The Message of Jesus Christ

[TRWord]

Here we are over two thousand years later, and the vast majority of us still believe like the ancient Hebrews, that we need to present ourselves as sinless before God.
Even those who have made the distinction between “the teaching of Jesus Christ” and Christian doctrine, demonstrate that they too are still under the law and have not received the message of Jesus Christ.

The problem is our understanding of the term righteousness. Because we are still under the law we have the same understanding as the scribes and the Pharisee. The belief that we can be sinless or good in the sight of God.

As Jesus said: Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: Matt. 19:17

That is the understanding of the old testament, but Jesus said that our understanding of this term must exceed that of the scribes and the Pharisee if we are to enter the kingdom of God.

For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matt. 5:20

Our separation from God is the problem: It’s the cause of our sinful nature.

As a consequence of Adam’s transgression, man became more and more separated from God.

_He went from hiding himself from the presence of God.

And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. Gen. 3:8

_ To where he was afraid of the presence of God altogether and he even needed an intermediary to petition God on his behalf.

And the LORD said unto Moses, Go down, charge the people, lest they break through unto the LORD to gaze, and many of them perish. Ex. 19:21

The law is man’s relationship with God through Moses. It’s a distant relationship. Man perceives God as far off in a distant realm of heaven. It’s a period when man is being taught obedience. His relationship with God is one of hard and fast rules which he must obey or be punished.

The purpose of the law was to teach us obedience; but it also taught us about sin.

What shall we say then? is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. Rom. 7:7

And it also gave us the misconception that we can present ourselves as sinless before God.

But as Paul said: It’s evident that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God.

But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. Gal. 3:11

We were also suppose to realize that we cannot win the battle against sin, and that we have to seek another way.

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. Gal. 3:24&25

Those who have received the message of Jesus Christ are no longer under the law. Of course this does not mean that they are free to sin.

We sin because we are separated from God and therefore the only solution to sin is that we be reconciled with Him.

And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 2 Cor. 5:18&19

 

[plmarquette]

Isaiah 1.18
1 John 1.8-9
Mt. 7.7-9
Romans 10.8-10

We will never be without spot or wrinkle.... not in our nature,
you have heard it said thou shalt not, but I say to you....
put on that new nature... walk with God, will take on better nature
meditate day and night , by hearing and hearing & doing
associate with other Christians .. accountable
walk in love, focus on success, pray about failure

 

[TRWord]

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

The scripture is telling us here that the message of Jesus Christ cannot be encompassed by the written word.

What does that mean?

It’s telling us that we read the written word but the message must come through Him. He is the Word.

To put it another way; the message of Jesus Christ is not received as head knowledge but as knowledge of the heart.

This is the fundamental problem though because most of us do not believe in revelation.

We cannot:

Why?

Because we do not believe in the Spirit, even though the belief in Spirit is prerequisite to any understanding of the message.

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. John 4:24

The knowledge that the understanding is given to us by revelation, is paramount to our receiving the message.

All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. Matt. 11:27

As Jesus explained in His conversation with Simon Peter:

No spiritual knowledge can be received through the human intellect; “by flesh and blood.” It has to be revealed by the Spirit.

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. Matt. 16:17

 

[TRWord]

When Jesus began preaching the gospel He made three statements:

1_ The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand:

2_ repent Ye,

3_ and believe the gospel

Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. Mark 1:14&15

The Bible is the story of man’s journey. First his fall from grace through Adam, a period when he was taught obedience by the law of Moses and his return to grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. John 1:17

Man fell from grace when he became separated from God and he is returned to grace when he is reconciled to God through faith in Christ.

The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: meant that our time under the law was over and we were now ready for the next step in the journey. The revelation of the kingdom of God.

 

[TRWord]

_repent ye,

The Bible is divided into two parts; two testaments. These two parts represent two quite different relationships between man and God.

It’s necessary that we end the old relationship before we venture on to the new.

Repentance prepares us to receive the message of Jesus Christ. This preparation was the mission of John the Baptiste.

And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Luke 3:3&4

repent ye, is a statement that is totally misinterpreted today as feeling sorrow for our sins. This is a consequence of the belief that Christ’s shed blood was for the forgiveness of sin. An interpretation that demonstrates clearly that our old testament understanding will always stand in the way of the message.

As Paul said:

Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. Gal. 4:30

Baptism is not just the ritual of us immersing ourselves in water, it signifies repentance, our progression from the old covenant understanding to faith in Jesus Christ; the new covenant.

Our old testament understanding of “the shed blood of Christ” must be relinquished for a new one.

Matt. 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Paul in his letter to the Hebrews went to great lengths:

_first to stress the point that it’s a new dispensation; with the promise of an eternal inheritance.

And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. Heb. 9:15

_second to highlight the difference between the two mediations. One which was done again and again in holy places made with hands for the forgiveness of sin, and one that was done once in heaven itself, in the presence of God to put away sin forever.

For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. Heb. 9:24-26

It’s impossible to over emphasize the importance of repentance. If we hang on to the understandings of the old covenant we cannot receive the message.

Using a parable Jesus advised us against putting a piece of an old garment to fix a tear in a new one or putting new wine in old bottles. Obviously He is speaking about the two covenants here. And note He’s not just saying that we should not mix the old with the new, but He’s also saying that those of us that do, favour the old.

And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old. And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved. No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better. Luke 5:36-39

 

[TRWord]

_ and believe the gospel.

Jesus preached the gospel of the kingdom of God.

A message that can only be received through absolute faith in Him.

Jesus gave us seven parables illustrating the kingdom of God in the 13th chapter of Matthew alone.

He said:

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Matt. 13:44

This defines he who has discovered the kingdom. Notice the joy and the fact that nothing else matters.

All of us who call ourselves Christians have been called by the Father.

And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. John 6:65

But not all those who have been called shall enter the kingdom.

As Jesus has warned, few of us will find the way which leadeth unto life.

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matt. 7:13-14

Because we have been called does not mean that we’ll see the kingdom.

For many are called, but few are chosen. Matt. 22:14

As Jesus explained, whatever we desire the most claims our attention and rules our lives, therefore we’ll enter the kingdom, only if it has become our utmost desire.

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matt. 6:19-21

 

[TRWord]

Jesus frequently taught in parables.

And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. Matthew 13:10-11

Isn’t He saying here that some are predisposed to understanding His message and others are not?

Without the spirit the kingdom of God remains a mystery to us, because it can only be discerned by the spirit.

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 1 Cor. 2:9&10

In His conversation with the Pharisee Nicodemus Jesus said: "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3)

Unfortunately not many of us have tried to understand what this means. We instead have accepted that the belief in doctrine is being born again, even though Jesus warned us that if we exchange His teaching for doctrine concocted by men we would worship Him in vain.

This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Matt. 15:8&9

 

[TRWord]

For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matt. 5:20

After informing us that our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees if we are to enter into the kingdom of God.

Jesus then went on to explain what would be required of us to enter into the kingdom.

Using the commandments of the law:

_ First He stated the law by saying: Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time.

_ Then He gave what would be required of us if we are to enter the kingdom by saying: But I say unto you.

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Matt. 5:21&22

We discover that we don’t have to actually kill someone to be unrighteous;

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. Matt. 5:27&28

Nor do we have to actually commit adultery, the thought alone is sufficient.

To further demonstrate the drastic measures that would be required of us He said:

And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, (Matt. 5:29) because it be better to lose an eye than not to enter the kingdom. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off. Matt. 5:30

Jesus went on to reveal the true nature of God as love and forgiveness and said to be His children we have to be a He is.

We must forgive our brother seventy times seven.

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Matt. 18:21&22

And we must even love our enemies.

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. Matt. 5:43-45

And finally to make it absolutely clear that we cannot attain the righteousness required to enter the kingdom, He revealed that we’ll have to be as perfect as our Father which is in heaven.

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matt. 5:48

 

[TRWord]

How could we be as perfect as our Father which is in heaven?

Obviously this is not humanly possible.

This is the realization that makes us ready for the message. Knowing that we cannot attain the righteousness requires to enter the kingdom, leads us to faith in Christ.

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. Gal. 2:16-17

When we have finally accepted the fact that we cannot present ourselves as sinless before God. We then turn to word of the Lord.

Then we discover that all His righteousness; and all our needs met, are obtained with the kingdom.

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek: ) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matt. 6:31-33

Now it’s clear why He said:

Seek ye first the kingdom of God.

 

[TRWord]

Faith

Now that we have been led to Christ it’s absolutely necessary that we understand faith.

(For we walk by faith, not by sight: ) (2 Cor. 5:7KJV)

In most dictionaries belief and faith are considered to be synonymous, and while this is literally true, “the faith” that’s required for the spiritual journey is of an entirely different understanding than the faith of the dictionary.

Faith is the willingness to: Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5KJV)

It’s the willingness to hold steadfastly to the “TRUTH,” even when what we see is the absolute opposite.

Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. (John 7:24KJV)

Faith is the belief in revelation: The willingness to accept that we do not yet understand, and be confident that the understanding would be revealed to us.

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. John 16:13KJV

And most of all it’s the belief in the supremacy of spirit over the things of the earth, which is the keys to the kingdom.

And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Matthew 16:19KJV)

Faith takes us beyond the limits of human understanding. Without it we can neither receive the message of Jesus Christ, nor all that He promised.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. (John 14:12KJV)

 

[TRWord]

To justify Paul’s fears many of us are seeking a simple gospel. Something that doesn’t require that we trust in the Lord with all our heart but allows us to lean unto our own understanding.

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:3KJV)

Like the Pharisees we have the wrong concept of the kingdom, and what we believe has blinded us to what is written.

When the Pharisees questioned Jesus about the kingdom He attempted to dispel these misconceptions by saying:

1_The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:

2_ Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there!

3_ for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. Luke 17:20-21

_ The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: He’s saying here that the kingdom of God is not something that we would literally see it’s coming.


_ Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! By saying it’s not Lo here! or, lo there, He telling us that the kingdom of God is not a place.

_ for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. This is the essence of His message: Jesus is revealing here that we enter the kingdom of God when “the promise” of a new nature has come within us.

And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Rom. 8:23-25

For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. Rom. 8:19

 

[TRWord]

The reason why most of us cannot receive the message is: We cannot accept the fact that God’s love is unconditional. We continue to make the statement that God is love but; We must add a condition; He’s too Holy for example.

As a consequence we continue to believe that we have to present ourselves as sinless before God instead of understanding that we must present ourselves, as is.

Jesus taught: If our brother sins against us we must forgive him seventy times seven and we must love even our enemies; That we may be the children of our Father which is in heaven:

Are we then to be more forgiving and more loving than our Father?

Of course not!

The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. Matt. 10:24

God is love, unconditional love, and all He requires of us, is that we seek and find Him.

The parable of the prodigal son Luke 15:11-32 illustrates the love of our Father.

Many have not noticed that this parable is about two brothers.

_One represents those of us who understands that grace is received through the unconditional love of God, we don’t have to be worthy, all He requires of us, is that we seek and find Him.


I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. Luke 15:18-19

_And another who represents those of us who believe that we must present ourselves as sinless before God; we must be worthy.

And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and entreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: Luke 15:28-29

It’s important that we note which brother would not go in, and why, because he could not accept that His Father’s love is unconditional.

 

[TRWord]

Again Jesus said that few of us will find the way to life.

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matt. 7:13-14

Even though it’s Our Father’s will that none of us should perish.

How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. Matt. 18:12-14

Why?

Because we are seeking to have our sins forgiven as the way to salvation.

Obviously it’s not our sins that damns us, but it’s blasphemy against the Holy Ghost that does.

Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. Matt. 12:31

What is blasphemy against the Holy Ghost?

Literally blasphemy against the Holy Ghost would mean the act of speaking sacrilegiously or irreverently about the Holy Ghost.

Who would do that ?

Of course that is not what’s being said here.

Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost is obviously that one thing that God cannot fix.

That consequence of Adam’s transgression which He send His Son to put right.

 

[TRWord]

We know now that man fell from grace when he became separated from God and he is returned to grace when he is reconciled to God through faith in Christ.

This tells us that blasphemy against the Holy Ghost is our separation from God and our receipt of the Holy Ghost is our reconciliation with Him.

Jesus said when the Holy Ghost is come:

At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. John 14:20

Jesus is saying here: At that day we will know that He is in us and the Father is in Him.

This is the atonement: Our reconciliation with the Father through Him; The revelation of the Oneness of God, which can only be received through faith in Jesus Christ.

Many today speak of the Holy Ghost, but could those who have not received the message, receive the Holy Ghost?

If so, where is the evidence.

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:8

Most of us who call ourselves Christians today have no expectations other than being saved from hell.

How did we get here? What happened to the promises of Jesus Christ.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. (John 14:12KJV)

What made the people of the Book of Acts so different from us?

The receipt of the Holy Ghost.

 

[TRWord]

Jesus called those that have received His message the children of the resurrection.

He said: The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:

And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. Luke 20:34-36

Is He saying that all married persons, myself included, are doomed.

Of course not.

Jesus Christ is the Lamb.

The Lamb is the sacrifice and as John the Baptiste said: Jesus Christ is God’s Lamb. In other words it’s God Himself that’s offering the sacrifice here.

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1:29

God sacrificed His Son as “the way” to nullify the cause of sin and to reconcile us unto Himself.

Jesus mission was to free us from “the belief in good and evil” and to demonstrate the supremacy of spirit over “the things of the flesh.”

So He taught: That we resist not evil. (Matthew 5:38-40) If we resist not evil, resolute in the belief that it has no power over us, then we affirm that God is the only power; The Almighty.

And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Rev. 19:6

When Jesus said: The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: He meant that the children of the world have given themselves to a message other than His.

And when He said: But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: He meant that they which have received His message did not align themselves with some other message, but have chosen instead to be the wife of the Lamb.

Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. Rev. 19:7-9

 

[TRWord]

Most of us who call ourselves Christians today do not actually believe much of what Jesus said.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. John 8:51

This is why when He said: That few will find the way to life the statement gets very little attention.

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matt. 7:13-14

Jesus described those that have received His message as His Sheep.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. John 10:27-29

Using the parable of the good shepherd, (John 10:1-18) Jesus described the relationship between Himself and His sheep.

First He characterized His message as the door of the sheep and all that came before Him; “the old covenant” as thieves and robbers.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. John 10:7-8

The old understanding did not offer us everlasting life nor did it offer us the promises of His teaching.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

He's saying here, His sacrifice was done for His sheep.

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. John 10:11

And He's saying here that His sacrifice was the will of the Father.

As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. John 10:15

Here Jesus emphasizes that His death and resurrection is an act of love, and He also makes it clear that it’s a demonstration of His authority over death. An authority that He received from His Father.

Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. John 10:17-18

 

[TRWord]

When Jesus spoke of the children of the world many of us who call ourselves Christians believe that He couldn’t possibly be referring to us. We attend Church every Sunday, so He must be referring to those persons who spend their Sundays at the ball park.

Like many of my generation during my mid twenties I dumped Christianity and went seeking spirituality elsewhere.
I knew persons who were church going Christians well before I was born and yet they were sad totally defeated human beings.

This would not do, not for me.

But after running to and fro for a while, I realized that I had come to my conclusion based on the state of Christianity today and not on the people of the Book of Acts.

My eyes were opened when I was shown the difference between being religious and being spiritual.

The religious have no expectations other than being saved from hell. They are, for the most part, of the world, but they serve God for fear of hell.

But Jesus said: We cannot serve God and mammon.

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Matt. 6:24

Then there are those who are willing to give up the world and take Jesus at His word.

Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Matt. 6:25

Is not the life more than anything that the world can offer?

In the book of Ecclesiastes the Preacher Solomon tells us that all earthly endeavors are vanities of vanities; futile.

Power and prestige, popularity and pleasure, they are all vanities of vanities.

Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? Ecclesiastes 1:2-3

Seeking “the way to life” is man’s only worthwhile purpose. And Jesus has made it clear that “strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

The desire to be a part of the crowd must be squelched. We must have the courage to follow the spirit even if we find ourselves all alone when we do.

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 2 Cor. 6:17-18

 

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To most Christians being saved means not burning in hell for eternity.

This is another case where what we believe blinds us to what is written.

For us to understand the way to salvation as revealed by Jesus Christ, we must recognize once and for all:

It’s written that death, hell and whosoever was not found written in the book of life shall be cast into the same lake of fire, which represents nonexistence.

Obviously death will not be burnt for eternity, it will be cast into nonexistence.

And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Rev. 20:14-15

Salvation is therefore being written in the book of life or as Jesus said; it’s about finding the narrow way to life.

Paul explained:

We cannot serve God by doing anything for Him. He needs nothing from us but that we seek Him and find Him.

God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Acts 17:24-28

This is next step in our evolution, finding our Father.

Paul added; not that He’s far from us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being.

Which is just another way of saying:

At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. John 14:20

Finding our Father or being reconciled to Him is the purpose of our existence.

Those that do not find Him are those who will not be found written in the book of life: Those who will be cast into nonexistence along with death and hell: (Rev. 20:14-15)

 

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It’s Lent and it’s traditional that we should fast during this period.

I recently asked someone what fasting meant to them, and they replied it meant giving up something to show God that we love Him.

No wonder so few of us engage in fasting today, Why? because we haven’t a clue of why we should.

Jesus disciples believed what He said:

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. John 14:12

Therefore they expected to be able to heal and cast out devils just like He did.

There was a man whose son had mental problems so he looked to the disciples for healing but they couldn't help him.

And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not. Mark 9:17-18

When the disciples realized that they couldn’t, they asked why, and Jesus replied: This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. Mark 9:28-29

Fasting is an important addition to prayer.

Like prayer it’s of utmost importance that we understand why we fast and exactly what we are doing when we fast.

Fasting is useless unless we have accepted the spirit.

After the fall, man slowly lost awareness of the spirit, and eventually he existed as body and mind only.

And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. (Gen. 6:3)

The body then gained control of his existence enslaving his mind to it’s needs.

Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. (Gen. 3:16KJV)

When we accept spiritual rebirth through Christ we are returned to three planes of existence; body, mind and spirit.

Fasting denies the needs of the flesh. The control our body have exercised over our existence is slowly diminished by fasting, and the correct order between the three planes of existence is restored.

But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. (Matthew 6:17-18KJV)

Even though we believe in the supremacy of spirit over the flesh, we need a level of spiritual awareness to utilize the key to the kingdom.

And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Matt. 16:19

 

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Jesus taught that God is expressed as three distinct persons; the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matt. 28:18-20

As above so below:

Man also has a tripartite existence on three distinct planes of mind, body and spirit.

As a consequence of Adam’s transgression man fell to two planes of existence; of mind and body, losing all awareness of the spirit.

Jesus came to undo what Adam had done, to return us to the awareness of the spirit.

When Jesus was with His disciples, His presence was their comfort. He kept them in constant awareness of the spirit.

Man is comforted by the presence of God, and he is fearful and lost when He is not aware of God’s presence.

Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. (Psalms 16:11KJV)

But soon Jesus would be returning to the Father, so He promised His disciples, that He will not leave them comfortless.

I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. John 14:18

The baptism of the Holy Ghost is the promise: I will come to you.

Unfortunately most of us have not followed the teaching properly and have ended up in confusion. We have confused spiritual rebirth with the baptism of the Holy Ghost.

Spiritual Rebirth is our reawakening to the fact that we are spiritual beings.

Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. John 3:7

The baptism of the Holy Ghost is our reconciliation with the Father; our realization of the oneness of God.

Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. John 14:19-20

When Jesus promised, I will come to you, one of His disciples asked: how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?

And He answered: If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. John 14:22-23