Friday, December 30, 2011

Let's Avoid Scripture Twisting: Part 2

 

Part 2: Learning from Bad Examples (Old and New)

By Brother R. Michel Lankford

 

Principles Overview

  1. What Scripture Twisting is: Scripture twisting is the practice of turning, twisting, or spinning the interpretation of what Scripture says to give it a meaning or conclusion which the weight of Biblical evidence does not correctly support. This is usually done in an effort to assume permission to live differently than Scripture requires while still presuming to consider oneself to be Biblically observant, righteous, and justified, even as one is living according to their own pleasure, instead of seeking and choosing what Scripture says truly pleases God.
  2. Scripture twisting is an equal opportunity sin: None of us are immune. It is NOT isolated to any group, religion or denomination. All of us are capable of it and we must all resolutely stand on our guard against it. Some Scripture twisting is an honest mistake because we all understand in part and see through a glass darkly, but it's our responsibility to remain open and teachable and not be stubborn (Isaiah 30:21; Isaiah 1:19; 1 Samuel 15:23; John 14:26; John 16:13; Psalm 24:4-5).
  3. Habits traditions and customs play a large part in Scripture twisting: Very often, we read, understand, interpret and apply Scripture in a particular manner because that is what we were taught to do, that is what we’ve always done, and so we assume that our customs must be right. So we often twist Scripture to agree with what we are already accustomed to believing and doing, regardless of what Scripture actually says.
  4. We must stick to what Scripture actually says, not what we wish it said: Remember, Jesus said "IT IS WRITTEN," He did not say, it is commonly taught, or is commonly accepted and practiced, but, "IT IS WRITTEN."
  5. It's ONLY Scripture when it's RIGHTLY DIVIDED. Otherwise it becomes only personal commentary. Scripture is Scripture because God said it, and not because we collected God's sayings together in a book called the Bible (2 Timothy 3:1-17). The whole Bible from Genesis to Revelation is God's written Word. It's Scripture, but only so long as you remain true and accurate to what the text actually says. If you extract a portion of the Bible and you twist it to give it meaning, implication or application that is contrary to the text as a whole, then it is no longer Scripture at that point, because it does not remain true to what God actually said. At that point it's personal commentary on the Scripture, but is no longer Scripture, because God didn't say it.
  6. I am responsible for learning what to believe, for what I practice, and for what I spread to others: If I learn that the models I had growing up and how I was trained to think and practice is not true according to rightly divided Scripture, then it is my responsibility to find and follow better models.
  7. If my models were bad, I can always look to Jesus: Yeshua the Messiah is the living embodiment of God's Word. What He taught, what He said, how He obeyed God, how He responded to pressures, how He treated others was and is always correct. If my models were bad I have no excuse for repeating bad modeling, because I can always choose to look for a different model. I can always look the Yeshua the author and finisher of my faith (Hebrews 12:1-2). I can always ask Yahweh to help me learn how to walk as Messiah walked (1 John 2:4-6), which is what I should be doing anyway, no matter how good bad or indifferent my models were.
Today we're going to look at how our various examples in life can either cause us to twist Scripture, and how they can help us learn to prevent it. We are also going to learn some important lessons from Messiah's time of trial and temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4; Luke 4). I will also interweave some of my own testimony to give you some insight from my background as well. We have a lot to cover and learn today, so buckle up and hang on tight.

Life Lessons from the Printing Store

When I lived in Indianapolis as a boy, my adoptive mother (God love her), used to get a lot of printing jobs done at Pip printing stores. It was a unique feature that at these stores, one could pick up printouts of handbills with thought provoking quotes and witticisms printed on them. I think it was her idea of trying to 'Silently educate me.' Not that this is always necessarily a bad thing, depending on the messages you send. In any event, I had a significant portion of a wall in my bedroom covered and to end with corkboard or bulletin board which was often plastered with these fluorescent colored handbills boldly printed with witty sayings and quotations and the Pip logo in the corner.
Interestingly, as often as I saw these handbills, I can only recall two of them with some effort, but one I have never forgotten throughout my days. It's the only one of those handbills that I have constantly remembered by heart. It read:
"Every individual is good for something, even if it is only to serve as a bad example."
Believe me, that little poster helped me to get through abusive parents, abusive clergy, and unhealthy friendships, and still remain relatively sane. It forced me to focus on some very useful yet painful truths for my life. I'll just let you eavesdrop on some of them:
First, not every example that you are going to get in life is going to be a good one, so you are going to have to learn to thoroughly distinguish the difference between the good and bad examples for yourself. Throughout my formative years, it was vividly and frequently pounded into me, that not everyone bearing the title mom, or dad, or teacher, or pastor was worthy of the honor of those titles. In my experience, as often as not, the very ones who were supposed to love you, nurture you, protect you, guide you, train you, correct you, and prepare you to build a healthy and successful life, these were often the ones who used their position of trust and authority to control the weakest among them, in order to satisfy their own unspeakable sinful passions. Over and over again, I found myself putting a little check mark in my mind, "Okay, this one really is being a bad example, so whatever you do, if you want to be a decent person, don't copy this one. Learn to do the opposite."
Second, like it or not, fair or unfair though it may be, you are responsible for choosing which models you will copy and follow, and which you will discard. Like it or not, easy or not, it ultimately is my responsibility to learn to retain and copy the good examples, and ditch the bad ones. Like it or not, fair or unfair though it may be, when I was a child I had no power or control about who my models were, and what examples they fed me, but as I grow up, if I realize that my models were bad, then as an adult it becomes my responsibility to look for, to find, and to follow better models.
Third, other people will be affected either for better or worse by the kind of person and example that I become. I quickly learned how painful and difficult it is to learn how to grow up, how to truly thrive, and how to succeed with so many unhealthy and horrible examples in my upbringing. Honestly, sometimes it feels like you're trying to run a marathon with 25 pound running shoes on each foot!
Anyway, what all that pain triggered in me was the understanding that since my life was going to serve as an example to someone; I wanted to serve as a truly good example, and not a bad one. I wanted to be one who blessed people's journey through this life, and not one who made it more difficult for them to do right. I completely realized and understood that if I was going to succeed at becoming a good example, I do not dare copy the majority of the models that I have experienced. I knew that I would have to learn to think, to process, and to behave differently in order to form different habits, which would help me to respond to my impulses much differently than my models had done.
This would be quite a huge undertaking. Considering my upbringing, it feels roughly reminiscent of swimming with a boat anchor tied to your leg, or trying to climb Mount Everest in nothing but your Fruit of the Looms. Nevertheless, climb I must, and swim I must, if I am to become a useful and praiseworthy living offering to the One who created me.

 

Trying to Find Better Models

 

The Sacramental Approach

When I became born-again in my early 20’s I developed an unbelievable passion for God's Written Word, which remains active within me to this day. This was a radical departure from the way that life was modeled to me as a child. I was brought up in sacramentally focused churches. A sacramentally focused church would be those denominations which believe and teach that the blessings and salvation of Almighty God and Jesus Christ are conferred upon people through a denominational church and its clergy. These are churches that teach that one is saved and blessed by God through the prayers and sacraments of the church, its leadership, its bishops, priests and the various rituals and routines that they perform. In fact, in many cases the religious establishment is so certain of their sacramental procedures that more emphasis is placed on these than on helping people become successful disciples and followers of Jesus Christ. The belief generally is that as long as you go through the sacramental blessings of the church, your salvation is secure. These congregations most generally include your Roman Catholic, Episcopalian and Lutheran.
When I first heard the gospel, and received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior (which occurred outside the church walls), and I began ravenously devouring the Scriptures for myself, I was greatly shocked and horrified to discover that the plain reading of the New Testament clearly shows a completely different approach and method to receiving the free gift of salvation than these congregations routinely modeled and preached. In my experience with these congregations if they use Scripture at all, it is more as a matter of ritual than to teach the scripturally sound way of life.
For these groups, Scriptural requirements and mandates are rarely considered at all, and when it is it is usually twisted in such a way as to seem to ratify what we have already believe taught and practiced for generations without question. What is generally believed and practiced (if not overtly stated) is that God will bless whatever our church chooses to do, because our church and our clergy is the Avenue of salvation to people, and since God does not want people to be lost, then God will bless whatever we choose to do, and even supersede his written word to do it. In other words, because we are God's church, and because we and our sacraments are the only way for people to get saved, (or so tradition teaches them), then God will honor what we say and do even above His own Word. In such a situation, whatever you have to do, either by force or compromise in order to bring people into the umbrella of "the church" becomes seemingly acceptable whether it's Biblical or not. That was my early experience with religion.

 

Learning from Messiah's Temptations

(Matthew 4; Luke 4)

The temptation of Jesus in Matthew 4; Luke 4, gives us a clear answer. The enemy first attacked Messiah's identity. "If you are the Son of God..." then prove who You are. Then the enemy tried to tell Messiah what he must do as proof. "Command these stones to become bread." (Matthew 4:1-3). Prove Your identity. Prove Your power. Prove Your authority to act. If You truly are the Son of God, as You say You are, then meet Your own needs Your own way, according to what suits Your situation, the implication being that God will honor it simply because of who You are.
The implication that the enemy makes of course, is that this is the ONLY way to prove that You are the Son of God, so that supposedly if Messiah chose not to do that, then the implication was that Messiah was not who and what He claimed He was. Do you see how the enemy attempted to define and redefine the terms and parameters of what was required to prove that Yeshua the Messiah was from God? The enemy tried to make it SEEM as though Messiah had no other choice but to follow the enemy's directives. One of the first ways that Messiah overcame the evil one is by not allowing the enemy or the present situation to redefine the terms by which Messiah would make His decisions. Messiah retained and used God's definition of Sonship, and He did not let the devil redefine His terms.
Yeshua the Messiah understood by having practiced obeying God for decades before He ever faced the devil head on, He understood that just because He had the power to do something, just because He could do a particular thing, this did not necessarily mean that He had to or that He should. Jesus understood what so many of us have forgotten:
We are the child of whomever and whatever we OBEY. Yeshua the Messiah understood that the real proof that He is God's child is that He obeyed God. Messiah responded with God's written Word:
Matthew 4:4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'" Matthew 4:4 (NASB; cf. Deuteronomy 8:3).

 

The Bible Seekers Approach

Once I discovered that the way I'd been brought up was not truly biblical at all, but that it was instead merely the traditions of men I had a decision to make. Would I stay in the familiar comfort and ease of the sacramental system in which I've been raised, knowing that it was not truly biblical, or would I be brave and look for other pasturelands to feed my soul? I was not unique in that, for many other pilgrims on the journey of faith have faced the same decision. When I was first born-again, I was ravenously feasting on and meditating upon God's written Word at all hours of the day and night, and I was shocked and a little frightened at how sorely neglected my spiritual upbringing had been to that point.
Nonetheless, even in this I was pretty naïve in the beginning. I mean, I'm talking I was greener than fescue. You see I sincerely believed (and I have heard it repeated in my hearing many times since), that as long as you are in a Bible believing/Bible preaching church, you'll be all right. The implication is that once one breaks away from the sacramental approach into a more biblically centered approach, that this is a cure-all or panacea that solves almost all of your problems from a religious standpoint. Boy was I GREEN!
You see, when I was first born-again after accepting Yeshua as my Lord and Savior, not only was I ravenous for God's written Word, but I was overwhelmed with joy at being forgiven, with gladness at being received into God's family, with surprise and wonder at the new truths and wonderful advice for living which I was discovering from His Word, but which I'd never been taught. I was so overflowing with thankfulness at the answers to prayer that I was experiencing, and the increasing measure of faith which was rising up within me, that I honestly believed at the time that every person claiming the name of Jesus and claiming to be biblically based felt the same way.
Moreover, since I had been without the experience of God's Word coming alive in my heart for so many years so to speak, I had a great respect for getting God's Word right. I was enormously surprised to learn that not everyone claiming Bible-based beliefs responded to the word the same way. I was learning the benefits of being in God's Word so strongly that I thought surely every Bible-based preacher and believer was as concerned as I was about knowing God's Word correctly.
What's more, I was developing such a reverential fearful respect for God, at the power of God's written Word, that I thought surely every person claiming biblically centered faith would be too afraid of God to actually twist misuse, and abuse the Scripture. I don't know why I thought this, but I thought that once everybody came into the knowledge of who Jesus is, that absolutely everybody wanted to straighten up and fly right, they were just uninformed, and didn't quite know how to get it done and live that out in practical ways. Honestly, I was so naïve that it never occurred to me that people would twist Scripture to manipulate others. I would quickly learn that not everything that says it's biblically based, actually is.

 

Learning from Messiah's Temptations

(Its only Scripture when the Bible is correctly read, understood, interpreted, and applied, because only then is it true to what God actually says)
Matthew 4:5-7 Then the devil *took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and *said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, 'HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU'; and 'ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.'" Jesus said to him, "On the other hand, it is written, 'YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.'" (Matthew 4:5-7 NASB)
So here we see where the enemy directly tried to twist Scripture in order to try to get Messiah to sin against God.
Once the enemy knew that Jesus was committed to obeying every word that proceeded out of the mouth of Yahweh Almighty God, then his only option was for him to try to twist God's word and to misuse it to some perverse advantage. Once the enemy encounters a believer who is determined to obey God, one of the few avenues left to the enemy is to try to twist in the believer's mind what God actually said. Once he knows they're committed to obeying the Word the enemy will try to twist God's word in people's mind in an effort to get them to disobey God. That's why Scripture warns us to be diligent in our Scripture reading and study. As it is written:
2 Timothy 2:15-17 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort (NKJV)
The principal reason why it is so critical to make sure that I read my Bible correctly, divide my Bible text correctly, and then faithfully and obediently apply the Bible texts I read correctly, is because God through His Word specifically says that it is my responsibility, and not anyone else's. I am responsible for what I believe, how I study and what I spread to others.
The second reason why it is so critical to make sure that I read my Bible correctly, divide my Bible text correctly, and then faithfully and obediently apply the Bible texts I read correctly, is because if I don't do those three things faithfully, then it is no longer truly Scripture. Think about it.
If I take a Bible text and I twist it to say something that God did not truly say, or if I interpret it to give it some meaning that God truly did not intend, then at that point it is no longer Scripture anymore.
If I do not correctly read, rightly divide, correctly interpret and faithfully and obediently apply the Bible, it then becomes a personal commentary on the Scriptures, but it is no longer Scripture at that point, because one is not remaining true to what God actually said.
You see, Scripture is Scripture because God breathed it, not because we put it together in a collection of books we call the Bible. God caused it to be written by the Holy Spirit working through people, but if you do not remain in agreement with what God originally said, but instead you twist it to say and mean something it does not say, then it is no longer Scripture because it is not agreeable to what God actually said. Think about it.
The devil tempted Eve using and twisting God's own words to his advantage (Gen 3:1-6). Was the serpent truly quoting Scripture? Not really, because he was using God's word and implying that they meant something different then God said. So it wasn't scriptural, even if he was repeating some of God's words.
The devil tried to use the exact same deceptive tactics when he tempted Jesus (Matthew 4:1-13; Luke 4:1-13).
When the devil tempted Jesus, he tempted Jesus to avoid the cross by trying to get Him to jump off of the pinnacle of the temple. When the devil tempted Jesus, Satan quoted Psalm 91:11 verbatim. God forbid, if Jesus Christ the Messiah had obeyed the devil's promptings and jumped off the pinnacle of the temple, using Psalm 91:11 as the justification, could it rightly be said that Jesus Christ obeyed the Word of God? Of course not! That's because such behavior is not the basis under which Psalm 91:11 is to be applied. Messiah understood as we also must if you are not remaining true to what Almighty God actually said and intended in the Scriptures, then one is not being truly being Scriptural, even if their justification attempts to use misapplied Bible to do as they please. Messiah saw through the trick. Messiah saw through the lie, and He responded by quoting applying the Scriptures correctly, which is what makes all the difference between life and death.
In our next lesson we look at how Scripture does twisted over time. Until then, please remember to be a diligent listener, reader and doer of God's word.
Brother R. Michel Lankford





































Tuesday, December 27, 2011

A List of the Commands of Jesus Christ

 
Messiah gave the Great Commission to those who call themselves His followers and disciples.
Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 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, 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20 NRSV)
What follows is a simple list. It's simple to read. In many cases, it's simple to understand, but it can be difficult to master. One of the things that I found shocking is that when I went looking for this list, it took weeks to find one. I am thoroughly convicted and convinced that at a bare minimum this list should be in every church or congregational meeting house that claims the name of the Messiah. So in case you've been looking for one, here is a list of the imperatives that Jesus Christ gave in the New Testament
 
From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Matthew 4:17 (NKJV)
Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19 (NKJV)
Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:12 (NKJV)
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 (NKJV)
"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:17-19 (NKJV)
Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:23-24 (NKJV)
Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.
Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny. Matthew 5:25-26 (NKJV)
If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.
And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. Matthew 5:29-30 (NKJV)
"Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.'
But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God's throne;
nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black.
But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one. Matthew 5:33-37 (NKJV)
But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Matthew 5:39-41 (NKJV)
Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. Matthew 5:42 (NKJV)
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, Matthew 5:44 (NKJV)
Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:48 (NKJV)
"Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. Matthew 6:1-4 (NKJV)
"And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. Matthew 6:5-8 (NKJV)
In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Matthew 6:9-13 (NKJV)
"Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. Matthew 6:16-18 (NKJV)
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;
but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21 (NKJV)
"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Matthew 6:25 (NKJV)
So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; Matthew 6:28 (NKJV)
Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' Matthew 6:31 (NKJV)
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:34 (NKJV)
"Judge not, that you be not judged. Matthew 7:1 (NKJV)
Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. Matthew 7:5 (NKJV)
Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces. Matthew 7:6 (NKJV)
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7 (NKJV)
Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12 (NKJV)
"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Matthew 7:13 (NKJV)
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. Matthew 7:15 (NKJV)
But Jesus said to him, "Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead." Matthew 8:22 (NKJV)
Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you." Matthew 9:2 (NKJV)
But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." Matthew 9:13 (NKJV)
But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, "Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well." And the woman was made well from that hour. Matthew 9:22 (NKJV)
Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." Matthew 9:38 (NKJV)
And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts,
nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.
Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out.
And when you go into a household, greet it.
If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.
And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.
Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city! Matthew 10:7-15 (NKJV)
"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues.
You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.
But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak;
for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. Matthew 10:16-20 (NKJV)
When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes. Matthew 10:23 (NKJV)
Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.
"Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops.
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will.
But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:26-31 (NKJV)
"Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. Matthew 10:34 (NKJV)
He who has ears to hear, let him hear! Matthew 11:15 (NKJV)
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30 (NKJV)
"Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. Matthew 12:33 (NKJV)
He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" Matthew 13:9 (NKJV)
"Therefore hear the parable of the sower: Matthew 13:18 (NKJV)
Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear! Matthew 13:43 (NKJV)
For God commanded, saying, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.' Matthew 15:4 (NKJV)
When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear and understand: Matthew 15:10 (NKJV)
Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch." Matthew 15:14 (NKJV)
Then Jesus said to them, "Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees." Matthew 16:6 (NKJV)
Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. Matthew 16:24 (NKJV)
While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!" Matthew 17:5 (NKJV)
If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire.
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire. Matthew 18:8-9 (NKJV)
"Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 18:10 (NKJV)
"Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.
But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.'
And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. Matthew 18:15-17 (NKJV)
Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Matthew 18:22 (NKJV)
So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." Matthew 19:6 (NKJV)
But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 19:14 (NKJV)
So He said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments."
He said to Him, "Which ones?" Jesus said, "'You shall not murder,' 'You shall not commit adultery,' 'You shall not steal,' 'You shall not bear false witness,'
'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' " Matthew 19:17-19 (NKJV)
Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." Matthew 19:21 (NKJV)
Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.
And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave--
just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." Matthew 20:26-28 (NKJV)
They said to Him, "Caesar's." And He said to them, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." Matthew 22:21 (NKJV)
Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' Matthew 22:37 (NKJV)
And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' Matthew 22:39 (NKJV)
saying: "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat.
Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.
For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.
They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues,
greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, 'Rabbi, Rabbi.'
But you, do not be called 'Rabbi'; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren.
Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. Matthew 23:2-9 (NKJV)
But you, do not be called 'Rabbi'; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren.
Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.
And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. Matthew 23:8-10 (NKJV)
And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you. Matthew 24:4 (NKJV)
And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. Matthew 24:6 (NKJV)
"Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand),
then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house.
And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. Matthew 24:15-18 (NKJV)
And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. Matthew 24:20 (NKJV)
Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There!' do not believe it. Matthew 24:23 (NKJV)
Therefore if they say to you, 'Look, He is in the desert!' do not go out; or 'Look, He is in the inner rooms!' do not believe it. Matthew 24:26 (NKJV)
Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. Matthew 24:42 (NKJV)
Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Matthew 24:44 (NKJV)
Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. Matthew 25:13 (NKJV)
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body."
Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you.
For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom." Matthew 26:26-29 (NKJV)
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. Matthew 28:19-20 (NKJV)
and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." Mark 1:15 (NKJV)
Then Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men." Mark 1:17 (NKJV)
"Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. Mark 4:3 (NKJV)
And He said to them, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" Mark 4:9 (NKJV)
If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear." Mark 4:23 (NKJV)
And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.
He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff--no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts--
but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.
Also He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place.
And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!" Mark 6:7-11 (NKJV)
When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear Me, everyone, and understand: Mark 7:14 (NKJV)
If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!" Mark 7:16 (NKJV)
Then He charged them, saying, "Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod." Mark 8:15 (NKJV)
And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all." Mark 9:35 (NKJV)
Now John answered Him, saying, "Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us."
But Jesus said, "Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. Mark 9:38-39 (NKJV)
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched--
where 'Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched.'
And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched--
where 'Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched.'
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire--
where 'Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched.' Mark 9:43-48 (NKJV)
Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another." Mark 9:50 (NKJV)
Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." Mark 10:9 (NKJV)
But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Mark 10:14 (NKJV)
You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not bear false witness,' 'Do not defraud,' 'Honor your father and your mother.' " Mark 10:19 (NKJV)
Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me." Mark 10:21 (NKJV)
So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God. Mark 11:22 (NKJV)
For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.
Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. Mark 11:23-24 (NKJV)
"And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.
But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses." Mark 11:25-26 (NKJV)
And Jesus answered and said to them, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." And they marveled at Him. Mark 12:17 (NKJV)
Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. Mark 12:29-30 (NKJV)
And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." Mark 12:31 (NKJV)
Then He said to them in His teaching, "Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces,
the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts,
who devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation." Mark 12:38-40 (NKJV)
And Jesus, answering them, began to say: "Take heed that no one deceives you.
For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and will deceive many. Mark 13:5-6 (NKJV)
But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet.
For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows.
But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them.
And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations.
But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.
Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.
And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. Mark 13:7-13 (NKJV)
"So when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not" (let the reader understand), "then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house.
And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes.
But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!
And pray that your flight may not be in winter.
For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be.
And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days.
Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'Look, He is there!' do not believe it.
For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand. Mark 13:14-23 (NKJV)
"Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.
So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near--at the doors! Mark 13:28-29 (NKJV)
"But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. Mark 13:32-33 (NKJV)
Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming--in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning--
lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping.
And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!" Mark 13:35-37 (NKJV)
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." Mark 14:22 (NKJV)
Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Mark 14:38 (NKJV)
And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:15-16 (NKJV)
Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. Luke 3:8 (NKJV)
He answered and said to them, "He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise." Luke 3:11 (NKJV)
And he said to them, "Collect no more than what is appointed for you." Luke 3:13 (NKJV)
Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, "And what shall we do?" So he said to them, "Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages." Luke 3:14 (NKJV)
But Jesus answered him, saying, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.' " Luke 4:4 (NKJV)
And Jesus answered and said to him, "Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.' " Luke 4:8 (NKJV)
And Jesus answered and said to him, "It has been said, 'You shall not tempt the Lord your God.' " Luke 4:12 (NKJV)
and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men." Luke 5:10 (NKJV)
After these things He went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, "Follow Me." Luke 5:27 (NKJV)
Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets. Luke 6:23 (NKJV)
"But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.
To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Luke 6:27-29 (NKJV)
Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. Luke 6:30 (NKJV)
And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. Luke 6:31 (NKJV)
But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Luke 6:35 (NKJV)
Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. Luke 6:36 (NKJV)
"Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Luke 6:37 (NKJV)
Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." Luke 6:38 (NKJV)
Or how can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother's eye. Luke 6:42 (NKJV)
But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold." When He had said these things He cried, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" Luke 8:8 (NKJV)
Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him." Luke 8:18 (NKJV)
And He said to them, "Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece.
Whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart.
And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them." Luke 9:3-5 (NKJV)
Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. Luke 9:23 (NKJV)
But Jesus said to him, "Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us is on our side." Luke 9:50 (NKJV)
Then He said to another, "Follow Me." But he said, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father."
Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God." Luke 9:59-60 (NKJV)
Then He said to them, "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Luke 10:2 (NKJV)
Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.
Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road.
But whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this house.'
And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you.
And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house.
Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you.
And heal the sick there, and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.'
But whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say,
'The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you.'
But I say to you that it will be more tolerable in that Day for Sodom than for that city. Luke 10:3-12 (NKJV)
Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven." Luke 10:20 (NKJV)
So he answered and said, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and 'your neighbor as yourself.' "
And He said to him, "You have answered rightly; do this and you will live." Luke 10:27-28 (NKJV)
And he said, "He who showed mercy on him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise." Luke 10:37 (NKJV)
So He said to them, "When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us day by day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one." Luke 11:2-4 (NKJV)
"So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Luke 11:9 (NKJV)
Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness. Luke 11:35 (NKJV)
But rather give alms of such things as you have; then indeed all things are clean to you. Luke 11:41 (NKJV)
In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Luke 12:1 (NKJV)
"And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him! Luke 12:4-5 (NKJV)
But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Luke 12:7 (NKJV)
Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say.
For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say." Luke 12:11-12 (NKJV)
And He said to them, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses." Luke 12:15 (NKJV)
Then He said to His disciples, "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Luke 12:22 (NKJV)
Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? Luke 12:24 (NKJV)
Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Luke 12:27 (NKJV)
And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. Luke 12:29 (NKJV)
But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. Luke 12:31 (NKJV)
Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32 (NKJV)
Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. Luke 12:33 (NKJV)
"Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning;
and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. Luke 12:35-36 (NKJV)
Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." Luke 12:40 (NKJV)
When you go with your adversary to the magistrate, make every effort along the way to settle with him, lest he drag you to the judge, the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. Luke 12:58 (NKJV)
"Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. Luke 13:24 (NKJV)
"When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him;
and he who invited you and him come and say to you, 'Give place to this man,' and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place.
But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, 'Friend, go up higher.' Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you. Luke 14:8-10 (NKJV)
Then He also said to him who invited Him, "When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid.
But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind.
And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just." Luke 14:12-14 (NKJV)
It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" Luke 14:35 (NKJV)
And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home. Luke 16:9 (NKJV)
Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. Luke 17:3 (NKJV)
So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.' " Luke 17:10 (NKJV)
Remember Lot's wife. Luke 17:32 (NKJV)
Then the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge said. Luke 18:6 (NKJV)
But Jesus called them to Him and said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Luke 18:16 (NKJV)
You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not bear false witness,' 'Honor your father and your mother.' " Luke 18:20 (NKJV)
And He said to them, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." Luke 20:25 (NKJV)
"Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, Luke 20:46 (NKJV)
And He said: "Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and, 'The time has drawn near.' Therefore do not go after them. Luke 21:8 (NKJV)
But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately." Luke 21:9 (NKJV)
Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; Luke 21:14 (NKJV)
By your patience possess your souls. Luke 21:19 (NKJV)
Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. Luke 21:21 (NKJV)
Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near." Luke 21:28 (NKJV)
Then He spoke to them a parable: "Look at the fig tree, and all the trees.
When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near.
So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. Luke 21:29-31 (NKJV)
"But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. Luke 21:34 (NKJV)
Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man." Luke 21:36 (NKJV)
Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, "Take this and divide it among yourselves; Luke 22:17 (NKJV)
And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." Luke 22:19 (NKJV)
And He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called 'benefactors.'
But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. Luke 22:25-26 (NKJV)
Then He said to them, "But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. Luke 22:36 (NKJV)
When He came to the place, He said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation." Luke 22:40 (NKJV)
Then He said to them, "Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation." Luke 22:46 (NKJV)
The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, "Follow Me." John 1:43 (NKJV)
And He said to those who sold doves, "Take these things away! Do not make My Father's house a house of merchandise!" John 2:16 (NKJV)
Jesus said to them, "Fill the waterpots with water." And they filled them up to the brim. John 2:7 (NKJV)
Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' John 3:7 (NKJV)
Do you not say, 'There are still four months and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! John 4:35 (NKJV)
Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you." John 5:14 (NKJV)
You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. John 5:39 (NKJV)
Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him." John 6:27 (NKJV)
Jesus therefore answered and said to them, "Do not murmur among yourselves. John 6:43 (NKJV)
Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment." John 7:24 (NKJV)
Then Jesus said to them, "A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going.
While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light." These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them. John 12:35-36 (NKJV)
If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.
For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. John 13:14-15 (NKJV)
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. John 13:34 (NKJV)
"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. John 14:1 (NKJV)
Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves. John 14:11 (NKJV)
And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. John 14:13 (NKJV)
"If you love Me, keep My commandments. John 14:15 (NKJV)
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27 (NKJV)
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. John 15:4 (NKJV)
"As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. John 15:9 (NKJV)
This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. John 15:12 (NKJV)
These things I command you, that you love one another. John 15:17 (NKJV)
Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:24 (NKJV)
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:33 (NKJV)
And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. John 20:22 (NKJV)
So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Feed My lambs."
He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My sheep."
He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep. John 21:15-17 (NKJV)
This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow Me." John 21:19 (NKJV)
Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place--unless you repent. Revelation 2:5 (NKJV)
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God." ' Revelation 2:7 (NKJV)
Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 2:10 (NKJV)
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death." ' Revelation 2:11 (NKJV)
Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. Revelation 2:16 (NKJV)
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it." ' Revelation 2:17 (NKJV)
But hold fast what you have till I come. Revelation 2:25 (NKJV)
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." ' Revelation 2:29 (NKJV)
Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Revelation 3:2 (NKJV)
Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. Revelation 3:3 (NKJV)
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." ' Revelation 3:6 (NKJV)
Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. Revelation 3:11 (NKJV)
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." ' Revelation 3:13 (NKJV)
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Revelation 3:19 (NKJV)
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." ' " Revelation 3:22 (NKJV)
Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666. Revelation 13:18 (NKJV)
saying with a loud voice, "Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water." Revelation 14:7 (NKJV)
He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still." Revelation 22:11 (NKJV)
And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation 22:17 (NKJV)










































































































































































































































































































































































Let's Avoid Scripture Twisting Part 1

Part 1: We MUST KNOW the Word
By Brother R. Michel Lankford
Remember, when facing temptation, Messiah said, "IT IS WRITTEN, NOT it is tradition.
 
What Is Scripture Twisting?
 
In its simplest terms, Scripture twisting is the practice of turning, twisting, or spinning the interpretation of what Scripture says to give it a meaning or conclusion which the weight of Biblical evidence does not correctly support. This is usually done in an effort to assume permission to live differently than Scripture requires while still presuming to consider oneself to be biblically observant, righteous, and justified, even as one is living according to their own pleasure, instead of seeking and choosing what Scripture says truly pleases God.
Scripture Twisting Is Not New
Scripture twisting is a very old and human failing. The serpent did it to Eve, and Eve followed suit in the garden (Genesis 3:1-6). The children of Israel did it in the wilderness (Exodus 32:1-10). Saul, the first king of Israel twisted God's word and tried to apply it as he chose. It was still considered disobedient rebellion and sin (1 Samuel 15:1-23). The misguided teacher of the law in Christ's day tried to redefine who his neighbor was, so that he could pretend that he was obeying the Law of God, without actually having to walk in love toward anyone he didn't personally care for, but Messiah didn't buy that approach either (Luke 10:17-37). The enemy tried the same approach with the second Adam (Yeshua) during the temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4; Luke 4). The apostles who witnessed the resurrected Messiah, also warned Christians to be on our guard against the problem of Scripture twisting. Not so coincidentally, the apostle Peter specifically warned us to be especially careful to guard against twisting the letters of the apostle Paul, because it is easy to misinterpret Paul's letters to give ourselves permission to do things which he did not intend. twisting Paul's letters in such a way would lead to our own destruction (see 2 Peter 3:10-18).
Learning From Messiah's Temptation
Scripture tells us that Yeshua the Messiah and Christ Whom God sent was tempted in every way that we are, and yet He did not sin (Hebrews 4:15). That means that He never acted outside of God's Laws Commandments and Instructions, which is the Scriptural definition of sin, (1 John 3:4; Romans 15:4; cf. Hosea 8:1; Daniel 9:11).
Scripture does not detail every single instance when either the adversary directly tempted Jesus, nor does it give us every single instance when the adversary used other people or situations to tempt Yeshua and attempted to get Him to fall. However, Scripture does give us one example of Jesus the Messiah being directly tempted by the evil one. The same key event is detailed in two gospel accounts, (Matthew 4; Luke 4), so that we could learn from Messiah's example how to defeat the temptations of the evil one. Hopefully we all understand that.  In this series of blog entries, we will more closely examine how Christ overcame the adversary, and what we can learn from Messiah’s victorious example. As we progress, we will also look at the problem of Scripture twisting and how to avoid it. The first key is to become thoroughly acquainted with God's Word and practicing what it says. That's our focus for today. 
Jesus said, it is written, not it is said: Jesus applied the written Scripture, and NOT religious tradition in defeating the enemy's temptations. That's a critical difference. In the first century Judaism which was most commonly practiced in Christ's day, it was common practice to use the oral teaching tradition of the elders (known as the ORAL Torah, a.k.a. the Mishnahs and the Talmuds which were rabbinical commentaries on the Scriptures, but these were NOT the written Scriptures).
In Christ's day, it was common religious practice within traditional Judaism, to treat and use the Mishnahs and the Talmuds as though it were equal to or greater than the written Scriptures. The problem is that very often, the oral tradition, the Mishnahs and the Talmuds, which were in common practice at the time and are still in use today, were in direct violation to the written Word of God. In other words, many times, the oral rabbinical teaching tradition of the elders were in direct violation of the written Scriptures.
Very often, the teaching tradition religiously taught people to do things that the written Scriptures said not to do, while in many other places it prevented them from actually obeying what the written Scriptures required them to do. So very often traditional religious Judaism actually violates the Commandments of Almighty God, because they have adopted the false doctrine that tradition is equal to or greater than the written Scriptures.
That's why Jesus Christ was constantly at odds with the religious Pharisees, because the Pharisees believed that their own oral religious teaching tradition was equal to and greater than the written Scriptures. Jesus the Messiah knew, understood, and publicly taught that practice to be false doctrine, which it is. That's why He stood against the Pharisees. That's why Messiah told them that they were worshiping God in vain (Matthew 15:9; Mark 7:1-13). Messiah was upholding the written Scriptures (Matthew 5:17-20), and at the same time Messiah was opposing the false doctrine that oral tradition supersedes the Scriptures. He was upholding the written Scriptures and refuting the false doctrines of the oral tradition because it violated God's Law, (Deuteronomy 4:2; Deuteronomy 12:29-32).
The religious traditionalists in Christ's day had grown so completely accustomed to believing the false doctrine that their own oral teaching tradition was equal to and greater than the Scriptures, that when Messiah said no, the written Scriptures take preeminence, follow them and not tradition, the traditionalists actually came to believe that Jesus Christ was in sin against God and they were driven to kill Him, even though Yeshua was completely innocent of wrongdoing.
Before you get tempted to become all anti-Hebrew or anti-Semitic on me, Don't even go there!! please remember that the JEWS DID NOT KILL JESUS! OUR SIN KILLED JESUS! Yeshua the Messiah knew He was going to die well before it happened, and He said that He willingly voluntarily laid down His life (John 10:18; 1 John 2:1-2 cf. Isaiah 53:1-12). Moreover, Messiah Himself personally requested Almighty God to forgive them, even while in the very midst of His torment. Since Messiah Himself forgave them, (and He was the One being abused), then if we claim Jesus as our Lord and Master, then we cannot rightly hold people (or their descendants) guilty after He personally forgave them (Luke 23:34).
To the anti-Semite who dresses in the disguise of Christian zeal I would like you to think about something carefully. Do you honestly delude yourself into thinking that denying one of Christ's own dying requests will somehow endear you to Jesus Christ? If you claim Him as your Lord and Savior, and yet you use His glorious sacrifice as an excuse for hatred and contempt, if you refuse to extend forgiveness to those that He already forgave, do you really expect to find mercy on the day of judgment for your many misdeeds?! If so, then you are woefully deceived, delusional and deranged, and you need to earnestly and quickly repent before you come into judgment (Matthew 6:15; Matthew 18:35; Mark 11:26)
For others of us, anti-Semitism isn't as great of a problem, but we are tempted to be puffed up with pride because they followed tradition over the Word of God and it blinded them. There is a temptation for us to think that as Christians, we are so much better than that.
The fact is that traditional and modern-day Christianity has repeated some of the exact same sins of the Pharisees.
Do not kid yourself into taking on the air of superiority. The Roman Catholic Church copied off the paper of the Pharisees and traditional rabbinical Judaism. They copied the very same sin. It is Roman Catholic doctrine to this day which erroneously teaches that Roman Catholic church tradition is equal to and greater than the Scriptures. It is in their own Roman Catholic Church canon law. They believe and still practice it today. That same false doctrine has led them to murder countless people as well. Depending on whose estimates you believe, it is estimated that between 60 and 90 million people have been killed in various Roman Catholic Inquisitions, sometimes for no other reason than for possessing a copy of the Scriptures when the Roman Catholic Church said you are not allowed to have one.
Well you say to yourself, I know that's crazy. I'm so much better than that. I'm not Roman Catholic. I'm a Bible believing Protestant. Are you really? Every time you ignore the biblical Sabbath in favor of Sunday, every time you celebrate Christmas, Easter, Valentine's Day and Halloween with its traditional practices, you are following Roman Catholic church tradition, and you are doing so in direct contradiction to what the written Scriptures actually teach and require you to do. Here's the key point.
 We are all guilty.
We have all at various times violated what Scripture taught, and relied on our own traditions and desires instead of obeying God's Word. We all need to repent of that, and return quickly to following the written Scriptures.
When Jesus was fighting off the temptations of the devil, Messiah did not say, it is spoken. He did not say, Rabbi such and such or so and so says… He did not rely upon or bring to mind religious tradition teaches this or that, did He? On the contrary, Messiah did the exact opposite. What example did Messiah leave us? Messiah repeatedly said, "IT IS WRITTEN…" and then He followed that with speaking the rightly divided WRITTEN Scriptures. Everything Messiah did was for our example (See 1 Timothy 1:16). So if properly using the written Scriptures (and specifically the Torah) was good enough to overcome the enemy's temptations, then it is good enough for us to use the same thing. If the Torah is good enough to defeat the enemy's temptations, than it's certainly good enough for us to live by as Christ did (1 John 2:4-6).
When you are in the throes of temptation the opinions and traditions of men will not ultimately amount to a hill of beans. In the end, your ultimate defense will not come from what brother Michel Lankford, Pastor Timothy Brock, Pastor Keith Comp, Rick Warren, Joel Olsteen, Benny Hinn, Joyce Meyer, Michael Rood, Jim Staley or Pope Benedict XVI, or anyone else believes and teaches. I use the whole spectrum of "Christian" experience to demonstrate that no matter how good or bad you think any of us might be, what we believe and teach will not make the ultimate difference when YOU facing temptations.
While we will all stand before God to give an account for what we believe and teach, and how it has either helped or hindered you and walking with the Lord, ultimately the only defense you have is the written Word of God. When the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking to devour you or your family and to rob you of eternal blessing, the only hope you have is how well you have believed, followed and spoken the rightly divided written Word of Almighty God! Messiah said, "IT IS WRITTEN," not it is spoken, not it is commonly believed or taught, but "IT IS WRITTEN."
There is simply no substitute for learning and practicing the rightly divided written Word of God for yourself.”
 
What gave Yeshua the Messiah the power and authority to overcome the enemy?
The reason I'm being so firm on this beloved is because I want you to win against temptation, and not be deceived. We must remember that God's Word is what created the heavens and the earth and everything in them (Genesis 1:1-31). So since the word of God created everything of substance, then it is certainly good enough to re-create us, to sanctify us (John 17:17), and to equip us to every good work (2 Timothy 3:1-17). Yeshua the Messiah was able to dismiss the enemy, by simply speaking the rightly divided Word of God. He was able to dismiss the devil by simply saying, IT IS WRITTEN, and speaking the rightly divided Word of God with authority.
Have you ever really wondered what gave Yeshua the authority to speak God's Word so boldly, that it was able to dismiss the enemy so readily? It was not merely because of who Jesus is, because ultimately God is no respecter of persons (Colossians 3:25). No, what gave Jesus the power and authority to speak God's Word so boldly that it dismissed the enemy, was that for approximately 30 years before He ever took on the devil, Yeshua the Messiah had become so well practiced at actively obeying the written Word of God, so that when the enemy came with a counterfeit, Messiah was able to spot it readily.
Messiah had personally seen the positive effects of actively obeying God's written Word for about 30 years. Therefore, Messiah knew the blessing He had in obeying God because He had experienced it for years, and he was not about to give that up when the enemy offered Him a shortcut. The bottom line is that Messiah had practiced obeying so much and had seen and experienced the monumental blessings of obeying God, that Messiah was able to speak the words of God with authority, because before He ever went into battle he was a well practiced DOER of God's Word, and He had witnessed the effects and knew it by His own personal experience. So when Messiah spoke, it had power and authority because He was already a well practiced obedient DOER of what He was confessing with His mouth. Beloved, that is what makes all the difference between victory and defeat. As it is written:
Hebrews 5:12-14 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic elements of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food; 13 for everyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is unskilled in the word of righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, for those whose faculties have been trained by practice to distinguish good from evil. (Hebrews 5:12-14 NRSV)
Paul the apostle taught that EVERYTHING which was written in Scripture is God breathed. All of it, not just some of it, but all of it. Paul taught that the whole entire book (and don't forget that all he had at the time was what we call the Old Testament), but all of it is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, and practicing it is beneficial to equip the people of God for every good work.
Now, those are Paul's own words. The fact is, that when you dismiss the Old Testament as being out of date and you don't have to obey it anymore, you disobey Paul's own teachings, and you ripped out two thirds of your instruction manual. So traditionally, most churches don't really regard Paul either, because he said that everything which was written before and was written for OUR INSTRUCTION (Romans 15:4), and he said this to a predominantly Gentile congregation in Rome. No, the hard and inconvenient truth is that what we are often training ourselves to do is to only regard the parts of Paul's letters that SEEM to tell us to disregard God's laws and instructions, for this our lawless hearts seem eager to honor, even while we lawlessly disregard the rest of what Paul said believed and taught.
You say, well I'm not into that Old Testament jazz, I'm a New Testament believer. Really?
Matthew 28:19-20 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, 20 and teaching them to obey EVERYTHING that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20 NRSV- emphasis added)
I've been in organized Christianity, in multiple denominations for 25 years. When was the last time you stepped into any church, a Sunday school program, a small group, or a home Bible study that actually REALLY taught people HOW to obey EVERYTHING Jesus Christ commanded disciples to do? Have you ever seen anything like it in all your born days? Have you ever seen even a list of all the Commandments that Jesus Christ gave in the New Testament. Beloved it took me weeks to find one, and I'm a devoted seeker. I've offered such a program multiple times, but even the word discipleship has been refused because it reminds people of having to be disciplined and it has a negative connotation.
If we were churches who were truly devoted to the New Testament, as we claim I would not be nearly this concerned, but on the whole, we don't even go out of our way to obey the second half of the Great Commission given to us by Jesus Christ Himself. So really, we don't follow those instructions either. I put it to you plainly is it any wonder that we are not thoroughly equipped for every good work that we desire to do for the Lord? Is it any wonder so many people are chewed up like lamb chops when they are confronted by the adversary? Think about it.
Brother Michel Lankford


































Sunday, December 25, 2011

Remember the C.W.O.G.

Part 3: How Do We Walk in the Cooperative Work of Grace in a Practical Way?
By Brother R. Michel Lankford

Reviewing
1. C.W.O.G. stands for Cooperative Work of Grace. Since God seeks to dwell in actual living relationship with His people, a prerequisite for relationship is that both parties be actively engaged and involved in the progress of the relationship. In God's Word there are many great and precious promises, but the vast majority of those promises contain specific conditions that we are required to fulfill in order to obtain the promise. If we want to obtain a particular promise we see in Scripture, then we must be diligent to seek out, to learn, and then to properly fulfill God's specific conditions which he attached to any particular promise. It's an absolute fact that God is 100% faithful and God always does his part, and He does it correctly. So if I'm not experiencing the benefits and promises from God's word as I would like to experience them, the problem is usually that I have not fulfill the conditions required to receive that particular promise or benefit which I desire to enjoy. I believe that on the whole our relationship and intimacy and friendship with the Lord is in direct proportion to how well we have cooperated with Him. There are some rare exceptions (times of testing and trial), but overall, the principle applies. On the whole, if I am not experiencing the relationship, the Fellowship the intimacy and blessings that I see in God's word, the problem or breakdown is on my end of the relationship. It's not God's fault, it's mine. Please remember and do not forget that God's true biblical definition of grace does include forgiveness from sin, provided that we recognize our sin as being sin, and that we confess it honestly (1 John 1:8-9).
At the same time, there is another key component to God's grace which modern and postmodern Christianity often neglects. God's true Biblical Grace not only forgives us when we come short and miss God's standards, but the True and Biblical Grace of God, also gives us the ability to desire, to choose, and to do what is truly pleasing to God. True Biblical Grace will give us God's power to turn away from sin, and to fervently pursue and walk toward what is pleasing to God. If you are not experiencing a growing desire, willingness, and ability to desire, pursue, and do what God says is pleasing to Him, then in such a case, beloved I promise you that you are not, repeat not under Grace. In such a case, you are being delusional, you are deceiving yourself, and you are living in a counterfeit version of grace, and not what God calls Grace. I beg you, do not deceive your own heart. God's true Biblical grace will forgive us when we come short of His standards, but God's true biblical Grace also comes with the willingness and the power to desire, to pursue, to choose, and to do what God says is pleasing to Him (Philippians 2:13; Ezekiel 36:25-27). If we treat the grace of God as though it were a free pass to disobey Almighty God, then in such a case we literally deny the Lord Jesus Christ (Jude 1:4). Remember that the word licentiousness, is the one from which we get the term for a license. So if we turn the grace of God, into a license to disobey God, then we are actually denying Jesus Christ. Beloved, it does not get more serious than that.
2. Remember that hope deferred makes the heart sick. In other words, when we build up expectation that is not truly fulfilled, it can make us heartsick and make it more difficult for us to completely trust God in our future circumstances. Once again though, in the vast majority of cases where we're not completely experiencing the fulfillment of the scriptural promise, it's because we have either misunderstood the promise and we are expecting God to do something He did not really promise to do, or if we have properly understood the promise, but we still don't receive the benefit, it is because in the vast majority of cases, we have not truly fulfilled the specific conditions which Almighty God attached to the specific promise that we desire to receive. In point of fact, throughout my 20 years of service, I have often seen the Lord's people quote and claim a particular promise from Scripture without taking any notice whatsoever of the conditions attached. People then get disappointed. They may even secretly believe that God has withheld good from them, when in fact it is they who have tied God's hands, because they have not met the condition He already attached to the promise they are claiming and wanting to receive. What is so tragic about misplacing our expectations regarding the Lord and getting our hope deferred is that such negative experiences, or the lack of positive results can make it more difficult for us to trust God during some later time of need. This is similar to what I described in part two of this series.
That is the very quick review of the last two blogs in this four part series on God's cooperative work of grace. I originally thought it would be a three part series, but one of the principles is big enough to require its own entry.
How to Walk in the Cooperative Work of Grace in the Practical Matters of Every Day Life
Being high principled is awesome. We need high principles to help us to aim and shoot for excellence, but if all we have is a great target to shoot for, and we do not include marksmanship lessons to help us to hit the bull's-eye more often, then the good target of high principles didn't really do us much good. Walking in the Cooperative Work of Grace, is about properly applying Scripture in the practical everyday facets of life.
In this particular series, I'm concentrating far more on the human side of the equation, because just as I said earlier, Almighty God will always do His part. In fact the very proof that I believe and trust God is demonstrated by how well I seek out, how I learn and how well I obey the conditions. Obeying the conditions which God attaches to a particular promise, is the proof that I actually believe God to fulfill that promise. In other words, my obedience to God's commandments and conditions is the proof that I do love and trust Him. The ones who truly love and trust God to fulfill his promises are the ones who take delivered care to make sure they obey the conditions. That is the proof that they believe the promise, by praying, learning and fulfilling the conditions that God attached, we show that we love and believe God to fulfill his promises.
Since grace is a cooperative partnership and relationship of love between Almighty God and myself, then how do I as a practical matter walk in His cooperative work of grace? How do I walk and cooperate with God and his grace working in my life in a practical way? Here is a bulleted list of the most important concepts of what is absolutely required in order to walk in God's Cooperative Work of Grace. If you do these basic things you'll be well on your way to walking with God correctly and rightly being able to claim the promises that you see in Scripture without fear of misapplying it, which would result in having your hope deferred.
· TAKE GOD SERIOUSLY: Assume that when Almighty God says something, He said what He means and means what He said. When God says something is good, then it's good. When He says something is evil, then it is evil, regardless of what our culture and personal opinion says. When He says that certain attitudes and behaviors will bring blessing, then make up your mind to take God seriously enough that you will learn to develop those attitudes and behaviors which God said He will bless. Likewise, when God says that there are certain things, attitudes and behaviors that He will curse, then please have the good sense to take God seriously enough that you will choose to diligently avoid those things, attitudes and behaviors which God said will bring a curse. Take God seriously, HE IS NOT KIDDING (Isaiah 5:20-24; Galatians 6:7-9). By all means rely on God's love and the true biblical definition of His Grace, but don't become so enthralled with God's Grace, that you lose the healthy fear of the LORD, because the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (Proverbs 1:7), so without maintaining a healthy fear of the Lord, you cannot even begin to know anything about God.
· USE SCRIPTURE, DON'T ABUSE SCRIPTURE: This is absolutely critical. In my 20 years of service, I have seen more ministers lead people astray by abusing Scripture than any other method. I have seen more believers do immeasurable harm to themselves and their families because they developed a doctrine or philosophy which the rightly divided Scripture does not actually teach. Sometimes people have become entirely discouraged with God because they believed that Scripture promise them something which they either misinterpreted, or because they did not meet the scriptural conditions required to obtain the promise. Sometimes I have discovered that people didn't even know that there were conditions to the promises that they were trying to claim. They had not met the conditions, but they were actually angry at God that the benefits of His promises were not being manifested in their lives. Scripture twisting is absolutely a nightmare, because it can make you believe that either God promised you something which the rightly divided word shows that He actually did not promise, or it can cause you to become angry and blame God when you are not enjoying a particular blessing, even though it is your fault because you did not pay attention to the conditions which were attached. In the future there will be an entire blog entry on Scripture twisting and how to avoid it, but for now, remember to read Scripture carefully. Remember, practicing the Word is what gives the Holy Spirit the fuel which produces discernment, (see Hebrews 5:11-14). It is by practicing God's word that we learn to distinguish between good and evil. That is a guiding principle that is often neglected and overlooked in modern-day Christendom. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you read, understand, interpret, and obey the Scriptures correctly, and to help you not be deceived. God promises that He will help when you ask (Matthew 7:7-11; James 1:5-8). Very often, when I read the Scriptures and I want to make sure that I am walking in God's cooperative work of grace, I ask myself some key questions to help me pay closer attention as I read:
o What are the COMMANDS OR IMPERATIVES in the passage that I'm reading? Is there any imperative, do this certain thing, or do not do that certain thing, in the passage that I'm reading? Am I obeying those things? I need to examine my life. Am I doing the things that God says to do in the passage that I am reading? Do I understand what God requires, and how to do what God requires in a commandment that I'm reading? If I do not understand those things well enough, then am I putting in diligent prayer and study to incline my heart to gain that understanding? Am I avoiding those things which God says to avoid? If I see that I'm off-track, I need to confess it, but after confessing, what concrete steps am I going to take to come into alignment with God's imperatives? Keep in mind, if I do not take up the practice of living in this way, then I am walking in deception which is extremely dangerous (Matthew 7:24-28; James 1:19-25; Hebrews 3:13; 1 John 1:5-7; cf. Psalm 119:9). Keep in mind that those who make a practice of walking and deception will not enter into the kingdom of heaven (Revelation 21:7-8). As I said deception is very dangerous.
o What are the PROMISES within the passage I'm reading? Within the passage that I am reading, am I noticing a promise, benefit, or a favorable result which I would like to experience in my own life? If so, then Mark it in your Bible, and or write it down in a notebook as a matter for future prayer. Depending on interpretation, some estimates suggest that there are at least 5000 promises in Scripture. Provided we meet the qualifications and conditions, they can be fulfilled for us and granted through Yeshua the Messiah (2 Corinthians 1:20; Psalm 84:11).
o What are the CONDITIONS to obtaining the promise?: Remember that taking concrete steps to fulfill the conditions which God attaches to the promises we find in His Word is a key feature to walking in God's Cooperative Work of Grace. We already know that God is always faithful to fulfill His promises. So in one sense, we do not have to worry so much about what God's part is in any situation (except to make sure that we don't try to do God's part, or expect God to do our part). As human beings we need to concern ourselves more with doing our part of the equation because if there's going to be a problem is always going to be on the human side of the table and not God's. It's important to remember that the conditions that God places on some of his promises are not always found in the same chapter where the promises stated. Sometimes there are even conditions to a particular promise in an entirely different book. For example, 1 John 1:9 is a terrific promise in God's word. In order to obtain is promise, we have to confess our sin. So first, we need to make sure that we understand what the promise says. What is sin? How do we confess biblically? Are there any other conditions to receiving God's forgiveness? Those of you who know you're Scriptures also know that in order to be forgiven, I MUST also forgive those who sin against me (Matthew 6:15; Matthew 18:35; Mark 11:25-26). As you can see sometimes the conditions to receiving a promise are not even in the same book where our focus promise is located. So it is our responsibility to keep our eyes peeled and pay attention.
o Are there any GUIDING PRINCIPLES in the passage which I'm reading? A Guiding Principle is different then an Imperative or Command. An Imperative or Command makes a concrete statement; do this particular thing, and or do not do that other thing. For example, Matthew 5:23-24 is an imperative command concerning something we must do in order for offerings to be favorably received by the LORD. It's a commandment. An example of a guiding principle would be found in Matthew 5:25-26. Oftentimes a guiding principle explains why it is important to obey a certain command. Sometimes a Guiding Principle can be just plain good advice that we find in Scripture. For example Proverbs 15:1a, tells us that "A gentle answer turns away wrath." In this particular instance, that is NOT a commandment. It does not say thou shalt always speak gently, but the verse explains why it's a good idea to develop our character and attitudes so that we can answer people in a gentle fashion. Another good guiding principle Psalm 84:11 "No good thing does He would withhold from those who walk uprightly." Once again, that's not an explicit imperative Commandment, but obviously if my desire is that I would not lack any good thing, then I had better become teachable and let God train me to walk correctly, because I do not want to miss out on such a terrific result for my life.
An important principle to remember is that while you are trying to discipline yourself to obey the Word, it is generally safe to treat a guiding principle in Scripture as though it were command. Always remember that while we can treat a guiding principle within Scripture like a commandment, we should never treat a commandment as though it were a mere principle, advice or suggestion.
The Conclusion:
So what's the payoff? Why spend so much time detailing how to walk with God in this manner? To many of us it seems so obvious, like of course, anyone who loves God and wants to experience His blessing in their lives would both know and understand this already, and they would be eagerly doing it. So why rehearsed it again? Well, because as I said in part one of this series, this principle is so basic that people often miss it. It's so fundamental though, that we really cannot afford to neglect it. Whenever you are trying to train yourself into a new discipline for the purpose of godliness (1 Timothy 4:7-8), it's a good idea to know and remind yourself of what the payoff is for putting in the effort. With this in mind, I thought I would close our study, and leave you with a quick laundry list of the benefits to walking in God's Cooperative Work of Grace. Please know that this is not an exhaustive list, it's just a tiny sample.
1. We will be more deliberate and intentional as God followers: As you develop the habit of applying the principles of the Cooperative Work of Grace, you will from that moment forward be more deliberate and intentional about living for God and worshiping God on purpose. By putting these principles into practice, it will help you overcome the temptation to be a passive Christian, and become one who more readily deliberately and actively participates in your relationship with God.
2. Our relationship with God is guaranteed to improve: Scripture guarantees that you will have a greater relationship with God if you practice this. If you learn to obey God's commandments, He promises to reveal Himself in a greater way (John 14:21). When we learn to proactively obey His Commandments, we become His friends (John 15:14). He will consider us members of His very own family (Matthew 12:48-50).
3. It builds Perseverance: You will be better able to withstand and survive the storms of this life (Matthew: 24-25; Galatians 6:7-9; Revelation 14:12).
4. It will protect you from self-deception (Hebrews 3:13; 1 John 2:4-6; 1 John 2:3-4; James 1:22-25).
5. It builds true security in your salvation: By learning to participate more actively and intentionally, it will make you more secure in your salvation (2 Peter 1:3-11).
I could go on virtually endlessly, but you get the idea don't you? The thing we have to ask ourselves is, as I look at this list above, just how important, just how valuable do I consider those blessings to be for my life? Are they important enough for me to cooperate with God just a little bit better than I have grown comfortable doing? If receiving those blessings and countless more like them, doesn't mean all that much to you, then by all means continue to live life as usual. If you do not care whether or not you receive the blessings, than do not push yourself to cooperate with God any better than you do now. On the other hand, if you wisely understand that you need these blessings and you want them, then we really have no other choice than to learn to walk in God's Cooperative Work of Grace, until we are so practiced that obeying God that we become surefooted and steadfast at walking the strait and narrow path which leads to life. I put it before you beloved, as our Father did. Please, choose life.
Brother R. Michel Lankford