I am weary tonight, heart sore, exhausted bit I am also extremely thankful I have His righteousness not my own, cause if it was dependant upon me in anyway shape or form then there was never any hope cause we are all a jacked up hot mess of sin which is precisely why we need Christ and His faith and righteousness to save us.
Since we now understand that not all of the Bible was written to or about us let’s look at the parts which are. First, let me stress that the entire Bible was written for our benefit and is the word of God. However, not all the information contained in the Bible is given for our obedience today. For example the command God gave to Adam about not eating of that one specific tree doesn’t apply to us today cause he done ate from it and jacked everything all up and the situation he had in Eden doesn’t even exist today. Same with Noah, God told him that in order to be saved he had to build an ark, guess what, that command won’t help us much today and it sure won’t save us. We need instead to be concerned with the particular information God tells us today to follow during the dispensation of the age of grace.
Since the dispensation of grace was given to the Apostle Paul alone, the whole mystery I talked about last night. We already noted how Peter had a very different message to proclaim as did Christ himself, they preached Israel’s kingdom of heaven gospel that was a world based salvation. But we aren’t under the law and it’s works, today it’s all about grace and we find the information spoken by and written by our apostle to us and for us in the Pauline epistles.
That’s the books of Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus and Philemon. That’s where we go for all our doctrine, correction and reproof.
But what about the rest of the books in the New Testament after Philemon you ask. Those books are written for a time when there is once again a difference between Jew and Gentile. That’s not today as we have already established using verses like this one from Galatians.
Under the Old Testament though there was a major very clear distinction between Jew and Gentile, and there will be again in the future when God once again treats Jews and Gentiles differently. The book of Hebrews for instance is written to the Hebrews but there is no group of people whom God is dealing with today known as Hebrews. The same with the book of James, just look at how it starts out.
“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.” (James 1:1)
It’s written to the twelve tribes of Israel. Folks that ain’t us! Right now God just sees people, no Jew no Gentiles, he deals with us all the same way, so James can’t apply dispensationally to us today. It will apply in the future when God changes programs again and deals with the Jews in a special way.
All the books after Philemon (Hebrews through Revelation) are addressed to a time period when there is once again a distinction between Jew and Gentile and faith and salvation will once again be demonstrated by performing certain required works as expressions of faith in order to obtain salvation. Thank God that we live in the age of grace and salvation is a free gift through Christ all we need do is accept it by believing in his death, burial and resurrection. It can’t be any easier.
And just in case you really want to think the books after Philemon are to you read them carefully and remember that when God starts dealing with Israel as a chosen nation again they are going to pick back up on their kingdom program and plunge headfirst into Daniels 70th week, otherwise referred to as the Great Tribulation, spoken of by the prophets and detailed in full in the final book the Revelation of Jesus Christ. Folks trust me it is great to be under grace, cause I’ve read the prophecies and that is some jacked up crazy worst nightmare kinda stuff. The disasters, the Antichrist, the beheadings, the locusts (ugh, those locusts man they are like spiders from hell, actually they are locust from hell) you do not want to be here when God begins to give a rebellious and rejecting world exactly what it’s been asking for.
I talked last night about how we are no longer bound by or under the law during this dispensation of the age of grace. That’s a good thing since it’s impossible to keep the law perfectly according to God’s standards. Instead of having to keep the law its role today is to show us that it’s hopeless, we can’t. We are lost as a ball in high weeds because we can never live up to God’s standard revealed to us through His Law. The law is what shows us our dire situation and points us to the only solution God’s grace and forgiveness through the finished work on the cross of his son Jesus Christ.
We are under grace not the law, but let’s be real clear – grace is not a license to sin or just keep on living like a lost person. Yes, we are saved by grace through faith alone without observing the law, however we still should refrain from sinning because of the consequences with respect to our heavenly inheritance. If we sin once we are saved it doesn’t mean we need to once again fear eternal damnation but that when we appear before the judgement seat of Christ for our works to be judge in the fire we don’t want to be left with just a pile of ash because all we had was wood, hay and stubble. No, we want a tidy pile of precious stones left behind to show that we served Christ not our flesh.
When a saint is under the law it constrains his behavior. The law tells him what to do and not to do. But it is different for the saint under grace and that’s what we will be looking at tomorrow Lord willing.
Since Peter had a gospel that required works under the law are we bound by that law today? Nope, we are not under the law in any sense.
I know you’ve probably heard someone say that Paul is just referring to the ceremonial law there not the moral law, right? Well, that’s just not what the Bible says. Nowhere in the Bible is there a distinction made between the moral and ceremonial laws. Those who are under the law are bound by every single statute, they cannotThe pick and choose which part to obey
Praise God that we live today during the dispensation of grace, and are saved without having to keep any aspect of the law. None of it, nadda, zilch.
Just think about the amazing difference between the Law and grace. For example, notice the difference in regard to the sabbath under the law and under grace.
“Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.” (Exodus 31:14)
“Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:” (Colossians 2:16)
Under the Old Testament dispensation of the Law, you could be executed if you failed to keep the Sabbath. Today though we are told that no
man can judge us if we choose not to observe the sabbath. That’s a pretty obvious difference, wouldn’t you say? Now you see why we have to be sure to rightly divide the Word and make sure we are following the correct dispensational program operating today- the dispensation of grace!
Tomorrow night Lord willing we will look at what the purpose of the law is today under grace. As always my beloved brothers and sisters in Christ my prayer for you is that you always know you are forever gripped in His grace!
** Previously scheduled repost.
For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright. Psalms 11:7
Whatever happened to virtue, morals, decency?
It seems to be a forgotten idea, one no longer in relevant in our world where relativism is the way of society. Do what thou wilt seems to be the law of the land and right and wrong are subject to each persons own perception. There is no standard, no absolutes, just a lot of people doing what feels right to them at that moment. It seems the world is bent on calling evil good and good evil just as the Scriptures said they would.
Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
Isaiah 5:20-21
God tells us there are absolutes, there are morals, decency is a thing to strive for, virtue is still relevant, and it most certainly matters. Consider for instance what James Ryle says in his book Rylisms concerning virtue:
It’s a word we don’t often hear much anymore. It didn’t use to be that way. A glance down the Hallway of History is illuminated with many great quotes regarding virtuous living. Here are but a few choice examples:
• “Even in decline, a virtuous man increases the beauty of his behavior. A burning stick, though turned to the ground, yet has its flame drawn upwards.”(Saskya Pandita, Tibetan Monk, 1120).
• “When a virtuous man is raised, it brings gladness to his friends, grief to his enemies, and glory to his posterity.” So said William Johnson, English Dramatist, 1572.
• “No people can be great who have ceased to be virtuous.” (Samuel Johnson, English poet 1750).
• Benjamin Franklin picked up on this and said, “There never was a truly great man that was not at the same time truly virtuous.” (1780).
• During the crisis of the Civil War, Frederick Douglas said, “The life of a nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful, and virtuous.” (1865).
I ask, Whatever happened to Virtue? Somewhere along the way we shifted gears and covertly turned a cold shoulder to such notions. And now we are a Nation more given to Vice than to Virtue. How did this happen?
Somewhere back there several years ago, a group of so-and-so’s decided to do a social experiment, which was founded upon the faulty notion that Life and all things in it is better without God. And they call this Enlightenment.
According to these illuminated and superior souls — Business is better without God. Politics are better without God. Education is better without God. Sex is better without God. Money is better without God. Society is better without God. The Arts are better without God.
But, clearly, such thinking is pure nonsense — and we see the full fruit of these sown seeds now shown openly in the dismal indifference which characterizes a society of non-virtuous people. Selfishness trumps self-sacrifice; personal interests take priority over the needs and concerns of others; petty arguments have replaced great debates — and this little piggy said, “ME, ME, ME,” all the way home.
But God is moving among us even still. He is summoning a people who hunger for that which is virtuous. Maybe you are one of them, and your heart is being drawn to the higher and nobler things of God. If that be so, then ponder Paul’s timeless counsel,
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8
VIRTUE — A Cluster of Many Noble Things
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 2 Peter 1:3
The old familiar song says, “Love is a many splendored thing” (lyrics by Paul Francis Webster). In the same sentiment, “Virtue is a many ennobled thing.”
VIRTUE, in a word, is the character of Jesus Christ. It is the power of moral excellence which produces character so great, conduct so becoming, and conversation so compelling – that the world is never the same for having seen it, and experienced it, and heard it.
We were called to Jesus by His glory and virtue — not just to behold and adore it; but to share in it. To become ourselves an extension of it in our own sphere of influence. “The works that I do, you shall do,” Jesus said, “and even greater works than these shall you do, for I go to My Father.”
Imagine the impact upon this planet when the one Jesus of Nazareth becomes increasingly multiplied over and over in the millions of His followers all around the world. Why, a wave of virtue would sweep this globe in such measure that the glory of the Lord would cover the earth as waters cover the sea.
VIRTUE in not one thing; it is a cluster of many noble things. It is humility in victory; no gloating or taunting in the defeat of an opponent. It is silence in suffering; no whimpering or whining to others over the unfairness of our trials. It is generosity in wealth; no hoarding of great riches in excess of reason, while others suffer great excess of want.
Virtue is kindness in power; no cruelty and indifference to those who look to you for leadership. It is decisiveness in crisis; no waffling, or shifting, nor shirking of responsibilities. It is courage in battle; no cowering in fear while others take the hit.
Virtue is grace in greatness. May you in all things at all times be known as a virtuous person.
And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. Mark 4:24
It grieves my heart to see the lack of virtue in the world today. To see sex everywhere – even in so called children’s programming, the most innocent of our society babies still in the womb are murdered by the millions every single day, people lie, cheat, steal and kill like I change clothes – it’s no big deal if it seems right to them. Mind altering substances are pushed, promoted and even celebrated by society, false religions are taught in our schools. But the name of Jesus or mentioning God will get a child thrown out and punished immediately. The sinnful fallen condition of this world is more apparent now than er and it’s time we do something about it. It’s time to start taking it back, brothers and sisters. Start taking a stand for God’s laws, the perfect 10 as I call them. Let’s stand for decency, turn off the t.v or walk out of the movie when the language or content is not something you’d want your child to see or hear. Or when the Lord’s name is used inappropriately, God’s is our Father, the Creator, he is holy, just and good- His name deserves to be treated as such. Let’s cry out for life, and against the violence and murder that fills the news each day. Let’s stand for purity, innocence, love. Real love, not the perversions that charade as it today. Let’s take back the world one moment at a time. We can do this with our Father leading us.
I won’t say it is easy, it isn’t always. We’ve had to make tough decisions that others didn’t always seem to get. We’ve turned off movies for the language, blasphemy, or adult content. We homeschool our son in part because God called us to get him out the secular school system, really a pagan environment where they teach the religion of evolution, humanism, even Islam now, but God’s name is forbidden and a child even silently praying to their Father or his Son is grounds for expulsion. Non-believing family members shun us, so called friends ignore us, people are mean when I openly proclaim my faith. But on the flip side because we don’t live like the world but try to live more like Jesus sometimes people notice. Sometimes it encourages a fellow believer to step out in faith as well. A simple God bless you to a stranger on the phone can speak volumes, or to a clerk in a store. You never know how God might use even the smallest step back to virtue! I urge you to start taking virtue back, proclaim the Lord’s name everyday, everywhere, let’s start a R3VOLUT1ON!
As always brothers and sisters in Christ may God the Father bless and keep you!
Today’s devotional comes from Rylisms by James Ryle.
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 2 Peter 1:3
The old familiar song says, “Love is a many splendored thing” (lyrics by Paul Francis Webster). In the same sentiment, “Virtue is a many ennobled thing.” VIRTUE, in a word, is the character of Jesus Christ. It is the power of moral excellence which produces character so great, conduct so becoming, and conversation so compelling – that the world is never the same for having seen it, and experienced it, and heard it.
We were called to Jesus by His glory and virtue — not just to behold and adore it; but to share in it. To become ourselves an extension of it in our own sphere of influence. “The works that I do, you shall do,” Jesus said, “and even greater works than these shall you do, for I go to My Father.”
Imagine the impact upon this planet when the one Jesus of Nazareth becomes increasingly multiplied over and over in the millions of His followers all around the world. Why, a wave of virtue would sweep this globe in such measure that the glory of the Lord would cover the earth as waters cover the sea.
VIRTUE in not one thing; it is a cluster of many noble things. It is humility in victory; no gloating or taunting in the defeat of an opponent. It is silence in suffering; no whimpering or whining to others over the unfairness of our trials. It is generosity in wealth; no hoarding of great riches in excess of reason, while others suffer great excess of want.
Virtue is kindness in power; no cruelty and indifference to those who look to you for leadership. It is decisiveness in crisis; no waffling, or shifting, nor shirking of responsibilities. It is courage in battle; no cowering in fear while others take the hit.
Virtue is grace in greatness. May you in all things at all times be known as a virtuous person.
And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. Mark 4:24
For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright. Psalms 11:7
Whatever happened to virtue, morals, decency?
It seems to be a forgotten idea, one no longer in relevant in our world where relativism is the way of society. Do what thou wilt seems to be the law of the land and right and wrong are subject to each persons own perception. There is no standard, no absolutes, just a lot of people doing what feels right to them at that moment. It seems the world is bent on calling evil good and good evil just as the Scriptures said they would.
Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
Isaiah 5:20-21
God tells us there are absolutes, there are morals, decency is a thing to strive for, virtue is still relevant, and it most certainly matters. Consider for instance what James Ryle says in his book Rylisms concerning virtue:
It’s a word we don’t often hear much anymore. It didn’t use to be that way. A glance down the Hallway of History is illuminated with many great quotes regarding virtuous living. Here are but a few choice examples:
• “Even in decline, a virtuous man increases the beauty of his behavior. A burning stick, though turned to the ground, yet has its flame drawn upwards.”(Saskya Pandita, Tibetan Monk, 1120).
• “When a virtuous man is raised, it brings gladness to his friends, grief to his enemies, and glory to his posterity.” So said William Johnson, English Dramatist, 1572.
• “No people can be great who have ceased to be virtuous.” (Samuel Johnson, English poet 1750).
• Benjamin Franklin picked up on this and said, “There never was a truly great man that was not at the same time truly virtuous.” (1780).
• During the crisis of the Civil War, Frederick Douglas said, “The life of a nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful, and virtuous.” (1865).
I ask, Whatever happened to Virtue? Somewhere along the way we shifted gears and covertly turned a cold shoulder to such notions. And now we are a Nation more given to Vice than to Virtue. How did this happen?
Somewhere back there several years ago, a group of so-and-so’s decided to do a social experiment, which was founded upon the faulty notion that Life and all things in it is better without God. And they call this Enlightenment.
According to these illuminated and superior souls — Business is better without God. Politics are better without God. Education is better without God. Sex is better without God. Money is better without God. Society is better without God. The Arts are better without God.
But, clearly, such thinking is pure nonsense — and we see the full fruit of these sown seeds now shown openly in the dismal indifference which characterizes a society of non-virtuous people. Selfishness trumps self-sacrifice; personal interests take priority over the needs and concerns of others; petty arguments have replaced great debates — and this little piggy said, “ME, ME, ME,” all the way home.
But God is moving among us even still. He is summoning a people who hunger for that which is virtuous. Maybe you are one of them, and your heart is being drawn to the higher and nobler things of God. If that be so, then ponder Paul’s timeless counsel,
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8
VIRTUE — A Cluster of Many Noble Things
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 2 Peter 1:3
The old familiar song says, “Love is a many splendored thing” (lyrics by Paul Francis Webster). In the same sentiment, “Virtue is a many ennobled thing.”
VIRTUE, in a word, is the character of Jesus Christ. It is the power of moral excellence which produces character so great, conduct so becoming, and conversation so compelling – that the world is never the same for having seen it, and experienced it, and heard it.
We were called to Jesus by His glory and virtue — not just to behold and adore it; but to share in it. To become ourselves an extension of it in our own sphere of influence. “The works that I do, you shall do,” Jesus said, “and even greater works than these shall you do, for I go to My Father.”
Imagine the impact upon this planet when the one Jesus of Nazareth becomes increasingly multiplied over and over in the millions of His followers all around the world. Why, a wave of virtue would sweep this globe in such measure that the glory of the Lord would cover the earth as waters cover the sea.
VIRTUE in not one thing; it is a cluster of many noble things. It is humility in victory; no gloating or taunting in the defeat of an opponent. It is silence in suffering; no whimpering or whining to others over the unfairness of our trials. It is generosity in wealth; no hoarding of great riches in excess of reason, while others suffer great excess of want.
Virtue is kindness in power; no cruelty and indifference to those who look to you for leadership. It is decisiveness in crisis; no waffling, or shifting, nor shirking of responsibilities. It is courage in battle; no cowering in fear while others take the hit.
Virtue is grace in greatness. May you in all things at all times be known as a virtuous person.
And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. Mark 4:24
It grieves my heart to see the lack of virtue in the world today. To see sex everywhere – even in so called children’s programming, the most innocent of our society babies still in the womb are murdered by the millions every single day, people lie, cheat, steal and kill like I change clothes – it’s no big deal if it seems right to them. Mind altering substances are pushed, promoted and even celebrated by society, false religions are taught in our schools. But the name of Jesus or mentioning God will get a child thrown out and punished immediately. The sinnful fallen condition of this world is more apparent now than er and it’s time we do something about it. It’s time to start taking it back, brothers and sisters. Start taking a stand for God’s laws, the perfect 10 as I call them. Let’s stand for decency, turn off the t.v or walk out of the movie when the language or content is not something you’d want your child to see or hear. Or when the Lord’s name is used inappropriately, God’s is our Father, the Creator, he is holy, just and good- His name deserves to be treated as such. Let’s cry out for life, and against the violence and murder that fills the news each day. Let’s stand for purity, innocence, love. Real love, not the perversions that charade as it today. Let’s take back the world one moment at a time. We can do this with our Father leading us.
I won’t say it is easy, it isn’t always. We’ve had to make tough decisions that others didn’t always seem to get. We’ve turned off movies for the language, blasphemy, or adult content. We homeschool our son in part because God called us to get him out the secular school system, really a pagan environment where they teach the religion of evolution, humanism, even Islam now, but God’s name is forbidden and a child even silently praying to their Father or his Son is grounds for expulsion. Non-believing family members shun us, so called friends ignore us, people are mean when I openly proclaim my faith. But on the flip side because we don’t live like the world but try to live more like Jesus sometimes people notice. Sometimes it encourages a fellow believer to step out in faith as well. A simple God bless you to a stranger on the phone can speak volumes, or to a clerk in a store. You never know how God might use even the smallest step back to virtue! I urge you to start taking virtue back, proclaim the Lord’s name everyday, everywhere, let’s start a R3VOLUT1ON!
As always brothers and sisters in Christ may God the Father bless and keep you!
Since my husband became a believer last year we have often wondered about the law, specifically were we as Christ followers who are saved by grace still under the law and if so all of it or just part. After many months of seeking God’s word on it, His enlightenment and understanding, we both feel led to keep the Big 10 as I call them. The one’s God himself wrote on the stone tablets on Mt. Sinai. You know all those thou shalt not’s, that are so important in a just and moral society, and that remind us of the sovereignty of God, that he is the only true God. Those seem to be eternal laws, the Big 10.
But the laws also given to Moses at Sinai but referred to as the Law of Moses we feel those don’t hold up under the grace of Jesus – after all they were just pointing to what he would do on the cross. They were the foreshadowing of His death and of the grace we are given as believers. They were given to the Jewish people to point them toward the coming of Messiah, they weren’t given to all mankind necessarily.
So we keep the Big 10, that’s pretty easy really. The first 3 are all about God, we got those down pat. And the last 6 are moral laws, necessary for society to exist in any sort of harmony. They are the common sense, if they aren’t upheld society breaks down, we have those too. (Maybe socie3ty has certain members who need a refresher on them but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord so we got them.) You know don’t kill, steal, cheat, lie, or covet. Without those basic laws life in any group becomes chaos. They are fundamental, a part of our souls really, we all know them to be true whether we act on them or not.
So that just leaves numbers 4 and 5. Keep the Sabbath and Honor thy Father and Mother. These two laws seem to be two very misunderstood laws today. I won’t deal with number 5 today – honoring our parents. That’s a post for another day. Instead I want to talk to you about the Sabbath, it’s the law I feel the modern church has forgotten about the most. Actually they’ve just plain old got it all wrong according to Scripture.
At some point in the last year or so I became increasingly aware of something, that we Christians as a whole generally keep the Sabbath on Sunday, the first day of the week. Which began to feel weird, then wrong to me. I think that I first began to feel convicted about it when I was teaching the creation stories to the toddlers at church, the whole seventh day thing kinda hung in my head, you know that the seventh day is Saturday, not Sunday. It wasn’t until many months later that it really began to eat at me though. I approached it as I do any problem I have, in prayer and study. After my husband got saved he joined me in trying to sort it out.
It’s hard sometimes to feel led to do something that will put us at odds with most of our brothers and sisters but we do. We wholeheartedly believe we are meant to keep the Sabbath, on Saturday, just as God decreed some six thousand years ago. What ? you say, Moses wasn’t alive six thousand years ago! Where’d you get that? Well, let me tell you a secret, Moses wasn’t the first to get the Sabbath law. Nope, it is much older than that. Here let me show you.
Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. Genesis 2:1-3
This is Genesis guys, right at the beginning on day 7 – a Saturday as I will point out in a bit, that God gives the Sabbath to ALL mankind, right there in the garden to our first parents Adam and Eve. Really letting that sink into my head was the real clincher for me but it took me a while to work my way back to it, after all the churches I had attended had both taught that we are under Grace not the law and that the Sabbath was on Sunday – only the Jews kept it on Saturday. Which might be why it ate at me, why should we keep it different, why did the Jews insist on Saturday? I started looking into why it was a different day for Christians, I mean it didn’t make sense really that there were two Sabbaths. Obviously God only had one seventh day of creation so what was the story behind the switcheroo.
Turns out that way back in the early church days the Sabbath was celebrated on either Saturday along with the Jews or on Sunday if you happened to be in an area where the Romans wanted to kill you if caught worshipping on Saturday. Ok, that didn’t help much. But this does. The Roman emperor Constantine the Great enacted the first civil law regarding Sunday observance in 321 AD. The law did not mention the Sabbath by name, but referred only to a day of rest on “the venerable day of the sun.” From there the Catholic Church decided to just outright declare that Sunday was the new Sabbath and that’s what it’s been ever since. (I’m summing it up here guys, it is complicated and messy, I wanna just cut to the truth.) So man decided to change it, ok, that settles it for me – I’m going with what God said. Saturday it is.
But how am I sure Saturday is the seventh day well Jesus was crucified on Friday, the preparation day and they had to put him in the tomb before sundown because the Sabbath began at sundown. Then he rose the day after the Sabbath (3 days from crucifixion to resurrection) on the first day of the week, Sunday. That just leaves Saturday between, guess the Sabbath or seventh day is Saturday. That’s it in a nutshell, if you’re interested in knowing more here is a very good documentary that really broke it all down for us and led us back to God’s eternal decree for the Sabbath.
Moving on through the letters to the churches in Revelation 2&3 to the concerns. Ouch! This is where Jesus tells them and us we’re not exactly getting it. I will note that the churches of Smyrna and Philadelphia have no concerns listed – that parallels the fact that there were two with whom He had nothing good to say, Sardis and Laodicea. Let’s look at the concerns and see how they might apply to us today.
Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
Are we like Ephesus and have left our first love. We know Christ, we are active in our churches, we’re great at works but we do them for our own glory not God’s. We serve because it makes us feel good about ourselves, like we’re great people. We don’t serve because we love God and want to bring honor and glory to him! We don’t put Him first in our lives, we don’t have the zeal for Him we once possessed. We’ve left our first love.
But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
The concern for the church at Pergamum is a little harder to understand but is no less important. It involves Balaam and his donkey, his talking donkey, Balak and a curse on Israel! People we serve an amazing, glorious, powerful God. He shuts the mouths of lions and opens the mouths of donkeys! To understand this fully it would behoove you to read Numbers 22 – 24, it’s a little lengthy but is full of valuable insight into why Jesus is concerned because Pergamum has among them those who follow Balaam. That curse led to Israel straying from God and living for HIm, instead worshipping idols and fornicating. Now if the whole Balaam thing is enough for God to frown upon then just consider what the Nicolatians doctrine is that God hates it! We must at all costs avoid falling into the church at Pergamum. Let’s look at what Matthew Henry has to say about it in his Commentary on the Whole Bible:
He reproves them for their sinful failures (Rev_2:14): But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there those that hold the doctrine of Balaam, etc., and those that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. There were some who taught that it was lawful to eat things sacrificed to idols, and that simple fornication was no sin; they, by an impure worship, drew men into impure practices, as Balaam did the Israelites. Observe, (1.) The filthiness of the spirit and the filthiness of the flesh often go together. Corrupt doctrines and a corrupt worship often lead to a corrupt conversation. (2.) It is very lawful to fix the name of the leaders of any heresy upon those who follow them. It is the shortest way of telling whom we mean. (3.) To continue in communion with persons of corrupt principles and practices is displeasing to God, draws a guilt and blemish upon the whole society: they become partakers of other men’s sins. Though the church, as such, has no power to punish the persons of men, either for heresy or immorality, with corporal penalties, yet it has power to exclude them from its communion; and, if it do not so, Christ, the head and lawgiver of the church, will be displeased with it.
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
It is much the same with the Thyatira, where they sufferest that woman Jezebel who leads them to commit vile sins before God. We must turn and flee from such practices or else we will share the fate given for her and her followers. A fate that will cost a man dearly unless he repents – a part in the great tribulation, we’ll talk more about that later but trust me you don’t want to take part in it!
Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
Ah, Sardis, whom God warns to be watchful and strength what remains barely clinging to life for their works have not been found perfect before God. Sardis and us as well at times isn’t showing fruit, they go through the motions but their hearts aren’t in it. They worship with their mouths not their hearts, they are perishing!
I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
But at least Sardis is trying somewhat, Laodicea has just plain old quit. They do nothing, their totally apathetic, not hot or cold. Lukewrm, is what they are, and like drinking a glass of lukewarm water Jesus is about to bring an exhortation on them that strikes fear into the hearts of true believers. All the exhortations are bad but this one in particular seems the most hopeless and it also seems like so very many believers today. They aren’t hot not even cold. They just are. They’re warm bodies not truly serving anything anymore. They once served Christ but now they just are. Avoid becoming this people.
As followers we want to be considered part of the churches of Smyrna and Philadelphia. We don’t want Christ to have anything bad to say about us, but do our lives reflect that. Or do they more accurately reflect one of the other five churches we’ve just discussed? I pray not, I pray you are found deeply rooted in Smyrna and Philadelphia, that you have grown through the other churches and what they believe, how they function, to grow to a fully functioning follower of Christ, one who is on fire for the Lord, who puts God before all else and lives who lives their life to see that God receives all the honor, glory and praise due him!
It is officially the Sabbath day again and I am looking forward to spending much of the day deep in the Word and resting. We enjoy spending time on Sabbath in nature enjoying all God has created but this week we are expecting a lot of rain so it will be a day indoors, that’s ok I have a few Chuck Missler sermons I have been waiting for a perfect day to enjoy, and the rain will water in the gardens my husband planted this week and get things off to a good start. It is so beautiful how God blesses us with exactly what we need, especially a day of rest. I always feel so restored after the Sabbath, completely ready to face the coming week with the Lord as my guide.
How do you keep the Sabbath?
A R3VOLUT1ON 