Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. – 2 Timothy 2:1-3
Are we spending too much time entangled with the affairs of this life? “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Will you be made whole? Jesus said to the impotent man, “Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.” “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.” “And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.”
Jesus saith unto them, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Once we have understood the foundational principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we are all given one single task. It is a very simple task. Although, it comes with a price, and a burden to bare. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” “Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” We are all to carry our own crosses by walking as He walked, not after the flesh but after the Spirit. And teaching others what we have been blessed to receive.
As we strive for masteries and the command of our own vessels, we are to be sharing the Truth that we know. At whatever stage we are at. “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.” – 1 Corinthians 3:6-10. Now, we will build even more on these scriptures. Let’s watch this video, which takes the above verses, and expands on the original languages. It also layers additional supporting Scriptures with visual aids.
As we have seen, and have hopefully learned, the Lord wants to use us at whatever step we are at. “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.” If we were hit with everything all at once, as in the download of a computer program, most of us would be executing error messages within ourselves. The Spirit doesn’t operate this way. It’s like a rinse and repeat theme as we grow in our faith, casting our cares upon Him. Quite literally, being washed by water of the Word.
May the everlasting Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the fulness therein, find it’s root within you.
In the Book of Colossians it says, “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.” How is it that we are to walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, while being fruitful in every good work?
I believe that the best place to start would be by looking at the meaning behind some of these words. Let’s begin by going into the KJV Bible and look at a few of the original Greek words. We will start by looking at the word walk, and then we will see the meaning of the word worthy. Pay close attention to what is being highlighted. Consider other scriptures that may pop up in your mind while looking at the definitions. Let the Spirit guide you with the understanding that you already have. I will also add to what you may have heard, with possibly the same verses, or even different verses that come to mind.
As we see, the word walk means, “to tread all around, that is, walk at large (especially as proof of ability); figuratively to live, deport oneself, follow (as a companion or votary): – go, be occupied with.” Now let’s start tying some together, such as, to tread all around and to deport oneself. Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” He said this as well, “He that forsaketh not all the he hath, cannot be my disciple.” By deporting ourselves, we are separating from the lusts of the flesh, and the pride of life. It also means the same thing as, to tread all around.
For example, squashing a bad habit under your feet and saying good riddance. Another scripture that comes to mind is, “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Hmm, ponder that for a minute. The second thing that we will tie together will be to walk, and to follow. As we consider this, let us also consider where the Bible says, “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked,” and the near countless times when Jesus says to “follow” Him. As we expand on this, we can also look at, as a companion and a votary. The word votary means someone who has taken a vow, such as a monk or a nun.
Here are only a couple additional verses. “Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.” “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” Wow, that’s seems like a lot. Although that is only a few of the many. To be occupied with, as in the above definition simply means the same thing, yet we can go even deeper. Think of it as your “temple.” The second word that we looked at for further understanding was worthy. Worthy means, “appropriately: – as becometh, after a godly sort, worthily.” Consider again, the above provided Scriptures. Consider being a Saint for the Lord and what His requirements are.
Now, many have misunderstood the word fornication within the Bible and only a very small few that I am aware of, are even teaching this. Although the fact of the matter is, the Bible is proof, Jesus’ own words are proof, and the Truth doesn’t lie. Jesus and the Apostles were teaching them to abstain from sex, period. If is required for our sanctification. Sex equals fornication. It is separate and different from adultery. They are two totally separate words. Are you ready for even more proof that only the LORD and His Spirit can reveal? Let’s go back to a verse that I just mentioned and we will break it down, “Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chamberingandwantonness, not in strife and envying.” What could chambering possibly mean? Why don’t we all take a look together.
Ponder, think, and consider… What is it that we just read? What specifically does it say? Is the Bible true? Does the Lord God lie? Is He the same today, yesterday, and forever? So, based on the verse, should we be abstaining from sex? “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor.” “Abstain from fleshly lusts which was against the soul.” “He that forsaketh not all that he hath, cannot be my disciple.” And the list goes on…
The final highlighted word in Colossians, which we haven’t looked at yet, is the word work. It means, “to work; to toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication an act: – deed, doing, labor, work.” Below is a cropped picture to allow for easier viewing in your browser. You can also search for this online by typing, “Strong’s Concordance Greek 2041.”
What is this labor? What is this toil, as an effort or occupation? What is the act? Number one is to continue to let go of our flesh, as we allow the Spirit to fill us, abstaining from self, and becoming even better. Number two becomes very apparent after we are fully converted and we have His Life to guide us. Let us consider the word act. What is the Book of Acts about? Is it a toil, a labor, and a work, that they all as a body were performing? Were they preaching the Gospel, teaching the Word, showing the Kingdom, leading people in the way, the truth, and the life? Yes they were. We’re they being paid for it? No, they were not. “It is better to give, than receive.”
“And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers: And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.” – Isaiah 30:20-21. Stay blessed. All glory is the Lord’s.
Jesus said, Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. – Luke 12:35-37. Are you a Watchman for the Lord Jesus Christ?
That is a question that all of us should be asking ourselves during this current world that we are now facing. What, if anything, can we extract from the above verses to help us understand one of the things that we are all supposed to be doing while we are awaiting the Messiah’s return? Let’s take the simplicity of the Gospel and look at Luke 12:35 in detail. “Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning .” We will take the KJV Bible and compare it to the original Greek. As we do so, we can specifically see what these words mean, and what Jesus was saying to us.
Jesus is specifically telling us that we should be fastening our belts around our procreative power. What does that mean? “He that forsaketh not all that he hath, cannot be my disciple.” “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Jesus, in the easiest to understand language is telling us that we need to abstain from sex. All of the teachers of the New Testament were teaching this very principle. “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” – 1 John 2.
In the crisis that we are all now facing, what is most important to you? Your eternal salvation or the lusts of your flesh? “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do.” Please consider looking at the Bible Study With The Word to find many answers to the questions which we wonder the most about. There are additional posts on this same subject using additional verses, breakdowns, and references. You can use the featured menu to the right of the screen as well as the Recent Posts located at the top right of this page. The only desire of my heart is that we all could come to the Way, the Truth, and the Life, before the opportunity to do so is gone forever. May you be blessed in seeking it out.
Golgotha is an Aramaic word translated, the place of the skull. What are the chances that there is some deeper and even more profound significance behind where the Messiah was crucified?
Jesus was crucified between two thieves. “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby… For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” – Ephesians 2.
“For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ).”
As we consider the place of the skull, or more specifically, what Paul is telling us in the Book of Ephesians, watch the below video, and ponder just how significant Golgotha truly is.
“Henceforth, be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:” – Ephesians 4:14-15.
May the blessings of the Eternal Father, and the everlasting Gospel of Salvation find a place within your heart.
In Hebrews 6 we are told this by Paul, “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God… But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” We have put our full faith and trust in our Father in Heaven.
When we accompany Jesus as His disciple and have understood the principles of the Gospel, we then begin learning what it truly means to, walk as He walked. “But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.” – 1 John 2:5-9. As a child, when we are first learning to walk, we are guided as we take our first steps. As we have gained balance within ourselves, our hands are soon let go. We may stumble, we may fall, but there is always someone there to help us get back up and try again.
And try again we do. We have learned that walking is more freeing then crawling. We are able to do more. We have accomplished something. Now we may find our hands in the cookie jar, or we are in a place where we should not be. Yet, even then, we are guided, ever so with patience. As I have learned the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and know the way, the truth, and the life, many things within me started to change. This world has no power over me anymore.
“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.” – Galatians 5:16-18. I no longer desire to see what the next big thing is in the news, or the media, or with the power of states. I may check in on occasion, yet, I find myself more and more just wanting to dwell in Him. I am learning more adequately the perfect law of liberty. “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” – James 1:25.
“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” – Matthew 5:48. “Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain.” Peter tells us this, “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear.” Let’s further look at these verses using the Strong’s Concordance.
We are told to be Holy in all manner of our behavior. See brethren, once we begin letting go of this world, letting go of the things that we once did, letting go of ourselves, we are only about one thing… “Know ye not that I am about my Father’s business?” We shouldn’t be arguing or complaining. We shouldn’t be worrying about that next big sale. We shouldn’t be thinking about an upcoming movie. We shouldn’t be thinking about this world at all. We are to be in the world, but not a part of it. “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Are you converted? Are you awake? Do you know the Way? Do you know the Truth? Do you know the Life? “So when they had dined (to take the principal meal, to understand the Gospel), Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
Do you love the Lord God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind? Then love your neighbor as yourself and get out there spreading the Word. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” May His Love carry you wherever you go. May His Peace go before you with every step. May the everlasting Gospel make it’s way to every lost sheep.
Jesus teaches us in the Bible certain principles. If we are to follow them, we will have life, and have it more abundantly. “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.” – James 1:25-26
“And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” 1 John 2:3-6
We will be looking in detail at many of the Messiah’s words and comparing them with one another. We will also compare these teachings with the words of the Apostles to gain even more of an understanding. Let’s look at 1 Corinthians from Paul and then further break down what his message was in the following video.
“Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” – 1 Corinthians 6:15-20
Once we gain the full understanding of the WAY and the TRUTH, and repent, we have understood the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Yet, even after our conversion, something far more beautiful begins to take place inside of us. We move unto perfection. “Be ye Holy, for I am Holy.” The next post will be on the Life, and the full understanding of walking as Jesus walked, and being followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God.” – Hebrews 6:1
“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” 1 John 5:3-4. May the blessings of the everlasting Gospel of Peace continue to take root in your minds, in your hearts, and in your souls.
As my personal growth in Biblical understanding has changed me over the years, one thing is for certain. I was not only able to find a treasure buried in a field, I was also able to have that field turn into a evergreen pasture.
“I went and found a treasure buried in a field. Which blossomed into a pasture that I graze on everywhere. And every time that I am out, I want to go back in, and when I come back out again, there is less of me even there.”
The Bible is something truly remarkable. It is awe inspiring. It literally transforms you from the inside out. As I began my journey years ago in my attempt to understand the Word of God, I felt as if I was always coming up short. I went through different churches, different teachers, and different ministers. Yet, one thing kept resounding within my heart, to the essence of my very being. “This is not it. This is not the way.” So I always fell short. I was always disappointed. I never had that peace within me that the Holy Scriptures speak about. What was it that I was missing? What was it that I wasn’t doing correctly? What mistakes were I making? The simple answer is this. I kept putting my faith and trust in man over the Lord Himself, and over His words. The Bible says, “you needn’t any man teach you.” I had a brother who I still hold dear to my heart reveal quite a bit of truths about the Word of Life. Yet even then, the Spirit kept bringing things to my mind that I would have to bring into question. So here I was again with more Biblical revelation and more Spiritual understanding then I had ever dreamed of obtaining. Although, that still, small voice continued saying to me, “this is the Way.”
My life has brought many heartaches, many disappointments, a child with disabilities, and many things that I myself lost. I suffered a stroke and a cerebral hemorrhage a couple of years ago and literally lost everything. I lost most of the use of my tongue. I lost the ability to breathe without a Tracheostomy tube being present. My vocal cords are paralyzed. I have no gag reflex. I lost the ability to swallow for a time. My throat is twisted upon itself and narrow. I suffer with severe light sensitivity and an autonomic nervous disorder. I have numbness and tingling throughout my body constantly. I wobble when I walk. I have balance issues. My nerves themselves in places feel as if they are constantly on fire. And even this isn’t all that I struggle with. The first 9 months of my recovery, I kept asking myself, “why me? what did I do?”
And I felt the thoughts of bitterness slowly begin to creep in. I felt the loss of family, loved ones, friends, a life that I once remembered and the activities that I did, and that we all did together. Gone, all gone. My life was over. There was nothing left. Being at rock bottom isn’t a phrase that can equate the immense and overwhelming emotions that I was having at the time. Yet, there it was again. That still, small voice, “this is truth, this is the way, follow me.” So I let go. I was on the edge of a cliff, ready to fall, hanging on to a sapling that was being pulled up by the roots. “Father, I trust you. All that I ever had, all that I ever was, all that I ever will be is yours.” At that very moment, the change inside began to take place. “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.” – 2 Peter 1:19.
“For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” – Hebrews 13:5. As I had lost everything pertaining to the flesh, it was also time to begin to let go of everything pertaining to self. Jesus tells us this, “He that forsaketh not ALL that he hath, cannot be my disciple.” My life, what I lost, what I was letting go of, is a manifestation of this principal of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I was at the very beginning of my understanding. I was at the very beginning of becoming as a child as the Scriptures says. Nothing in this world made any sense to me anymore.
“As I think, I know nothing. As I KNOW, I understand. As I walk, so I’m led.”
I truly had to become as a child and let go of everything that I thought I knew, of everything that this world taught me, my understanding of religious principals, of all of my education, and of all of my opinions. In doing so, as I had mentioned towards the beginning of this post, I was led to a brother who had knowledge and understanding in certain Gospel principles and was teaching the Bible in a way that I had never seen before. He was breaking down the original Hebrew and Greek languages and expanding on their meanings and definitions. He shared who we all were, where we all come from, why all of us were here, and what it was that we all did to the Lord God by being the Prodigal Son’s. Yet, all of his teachings weren’t entirely correct. It was as if he missed the Book of Romans, and never read the Book of Hebrews. He was telling people to live under the Law.
“For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.” – Hebrews 10:1
I was mesmerized and in a trance by the level of understanding that he had in certain things. In the areas that I wasn’t 100% sure, I just let it go and made justifications for it. So here I was again, putting my faith in a man. “You needn’t any man teach you… this is the way…” I came to the point once again after absorbing all that he was teaching, to go back to the source, the Bible, and read. Not just a verse or two that he was expanding on, but the verses before, and the verses after. Trusting even more, once again, in that still, small voice. As I began to do so, I was converted. I did learn portions of the Truth which is Jesus Christ from this man. But not the full Truth. Which in my life, I had experienced in every other ministry that I partook in. I was familiar with this feeling. I already knew what this was. I began pulling the weeds, so to speak, of all the errors in his understanding and began planting new seeds. Prior to what I would call a moment of clarity, despite all that I thought I knew, I had to dig deep through root words to find what I perceived to be truth. I was still digging for treasure every day and asking myself, why is this so difficult? Even though I had lost all that I had to the flesh, I was bearing no Spiritual fruits. I didn’t have perfect peace.
The Bible says this in Psalm 23, “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Where were the green pastures? Why were the waters not still? The second part of the equation was missing. Letting go of everything pertaining to self. As I fully understood this, and believed everything that the Spirit was telling me, the perfect peace came. It was as if the roaring waves inside me had calmed. The tv shows, movies, media, news, etc., that I was watching, I no longer wanted any part of. The stuff that I was doing, I did not want to do anymore. All of my desires, thoughts, and actions were now centered on one thing, Jesus Christ.
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” Though I learned a portion of the Truth, Jesus plainly tells us this, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me.”
We as a disciple of Jesus Christ are to forsake everything in this world, all that we have, this is the Way. Complete and total abstinence pertaining to the flesh. Also the Truth which comes by learning about who we all are, what we all did, and what we must do in order to go back Home. And finally, the Life which comes by communing with the Lord in His Word, by His every Word. As Peter so eloquently put it brethren, “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” As I now read the Living Word, when the Bible says, “and His disciples heard it…” I literally understand what is being said. I HEARD it. And this message I share with you. “Rise up to the Truth until the day dawn, and walk even as He walked, as the Day Star arises in your heart, letting go of the former man, and putting on the new. As you do, the sun shines forth, ever brighter, for the darkness continues to fade away. And you forsake the previous things, for the darkness can no longer be seen.” May you all be blessed with the Everlasting Gospel of Peace. For the love of the brethren, my friends.
“I went and found a treasure buried in a field. Which blossomed into a pasture that I graze on everywhere. And every time that I am out, I want to go back in, and when I come back out again, there is less of me even there.”
As many of us our taught at an early age by our parents their belief system of Jesus Christ, some of their teachings become a part of us. They may reference the Bible, their Pastors, clergy, ministers, etc. They teach us, they guide us, they shape us, and they attempt to form us with what they have been led to understand. In their attempts of raising us in what they know, sometimes it doesn’t always work out in the way that the Messiah would have us to learn. We have the J.D. Farag’s, Billy Graham’s, and Joel Osteen’s of the world. Some of us have clung on to their teachings and accepted them as truth. Some of them, we don’t agree with completely. Although, enough of what they are saying makes sense, so we keep smaller portions of it. Others, we disagree with entirely and we may only listen to them once or twice. Then eventually, we kick them to the curb, so to speak. We have a tendency to accept the things that we personally agree with or adhere to. But why?
Jesus tells us, “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” We will take a small portion of this principle taught by the Savior and begin laying the foundation. Little children come into the world with no opinion, and with no understanding. I do realize that personal experiences may be different based upon certain things that you may have undergone. For that, I am sorry. I am speaking of children in general. As we have been formed by our parents, we once again need to be completely reformed by the Spirit. And in order to do so, we take the chalk board filled with all of life’s weights and clutter, and wipe the slate clean. I know. It is easier said then done. Yet, this is what is required on our parts. To relearn everything. Because everything that we thought we knew, is opposite of the Lord God. “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” – Romans 8:7.
“Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” – Romans 8:6-10
OK, so what in the world does this mean? It means that by digging through the Word with all of your original thoughts and ideas, you will be lead to believe as you always have. Forming your own opinions and beliefs around what you already think you know, and what you previously have been taught. For example, only a very few at the time Jesus walked the earth, even acknowledged the Christ. They were in the scriptures, reading them, studying them, and seeking the council within the Old Testament. They were attempting their own growth. How am I so sure? Because even the Apostles weren’t fully aware of Jesus’ words until after His death and until He had opened the Scriptures to them by His Spirit. They all went back to their trades following the Crucifixion. And then… The Messiah expanded on all the things in which He was originally teaching and speaking.
What has changed in 2000 years? Honestly? Nothing. Everyone is still doing the exact same thing that was being done even then. How many Christian religions are there? How many denominations? How many faiths? What about the Catholics? Which one of the many actually know the True Jesus Christ? “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” – Matthew 24:24. “And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.” – Luke 21:8. There are other verses which say this as well. Today, most of us are looking at it the wrong way. Most are looking at it as a man coming saying he is the Christ. With what we know in this world and throughout history, how many people have actually said that they are the Christ? A handful of people? That doesn’t sound like many. That sounds like a few. Let’s deeply ponder Luke 21:8 as we can relate it to the world today.
This branch of Christianity popped up and said, “look, we found the truth, we have the Christ, follow after us and you will be saved.” And all the others have done the same. As the time of the end is drawing near, what is going on? Thousands of worldwide Christian denominations popping up all over the place, and changing all the time. What is it that they all have in common? Collection plates, paid pastors, ministers, congregation leaders, paid tv preachers, cash here, cash there, cash everywhere. “One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish.” They are all one of the same. There truly are no differences. Let’s now take a look at the Book of Titus and see what is said on this matter. We will resolve this once and for all.
In Titus chapter 1 Paul says, “For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.” I know, some can say, “Well, they are only doing it to support their families. They are living a modest life, they aren’t asking for that much, are they?” Let’s see what else Paul says in the Book of Acts, “I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have shewed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Paul is very clear with the fact that ministries should not be paid for their services, not even donations. This topic is covered in detail, in the link, in the paragraph below. At the time when the Church had all things in common, they all labored, they all worked, or they wouldn’t eat. – 2 Thessalonians 3:10. The Gospel was being preached and taught freely. Freely I have received, freely give. No one likes to hear that though.
So here we all are 2000 years later with a perverted Gospel, taught by man out of the abundance of their own hearts. Because if they don’t give good messages that are easy to be received and that will support them and their families, their flock leaves, and they are left homeless. That doesn’t happen though does it? Let’s play great music, get you excited, get you going, and get you happy. By the way, donations accepted. Then go about your merry way until next time. So once again, the false Christ’s are upon is in abundance brethren. In the last few posts, we covered who we are and where we come from. We covered Jesus Christ being more then just the Truth. We covered Jesus Christ being the Life. And we also expanded further on donations to Christian ministries. As you view these posts, remember the foundation… Be as a child, let go of it all, and wipe the slate clean. Now, let’s all go on to perfection.
Hopefully, as you are experiencing and learning new things, you truly are letting go of self and forsaking it all just as Jesus commanded us. Take the time to deeply ponder the revelations within these posts. Take the time to pray about them. Take the time to seek them out on your own. “Who also hath made us able ministers of the New Testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life… But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” – 2 Corinthians 3. May the everlasting Gospel, the very ministry of Jesus Christ and the Apostles, find you in peace. May the questions that you ask be answered, and may the hope that is within you, change from a flicker to an everlasting brightness. May you all be blessed through our Lord Jesus Christ.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not… And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. – John 1 KJV.
In the transitive property of equality which is typically taught at the 6th grade level and higher we learn, if a=b and b=c, then a=c. Let’s take this simplicity and now apply it to John Chapter 1.
As most of us are aware of this verse, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” It states who the Messiah is, here in Isaiah chapter 9. Let’s go even further. As most of us are also aware of this in Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Let’s now look at what the word Immanuel means in the original Hebrew language from the KJV Bible and the Strong’s Concordance.
Here again we see that Immanuel literally translates to, “with us is the Almighty God.” But that’s not all, today we are slashing prices, all that we have we are giving away! The Door is open, come in and freely receive. All that is offered here is a gift… The name Jesus which means Jehoshua in the original Hebrew, literally translates to the Self-Existent Eternal Jehovah that saves.
Yet, despite the overwhelming evidence, simplicity, and absolute perfection, many still refuse to believe one of the very first principals of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Messiah was the Lord God made flesh. “The WORD was made flesh and dwelt among us.” In John 8:12 it says, “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” How are we to have the light of life in us? By filling ourselves with the Word of God. “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” – John 6:63. By reading a verse here, or a verse there, we are never able to obtain the fulness of the Good News. By taking one verse by itself without comparison and without reading and understanding the context, we will never know the Truth which sets us free. Life comes by every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. – Matthew 4:4. May The Everlasting Father, the Mighty God, the Prince of Peace, shine upon you and within you.
In the last post we discussed who we are and where we come from using only the KJV Bible with expanded meanings and quite a few revealing Scriptures to support these facts. Jesus Christ said in John chapter 10, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
As we covered John 10:34 previously, Jesus said when quoting Psalm 82, “Is it not written in your Law, I said ye are gods.” He stated that all of us, every last one, from the beginning to the very end are all angels. If you didn’t read the last blog post you can SEE it here. One of the mistakes that I previously made when reading the Bible was attempting to interpret what is being said. Such as, “I think it says this,” or “I believe it says that.” The best advice that I can give, would be to begin to look at the Word as literal before anything else. If Jesus says we are gods, He means exactly that. If Jesus says we are of our father the devil, He is quite literally telling us the truth. Christ doesn’t lie and the Bible doesn’t either. Let’s briefly look at Psalm 82 again as a review.
We are told that they know not, neither will they understand. Who is it speaking about, what will not be understood? The fact that it plainly and in a literal sense, states that all of us are angels, that were cast down, and cast out of Heaven that are all going to die like men and be judged. The Gospel is simple. The simplicity that is Christ. We have a tendency to overcomplicate things when trying to figure things out. Let’s now go back into John 10 where Jesus is speaking about being the Door, us being the sheep, and look to see if in these verses, it tells us who we are. We will also expand even further with the Greek and look at one of the root words.
In John 10:4 Jesus says, “And when he putteth forth his own sheep…” The Greek translation means to eject, to cast out, to send away, to throw down in a more or less violent or intense manner. Once again, we are being told what happened to us all. Now let’s take this understanding of the Truth and expand further, so that we can also understand what Jesus means when He says, “I am the WAY, the Truth, and the Life.” Below is the same verse with an another word highlighted.
Jesus tells us that His sheep follow Him and they know His voice. The word for follow means, a road. Think of it as a journey with the Lord, properly to be in the same WAY with, that is, to accompany Him specifically as a disciple. Now let’s learn what the WAY actually is and what it means to follow the Messiah wherever He goes.
As we have partook from the Word by comparing Spiritual with Spiritual, let’s make a few more connections from within the video. “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” – Luke 9:23. As we take a closer look at the below slides and the original Greek we can see what Jesus means when He says these words.
We are told by the Messiah to deny ourselves through abstinence and by literally disowning ourselves. Daily, we are to self deny our flesh with it’s lusts, passions, and desires. He finally says that we are to be in the same WAY with Him, to follow Him down a road, and to specifically accompany Him as a Disciple. The Greek word for follow is akoloutheō or Strong’s Concordance number G190. It is the same word as noted above in the video, when used elsewhere in the Bible, as well previous slides in this post. So to be in the Way with the Lord Jesus Christ is to follow Him by His example. Now let’s finalize this with something even more profound. Had it not been for my dear brother Jamie Black and the discoveries in the Bible that we find together, as we are walking this walk of faith, this connection may not have been made by us.
“And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” – 1 John 2:3-6. Let’s look at the meaning of the word walk.
The word walk means to deport oneself, to live, and to follow as if His companion. So to walk as Jesus walked is quite literally to be in the same Way with Him. In essence, to live by His example. By denying ourselves through abstinence, deporting ourselves through letting go of the lusts of the flesh and the pride of life. By following Jesus, and accompanying Him down the road that He paved for us while He was here in the flesh. Let’s look at this word G4043 being used in Galatians chapter 5.
“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”
Once again it is the same word and the same meaning. So to walk in the Spirit is as exact as Jesus saying, “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Brethren, when Jesus tells us that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, He is saying much more. Loosely speaking as translated the Way means, “I am the WALK, the Path, The Road, the Journey, a means to an end, and the example that you are all to follow. You are to turn from yourselves and turn back to me by abstinence, no more sex, and leave it all behind just as Lot. Don’t look back even once, for anything. Accompany me as my disciple, and I will give unto thee Living waters which ye know not of. Come to me daily through self denial and taste and see that I am good. For my very words are Spirit and in them is life and that life is the light of men. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your better, more beautiful works, and by them behold the very Glory of God. The very will of God, even your sanctification is to abstain from sex. All the Law and the Prophets are fulfilled in me. I have given you a better way, a more glorious path to follow. Walk in me and you will have life. Repent, turn from yourselves and I will set you free.” “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” – John 8:36.
May you be blessed by the Fountain of Living Waters, the Word of God, even Jesus Christ Brethren.
The Bible Unveiled 