Galatianism vs lasciviousness

Feeling one has a 'license to sin' after salvation, will certainly hinder one's worship. We must have no presence of sin while at the throne of the Lord. We sit on His footstool totally forgiven, totally cleansed of all our many sins. So, when we sin anew, the footstool worship has ceased with that sin. The salvation may still be in tact, but the intimate worship is hindered, and the Holy Spirit is grieved.

We all do have the possibility of temptation. The devil is an ‘accuser’ and will come before God, as he did in the book of Job, and there boldly speak his lies and insinuations. Since the devil is so bold, do not think that even while you worship at the footstool, the devil will cease trying to tempt you to sin.

Many confuse temptation with sin. Temptation is not sin, it is the yielding to it that is sinful. Sin will not be in us while at the footstool, but temptation will be present. Jesus was baptized by John, the Spirit sat upon His head in the form of a dove, God spoke out of heaven confirming the deity of Jesus, and still, the next event was the Spirit led Jesus to the wilderness where He was tempted by the devil. Our spiritual victories will not guarantee a life free of temptation. In fact, the more victories we have in God, the more the devil will come to try to tempt us. Too often some have imagined that ‘footstool worship’ would eliminate the devil’s ability to tempt them.

No doomed sin is committed until a person chooses against God. The temptation itself is not sinful. The inner battle against temptation is not sinful. The argument against the devil is not sinful. Jesus rebuked and denied the devil while in the wilderness of temptation. So may we.

Being at the footstool makes the temptation far easier to reject. To be absent from the footstool makes it very hard to resist the temptation. If we sin the sin of lasciviousness, and allow ourselves to be in places and situations where sin is more likely, the temptation is far stronger against us.

James 1:13-15 (KJV)
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Lasciviousness is partaking of that which may not be sinful of itself, but tends to bring us into temptation, and it fosters sin.

The Bible warns of ‘sins of the flesh’. These sins are vital to resist. They seek to latch onto the Christian, and become hindrances to the footstool worship.

Galatians 5:19-21 (KJV)
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 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.

The sins of the flesh include:
1. Adultery which is the unlawful sexual relations between men and women, single or married
2. Fornication is the same as adultery above but also including all manner of other unlawful sexual relations.
3. Uncleanness is anything opposite of purity; including sodomy, homosexuality, lesbianism, inappropriate behavior with animals, i.e. all forms of sexual perversion.
4. Lasciviousness partaking of that which tends to produce lewd emotions, anything tending to foster sex sin and lust.
5. Idolatry is setting our affections on anything other than the Lord.
6. Witchcraft is the practice of dealing with evil spirits.
7. Hatred is enmity, bitter dislike, malice and ill will against anyone; it is the tendency to hold grudges against or be angry at someone.
8. Variance is the dissensions, discord, debating; and disputes with malice of heart.
9. Emulations are the envies, jealousies; striving to surpass and be perceived better than others; uncurbed rivalries in our endeavors.
10. Wrath is an indignation, fierceness, turbulent rage, and lasting anger.
11. Strife is the angry contention, disputations about words, a conquest for superiority, endeavors to revenge the wrongs done to one.
12. Seditions are divisions, factions, and the stirring up of strife.
13. Heresies are doctrines not in harmony with the Word of God, and that if believed, will doom one’s soul.
14. Envyings are jealousies at the good blessings of another.
15. Murders to kill, to hate and wish one dead.
16. Drunkeness is the slavery to drink, to drugs that affect the mind in intoxicating ways.
17. Revellings are boisterous feastings, with obscene words, obscene music and shameful carousing.

These things keep one from intimate worship. It is like the story of one who asked, ‘Can I wear a white shirt into the coal mine?’ The answer was obvious. ‘Yes, you can wear it in, but there is considerable to keep you from wearing a white shirt out.’

LEGALISM IS THE OTHER EXTREME FROM HAVING A LICENSE TO SIN, IT IS THE MAKING OF SOME LEVEL OF PERFECTION TO BE A MEANS OF SALVATION. THAT IS ERRANT ALSO.

Legalism hinders worship. We call this to be ‘galatianism’, for the church at Galatia tried to depend on good works for their salvation. Good works are found amidst those that are saved, but they do not save.

Ephesians 2:7-10 (KJV)
7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

We have been ‘created in Christ Jesus unto good works.’ We are not to credit ourselves, or our good works for our salvation. It is entirely mercy from God that saved us.

Galatians 5:1 (KJV)
1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Some try to get perfect before approaching God. If you try to become perfect before you come to the footstool, you will never reach the footstool.

Begin your approach to the footstool. As you come, accept the merciful forgiveness for all your failures. As you arrive, you will find that all sins have been cleansed away.

LEGALISM DOES NOT PRECEDE AND EARN SALVATION...

OBEDIENCE TO THE LORD, ALWAYS FOLLOWS SALVATION...

SANCTIFICATION IS THE PROCESS OF MAKING OBEDIENCE NATURAL
FOR THE CARNAL NATURE OF THE REDEEMED...

These truths are taught in the Galatians/Hebrews book of the New Testament. The truths taught therein validate those premises, and balance the 'works, faith, grace' argument.

Galatians and Hebrews were written to counteract legalism, and the opposite idea that one has a license to sin after salvation.

We are warned not to let it appear as though we think our works brought us salvation, and we are warned of thinking that after we have been saved and sanctified to think we can sin willfully, without consequence.

Hebrews 10:26-27 (KJV)
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

We are also warned to be careful to "not refuse Him Who is speaking."
In other words, Jesus is speaking, and our reaction to His words is vitally important. This is a message that we must hear, pay heed to, and act upon it. Many are not hearing the message of Jesus. John instructed us to allow Jesus to abide in us, and to allow His word to abide in us. Rejection and refusal of the message of the Lord has plagued Christianity.

There is a story told of a man from England, who went to the doctor to have his hearing checked. The doctor took the hearing aid out of his ear, and his hearing immediately improved. He had been wearing the hearing aid in the wrong ear.

In the same way, the Christian church which was supposed to aid our hearing of the words and message of Jesus, has sometimes been the reason that some have missed the real message of the Lord. Many today wonder why they do not know more about the Lord's true message. They have attended church for years, heard sermon after sermon, read their Bible... and therefore, why don't they know the answers, know what the Lord has been saying...

One man asked a pastor whether his church had a "deaf ministry." The minister replied that his whole ministry was a "deaf ministry... " "They don't seem to hear me."

There is a difference between "listening" and really "hearing"... Some listen to sermon after sermon, and yet do not hear the real message. Jesus often said:
"He who has ears to hear, let him hear..."

It takes more than physical ears to hear the voice of God, but it takes a receptive heart. Some do not, and will not receive the message of the Lord. Some have hardened their minds to the real message...

Hebrews 3:7-8
"Today, if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts..."

There is a profound message in the books of Galatians & Hebrews. Some (perhaps many) have avoided hearing the profound truths. Some are afraid, and others think it is too difficult, and too complicated a message.

Christ is the main theme.

Hebrews 1:1-3
"God, Who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, Whom He hath appointed Heir of all things, by Whom also He made the worlds. Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His Person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high."

Jesus is therefore presented as:
the spokesman for God,
the heir of all things,
the planner of the ages,
the reflection of God's glory,
the express image of God,
the One Who upholds all of creation,
the Savior of the world,
and the One Who has ascended up into heaven to be our Intercessor.


The word "better" is used 13 times in the book. It is translated from the Greek word "kreisson" which means "stronger, mightier, greater, superior, and more excellent."

Christ is presented "better" than:
the prophets (1:1-3)
the angels (1:4-2:18)
Moses (3:1-18)
Joshua (4:1-13)
High Priest (4:14-6:12)
Abraham (6:13-7:10)
Melchisedec (7:1-10)
Aaron and other priests (7:11-8:6)
the old covenant's sacrifices (8:7-10:39)
the old covenant's faith heroes (11:1-12:2)
parents and others (12:3-13:25).


Jesus Christ is also shown to be a "better' hope than we have had before His coming. Then Christ is shown that Christ is the Mediator of a "better" covenant. The book of Galatians/Hebrews evaluates the old covenant, and then shows how Jesus has fulfilled such types and has given us things much better. The word "perfect" is found 14 times in the book. Perfection is shown to be lacking in the Levitical priesthood, in the law, in the animal sacrifices, and in the old covenant. Jesus gave Himself and thereby "perfected forever them that are sanctified..." (Hebrews 10:14) We have all desired the "perfect" way, and strive to find how to have such... Jesus is presented as that Perfection, and His way is the perfect way.

Today, we see some profess in doctrine that works save one, and others go to the other extreme and say that after salvation, sinfulness is allowed, condoned, encouraged, or ignored. Neither are taught in the Bible. Salvation is by grace, obedience to the Lord naturally follows the transformation of that grace salvation. What once would have had to be forced upon one to not take the name of the Lord in vain, to not hate, kill, etc... is now natural in the renewed spirit of the saved. We were not saved by works, but were saved unto good works.

When we find such perfection, we naturally fear the loss of such. We want to be assured that we will not lose such perfection. The word "eternal" is found often in Galatians/Hebrews. Salvation is meant to be eternal.

Christ is shown to be the Author of the "eternal salvation" (Heb. 5:9).
Christ Jesus also "obtained eternal redemption" for us (Heb. 9:12).
Christ shares the "promise of eternal inheritance..." (Heb. 9:15).
The throne of the Lord is "forever (Heb.1:8).
Jesus is a "priest forever..." (Heb. 5:6).
And finally, the Lord is presented as "the same yesterday, today, and forever..." (Heb. 13:8).

When we look at the book as a whole, we see that Jesus Christ is presented as BETTER because His blessings and His covenant are ETERNAL and PERFECT.

Hebrews 13:22
"And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words."

An exhortation is a encouragement, a comfort, and a consolation. This book was not written to scare us, but to encourage us. We are to "encourage one another daily" (Heb. 3:13). We are reminded that we have a "strong encouragement" in Jesus (Heb. 6:18).

The focus of the book is on the future. It speaks of:
"the world to come" (2:5).
Jesus, the "heir of all things..." (1:2).
the "promise of eternal inheritance" (9:15).
the "city Whose Builder and Maker is God..." (11:13).
our being only "pilgrims and strangers on this earth..." (11:13).

The future is of vital importance to every saint. Too many are too earthly minded, too present and past oriented, and too prophetically ignorant to be of any heavenly use.

If Abraham allowed Lot to take the best lands, because He was so anxious to find the heavenly Jerusalem... (11:10),

if Moses could forsake the treasures of Egypt because he had "respect unto the recompense of reward..." (11:26)...

if Jesus could endure the cross "for the joy set before Him..." (12:2),

... THEN we must learn to get our eyes upon the future!

God is wanting to EXHORT US TO EXPECT A FUTURE COMING, A FUTURE HOME IN HEAVEN, AND A FUTURE VICTORIOUS KINGDOM. Salvation must never be deemed to be by our works, and sin must never be viewed as inconsequential to our walk with Him after salvation. Both legalism and lasciviousness are errant. We need the truth.

IN GALATIANS AND HEBREWS, PAUL SHOWS
THAT THE GREAT COVENANT WE NOW HAVE
FAR EXCEEDS THE FORMER COVENANT...

WE NOW ARE SAVED BY GRACE, NOT WORKS,
BUT THE WORKS COME AFTER SALVATION AS A
NATURAL RESULT OF OUR INNER CHANGE VIA THAT
SALVATION BY GRACE...


Hebrews 12:18-29
18. For we are not come unto the mountain (Mt. Sinai) that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest.
19. And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more;
20. (For they could not endure that which was commanded, and if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart;
21.And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake.
22. But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels.
23. To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect.
24. And to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh of better things than that of Abel.
25. See that ye refuse not Him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused Him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from Him that speaketh from heaven.
26. Whose voice then shook the earth; but now He hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only but also in heaven.
27. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
28. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
29. For our God is a consuming fire.


All through the book of Hebrews, Paul has been warning us that the key to finding, possessing, and keeping this new covenant is to not do as those of the old covenant did, and not heed the message of God.


We are told:

a. BEWARE OF DRIFTING FROM, OR NEGLECTING GOD'S WORD...



Hebrews 2:1-4
1. Therefore, we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
2. For if the Word spoken by the angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward.
3. How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
4. God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to His own will.

This is the first of the five admonitions of Paul, here in Hebrews, to pay attention, close attention to God's Word. First, he directs us to beware of drifting, neglecting the Word. Each further warning is stronger, until he warns against "defying" God's Word in chapter 12.

This warning is to believers, for he uses the word "we"...

We must beware of neglecting our salvation. As Christians, we do not normally "reject" God's Word, but many do "neglect" God's Word. When we neglect what God has told us, we can "let them slip" from us, and this is deadly. As a ship needs an anchor to keep it from drifting during the storm, so Christians need the Word, to keep them from drifting, and slipping away from the Lord.

The Word of God, its message of deliverance, is vitally necessary. We must beware of taking the Word of God for granted. If we neglect prayer, worship, and the Word... our salvation that was purchased at great price can be lost. Our salvation, when enjoyed and lived as the Word instructs, can bring great inheritance, power, and victory over the devil and his cohorts. Too many Christians are weak, ignorant, mortified, pew- sitters in the church... These W.I.M.P.S. are near to destruction and judgment.


b. BEWARE OF DOUBTING GOD'S WORD

Hebrews 3:7, 12
7. Wherefore, (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day, if ye will hear His voice...
12. Take heed, brethren, lest there be any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God...

This is the second of the five admonitions of Hebrews. The first pointed to the danger of drifting away from God's Word, and this one warns of doubting God's Word. To disbelieve the Lord when they faced the Promised land was the error of Israel in the wilderness. They were atop and near the victory, and yet turned back in disbelief. They said, "We are not able..." and then had to wander in the desert of unbelief. Many today are likewise in that wilderness wanderings, and though they were out of Egypt (a type of sin), they were not into a life of power.

The doubting of God's promises when faced with difficult times, was their sin that led to judgment. We must learn to take God's message and believe Him explicitly. The disbelieving heart becomes a hard heart... do not go back to milk, when God has led you to meat... It may seem easier, but it is a lonely, desolate wilderness experience, when we doubt what God has told us.


c. BEWARE OF BECOMING DULL AND SLUGGISH TOWARD THE WORD

The book of Hebrews warns us to "fear, lest, a promise being left of us entering into His rest, any of you should seem to come short of it... (Hebrews 4:1). Paul reminds us that the "Word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith..." (4:2). Therefore we are instructed to "labor... lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief..." (4:11). There is great danger of us becoming dull and sluggish toward the Word of God, and lose its blessings. "The Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper that any two-edged sword..." (4:12).

The problem is not with "dull" teachers, but with "dull hearers..." (5:11). The word "dull" could better be translated in our day as "slothful." Many do not want to listen to teachers who teach the unadulterated Word. Spiritual apathy and laziness prevent them from hearing the speakers of the truth of the Word.


Hebrews 5:11-12
11. Of Whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing...
12. ...ye have need that one teach you again...

Many today are likewise "dull" of hearing the true Word. They will listen to the heresies of the day. They want to be told how to be rich in carnal things, but do not want to hear about sin, about weeping for lost souls, etc.

Note how the Thessalonians listened to I Thessalonians 2:13:
"...when ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us: ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which effectually worketh in you that believe."

The Word of God is to work in us, and it will, when mixed with faith. It did so in the believers in Thessalonica, but it could not in the people in the wilderness, for they were slothful, dull, and sluggish toward the Word. The Word should excite us, enthuse us, empower us, and engender us toward more and more effectual work for the Lord. If it has not, it is because you have not learned to "labor" in the Word. You likewise must not have had "fear" of missing the "rest" that the Word could have engendered within you.

When Christians are "dull" toward Bible study, when they are sluggish and slothful in their study of the Word, they are immature, and on very dangerous ground. They are on more dangerous ground than the ones who "drifted" from the Word... and more than those who "doubted" God's Word... These who are "dull" of hearing are not hearing the truth by their slothfulness.


While these ones have been in the "faith" long enough that they should be teaching others the Word of God, they have an inability to share the truth, for they were "dull" when hearing the Word. Instead of being able to help others, they need to re-hear the truth of the Word of God. (See Hebrews 5:12)


They need to mature from the "milk of the Word" to the "meat of the Word." Only those who have gone through the painful "teething" time... who can enjoy a good steak. Too many avoid the painful teething time of spiritual maturity... and thereby, God can never get them to the "meat."

Hebrews 5:13-14
"For every one that useth milk, is unskillful in the Word of righteousness; for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who be reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."

When we use the Word, and apply it to our senses to discern good and evil... we mature... It is a painful process. Too many are "in-betweeners"... and live in-between Egypt and the Promised land... as did the "saints" in the wilderness.

We must "go on to perfection" (maturity) (Hebrews 6:1). Saints today need to make spiritual progress in the Word... and it is a painful process to be "teeth-ed"... and many would rather lie in the arms and protection of another, and be given the baby bottle of milk...!!! Slothful, dull, sluggish... non-maturing study of the Word... is not acceptable... but will be JUDGED BY GOD!


d. BEWARE OF DESPISING GOD'S WORD



SEE PART 2

PART 2

d. Beware of despising God's Word

Hebrews 10:26-39
26. For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.
27. But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses.
29. Of how much sorer punishment suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of Grace?
30. For we know Him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, the lord shall judge His people.
31. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32. But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;
33. Partly, whilst ye were made a gazing stock, both by reproaches and afflictions, and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.
34. For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
35. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.
36. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
37. For yet a little while, and He that shall come, will come, and will not tarry.
38. Now the just shall live by faith; but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
39. But we are not of them who draw back into perdition, but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

From the other three steps, one is led by the devil, to the despising of the Word of God. The are sinning willfully, and are hating the message of truth that God is trying to show them in the Word. To willfully sin thereby results in the loss of salvation. They trample underfoot the message of the Lord, they sin a sin that destroys their spiritual life.

There are many such willful sinners today still trying to maintain that they are part of a congregation, still saying their name is on the church roll... but the Lord is angrily telling us through Hebrews that they are bound for a "certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries..." (Hebrews 1:27)

God has spoken through the Word, and through prophetic messages, and given warnings, and admonitions... Some have hated such messages... and try to change the Word, leave out what they do not like in the Word, and try to add to it some bigoted, self-exalting messages... Examine the false doctrines of our day that are within congregations... and see how they have despised the Truth of the Word, and gone to heresies, false prophecies and their proponents... God is angry at such... more than we can imagine! He tells them:

Hebrews 10:31
"It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."

Why is God so angry? Consider these things:

Isaiah 63:10
"BUT THEY REBELLED, AND VEXED HIS HOLY SPIRIT; THEREFORE HE WAS TURNED TO BE THEIR ENEMY, AND HE FOUGHT AGAINST THEM."

A step beyond grieving the Spirit is "vexing" the Spirit. This comes from the Hebrew word, "atsab." It means to cause pain, to anger, to greatly displease. The Holy Spirit can be angered, and as a Person, and this wrong can bring consequences. To "vex" the Spirit will make the Spirit become the "enemy" instead of a "Comforter."


The sin of "vexing" the Spirit comes when the Spirit does great things for the saint. Then, in rebellion and in lack of appreciation, the saint turns away from the Spirit's leading and goes astray purposely. This is "vexing" the Spirit, and is a serious sin. To have the heavyweight boxing champion as your enemy would be frightening. Yet, to have the Almighty Spirit as your enemy is many times more terrifying.

Acts 7:51
"YE STIFF NECKED, AND UNCIRCUMCISED IN HEART AND EARS, YE DO ALWAYS RESIST THE HOLY SPIRIT, AS YOUR FATHERS DID, SO DO YE."

The same word for "resist" (anthistimi), is used in II Timothy 3:8:
"MOSES, SO DO THESE ALSO RESIST THE TRUTH..."
and also in James 4:7:
"RESIST THE DEVIL AND HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU..."

This word means- "to stand against, to oppose, to withstand." We are to oppose, and resist the devil. Some will oppose and resist what the Spirit is doing. If the Spirit is working and moving in a body of believers, to go against what He is trying to accomplish is "resisting." In many congregations, while the Spirit is trying to draw sinners to Christ, and showing them the love of the Lord; some so-called "saints" will send them out the other door by their judgmentalism, condemnation, berating, shunning, etc. How dangerous is this resisting of the Spirit's work!!!

The Scripture points out that this sin is in all generations. The "fathers" did this sin. The next, and every generation, will see some resist what the Spirit is doing. The Lord wants us to be sensitive to the Spirit. Some will be so insensitive to the Spirit that they will resist, and fight against what He is trying to accomplish. These people are called "stiffnecked." They are stubborn people refusing to bend to what the Spirit wants to do. Their "hearts" and "ears" are not consecrated to the Lord's work. The revival of the last days will reach its "double-portion" when the church is finally purified of those who resist the work the Spirit has always wanted to do.

Matthew 12:31
"WHEREFORE I SAY UNTO YOU, 'ALL MANNER OF SIN AND BLASPHEMY SHALL BE FORGIVEN UNTO MEN; BUT THE BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT SHALL NOT BE FORGIVEN UNTO MEN. AND WHOSOEVER SPEAKS A WORD AGAINST THE SON OF MAN, IT SHALL BE FORGIVEN HIM, BUT WHOSOEVER SPEAKS AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT, IT SHALL NOT BE FORGIVEN HIM, NEITHER IN THIS WORLD, NEITHER IN THE WORLD TO COME.'"

Mark 3:29
"BUT HE THAT SHALL BLASPHEME AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT HATH NEVER FORGIVENESS, BUT IS IN DANGER OF ETERNAL DAMNATION."

Blasphemy against the Spirit is sin, but not all sin against the Spirit is blasphemy. To utter words against God willfully, malignantly, and knowingly is blasphemy. Not one of the Trinity is more sacred, or more than equal than the others. So why is the blasphemy against the Spirit worse than blasphemy against Jesus or God the Father? It is because of their jobs. Jesus takes people to God. It is the Spirit that brings people to Jesus. So the "Initiator" is the Spirit. He starts the process of bringing people to salvation. He brings the conviction that makes one want to become saved. So if He is grieved so much that He ceases to make a person want to get saved, then that person will never repent to Jesus, so Jesus can forgive.

If a person blasphemes Christ, the Spirit is still working to bring the person to Jesus in repentance. If one blasphemes the Spirit, who then will convict that one to bring them to Christ for repentance???


The unpardonable sin causes the person to never again feel conviction. If one feels conviction, then that person has not sinned the unpardonable sin.


John 16:8-9
"WHEN HE IS COME, HE WILL REPROVE THE WORLD OF SIN..."

We need that reproof, and conviction. Without it, we will never repent. We won't want to repent.

Paul sinned the unpardonable sin, but he was forgiven because it was done ignorantly in unbelief.

I Timothy 1:13
"...BEFORE A BLASPHEMER...BUT I OBTAINED MERCY, BECAUSE I DID IT IGNORANTLY IN UNBELIEF."

So the Bible seems to indicate that this sin done in ignorance is not unpardonable. When done willingly, and knowingly, it is unpardonable.


Hebrews 10:26-29
"FOR IF WE SIN WILLFULLY, AFTER THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH, THERE REMAINETH NO MORE SACRIFICE FOR SINS, BUT A CERTAIN FEARFUL LOOKING FOR OF JUDGMENT AND FIERY INDIGNATION, WHICH SHALL DEVOUR THE ADVERSARIES.


To sin the unpardonable sin, we must have first been saved and sanctified. It is hard to believe that anyone would want to leave the Lord Who has so loved us. Yet, there are some who, for some reason, turn against the Lord. Then, in this rebellion, these former saints, blaspheme the Spirit who saved them. It is this last part, the sending away of the Holy Spirit, that is the unforgivable part. God can forgive people of terrible sins, but they must repent first. Without the Holy Spirit to cause one to regret their sin, they will not repent. These former Christians will never again want to repent.


The context of the passage in Hebrews 10 shows that it is a "drawing back" (vss. 38-39) that is the first step toward this unpardonable sin. Sometimes, it is a lack of patience in the midst of a trial, that causes Christians to "draw back" (vs. 36). Some have a hard time with the afflictions that come to us as Christians. We don't like being patient, awaiting the deliverance. It is by faith that we must live while we await a miracle of deliverance (vs.38). We, as saints, must beware of the very thought of slacking away from the Lord.

The slacking away from the Word of God, the drifting from God is the first step... This step, along with others, leads toward the unpardonable sin. The Lord was faithful to warn us of the possibility of it leading to the unpardonable sin. We must be wise and heed His warning. The consequences of failing to heed the Spirit are terrible.


To treat the Holy Spirit with flippancy, grieving and quenching, without being too concerned with how we have hurt the Person of the Holy Spirit, will lead us from one of these six sins against the Spirit to another. Finally, we will reach the final and devastating one. Let's cease to treat the Spirit lightly. Let's pay Him the proper respect and adoration!

As Christians, we try to think it impossible that any in "our church" have sinned this unpardonable sin. Yet, the Bible predicts that in the last days, there will be many in the churches that have apostatized. (II Peter 2, Jude 4, II Tim. 3:1-5, II Cor. 11:13-15, I Tim. 4:1-3, I Pet. 4:17-18, Matt. 7:15-23, Matt. 13) These are the ones who can continue to cause trouble, stir up strife, spiritually abuse others, gossip, etc. and never want to repent or change their ways. They can always claim to have found justification for living contrary to the two commandments of Jesus -- to love God supremely, and to love their neighbor as themselves. When the altars are empty of tears; when people shout, but can't weep over their own sins, or anyone else's; when judgmentalism is prevalent, but self examination isn't; then it is likely that some have committed the unpardonable sin - or are about to commit it.

As hard as it is to believe, the unpardonable sin is more common than we have thought.

The Lord warned in Matthew 13 that in the last days the "tares" would ripen and be more recognizable than in previous periods.

We are told in II Peter 2, that some false teachers would be at the church "feasts" or dinners.

In II Timothy 4, we are warned that in the last days some shall depart from the faith, following some latter day doctrines devised by demons to lead people from the truth of God's Word.

In I John 4, we are warned that these doctrines need to be tested and tried, because of their deceptiveness.

In II Corinthians 11:13-15, we are warned that some will appear as "ministers of righteousness," and "apostles of Christ."

see part 3

Over and over the Bible encourages us to "watch," (gregoreo, = stay awake). The deceitfulness of some former Christians (who have lost the possibility of ever finding salvation again, because of their sinning of the unpardonable sin) is great. They may be able:
to do Christian service,
to hold church positions,
to weep (not in repentance, but in feeling sorry for themselves),
to carry on a hypocritical pretense of serving God,
etc.;
but in reality- they have lost God! There are many that, perhaps have not sinned the unpardonable sin yet, are so close to this terrible sin, that only a revival of great proportions may save them from pushing a little farther in resisting the Holy Spirit to the unpardonable sin. God is sending them messages, dreams, visions, and prophets to warn them. I pray, they listen!!!


e. BEWARE OF DEFYING THE WORD OF GOD

Hebrews 12:20, 25
20. For they could not endure that which was commanded...
25. See that ye refuse not Him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused Him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from Him that speaketh from heaven.

This covenant that is new, and greater than any old covenant of the Old Testament. The people of the Old Testament often defied the message and Word of God, and worked in direct opposition against the message of God. This opposition caused God to turn against the ones of that covenant. God offers a new covenant that is far greater than the old one, but we must likewise beware of losing it by sinfulness, as did those of the former covenant.


Too many of this new covenant think that God would never judge us... and they live carelessly. Look at the local congregations, and, if honestly viewed, we will observe many, parishioners and ministers, who have become the tares, hypocrites, trouble-makers, Pharisaical apostates. Why are we not warning them? Why are we not preaching this message, as found here in Hebrews, in unadulterated fashion?


This new covenant is wonderful. It is far greater than the former one. We need to see how much greater it is!


Our Mt. Sion in heaven is far greater than the earthly Mt. Sinai wherein the earlier saints received their Word from God. We are receiving a far greater and more powerful Word from the Lord. Moses faced the revelation on Mt. Sinai with terror... but we can "boldly come before the Lord". We are the "church of the firstborn" (the inheritors) (Heb. 12:23). We are part of the group that are to have the "double-portion":
if we do not drift from the Word of God,
if we do not doubt the Word of God,
if we do not become dull of hearing the Word of God,
if we do not despise His message,
and if we do not defy His Word, and try to live without its power and help in these day,
then we will receive the power of God.


God's Word, and His Word of Truth is shaking all that can be shaken. The Mt. Sinai shook under His Word... and the present revelation of His Word during this time of the "double portion" will shake all that can be shaken. We are part of the unshakable. We can be unshakable, if we search the Word for the power of God, the wisdom of God, and the message of authoritative potency!


If we do not really listen and understand the message of the Lord, we will fail, as did those of the former covenant. We need to yield to God's Word, and not drift, stagnate, or be apathetic. Neglect of the message leads to drifting. Drifting causes us to doubt, for faith comes by hearing the Word of God (romans 10:17), and if we neglect such Word, our faith will turn to doubt.

This doubt causes a hard heart, a mind that is dull toward the Word of God. Dullness leads to despising the Word, and that leads to defying His Word. This step by step rebellion against God's message to those of the new covenant, is what the book of Hebrews is trying to get us to avoid.

Hebrews 10:30
"the Lord shall judge His people..."

The former covenant was judged by God and found wanting. Our generation is about to be judged, and the yieldedness to the Word, or the neglect, the dullness and unawareness of His Word, and the rebellion against the Word will be judged.

WHILE SOME ARGUE ALL THEIR LIVES, NEGLECTING SO MUCH ELSE, OVER GALATIANISM, VERSUS LASCIVIOUSNESS, THE TWO EXTREMES OF CHRISTIANITY, THEY MISS SO MUCH OF THE BLESSED REALITIES.

PAUL EXPLAINS PART OF THE TRUTH IN THE FIRST TWO CHAPTERS OF HEBREWS:
Hebrews 1:1-2:18

Hebrews 1:4
"Being made so much better than angels, as He hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they..."

Angels were very important in the Jewish religion. Consider that when God gave the law to Moses, on Mt. Sinai, many angels were in assistance.

Deuteronomy 33:2
"And he said, the Lord came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; He shined forth from mount Paran, and He came with ten thousands of saints (angels); from His right hand went fiery law for them."

Psalms 68:17
"The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels; the Lord is among them, as in Sinai in the holy place."

Acts 7:53
"Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it."

YET, CHRIST IS SUPERIOR TO ANGELS:

Jesus is the Son of God.
Psalms 2:7
"Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee."

Jesus was the eternal God, but at a designed time in history, He was implanted into the womb of Mary, and became the Son. The angels are "sons of God", because of being created by the Trinity. Jesus was the Creator Who became the Son of God, the angels were the sons of God because they were created by deity.

Hebrews 1:10-12
"And Thou Lord, in the beginning hath laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the works of Thy hands."


Hebrews 1:6 (KJV)
6 And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.

Jesus is the "firstborn" but He receives worship. The word "firstborn" does not mean that He had a beginning, as in a birth. But the word "firstborn" does not mean "born first". Solomon was called the "firstborn, but was actually born tenth. (I Chronicles 3:1-5).

The firstborn is the child that receives the inheritance and blessings.

Jesus is the 'first' to obtain the 'inheritance' of victory over the devil, but all of us who are Christians, have joined in inheriting the birthright.

Angels are to worship this Jesus.

Deuteronomy 32:43
"...lets the angels pay Him homage."

Jesus is served by the angels.

Hebrews 1:6-7
"And let all the angels of God worship Him. And of the angels, He saith, Who maketh His angels spirits an His ministers a flame of fire."

The angels sometimes served Jesus while on the earth. (Matthew 4:11, Luke 22:43) They serve Him and also serve us now.

Christ is sovereign, and angels are servants.

Hebrews 1:13-14
"...are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth (Greek = apostello = to send forth as a messenger with a commission) to minister for them that shall be heirs of salvation."

They are angelic apostles, sent forth, as are the apostles, to minister and start works for God.

Jesus is a God Who is enthroned, and is anointed. Angels minister before the throne, and they do not sit upon the throne.

Hebrews 1:8-9
"But unto the Son, He saith; Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever; a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even Thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows."


Hebrews 2:1-4
"Therefore, we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression an disobedience received a just recompense of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him.
God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to His own will."

Because of what happened to many of the angels, we need to HEED THE WORD, and not drift. If we do not pay attention to the revealed Word of God, and obey it, we could fall as did many of the angels of God.

THIS DOES NOT TEACH LASCIVIOUSNESS, NEITHER DOES IT TEACH GALATIANISM. THOSE TWO EXTREMES ARE 'UNTAUGHT' IN GALATIANS AND IN HEBREWS.

This is written to believer (2:1), for it uses the word "we". And for every believer there is a danger of losing salvation, if we neglect it, and drift, and allow things to slip from us.

In Hebrews, their are five separate admonitions concerning the Word, and this is the first to be issued.

Here, we are told to not let the Word and its admonitions drift from us, and each additional admonition gets stronger, until, in 12:14-29 we are told to not "defy" the Word. Few start out defying God's Word, but a progressive waywardness can lead us to such a defiance. The secret is to avoid the first steps... and thereby never reach the last ultimate dangers.

Rejecting of the Lord, and rejecting of His Word, begins with the NEGLECTING of the same. The letting of the important things in life to "slip" from us, allows us to be like a ship with no anchor... drifting into dangerous waters. The Word of God is like an anchor to our souls.

BOTH EXTREMES OF GALATIANISM AND OF LASCIVIOUSNESS, BEGIN WITH NEGLECTING, REJECTING, DEFYING THE WORD OF GOD.

Too many saints think that the sins of neglecting the Word, the ministry of the Word by God's servants, and the living of the Word by ourselves are small sins. Many think that the sins of the heathen, the unsaved make the sins of neglecting the Word to look small. This is false... unscriptural... and foolish... For "to whom much is given, much is required." We who have been given salvation, the Word of God, and the ministry of the Holy Spirit are to beware for the littlest sin is judged so much more critically than those seemingly flagrant sins of the world.

Beware of taking the Word of God for granted. The angels of God, including Lucifer, stood face to face with God, and knew His power, love, wisdom, and laws. Yet, many of them failed, sinned, and rebelled. How foolish! We, could likewise, take our salvation, our blessings, and our great inheritance from God for granted, and lose it.

Many angels fell with Lucifer. They were corrupted, after having served God for many millennia. They were therefore judged.

Hebrews 2:5-9
5. "For unto the angels hath He not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.
6. But one in a certain place testified, saying What is man that Thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that Thou visitest him?
7. Thou madest him a little (while) lower than the angels; Thou crownest him with glory and honor, and didst set him over the works of Thine hands.
8. Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.
9. But we see Jesus, Who was made a little (while) lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

The humanity of Jesus enabled Him to regain the dominion that mankind had forfeited through sin. The writer, Paul, quotes Psalms 8:4-6 here, and explains why Jesus chose to become a man, placing Himself lower than the angels, for a time, so the dominion lost by Adam and Eve (Genesis 1:26-31) could be regained.

God never promised to give dominion of this earth to angels, but to mankind. We should not have lost dominion, and yet, sin forfeited our great power in this earth. Jesus came and lay claim to this dominion as a man, even before the crucifixion. He had dominion over the fish (Luke 5:1-11, Matthew 17:24-27).

Man was put in the garden of Eden, with power, honor, and glory. Man lost his crown, and became a slave to sin, and subject to death. Jesus regained that glory, power, and honor. We share this kingdom that He has regained.

Revelation 1:5-6
"And from Jesus Christ, Who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father."

Hebrews 2:10-13
10. For it became Him, for Whom are all things, and by Whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory,, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
11. For both He that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one; for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren.
12. Saying, I will declare Thy name unto My brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto Thee.
13. And again, I will put my trust in Him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.

The humanity of Jesus enabled Him to bring many of mankind to glory. Christ is united with us, and we are "brethren." We share His nature, and have a right to the glory that He has. He had to become man to share this with us.

Hebrews 2:14-16
14. Forasmuch, then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, the devil;
15. And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
16. For verily, He took not on Him the nature of angels; but He took on Him the seed of Abraham.

His humanity enabled Him to disarm Satan and to deliver mankind from sin and its penalty. Angels cannot die, and if Jesus had come as an angel, He would not have been able to die for us... Jesus did not die for angels, but for mankind. They do not have redemption possible, as do we.

The above verse 14 says that Jesus came to "destroy" the devil. This word does not mean "to annihilate" but it means "to render inoperative, to make of none effect."

We have power over even one of the former "arch-angels". Lucifer, now known as Satan, must flee we puny human beings, when Jesus dwells within us, for He became a man, and shares His victory over the devil with us.

Jesus did not take on the nature of angels, but stooped lower than the angels, and took on human nature. But in His sinless life, His vicarious death for us, we share now in power even over the mightiest of angels.

Hebrews 2:17-18
17. Wherefore, in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
18. For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succor them that are tempted."

The Lord Jesus is now able to be a sympathetic high priest to His people. Angels cannot identify with our pain, our suffering, our nature, but Jesus can. Jesus came to be one of us, so that He could easily share and know our feelings. He experienced weariness, hunger, thirst, temptation. He was despised and rejected. He was lied about, and falsely accused. He suffered physical abuse and death. All this was training for Him to be our high priest.

As a mother or father of an infant knows the cry of their child, and can distinguish between a cry for attention, and a cry of trouble and despair, so the Lord is able now to know when we cry out to Him what our need truly is. He is able to "succor" us, and this comes from a Greek word that means "to run to the cry of a child."

It is marvelous that Jesus can be so faithful, merciful, and sympathetic with us. And the plan of God to have Jesus become for a while, lower than the angels, was a plan only possible through the great wisdom of an omniscient God. Man would never have been able to devise such a wise and wonderful plan.

Jesus did what angels could not do, He did what mankind had been unable to do, and therefore, His plan was not foolish, but brilliant beyond description. We now have the possibility to share the nature of God, because Jesus came to share the nature of mankind.

The sharing of that nature does not make us to be a 'God', it makes us sharers of the inheritance earned by our Lord for us. It does not make us free to sin, for sin is still the culprit that can rob us of our inheritance. It does not mean we are saved by good works, it means that Jesus did the great work that gave us this inheritance. So galatianism is wrong, lasciviousness is wrong, and the truth taught in the Word is wonderful

CHRIST FULFILLED WHAT MOSES ONLY COULD PROPHESY ABOUT...

GRACE HAS ALWAYS BEEN WHAT SAVES US...
GOOD WORKS NEVER SAVED ANYONE,
BUT EVERYONE THAT GETS SAVED,
IS SAVED UNTO GOOD WORKS...​

Hebrews 3:1-18

The Jewish people loved Moses. His books were revered as no others... Many Jewish converts were tempted to go back to the law of Moses, or to at least incorporate it more fully into their new-found Christian beliefs.

Moses had been a fantastic saint. He was the one:

Moses was born about 1500 years before the Lord's first coming. He was born both the grandson and great grandson of Levi, the son of Jacob. He was the son of Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, and of Amram, the grandson of Levi.

The devil, knowing it was near the time prophesied that a deliverer would come to take Israel back to the promised land, was using the Pharaoh to kill the new born sons of the Israelites. Hidden among the reeds, discovered by the Pharaoh's daughter, loved and raised by this Hatsheput of Egypt, Moses received the education of the next Pharaoh of the land...

Twice Moses tried to deliver Israel, and with the killing of an Egyptian tried to show his people he was ready to step forth and help them. Yet, the people were reluctant to trust anyone to help them. Thirty years prematurely, a group of Ephraimites had miscalculated the year of deliverance, and attempted to leave Egypt. Their escape plan failed dismally. When Moses attempted to lead them, they shied away fearfully.

Moses retreated to the desert and to Ethiopia. Finally, he married Zipporah, and God called him from the burning bush. Then as he returned to Egypt, God sent plagues to encourage the Pharaoh to allow Israel to leave the land.

Judgment against the Egyptians finally weakened their grip upon God's people. Moses led a people that had 600,000 men, plus women and children. These people wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, and though they saw:

God come to the top of Mt. Sinai and miraculously give the commandments and the plans for the tabernacle...

water come from a rock, after Moses struck the rock with his rod...


At the end of the forty years, the next generation were more ready to step forth in faith with Joshua, but their numbers were relatively the same. Moses ended his ministry with a farewell speech in which he:



Then Moses went to Mount Nebo, he died, and God buried him secretly, so the body or burial site could not be venerated above measure.

Moses viewed the land of promise from that mountain before he died (Deuteronomy 34:1-4). His last words showed that his heart was with his people. This view of the land was a partial reward to Moses. There is a note of sadness, in that Moses only could view the land, and not go with his people to possess the land.

God did forgive the sin of Moses, but some penalties are to be borne as with:

Samson...
who had been given strength but was still blind when he died...

Adam and Eve,
one sin drove them from the garden of Eden, but though they were given coats of skins to cover their nakedness, they could not return to the garden...


When Moses died, it was not from old age. He was 120 years old, but his eyes were clear, he was full of youthful vigor and freshness. The wrinkles of age were not upon him. He died the youngest of his kindred...



Moses died on the same day on which he was born 120 years earlier... He was promoted to paradise, and unable to enter the land for he had sinned against God's plan. Many others in Israel were likewise judged for their sin of murmuring and doubt. God is no respecter of persons... God's justice counted the sin of Moses striking the rock for a second time to be severe for it broke the type and shadow of truth that God was showing to those people and to all generations since... God's justice does not allow Him to favor one, and judge others... His salvation is all mercy, but His rewards are based on our works, and His punishments are given for disobedience. Moses was saved, promoted to paradise, later allowed to stand on the Mt. of Transfiguration with the Lord, and now awaiting the rest of us in heaven...

Do you suppose that Moses was satisfied with just this glimpse into the promised land? Are any of us ever satisfied with the blessings of God here on this earth? There is a dissatisfaction because we now see "as through a glass darkly", and we long for the fuller blessings that await us in our soon coming time of eternal victory.

This man named Moses has been loved greatly by people of that day, and also of our own...

Deuteronomy 34:10-12
"And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, in all the signs and the wonders, which the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land. And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses shewed in the sight of all Israel."

To prevent veneration and glorification of the man, God chose to bury him secretly. A greater than Moses was to come, and God did not want, nor would Moses have wanted, to let this loved intercessor and deliverer of his people to shadow the great One Who would come for the ultimate deliverance of the people.

Moses had some great qualities that marked him as a man of God.
He was:
obedient...
Moses was obedient in returning to Egypt, confronting an angry and evil Pharaoh, interceding for Israel even when they murmured against him, and faithfully leading them for 40 years...

unselfish...
Moses was not bitter even when he was refused entrance to the land he so longed to go. Moses gave glory to God, and not to himself for all the things that had occurred.

sensitive...
Moses was sensitive to the needs of the people, and carried their burdens to God in intercessory prayer...

confident...
Moses was confident in God's wisdom, and though he could easily have yielded to doubt and despair, he bore the weight of leading several million people across a desert for 40 years...


COMPARING MOSES AND THE LORD JESUS



Moses came to announce the law, and to announce God’s plan for grace. Law saved no one then, nor now. The TABERNACLE IN THE WILDERNESS, was teaching that salvation came from the mercy of God accepting the blood of lambs for grace to the sinner. The Lamb of God was to later come and fulfil in type what the plan of grace shared by Moses prophesied.

On the mount of transfiguration, there was a wonderful discussion, which I wish some would have stayed awake to relate to us. There, Moses and Elijah spoke of ‘things to come’, which included, I am sure, the discussion of the passion week, the offering of the Lamb that was so long before instituted in type in the tabernacle, temple worship.

Now we see what Moses could only speak of in type.

Now we enjoy the fullness of grace, of which Moses was shown only in type.

Now, grace is fulfilled, and then in Moses’ day, it was only pictured.

Salvation has always been by ‘grace’. We and none of them then, were saved by the law. Grace now makes obedience to the commands of Jesus easy, for we have a changed nature. Too many then, and far to many now, get the idea they can be saved by keeping the law. They failed then, they fail in the now. We have grace to save us ‘unto good works’, and to many still avoid the grace of THE LAMB, and try to be saved ‘by good works’.

The new covenant unveiled the old one. It did not change the plan of salvation, it further revealed it. The picture is no longer needed, we have the real Person, the real Lamb of God.

Galatianism tried to take some back to a misunderstanding of the old covenant. They saw the law as salvation instead of Jesus. Lasciviousness goes to the other extreme, and tries to see that no one needs to obey the commands of our Lord after salvation. That kind of 'salvation' is illegitimate, for if there were no transformation at what some call salvation, then sinfulness would be condoned still. Yet, when we are saved by grace, through the Lamb of God, we are at that same time, saved 'unto good works', and they are evident in all of the ones saved by grace.

CHRIST GIVES FAR MORE REST AND PROSPERITY THAN DID JOSHUA

in Hebrews 4:1-14, we find Paul proclaims that Joshua was used to give Israel rest and prosperity from the long, dry, arduous times in the wilderness. They were delivered from Egypt while in the wilderness, like we are saved when we accept Jesus and repent of the sins of the world. Yet, they were not prospering in the blessings of their salvation yet.

Some think of prosperity only in terms of large bank accounts, mansions, and yachts. Yet, spiritual prosperity is the overcoming power of living in a sanctification possible but not claimed by all. There is a 'rest' from the struggle from sin and its degrading consequences.

Israel was ready to enter the land. They had been slaves in Egypt. Moses had been sent by God to lead the people of God from their bondage. Israel was finally delivered following plagues against Egypt, a Passover of the death angel for God's people, and a parting of the Red Sea. The wilderness journey was meant to last two years, but was changed to a 40 year wandering.

In the wilderness, God tried His people. The people were a real trial to God... for they grieved the Lord, and provoked Him.

Hebrews 3:8-11
"Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness; when your fathers tempted Me, proved Me, and saw My works forty years. Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do always err in their heart; and they have not known My ways. So I sware in My wrath, They shall not enter in to My rest."

They refused to enter the promised land, for 10 of the 12 spies lacked faith... The Lord's anger resulted in the whole generation dying in the desert, except for the two faithful spies... Joshua and Caleb.

Joshua was appointed leader, after the death of Moses.

Joshua 1:1-2
"Now after the death of Moses, the servant of the Lord, it came to pass, that the Lord spake unto Joshua, the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying; Moses, My servant is dead, now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel."

There was a promise made to Joshua. He was told to be brave and to have faith. He was to obey the laws of God. Joshua was instructed to meditate on the Word of God. He was not to fear, for God is ever-present.


Joshua 1:6-9
"Be strong and of a good courage; for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law which Moses, My servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein; for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the Lord, thy God is with thee, whithersoever thou goest."

This prosperity is not counted in dollars, but in 'being strong', in meditating and obeying the Word of God... and the blessings of victory over sin, holy living abound in a prosperity unknown to the world. They struggle and struggle with sin, but the prosperous, blessed, sanctified life of the promised land is beyond their measure. Occasional falls come, ones can slip and err, but the prosperity of promised land living is an ease when compared to wilderness struggles.

The people consecrated themselves... and promised to hearken to the leadership of Joshua.

Joshua 1:16-18
"...All that thou commandest us we will do...According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee... Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment... he shall be put to death..."

The people then proceed to enter the land by the power of God.

Joshua 3:17
"And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan."

The time of the year was the time of the flooding of the Jordan... The snows were melting in the mountains, and the run offs were swelling the Jordan River... The spring rains also were adding to much run off... Yet, despite the flooding waters, the waters of the Jordan parted, and the children of Israel entered the land of promise on dry ground.

Next, Joshua had them erect a memorial. Twelve stones were erected at the spot of the crossing. This was to be a memorial so later generations could be reminded of the victory that God had done. Too often we forget the victories that God has given us... We need to take times, each week to just remind ourselves of the great blessings of the past in our own lives... Your miracle of salvation, past healings, past deliverances, and past blessings of the Lord should be reveled in over and over... We need to show the Lord we have not forgotten His blessings.

Joshua 4:6-8
"That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying: What mean ye by these stones? Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of he Lord; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off; and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel forever. And the children of Israel did as Joshua commanded... And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood; and they are there unto this day."

As they began to live in that new land, they were shown many great victories... Yet, these victories came with a first revelation... for the manna ceased. Now it was time to gather fruit from the trees, from the vines, and from the gardens, all of which required labor... The manna had fallen, without any more work than to gather the already prepared food... Now gardens and orchards would need care, nurturing, pruning, and weeding.

The manna was heavenly provision for a wilderness people. The manna was a blessing, but God brings us to a place where He desires to see our fruit... We should begin to labor for the Lord... No longer should we be "pew fillers..." doing no more than being in the place of blessing.... There is a time that God will demand that we be "gap fillers" and get out into the work of the husbandry of God. Whereas, in our early salvation we were like sponges, soaking up the abundant revelation and blessing poured out by the Lord, now - the Lord wants us to plant, to water, to weed, and to prune - in His garden... We will feast on the fruit of such labors, and we will find a higher level of salvation than we had with the manna...

Do not always remain a "wilderness Christian". Become a "promised land" Christian. Some look back at great victories, but God wants a fruitful life. Before the people lived on 'manna', now they live on 'fruit'... they abide in a land of fruitfulness. In Jesus, Who far surpasses what Joshua showed Israel in type, we now have the fruit of the Spirit, the gifts of the Spirit, the sanctified and full of grace life that all that was only a picture of.

Galatianism is expelled, for the work to earn this was already done... lasciviousness, or a license to sin is not a consideration, for the gratefulness of the magnanimous gift of this prosperous spiritual living keeps us wanting to serve and obey our Lord.

Joshua 5:11-12
"And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn in the selfsame day. And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year."

see part 2

Then Joshua needed to begin his time of leading the children of Israel. He needed direction from the Lord, and therefore Joshua was visited by a pre-incarnate revelation of the Lord Jesus... The Captain of the Lord of Hosts met Joshua, and stood there with a sword in His hand, showing to Joshua that He was ready to defend and protect His people...

Joshua 5:13-15
"And it came to pass when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked and, behold, there stood a MAN over against him with His sword drawn in His hand; and Joshua went unto Him, and said unto Him, Art Thou for us, or for our adversaries? And He said, Nay; but as the Captain of the host of the Lord, am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto Him, What saith my Lord unto His servant? And the captain of the Lord's host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so."

This 'Captain' gave Joshua his first instructions (see Joshua 6:1-5), and told him how to proceed in waging the war against the evil Canaanites... Joshua was told to encompass Jericho, and have a victory march about the city... The battle had not yet started, and yet, a victory march was to be held... for the faith of the people needed to be so sure of God's deliverance... that the outcome was certain to them...

Doubters and complainers will be sent back to the wilderness, they are not ready yet for the promised land... They were to march in faith, glorying in the victories not yet experienced... We need to remember this lesson that the Captain taught to Joshua...

The people were not to receive any personal gain from the victory of the Lord... and no spoils were to be taken for themselves from Jericho when its walls fell (Joshua 6:17-19). Too often we find some of today who want personal gain, glory, or reward from the Lord... All is to be done for God... All gain is to be given to Him.

When Jericho's walls fell (Joshua 6:20-21), the total victory was given to the faithful and patient... Some likely were tempted to complain on the 4th, 5th, and 6th days... Finally, on the seventh day, when they were told to march around that large city 7 times... some were probably thinking "Where is the Lord's victory???" and "We never should have left the wilderness, we look like 'fools' here marching around rejoicing in a victory we have not seen.

Joshua led them in many campaigns against the enemies... Not all were conquered the same way... Some were conquered with divine help, as Jericho. Some, as at Gibeon, the Lord miraculously changed the solar system, by stopping the rotation of the earth, and the sun seemed to stand still in the midst of heaven... Some of the foes required them to take up sword, and to fight mightily with the skill and power of the Lord...

The Lord did not have the land conquered in a day... nor in a year. At the death of Joshua, it was said: "there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed..." So it is with our lives... we would like the battles to be over... and yet our lives are constant, never ceasing battles.

After many victories, Joshua told Israel to remember all God had done. In Joshua 24:1-26, Joshua told them to remember how God had gathered Israel, blessed Abraham, Isaac and Jacob... He told them to remember that God had used Moses and Aaron to bring them from Egypt. The Amorites had been defeated. Balaam had been unable to curse them. The Jordan had been crossed, and many victories had been given of God. The possessions they now had were the benefits of serving this God...

The prosperity of the saints, who enter the promised land experience, is the victory in the battles. There are still battles, yet, we prosper in victories.

After all that God had done for them, Joshua pleads, they should give themselves in return... and he challenges them.

Joshua 24:14-20
"...choose you this day whom ye will serve."

The people answered:

Joshua 24:21-25
"...we will serve the Lord... So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day and set them a statute..."

The covenant that God made with these people was a personal choice for them, and was to be permanently binding. We too are to make a covenant with the Lord, and He has offered such to us. We need to make the covenant with God and make it binding forever. If we fail the covenant of the Lord, we would lose much. We cannot afford to allow our victories to be overturned.

The writer of the book of Hebrews, tells the people to whom he spoke to "fear".

Hebrews 4:1-8
"Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into His rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was this gospel preached, as well as unto them, but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said; As I have sworn in My wrath if they shall enter into My rest; although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For He spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise. And God did rest the seventh day from all His works. And in this place again, If they shall enter into My rest. Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief; Again, He limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day, if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts. For if Jesus (this is the Greek for Joshua, and Joshua is the one meant) had given them rest, then would He would not afterward have spoken of another day."

The Jews of the day of Joshua failed to enter into the rest that was possible even them.. We should fear missing the rest (submission rest) that we have. They were to follow the leadership of Joshua, who was a type of Jesus... They failed to continue in the covenant that he challenged them to accept.

We should have a holy fear in us that we could likewise miss this "rest". Many of the people of the times of Paul were not afraid of missing the "rest"offered by Jesus... but were tempted to go back to the "rest" offered in the times of Joshua.

We should give diligence, pay close attention, and persevere in find all that God wants us to have in this age.

Hebrews 4:9-13
"There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from His. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. For the Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight, but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with Whom we have to do."

The Word of God, like a "sword" exposes our hearts, and cuts open our innermost thoughts and feelings. We must labor to listen to the Word, trust in the Word, understand the Word, and obey the Word of God.

Joshua told them to pay attention to the Word of God, but the writer of the book of Hebrews says that we must all work in the Word, to cut out unbelief and doubt. Faith and rest are found in the Word of God... for they are partners. We will have victory in battle, if we are obedient to the One Who is the embodiment of the Word of God...

As we are made naked, uncovered, and open in His sight, we need only to stay in the Word, and abide within Jesus Christ. Christ is greater than Joshua, for Joshua had met the One Who embodied the Word, when he met the "Captain", and Joshua could tell them to stay in covenant with Him... But Jesus is the Word, He is the "rest".

Joshua led them to the "rest" known as the Promised Land, but Jesus has a promised rest for us yet to come... He had the MILLENNIAL REST OF 1000 YEARS... While we are awaiting that rest, He has provided a rest from the labor of sinfulness, we enter into His 'work', we do not work to be saved. We have battles, but we have the Captain of the Lord of hosts leading us. He has a rest that is far beyond what Joshua gave... We must "labor therefore to enter into that rest."

In deference to the rules, this thread is not appropriate now, and I ask the moderators to please close it, at the request of the OP... Thank you for the rule update, and I think having threads in a proper location, will help.

God bless...