What Is God's True and Biblical Grace?

By Brother R. Michel Lankford

In the last two blog entries I have discussed in detail specifically what God says WILL NOT ENTER and live in His Eternal Kingdom; (Should We Really Be Crying out Maranatha?) http://discipleshipsuccess.blogspot.com/2012/01/should-we-really-cry-out.html

Almighty God is stunningly detailed and very specific about the characteristics, attitudes, behaviors and lifestyles which He will not allow to dwell in The Eternal Kingdom of Heaven. As I said, it is the duty of every person who calls themselves a believer to examine the list carefully, and if any of their desires, attitudes, behaviors and lifestyles, fit into the list of what God says will not enter, then we need to take God seriously and repent.

“GOD SAYS WHAT HE MEANS AND MEANS WHAT HE SAYS. THE WISE PERSON IS THE ONE WHO LISTENS CAREFULLY, WHO TRULY TAKES ALMIGHTY GOD SERIOUSLY, AND CHOOSES TO WALK ACCORDINGLY. EVERYTHING LESS IS FOOLISHNESS; GOD SAVE US FROM ALL FOOLISHNESS.”

In the blog entry just prior to this one, I discussed what God through Scripture says WILL ENTER into the kingdom of God. That's because true Biblical Repentance is in fact, a two phase process which involves internally and externally TURNING AWAY from certain things, and then internally and externally TURNING TOWARD some other specific things. So true repentance is turning away from what God says will not enter His Kingdom, and effectually turning toward what will enter God's eternal kingdom. Unless we do both effectively, then we have not truly repented. (What WILL Dwell into the Kingdom of God?)

http://discipleshipsuccess.blogspot.com/2012/01/what-will-dwell-into-kingdom-of-god.html?spref=fb

Once again, we saw in this study that Almighty God is stunningly specific about the desires; attitudes, behaviors, characteristics, and lifestyles which HE says MUST be developed and grown into us if we are to be certain of entering into and dwelling into God's Eternal Heavenly Kingdom. What's even more surprising to many believers is the indisputable fact that many of these characteristics which God says must be developed and grown into us, in order for us to have a guarantee of dwelling in His Kingdom, are not given to us automatically upon receiving Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, according to Scripture. That is a shocker to many people, but even according to the New Testament, these characteristics are not automatically given to us when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. In fact more than once in the New Testament God gives us specific characteristics and behaviors which He guarantees to accept and welcome into His presence. In every single instance when He gives a guarantee of the characteristics attitudes and behaviors that he will accept into His Kingdom, it is surrounded by the words, "Therefore apply all your diligence, or "In light of these, make every effort…”

Over and over again God tells us to make every effort to do certain things and to avoid other things

· We are told to make every effort to enter through the narrow gate before time runs out (Luke 13:24).

· We are told to make every effort to make peace with our brothers and sisters in Christ before bringing our gifts and offerings to the Lord (Luke 12:58).

· We are told to make every effort to choose and to do what leads to peace and mutual building up of one another (Romans 14:19).

· We are told to make every effort to take hold of that for which Jesus Christ took hold of us (Philippians 3:12)

· We are told to make every effort to present ourselves as a faithful steward who rightly divides the Word of Truth (2 Timothy 2:15).

· We are told to make every effort to enter into the eternal Sabbath rest of the Lord (Hebrews 4:11).

· We are told to make every effort to continually grow in our faith, in goodness, in godly knowledge, in self-control, in endurance, in godliness, in brotherly affection, and finally we are to continually grow in godly love. 2 Peter 1:5-7. If we make every effort to grow and develop in these qualities it will guarantee that we will not stumble. It will guarantee that we will not become barren or unfruitful in our knowledge of God and Jesus Christ. It will guarantee our entrance into the kingdom of heaven (2 Peter 1:5-11).

These are only the verses where we are expressly told to, "Make every effort" to do certain things. There are many other verses that tell us to "put on" certain characteristics, or other ones that tell us to "take off,” cast-off, flee, and "abstain" from certain other characteristics attitudes, and behaviors. These are overwhelmingly present throughout the so-called New Testament of Holy Scripture.

What's amazing to me is how many people literally freak out whenever we have a serious talk about obeying God's Instructions and Commands even in the New Testament of Holy Scripture.

Based on everything that I personally have seen, heard, read, and even experienced myself in churches, I believe that modern theology has perverted and changed God's Biblical definition of Grace to such a degree, that people are beginning to view almost any real effort to obey God and follow His Instructions as though it were actually a sin instead of righteousness. In other words, based on all I’ve seen, it is evident that people are beginning to believe that putting in any actual effort into doing what Scripture says is beginning to be viewed as though it were wrong, as though somehow putting an effort to obey God is the equivalent of denying His Grace and what He did through Jesus Christ. We are literally beginning to treat spiritual laziness as though it were a virtue and treating putting in effort as though it were a sin. Talk about calling evil good and good evil. Here is a very simple, very crucial, inconvenient, and often neglected set of Truths:

ALMIGHTY GOD IS NOT SCHIZOID!

THE GRACE OF GOD AND THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD WERE BOTH GIVEN BY THE SAME ETERNAL, UNCHANGING, ALMIGHTY GOD

GOD CANNOT DENY OR CONTRADICT HIMSELF.

(2 Timothy 2:13)

THEREFORE.

GOD'S COMMANDMENTS CANNOT DENY CONTRADICT OR REFUTE GOD’S TRUE GRACE.

LIKEWISE, GOD'S TRUE GRACE CANNOT REFUTE, CONTRADICT OR DENY GOD'S COMMANDMENTS.

OBEYING GOD'S WRITTEN WORD IS NOT A SIN.

PUTTING FORTH EFFORT TO FOLLOW GOD'S INSTRUCTIONS IS NOT A SIN.

CHOOSING TO PUT FORTH EFFORT TO OBEY GOD'S COMMANDMENTS AND FOLLOW HIS INSTRUCTIONS CANNOT DENY, CONTRADICT, OR CUT US OFF FROM THE GRACE OF GOD.

ON THE CONTRARY, IT IS GOD'S TRUE GRACE THAT GIVES US THE WILLINGNESS, ABILITY AND POWER TO OBEY GOD IN THE FIRST PLACE.

It sounds ridiculous that we are forced to make such bold statements like these, but there is actually a school of thought that is teaching that if we put forth any real effort to actually do what the Scriptures command us to do, then we are no longer living in God's grace, because that theory assumes that we are now trying to become righteous by our own effort, simply because we are trying to obey God. Let me be abundantly clear, such a theological theory is FALSE DOCTRINE. Ignoring and disobeying God's Standards, Commandments, and Instructions does not prove that you believe and trust in God's Grace. On the contrary, disobeying God only goes to prove that in that particular area of your life where you are violating His instructions, you do not truly believe God enough to obey Him. Disobeying God's Word did not suddenly become a virtue after Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose again. In reality , obeying God and following His Instruction is the true sign that we truly love and believe Him).

We Are Saved by Grace, Through Faith, but What Is Grace, and faith as God Defines those Terms?
No doubt you will say to me, we are saved by grace and not by our works. Okay, great. You have read and apparently believe Ephesians 2:8-10. It's true, I believe it too. We are saved by Grace through what Jesus Christ did on the cross, in His Death and Resurrection, and the Righteousness that Almighty God imputes to us because we believe His Son. That's what CAUSES us to be saved, and not our works. I completely agree with that and do not dispute it whatsoever. However, we are forgetting what Grace is supposed to accomplish in believers. What I do dispute and most strenuously, is how modern-day Christianity has redefined, or rather, mis-defined and drifted far away from God's Biblical definition of Grace.
You will say to me, well how do you know that modern-day Christianity has drifted away from God's Biblical definition of Grace? It's simple. I simply compared what Holy Scripture says will occur inside a person, and what effect that this is supposed to have on our behavior when God is truly at work within a person, and then I observed what is commonly taught, preached, rehearsed, practiced and most commonly accepted in church world, and with frightening regularity, what is commonly taught rehearsed and accepted within church world, runs directly opposite of what God defines as the function of His Grace.
Scripture is very specific about what will happen when Almighty God does His work inside a person. Whenever God works inside a person, that is the quintessential definition of God's grace at work. So what happens when it is God working inside a person?
o God cleanses us from everything that He considers filthy (Ezekiel 36:25). Notice that God will purge all idolatry from us. This means that the truly born-again person will NOT want to indulge in anything that was associated with idolatry or the worship of false gods. Notice that it does not say that idolatrous practices will suddenly become acceptable to God, but rather that God will remove idolatry from us. There is a difference. In the New Testament, believers are commanded to continue cooperating with God through that process (James 1:21-22,:27 Ephesians 4:22; 1 Peter 2:1).
o God will remove our old heart which is hardened by sin, and He will give us a renewed heart, (Ezekiel 36:26; Deuteronomy 30:6; Psalm 51:10-13). Again, by God's grace, it is our responsibility to continue cooperating with God in that process as well (Hebrews 3:13).
o God Will send His Holy Spirit to take up residence in us, (Ezekiel 36:27a). Now, that is a description of being born-again if there ever was one.
Please pay close attention. What does Almighty God HIMSELF say will be the result or the fruit or the visible evidence that such a transformation actually took place inside the believer? God is very specific about the ultimate evidence that a born-again experience has truly taken place:
Ezekiel 36:27 "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances. (Ezekiel 36:27 NASB)
GOD HIMSELF says that the RESULT of the HOLY SPIRIT coming to live inside a person will CAUSE us to WALK ACCORDING TO HIS STATUTES, and that we will CAREFULLY OBSERVE HIS ORDINANCES.
The same exact principle is re-taught in the New Testament. As it is written:
Philippians 2:13 For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
So when God is working within us our willingness will change to agree with His Commandments and desires. Also, when God is working within us our abilities will change to agree with God Commandments and desires. Therefore, if we are not seeing progressive growth in our willingness, in our desires, and in our abilities to follow God's Instructions and do what pleases Him, then by definition we cannot be operating in God's True Biblical definition of Grace, because when it's truly God working inside us, obeying God is the result.
When I see what God says He will bring under judgment, and how He says He will judge certain attitudes desires and behaviors, then Almighty God has given me enough good sense to be scared. I'm scared for the church, because by the grace of God, when Almighty God says He's going to judge and condemn certain desires attitudes and behaviors, and that those things will NOT dwell in His Eternal Kingdom, I take that seriously. I BELIEVE HIM.
I'm noticing a pattern in church world where we are not often encouraged to believe God and to take Him seriously anymore. You will say, well how do you arrive at that conclusion? Well think about it.
If you received a report from a weatherman whom you believed to be even halfway credible, and he reported that a tornado had touched down and was heading in your direction at 70 miles an hour, then how would your actions show that you truly BELIVED the report? Would you send the children whom you claim to love out to play in the yard at that moment? Would you choose that moment to move the scrapbooking party on to the patio for a breath of fresh air? After hearing the report, would you look at your watch, and say, oh my, it's dinnertime. With the safety of you and your family on the line, would that be the moment you would choose to fire up the grill for your family barbecue? Would such actions and behaviors demonstrate that you truly believed the report? Of course not! On the contrary, if you truly believed the report, what you would do is grab the family members, grab the pets, grab a Bible and the emergency gear together with the insurance information, and then you would make tracks for the best and nearest place of safety you could reach, as quickly as possible. Then, while you were doing everything you physically could do, you'd be praying to Almighty God for safety. Now, that demonstrates that you believed the report.
The exact same principle is true concerning the Word of God. The real proof that you truly believe God is that you attentively listen to and obey His Instructions. The real proof that you believe Jesus Christ is that you deliberately hear and follow His Instructions. If we do not obey, then that is a sign that we did not truly believe Him.
We have the report that God’s judgment is coming. We have the report of what God will and when God will not allow to dwell into His Eternal Kingdom We claim to believe that the Bible is God's written Word. We claim to believe that it is the inerrant infallible Word of God. We claim to believe that all of it is true. However what is commonly done in church world does not demonstrate that we believe the word of God is true. Church world routinely teaches people at a minimum to ignore 76% of Scripture, but we even disregard more than that. 66% of Scripture is the Old Testament which we routinely disregard and teach other people to largely disregard it because supposedly, "We are not under the Law.” Okay, so in doing that we teach people to ignore or greatly diminish 66% of God's instructions right at the outset. At a minimum, 10% of the so-called New Testament is a direct quotation from the Old Testament, but we rarely take notice of those, because after all, 'We are under grace.'
Well, you see, we are Christians. We believe the words and teachings of Jesus Christ. Surely, if we could be certain that Jesus said something, we would take heed, and we would pay close attention and we would diligently practice doing those things until we got it right. Okay, great. Jesus said these words. As it is written:
Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey EVERYTHING that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
(NRSV Capitalization and underlining added for emphasis).
Notice He did not say, teach them to obey some of the things I have commanded you. He did not say, teach them to pick and choose from My instructions which ones they want to obey as it seems most suitable to them and their preferences as if God's word is like some bloomin' cafeteria, where you could pick and choose what you wanted and ignore the rest, and still receive the full blessings of God. Messiah said, “Teach them to obey EVERYTHING I commanded you.” Do we do that?
When was the last time your preacher ever went systematically through the entire book of Matthew all the way to the book of Revelation and gave specific practical instructions on how to obey every imperative command that Jesus Christ gave in the so-called New Testament? I put it to you plainly when was the last time you heard it done (or even offered) in any pulpit, Sunday school, Bible study class or home Fellowship? So, in reality, we don't adhere or teach people to adhere all that closely to the Master's instructions either, now do we?
The apostle Paul said that ALL Scripture is God breathed and inspired by God. He said that ALL of it [not just some of it, all of it] is profitable and beneficial for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction and training in righteousness, so that the people of God would be thoroughly furnished and well-equipped for every good work (see 2 Timothy 3:16-17). When we routinely ignore and teach others to ignore a minimum of 76% of the instructions, how can we possibly expect to be thoroughly equipped to overcome the world, and to fulfill God's plan for the church?
Oh, don't get me wrong. I have heard the obligatory disclaimer said from the pulpits, "Now remember people, Grace is not a license to sin.” The problem is that modern Christendom does not agree with what the clear Biblical definition of what sin is. Sin is missing the mark or the bull's-eye of God Highest Standards. His standards are defined and described in His Instructions, Laws and Commandments. Therefore violating those is sin (1 John 3:4; Hosea 8:1; Daniel 9:11).
Now, if we redefine grace to mean that it is no longer critical for us to aim for and to try to meet the standards of God's Instructions, Laws, and Commandments, then what we have basically said is it does not really matter whether or not you teach people to aim for and hit the target of God standards. When we do that, then in actual practice you are turning the grace of God into a license to sin, even as we claim that we are not.
So here's a pop quiz. You have two people. Both claim to have received and believed Jesus Christ as their own personal Lord and Savior. One of them encounters a biblical imperative or command in Scripture and says to himself. 'Well, I know that this is a command in God's word, but I don't really have to do that anymore, because I'm under grace. So even if it is a sin, God will cover me because I'm not made righteous by my deeds, but I made righteous because I believe in His Son.'
The other person approaches Scripture and his life in this way: He encounters an imperative or Command in Scripture. He says to himself. 'Wow, that's a difficult command for me based on my weaknesses. It surely does go against what is comfortable and natural for me. My natural inclination is to go the opposite way than what God says He requires here. I love God. Since I'm obviously not in agreement with Him and His Commandments and desires here. I desperately need him to change my heart, my desires, and my attitudes in this area, so that I will come into alignment with what God desires and requires. Then he starts trying to follow the imperatives with his behaviors. He constantly falls short, but he takes falling short seriously. He admits that he is falling short, but he starts again to pray and push himself to obey God's imperative in that area of his life. He slowly but surely gets better at putting God's word into practice in that area. Depending on the command, his own development, and the weaknesses that he is trying to overcome, it may take a minute, hours, days, weeks, or even years of persistent prayerful effort, but he finally overcomes. In this certain area, through persistent prayer, effort and course correction, obeying God in this area of his life eventually becomes no longer a struggle and has become more natural.
Now, which of those believers is truly walking in God's true and Biblical grace?
Let's be truly rational and use godly reasoning, if only for a moment. Which of these requires more of God's grace to accomplish it? Does it require more of God's grace for us to obey our sinful nature and do what is most natural, satisfying for us, and pleasing to our own passions and desires, or does it require more of God's grace for us to deny our natural selfish nature and obey God's instructions instead? Which requires more of God's grace to accomplish?
The true child of God is the one who ends up obeying the Father. If you don't want to believe me, then believe Jesus Christ whom you claim to believe as your Lord and Savior (Matthew 21:28-32).  Messiah further says:
“Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.
And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” John 8:34-36 (NKJV)
Scripture is very clear, that I am a slave to whatever I obey, either righteousness or sin, (Romans 6:15-19). So, if I continue to pursue, to enjoy, to indulge in, or to walk in what God specifically calls sin, then in those areas, I cannot possibly be truly free in Jesus Christ, because if I was truly free in Jesus Christ, I would be breaking away from those things, not indulging in those things.
THE FREEDOM THAT JESUS CHRIST PURCHASED FOR US WAS THE FREEDOM FROM SIN, NOT THE FREEDOM TO SIN. THAT'S A LIFE-AND-DEATH DISTINCTION WE HAD BETTER LEARN TO MAKE.
· When you refuse to teach God's Laws, Commandments and instructions, how can people help but miss the mark of God's highest standards? We’re almost guaranteed to sin (to miss the mark) when we are taught that hitting or missing the target has no real value or consequence anymore. That's NOT the grace that Scripture teaches. That's NOT Biblical Grace.
· When we refuse to teach the Commandments and standards that even Jesus Christ commanded us to teach (Matthew 28:19-20), because people might, "Get turned off from the gospel," and, "They might get into legalism.” Which is really fancy speak for they might actually feel convicted and urgently try to amend and adjust their lives because they fear the coming judgment of God, (which incidentally is exactly what's supposed to happen), but when we refuse to teach Christ's Commandments and make urgent calls to repentance because it might turn people off, that's not Biblical Grace.
Do we not understand yet, that it is the abandoning of God's Laws Commandments Instructions and Principles in the churches, (because sinners can't obey God; Romans 8:5-8; so it is LAWLESSNESS in the church), that actually CAUSES people to turn away from God in the last days? As it is written: “And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. Matthew 24:12 (ESV).
They had to have had a hot love toward God in the first place for it to become cold in the second place, right? So we are not talking about lost sinners who do not know God here. Come on! Does that really sound like abandoning God's Laws, Commandments, Instructions, and principles will truly bring about more Grace (Romans 6:1), or does that just set people up to become lukewarm, so that God will have no choice but to reject them on the last day (Revelation 3:14-22)?! Whose side are we really on when we do things like that?!

• When we tell teachers in the church that ‘We don't want to use Biblical terms like discipleship, because it invokes ideas of being trained and disciplined which has a negative connotation for people,’ (and this was a church elder who said this to me); when we start accommodating people's comforts to such a degree that we are willing to change what Scripture says and change what Scripture requires in order to do it, that is not Biblical Grace. Do we need to talk about what God considers a person who rejects and despises His discipline?! (Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 3:11; Proverbs 15:5; Hebrews 12:5-11; James 1:12). God considers a person who rejects discipline as a bastard and a fool (those are HIS Words). Can we please NOT teach people how to become bastards and fools in God's own household, while teaching them to pretend and allowing them to believe that this is actually required and what it means to live under His Grace? Do we care whether God considers people His true and legitimate children, or He doesn't? We are called and commanded to make disciples, and not illegitimate children out of people. If you really love God, and if you truly love and care about people, then that key difference matters!
• When we train church leaders to apply American business mass-market consumer principles, and we re-repackage Jesus and the gospel to become more popular with consumers, instead of helping people become victorious triumphant overcomers and disciples who will be truly popular with God and Jesus Christ, that's not Biblical Grace.
• When we care so much about making sure that we do not offend the fella in the pew so that Christ will not be unpopular with him, but we barely take notice of what offends God and Jesus Christ, and what would make US unpopular with Him, then we have truly lost perspective on how the grace of God functions. When we care more about changing our approach so that God will be more popular with people, instead of helping people change so they will be truly more popular with God, then who are we really worshiping at that point?

Even Paul the apostle who focused on grace more than any other teacher did not walk or teach God's Grace in the misguided manner that we use it today:
· Paul the apostle himself said that we were to follow him, as he followed Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1).
· Paul aimed for and strove to keep the Commandments. He strove to, and taught the Corinthian church (a predominantly Gentile congregation) to keep the Biblical Feasts of the Lord (1 Corinthians 5:7-8)
http://www.awarenessministry.org/whychristianscelebratefeastdays.htm
The Grace Paul Preached and Lived
· What is critically and equally important is that Paul the apostle did not believe nor did he teach that the grace of God meant that all he needed to do was believe that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, and that Christ died for our sins and rose again; (as is often taught today). Paul the apostle also did not teach that because he was under grace, it did not really matter whether he obeyed God and overcame or he did not. This is not the grace that Paul believed in or taught at all. Listen to how Paul walked, even and taught though he believed and taught the grace of God. As Paul himself through the Holy Spirit, wrote to the church; As it is written:
o 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one. So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air; but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified. (NRSV)
· The word "disqualified" in the Greek New Testament in this verse is Greek Strong's #96 [adokimos]. It literally means to be reprobate, rejected, or cast away from the presence of God
· God used Paul the apostle to write two thirds of the New Testament. Was Paul under Grace? Of course he was.
· From the plain text of Scripture, did Paul put forth effort to obey God and Jesus Christ, and to bring his life under subjection to the Scriptures? Of course he did
· From the plain text of Scripture does it sound like Paul believed or taught that putting forth effort to forcibly bring yourself under subjection to God and Jesus Christ would be the same as denying what Jesus Christ accomplished and that putting forth effort to obey God would cut you off from God's Grace, as some teach in Paul's name today? NO, even Paul the apostle did not believe or teach the definition of grace that is often presented in modern-day Christianity. Instead, he labored diligently to cooperate with God's work of grace in his life, so that he would not be disqualified.
As I've said before, I will say it again. Yes, God's grace absolutely does provide forgiveness when I realize, when I agree with God, and I admit that I have fallen short of HIS standards. At the same time the true and real grace of God also gives me the power to desire, to choose, and to progressively do what God says pleases HIM, and to successfully turn away from what God says doesn't please Him, and to overcome those things. Whenever I can walk in that manner, I don't just think I'm under grace, then I KNOW I'm walking in God's grace at that point.
Closing Prayer
Almighty God Yahweh, Yeshua Messiah, and gracious Lord Holy Spirit, have mercy upon us. Mercifully save us from every deception we have believed. Mercifully save us from turning your grace into a license to sin or disobey You. Instead, bring us into your true and Biblical grace through Messiah. Save us from sin, and make us truly free and able to obey you. Graciously transform us and fill us to overflowing with Your unfailing love. Mercifully make us Your true sheep. Mercifully tune our hearts to love you. Graciously tune our ears to hear, to hearken, to heed, and to faithfully obey Your voice and instructions, so that You may be pleased to call us Your children because we obey You as our Father. Amen.

What WILL Dwell into the Kingdom of God?

By Brother R. Michel Lankford
 
The Biblical concept of repentance is much different than what is often defined in modern-day religion. The popular version of repentance today is generally viewed as feeling sorry for one's sin and accepting Christ as Lord and Savior. I have heard and seen this definition explained and modeled in churches. While there are some components of those dynamics included in repentance, the modern religious view of repentance is often far lacking and it comes far short when one looks at how repentance truly functions Biblically. The problem with the modern church’s approach to grace is that it does not properly take into account the biblical warning that it is entirely possible to know Jesus Christ, and still become barren, unproductive, and unfruitful in our knowledge of Him and so be condemned, and that's written in the New Testament.
Godly sorrow can produce or lead to repentance, but from the Biblical perspective, godly sorrow is NOT the same thing as repentance, and we should not define it as such (2 Corinthians 7:10). Godly sorrow can be the beginning of repentance, but it's not the same as finishing the job. That's like saying that all of those who began the Boston Marathon won the race. No, the ones who completed the whole course, and particularly the one who finished the entire course first actually won the race. There is a difference. Starting to repent is not the same thing as successfully repenting. Modern Christianity often does a huge disservice to the young up-and-coming disciples when we treat feeling sorry for sin as though it is the same thing to actually completing the job of repentance. This is something that I've often seen and to which I strenuously object.
True Biblical repentance actually has a couple of functioning dynamics. It does involve internal changes. That is the turning of one's mind, the turning of one's will and desires, the turning of one's thinking, choices and decisions, AWAY FROM WHAT GOD DEFINES AS SIN, and TOWARD WHAT GOD SAYS PLEASES HIM. That's the internal change. Next, we must then TURN OUR ACTIONS AWAY FROM SIN and TOWARD WHAT GOD SAYS HONORS, PLEASES, AND OBEYS HIM. That is the physical external change which must coincide with our internal change away from sin and toward what pleases God. It's only when the internal changes in the external changes away from sin and toward what is God pleasing both occur that repentance is complete.
If we change our behavior without the internal change, it is basically only behavioral modification that does not change our internal being, and is therefore not permanent. It becomes dead works. At the same time, if we have had a true internal change away from sin and toward what is pleasing to God, but our physical actions do not steadily grow to match our internal changes and thus reinforce them by physically obeying God's Commandments, then our internal faith dies in its infancy. That's why it is rightly said that faith without works is dead (James 2:17, 26). So, good works without the internal change is dead works, but the internal change of faith that does not grow to produce physical actions that coincide with biblical faith, is equally dead. So works without faith is dead works, and faith without works is dead faith. Neither is alive, and both are dead and useless.
Therefore, in order for true repentance to be complete, it is the actual internal and external turning away from what God considers sin, and turning toward what God says is righteous and pleasing to Him. In the last blog entry, we gave a detailed list of what will not enter the kingdom of heaven. In that blog entry, we presented a detailed list of the things from which God says we must turn away if we hope to dwell in His Kingdom. So the wise person would diligently inspect the list and make sure that they are turning away from those things which God specifically says will not inherit His Kingdom. That's the turning away phase of repentance. In this latest blog entry we will concentrate on the second phase. So while we are making sure to be diligent to turn away from what does not enter the kingdom of God, in order to complete the job, we must then actively turn toward those things which God says will in fact live in His Kingdom. So to complete the act of repentance we must turn away from the sin that displeases God, and toward the love, righteousness and obedience that pleases Him.
Interestingly, while the Scriptural list of things which God says will not enter The Kingdom of Heaven is considerably long, by contrast the various lists of things that will enter the kingdom of God are very short. They are as follows:

1. Those who DO the will of Almighty God the Father will enter (Matthew 7:21). So then the question becomes, what is Almighty God the Father's will, and how do we know it? Obviously finding out makes a difference, because ONLY those who LEARN and then DO the Father's will, will enter into the kingdom of God. Jesus the Messiah Himself said this in the New Testament.
2. Psalm 15, asks and answers the question whom and what may dwell in the presence of the Almighty God (Psalm 15:1-5). So those characteristics must be thoroughly established within us if we are going to live in the presence of Almighty God.
3. The apostle Peter also gives us a list of necessary characteristics and behaviors which must be a part of our lives in order for us to enter into and inherit The Kingdom of God. In fact, at the end, the Holy Spirit working through Peter gives a specific promise that if those characteristics are growing and increasing within us we will receive a rich welcome into the kingdom of heaven (2 Peter 3:1-15). So if God makes it clear that if certain characteristics are present in increasing within us, this guarantees a rich welcome for us in the kingdom of God, then we should be all the more eager and diligent to cooperate with God as he re-creates us to produce those kinds of characteristics, attitudes and behaviors.
4. Those who overcome the things which will not enter the kingdom of heaven (Revelation 21:7; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1)
5. As a matter of cross reference, the list of the fruit of the Holy Spirit might also be added because the kingdom of God is made up of righteousness peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17; cf. Galatians 5:22-26; 1 Corinthians 13:4-8; Ezekiel 36:25-27; which is all part of the proof that the Holy Spirit is truly living in us, (Matthew 7:15-20). However, by itself these particular references do not contain an explicit promise of entering the kingdom, or presence of God, as do the previous four items.

Basically, Scripturally, other than a list of Scriptures which detail the will of God (which we have covered in other studies), this is the entire list of the characteristics required to enter God's Eternal Kingdom. In other words, if our lives are truly full of the characteristics listed in the references above, then we are truly growing and thriving into true citizens of God's eternal Kingdom. If our lives are not full of those characteristics, then obviously we are either not growing or not thriving as His children or as citizens of God's kingdom, and we still have some serious repenting to do.

Who Will Dwell with the Lord?

1. Those who does God the Father's will (Matthew 7:21).
2. The ones who walk up rightly (Psalm 15:2).
3. The ones who work righteousness (Psalm 15:2).
4. Those who speak the truth from their heart (Psalm 15:2).
5. Those who do not slander with their tongue (Psalm 15:3).
6. Those who do not do evil against their neighbors (Psalm 15:3).
7. Those who do not listen to or delight in spiteful gossip against their friends (Psalm 15:3).
8. Those who despise the reprobate. So please notice that as citizens of the Kingdom of God we are actually called to despise certain people and things (Psalm 15:4; Proverbs 8:13). Note: Basically a reprobate is one who is so turned against God that they insist on holding onto, praising, and delighting in those things which God calls an abomination (Isaiah 5:20-24, for example). Part of being a true child and citizen of the kingdom of God is that we must learn to love and delight in what God loves, and to hate what God says He hates.
9. Those who do not lend their money at interest
10. Those who do not take bribes (especially to deny the justice and the liberty of the innocent; Psalm 15:5). Those who develop these characteristics will never stumble.
11. Those who diligently cooperate with God's grace in their lives to produce godly faith (Romans 10:17; Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17; Hebrews 11:6; Romans 14:23; Hebrews 12:1-2).
12. Those who diligently cooperate with God's grace in their lives to fulfill the conditions attached to obtaining God's promises so that they can obtain the promises of God, so they can become partakers of the divine nature, and also escape the corruption that is in the world through lust (2 Peter 1:1-4).
13. Those who give all diligence to cooperate with God's work of grace in their lives, and add to their faith the characteristic of virtue, moral excellence or goodness (2 Peter 1:5).
14. Those who give all diligence to cooperate with God's work of grace in their lives, and add to virtue, moral excellence or goodness, they add a growing knowledge particularly of godly things (2 Peter 1:5).
15. Those who give all diligence to cooperate with God's work of grace in their lives, and add to their growing godly knowledge, they diligently add self-control (2 Peter 1:6).
16. Those who give all diligence to cooperate with God's work of grace in their lives, and add to their growing self-control, they diligently add perseverance (2 Peter 1:6).
17. Those who give all diligence to cooperate with God's work of grace in their lives, and add to their growing perseverance, they add a growing godliness (2 Peter 1:6).
18. Those who give all diligence to cooperate with God's work of grace in their lives, and add to their growing godliness, we grow in brotherly kindness (2 Peter 1:7).
19. Those who give all diligence to cooperate with God's work of grace in their lives, and add to their growing brotherly kindness, we add a growing godly love (2 Peter 1:7; 1 Corinthians 13:4-8).

Note: Let's remember why it is so critical to cooperate with God's work of grace in our lives. First, did you notice that God's Word tells us that IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY to APPLY DILIGENCE in creating these characteristics? He said it twice (2 Peter 1:5; 2 Peter 1:10). Did you notice what cooperating with God to create and grow in these characteristics will guarantee us, (2 Peter 1:8-11)?

1. Being diligent to cooperate with God's work of grace to create and increasing these characteristics guarantees that we WILL NOT BECOME BARREN OR UNFRUITFUL in our knowledge of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:8). That's critical, because where do those who do not produce good fruit in Jesus Christ end up going? I'll give you a hint. It's not heaven (John 15:1-6; in contrast to John 15:7-10).
2. Being diligent to cooperate with God's work of grace and increasing in these characteristics guarantees that we will not become shortsighted or blind, because lacking these characteristics will make us spiritually shortsighted even to blindness (2 Peter 1:9).
3. Being diligent to cooperate with God’s work of grace and increasing in these characteristics guarantees and ensures our calling as Saints of God (2 Peter 1:10).
4. Being diligent to cooperate with God’s work of grace and increasing in these characteristics guarantees and ensures that we will not stumble (2 Peter 1:10). The same guarantee as in (Psalm 15:5).
5. Being diligent to cooperate with God’s work of grace and increasing in these characteristics guarantees and ensures that we will receive a rich welcome and entrance into the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:11). Remember that applying these great principles will also guarantee that we will escape the corruption that is in the world through lust (2 Peter 1:3-4). This means that we will overcome the world. And what does God promise to those who overcome (Revelation 21:7)?
6. God guarantees that if we overcome we will inherit all good things, He will be our God, and He will consider us His children (Revelation 21:7). If obtaining such a great promise matters to you, then we must apply all diligence in learning to overcome.

If that's not enough, God gives us another list of instructions and similar promises, basically describing what we must do to overcome the world. It's called separation from what is unclean in God's eyes:
Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said,
"I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. "Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE," says the Lord. "AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you.
"And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me," Says the Lord Almighty. Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves) from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 (NASB)
Did you notice our responsibility in the passage? It's our responsibility to make sure that we don't bind ourselves together with ungodliness. It's our responsibility not to have partnership with what God considers lawlessness. If we are going to successfully walk in the light as He is in the light (1 John 1:5-7), then it's our responsibility to make sure that we do not agree with and combine ourselves with what God considers darkness. It is our responsibility as temples of the living God that we do not combine ourselves with any form of idolatry. It is our responsibility to come out and separate ourselves from what God declares and considers to be unclean, and not to touch these things. It is our responsibility to cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, and it is our responsibility to perfect holiness and a reverential fear of God.
If we cooperate with God and we do those things, God promises to welcome us into His presence. He promises that he will be a Father to us and He will consider us His children.
So, does it matter to you whether Almighty God welcomes you into His presence? Does it matter to you whether or not the Almighty God who made heaven and earth considers you one of His children? Does it matter to you whether you overcome the world and will inherit all good things? Does it matter to you whether you are unfruitful, or whether you are truly productive and bearing good fruit in your knowledge of Almighty God and Jesus Christ? Does having a guarantee of a rich welcome into God's Heavenly Kingdom matter to you? If it does, then we must diligently cooperate with God's work of grace in our lives, we must progressively separate ourselves from what God considers unclean, and we must be diligent to cooperate with God to create and increase in those characteristics which God says He's looking for from His children.
Ecclesiastes 12:12-14 My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh. The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.
(ESV)

What kind of reputation and name do you want in God's house? (Isaiah 56:1-7). Are you willing to choose what pleases Him? (Isaiah 56:1-7). - - - Brother R. Michel Lankford

Should We Really Cry out, "Maranatha?"

By Brother R. Michel Lankford

 
The word “Maranatha” is a word I heard years ago. It's a word you hear more often in the charismatic and Word of Faith movement then other places. It's only used twice in the New Testament, 1 Corinthians 16:22; Revelation 22:20). It literally means, "O Lord Come.” It is most commonly used to convey the idea that we want the second coming of Christ, and the final manifestation of the Everlasting Kingdom to come, and to come quickly.
On the one hand this is a good thing. I desire and look forward to the Wedding Supper of the Lamb. I get homesick for heaven. I long for the place where we will no longer struggle with our sinful nature and where God's perfect Love and Righteousness can be fully manifest in our being without internal resistance or conflict. That would quite literally be heaven. Believe me, I look forward to in long to be in the place where there will be no more sorrow, sickness, loneliness disease, pain or death. I long to enjoy and dwell in that blessing.
At the same time, I find myself not quite as quick to shout Maranatha as I once did. Why? It's not that I want to love the world nor the things of this world (1 John 2:15-17), in fact quite the opposite. The thing that's changed for me in the last few years though is that I have become more keenly and acutely aware that before His kingdom can come, and before it will be fully manifest, first His Judgment must come.
In one sense, being too quick to shout Maranatha also means that I've given up on my neighbor as well. In one sense it means that I care more for my own comfort and my own ease, then I do about whether or not lost people both inside and outside of church truly know the salvation of God and how to walk with Him before His judgment comes.
In fact, one of the reasons that I cannot bring myself to shout Maranatha as quickly and loudly as I once did, is gratitude. You see, I remember where I was almost a quarter century ago. Let's say, that He had answered the Maranatha cries of the saints 30 years ago. In such a case, I would have been utterly condemned. I would have been without any hope of forgiveness. I would have being eternally without love, without mercy and in total agony and separation from God’s presence forever. I can’t shout Maranatha because I'm so grateful that God waited for me, and in some areas where I'm learning to repent, He still waits. Thank you so much for your mercy O God, which some foolishly count as slowness!
As believers in Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah and Christ of God, we tend to think that there is nothing but rapture, blessing and comfort ahead. As I observe the state of the church, it's very clear that what is commonly believed is that because we claim Christ the Savior, we believe that we will escape the judgment of God virtually completely unscathed. That is a very popular and comfortable point of view, but as I looked intently, deliberately and carefully into the Scriptures, I find that this point of view while popular is definitely not a Biblical one.
To shout Maranatha is a very bold claim indeed. To say that before Almighty God is to claim that I am 100% ready to face His judgment. It means that I'm absolutely certain that I have repented and made a 180° turn away from everything that God considers sin, and that I have successfully completely turned toward choosing and walking in what God says is pleasing to Him.
The more intently I look at the very specific desires, attitudes, behaviors, and lifestyles that Almighty God, specifically says throughout all of Scripture that He will not allow to live in His Eternal Kingdom, the less inclined I feel to stand up in church and cry, “Maranatha!” No, the more intently I look at what God says He will judge, what He says He will condemn, and what He says He will eternally separate from Himself the less inclined I am to cry out Maranatha, and the more inclined I get to stand up in church and cry out, “Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand," (Matthew 4:17). Let's take a closer look and see scripturally, specifically what God says He will not permit to live in His kingdom. Are we really as ready as we claim?
Recently, I had been looking at the Scriptures concerning how God is going to judge both the church and the world. In the first three chapters of the book of Revelation, Messiah dictated letters to the seven most widely known churches in the world at the time. Of those seven churches five of them had serious problems from which they needed to repent before the coming judgment (Revelation chapters 1-3). Of the seven churches, only two, (that's less than 33% folks), were actually doing what God wanted and expected them to do, the others had some serious repenting to do before the coming judgment. We know the judgment will begin in God's house first, so lately I have been reviewing the kinds of things that Scripture specifically tells us will not inherit the kingdom of God, and I pose the question, are we really ready for the coming judgment? Should we really cry out Maranatha, or would we be wiser to cry out, "Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand?”

Confronted with a Choice

When we look squarely at what Almighty God says He will condemn and HE will not permit to live in his kingdom, we are suddenly confronted with a few options:

· We can put our theological hats on and come up with complicated theological reasons and rationale as to why God's Word really doesn't mean what God just said. The serpent tried that with Eve in Garden of Eden and we still haven't learned not to give into that lie (Genesis 3:1-6), and we think the human race is advancing?

· We can bury our heads in the sand just like the lawyer did in Christ's day. He knew that God’s Law required him to love his neighbor as himself. He really did not want to do what God desired and required of him, so he tried to justify himself by simply changing the definition of who and what his neighbor was. What he really needed was a heart change, but he didn't want to face up to that. So it was much easier to change the definition of who and what your neighbor is. That way he could convince himself that he was still right with God, even though he was really living to please himself (Luke 10:25-37).

When we are confronted with a list of the things that GOD SAYS that HE will not permit to dwell in His kingdom, (and He the One who should know), we could try and do exactly what the lawyer did. We can try and pick Scripture apart seeking to find justifications to claim that none of these standards really apply to us anymore because after all, we are “Under Grace.” At the same time, the honest person has to face the question that if we are truly operating under God's Grace, then why do I not have a greater appetite to turn away from what God calls detestable, and why don't I have a greater desire to run toward and choose what God says is pleasing to Him?

The honest person has to ask himself some tough questions. For example, why is it that when we want to justify acting contrary to Scripture, then the word Grace pops up an awful lot in conversation, but when we talk about disciplining ourselves and pushing ourselves to put Scripture into practice, and truly doing what God says, then the word legalism pops up an awful lot, but the word Grace is rarely referred to as the power to learn, the power to desire, the power to choose and to do, what God says pleases Him? Are we truly walking in God's grace, or we walking in lawlessness disguising itself as grace?

When I look at a list of what God says He will not permit to live in His Kingdom, I can do exactly what the lawyer did in Christ's day. I can try and justify myself. Or, I can turn toward the Light and face up to the fact that what this list shows me is that I truly need a heart change in many areas. I could be courageous and face up to the fact that I actually still need an appetite change. I in fact still need some thorough desire changes, because while God's grace does provide forgiveness when I realize and admit that I have come short of God's standards, God's grace also provides me the power to learn, to desire, to choose, and to do what is pleasing to God (1 John 1:8-9; Philippians 2:13; Ezekiel 36:25-27; cf. Isaiah 56 1-7). That's a scriptural overview of how God's grace truly functions.

According to Scripture, What Invokes God's Wrath and Judgment?

What Specifically Brings about the Wrath of God?
In Romans 1:18, God's Word gives us a profound statement:
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness..." Romans 1:18 (NASB).
God working through the apostle Paul then gives us a basic listing of the things that bring about the wrath of God in Romans 1:19-32. Here is a quick review of that list.
1. Stubbornly and willfully refusing and rejecting the knowledge of God which God has made plain to everyone; except that some have in effect hardened their hearts against God (Romans 1:19-21; Ecclesiastes 3:11)
2. Willfully suppressing or working to suppress the knowledge of God away from people by way of unrighteousness.
3. Refusing to honor God as being God and refusing to be grateful to God (Romans 1:21).
4. Choosing to exchange the true knowledge of God for the imitation wisdom of man (Romans 1:22; Jeremiah 9:23-24; Proverbs 3:5-7; Proverbs 26:12; James3:13-16; contrasting James 3:17-18). For the Almighty, even in His foolishness would still be wiser than the wisest of men (1 Corinthians 1:25). As a result of rejecting God, we become foolish and futile in our thinking patterns.
5. Since they rejected God and His knowledge and wisdom, they began to worship their own knowledge wisdom and understanding. They began to worship the created things instead of the Creator (Romans 1:21-23; Ephesians 4:17-32 Romans 1:21-23; 2 Kings 17:15; Ephesians 4:17-32).
6. As people continually reject God and His standards; as they continue to indulge in idolatry against God, worshiping their own intellect and other things which God created, human thinking becomes more and more hostile against God, and eventually He will turn us over to this sins in which we have repeatedly indulged. Worshiping our own intellect will lead us into worshiping our own pleasures including our own sexual pleasures. After doing that long enough, normal God ordained sexual relations between man and wife no longer excites and satisfies. So people begin to seek after more perverse pleasures, eventually even accepting homosexuality, or even intercourse with animals, which God defines as detestable abominations (Romans 1:24-27; Leviticus 18:22-23; Romans 1:21-23; 2 Kings 17:15; Ephesians 4:17-32).
7. As people continually reject God and refuse to honor Him, but instead choosing to honor their own sinful passions, God eventually turns them over to a depraved mind. This leads to the rest of the characteristics that bring about the wrath of God upon societies Romans 1:29-32 (NASB). These are as follows:
Being filled with all unrighteousness,
Wickedness; Greed, Evil; Full of envy, murder, strife, Deceit, Malice; They are gossips, Slanderers; Haters of God, Insolent Arrogant Boastful
Inventors of evil, Disobedient to parents, Without understanding, Untrustworthy, Unloving, Unmerciful;  And finally, approving even celebrating wickedness.
"... although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them."


What Specifically Will NOT Enter the Kingdom of God?
Rejecting Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ (John 3:36; John 1:12; John 5:24; John 8:51; Acts 4:12)
Those Who Refuse to Obey the will of God (Matthew 7:21)
Those Who are NOT Converted (Matthew 18:1-3; Matthew 5:20; John 3:3,5,7; 1 Corinthians 15:50)
Those Who Refuse to Forgive (Matthew 6:15-16; Matthew 18:23-35)
Living According to the Sinful Nature (Galatians 5:19-21; Matthew 18:23-35)

Living According to the Sinful Nature (Galatians 5:19-21);

This includes the following:
Immorality: (particularly sexual immorality in the original Greek)
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Ephesians 5:5-7 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them Ephesians 5:5-7 NASB.
Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (NKJV)
Impurity: (referring to moral impurity-for example greed)
Sensuality: (Basically being inordinately driven or controlled by the appetites of one's five senses; also wantonness or excessiveness)
Idolatry: (Worshiping anything outside of God Almighty; also stubbornness (1 Samuel 15:22-23). Also craving another person's possessions or coveting (Colossians 3:5).
Sorcery: Witchcraft; The Use and administration of Drugs; poisoning; Using magical arts
Enmities: Hatred or causing hatred
Strife: Loving to fight argue or instigate fights, arguments or contentions
Jealousy: Being fiercely and indignantly Zealous or rivalry
Outbursts of Anger: Uncontrolled passionate zealous indignation and anger (temper tantrums or fits).
Disputes: Causing contention and secretly working behind the scenes to gain an unfair advantage to achieve ones aims in promoting oneself, agenda or desires.
Dissensions: Violent debate (as in attempting to force or to divide people away from the truth; causing ungodly divisions)
Factions: Similar to the above, it has to do with having such misplaced loyalty to a division, group, (a denomination for example), or an idea; to the point that one is willing to sacrifice Truth or Righteousness before God in order to advance a particular group or cause. One example of this would be such things as the KKK, who are willing to murder blacks and blow up churches to advance their cause of so-called "keeping the white race pure." Once you commit mass murder, you are no longer pure by God's definition anyway (Matthew 7:12; 1 John 3:15)! So you cause a lot of grief and pain, and accomplish nothing where it counts for all the trouble you cause!
One of the biggest examples of this in Scripture has to be during the trial of Jesus Christ (John 19:12-15). The religious leaders of the time had the crowd so stirred up that they were willing to openly deny that Almighty God is King in Israel and verbally proclaim an idol worshiping pagan (the Emperor) instead, all to ensure that Jesus Christ would hang, because they said he committed blasphemy (which He didn't; but what were they doing with such talk)? Not only were they so devoted to this idea that they were willing to deny God as their king, but they were even willing to sacrifice their own children to this cause (Matthew 27:25). Now that's an example of losing all perspective.
Envying: A painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another joined with a desire to possess the same advantage (Webster's Collegiate; 11th Ed) Note: I did not use my Bible dictionaries on this one because they used the key word in the primary definition, which is terrible studying procedure.
Drunkenness: That one is self-explanatory. It means to live a lifestyle of intoxication with foreign substances.
Carousing: It literally means riotous celebration. Biblical dictionaries point to word pictures such as "a nocturnal and riotous procession of half drunken and frolicsome fellows who after supper parade through the streets with torches and music (usually in honor of some false deity). They sing and play before the houses of male and female friends; hence, used generally as an excuse for drinking parties that are protracted late into the night, and indulge in revelry. I think that Mardi Gras or Carnival would be 'reasonable' examples of carousing.
Please take notice that Scripture specifically says that anyone with a lifestyle that indulges in these things (or anything else like those things) will not inherit the kingdom of God. We need to take God seriously. He specifically says that people who indulge in this kind of lifestyle would not go to heaven, so we better cooperate with God to get rid of this kind of stuff out of our thinking and behaviors:
"...and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." Galatians 5:19-21 (NASB)


Failing to Overcome: (Revelation 21:7-8)

Revelation 21:7-8 "He who overcomes will inherit these things (Some translations say will inherit ‘all things’, and I will be his God and he will be My son.”8 "But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." Revelation 21:7-8 (NASB)
So let us look more closely at each of these things:
The Cowardly: It literally to live a lifestyle where one is intimidated; more fearful of the opinions of human beings than of God (2 Timothy 1:7; Matthew 10:28; Luke 12:5; Galatians 1:10).
The Unbelieving: It literally means to be without trust in God; also without faith; also untrustworthy or unreliable.
The Abominable: It literally means to render foul, to stink so badly as to become abhorrent; to turn one's self (more importantly God) away from some person attitude or behavior because of the stench.
Note: Scripture classifies a lot of different things (that I've found); attitudes and behaviors that are specifically named as abominations in God's sight. I have included the list after the section).
Murderers; This includes everything from the actual unjust physically taking of someone's life, to retaining hatred, or unjustified anger in one's heart (Exodus 20:13; Matthew 5:21-26).
Immoral Persons; In literal terms the original Greek word of this term is one who prostitutes their body for hire to satisfy another's unlawful sexual desires; a fornicator. A male prostitute.
Sorcerers; One who practices magic arts, deals in poisons or drugs. To illicitly manipulate the mind.
Idolaters; A worshiper of false gods; Placing anything above God; worshiping in any way after the manner of the heathen; because when we do that we are placing our own desires above God Deuteronomy 12:1-4, 8, 29-32; John 4:24).
All Liars; One who lies, purposes to deceive, and practices falsehoods. So, let's take a quick survey at what the Testament specifically associates with lying or deceiving (Revelation 21:8)
· The first is obvious; knowingly not telling the truth: (Leviticus 19:11; Colossians 3:9; in contrast to, (Ephesians 4:15).
· Claiming that we are not sinning when God says we are: Lying includes claiming that we have not missed the mark of God's standard of righteousness in some area, when Almighty God and Christ in His Word says that we have (1 John 1:8, 10; cf. 1 John 3:4; Isaiah 5:20-24). So wherever God's Word specifically identifies something as being sinful or missing the mark of His Righteous Standards, then we cannot say that this particular thing does not miss the mark, we cannot say that it is not sin when God calls something sin, because if we do, that makes us a liar according to 1 John 1:8; because in so doing we are either convincing ourselves or teaching others to deny sin; which is lying. If we persist in this, we end up calling God a liar (1 John 1:10); because we are denying His Standards and claiming that His Standards are not the Truth. Now, it's extremely perilous to be considered a liar by God, so how much more hazardous is it to try and make God into a liar? That's why we must come into agreement with God’s standards and definitions in everything, because we don't want to delude ourselves into believing and teaching that something is okay, when God in fact calls that thing to be sin.
· Lying includes claiming to walk in His light while we actually continually walk in darkness (1 John 1:5-6); claiming to know God, but actually denying Him through our lifestyle (Titus 1:16; cf. Jude 1:4).

· Lying includes adding things to the Word of God which are not there (Proverbs 30:6). It's a dangerous practice because if you allow that habit, you might actually do it at a time where it would lead to perilous consequences (e.g. Revelation 22:18-19).

· Lying includes claiming to know God and Jesus Christ, and yet at the same time refusing to walk according to His Commandments, which is of course the opposite of how Jesus Himself walked, (1 John 2:3-6). If we claim to belong to Him, we need to learn and walk in the same way that He walked.

· Lying includes denying Jesus Christ (John 14:6;1 John 4:22; 1 John 5:10;)

· Lying includes claiming to love God while we hate a brother (1 John 4:20).

· Lying includes hearing God's Word, but not developing the habit of putting God's Word into practice which is self-deception (James 1:22-23).

• Lying includes claiming true religion while failing to bridle our own mouths, because in so doing, we deceive our hearts (James 1:26)

"Their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."


The ‘Abominable’ Will NOT Enter (Revelation 21:8)

What is an Abomination?
An abomination in the Biblical sense is a desire, an attitude, behavior, or lifestyle that is particularly evil and detestable in the sight of God. In fact abominations are considered by God to be so detestable that they incur God's fierce anger, wrath and violent overthrow. In Biblical language, words and terms like vomit, spew, incensed, and even hatred are used in conjunction with the word, to describe God's reaction to abominable things. Abominable things are considered so wicked by God, that unless one repents and completely forsakes those abominable attitudes and behaviors, God guarantees that they will go to hell for eternity (Revelation 21:8).
When God says that He detests any attitude or behavior to the degree that He calls it an abomination, We MUST take God Seriously. We definitely don't want to be anywhere near it. We don't want to be judged guilty of it. We want to turn away from it and run in a new godly direction as quickly as possible, as one running to escape a burning building or a hail of bullets.
With regard to New Jerusalem, it is written: "But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life."  Rev. 21:27.  Also Rev. 21:8 says, " But the cowardly, unbelieving, [some text adds "and sinners"], abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
[Folks, Revelation 21:27, Revelation 21:8 are New Testament Scriptures]
What Types of Things are Abominations?
The following is a list of things the Bible considers an abomination:

• Unclean things (Lev. 7:21)
• Customs of pagans (Lev. 18:30)
• Idols (2 Chr. 15:8; 1 Pet. 4:3)
• Sins of men (Ps. 14:1; 53:1)
• Cheating (Mic. 6:10)
• Lost souls (Rev. 21:8)
• A froward man (perverse; one who turns aside (Pro. 3:32; 11:20)
• A proud look (Pro. 6:16-17)
• A lying tongue (Pro. 6:17; 12:22)
• Hands that shed innocent blood ((Pro. 6:17)
• A wicked scheming heart (Pro. 6:18)
• Feet that are quick to sin (Pro. 6:18)
• A false witness that speaks lies (Pro. 6:19)
• A sower of discord (Pro. 6:19)
• Wickedness (Pro. 8:7)
• A false balance or scale (Pro. 11:1)
• Sacrifices of the wicked (Pro. 15:8; 21:27)
• The way of the wicked (Pro. 15:9)
• The thoughts of the wicked (Pro. 15:26)
• The proud of heart (Pro. 16:5)
• Justifying the wicked (Pro. 17:15)
• Condemning the just (Pro. 17:15)
• Divers, dishonest weights (Pro. 20:10, 23)
• Divers, dishonest measures (Pro. 20:10)
• Refusing to hear the law (Pro. 28:9)
• Prayers of the rebel (Pro. 28:9)
• Eating flesh of peace offerings on the 3rd day (Lev. 7:18)
• Some same sex acts (Lev. 18:22; 20:13; Dt. 23:18)
• Taking ornaments from idols when being destroyed (Dt. 7:25-26)
• Any Idolatrous practices (Dt. 12:31; 13:14; 17:4; 18:9; 20:18; 29:17)
• Offering an imperfect animal to God as a sacrifice (Dt. 17:1)
• Any traffic with demons (Dt. 18:7-12; 1 Cor. 10:1-20)
• Wearing clothes of the opposite sex (Dt. 22:5)
• Bringing the hire of a harlot or sodomite into God's house (Dt. 23:18)
• Re-marriage of former spouse (Dt. 24:1-4)
• Cheating others (Dt. 25:13-16)
• Making images/idols (Dt. 27:15)
• Idols of Ammon (1 Ki. 11:5)
• Idols of Moab (1 Ki. 11:7; 2 Ki. 11:13)
• Idols of Zidon (2 Ki. 23:13)
• Incense offered by hypocrites (Isa. 1:13)
• Eating unclean things (Isa. 66:17-18;)
• Offering human sacrifices (Jer. 32:35)
• Robbery (Ezek. 18: 6-13)
• Murder (Ezek. 18: 6-13)
• Adultery (Ezek. 18: 6-13)
• Oppression of others, particularly the poor or vulnerable (Ezek. 18: 6-13)
• Violence (Ezek. 18: 6-13)
• Breaking vows (Ezek. 18: 6-13)
• Lending with interest to a brother (Ezek. 18: 6-13)
• Lying with a menstruous woman (Ezek. 18: 6-13)
• Hardness of heart (Ezek. 18: 6-13)
• Injustice (Ezek. 18: 6-13)
• Worship of anti-Christ (Dan. 11:31; 12:11; Mt. 24:15; 2 Th. 2:4; Rev. 13)
• Incest (Lev. 19: 6-30)
• Things highly esteemed by man (Lk. 16:15)
• Many other sins of the nations (Lev. 18: 26-29; Dt. 18: 9-12; 20:18; 29:17; 1 Ki. 14:24; 21:2, 11; 23:24; 2 Chr. 28:3; 33:2; 34:33; 36:14; Ezek. 7: 3-20; 8: 6-17; 16: 2-58; 20: 4-30; Rev. 17: 4-5

Spiritual Infidelity
Idolatry: Worshipping false gods and giving children over to false gods (Deut. 7:25; Lev 18:21).
Ungodly stubbornness is also considered worshipping false gods (1 Samuel 15:22-23) Carving images and Icons to worship (Deuteronomy 27:15, 29:17,32:16)
Witchcraft: (Deuteronomy 18:9-14). This also includes a mindset of rebellion (1 Samuel 15:22-23)
Rejecting God's Law or standards (Prov. 28:9)
Jesus in Stark Contrast
Scripture demonstrates that one of the reasons that Almighty God exalted Jesus Christ so highly was that He loved righteousness, and He hated iniquity or wickedness (Hebrews 1:9).  Part of loving God with all our heart soul mind and strength (Matthew 22:36-40), requires that we hate what is evil (Proverbs 8:13).
Scripture is abundantly clear that God will not allow people who love the wicked things listed in the last sections, or who accept or celebrate these wicked things as though they were good, or those who practice those evil things, to live in the Kingdom of Heaven with Him. If we are accepting of, or doing any of these types of things, we must be earnest and get serious about repenting and turning away from such evil things. God is serious about judging and punishing those who do not turn away from all of these wicked things.
We must change our mind to agree with God's standards, we must then confess our sins, completely turn away from them, and do right with God’s power helping us. That is the definition of genuine repentance.



The Coming Punishment for Wickedness
Without exception, God’s true prophets, Messiah and the apostles all spoke about the judgment of God and the punishment for those who stubbornly choose to hold onto wickedness instead of accepting God's forgiveness and the way of grace that He provides. God will seriously punish wickedness in the severest terms. Jesus Himself described the place of punishment as one of unending agony (e.g. Luke 16:19-31). Seven times He described it as a place of outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (e.g. Matthew 25:30). It's described as a place where there is no rest from torment (Revelation 14:11).


Which Discomfort and Which Offense Do You Choose?
You say, all that stuff is troubling. That's not hopeful. That's not optimistic. You say, that's disturbing and offensive. To that statement I say, amen. At the same time, I put this question. Choose your disturbance. Choose your offense. When would you rather be disturbed? Would you rather be disturbed and shook up and discomforted now, when you can actually repent and do something about it, or would you rather be disturbed, disquieted, and shook up when Almighty God and Jesus Christ declares that he didn't know you because you did not care to repent and do the Father's will, instead of your own? When would you rather be disturbed? Which humiliation and discomfort would you prefer? I offer you this scriptural study on what God says will not enter His kingdom and I beg you to be earnest, to be zealous and to repent if you are engaged in any of these desires, thoughts attitudes behaviors and lifestyles which God says will not inherit His Kingdom.
The Very First Step- Take God Seriously
GOD SAYS WHAT HE MEANS AND MEANS WHAT HE SAYS. THE WISE PERSON IS THE ONE WHO LISTENS CAREFULLY, WHO TRULY TAKES ALMIGHTY GOD SERIOUSLY, AND CHOOSES TO WALK ACCORDINGLY. EVERYTHING LESS IS FOOLISHNESS; GOD SAVE US FROM ALL FOOLISHNESS.
A good first step (but only the first step), could be a prayer like this one:
"Father Almighty God, please save me from what looks good to my own eyes. If any of the things which You say are not allowed in Your Kingdom, exist within me, I ask you to help me to spot and recognize them for the sin that You say they are. Help me to confess them, help me to turn away and to truly repent from them. Rip those things out of me, and truly nail them to the cross and kill them, before they harm me in my relationship and my walk with you. Instead, fill me with Your love, Your righteousness, Your grace, Your Truth, and Your True Salvation. Help me to make concrete plans according to the Lord's instructions, and to walk accordingly. Grant me true courage and grace to love what You love, to hate what You hate, and to choose and to do what is truly good, right, and pleasing in Your sight. Grant me Your True Grace and courage not only to pray these words, but to truly live according to these words, so that I may dwell in Your Kingdom and sweet Fellowship forever; not by my might or my own power, but through Messiah and your Holy Spirit working in me, help me to practice walking as a true citizen of your Kingdom, until it is fully realized, and I completely dwell in Your everlasting joy. Mercifully grant it Oh LORD." Amen.
A Good Second Step- Become Zealous about Repenting (Revelation 3:19)
Learn to walk in and use the grace of God as He intended it. Don't turn it into a license to sin. Doing that is the same as denying Jesus Christ (Jude 1:4). Yes, God's grace absolutely does provide forgiveness when I realize, when I agree with God, and I admit that I have fallen short of HIS standards. At the same time the true and real grace of God also gives me the power to desire, to choose, and to progressively do what God says pleases HIM, and to successfully turn away from what God says doesn't please Him, and to overcome those things. Whenever I can walk in that manner, I don't just think I'm under grace, I KNOW I'm walking in God's grace.
A Good Third Step-Choose to Be Spurred on, More than Comforted
Honestly, the last thing we need in these last days is to be made more comfortable in our garbage. We all have those people in our lives that push us to read God's Word more carefully, and to obey it more closely, and they push us to confront and overcome our sin and weaknesses. They are so aggravating, aren't they? It's tempting to want to be comfortable and to avoid confronting our sin and weaknesses. Sometimes it really feels like a pain to push ourselves to overcome them. It's tempting to avoid those confrontations and hang around those people and situations that make us more comfortable. However, if overcoming is truly my goal, then I need, I mean truly NEED those aggravating people and situations in my life, who will push me to obey God more and not less in these last days (Hebrews 10:24-25).
May God bless you as you cooperate with his work of grace in your lives, so that you may overcome.
Brother R. Michel Lankford

Let's Avoid Scripture Twisting Part 4

 

Part 4: Combating Scripture Twisting with Real Examples

By Brother R. Michel Lankford
 
God be with you. Thank you for joining me again. Today, we will be closing our series on avoiding Scripture twisting. I hope that it has been useful beneficial and informative for you. It certainly has been for me. In the first three parts of the series we covered some foundational principles of how and why Scripture gets twisted. I have reviewed them often lately because they are so critical. If you need to review them, they are in the December and early January edition of the blog. Feel free to review them and even copy and share them as the Lord leads you. All I ask is that you do not do anything to change the message, or to misrepresent them in any way.

 

Why Is Getting This Right so Critical?

1. Scripture has many promises, but most are NOT unconditional: Scripture contains literally thousands of promises which believers can claim and upon which we can stand to encourage ourselves in the faith. All the promises of God are yes and amen through Yeshua the Messiah (2 Corinthians 1:20), because He is the source and central focus of all good things which Almighty God has promised in His Word. At the same time, the vast majority of God's promises are NOT unconditional. Most of His promises have direct conditions attached to those promises.
2. Through Messiah, we can claim virtually any promise so long as we are obedient to meet the conditions: While it is ostensibly possible for believers in Yeshua the Messiah to claim every single promise principle and blessing of Scripture, we must always remember that we can only rightly claim and stand upon the promises of Scripture if and when we meet the spiritual, physical and circumstantial conditions and limitations that God has stated, where ever they are correctly applicable. Quite simply, if we do not meet the conditions, then we cannot righteously claim and expect to receive the benefits of the scriptural promise. That is a very basic principle, but it's often neglected.
3. When we twist Scripture we damage our own faith: Proverbs 13:12 tells us that, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is the tree of life." The biggest danger of Scripture twisting is that it will mis-lead us to put our hope and expectation in the wrong place. Our hope will be deferred and we will become heartsick. That is, because we have misread, misinterpreted, misunderstood, or even twisted Scripture into something that God did not truly say, we may begin to place our expectations (our hope) into something which God did not really promise. Then, when our own misguided hope and expectation is not fulfilled because it is not truly in-line with what God actually promised, even when we have made ourselves believe God says something He did not say, then we damage our own faith, because we placed our expectations into a particular result that we made ourselves believe God said which He did not truly say.
I've seen tragic life damaging examples of people who lost hope, and some have even turned away from the faith, because they assumed that God let them down, didn't come through, supposedly did not fulfill what He promised, (according to their misguided understanding), and therefore they conclude that the Biblical faith must not be true. I have personally witnessed this occur in people's lives. It's a real problem. The shepherds who truly love and care for God’s sheep cannot allow this to continue if they would be considered faithful servants of the Lord. Almighty God cannot deny Himself (2 Timothy 2:13). He will stay faithful and true to what HE has spoken, our own misguided conclusions notwithstanding. It is up to us to adapt our thinking and beliefs to agree with God and what He has actually said. God will not adapt Himself to agree with our thinking. We must get out of such misguided expectations. (Isaiah 5:20-24; Isaiah 55:8-12; Romans 8:5-8; Romans 12:1-2).

 

 

Real Life Examples of Scripture Twisting

In our final portion of this particular series, I felt directed to give the classic examples of Scripture twisting. For your information, all of these Scripture twisting examples come from sermons that I myself have either personally heard or read. They are not hear-say. I have not included specific sources of information on purpose. My goal is not to embarrass the preachers involved, but merely that we should not repeat their mistakes, but instead learn from them and avoid repeating them.
Now, remember that in Messiah all of the promises of God are yes and amen through HIM, (2 Corinthians 1:20), but remember the majority of God's promises come with real conditions attached. Most promises of God are NOT unconditional. Therefore, one can only rightly claim the promise if one is meeting the physical conditions (or the spiritual equivalent where applicable), in order to righteously claim a promise. So if you do not meet either the physical conditions or the spiritual equivalent conditions which are attached to a promise, you cannot righteously claim or expect to receive the benefit of that Scriptural promise. Let us remember and not forget that attempting to claim the rights and privileges of a scriptural promise while violating and not meeting the conditions which God attaches to those promises is part and parcel of LAWLESSNESS.
There are approximately 1500 promises in the so-called New Testament alone. I have not yet seen a reliable count of the actual promises contained in all Scripture. In any case, I promise that we will not review all 1500 in this blog. I will simply limit my examples of those which I have personally heard and seen misused which are most memorable.
Example: Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (NASB)
The Modern Usage: We need to forget past negative experiences and move on toward the good and positive things God has for us in future, not looking back.
Original and accurate usage: If you look carefully at the entire context of the Scripture, what Paul was forgetting was not actually forgetting his past negatives but his past achievements. The apostle Paul was telling his readers that if anyone appeared to have the right to rest on their laurels, he would apparently have the right to do so, but this is not how he lived. Paul was letting his readers know that he was continuously straining to improve in excellent obedience to Christ. He was not resting on his glorious accomplishments of the past. That is a reality that we all too rarely hear presented whenever we hear this passage preached today.
Example: Romans 10:8 But what does it say? "THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART"—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, (NASB)
The Modern Usage: This is a hugely popular verse among word of faith or the so-called, “Name it and claim it” preachers. I promised in the beginning that I would not name names, but just type word of faith preachers into Google, and you will get a fairly accurate list. Suffice it to say that many of them make a lot of money in television preaching. Twisting this particular verse is very popular with them because it contains the words, 'word of faith,' which they have chosen to label their own particular brand of Christianity.
The whole premise upon which this incredibly popular movement operates is the idea that God wants you to prosper in every single situation, and that the reason most people are not prospering is because (according to their definition), Christians are not properly standing upon and confessing the Word of faith with their mouth. The idea that is often conveyed is that you should find the promises of God in Scripture that seem to fit your particular situation, then you should resolutely confess and profess those verses with your mouth, and that those blessings contained in those promises are yours as a believer in Christ, and you should stand firmly and resolutely upon your confession, and God will change your situation, and supposedly you will prosper.
Ostensibly, if you do this well enough and faithfully enough, then you will prosper in your job and finances, you will have a house you want, the car you want, the marriage you desire, and the ministry that you desire and on and on the sales pitch goes from there. In theory, if you are not "prospering" according to their definition of the term, then either something is wrong with your faith or with your confession. According to them, either you didn't really believe it, you didn't stand on your confession firmly enough, or didn't stand on your confession long enough to see your posterity come forth. It's a very easy and convenient way for them to explain why the vast majority of believers who support their ministry do not see the level of prosperity that the slick sales pitch promises on TV. The whole problem with that theology is that it's bogus. It teaches you to take Scripture out of context and to twist Scripture and to apply themin such a way that seems most pleasing and appetizing to our flesh and sinful nature. It simply is not sound biblical theology or practice. It builds expectations that God did not really promise, and that's the tragic truth of the matter.
Original and accurate usage: Did you notice in the scriptural quote of Romans 10:8 above that the NASB writes it in all capital letters? Whenever the NASB translation does this, it indicates that the biblical writer is quoting directly from the Old Testament. When Paul wrote these words under the anointing of the Holy Spirit to the church in Rome, the apostle completely understood the context under which he was writing to them, because he had memorized the entire books of Genesis to Deuteronomy by age 6. We know this because he was educated under Gamaliel, and that was a standard requirement to be educated by Gamaliel. So Paul was entirely aware of where this verse came from, and what God was having him write. We are the ones who have lost and misplaced the context because we are so far removed. The wise student whose goal is to rightly divide and apply the Word of Truth, must then go back and cross reference the original place where this Word was given. Romans 10:8 is a direct quote taken in context from Deuteronomy 30:11-14.
The simple fact is that the apostle was NOT teaching that you can pick and choose any promise from Scripture that sounds good to you, and if you believe it and confess it with your mouth, then the blessings of that promise are automatically yours because you belong to Jesus Christ. Paul was not saying that, he was not teaching this whatsoever, not even close. What he was in fact saying was that obeying God's Word and Instructions is not difficult. Obeying God's word and putting it into practice is typically simple and straightforward, so we should not overcomplicate matters. We would know that if we cross-referenced the verse that Paul was actually quoting. As it is written:
Deuteronomy 30:11-14 "For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach. “It is not in heaven, that you should say, 'Who will go up to heaven for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?' "Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, 'Who will cross the sea for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?' "But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may observe it. (NASB)
1. Do you see the whole difference that proper context makes? What God was speaking through both Paul and Moses was that obeying God is not really complicated, so don't over complicate matters and make God's instructions seem more difficult than they truly are. Obeying God and following His Instructions is usually simple and straightforward to understand. It's not complicated.
2. Pay attention to your thoughts (your heart), and what comes out of your mouth, because that will be a strong indication of where you truly are spiritually (Matthew 15:19-20; Mark 7:21-23). If you are in a space or situation where you find it difficult, or you are unable to think, speak and behave in agreement with God's Commands and Instructions, then this should rightly indicate to us that we are in need for God to do a real heart change in that area of our lives. If we are finding obeying God's Commands and Instructions to be a burden, then this indicates that our love for God is not really healthy and mature in that area, because the evidence that we are healthy and mature in His love is that we have His Commandments, and we do not consider them to be burdensome (1 John 5:1-3). The whole point is that we can see our hearts true condition based on what comes out of our mouths, and how we respond when we hear God's Commands and Instructions.
Example: Where there is no vision the people perish –Proverbs 29:18
The Modern Usage: We have all heard this sermon in modern times, right? It's most often presented exactly the same way. 'We need a God-given vision of the great things that God wants to do in our lives in ministry etc. etc. etc.' Or, 'The reason that our ministry or our personal lives are not thriving and prospering is because we don't have a spiritually induced vision of what God wants to do in our lives in ministry.'
Original and accurate usage: If you look carefully at the entire context of the Scripture, you will notice that the whole point is that when people lose sight of the law of God they also lose self-control and self-restraint. Even the word vision here literally means to have a revelation or understanding of God's law and His standards. The proverb is strategically placed between two other proverbs on correction and discipline, and the second half of this very verse has to do with actively keeping God's law not doing modern strategic planning or making better mission statements.
Example: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me Philippians 4:13
The Modern Usage: In modern times this is very popular. It's used very much like a Norman Vincent Peale lecture. The precept presented is usually that since you are Christian, you believe in Jesus Christ, and you can do anything and everything that you set your mind to do, so just believe and think positive, and you can do anything through Christ who strengthens you.
Original and accurate usage: This is not what that passage is meant to convey at all. Nowhere does it imply that because you are Christian you can do whatever you choose or set your mind to do and you're guaranteed to succeed because you believe in and belong to Jesus Christ. If you look at the whole chapter in its context, it is obviously saying that in whatever circumstances of life Paul happens to be undergoing, he can still remain faithful and obedient to Christ; whether he is finding himself in a situation of suffering or lack, or whether he happens to be enjoying a situation of abundance makes no real difference, because his faith, determination and obedience to Jesus Christ will not be altered by either scenario, because Christ will strengthen him to be faithful in either situation. The focus of the passages that Paul can cooperate with God and behave faithfully and obediently toward God regardless of the changes in his situation, because God will give him the grace to do so. Do you see how the true focus of the verse is not on what Paul can do, but the focus of the verse is on God's power to keep all faithful regardless of Paul's changing circumstances. The true meaning of the passage is much different than what is commonly conveyed.
Example: For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. -- Jeremiah 29:11
The Mistake in Modern Usage: This is perhaps one of the most commonly tortured passages in all of Scripture throughout modern Christendom. I have heard this verse many times in a number of sermons portrayed as though it were a promise that God has plans for me, and wants to prosper me…as if God wrote the verse to me. It is often used or rather misused when Christians are having a hard time through life in order to keep their hopes up and to encourage them. The intention is not bad, but very often believers do not experience the benefits of this promise. Why is this? Well, because very often we smorgasbord this verse. By that I mean that we often treat this verse as though it stands by itself, and take the verses we like and ignore every other verse that surrounds the 'promise verse.' Preachers and teachers and congregations alike, all clearly ignore the principles that are taught in Jeremiah 29:1-10, before trying to claim verse 11.
Original and accurate usage: Of course the verse was not even written to Jeremiah personally. It is a promise for the exiles in Babylon, an actual group of ancient people to whom God made this specific promise and there is no biblical evidence it was a universal promise to all people everywhere.
If you were going to apply this particular promise under 2 Corinthians 1:20, which is a theological habit I recommend using extremely sparingly and with great caution, because the risk of Scripture twisting and self-deception is much greater. However, if you absolutely insist upon doing it, then at a bare minimum you must be actively meeting the same type of conditions and prerequisites that were in force when the promise was originally given by God.
I say again, when we attempt to claim a particular promise of God's word, but we refuse to meet either the spiritual prerequisites or the physical prerequisites which were stated or implied and attached to the promise, that is the definition of lawlessness. In other words, trying to lay claim and to receive the promises made by God without first actively submitting to God, that is the quintessential definition of lawlessness.
Since this particular promise was given looking forward to the time when God's people would be coming out of Babylonian captivity and returning to Israel, then at the absolute bare minimum this presupposes that you would be actively coming out of the sinful world (out of Babylon) in your worship, in your thinking, in your attitudes, in your desires, and your choices and behaviors, and that you would be actively taking up a lifestyle of applying God's commands and principles in each of these areas.
If on the other hand, you foolishly chose to remain in the comforts, traditions and apparent affluence of the sinful world, "Babylon", then you could not rightly claim or receive this particular promise. You might qualify for other promises in God's word, but you couldn't rightly claim this particular one without first meeting those prerequisite conditions.
The inconvenient and unpopular reality is that if you refuse to come out of Babylon even as a believer, then what you actually qualify for is to be punished and cursed with the plagues that Almighty God will unleash upon Babylon (see Revelation 17:1-18:4). The truth is that Almighty God is forever calling His people out of Babylon. From the time that Almighty God called Abraham out of the Ur of the Chaldees; (for all intents and purposes a Babylonian suburb), and into special covenant relationship with Him in Genesis, until Revelation 18:4, Almighty God is forever calling his people to come out of Babylon:
Revelation 18:4 I heard another voice from heaven, saying, "Come out of her, my people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive of her plagues… (NASB)
The sad reality is that unbeknownst to most believers the vast majority of the worship traditions that are used and commonly accepted in Christianity today are a hold-over from the Roman Catholic Church traditions of the popes, which ordered that all pagan worship traditions were to be adopted and incorporated into the 'normal life of the church’ by Pope Gregory I; (circa 600 A.D.) .
These are not Scriptural at all. In fact, Scripture specifically commands the direct opposite of such practices. Scripture forbids syncretism; which is mixing paganism with the worship of Almighty God (Deuteronomy 4:2; 8:3, 12:1-4, 8, 29-32; Jeremiah 10:1-2; 1 Corinthians 10:1-20; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; Revelation 18:4). We are told to separate from this nasty stuff.
The scary part is that the Roman Catholic Church directly countermanded Scripture and they purposely enfolded and adapted these traditions directly from Babylonian worship traditions which ancient Rome adopted, and which the Roman Catholic Church strictly honors. The Protestants have strictly maintained Roman Catholic traditions, while claiming to be scripturally obedient.
These include; forsaking the Biblical Sabbath and enforcing Sunday worship, commemorating the birth of the Messiah on December 25 (which is coincidentally the birthday of every pagan sun-god throughout the world), instead of honoring the feast of Tabernacles which is when Messiah was truly born, honoring Valentine's Day which comes directly from the Babylonian tradition of honoring the day that Nimrod's wife had sexual relations with her son, Tamuz. Honoring the resurrection of Messiah on the same day and with almost the exact same traditions as were used to honor the Babylonian fertility goddess Ishtar, instead of honoring the resurrection at the feast of first fruits which is what it truly happened, and on and on the story goes. It would not be so bad, except that Nimrod and Babylon have made themselves the direct enemy of Almighty God and His Kingdom. So when the honor Babylonian worship traditions, then what are we really praising and glorifying?
All of these come directly out of Babylonian worship traditions. This stuff is a stench in the nostrils of Almighty God, according to His own Word. You can learn about these for yourselves, if it matters to you whether you worship Yahweh and honor Messiah in spirit and truth (John 4:24; Matthew 15:9; Mark 7:1-13).
The simple fact of the matter is that we cannot as believers claim the benefit of Jeremiah 29:11, while we insist on retaining the Babylonian Festival days, many of the mythologies, decorations and traditions which we used to honor Babylonian fertility sun-god, and sex gods and goddesses. This would not be so bad except that traditionally, Nimrod and Babylon have made themselves the direct enemies of Almighty God and His Kingdom. No matter how warm fuzzy we feel about maintaining these traditions, the truth is that God will not honor this, because following these traditions obeys the traditions of men, in direct defiance of the written word of God, at the very moment that we claim to be scripturally obedient. The whole of Scripture defines that as spiritual adultery or infidelity. God will not honor spiritual prostitution and harlotry (Revelation 17:1-18:4).
I could probably go on with countless examples, but you get the idea.

 

 

Practical Steps to Avoid Scripture Twisting

Assuming that the reader is sincerely desiring the truth, and that we desire God to change us so that we are in agreement with Him, and that we are not expecting God to change in order to accommodate us, then there are several basic things that we can do to avoid misreading, misunderstanding misinterpreting or twisting Scripture. I offer a summary below:
1. When you are reading Scripture begin by asking God to send the Holy Spirit to teach you. He promises to help you when you ask Him, so do not forget to ask for God's help in reading, understanding, and obeying the Scriptures (Matthew 7:7-8; James 1:5-8)
2. Read the Bible book by book: Do not piecemeal. Do not pick and choose or smorgasbord read. Instead, start at the beginning of a Scriptural book and read carefully systematically through to the end of the entire book day by day. That way you will be more likely to get the complete thought that God was trying to convey through that particular writer. This will make you less likely to take any promise or Scripture out of context.
3. Read what it actually says. Avoid automatic reading/automatic filtering: If we are accustomed to being in the Scriptures, it can be tempting to operate on automatic pilot. Unless we make a conscious effort to avoid it, sometimes we accidentally disengaged our brain. We tend to think to ourselves, I have read this before, so I know what it says. So then we do not permit the Holy Spirit to teach us in that moment because we think we already know. Believe it or not, I've actually encountered instances where I was reading Scripture and I spotted myself actually explaining away the text by inserting into it and explanation that I had been given for years. In other words, I was actually hearing my pastor’s words in my head explaining away what the actual physical text said, because my pastor held a particular theological point of view, which this particular actual physical text of the Scripture did not support. It wasn't until I felt the Holy Spirit stopping me and motivating me to take a second look at the Scripture that I realized what I was doing. Sometimes without realizing it we read things into Scripture based on what we've been taught instead of paying attention to what Scripture actually physically says. That's dangerous.

4. Use cross-references and parallel passages where available

5. Ask yourself some questions to force you to be attentive and less passive: In order to help you pay attention when you are reading Scripture, it is good to ask yourself some questions. I highly recommend these for beginners, but I still use these questions as an experience Bible student and even as a teacher. So they are very useful. Asking yourself these types of questions will help you to be more focused and pay closer attention as you read so that you do not read Scriptures passively, but you read intentionally
a. God's Character: Are there any verses in the chapter I’m reading which describe God's nature and character?

b. God's Commandments: Are there any verses in the chapter which identifies a Command (something that God specifically requires us to do; or something that God specifically directs us not to do)

c. God's Promises: Are there any verses in the chapter which identify any promises (something God says that He will do for us).

d. Conditions to Promises Are there any verses are places in the chapter which identify any sort of conditions which are connected to the promises in the chapter. For example 1 John 1:9, God promises to forgive our sins IF we confess our sins. So the promise would be that God promises to forgive us, but the condition would be that we must confess in order to receive that forgiveness.

e. Guiding Principles: Are there any guiding principles in the verses of the chapter that I'm reading? A guiding principle is not a direct command, but is still good and positive advice that God gives us. For example, Proverbs 15:1 says that a gentle answer turns away wrath. Now that is not a direct command such as, 'you must speak gently at all times.' However, it is still a good piece of advice from God's Word that we should follow. It's a guiding principle but not necessarily a commandment.
6. Become a deliberate doer and practitioner of the Word: Scripture is very clear that one of the biggest things which makes us most susceptible to deception is knowing about the Word of God, but failing to actually practice what Scripture says. If we know enough to mentally assent that Scripture is a good idea, then we know enough to know that we should honor and obey what Scripture says. When we don't, then we open ourselves up to deception and self-delusion (James 1:19-27). As it is written: James 1:21-22 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. (NASB) Scripture tells us that is by practicing God's Word that we learn to distinguish good from evil (Hebrews 5:12-14); (cf. Galatians 6:7-9; James 4:17; 1 John 1:5-10; 1 John 2:4-6; 1 John 2:22; 1 John 4:20; etc.). There are plenty more verses like these, but you get the idea.
Thank you so much for joining me. I pray that Almighty God will bless you and give you grace to hear, believe, obey and persevere in rightly dividing and faithfully doing His Word, so that you may be truly blessed. Thank you for your kind attention. I do hope you'll join me again.
Brother R. Michel Lankford