Serve or Supplant

Tomorrow begins a new year. But today is still a new day.

1 Chronicles 16:23 KJV

Sing unto the Lord, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation.

Each day we have a choice. Shall I serve, or supplant Christ?
I've done both, and have discovered the only real joy is found when we serve Him.
Whatever we choose to supplant Him with can only bring temporary joy. Then oft the same substance brings sorrow.
Joy or Sorrow?
Serve or Supplant?

Choose wisely, Grasshopper.

No Worries

Why should I feel discouraged
Why should the shadows come
Why should my heart fell lonely
And long for heaven and home

When Jesus is my portion
A constant friend is he
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know he watches over me
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know he watches me

I sing because I'm happy
I sing because I'm free
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know he watches me

Proverbs 15:29 KJV

The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

This verse is just as true today, as yesterday.

Think about it, what would give God more glory: answering our prayer through the President we wanted, or in spite of the President altogether?

I believe the latter.

He still cares for His people, and still desires to hear our prayers.

Am I concerned about the direction of our nation? Certainly. But I am fully aware who is still in charge.

I think if a perfect man can weep for His nation (Luke 14:41) than we very imperfect men can shed a tear over ours.

But I won't be flying flags upside down, or losing hope in my nation. We have another four years of a wrong-headed man at the the terrestrial helm. But we know where the real power lies. Not with some secretive council, but with the God of Heaven. He answers to neither ballot, nor bullet.

So we're still in the same position, on our knees, asking for God's mercy and grace.

That ain't a bad position.

"His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me."

Confusing Prayer

Romans 8:26-28 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

This verse came to mind this morning as I prayed. The subject of my prayer is unimportant, but the premise is universal. I know what "I" want, need, desire, and believe to be the best solution to the problem, so my natural predilection is to pray specifically for that certain thing to happen. I believe, wholeheartedly, that God will grant that request if I earnestly asked by a fervent saint, of which I hope I am.

However, I am also fully aware of my human frailty and 

ability to be wrong, especially when trying to predict the best course for the future.

So therein lies the rub. Based on my own knowledge, I can pray for what I believe to be the best outcome, or based on the knowledge of my weaknesses, I could pray for God to just do what HE KNOWS to be best for those involved.

So, as in verse 26, above, I find myself not knowing what to pray for. My inner prayer voice says one thing, yet another voice prays the other somewhere in the background. Then yet another is pondering, "OK, which of these am I praying?"

Then this passage comes to mind, and FAITH takes over. I just allow my confusing prayer to continue, and by faith I know that as it enters the realms of Heaven, the Spirit straightens it out, interceding on my behalf, and offers the proper petition to the Father. It is truly HIS Will that I seek. Though the earthly outcome might appear not to be what's best, verse 28 says it will be.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Verse 28 can stand on it's own because it uses the phrase "all things" but it is important to also see it in the context in which it was written. As confused as our prayers might seem, if we are one of His (only through the Son), the Holy Spirit will make sense of our scattered requests, and go to the Father on our behalf.
Every single prayer we utter involves all three persons of the Godhead. If God is THAT involved in my petitions, why should I worry?

So, I choose to trust God.

Iron

Proverbs 27:17 KJV

Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

Ever used an aluminum block to sharpen your knife? I hope not. Aluminum is weak and will only ruin the weakest part of a blade, the sharpened edge.
Such is a weak man to his friend. You only dull his sharpened edge.
When I am weak, and sin, it not only affects me, but when I come to my senses it's almost as if God shines a spotlight on the one/ones my sin hurt. You see I know all of my sins are forgiven, past, present, and future. My standing with God will always be: Redeemed.
But God intends my life to be a beacon of righteousness, pointing others toward him. When I am weak, I am as useless as that block of aluminum to my friends. I may look strong, and may offer some support, but I cannot sharpen them at all.
Sin is a selfish, prideful thing, but its affects are not bound up in oneself, they are far reaching, and leave a wide path of destruction.
I pray that today I can be iron.

Legalism: A Smokescreen

This is something Dr. Mike Allison, my Pastor, wrote years ago. The same problem exists today.

I will add another definition of Legalism, taken from 2001 Webster's
Websters 2001
Legalism (n) --- 1) strict, often to strict and literal, adherence to law or to a code. 2) Theology – the doctrine of salvation by good works. -- legalist (n) – legalistic (adj) – legalistically (adv) 

This text is available as a pamphlet from http://swordbooks.com/legalismasmokescreen.aspx
Dr Allison can be reached through http://madisonbaptist.com/

LEGALISM: A SMOKESCREEN
We have an interesting and sad phenomenon in "fundamental evangelical" circles today. A mass exodus from standards for living is taking place. Preachers now preach that standards are a matter of "personal conviction." "If you think something is wrong for you, it is wrong. If you think it is all right, then it is all right."

It has become a common occurrence to hear many national radio and TV preachers denounce those who preach standards, by calling them "legalists." A well known radio preacher from California recently cried out, while preaching on Galatians 5:1-5, "I hate legalism." (He was referring to those who preach about standards for living.) Another chided preachers for making such a big deal over "regional convictions."

If I am against something they are not, I am branded a legalist. If I am against something they are against too, we are "separatists." "Legalism" has become the compromiser's excuse to circumvent the Word of God. A phrase often used by those who think right and wrong is simply a matter of personal choice is, "I'm not convicted about it yet." Statements like this one sound spiritual, and please the ears of those who have been wanting to indulge in things Christians have stood against for years, but they demonstrate a true lack of Bible knowledge concerning the law and its importance to the child of God.

Webster's New World Dictionary defines legalism as a "strict adherence to the law." However, theological legalism would have a different definition. Theological legalism is a strict adherence to the law to bring or keep salvation. Simply, any addition of works by man to the finished work of Christ to bring or keep salvation is legalism.

PROBLEM OF THE GALATIANS
The book of Galatians was written to combat theological legalism. Following Paul from place to place were groups of men who taught that simple faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ was not enough to keep salvation. They taught that circumcision and strict adherence to the law were essential to staying saved. Many in the Galatian churches had accepted this teaching. This is why Paul stated, "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel...O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you..." (Gal. 1:6; 3:1)

Paul stated to Timothy, "But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully."(I Tim. 1:8) Galatians is really an exposition of the lawful use of the law. We must understand the law's relationship to us in the New Testament.

THE LAW CURSES US
Those who think keeping the Ten Commandments, or any other part of the law, brings salvation, only find themselves condemned by the law they want to save them.

"For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is everyone that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them."

To keep 99.9% of the law is not good enough to earn heaven. One slip, one time, leaves man condemned by the law. Man is not a sinner because he sins. He sins because he is a sinner (Psalm 51:5; Jeremiah 17:9). Breaking the law is natural for man. No wonder the Scriptures proclaim, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."

THE LAW CANNOT SAVE US
Not only does the law condemn us, but it has no power to save us.

"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified...if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." (Galatians 2:16,21)

"Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin... Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law." (Romans 3:19-20,28)

The law proclaims man guilty before God. It has no power to save.

THE LAW CANNOT KEEP A PERSON SAVED
The Galatians had trusted Christ for salvation, but they were beginning to believe they had to keep the law in order to stay saved. For this Paul scolds them in Chapter 3:1-5:

"O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Have you suffered so many things in vain? If it be yet in vain. He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?"

Paul's rebuke was clear. Their works did not get them saved, and their works could not keep them saved. Salvation is by grace through faith.

Since the law condemns us, and it cannot save us, nor can it keep us saved, some would ask, "What good is it for us?".

THE LAW SHOWS US WE ARE SINNERS
Before a person can be saved, he must know he is lost. In Romans 7:7-14 Paul explained what the law did for him.

"I had not know sin, but by the law; for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of con- cupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

"Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good: that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin."

It is by the law that I know my love for Him is not great enough to satisfy the Great Commandment (Mutt. 22:37,38). The law shows me I do not have enough righteousness to make heaven on my own merit. This brings us to the next thing the law does for us.

THE LAW POINTS US TO CHRIST
The law not only tells me I have missed God's standard of holiness, but it also points me to the only one who is righteous - Jesus Christ.

"But the Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster."(Gal. 3:22-25)

Is anybody under law? Yes, all those who have not come to faith in Christ. I was under the law until faith came. I stood condemned by the law as a guilty sinner. When I put my faith in Jesus Christ, who died for my sins according to the Scripture, I found the One the law had been pointing me to.

"Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." (Romans 3:22-26)

Notice Romans 3:31: "Do we then make void the law through faiths God forbid: yea, we establish the law."

We need to understand that Jesus did not do away with the law, He fulfilled it. Praise the Lord. Now, the law condemns me no longer. "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us" (Gal. 3:13). I am free because I have put faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. When Paul wrote, "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free," he was not saying the law no longer is a standard for right and wrong, he was admonishing them to continue to look to the finished work of Christ for salvation, not a keeping of the law. The law didn't save them, and it could not keep them saved.

Those who believe a saved person can become lost by sinning have totally missed the point of Galatians, and the power of the shed blood of Jesus Christ. I John 3:4 says sin is the transgression of the law. Yes, Christians still sin, but they are no longer under the condemnation of the law.

FALSE LIBERTY
On the other side is the group that says we no longer look to the law as the standard for holiness. Standards are now only a matter of personal conviction. This group also has misunderstood what happened to the law.

Read carefully these next statements. JESUS SET ME FREE FROM SIN, HE DID NOT SET ME FREE TO SIN. And, SIN DID NOT CHANGE WHEN I GOT SAVED. Nor did sin change when Jesus died on the cross. Sin is still the transgression of the law (I John 3:4)

Romans 6:13-19 clearly sets forth our responsibility to holiness in living. We are not to yield our members to unrighteousness, but to righteousness. Righteousness did not become personal conviction when I got saved. It is still decided by the Word of God, regardless of my convictions. After stating, "we are not under law, but under grace," Paul then asked the question, "Shall we sin, because we are not under the law but under grace?" He answered his own question with a resounding, "God forbid. "Even after an individual is saved, sin is still decided by the Word, and he is not to sin!

When a person gets saved, God does not throw His Book out the window and say, "Now that you're saved you can do anything you want to do. It does not matter if I said it was wrong before. Now, you are free to live by your own conscience. You must quit only if you feel it is wrong." Some quickly add, "We do not serve in the oldness of the letter of the law, but in the newness of the Spirit."

Jesus gave us the answer to that objection in Matthew 5:13-48. Several times Jesus referred to the law,

saying, "Ye have heard that it was said...But I say unto you." A simple look at the passage shows Jesus was not giving His okay to throw out the standards of the law, but rather, He taught that obedience goes farther than just the outward appearance. Obedience should come from a right heart attitude.

Jesus compared our testimony to salt and light in verses 13-16. Then He reminded His listeners that He would not destroy the law but fulfill it. He also taught the immutability and endurance of the Word of God. Then Jesus showed that following the letter of the low was not. enough. One can have outward obedience with inward sin. However, inward obedience will also be manifested by outward obedience.

He began by using one of the Ten Commandments - "Thou shalt not kill." Jesus did not say we no longer were to obey it. He taught that man can break the law in his heart in the sight of God, while obeying it outwardly in the sight of man. Man was not given a license to disobey the law unless he felt "convicted about it." He was to obey it outwardly, and be careful his heart attitude was right, inwardly.

Next (vs. 27-28) Jesus brought up another of the Ten Commandments - "Thou shalt not commit adultery." Again, Jesus did not do away with man's responsibility to obey, but rather He explained that outward obedience does not prove true obedience. Man was not even to look on a woman and lust after her. Our responsibility goes much farther than obedience to the letter.

Jesus then used the same arguments concerning marriage and divorce, swearing an oath, personal vengeance, and loving others. In each case, the law was not put aside for "personal conviction," but rather, a greater obedience was expected. Actually, the Spirit of the law goes farther in holiness than the letter.

Therefore, even though outward obedience to the law does not prove a right inward relationship with God, a right inward relationship will always be accompanied with nothing less than outward obedience.

WHAT THE LAW IS GOOD FOR
Other New Testament verses proclaim the Old Testament's authority as a standard of holiness for believers. Paul wrote to Timothy several years after Christ's death on the cross:

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." (II Timothy 3:16,17)

The first part of the verse proclaims the origination and authority of Scripture. Scripture comes from God. Literally, it is God-breathed. Lest we be careless in studying this verse, notice Paul was talking about "all Scripture."

Even though it seems elementary, remember that "all Scripture" includes the book of Matthew. "All Scripture" includes the book of Acts. "All Scripture" includes the book of Galatians. "All Scripture" includes the book of Revelation. "All Scripture" also includes the book of Malachi. "All Scripture" includes the book of Psalms. "All Scripture" includes the book of Genesis. "All Scripture" includes the book of Deuteronomy. "All Scripture" includes every letter of every word of every chapter of every book of both the Old and New Testaments.

Just as "all Scripture" is the subject of the first verb, "is given," it is also the subject of the second verb, "is profitable." The verse tells us all Scripture is profitable for four things - doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness.

If "all Scripture" is profitable for doctrine, then Hebrews is profitable for doctrine. Ephesians is profitable for doctrine. I John is profitable. Jude is profitable for doctrine. Mark is profitable for doctrine. Even Proverbs is profitable for doctrine. I Samuel is profitable for doctrine. Obadiah is profitable for doctrine. Exodus is profitable for doctrine. Leviticus is profitable for doctrine. Clearly, every chapter of every book of both the Old and New Testaments is profitable for doctrine. After all, is there a conservative evangelical anywhere who doesn't use Old Testament verses to prove doctrine? But now the inconsistencies begin to fly.

II Timothy 3:16 did not limit Old Testament verses to being profitable only for doctrine. Notice, they are also profitable for reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. Truly, we are no longer under the law, in that it can no longer condemn those who have trusted the finished work of Jesus Christ for salvation, but we are still to receive its reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness for daily living. Plus, according to the Sermon on the Mount, we should not only be willing to obey it outwardly, we should be willing to go even farther in righteousness with obedience from the heart.

Truly, we receive much instruction in righteousness from the gospels and the epistles, but that is not the limit of our instruction. Since "all Scripture" is profitable for instruction in righteousness, all of Genesis through Malachi is also profitable for instruction in righteousness.

Peter demonstrated his agreement with this premise for New Testament Christians. In I Peter 1;14-16 the apostle wrote:

"As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is unwritten, Be ye holy; for I am holy."

Peter, writing some 30 years after Christ's death, when admonishing believers to live holy as Christians, supported his statement by quoting Leviticus 11:44. Why are Christians to be holy? "Because it is written...

I can hear someone complain, "But Peter, that's in the Old Testament. We're not under the Old Testament anymore. We have liberty in Christ."

Compromising preachers and Christians throw Scripture, profitable for instruction in righteousness, out the window using the excuse of "liberty." Obviously, they are misusing liberty, and denying the authority of Scripture, given to guide our lives in holiness, because of its location in the Old Testament.

Some object, "But Christ is the end of the law according to Romans 10:4." Such objection is a careless reading of the passage and verse. Verses 1-3 explain how the Jews had gone about to establish their own righteousness by works. They thought they could be righteous with God by being good enough. As far as being righteous in our standing before God is concerned. "Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth (10:4)." A righteous standing before God is only possible through Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the law. "All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6). Romans 10:4 explains how a man may be considered righteous before God for salvation. It is not denying the use of the Old Testament as "instruction in righteousness."

When Paul preached separation to the Corinthians in his second letter (6:11-18) the whole foundation of his argument was a principle laid down in the Old Testament. When he stated, "Be ye not unequally yoked with unbelievers," his argument was based on Deuteronomy 7:2-7 and 22:6-12. When he wrote, "Come out from among them and be ye separate," he was speaking from Isaiah 52:11. Did this make Paul a legalist? No, he was a Biblicist. He was using the law "lawfully," as instruction in righteousness.

Solomon proclaimed that lying lips were an abomination unto the Lord (Proverbs 12:22). When Jesus completed His work of redemption through His death, burial, and resurrection, did He make lying an acceptable practice for Christians? Absolutely not. Malachi 3:6 states of God, "For I am the Lord, I change not." What was an abomination to Him in 950 B.C. is still an abomination to Him in the 20th century. Proverbs 12:22 is still good "instruction in righteousness" for the child of God. It is not "legalism" to say a Christian shouldn't lie.

Moses wrote, "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with woman kind: it is abomination." Did such perversion cease to be an abomination to God when Jesus died on the cross? Is it legalism to preach against homosexuality? Is it legalism to say it is sin for a Christian to commit homosexual acts? NO!!! Is it all right to commit homosexual acts if a person is not convicted about it yet? NO!!! Sin is sin whether a person is convicted about it or not. God's Word, Old or New Testament, is the final determinant of right and wrong regardless of a person's conviction.

Was Paul a "legalist" when he told women to "adorn themselves in modest apparel"(I Tim. 2:9)? Was Paul a legalist when he said it was a shame for a man to have long hair (I Cor. 11:14)? Was Paul a "legalist" when he told bishops to be the husband of one wife (I Tim. 3:2)? Was Paul a "legalist" when he told Timothy to flee the love of money and "follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness" (I Tim. 6:11)? Was Paul a "legalist" when he told the Colossians to "put off...anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication..." (3:8)? Was Paul a "legalist" when he told the Ephesians that "neither fornication, nor uncleanness, nor covetousness, nor filthiness, nor foolish talking;" were to be named among them (Eph. 5:2,3)? Was Paul a "legalist" when he told the Corinthian church to turn the adulterer in their church over to "Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus" (I Cor. 5:5)?

Was the Holy Spirit a "legalist" when He told the New Testament church to "abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication" (Acts 15:28,29)? Was James a "legalist" when he wrote, "Speak not evil one of another" (James 4:11)? The list of questions like this could go on and on. Obviously, they were not "legalists" when they preached standards.

It's about time fundamentalists return to preaching standards and holy living. We don't have to apologize for the verses on holiness found in a part of the Bible people don't want to accept today. It's time we get back to using "all Scripture" for what it is profitable for - doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness.

I am not a legalist. Salvation is by grace through faith in the finished work of Christ, not of works. It is totally of grace. When a person gets saved he is no longer condemned by the law. He is free. Nothing he does can make him lost. As the songwriter P.P. Bliss wrote:

Free from the Law, O happy condition,
Jesus hath bled, and there is remission;
Cursed by the law and bruised by the fall,
Grace hath redeemed us once for all.


However, God still expects holy living by his people. They are not to follow their own consciences, but the Word of God. "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof is the way of death." (Pro-verbs 14:12) "The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, who can know it?" (Jer. 17:9)

"Therefore, I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way." (Psalms 119:128)

My Aim

Hebrews 12:1-17  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.  For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.  Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.  Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;  Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

How sad that some refuse to strive against sin.

The Bible was written about the Redeemer, but FOR all mankind, unredeemed and redeemed. The former obviously to become the latter. But just as Scripture records both the good and bad of the players involved, the book I write with my daily testimony also includes both good and bad.
I am grateful to God for wiping that slate clean through the blood of Christ, but the book, seen by man, still shows the filth right alongside the good.
I continue to write that book every day of my life. When righteousness is my ink, and right living is my pen, then according to Matthew 5:16*, my Father in Heaven is glorified.
That is my goal, my only goal. My prize is one day seeing a smile on His face, nothing more have I ever sought.

1 Thessalonians 2:1-4  For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

All that I have is Jesus,
All that I claim is Jesus,
All that I want, All that I need,
All that I plead is Jesus.

*-Matthew 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Sanctified

2 Timothy 2:15-22 KJV

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

The problem that many who go wrong on sanctification and holy living have is they seem to not understand that sanctify just means separate.
When we are saved, we are immediately sanctified, meaning we are separated, or set apart from the unsaved. They still retain their eternal damnation, while we are set apart for a separate eternity. The sheep/goat judgment is just the heavenly finality of earthly choices made by men that results in their eternal separation, either to or apart from Christ.

But in the above verses, sanctified is referring to our personal holiness. It sets us apart for the Master's use.
There really is not a lot to expound on here. It's just simple to the man who desires to please God.

The odd thing is that the heretics say that our desire to be holy is because of our pride. One such heretic calls it performancism. He decides to judge Christians who choose to please God as being sinfully proud, focussing on themselves. But the one putting the focus on himself is the one who has chosen to live however he chooses, disregarding God and his desire for us to please Him.

You see, my focus IS on God. When I see God, the world and it's pleasure is out of focus. When I see God, He causes me to examine myself and see if I am keeping myself fit for his use.

I'll give an illustration : A preacher spends a lifetime serving God. He was sanctified as a saint upon his salvation. He then grew in knowledge and holiness and the Lord called him to service. Even while serving, he continued to grow in holiness. Many souls were won to Christ through his ministry.
The peak of his ministry was when both his holiness and his results were high.
Then came temptation. At first it was the money. While his visible holiness might have appeared intact to most, God saw his heart, and his personal sanctification all but disappeared.
While he remained sanctified from the unsaved, for purpose of eternity, he became of no use to God. So God shelved him. He was no longer set apart, sanctified for the Master's use.
Refusing to regain that personal sanctification, he fell into more and more sin until God had enough and took him home.

While an illustration to most, that man is real to me and played a major role in my salvation. I bet if you could call heaven and ask him the importance of personal sanctification, he'd say sanctify yourselves! Keep yourselves clean, holy, separated.

How sad that some, in an attempt to justify their lack of wanting to please God, choose to disregard the need for personal sanctification.

"Be ye holy; for I am holy"

For proper context and clarification that it means exactly what I have blogged about:
1 Peter 1:3-16 KJV

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Courage, Strength, Success

Joshua 1:7-9 KJV

Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Often folks use verse 8 by itself as God's solution for success. While that IS a correct application, I believe we miss something when we neglect the rest of the passage.

God is speaking to Joshua here, right after he lost his leader, friend, and mentor, Moses. While known as a warrior, Joshua no doubt feared his new role as a leader.

God doesn't just tell him to suck it up, but tells him what tool to use: the Law.

First, I want to point out the obvious. God equates Strength and Courage with obedience. My, how our world has perverted that. We think that the strong and courageous should be independent, answering to no one. God says otherwise. If you want to show how macho you are, live within the rules. This applies not only to God's rules, but rules at work, school, community, and even laws.

Not that the strong man won't slip, but his practice is of obedience, the slipping is the exception.

Secondly, I see that this passage tells us something about the Law, or in our vernacular, the Bible, God's Word.

Too many people get hung up on Christ's teaching about the law in relation to salvation. While obviously Christ spoke truth, saying the law was our schoolmaster pointing us towards our need for redemption, he never proclaimed that to be the exclusive use of his Law.

From cover to cover we find commands and illustrations telling us that following the "rules" is the way we should go. We have to realize that though we had no part in our salvation, we certainly have a responsibility to God, after salvation. Living a holy, acceptable life can only be accomplished through the power of Christ, but it involves work on our part. Don't be afraid of the word "works." We're not talking about salvation, but of obedience.

In Matthew 5:16 Jesus tells us that we let our light shine by doing good works before men that our Father in heaven may be glorified.

Ephesians 2:10 says we are created in Christ Jesus unto good works. Then it goes on to say God had ordained that we do walk in them, or that He always intended us to do good works. Again: not for salvation, but simply to glorify God and point men to Christ.

In Second Timothy chapter 3, we are told in verse 16 that the Bible, all of it, is inspired by God, and is "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"

Then verse 17 tells us why: "That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."

So, are you strong, courageous, and brave? Don't worry about what the world thinks the standard for that is. God says the strong follow the rules. Be strong.

Focus

Galatians 6:7-9 KJV

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Life is all about focus. Revelations 4:11 tells us that our only purpose is to please God. Luke 12:31 tells us that when God is our focus, as is our only purpose, everything else falls in place.

We laugh when troubles come and some saint suggests we should draw closer to God. The reason we laugh is because we view God as a fable. We think that they are suggesting some magical formula that solves every problem with a wave of a wand. But that's not how God works.

When we sow bad and expect to reap good, we only fool ourselves. As imperfect as I am, as often as I fail, God makes my life work because when I despair, I take it to him. When I take it to him, I leave it with him. I only seek the advice of those who I know will point me to him, and intercede with him for me. God is my focus. I am only here for his pleasure. My own pleasure is fleeting. From dust I came, to dust I shall return.

Then, when I have returned him to his proper place, in my focal point, the MOST AMAZING THING happens. Luke 12:31 comes to life.

Luke 12:31 KJV

But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

You see God wanted me to focus on him, so that he can focus on me. This is not new age karma hogwash. This is the God of heaven telling us that we labor not in vain. All I have is due to his mercy. He doesn't expect sinless perfection from me. He just wants to be my focus.

As I seek to please him, all the good, which is only found in him, just comes naturally.

You think that's Pie in the Sky? Have you tried it? You should.

You think Tammy stays with me due to my irresistible charm and stunning good looks? Nope! We both have God as our focus. When we lose sight of that focus, our marriage suffers. But when we draw closer to God, bringing him in focus, it just naturally brings the two of us closer and heals our marriage.

The sad reality is that instead of seeking to please God, we waste our lives serving our own pleasure. That way leads only to destruction.

Reaping

Galatians 6:7-9 KJV

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

This passage has nothing to do with forgiveness.  God will always forgive, but when we choose wrong, pleasing our flesh, it is our flesh, our earthly bodies, that will reap corruption.
Forgiveness is for the soul, or spirit. But reaping affects both flesh and spirit.
That grass might look greener till you've discovered the cesspool that resides there, feeding crap to the deceptively green lawn.

So, once you realize the cesspool you are in, and you are tired of the crap, what do you do? Pour gas on the cesspool and burn it? No, because usually that pool of crap is a person. Often it's the very person you swapped sides of the fence for. That person has a soul, and also needs to be reconciled with God. Destroying that person will also burn you, adding to your sorrow. So what, then?

Read verse nine, again. That's your answer.

"Do right, do right, till the stars fall, do right!" - Lee Roberson.

Be not weary, don't give up. When you have nothing to rejoice about, rejoice that your name is written in heaven, and just continue to do right. When the time is right, you will be amazed at what God does.

Galatians 6:7-9 KJV

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Are You A Champion?

Jude 1:3 KJV

Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

In feudal days a knight was not a champion due to a successful joust.  He was a champion because he stood for something. He had a cause.

Those causes were usually of two types: political or religious. The most famous if all knights were the Crusaders, then later the Knights Templar. Their cause was a religious quest to conquer and protect the Holy Land.

Other knights fought for the honor of a King, Queen, or other political figure. They were the King's (Queen's, etc.) Champion.

So I find it odd that some of the very people who say, "You've got to stand for something, or you'll fall for anything." also claim that someone taught them to never argue politics or religion, the two very things that knights physically fought and killed over.

A champion has a cause. He will always be standing for what he knows is right.

To claim to know the truth, and remain silent makes you the opposite of a champion. That is a coward.

I may not win a fight, or an athletic competition. I may not even win someone to Christ, or my political platform. But a champion is thus called because he is still in the fight, swinging away, charging headlong into the fray.

I pray that both I and you are Champions today.

Bullied?

One student used the term bullied, and now everyone wants to pity the idiot who killed students in Ohio. First off, the word bully, as many other words, has been made way too vague. In my school days a bully was someone who beat up smaller kids. Nowadays they want to say that any kid who gets made fun of is being bullied. Being made fun of by idiots is a part of growing up imperfect. I was ridiculed for everything from wearing buddies (no-name shoes) to the beatup cars my parents drove, to the secondhand clothes I wore. I was taught at home and on weekends by my grandfather to have enough character to ignore the idiots. I see some of those idiots on Facebook now with broken lives, getting to see their kids every other weekend, drowning their sorrows in alcohol and drugs. And they thought I should be like them???
My dad and grandfather always told me they would turn out miserable.
Back to the shooting : It turns out, the idiot was a troublemaker himself. He was not attending the school where the shooting occurred. He was attending a nearby school with his fellow delinquents. I wonder if they'll ever tell us what got him there?
Parents, if your kid is being picked on or isolated at school, find out why. Do you still dress him like your little toddler even though he's twelve? Let me clue you in on something. Just because Junior likes to wear his hair or clothes a certain way doesn't mean he needs to. Individuality is one thing. Looking like a freak, a queer, or a nerd will not help your child. You'll never control every other kid, but you can control yours.
My kids still occasionally get told to change clothes. Not usually because they're immodest, but because they were having a bad fashion day. I guess somedays the mirror is deceiving. 
Then there are things you can't change. I can't fix my daughter's cleft lip to where you can't tell she has it. But I've given her the gift of character and she doesn't let the idiots bother her. Jakie used to be a borderline midget. Hormone shots helped some, but eventually it was puberty that got him growing upwards. We toughened him up at home. I guarantee you he heard more short jokes at home than elsewhere. Ooh, I'm the mean parent, right? No, I'm the parent of a very well adjusted young man for whom I constantly get compliments about. Men he's worked for are always impressed and often tell me so. That's called parenting. Try it sometime.
Yes, there are some things I shield my children from, but my duty is not to create a perfect environment for them. My duty is to teach them how to survive in ANY environment.

Saved?

Matthew 7:15-23 KJV

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

I can tell everyone I meet today that I am a doctor. I can use catch phrases I picked up in my limited medical training and from TV and the internet. I can even dress like a doctor and wear a stethoscope.
But I would risk the chance of having my bluff called when something happens and I'm asked to help. The talk and look may come easy, but the exercise of my training cannot be faked.

The same applies to being a Christian. Satan seeks to devour us. The lost, he wishes to keep lost. The saved, he wishes to destroy our lives and testimony.
But if we are what we claim, when called to exercise our faith, we shine as the city on the hill.
But if we are a fraud, we turn to sin and vice. Our bluff is called, and Satan has the winning hand.
Christians are not perfect, but if your fruit only shows vice, Jesus says we are to judge you as lost. Not to condemn you, you do that yourself, but to reach you with the Gospel. If you refuse, I refuse to lie about you once you are gone.

2 Peter 1:10 KJV

Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

Rules

People will say:

"I like driving."

But to drive, there's a lot of rules to follow.

"I like my job."

You wont have it long if you ignore the rules.

"I like cooking."

So do I, but if you throw out the rules, you might just kill your family.

"I like sports."

Really? Do I have to mention the rules? If a Family Feud survey asked, "What do we do often that has rules?" I'm pretty sure you'd get the #1 answer with Sports.

"I like church, but not all the rules."

John 15:10-11 KJV

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

The first four things have minimal significance on our lives. But the fifth has eternal consequence.

So we get billboards in nearly every city claiming they are the Church for the unchurched. They range widely in style and doctrine. Some claim to have no doctrine. That's just ignorance.

People seem to only accept God on their own terms. So church after church lays aside God's commandments to draw a crowd and reach a segment of society that rejects rules.

You'll say that at least they're reaching them. But with what? Jesus is clear that a saved person will have no problem with the rules, so are you telling me that once someone is saved in a watered down church, they'll head to a good New Testament Church? No, they stay with the watered down Gospel. They stick with the poor excuse of a preacher in his Bermuda shorts, or cowboy vest, or bling-bling. He continues to tickle their ears, and they continue to enjoy it.

Then we read Matthew 7:21-23 and wonder who Jesus is referring to. In the next verse Jesus says, "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock."

It's just something to think about.