Because I Love You

[Christsfreeservant]

Colossians 1:13-14 ESV

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.​

Jesus Christ, God the Son, didn’t just save us from the punishment of sin, but he delivered us from the complete and absolute ownership, power and control of darkness (sin, evil, wickedness) over our lives. Amen!

And, he didn’t just forgive our sins and promise us eternal life with God in heaven, but he transferred (relocated, moved, reassigned) us to the kingdom of Christ. He turned us from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that we could receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 26:18).

In other words, our old lives were done away with when we put our trust in Jesus Christ, for we died with Christ to sin. And, we were resurrected with Christ to newness of life, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. And, this is the “good news” of the gospel! We are saved from our sins so that sin is no longer our master, but that Jesus Christ is our Lord.

For, when he redeemed us with his blood, he bought us back for God, that we might be God’s possession, and that our lives would no longer be our own to be lived how we want, but that we would now live our lives for the Lord, for what he wants, and for his glory and praise. Amen!

Colossians 1:15-20 ESV

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.​

Jesus Christ (God) is absolutely sovereign and in control over all things, over all our circumstances, and over all rulers and powers on this earth and in the heavenly realms. Nothing can happen in our lives except that our Lord allows it to happen, for Satan has no power over God. Satan can only go as far as what God allows. God always puts limits on evil, even though he has allowed, and he will allow evil to have much dominion and control.

Jesus Christ is the head of the body of Christ, his church. And, he is to be first and foremost in the life of the believer in Jesus. Yet, much of the church has joined (partnered) with the government, and the world of big business, and they have turned the church into a marketplace. And, they have altered the gatherings of the church to appeal to the world. And, thus they have also diluted the gospel message to make it more acceptable to the world.

Because so much of the church has deserted Jesus Christ as their first love, and as their only Lord, and they have followed after humans and false gods, instead, they have taken on the character, attitudes, thinking and behaviors of the world, too, so that many who call themselves Christians look and act no different from those who make no profession of Christ at all.

And, because they are walking the same pathway that the world is walking, they are headed in the direction of following the antichrist, instead, and of becoming his worshipers. For, they have deserted the Lord in favor of what the world is offering them, and so they are moving away from Christ to what is antichrist, and they are on very dangerous ground.

Colossians 1:21-23 ESV

And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.​

We truly need to get this!! We ONCE were alienated and hostile in mind towards God, and doing evil deeds, etc. This should not still describe the life of a true follower of Jesus Christ! The whole purpose of Jesus dying on the cross for our sins was to deliver us from our slavery to sin so that we could now become bond-servants of his righteousness. So, our testimonies should be that we ONCE were hostile to God, doing (practicing) evil deeds.

So, it is those of us who ONCE were hostile in mind towards God and doing evil deeds, but who have since died with Christ to sin, and have been resurrected with him to new lives in him, to be lived to his righteousness, who he has now reconciled (made submissive, reunited us) to God.

And, he did this in order that we might be holy, blameless and above reproach before him, but not just positionally, but in action (in our conduct). For, we are to be holy in all of our conduct, scripture teaches. And, being holy means living our lives separate (unlike, different) from the world because we are being conformed to the likeness of Christ. So, we are not to be like the world in character, thinking, attitudes and/or behaviors.

So, this reconciliation to God is conditional. We have to continue in the faith, stable and steadfast. For, our salvation is not a one-time event, then we are good to go, and we can then live however we want from that point forward. We have to continue in our walks of faith, and we have to walk according to the Spirit and not according to the flesh if we want to have eternal life with God. For, if we shift from the truth of the gospel to a gospel which says we can live however we want, then we need to know we are believing a lie.

Colossians 1:24-29 ESV

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.​

Why does the Lord have me write what I write every day? For one, it is because so many of God’s people, and/or those who make mere professions of faith in Jesus Christ, have wandered off from the truth to follow after the lies. It is a lot like a husband or a wife who has wandered off and is now in an extramarital relationship with someone else, male or female. And, they are buying into the lies which say they can still be in relationship with God but be in love with the world at the same time, but scripture says, “No!”

God has given me the assignment of making the word of God FULLY KNOWN, i.e. to teach the whole counsel of God so that many will truly be delivered from their sins and have the true hope of heaven when they die. For many liars and deceivers out there are convincing many who say they believe in Jesus that their sins don’t matter to God now that they are “saved,” and so they feel they have the license to keep on in their sinful practices, and so they convince themselves that God will do nothing about it.

So, part of that assignment is to warn people of the dangers of thinking that they can remain in their sinful practices, in their idolatry, and in their adulteries, and yet have heaven still guaranteed them when they die. And, it is to let them know that God’s Word says that if we walk in (practice) sin, in our flesh, living to fulfill our fleshly lusts, that we are going to die in our sins, not have eternal life with God (See: Lu. 9:23-25; Rom. 6:1-23; Rom. 8:1-17; 1 Jn. 1:5-9; Eph. 4:17-24; Gal. 5:19-21; Gal. 6:7-8).

Yet, this wins me no popularity contests. It does win me rejection, rebukes, cutting remarks, slander, etc., though I have supporters, too, online mostly. So, why do I do this, knowing the hits will come? I do this because I love my Lord, and because I love my fellow humans, and those who make a profession of faith in Jesus Christ. And, I want to see people set free from their slavery to sin, to walk in victory over darkness, and to have sweet communion with their Lord, because they are walking in obedience to him.

Zeal for Your House

An Original Work / August 1, 2016
Based off Jn. 2:17; Ps. 69:9

Zeal for Your house, it consumes me.
Lord, I love my times with You.
I love to worship You and sing Your praises.
Time in Your Word brings me closer to You,
List’ning to You speaking to me,
Gently guiding me in truth.

Lord, You are my life’s example,
Showing me how I should live.
I love to walk with You where’er You lead me.
No greater joy have I when serving You.
Loving, giving, resting in Your strength,
I’m yielding to Your will.

Zeal for Your house, it consumes me.
See the church turned upside down:
Marketing ventures taking place of worship,
Men of the gospel turning into clowns.
Gospel message made appealing,
So the world will feel at home.

Lord, we need a great revival.
Turn their hearts, Lord, back to You.
Open the blind eyes, turn them all from darkness,
Lord, to the light. May they return to You,
Turn from their sin, forsake idols,
Be restored to God again.

Thursday, April 25, 2019

 

[icxn]

Yet, this wins me no popularity contests. It does win me rejection, rebukes, cutting remarks, slander, etc., though I have supporters, too, online mostly. So, why do I do this, knowing the hits will come? I do this because I love my Lord, and because I love my fellow humans, and those who make a profession of faith in Jesus Christ. And, I want to see people set free from their slavery to sin, to walk in victory over darkness, and to have sweet communion with their Lord, because they are walking in obedience to him.

This paragraph reminded me of a homily of St John Chrysostom, which I think you will find very comforting. For what is worth, your words are always a breath.... an aroma of fresh air... to me at least.

Excerpt:
...For also in His love to man, a law is given by God to those who are entrusted with the ministry of the word, never to cease to discharge the duties of their office nor to be silent, whether the people have regard to their voice, or whether they neglect it. Jeremiah, therefore, having declared many threatenings to the Jews and warnings of future evils, was mocked by those who heard his voice, and was ridiculed all the day long. From human infirmity, feeling unable to endure scoffs and reviling, he at one time endeavoured to escape from his ministry. Hear him speak concerning this when he says: "I am in derision daily; then I said, I will not make mention of Him, nor speak any more in the name of the Lord. But His word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay," (Jer. xx. 7, 9.) This it is which he says;---- "I was desirous to escape from prophesying, since the Jews did not listen to me; and all the while I was desiring this, the influence of the Holy Spirit penetrated like fire into my inmost soul, consuming all my inward parts and my bones, and devouring me, so that I could not endure the burning." If, therefore, he, when he was laughed at and derided each day; when he desired to be silent, underwent such punishment; of what forgiveness can we be worthy, who never at any time are treated thus, if we faint on account of the slowness of some, and cease from instructing them, and especially when there are so many who are attentive!

2. I do not say these things to console or to comfort myself, for I have made up my mind, as long as I breathe, and as long as it shall seem good to God that I remain in this present life, to fulfill this ministry, and, whether any one attends or not, to do the work allotted to me. But since there are some who weaken the hands of many, and who, besides that they bring forward nothing useful for our present life, and relax the zeal of others, by derision and ridicule, saying: "Cease counselling; leave off warning; they do not attend to you: you have no fellow-feeling with them;"----since there are those who say such things,----purposing to expel this wicked and morose idea, this satanic counsel, from the minds of many, I address you thus at length. I know that such things were said even yesterday by many who, when they saw certain people spending time in taverns, said, laughing and deriding: "Are these fully persuaded? These are they who never enter a tavern! Have they all arrived at wisdom?" What dost thou say, O man? Is it this that we undertook to do, to enclose all in the net in one day? For if ten only were persuaded----if only five,----if even one,----is not this sufficient to console us? For my part I can even go beyond this. Suppose that none were persuaded by our words, although it is impossible that the word spoken to so many hearers can be fruitless----suppose, however, even this,----still the word would not be without profit.

For, if they did enter a tavern, they did not enter it with such shamelessness as was their wont; but even at the festive table they often thought of our words----of the rebuke,----of the blame; which, when they remembered, they would be ashamed----they would inwardly blush. Neither, though acting in their usual way, did they do so with their usual recklessness. And this is the beginning of salvation, and of the best kind of change----namely, the being in any degree ashamed----the disapproving in some measure of that which was being done. Besides this, another and not smaller gain accrues to us from this our work. What then is it? It is the making those who are already wise more careful. It is the persuading them by the word spoken that they are of all men the best advised, since they are not led away with the multitude. I did not restore the sick to health? But I strengthened those that were well. The word did not lead any away from their sin? But it made more steadfast those who were living virtuously.

 

[Christsfreeservant]

This paragraph reminded me of a homily of St John Chrysostom, which I think you will find very comforting. For what is worth, your words are always a breath.... an aroma of fresh air... to me at least.

Excerpt:
...For also in His love to man, a law is given by God to those who are entrusted with the ministry of the word, never to cease to discharge the duties of their office nor to be silent, whether the people have regard to their voice, or whether they neglect it. Jeremiah, therefore, having declared many threatenings to the Jews and warnings of future evils, was mocked by those who heard his voice, and was ridiculed all the day long. From human infirmity, feeling unable to endure scoffs and reviling, he at one time endeavoured to escape from his ministry. Hear him speak concerning this when he says: "I am in derision daily; then I said, I will not make mention of Him, nor speak any more in the name of the Lord. But His word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay," (Jer. xx. 7, 9.) This it is which he says;---- "I was desirous to escape from prophesying, since the Jews did not listen to me; and all the while I was desiring this, the influence of the Holy Spirit penetrated like fire into my inmost soul, consuming all my inward parts and my bones, and devouring me, so that I could not endure the burning." If, therefore, he, when he was laughed at and derided each day; when he desired to be silent, underwent such punishment; of what forgiveness can we be worthy, who never at any time are treated thus, if we faint on account of the slowness of some, and cease from instructing them, and especially when there are so many who are attentive!

2. I do not say these things to console or to comfort myself, for I have made up my mind, as long as I breathe, and as long as it shall seem good to God that I remain in this present life, to fulfill this ministry, and, whether any one attends or not, to do the work allotted to me. But since there are some who weaken the hands of many, and who, besides that they bring forward nothing useful for our present life, and relax the zeal of others, by derision and ridicule, saying: "Cease counselling; leave off warning; they do not attend to you: you have no fellow-feeling with them;"----since there are those who say such things,----purposing to expel this wicked and morose idea, this satanic counsel, from the minds of many, I address you thus at length. I know that such things were said even yesterday by many who, when they saw certain people spending time in taverns, said, laughing and deriding: "Are these fully persuaded? These are they who never enter a tavern! Have they all arrived at wisdom?" What dost thou say, O man? Is it this that we undertook to do, to enclose all in the net in one day? For if ten only were persuaded----if only five,----if even one,----is not this sufficient to console us? For my part I can even go beyond this. Suppose that none were persuaded by our words, although it is impossible that the word spoken to so many hearers can be fruitless----suppose, however, even this,----still the word would not be without profit.

For, if they did enter a tavern, they did not enter it with such shamelessness as was their wont; but even at the festive table they often thought of our words----of the rebuke,----of the blame; which, when they remembered, they would be ashamed----they would inwardly blush. Neither, though acting in their usual way, did they do so with their usual recklessness. And this is the beginning of salvation, and of the best kind of change----namely, the being in any degree ashamed----the disapproving in some measure of that which was being done. Besides this, another and not smaller gain accrues to us from this our work. What then is it? It is the making those who are already wise more careful. It is the persuading them by the word spoken that they are of all men the best advised, since they are not led away with the multitude. I did not restore the sick to health? But I strengthened those that were well. The word did not lead any away from their sin? But it made more steadfast those who were living virtuously.

Thank you for sharing this with me. I was sick all day yesterday so I could not take this in then, and I am not fully functional yet today, but I do appreciate you sharing this with me. Yes, we have to keep sharing the truth of God's Word with people because it is what will give them life, even if we are rebuked for it in return.

 

[icxn]

... I was sick all day yesterday so I could not take this in then, and I am not fully functional yet today, but I do appreciate you sharing this with me...

Sorry to hear that. May the Lord grant you a quick recovery.

 

[Christsfreeservant]

Sorry to hear that. May the Lord grant you a quick recovery.

Thank you.