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

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

Remember the C.W.O.G. Part 2:

Why Do We Need to Remember God's Cooperative Work of Grace?
By Brother R. Michel Lankford
 
When one begins to look at the Cooperative Work of Grace (C.W.O.G.), the knee-jerk response is quite often, well why do we even need to teach such a concept? I mean, to many, the idea seems so simple and straightforward that it seems like it should be "Common Knowledge" that almost every one of God's promises have specific conditions attached which are either outright stated or implied, and that ONLY IF one meets the condition(s) and prerequisites that God sets forth, can we rightly expect to receive, abide in, and enjoy the benefits and blessings of the promises that God sets out in His Word. Conversely of course, if we do not meet the prerequisite conditions and principles which God attaches to a particular promise, then we cannot rightly expect to participate in or enjoy the blessings attached to a promise.
That idea is such a basic truth. It's so simple and straightforward that it should be common knowledge. Doesn't everybody already know that? My response to that is that it is a fair question. It is true the concept of C.W.O.G is so very basic, true, simple, logical and straightforward. It's so basic that if we have been in relationship with God and Jesus Christ for more than a few months, we should not have a problem with at least acknowledging that this is a true concept. So why spend time teaching it as a matter of discipleship?
My response to that fair question is this. It is failing to take care of the little things, it's failing to catch the little foxes that ruin our harvest (Song of Solomon 2:15). Any excellent military commander, or any excellent coach of a sports team will tell you the same thing. It's neglecting the simple stuff that will lead to defeat. Very often throughout history, whole armies have been defeated because they did not properly take care of the basic needs of food, clothes, shelter and sanitary conditions of their army. Very often in battle, disease caused by uncleanliness and infection has taken more soldiers and defeated more armies than actual bullets from the enemy. It's a historical fact.
Consider a sports team for a moment. Very often, which ever team executes the basic fundamentals of offense and defense more effectively is the one that will go home a champion. The razzle-dazzle play looks great on TV and sports magazines, but it's the team that executes the fundamentals of offense and defense more effectively that will more often go home the winner. It's neglecting the basics, that usually leads to defeat. It's executing the basics properly, most effectively, that most often leads to victory. Living in the biblical definition of grace, walking in God's Cooperative Work of Grace is so fundamental, it's so basic that it is often the most neglected, which often leaves believers defeated without experiencing the more abundant life that Jesus Christ (Yeshua the Messiah) wants us to have.
A Real Example Where Not Walking in the (C.W.O.G.) Was Literally Deadly
25 years in the faith, 20 of those years in various forms of ministry, have taught me that this is inconvenient truth, but it is still the truth. I have seen far too many of my beloved and treasured brothers and sisters in Christ damaged and even defeated because they were far too quickly taught to claim a wonderful promise within God's Word, but they were not taught to pay careful attention, or to make sure that they actually fulfilled the prerequisites which God attached to a certain promise which they were claiming from Scripture.
In one instance, I have actually seen this dynamic contribute to a brother's suicide, because he grew so despondent that supposedly God didn't "come through" with what he'd been taught to claim was his rightful benefit as a believer. The brother had been taught to believe, to "stand on" and "claim" the great promises that he saw in God's word, but he was not taught with nearly the equal fervor that he had to meet the prerequisite conditions which Almighty God has attached to those various promises. As a result, this precious brother developed the belief that something must be fundamentally and irrevocably wrong with him, because he was not "prospering." He developed the misguided conclusion that God loved other people, but must not love him. He developed the mindset that Christianity must work for other people, but no matter how hard he stood on the Word, it didn't work for him. He ended up swallowing his hunting rifle, all because he had built his expectations on particular results that God did not promise to fulfill before certain conditions were met. You see, neglecting the very basics can literally be a matter of life and death for some people.
Proverbs 13:12 tells us that Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is the tree of life. This brother had built his hopes, his expectations that God would do certain things, and that certain results would take place for him and members of his family. He had been taught to grab on to promises that he saw in the Word which seemed to match up with what he was praying and desiring God to do. After all, he was a believer and a devoted follower of Almighty God and Jesus Christ, and in Christ, all of God's promises are yes and amen (2 Corinthians 1:20), so he was naturally free to claim and stand upon all of those great promises, wasn't he? Well, that was basically the mantra that was regularly pumped into us on a weekly basis in that congregation. When the results did not occur as he had been trained to expect they would, the brother's hope was greatly deferred, and he became extremely heartsick, to a point where it largely contributed to his suicide.
If we are not EXTREMELY careful, some very peculiar pieces of leaven can creep in when we become prosperity focused.
Pride: People can come to believe that they are prospering and that their prosperity is a sign that God favors them, and if other people are not "prospering" as they define the term, then something must be wrong with those other people, because those other folks are not prospering. Without realizing it, this mindset can cause us to develop a contemptuous attitude toward weaker or underprivileged believers. That is a sin. It's literally insulting God when we do that. As it is written:
Proverbs 17:5 The one who mocks the poor insults his Maker, and one who rejoices over calamity will not go unpunished. Proverbs 17:5 (HCSB)
Inferiority Complexes: The other extreme can take hold where one can feel worthless, unloved and unwanted and rejected by God if they are not "prospering." Quite simply, tempting though that conclusion may be to believe, the weight of biblical evidence and history simply does not support the conclusion that our prosperity is a sign of how righteous you are before God. By the end of their rule, the Nazis were worth approximately $60 billion. Believe me when I tell you that this was not a sign of how righteous and God fearing these people were. The Roman Empire amassed immense wealth. It was definitely not a sign of how well they served God!
Pursuit of riches: If we are not extremely careful, developing a prosperity mindset because we falsely believe that prosperity is a sign of God's favor, can lead us to pursue wealth and prosperity rather than pursuing after pleasing God. Pursuing wealth and prosperity can actually choke out God's word from having its most positive life-giving effect in our lives. It can afflict our souls, and it can actually cause us to turn away from the faith (Mark 4:18-19; 1 Timothy 6:10).
A mindset of entitlement: If we are not careful, becoming overly prosperity focused can cause us to believe that because we, as believers in Messiah, are body of Kings and priests, joint heirs with Messiah of the Kingdom, princes and princesses of Almighty God our Heavenly Father, that this reality entitles us to a life of wealth, health, prosperity, comfort and success, all with as little pain and inconvenience to ourselves as possible.
It sounds ridiculous prima fascia (on its face), but believe me when I tell you that I've have personally heard things like this preached with fervor and passion, and by more than one pastor. Whole movements within Christianity have sprung up with this staggeringly popular doctrine. It tickles our ears by telling us what we want to hear - follow God and get rich. It makes pastors and ministries incredibly wealthy by people giving in faith, expecting God to multiply a 100 fold return. It breeds a self-righteous contempt for the poor and underprivileged - Hey, if they're not "prospering," then it must be because they're not following God as well as I am; and on and on the story goes.
I put it to you plainly, was that the mindset Jesus held when He walked through this world, (Philippians 2:5-8)? Does that belief system leave you empowered and encouraged to deny yourself, to pick up your cross and to follow your Master and Messiah where He leads (Matthew 16:24), or does it leave you thinking that you are somehow entitled to a life of wealth, health, prosperity, ease and comfort, all because you are one of God's children? Does this kind of mindset truly build you up and prepare you to be consistent and faithful and obedient to God and Jesus Christ, whether you are in a season of prosperity or experiencing lack, which is what Paul understood, (Philippians 4:10-13)?
Beloved, I tell you the truth, I have often seen the fruit of this doctrine and belief system, and more often than not it creates selfish spoiled brats in God's kingdom more than it has ever produced a mature thriving overcoming disciple and follower of Almighty God and Jesus Christ, and that's the truth.
Accusing God: Believe me, I've seen this happen to people, where they have truly believed that they have done everything that they could, and because God has not met their expectations, (although they do not realize their expectations are actually misplaced), nevertheless they blame God, they are angry at God and accuse Him of wrongdoing because their misplaced expectations have not been fulfilled. People get so tired of believing that something must be wrong with them that the enemy actually turns the tables on them in causes them to think that something must be wrong with God.
When we get overly promise focused or prosperity focused and it gets out of balance, this can be extremely dangerous, because it alters our view of God and our ability to believe and relate to Him properly. Almighty God is not capable of the types of favoritism and partiality that we often learn to attribute to Him, (Deuteronomy 10:17; Job 34:19; Romans 2:11; Ephesians 6:9).
Every one of God's promises is available to the believer in Messiah, PROVIDED that we believe God enough to the point that it motivates us to truly fulfill the specific conditions which Yahweh Almighty God attached to any given promise. God is able to do exceedingly and above all that we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20; 1 Corinthians 2:9). However, if we are not willing or we're not able to meet the conditions, then we cannot in all righteousness expect to enjoy the benefits of the promises. God did not let us down. When we do not truly meet the conditions that He sets forth, then we are simply tying His hands from rightly being able to bless us, as He would like to do. It's that simple. It's an extremely simple truth, but it's rapidly vanishing in some circles. Sadly, one brother whom I knew and loved personally, actually perished for the lack of this seemingly common understanding (Proverbs 29:18).
The ultimate reason that we need to remember God's C.W.O.G. is because if we do not, we can start misunderstanding God's promises. We can start believing that God promised us something in His word which in reality, God never actually guaranteed, or worse, we can actually deprive ourselves of blessings that we could be enjoying, but we tie God's hand from granting it to us because we are not meeting the very specific conditions which God enjoined to those promises. All of this can leave us heartsick and needlessly disappointed.
Thank you so much for your kind attention. I hope this Bible study leaves you with a better understanding of why we really need to walk in God's Cooperative Work of Grace. In our next installment, I will focus on the function and walk in God's Cooperative Work of Grace in a practical and useful way. I hope you will join me. Feel free to write to me with any constructive questions or comments. God be with you.
Brother R. Michel Lankford

Remember to C.W.O.G. Part 1

Part One: Understanding the Concept of C.W.O.G.
By Brother R. Michel Lankford
 
During the next several blog entries, I will be inviting you to explore a concept with me, which I have affectionately nicknamed CWOG. It's a guiding principle that I try to use and teach on a regular basis as I seek to grow into a more effective disciple of Yahweh Almighty God, and His Son Yeshua the Messiah. Like almost every indispensable truth out there, C.W.O.G. is easy to understand, that immensely challenging to master. May God bless you, as we study and apply God's Word together. Thank you for joining me into this challenging adventure in discipleship.
In an attempt to keep individual entries brief, this study will be divided into three parts:
First: Understanding C.W.O.G. What Is It?
Second: Why do we need C.W.O.G.? Isn't it obvious and self-explanatory?
Third: How does C.W.O.G. function in a practical way?

What is C.W.O.G?

It is often been said that in order to have an intelligent discussion with someone, we must first define our terms. So let us begin at the outset by defining C.W.O.G.
Definition: C.W.O.G. is an abbreviation for a concept that I have summarized, but it's by no means an entirely new idea. It's a concept that has been practiced by people of faith for centuries. I just gave it this label as a way of easy reminder. C.W.O.G. stands for Cooperative Work of Grace. The idea behind it is very simple. It's all about cooperating with God's grace as He works in our lives. God's Word contains many awesome promises, blessings and benefits, but the vast majority of these great blessings and benefits and promises are NOT unconditional. With rare exceptions, almost all of God's promises and benefits come with specific conditions that the believer must agree to, believe, and follow, before one can fully receive, experience, and enjoy the promised result in their lives. Quite simply, if we do not fulfill God's specified conditions in any given situation, then we cannot rightly claim or expect to receive the scriptural promise to which the condition is attached. Basically, to C.W.O.G. is a practical way to make sure that you are obeying the word of God and putting it into practice so that one does not deceive oneself, (James 1:22-25).
This is a bedrock fundamental precept of relationships, and relationship with God in particular. A relationship by definition requires the active involvement and participation of at least two individuals, (in this case Almighty God, and myself), but it's also true of relationships between human beings. If only one party does all the participation and involvement, and the other person either spiritually, emotionally, mentally, or physically either disengages or refuses to get involved in any aspect, then is there any genuine relationship there? Of course not. No relationship can survive, let alone grow and thrive, if only one party is actively engaged.
As it relates to our relationship with Almighty God, it is definitely not a 50-50 proposition. In fact God's portion of the relationship might very well be 99.95% and we might be responsible only for the other .05%, but nevertheless a relationship with God requires our active involvement and participation in cooperation with Him, (even though God actually helps us to fulfill even our portion of it), we still have to be actively willing and obedient to participate with Him, otherwise, no true relationship exists.
Part of building healthy relationships is that each party must take their portion seriously. Breakdowns in relationships can occur if and when either party neglects their portion of that relationship. One of the things that makes relationships between human beings more difficult is that sometimes there is a breakdown or a hindrance in the relationship between people.
In the vast majority of cases, the exact cause of these hindrances or breakdowns in human relationships is more difficult to pin down and correct because the breakdowns are harder to trace. In relationships between people, a breakdown can occur when either party does not fully engage in a relationship or does not fulfill their portion of it. In most breakdowns of relationship between people, both parties have usually failed to do their part to some greater or lesser degree. That's why forgiveness between people is vital to maintaining and building solid relationships, because forgiveness is inevitably necessary since eventually we all fail one another in some manner, (Ephesians 4:32).
However, this cannot be true in our relationship with Almighty God. God is perfect. God is love. God does not fail. If there is some hindrance or breakdown in my relationship and intimacy with Almighty God and with Messiah, we always know where the blame fits. The problem is always 100% on the human end of the equation. the problem is never God's fault, ever. In one sense this makes restoration easier because we don't have to look far to see where the problem lays, so to speak.
God always does His part and He always does it right, because He is perfectly faithful. When it comes to relationship with God and myself, if ever there is a breakdown or hindrance, it's because somewhere I did not fulfill my part, because God always fulfills His portion correctly.
Therefore, if I'm not experiencing the fulfillment of some blessing or promise that I see in Scripture, it is because in all likelihood I am not correctly fulfilling the conditions and prerequisites that God has set in order for a person to receive and enjoy the particular promise and provision. It's that simple.
The bottom line is that most of our progress as individual believers or as a community of faith will be in direct proportion to how well we have cooperated with God's work of grace in our lives. Believe it or not, even our gift of salvation is not 100% unconditional. I can prove it using a verse that we all know and love. I will end our study for the day on this simple yet far-reaching example:
Whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved, (Romans 10:13)
That is an awesome promise, but let us purposely observe what is God's part in the promise, and what are the conditions which we as believers must agree to and fulfill in order to receive and enjoy the promise.
God's Part: That is a pretty great promise. Notice however, that it is by no means an unconditional promise. Like so many of God's promises, there is a part that God will do, and there is a part that God requires us to do as well. In this instance, what is God's part? Well, when you think about it, God definitely had the hard part when it comes to saving us. He miraculously conceived a child in the virgin's womb, and poured Himself into it. Jesus lived a sinless life. He obeyed the Scriptures perfectly, and then took the penalty and punishment for our sins and our violations of God's Holy Law. After His death, He took the keys of death hell and the grave away from the devil and was resurrected from the dead. So in this salvation process, there is no doubt that God definitely has the hard part. His part is saving us.
My Part: My part is comparatively easy. So what is my part in this instance? What is the prerequisite that I must fulfill in order to receive this awesome promise from God's Word. Well, obviously, I MUST CALL upon the name of the Lord (Yeshua, Jesus) to save me. In order to call upon Him to save me, I must also naturally believe that God will save me through Him, and what Messiah accomplished through His death and resurrection. So in this particular case, my part is believing and calling on His Name to save me. That is a very simple example, but almost every single scriptural promise works in the exact same way.
Therefore, if a person foolishly, (God forbid), refuses to believe and refuses to call upon the name of the Lord, will such a one truly receive the blessing of God's salvation? Not at all. That is a simple example, but almost every promise of God functions in exactly the same manner with different guarantees that God promises to accomplish, and different prerequisites or conditions which we are required to fulfill in order to receive and enjoy the blessing. I'm using this easy but key example in order to cement key principles into our minds. Remember, almost every promise of God as an "if" clause in it. It's at least implied when it is not outright stated.
C.W.O.G. is all about making sure that we fulfill the "IF" clauses which we find within God's many wonderful scriptural promises. That way we can truly abide in God's blessing, instead of just talking about it. We know that through Yeshua the Messiah, all of the promises of God are yes and amen, to everyone who believes (see 2 Corinthians 1:20), but please do not forget that in Biblical terms, what we believe is demonstrated by what we DO, and NOT by what we say, (James 1:22; James 2:14,18; 1 John 2:4,6; Luke 6:46).
I truly believe that the reason that God lays down certain conditions and prerequisites is to reveal the true conditions of our own hearts to ourselves. Obeying the conditions that Yahweh, or Yahweh through Messiah lays down is what separates those who believe from those who do not believe, because only those who believe God and His promises are going to be diligent to make sure that they follow the Laws, Commandments, Instructions and prerequisites that He sets forth, because they sincerely believe Him, and they want to receive what He has promised.
In the next installment, I will be bringing you some slightly more complicated examples as I explain in more detail why I believe that C.W.O.G. is sorely needed in the church at large. God be with you, and remember that true grace works in relationship, and is therefore, a Cooperative Work of Grace.
Brother Michel Lankford