the true God…….

But I believe, that to turn their hearts back , required Elijah to preach God’s Word to the people that he had prayed for,…..till their hearts said The Lord is our God…..

…..people hearing for themselves God’s requirements on their own lives….

…..comes through preaching, and teaching God’s Word, and prayers.

(We can know God is able, without ever knowing God is able for me. That is the problem here; God was real now, They had to believe in His power…but they did not believe in Him for their lives)

Then what did this mighty demonstration do for Elijah? For Ahab? For the people?

For Ahab there was no change in his heart.

1 Kings 19:1 ” And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.”

He ran home and told Jezebel; nothing changed in his life.

For the people? Some say that the worship of Baal was never the same. And the servants of God we’re not brutally killed as before.

But most did not turn back to God, even though they knew He was “The God.”

And for Elijah? That is the saddest situation of all.

Having done such a Mighty Demonstration of God’s Power….

Since the rain was given in answer to his prayer….he thought:

Surely everything is over with….Israel will now worship The Lord God , and Elijah could go and relax.

Everything was fixed…they were God’s People again. Right?

God enables His servants….there was ample power at Elijah’s disposal.

But……God requires His servants to see the job done; and Elijah thought the job was over with.

But it wasn’t:

1 Kings 19:2 “Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time”

Now as God’s Servants, we should expect trials, and enemies in this world.

But Elijah was thrown off guard, by thinking that the work was done, that he and God had won. There would be no opposition.

But, again, that was not the case.

1 Kings 19:3 “And when he saw that , he arose, and went for his life,….”

After such a mighty demonstration,….then running for his life.

Now , I would not judge Elijah….I have been tricked up myself, thinking things were not what they actually were.

And thinking that if I could just somehow show God’s Power, too, things would be different.

What we need to come to is God’s Word, and Voice.

What was it that began Elijah’s ministry?

The Word of God spoken to Moses so many years before…a promise that God surely would; and did, bring to pass by his seeking it.

And what caused Elijah to return , to pray for rain, after three years….God’s Word to him.

So now let us consider a lesson that God used to teach His runaway prophet. (For He was not done with him, though he had run away.)

1 Kings 19:9-10 “And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?

And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life , to take it away. “

Maybe he actually thought he was the only one left. A sure sign that no one seemed to stand with him. And here he was hiding inside the cave.

1 Kings 19:11-13 “And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by , and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind:

and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake:

And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And behold, there came a voice unto him and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?”

God’s Word and Voice began his ministry; and here God teaches His prophet a lesson about His Voice in comparison to Mighty Demonstrations of Power.

God calls Elijah to come out of hiding, after showing him He was not in the wind, earthquake, or fire….but it is His Voice that brings out His real servants to Himself.

Here God gives his runaway servant some instructions, and Elijah just goes and does it. No need for anything else.

And what else does God show him? The prophet who said “I only am left”?

1 Kings 19:18 “Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.”

There were seven thousand of God’s servants, throughout Israel.

The important thing here, is: Having heard the Word of the Lord again, Elijah just goes and does it.

There is no fear, no hesitation, he just does what he is told.

This is true power…God’s Voice speaking to us…..and us doing what He says.

He can do what He promises,…….and He can take care of us, through it all.

Use it or Lose it?

1Corinthians 4:2 “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”

Matthew 25:14-30

Here is the parable of the man traveling into a far country. So he delivers to his servants his goods, to gain with.

Matthew 25:14 “For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called His own servants, and delivered unto them His goods.”

To begin this, we would stress the most important fact; we should deal with “ability”. “Each to his several ability”.

Matthew 25:15 “And unto one he gave five talents, to another, two; and to another, one. To every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey”

“Several ability”,….the plain teaching of this parable is that even the one talent person could have gained something; in as much as each had a several ability…..

…….Which means there is more than one thing they could have done.

Matthew 25:29 “For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.”

But from “him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath”?

In other words, that which he had, but made no use of.

Luke 19:12-14 “He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.

And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.”

Here in this parable we see two groups: Servants, and citizens.

Those that say they are His servants, who are entrusted to use part of the nobleman’s wealth, to gain for Him while he is gone.

And the citizens of the country, are those of the world which hate him, outright.

When the nobleman returns (as Christ will one day, having been given His Kingdom here on earth [Revelation 11:15]). Then he calls for an account of his servants.

The Parable in Matthew 25 uses “talents”.

Each of us receiving a different amount to use,…..symbolizing the calling and abilities (grace) given us, by the Holy Spirit, to do God’s Will.

But here in Luke, they receive one pound each…….and are told to “Occupy till I come”.

This is a merchandise term , as used in the day of Christ.

It means to use it…..and gain with it.

(The “pound”, is the faith by the Holy Spirit. Will we yield to the Holy Spirit and have the victory and obediences Christ has for us? Will we use our pound?)

Luke 19:16-17 “Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.

And He said unto him, Well done, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.”

Faithfulness to God in what He has given you, much or little, is what He rewards.

Luke 19:18 “And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.”

And so He gave the man who had been faithful, even though with less…….authority over five cities.

He had not gained as much as the first servant, but had been faithful and gained;…..and so, was rewarded.

Now to the one who hid his talent, for selfish fear.

He did not think well of the Master, and did not care about “gaining” for Him.

So he thought he would hide his talent, to protect himself. He would give back what he was given, and be done with it.

The Nobleman couldn’t complain, he thought, because He had back, what He had given.

But that is not what the Nobleman,….or our Lord Jesus,…wants.

He wants His servants to use what He had given them, out of honor for Him,….and “gain”.

First we “gain” grace and fellowship within, so that the love of God sheds itself abroad in us.

Second we “gain” by the “good works” we do in the power of the Holy Spirit….we gain the fruit of the Spirit, and the fruit of a Christian…which is another Christian.

We have been given faith, by the Holy Spirit, to help us.

Are we taking the help?

We have been given gifts and callings (ability). Are we using them to His glory?

Luke19:23 “Wherefore than gavest not thou My money into the bank, that at My coming I might have required mine own with usury?” (Interest)

He was responsible for his one talent,…..but he did nothing with it.

That one talent, he was given, could have gained at least one more.

And should we not use our faith, whether large or little…….and grow in grace?

Perhaps, if he had only grown in faith,….he would have gained love…..love for the Master, he was to serve…..and that would have resulted in more gain.

But sadly…..he hid his talent.

What about us? Are we using what we have been given as faithful stewards of Christ Jesus?

We can and should……and gain by it.

Let us do what we can, with the help of the Holy Spirit, and be blessed.

Again! Use it or lose it!

As Paul said:

1Corinthians 4:2 “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”

Those that are faithful in little, will be given much.

For this is the measure of Spiritual Things.

Luke 19:24-26 “And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath 10 pounds.

(And they said unto him, Lord, he hath 10 pounds.).

For I say unto you , That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.”

There it is , the Sovereign Creator says “That unto every one which hath shall be given”.

They have used what He gave them, and gained,….little or much.

We who are of the Elect, need to see God’s Purpose which was from the beginning

We were not put into this world to fulfill our own purpose, but HIs.

We were neither born, Or born again, to do our own thing.

But unto the good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)

If we are faithful to God, we will gain for Him. If we are unfaithful, we will lose our reward.

Again, use it, or lose it; which will we do?

Paul’s last Message

2 Timothy 4:6 “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.”

Paul is in a Roman prison: he has been sentenced to death.

He has a few things to say to Timothy, who was like a son to him. Instruction, and testimony.

But notice, when Paul talks about his soon execution, he talks as if he were waiting on a train to take him away.

And it is true. The same second Paul’s body died, he was in heaven, meeting Jesus face to face. Experiencing the beauty, rest, and love of God.

Paul speaks of being offered; and he was offered on the altar of hate. They wanted to be rid of this one who preached Christ, even though he had done no wrong to the Roman state.

He had no one of importance to stand for him before Caesar. And as he testified, all men forsook him; no one stood up for him, because of fear of retaliation from the men around Caesar.

Yet Paul forgives them and asks God to forgive them, too.

2 Timothy 4:16-17 “At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.

Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.”

Paul writes Timothy, not just to notify him of his execution, but to instruct him.

He lets him know that he is ready to go. That he has finished the Purpose of God for his life.

2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:”

Paul used these illustrations before, when talking about his life as a preacher of the gospel.

1 Corinthians 9:26-27 “I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air.

But keep under my body, and bring it in to subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”

As a runner in a race, he was to keep the goal of God in front of him, and finish what he started.

He was to preach salvation to all,…….and exhort them to grow in the grace of God.

And show them how to do it.

And he was a fighter. He had real enemies, he was not fighting the air.

His enemies were from within himself…..(We always need to resist sin.)…

And from without. Many sought to kill him, slander him, and ruin the simple gospel message; yet he withstood them,…..often face to face.

But he had fought the good fight. He had finished his course.

He had kept the faith. The word “kept” here is “to guard from loss, by keeping our eye upon”.

And he had instructed Timothy in his former letter to do the same:

1 Timothy 6:11-12 “But thou, O man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, wherein thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”

Paul also looks forward to what God has promised:

2 Timothy 4:8 “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day:….”

And if he had stopped there, we would absolutely understand. Paul had done many things, suffered many things for Christ Jesus.

But he does not:

“…and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

Any Christian, who loves the appearing of Christ Jesus, will receive a crown of righteousness.

It is difficult, not to get wrapped up in this world……It’s anger, greed, and vengeful spirit.

Then we forget to love Jesus……and we stop looking to Him.

When that happens……we don’t “keep” our faith active.

Paul warns all of us, to “fight the good fight of faith”. And keep our eye on,…and guard our faith,…..which will always lead us on, with the Lord.

Yet, if we do love and wait for Him, there is a crown waiting for us in heaven.

Paul’s last message, was one of instruction and testimony:

“If I, who once was an enemy of Jesus,…….can be saved…..and come to love Him through out my life; in good times, and bad: So can you.

He stood with me,……and Jesus Christ will stand with you no matter what comes.”

So ended Paul’s bodily ministry…..and so began his eternal joy with Christ!

What is the difference between knowing and knowing?

Mark 1:22 “And they were astonished at His doctrine: for He thought them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.”

This is astonishing! When Jesus came to Israel, preaching the Kingdom of God is at hand….there were many scribes who knew the Word of God.

Many who could point out exactly what should be done according to the Law.

(Under king Josiah, the scribe was established. As many things, at the beginning, it was a very blessed plan.

Send men out into the land of Judah, who knew the Law….to teach it, so that everyone would know what God wanted them to do. It was exactly what Moses had said to do when they entered the land……though Israel had failed to do it….and many did not know what God had said in His Law.)

But now, at Jesus time, the scribes had degenerated into a class of men, separate from others…..better than others….who generally used their knowledge of the Law…..not to teach others, but to point out other people’s faults.

Then comes Jesus…..He preaches and teaches what should be done from the scriptures….but with the authority of One Who knows God,…..and that His Law is good, merciful, and right.

(It is not real authority for others, without the Authority of God and His Word for me.)

Mark 1:21 “And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day He entered into the synagogue, and taught.”

This is the same incident as in…

Matthew 4:13, 23 “And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum…..

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.”

This was at the beginning of His ministry…..and we see Him teaching the people….with authority.

Giving the Word, with power to change them……to those starving for it.

(At least seven times in scripture it is recorded that they were astonished at His doctrine, wisdom and understanding….for it was with authority…”power”. Luke 4:32)

We think He had power only because He was the Son of God….yet He plainly says…

John 8:26, 29 “I have many things to say and to judge of you: but He that sent Me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of Him.

And He that sent Me is with Me: the Father hath not left Me alone; for I do always those things that please Him.”

John 12:49-50 “For I have not spoken of Myself, but the Father which sent Me, He gave Me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.

And I know that His commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto Me, so I speak.”

Here is a real….”And I know”. Christ Jesus knew God HIs Father,….and that His Word is good, merciful, and right.

How much do we know God, and His Word in us?

Though the scribes knew the Word…..yet they did not know the reality of the authority of that Word….for themselves.

They could give good advice, but could not command the heart of their hearers…..because the blessing of God comes to the devoted and obedient heart….and through them, to others.

We, too, must acquire the knowledge of the Word…..how important for these days….

….but also the authority of that Word in our lives, that we might show the Lord to others,….and the goodness, mercy and power of His Word, by being under it’s Authority ourselves.

It is not head knowledge, but of the Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is the Person of the Godhead that we work mostly with.

When we speak for the Lord,….by His Word, or by obedience…..and we have that experience in our lives,….the Holy Spirit takes what is said, and done….and empowers it in the lives of the hearers.

They may reject the conviction, or help…..but they can not get around that Word, when spoken with the power of the Holy Spirit.

What is the difference between knowing and knowing?

The knowing of our heads….not bad, but not enough.

And the knowing of our lives…..we have what the Lord said…..in us!

And we can speak with authority anything we get into our own lives.

Of One Accord

Acts 5:12 “And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.”

(Solomon’s porch was just off the main temple area. It was where the first church often met.)

“With one accord.” Here is the real power of this verse.

It means to be gathered to the Lord, Himself.

We are not come together for the preaching, or for the music, or for the company….although there is nothing wrong with good preaching, music, or fellowship of company….

….but to be of one accord….

…..Christ has to be the reason we come together.

Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered together in My Name, there am I in the midst of them.”

Gathered together in His Name, there He is in the midst.

To be gathered together in His Name….is to be impelled of the Holy Spirit.

You are there because He has sent you there….and you want to be no where else.

(Years ago, my husband knew a man that came every Sunday,…..but confided in my husband that he would rather be home watching the games on T.V.

My husband looked at him….and told him that he might be better off if he did….for if the heart is not in the “coming”…..that coldness spills out into the life and service. [Sometime we can never really see our lostness when we are hiding in a church.]

My husband had been praying for this man, and had wondered….after all this time, why there seemed to be no spiritual growth. He tried dealing with this man….showing him the wonderful things of Christ….but…

He often said the right words….but the light of the eyes and heart did not seem to be in what he was saying.

Several years past, and this man finally stayed home. He went from one thing to another…..trying the “happiness” of the world.

There are always those….like Demas….who go along awhile….yet finally leave….”having loved this present world”.

….for they would rather leave Christ than give up their loves, or plans.)

“With one accord”

Your whole body, soul and spirit longs to be where the children of God are gathered….to be there for Christ,….and for His Purpose.

That is God’s Purpose and it becomes your Purpose.

That is to be of one accord.

The Vulgar Latin word for “accord” meant….”to be heart to heart with”.

This was the way the first church met.

All would be heart to heart with the Lord…having HIs heart’s desire for this situation.

That gave a power to the services….for the Lord’s Will being done has real practical power in it….and when it is done with all the heart….there is blessing and power.

We say they were on fire for the Lord…. the love they felt for Him overcame every fear and concern.

They were forgiven and wanted to continue in the fellowship and joy of that peace with God….and with their fellow believers.

Love in scripture is willed…..it is the willed tendency of the heart after Someone….Christ.

That love is practical….and the first place it is shown is in our obedience to Him…..heart obedience.

Acts 5:32 “And we are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God has given to them that obey Him.”

With His accord you are “heart to heart” with Him…..and this is what He wants….

….your heart so wrapped up in Him, that slight differences with people, or changes in circumstances, will not be a concern….or take our eyes off of Him.

This is, of course, between each believer and the Lord….but it is felt in the corporate ministry….and in the world. (Acts 4:13)

Song of Solomon 2:15 “Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.”

When you take care of these little foxes…those little strifes, or desires, or hinderances in your hearts affection…..then…

…you have fellowship with Him…in a new way.

And when that fellowship continues….you will begin to know His accord,…as you are removing all that hinders this from being so.

And by many acts of the will you become heart to heart with Him…..of one accord….with the love and power that it brings.

Rich

When we think of being rich, we think of money, or lands, or possessions…..

……but when God thinks of us being rich….it is an entirely different answer…

….let us consider what God thinks…

Proverbs 10:22 “The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it.”

Many have found that their riches have brought “things”…..but also much sorrow.

Whenever we begin to build on a foundation of…”what we have”….we are in trouble. (Psalm 62:10)

But the Lord promises no sorrow with the riches of His blessing….for they are given day by day…..heavenly blessings which come to us through Christ. (Ephesians 1:3)

In scripture there are two very good examples of “rich”….

Luke 12:16-20: “The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully….”

(This man was already rich in this world’s goods….yet the Lord gave him a very good crop of “fruits”.

What would he do with them?

Please understand that every law in Israel about harvest, included sharing with the poor, the priests living nearby, and those that gleaned.)

“This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.

And I will say to my soul, soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.”

This man decided to forget about God’s liberality to him…overlook the laws God had set down….and devote all that he had….to himself.

(When we share our blessings with others….it should not be for them….but for God. All things given, in obedience to His Will, is an offering to Him…and a blessing to others)

We know what the man was going to do…..so what did God say?

“But God said unto him,…”.

This is amazing….God speaks to all….through His Word, through others, to their conscience….He speaks and asks them…

….Who is in charge? What will happen to all your plans if “your soul” is removed?

Things will come and go….but your soul is the value of your life….why are you just wasting it?

“Thou fool (Psalm 14:1), this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?”

Sadly this man……thinking he had gained all….lost all that was important…when he could have been really rich.

Then the Lord speaks:

Luke 12:21 “So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. “

The other example is Paul:

Paul was a very ‘up and coming’ Pharisee,…till he was saved on the road to Damascus.

Then he became a simple believer….an apostle to the Gentiles…a missionary which worked as a tent maker to provide for himself and others that were with him.

His testimony after many years…

2 Corinthians 6:4,10 “But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,”

(Now this does not sound “rich”…yet…)

“As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.”

“Possessing all things”….God could change circumstances for Paul….and did….many times. Paul had “all things” in Christ.

Paul knew of the “riches of His goodness and forbearance and long-suffering;” which leads to repentance. (Romans 2:4)

He knew of the “riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy” (Romans 9:23) to share in Christ’s life within us by the Holy Spirit!

He knew…”O the depths of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” (Romans 11:33) in planning our salvation…both Jew and Gentile!

Paul knew God’s power to give him directions and guidance in His Will…. “the riches of His grace; wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;” (Ephesians 1:7-8).

He knew he was saved to preach about the grace given him….”Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ” (Ephesians 3:8)

And he knew the mighty working of the Holy Spirit within him….”according to His working, which worketh in me mightily.” (Colossians 1:29).

Paul was rich….and wanted every Christian to share in the manifold riches of Christ.

Ephesians 3:17-19 “That Christ may dwell in you hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

And to know the love of Christ , which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.”

He wanted all to know these true riches….(Paul speaks at length about the practical life of “gain”. 1 Timothy 6:6-12)

1 Timothy 6:17-18 “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;”

But the living God, Who gives us richly…all things to enjoy!

Are we “rich” in this world…..in things….or in plans and ambitions?

Or are we becoming rich in grace, and the love of Christ…..experiencing the many blessings of the living God?

The Temptation of Jesus

Matthew 4:1 “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.”

Jesus was “led up of the Spirit”. This temptation, then, was God’s Plan and Purpose for His Son.

He was in all points tempted, like as we are, the writer to the Hebrews revealed. (Hebrews 4:15)

So this temptation shows us how to act when we, too, are tempted.

First, notice that our hardest temptations come after we have gotten more Spiritual power and grace.

Jesus had just been baptized by John the Baptist, and the Holy Spirit had come down upon Him without measure, as He came up from the water.

A Voice had announced that Jesus was God’s Beloved Son! And that He was well pleasing in God’s sight!

But then He was tempted.

Matthew 4:2-4 “And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He was afterward an hungered.

And when the tempter came to Him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command these stones to be made bread.

But He answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

Jesus was hungry. He had been fasting for forty days, and nights; so when He could, He wanted to break the fast by food.

But when tempted by the devil to change stones into bread, so He could satisfy His hunger,…….now,…..and prove that He was the Son of God;…..Jesus refused.

But He did not just say “No”, but rebuked the suggestion by quoting “It is written”.

What the Scriptures say, help us to live right, and know what to do.

The suggestion of the devil, was that because Jesus was the Son of God,…..He could do what ever He wanted, have whatever He wanted, whenever He wanted, by simply commanding it to be so.

Of course, Jesus had power to do that,…..but that was not why He became man.

He became man, to live a perfect life….so He could be a perfect sacrifice for sin, for us…..that we might live.

It was ever to do the Father’s Will, that He came, and that was what He lived for…..and would die by.

(So should we do the Father’s Will for us.

It puts us in the wonderful position of being able to stand back from temptations, and plans of the world and the devil………and seek God’s Will in everything.

That puts temptations in a new light.

It is not: “You want this,….it is not too awful,….why not do it?”

It is: “Is this what the Lord would have me to do,…now?”)

Notice this first temptation of Jesus, was for bodily wants.

Matthew 4:5-7 “And the devil taketh Him up into the holy city, and setteth Him on a pinnacle of the temple.

And saith unto Him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear Thee up, lest at any time Thou dash Thy foot against a stone.

Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.”

Jesus had quoted Scripture,……so now the devil quotes it.

This scripture is a promise to Christ, for protection (Like When Harod sent soldiers to kill the baby; or when they were going to throw Him off the cliff at Nazareth)……..but not the presumption the devil suggested.

Notice the devil says again,……”If thou be the Son of God”.

Here the temptation is for public announcement, and fame.

Cast yourself down from the pinnacle of the temple.

What a better way to prove the fact that You are the Son of God!

For God would certainly do His promise,….and those that saw it, might have been awed into following Jesus for awhile, because of it…….

…….but that is not true believing.

But Jesus refused it, for it was not the Father’s Way of announcement.

His Way was for Jesus to go about preaching, “the kingdom of heaven is at hand”.

He was to do good to all. (Matthew 4:17)

Certainly it was not as exciting as angels catching Him……..but it was God’s Will.

The devil’s suggestion was just tempting God;……and Jesus refused it and quoted that Scripture: “Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.”

(To tempt God is to make God prove Himself or His Word, by demanding that He do something for us,….now. Do this, or we won’t trust You.)

This second temptation had been for Fame, and prestige.

How often we get trapped into “seeking” these.

Matthew 4:8-10 “Again, the devil taketh Him up unto an exceeding high mountain, and showeth Him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them:

And saith unto Him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.”

The temptation here is: Forget the path to the cross.

If You will fall down and worship me, You can have all the kingdoms and the power of them…now;……without the suffering and shameful death of the cross.

This was the devil’s attempt to destroy Who Jesus was: “I will give you all I have, to make God finally submit to me, in the person of His Son.”

Of course Jesus refused this:

But after this final suggestion, Jesus commands the devil to depart; quoting the verse, “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.”

Jesus would do all the Father’s Will.

And He was confident that those kingdoms would be His, God’s Way….and that was through the suffering of the cross,….onward to resurrection and glory.

The third temptation was for personal power, and glory;…….without suffering.

And the devil temps us in the same ways:

1. See to your needs first. Yes, your a Christian, but God has not “forbidden” you to do this, so He probably doesn’t care. Big temptation.

2. If you are going to have a ministry for God, make it flashy. People will remember you. They will admire you. They will think you are great! (There is a whole lot of “you” in that “ministry”)

3. If you will just go along with the world, you could skip a whole lot of trouble. Sure, you can look like a Christian, but you don’t have to walk in that “narrow” way.

In other words, “Go ahead, lose your Christ’s Life, to have your self life”. (Matthew 16:25)

These,……..and others like them,……are the things the devil tempts us with

(For he tempted our Lord the same way.)

Looking to the Father’s Will, Jesus went through these temptations, standing on the Word of God.

Jesus left the place of temptation, having the victory,……by placing Himself in the Father’s hands, under the authority of the Word of God.

He did all the work the Father had for Him, and finished it…..for us.

So we need to look to Christ Jesus, and go through all He has purposed for us, with Him.

He will empower us, giving us our measure of our devotion and obedience, by the Holy Spirit,………to know and to do His Will.

The Strait Gate and the Narrow Way

Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be that go in thereat:

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

Luke 13:24 “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.”

“Strait” here means “narrow, with obstacles standing close about”.

“Narrow” is a thin path.

Is Jesus trying to discourage people?

No, He is just telling the truth….for all of us have “turned everyone to his own way”.

Isaiah 53:6 “All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”

Now we must turn from that way, and seek to enter into His Way, which is Life.

Isn’t He the door….by Him, if we enter in, we will be saved?

Yes! Absolutely! But getting to the door, or the “gate” as it is referenced here, is often the problem…..for we try and bring all that we are, with us.

This is not our possessions….but our old life, old habits, old way of doing things, our old way of seeing things.

Luke 18:25 “For it is easier for a camel to go through a needles eye, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

I use this verse….for it exemplifies that we need to set everything aside to “enter in”.

In the old walled cities of Israel…..there were gates….wide and broad; which the caravans of camels and carts came in and out all day. There were guards, it is true….but they seldom restricted the merchandise from coming in and out.

But at night, when robbers and enemies were about….the gate was shut; and any caravan,….having missed the time…..would be stuck outside,….a easy prey for these bandits. For the guards would not come out to fight for them.

If this happened, the only other recourse, was to empty every animal, and squeeze them through a door, which was set beside the gate for travelers at night. One guard could easily hold the door if bandits or an enemy tried to come in.

This door was called the needle’s eye. For no animal could come through it, carry all they had.

(I know some people say that the Lord Jesus was telling a ridiculous joke….that He meant it for the impossible. For He goes on to say….”The things that are impossible with men are possible with God.” And it could be true….for Jesus was illustrating the impossibility of those that hold on to “my things”, to be saved.)

So let us see, what we hold on to:

Our opinions,…..formed when we were under the influence of the world.

We often continue to see things the same way….and God wants us to see through His eyes…

Mark 6:34 “And Jesus, when He came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and He began to teach them many things.”

Mark 3:5 “And when He had looked round about on them in anger(on those who did not want Him to heal on the Sabbath)….being grieved because of the hardness of their hearts…”

We often hold on to alliances,….people we had the same interests with before,….but now?….which will we choose?

2 Corinthians 6:17-18”Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”

We often hold on to habits…whether games, T.V., or being fans of a particular thing……

Habits of speech, or a certain way we do things….all of these are formed when we were not born again….

And I must stress…….we should be willing to lay any of these things aside.

Not that the Lord always asks us to…..but anything that will “weigh us down”, or burden our following Him…..you have to be willing to take off. (Hebrews 12:1)

Matthew 10:37-38 “He that loveth father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.

And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me.”

How much do you want Him in your life? And how much of your life is yours…..and how much is His?

These are the things He was addressing in the broad way and the strait gate….our willingness to give Him all.

Proverbs 23:26 “My son, give Me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe My ways.”

Not that He gains by us….He is self-existent, eternal, Almighty. But that the more we love Him, the more free we become from sin, self, and the world.

The more our heart grows with love for Him…the more it expands in light, peace, and joy.

It is for our benefit He asks us, as He asked Peter by Galilee….”Lovest thou Me more than these?”

It was not just his fellow fishermen, the Lord was asking about……but fishing, the sea, the old life…..”Do you love Me, Peter, more than all of them?”

Twice in the Psalms, David says, “my heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.” (Psalm 57:7, Psalm 108:1). Both times he is speaking of God’s mercy to him.

The “fixed” in these Psalms is “prepared”. David had prepared his heart to receive mercy from God….and had run straight to His God, trusting Him, to receive it.

Psalm 57:1 “Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in Thee: yea, in the shadow of Thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpassed.”

Let me ask….are we preparing our hearts to hear Him,….to follow Him,….to love Him?

Cursed or Blessed

Jeremiah 17:5 “Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord.

Jeremiah 17:7 “Blessed be the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.” I’m

When God says, “cursed” to anyone…..then He is giving that one over to the bondage of sin…..the weight of sin,….the darkness of sin….the penalty of sin.

The curse is sin. Sin is the refusal of God’s authority over our life….in thought, attitude, and action (Romans 14:23, James 4:17).

When God says, “blessed” to anyone…..then He is giving His Spirit and the influence of love, joy, peace….and liberty of obedience to that one.

(In the Bible, the heart is the personality of a person.

God gave us a personality when He formed us….

….of the dust of the ground He formed our bodies,

….He breathed into us the “breath of life” (the Holy Spirit) into our spirits,

….And we became a living soul….living personalities that responded to our Creator, God.

Ecclesiastes 7:29 “Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright [righteous]; but they have sought out many inventions.”

We were made upright….fully capable of not sinning. We had the Holy Spirit within, and we did not have a sinful nature….till Adam willed to sin, instead of obey God.

Many inventions….many things which will take the place of God in the heart.

And the biggest thing we try and fill our hearts with……is us.

Our plans, our riches, our jobs, our friends, our…whatever…

…but it is “our”….”mine”.)

In Jeremiah’s time, under king Josiah, there was a “revival” of religion.

Josiah was a godly king and ordered the Temple worship re-established and had one of the few Passover feasts that Israel had.

He ordered those of the priestly family who knew the Law, to go about teaching it.

Many came back to worship God…..but many came back to the Temple,…..and still worshiped their other gods.

Time came, when Josiah died…the kings after were wicked…..and the worship went on,…but in form only.

There were still those who preached the truth, wrote the truth to be read,….and who believed God…..yet they were becoming less and less.

Jeremiah was told to tell them of their sin…..(remember sin is the curse)…

….and God said:

“Cursed is the man that trusteth in man….and whose heart departeth from the Lord.”

“Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.”

These are the choices every person has to make….

We trust in our own way…..departing from the God who made us and would save us…..and be cursed of God, and left to the sin we have chosen.

(every man can be saved….all they have to do is come to God through Jesus Christ.

John 1:12 “For as many as received Him (Jesus Christ), to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.”

In the Old Testament….it was faith in the Savior’s coming. In the New Testament time, the time we are living in….it is faith that the Savior, Christ Jesus has come.)

Or to trust in the Lord,….and be blessed of God, and saved from our sin….into liberty of love obedience.

I want to explain something…..

…God is Light. (1 John 1:5)

If you love the darkness so you can hide in it with your sin…then, face it, your sin is ruling you….and you will not want the Light….that is why you are rejecting God…and for no other reason.

…God is Love. (1 John 4:8)

God’s love in not an indulgent pat on our head….

….His love is a consuming fire which burns up our hatred, anger, resentments, and self-pity.

He will continue to love us….taking away all those emotions which destroy us….and will change our hearts into vessels of overflowing peace and praise.

…God is Truth.(John 14:16)

His truth is our safety. Never is our step more safe and firm, then when we are walking in His truth….not following the crooked ways of the world.

…God is Life. (John 14:16)

Only in His life, can we have life.

If your breathing in and out, yet without Christ….you are merely existing.

Life is walking, talking, and having a personal relationship with Christ Jesus, letting His Spirit empower, enable, comfort and encourage us.

…God is Faithful (1 Corinthians 1:9, 10:13)

Both in His promises and in His threatenings…..for He is Able to do everything according to His Will.

He is faithful “to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him (Jesus Christ)…” (Hebrews 7:25)

He is faithful….”and whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:15)

In these titles…..I am not seeking to make you love and admire God….only the Holy Spirit can do that….

….but seeking to manifest your choice…

…cursed or blessed? Which? Choose God, or your own way.

He spoke to Israel before they were taken away into captivity….so they would turn….and be saved.

He speaks now to all…

John 3:16-18 “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.

For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.

He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but He that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

We are condemned already…..cursed already because of our sin…..

…but God, through Christ will save us….if we believe on Him.

And He speaks to Christians:

2 Corinthians 6:17, 18-7:1 “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

Holiness is sanctification….to set ourselves aside to God in all the parts of our lives….to keep coming after Him, who loves us and saves us.

Cursed is the man….whose heart departeth from the Lord.

Blessed is the man who trusteth in the Lord…

We have a choice…..which will we choose.