RIGHTEOUSNESS OF JOB

There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil. Seven sons and three daughters were born to him. His possessions also were 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and very many servants; and that man was the greatest of all the men of the east. His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. When the days of feasting had completed their cycle, Job would send and consecrate them, rising up early in the morning and offering burnt offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said, “Perhaps my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually.

He was perfect, upright, and turned away from evil in every situation as far as it was humanly possible to do. But was he doing it because He feared the judgment of God upon him if he wasn’t all this? Was it because since he was doing everything right thought that God would be pleased with him? The whole message of the Book of Job is showing us that even though we do everything right and nothing wrong we still fall horribly short of God’s image and righteousness.

The adversary (Satan) appeared before God with the angels and God said to him, “Have you considered my servant Job?” Satan didn’t bring up Job’s name to God, God suggested Job to Satan because He had a purpose for the suffering which Satan would bring to Job.

Satan then asked God a question. “Does Job fear you for nothing?” In other words, Satan was asking if Job was doing all these righteous things in order to gain something from God, in order to become blessed by God, in order to escape punishment from God. This is a good question for us all to ask ourselves.

Satan was given instruction from God on what he could do and could not do to Job. To make the long story short, Satan took everything Job had including his sons and daughters. Also, Job suffered terribly with illnesses, yet, Job remained firm through this as is shown in the following verses.

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
And naked I shall return there.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away.
Blessed be the name of the LORD.”
Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.
Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die!” But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

During this time of suffering, he had friends (one was his real friend) that came and stayed with him for an extended period of time. They came with the intention of comforting him during his sufferings but they could not comfort Job.

The first friends came with the idea which many in Christianity have today. The idea that if one is suffering or has bad things happen to them they must be doing something wrong and God is punishing them for it. They self-righteously think there must be sin in the life of the sufferer somewhere or they do not have enough faith and that is the reason they are suffering. And, at times, this is true and evidenced in their grumblings and complainings in their sufferings.

During this whole time of his friends counsel, Job defends himself and his righteousness. We have 35 chapters in the book where this conversation goes on between Job and his friends. Elihu, the last friend and only true friend, actually gives several speeches which contain truths about God in which wisdom is found. However, Elihu is impotent to reveal God to Job for only God can give eyes to see.
Then God finally speaks and puts Job in his place.

( KJV) Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, {2} Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? {3} Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. {4} Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. {5} Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? {6} Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; {7} When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? {8} Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb? {9} When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it, {10} And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors, {11} And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed? {12} Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place; {13} That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it? {14} It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment.

God’s message to Job about how insignificant he and his own righteousness continues from chapter 38 through chapter 41.

In chapter 40, God says to Job, “Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it” (v. 2). Now, Job’s response is not one of defiant demand for answers to his misery. Rather he says, “Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth. I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further” (vv. 4–5). And again God picks up the interrogation and goes even more deeply into Job’s soul that shows the overwhelming contrast between the power and righteousness of God and the contrasting impotence of the righteousness of Job. This is the beginning of humility in Job.

In Chapter 42 Job finally sees God in all His glory, grace, and mercy. Finally, Job confesses the impotence of his own righteousness compared to Gods. He says, “I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes” (42:5–6).


The Book of Job is not about suffering, it is about our righteousnesses falling short of God’s Holiness. God doesn’t answer the question of suffering but instead reveals His Holiness and Greatness. He reveals Himself to Job which brings true humility and the completion of wisdom.

All of Job’s righteousness was based upon only what he had heard of God’s Law and demands. He lived his life in obedience to those demands but now he sees with his eyes that no matter how righteous he is that righteousness falls short.

This message of God is for all of us who think that because we are believers that we somehow become righteous (which includes ALL of us). It is for us who think God uses us because we are somehow transformed into His likeness and become Godly. It is for us who think we are such great disciples and pat ourselves on the back when engaging in discipleship for the cause of Christ. It is for us who are arrogant enough to think we can become like God and somehow become good. For those of us who think this way have only heard of God and are attempting to fill the shoes of God by our own impotent power. May we contemplate the message of the Book of Job and God’s holiness and repent of our righteousness lest God also suggest our names to Satan for the destruction of the flesh. May the book of Job accomplish in our lives the fullness of wisdom and humility.

Somehow we have bought into the lie that all we have to repent of is our sins and depravity where the truth lies in repenting mainly of our own righteousness. We have bought into the lie that we have the power within ourselves to be transformed into the image of God (Christ) by what we do or don’t do. Being transformed into the image of Christ is centered on His cross where we die to ourselves and our own power to do anything to forgive our sins or become righteous and instead live through dying with Him on the cross and living in the faith of Christ.

( KJV) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

( KJV) O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! {34} For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? {35} Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? {36} For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

( KJV) For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. {18} For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. {19} For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. {20} Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? {21} For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

( KJV) But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

( KJV) There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Resurrection

Resurrection is the proof that Jesus took away the sin of the world and death had no hold on Him. The resurrection is the reason we have fellowship with God and death has no hold on us. Without resurrection we would be left dead in sin. We are born in this world dead in Adam and our need is new life in Christ. If Jesus would not have been resurrected we would still be dead in sin, our sins taken away by His death on the cross but still dead. With His resurrection into new life we are not only forgiven but given His new resurrection life when born again of the Spirit. To believe only on the sacrifice of Christ is believing half a gospel.

Old Covenant of Law or New Covenant of Grace?

As Christians, we hear a lot about Law and Grace but what exactly is the difference between the two and which one do we live under? When did one end and the other begin?

When considering Law our thoughts are most often brought to rest upon the Mosaic Law of the 10 commandments given to Moses. Even though the 10 commandments were the only ones written on the tablets of stone there are a total of 613 commandments within the Law. The totalities of the 613 commandments are the ones which we have to KEEP in order for us have God’s favor and fellowship with Him.

Satan is the deceiver and is still deceiving a large portion of Christianity today. Satan would have us prove ourselves Holy by the Law which God gave to prove ourselves as sinners. We have allowed Satan to pervert the purpose of the Law. He has made us believe that we can keep the Law and if we fail in one area all we have to do is ask God to forgive us for that certain offense. But is this what the scripture actually says? In believing this way have we incorrectly divided the word of Truth?

(2 Tim 2:15 KJV) Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

There are two powerful scriptures which show us the commandments cannot be broken if we are dependent upon them to give us favor with God.

(Gal 3:10-13 KJV) For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

(James 2:10 KJV) For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

Did you catch that? If you do not continue in ALL the things written in the Law you are under God’s curse. There is no provision in these two scripture which allows for any breaking and asking for forgiveness. If you ever break even ONE you are cursed. KEEP means KEEP, not keep and break, keep and lose. If you keep something you keep it. Once you have lost it you no longer keep it. The Law does not allow for keeping, losing and then keeping again.

The belief that we can keep the Law and if we break one we can ask for forgiveness stems from wrongly dividing the word of Truth. This attitude and belief is what makes a person self-righteous because Satan has accomplished his purpose of blinding people and keeping them bound under the Law. They think they have favor with God when in reality they are cursed by God.

Here is a question to ask yourself to see whether you are under Law or Grace. Do you see yourself as better than someone else? Do you judge another for some wrong because you do not do what they are doing? If so, you are under Law and are placing them under Law as well and are not living by faith. You have wrongly divided the word of Truth.

RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH

The way our Bibles are divided between the Old Testament and the New Testament has given confusion as to where the dividing line actually takes place. Many people believe the New Testament (Covenant) begins with Matthew and the birth of Christ. This is the wrong division point.

The New Covenant began with the death of Christ and not His birth. Jesus lived, taught and preached under the Old Covenant. He clarified the Law and fulfilled it in its entirety but His Covenant of Grace did not become effective until His death on the cross. The Pharisees of that day had not seen the purpose of the Law. Satan had blinded them into thinking much as we think today that you can keep and if you break the Law all you have to do to receive forgiveness is offer a sacrifice. We don't even go that far, we think we can just ask God to forgive us without offering any sacrifice. Jesus confronts them, and us, with nailing the Law into their hearts by telling them they are to be perfect if they want to be justified by the Law. How perfect? As perfect as their heavenly Father is perfect. (Mt. 5:48) He told them their way was not the right way. They were not living by faith looking forward to the Messiah and the right way which would come with His death. The Pharisees of today are still trying to make themselves righteous by the Law which God gave to show us we are sinners.

(Heb 9:15-17 KJV) And for this cause he (Christ) 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. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

There are two scriptures which show the difference between Law and Grace.

LAW - (Mat 6:14-15 KJV) For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

GRACE - (Eph 4:32-35 KJV) And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath (HAS ALREADY) forgiven you. Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

Something happened between these two scripture. Christ was crucified and resurrected. As Christians we are already forgiven of all offenses and we are to treat others with the Grace we have received from God. Old Covenant – God will forgive if we forgive, if we don't, He won't. New Covenant – we are to forgive as we have already been forgiven. Under the New Covenant there is no room for any judgmentalism or self-righteousness. If it exists in us then we are still living under the Old Covenant which will condemn us forever because we cannot be perfect under the Law. Our perfection comes only by faith in the truth that we have been forgiven by Christ death on the cross 2000 some years ago.

(Heb 10:8-14 KJV) Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first (Old Covenant), that he may establish the second (New Covenant). By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ ONCE FOR ALL. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, WHICH CAN NEVER TAKE AWAY SINS: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins FOR EVER, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected FOR EVER them that are sanctified.

Saving A Lot

What does the story of Abraham (Abram) and Lot tell us about our own salvation? Here’s the story in case you need a little reminder.

God called Abraham out of Haran and when he left he took his nephew, Lot, with him. Abraham and Lot were very rich and had much livestock. They had so much that the land in which they were dwelling at the time could not sustain all the livestock they had and there resulted arguments between the herdsmen of Abraham and Lot. Abraham told Lot to choose a land in which to dwell. If Lot chose the east, Abraham would go west. Lot chose to go east because the land there was like a very fruitful garden and gave him the power to keep his possession and increase them. However, in the long run it ends up being a horribly devastating choice.

The land of the east where Lot moved was so fruitful that everyone wanted it. Opposing Kings (9 Kings to be exact) fought over the land. To make a long story short, during these battles the King of Sodom (where Lot lived) fled to save his own skin. That left all in Sodom defenseless and the conquerors came in and took everything. Lot lost everything he owned and was taken captive by the conquerors. Lot was (pardon the term) screwed! He couldn’t escape, he was caught in an impossible situation which was impossible for him to do anything about.

The news of his captivity made its way to Abraham. I’m sure Abraham was a little ticked at the bad choices Lot had made, but Lot was family and Abraham went in to fight the conqueror and took Lot back to be with him. Abraham saved Lot from his impossible situation.

Lot wasn't saved because he of anything he did, he couldn’t do anything and had nothing with which to do anything. He wasn’t even saved because he asked Abraham to save him. He couldn’t even contact Abraham to tell him about his situation because he had no cell phone! He was stuck and made a slave with no way of escape.

He was saved because Abram came and fought a battle to save him. He fought a battle even though Lot had chosen to go his own way that ended up bringing him under the wrath and condemnation which was brought upon Sodom. Abram had every right to leave Lot in Sodom because he didn’t owe Lot a thing. But instead he fought a battle, put his own life at risk, and went after Lot because he loved him and he was family. Abraham was willing to risk his own life and all of his possessions to save Lot. It was Abraham’s love and faith in God that saved Lot. Not only did Abraham save Lot but he also brought back all of Lot’s possessions after defeating the conqueror.

This incident is a picture of our salvation. Abraham is symbolic of Jesus Christ and Lot is symbolic of us. Lot thought he was doing fine in life. He had everything he needed and wanted more. He had no reason in his own mind that he needed to be saved from anything. It was only when he lost everything that salvation from his situation became a real need to him. What Lot didn’t realize was his greed in the beginning set in motion the final outcome. He lost everything. He needed saving from the beginning even though he didn’t think he did. He needed saving from his sinful human nature from which the greed originated. It wasn’t until he lost everything and had no ability to save himself that salvation came. He needed salvation before, but he didn’t know it.

By the time he realized he needed salvation he had no way of bring that salvation about. He had no way of getting out of the situation his sinful greed got him into. As far as Lot went, he was headed for nothing but dying a slave under the captivity of an evil King.

It is the same for us. Until we see ourselves as Lot with no ability to save ourselves and have lost everything we thought was good or even could do to remedy our situation is salvation possible. It is the same for us as when Abraham saved Lot. It is because Jesus Christ fought a battle for us, came and got us, and took us back with Him that we have salvation. It has nothing to do with our ability, our obedience, or our faith for when we find ourselves in Lot’s position, we have none. If Christ had not done what He did for us we would still be dying a slaves death with no hope. It was only after Abraham brought Lot back with him that Lot knew he had been saved. Lot had nothing to boast about except what Abraham did for him

1 Corinthians 1:30, But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31 so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”



Hard Of Hearing

Hebrews is a book of the Bible that was written to Hebrews (Jews). They were the religious people of the day and followed the 613 commandments (not just the Big 10) which God had given to them plus they followed the traditions of the Pharisees. They were doing everything by the Book, so to speak. Yet, the author chastises them severely.

The author said that what he was trying to tell them was hard because they had become dull of hearing. (Heb. 5:11). When Jesus was on earth He had the same problem when talking to Nicodemus who was a teacher of Israel and said to him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and you do not understand these things?" Jesus was saying that Nicodemus, of all people, being a TEACHER should have understood Jesus but he couldn't understand because he had become dull of hearing.

The recipients of this letter had become dull of hearing because all they had ever been taught was that the way to God was through the Aaronic Priests and the Levitical Law (613 commandments). They thought obedience to the Law gave them eternal life and if they messed up all they had to do was sacrifice the blood of an animal to make atonement for their sins. They thought they received their righteousness through obedience to the Law and the sacrificial system and this is what made them dull of hearing.

Even when God gave the law it was clear that the Law was intended to kill and not give life. The Law in its creation started out being a prohibitive way to God. Before the commandments were given to Moses on the Mountain, God set a boundary around the mountain. He had given specific instruction to the people that if they crossed the boundary they would die. If their livestock even wandered past the boundary they (livestock) would die. If they even so much as touched it they would die. (Ex.19:12,13) God made it very clear from the beginning that it was surrounded by death and was intended to kill. He didn’t bring it in to redeem, or to save, or make righteous but as a witness against them (Deut. 31:26). He brought the Law in to show them they could not keep it and kill all hope of ever coming to God by their obedience to the Law. (2 Cor 3:7-9 KJV) But if the ministration of death, written and engraven (10 Commandments)in stones.......and in verse 9, the Law has the ministry of condemnation. It was meant to condemn and kill us not give us life. However they didn't see or hear this message of the Law, instead they turned the Law into a way they could have eternal life and forgiveness and because of that became dull of hearing. Satan would have us prove ourselves holy by the Law which God gave to prove ourselves sinners.

The proof that they didn't understand the Law from its inception is found in Ex. 19:8, 'The people swore, “All that the Lord has spoken, we will do.” That oath didn’t last long. After Moses didn’t return (probably, at the most, 3 days)they thought he had died so they asked Aaron to make for them a ‘sacred calf’ to worship instead (Ex. 32). They didn’t make the calf as another God, but rather as a substitute in which to worship the True God, with which to come to God. When Moses returned and saw what they had done He was ticked! He broke the tablets signifying that they couldn’t keep their solemn oath; therefore, the Law was broken before it was even instituted. The Law was special, but not for the reason they used it. It was to keep them a separate nation for one purpose only, to bring the Savior, Jesus Christ to the world and to give them a picture of His death on the cross for sins. But they perverted the Law by making it a way they could become righteous, by making it their sacred calf.

Those to whom Hebrews was written had become dull of hearing because they were stuck believing the Levitical Law was their way to God, their way to become righteous and remaining righteous before God. By the time Jesus arrived on the scene the Law had evolved to the fullest extent after the image of the sacred calf.

The hardest people to reach with the Gospel of Jesus Christ are those who still believe their righteousness is gained by obedience to a Law and their good deeds instead of faith in the finality of the ‘once for all’ sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We still have those who worship the sacred calf thinking that makes them acceptable to God instead of believing righteousness comes by Jesus Christ as a gift from Him alone. Whoever adds the Law to faith in Christ have stumbled over the stumbling stone. In doing so they are still trusting in the Levitical Law (or a law the set up in their own minds), which was temporary and never could redeem them nor make them righteous. Trusting in a law, any law for righteousness only makes one self-righteous which God will never accept. Professing Christians often go a step beyond the Law and turn faith into a law they are to obey. They set their faith up as the sacred calf to work their way to God instead of believing it is the faith of Jesus Christ who has brought (via the cross) us to God and is keeping (via Christ's Priesthood) us with God. This is impossible for the stain of their iniquity remains upon them. Their obedience even to faith cannot outweigh the balance of their disobedience. Having been weighed their obedience will fall horribly short.

Deut. 31:26 Take this book of the law and place it beside the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may remain there as a witness against you.

Rom 3:21,22 21 But now the righteousness of God ‘without the law’ is
manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the
righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon
all them that believe: for there is no difference:

What is the witness of the law and prophets? They both pointed to and proved beyond a shadow of doubt that mankind never does right in the eyes of God because we have all fallen short of His Glory . No one has ever fully kept the even very first commandment, let alone all the others (remember there are 613 Laws). Until one discovers they are just like Lot without any hope of being saved from Sodom will they trust the Faith of the only One who can.

We are saved by the faith of Jesus Christ that all whom God has given Him will come to Him and we are kept saved by Him being our High Priest who intercedes for us witnessing to God by His wounds.

(1 Tim 1:5 KJV) Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned. From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say (dull of hearing), nor whereof they affirm.

To be continued - maybe

Biblical Salvation

Most people will say they believe in God. Some will even say they have faith in God but when probing further they cannot be specific about what their faith contains other than it is faith in God. Is this simply a statement saying they believe there is a God and reason that because they believe in God they automatically have salvation?

The Biblical term for saving faith in the Bible is not simply believing in God for in James 2:19 it says "You believe there is one God. Good! But the demons believe that, too! And they shake with fear."

Just because someone believes in God is not grounds for salvation because even the demons believe in God. For example: Believing that God is the creator, does not bring salvation. Being saved doesn't happen just because we believe in God.

Ephesians 2:8 says, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

Notice this carefully. It doesn't say we are saved 'by our faith', but we are saved by 'grace' through the agency of faith. If someone says they are saved by faith, this is not Biblical and a direct contradiction of Ephesians 2:8. We are not saved by our faith. We are saved by Grace, though faith.

What is the grace?

God has given everyone what the Bible calls common grace. He did this way back with Adam and Eve. God said if they partook of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil they would die. The second they ate they died spiritually and were cast out of the garden of Eden and fellowship with God. God's common grace allowed them to live physically until their bodies expired. Through God's common grace He gave them the things which were necessary for them to live until their physical death. An example of this is found in Matthew 5:45 where it says God makes His sun to rise and sends rain on both the evil and the good, the just and the unjust. This type of God's grace is evident in the world and benefits both the saved and the unsaved.

The only reason we have been allowed by God to be born into this world is because of His common grace extended to all, believers and unbelievers alike. But this is not His grace which saves us.

So, What is saving Grace?

Saving Grace is totally and completely wrapped up in Jesus Christ. We are saved because of Jesus Christ. However, just because we believe something about Jesus does not mean we have Biblical salvation the same way as what was stated about the demons believing in God. Just because the demons believe something about God did not mean they are saved. Just because we believe something about Jesus Christ does not mean we are saved.

To experience God's saving grace one must be regenerated which is the Biblical term for being born again. This regeneration is done solely by God and not by us. We cannot make ourselves be born again any more than we made ourselves be conceived in the womb of our mothers and created our own physical birth. God's sovereign grace by the Holy Spirit in regeneration is what takes us out of Adam and placed into Jesus Christ (John 3:5-8, John 6:62-65). When this happens by the sovereign power of God through the Holy Spirit our identity changes. We have salvation because God regenerated us (made us born again) by His power and will, not by our power or will as is shown in John 1:13.

If you have a burning desire to search after God, it is only because you have been given a new nature through being born again by His will and power. You have been predestined by God to receive an inheritance through Jesus Christ.

(Eph 1:2 KJV) Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

This is what grace is, so what is the 'through faith' part?

Have you ever heard anyone say, Oh, just have faith? Or, if you are sick have people tell you that if you have 'enough' faith God will heal you? We are exhorted time and time again to have faith in our faith, faith in our prayers, faith in our whatever. As though our faith is what saves us. But is it really our faith?

I don't know about you but I know myself and if my salvation depends upon my faith then I am in and out of salvation a lot, because my faith often fails me. But this can't be if we are promised that our salvation is eternal. Eternal means eternal, not temporary or 'in and out'.

We are saved by grace through faith, but Ephesians 2:8 passage doesn't say whose faith we go through. Is it through our faith, or the faith of Jesus Christ?

(Rom 3:19 KJV) Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Most modern translations have changed 'by faith of Jesus Christ' to 'by faith in Jesus Christ (implying it is our faith).' Big difference here. The Greek reads DIA PISTEOS IESOU CHRISTOU, literally - through (by means of, by) faith of Jesus Christ.

There are many passage which seem to indicate 'by faith of Jesus Christ' is the correct translation. Many passages show our salvation is eternal and not a temporary 'in and out' deal. The only way a person can have eternal security is if they know their salvation is by grace through Christ's faith and not their own feeble, faith.

There are passages which do talk about our faith such as (Luke 22:31 KJV) "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." The reason Peter's faith didn't fail even though he denied the Lord was because of the prayers and faith of Jesus Christ. Notice this passages doesn't say "if" you are converted, but "when". Jesus knew Peter would be brought through his ordeal because God always answers Jesus' prayers.

Jesus is our High Priest who prays for us, also, the Holy Spirit prays for us as is shown in Romans 8:26-30. The faith we have is not faith in our faith, or faith in our prayers, or faith in our works, it is to be in the faith of Jesus Christ which is His gift to us.

Below is a list of some of these passages. By studying them you will grow in your knowledge of Christ which will give you assurance and security.

Psalms 37:23,24
John 6:37-39
John 10:26-30
Romans 8:1,38,39
Romans 9
1 Corinthians 1:8-10
2 Timothy 1:12
2 Timothy 2:13
1 Thessalonians 5:24
Hebrews 2:17,18
1 Peter 1:1-5
1 Peter 2:9
Ephesians 4:30
1 John 5:11-13
Jude 1
Jude 23
Philippians 1:6

(Eph 2:4-10 KJV) But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

The Passover - Behind The Blood

Plagues, plagues, plagues. The Pharaoh of Egypt refused to let the Israelites go when God sent Moses to take them out of Egypt in order to bring them to the Promised Land. Pharaoh's stubbornness resulted in God sending many devastating plagues to Egypt.

With each plague Pharaoh became more determined to keep the Israelites as slaves of Egypt in direct defiance of God. Not only did Pharaoh not believe God but neither did the Israelites. They did not listen to Moses when he told them God was going to bring them out of Egypt. They didn't listen because of anguish of spirit and the cruel bondage they were under (Ex. 6:9). If it would have been up to them, they would have remained in Egypt. But it wasn't up to them to do the work, Moses did all the work for them. They just needed to learn to listen and follow what Moses told them to do. Moses was their deliverer from Egypt.

The last plague God sent was the death of the firstborn of all Egypt, from the people to the animals. This is the plague which caused the Isrealites to finally listen to what Moses was saying. They had been preserved in all of the other plagues but this one required them to do something in order to be preserved.

They were given specific instruction as to what to do in order to escape the last plague of death to the firstborn. They had to take a Lamb and kill it then put the blood on the doorpost of their houses. If they did this the Lord, when He came to kill the firstborn, would see the blood on the doorpost and pass over that house with His judgment.

All the Lord did was to look to see if the blood from the Lamb was on the doorpost or not. He did not look inside the house and say, "Oh, that one is a sinner. Or, that one is good." No, He only looked to see if the blood was on the doorpost. If the blood was there He passed over that house in His judgment of death.

Moses was symbolic of Jesus Christ, our deliverer.

The Blood of the Lamb during the Exodus was symbolic of the Lamb of God who took away the sin of the world (John 1:29).

If we have the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ, on the doorpost of our heart it is the same for us as it was for the Israelites. Death passes over us and we are not destroyed. Being passed over does not happen to us depending on whether or not we have good or bad behavior, but because of the Blood of Christ on the doorpost of our hearts. Same as those who applied the blood of the lamb on their doorposts during the Exodus.

If we believe Christ in that He died for all of our sins on the cross then His blood has been applied to the doorpost of our hearts. When God looks at us in judgment He passes over us because He sees the Blood of His Precious Son has been place on our hearts.

(John 3:18 KJV) He that believeth on him is not condemned (judged with death): but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Who Am I, Really?

There are, at least, 4 different answers to the question, "Who am I".
1. The person we think we are.
2. The person others think we are.
3. The person we think others think we are.
4. The person we really are.

However, in God's eyes, what we think doesn't matter, it is what He says that matters.

God says we are either 'in Adam' or 'in Christ'.

Those in Adam (those who have not been born again and are unbelievers in the final sacrifice of Christ) are:

Wicked - Genesis 6:5
Evil - Genesis 8:21
Unrighteous - Ecclesiastes 7:20; Isaiah 64:6
Full of evil - Ecclesiastes 9:3
Born sinners - Psalm 51:5
Unclean - Job 25:4
Sick - Isaiah 1:5
Gone astray - Isaiah 53:6 (John 3:3-5)
Unable to change their nature - Jeremiah 12:23
Deceitful - Jeremiah 17:9
Lost - Matthew 18:11
Condemned - John 3:18
Guilty - Romans 3:10-18
Ungodly - Romans 5:6
Dead - Romans 5:12
His enemies - Romans 5:10
Disobedient - Romans 11:32
Sinners - Rom. 5:12
Unable to understand spiritual things - 1 Corinthians 2:14
Spiritually dead - Ephesians 2:1-3
Darkened in their understanding - Ephesians 4:18
Alienated from God - Ephesians 4:18
Do not search after God - Rom. 3:11

This is a nasty list and hard to swallow, right? Most of us do not consider ourselves fitting most of the descriptions above. We may feel that we have sinned or done wrong things but other than that we are basically good. We have been told since infancy that we are 'good' little boys and girls and our only problem is we occasionally do bad things. With this mindset we end up trying to please God by being 'good' more than we are 'bad'. We try to please Him with the old nature of Adam.

The beginning of salvation is believing the truth of what and who God says we are rather than who we think we are.

Who does Jesus say is 'good'? ONLY God is good (Mark 10:18) Therefore, if we call ourselves 'good' who do we claim to be? If we say, 'Oh, so and so is such a good person' what are we saying about them? Are they?

Even the most humanly loving person in the world who does nothing but good to people still fall under the list above. Because our goodness always falls horribly short of what God classifies as 'good'. We always miss the mark. The definition of sin in the Bible doesn't mean doing bad things, it mean missing the mark. Even all the good things we do is still sin because we miss the mark of God's holiness and goodness. Since this is the case, we don't need forgiveness just for the bad things we do, but also the good things we think God will accept. God cannot accept those good things because they fall short of His standard.

The word for sin that is used most frequently is hamartia, missing the mark. Paul used the verb hamartano when he wrote, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). God's standard for goodness is much, much higher than ours. The statement of the Almighty is that all have fallen so terribly short of God’s required standard. Because people do not see the truth of how high God's standard is for goodness, they began to make their own standard. So even when a person meets the standard set up by humanity, we still fall completely short of God's standard. Even the best of the best of us still fall under the condemnation of the preceding verses. Even if all of our good outweighed the bad, we would still be under the condemnation of these verses. Since even our goodness falls so short of God's standard there is nothing we can do good enough to please a Holy God.

It is only as we begin to see ourselves as God see us that we can even begin to experience salvation and freedom. Only when we get to the point of recognizing, ever so slightly, that we are missing the mark of God's Holiness in everything we do, not just the bad, that we are open to receive God's remedy for our sinfulness.

When we realize there is no hope in ourselves of ever being good enough for God and the impossibility of that happening by our own power are we in the place of receiving hope and salvation. When we 'know' what God says about us we can then turn our trust to the only One who can make a difference. When we turn from hope in ourselves to trust in Christ, we are then placed "in Christ" by God.

Those in Christ have been born again and are no longer in Adam with his identity. They have a new identity and are seen by God as no longer being in Adam but being in Christ. When our identity changes, it changes who we are. We are no longer seen by God as under the previous verses stated but are seen as the following verses state.

Those in Christ are:
Children of God - John 1:12; 1 John 3:1,2
Justified (counted righteous by God) - Romans 3:24
Dead to sin and alive to God - Romans 6:11
Recipients of eternal life - Romans 6:23
Not condemned - Romans 8:1
Foreknown by God (intimate knowledge, fellowship) - Romans 8:29
Called and glorified - Romans 8:30
Sanctified (counted Holy)- 1 Corinthians 1:30
New creation - 2 Corinthians 5:17
Righteous - 2 Corinthians 5:21
Rescued from Satan's power and placed into God's kingdom - Colossians 1:13
Completely forgiven - Colossians 2:13
No longer under the Law - Colossians 2:14
Complete - Colossians 2:10
Perfect (yes, perfect!) Hebrews 10:14

We are also:
Crucified with Christ - Galatians 2:20
Dead with Christ - Colossians 2:2-
Buried with Christ - Romans 6:4
Alive with Christ - Ephesians 2:5
Raised with Christ (in Heaven with Christ) - Colossians 3:1
Glorified and sufferers together with Christ - Romans 8:17

And these do not even cover the ones given in Ephesians such as:
Blessed with EVERY spiritual blessing; Elected; Loved; Predestined: Adopted: Accepted; Redeemed; Given wisdom and understanding; Given an inheritance; Secured by the Spirit; Raised and seated in the heavenlies; Recipients of God's grace and kindness; God's workmanship; United in one body; Given bold access to God.

This is the description of a person born again, this is 'who you are' if you are in Christ. This is how God sees you. But none of these are things 'we' accomplished, nor do accomplish, but what Christ has accomplished for us on the cross and His resurrection. He did it all.

1 Cor. 1:30 But by His doing (it is impossible for us to do this) you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption, 31 so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”

Learn to see yourself as to who God says you are, not in who you feel or think you are. If you do then you will grow in the Grace of God with confidence and security.

Faith or Fear?

God brought the Israelites out of Egypt in order to take them to the Promised Land!

They had experienced all the miracles of God which protected them during the plaques. They and their firstborn had been preserved during the passover. They had been saved from the Egyptians when going through the Red Sea. They all had experienced what God did for them. They had seen His Power. But their unbelief kept them from the Promised Land.

Three 'unbeliefs' which kept that generation out of the promised land.

They didn't have water in the wilderness and complained (murmured) against Moses saying, "Why have you brought us out here to kill us with thirst?"(My paraphrase) as though God was going to let them die of thirst in the wilderness after showing His power over water in bringing them out of Egypt through the Red Sea (Ex. 15:22f; Ex.17:3). They didn't have food and complained against Moses saying "We should have died by God's hand in Egypt, at least there we had food to eat!"(My paraphrase) As though God was going to let them starved after providing food for them and protecting during the plagues (Ex 16:2-8).

Joshua and Caleb brought back milk and honey from Canaan but because the Canaanites were strong people again they complained against Moses saying "Oh, we should have died in Egypt at least there our children would be safe."(My paraphrase) As though God was going to let their children die after saving their first born (Numbers 14:3). (note-their children were the only ones allowed in the Promised land, Numbers 32:13)

They had an evil heart which resulted in no life in the Promised Land. They did not have faith in God's love for them (took God's word for it) for their salvation from Egypt to the Promised land. It wasn't their disobedience that kept them from entering the promised land, it was their FEAR. The opposite of love is not hate, it is fear. An evil heart is a fearful heart.

We have been taught the root of sin is disobedience but is it actually fear?

If I steal is it because I fear I don't have what I need or want?

If I lie is it because I fear that the truth will make me look bad or I won't get what I want?

If I commit immorality or adultery is it because I fear not being loved?

If I hoard and always want more (build bigger barns) is it because I fear losing what I have?

If I judge others is it because of fear that I am being judged?

If I am legalistic is it because I fear the law?

If I try to control others is it because I fear they are out of control (and who better to determine that than me?)

If I try to cheat death is it because I fear death?

If I believe there is no God is it because I fear God?

In most cases, these questions can be answered with a 'YES'.

If one digs hard enough you will find the root of fear in any sin. We may not recognize the fear in that is there but the root is usually fear.

The result of this fear was the inability of the Israelites to take God at His word. Because of this fear they weren't able see or listen to God with eyes and ears of faith. And since God loathed them from day one, they never did have faith, they were simply following Moses but not trusting God (Numbers 32:13). This sin which kept them out of the Promised Land was not disobedience to God's requirements. It was FEAR through unbelief that kept them from entering in. Fear through unbelief is the only thing that keeps us from entering the Sabbath Rest symbolized by the Promised Land.

God in Jesus Christ:

Is our water: (John 7:38 KJV) He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

Is our food: (John 6:35 KJV) And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger;

Is our life:(John 5:24 KJV) Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death (Egypt) unto life (promised land). (John 3:36 KJV) He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Those who believe (take God at His word) enter that rest symbolized by the promised land. (Heb. 4:3) They have eternal life, right here, the minute they took God at His word when He said Jesus died for their sins and counted that final sacrifice as their own. They have been transferred out of death into life, out of the 1st Adam into the Second Adam, Christ, never to experience death again.

How are we, today, any different than the Israelites in the wilderness?

Fear says, "I know God said Christ was sacrificed for my sins and forgave me but I'm not really 100% convinced of that so I must beg Him to forgive me every time I sin just to make sure. I must work to keep my forgiveness."

Fear says, "I know God said righteousness is a gift by faith but I'm not 100% sure of that so I must work to add to my righteousness by my good deeds."

Fear says, "I know God said if I believe (Jn. 3:16-18) I 'have' eternal life as a free gift but I'm not 100% convinced of that so I have to work to pay Him back for that free gift."

One can have no rest without Peace.

No Peace if they try to continue to beg for forgiveness of their sins, that will only bring fear because how they will ever know when they have begged enough?

No Peace if they try to work for their righteousness, that will only bring fear because how will they ever know when they have become righteous enough?

No Peace if they try to add anything to God's Grace promise of eternal life, that will only bring fear because how will they ever know when they have added enough?

People who have come to the knowledge about Jesus Christ are divided into three categories. Those who are placed 'in Christ' and believe. Those who completely turn from God and give up all hope. Or those who get themselves on the treadmill of self-redemption. The latter of these two is the worst because self redemption is the most deceptive sin there is. Fear forces people into denial of the truth. In that denial they end up believing a lie, the lie that they can redeem themselves by their own effort. This effort of self-redemption is an insult to God. It would be better for them if they never had come to know about Jesus Christ. The attempt at self-redemption is what Heb. 10:26-31 is all about. Jesus Christ is sufficient, nothing can be added.

If one has entered the Sabbath Rest of God they have peace and that peace will never leave them.. (John 14:27 KJV) Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." Jesus doesn't say, "Peace I give and take from you depending on whether you beg for forgiveness enough or not, or work enough for righteouseness or not, or add enough to secure eternal life or not. He says, "Peace I LEAVE you" but that only happens when one quits working in the area of self-redemption. The more one works the more fear and deception it creates and the further from Peace and Rest they drift.

Heb. 4:9 For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works (self- redemption), as God did from His.

1 Jn. 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.

Rom 8:15 -17 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: Jesus loved us so much that He died for us while we were His enemies and said He would never leave nor forsake us if we believe on Him. If He did that while we were His enemies, is He going to forsake us now that we are not His enemies? Now that we have been adopted by God the Father to the extent that we call Him 'Daddy'? Peace comes for one who rests in that love, because His perfect love casts out fear but one who fears cannot enter His rest.

That's why we are told to examine ourselves. Are we of faith or are we on the treadmill of self- redemption because of fear?

For we which have believed do enter into the rest and peace of God which never leaves us. 

(John 14:1 KJV) Let not your heart be troubled (fearful): ye believe in God, believe also in me.

Fellowship With God

In most denominations today it is taught that sin will break our fellowship with God. I questioned that teaching and now believe it is unbiblical. This teaching tends to devalue the true definition of sin and devalue the crucifixion of Jesus Christ for sin. It, also, devalues the necessity of being born again. It tells us that in order to be a Christian, or live as a Christian, all one has to do is ask for forgiveness.

Never in the Bible does it state the wages of sin is being out of fellowship with God. The wages of sin is death. It always has been and always will be. NEVER in the Bible does it say sin changed from death to being out of fellowship.

Never in the Bible does it say we can be forgiven of sin by simply asking God to forgive us. This attitude bypasses the truth that sin equals death and replaces the truth with sin now being out of fellowship. Our problem is not that we have sinned in actions but that we are dead in sin. Our death in sin did not happen because we personally sinned. It happened because Adam sinned and died spiritually and all who are born after Adam are born spiritually dead, out of fellowship with God.

In Genesis 1:27 it states Adam was created after the image of God. In Genesis 5:3 it states Adam became a father of a son after his own likeness in his (Adams) own image. Something happened between these two passages. Adam sinned and died spiritually to fellowship with God. Adam, alone, was created after the image of God but that image was destroyed by sin (wages of sin is death) and all after Adam are born in that fallen image of Adam.

This is the reason Jesus Christ had to be born of a virgin by the power of the Holy Spirit. Adam, being dead in sin could not pass spiritual life to his descendants. The same way we cannot pass on to our children what we do not have, either genetically nor physically. If Jesus were to be born of a human father He would have been born spiritually dead, just like the rest of us, and would never have qualified to be the Lamb of God who takes away sin. (Rom 5:12 KJV) Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

We are born so dead in sin that God tells us in Romans(Rom 3:10,11) As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

It is not that sin takes us out of fellowship with God. Sin killed us to the extent that we are born dead in sin. When Adam sinned it broke fellowship with God for everyone born after him. It is not 'our' sins that break fellowship. To believe that all we have to do to restore fellowship with God is to ask Him to forgive us means that we do not understand the devastating consequences of sin and devalues the true definition of the wages of sin being death. The core of this erroneous teaching on fellowship with God is what creates shallow Christianity by making one believe fellowship with God is based upon their asking for forgiveness rather than the need to be born again.

The other side of the coin is that this teaching devalues the crucifixion of Christ for sin. Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. But this teaching tells us we can be forgiven by simply asking God to forgive us rather than forgiveness coming through the shedding of Christ's blood on the cross. Forgiveness and fellowship with God is not based upon us asking, it is based upon the crucifixion of Christ.

When Adam sinned it brought death and severed his fellowship with God. Christ came as the perfect sacrifice and dealt with sin on the cross but He didn't stay on the cross. He was also resurrected to new life. He died for sin and is in continual fellowship with God in His resurrected life. When one is born again he is taken out of Adam (death in Adam equals loss of fellowship with God) and placed in Christ and given the eternal spiritual life of Christ (life in Christ equals fellowship with God). This life is eternal and not dependent upon our works or anything we do, it is dependent upon Christ and Christ alone. The same way our death from sin was not a result of our sin but the sin of Adam.

In Adam we are dead in sin. In Christ through being born again we are given His life of eternal fellowship with God. Nothing can break that fellowship because we are "in" Christ and Christ is in perfect fellowship with God. Scripture even states that the born again one is hidden in Christ who is sitting at the right hand of God. (Col 3:3 KJV) For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

(Rom 8:32 KJV) He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Does the sin of a believer break fellowship with God? Not according to scripture because Christ already shed His blood and died for those sins and He is our High Priest who intercedes for us by His very presence of sitting at the right hand of God. When a believer sins Christ is there proving He died for those sins and has given them resurrection life which is eternal. Eternal means eternal!

This whole teaching of sin breaking fellowship with God is based upon ONE verse in scripture - 1 John 1:9. This teaching is relatively a new teaching. The early church did not teach this. The reason this has become a major teaching is that they do not take into consideration the original congregation to whom this was written and assume it was written to believers. Hebrews and 1 John are the only epistles written without a salutation stating it was to believers.

Gnosticism was prevalent in the early church as it is today and this was written to a congregation filled with the belief of Gnosticism. The whole first chapter is a defense of the truth of Jesus Christ. Gnostics believed Jesus did not come in the flesh and sin was an illusion. They did not believe they were dead in sin and instead believed they had no sin and did not sin. They believed it was special knowledge (gnosis) which saved them and not the death of God in the flesh, Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:9 is a salvation passage and not a passage to those who already are born again. It was a passage that directly contradicted the Gnostic belief. Paul and John both battled Gnosticism in their writings.

The only thing that keeps us out of fellowship with God is unbelief. The only sin we can commit today which is against God is unbelief. If we believe in the final, complete, sacrifice for sin done by Jesus Christ on the cross and have received His resurrection life which is eternal we HAVE fellowship with Him.

The sin of the world is unbelief.
(John 16:7 KJV) Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 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 8:36 KJV) If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

There may be times we feel we are out of fellowship with God but those are only feeling, emotions, which often lie to us. Our faith is not in what is seen or felt but in Jesus Christ and His Word. If you are born again by the resurrected life of Christ you will never be out of fellowship with God, ever again, for there is NO condemnation for those in Christ (Rom. 8:1) Believe this and be free for the truth will set you free.

WAR IS OVER

WAR IS OVER
After mother died I was going through her possessions and I found a newspaper
that made an announcement, a proclamation, which went to every person in the US who subscribed to a Newspaper. Big, bold, headlines dealing with the end of World War Two which proclaimed, 'WAR IS OVER.' The proclamation was a statement of fact, the fact that the war was over.

What a sign of relief came upon those reading that announcement. No more loss of life because of war, no more preparing to go to battle, no more separation between the ones at home and those fighting on the front. Rejoicing in the streets, parties, celebrations of life occurred that day.

The sad part is, some people didn't receive that announcement and continued to fight a war which was officially ended because of their lack of knowledge. Some, even after receiving the news continued to fight because they didn't really want it to be over. Some, even today are still fighting with the Japanese because they bombed Pearl Harbor. They fight with their anger which separates them because they have never forgiven them for their offense.

Jesus fought a battle against sin which separates us from God. He was tempted but didn't give into that temptation proving Him to be sinless and the only acceptable sacrifice for sins. But sin still was a barrier between us and God because sin demands a payment. God in His sovereignty set it up that way. When Adam sinned God made a statement of debt to all of mankind. That debt of sin had to be paid. But
since we are in sin, in Adam, we could not make that payment. Jesus, on the cross, made our payment for us. He didn't make that payment to Satan, He made that payment to God clearing the way for us to be in fellowship with Him.

God made a proclamation in Acts 13:38 Be it known unto you therefore, men [and] brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. 40 Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets; 41 Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.

2605 kataggello {kat- ang-gel' - lo} 1) to announce, declare, promulgate, make known 2) to proclaim publicly, publish 3) to denounce, report, betray

He proclaimed forgiveness, it is not an offer to accept, it is a fact to be believed! Forgiveness cleared the way but it didn't bring us to God. God wasn't satisfied with just a repaying of debt. We are forgiven for sins but that doesn't make us righteous. He demands also righteousness. A righteousness which we can't gain because we are bound in these bodies in which the principle of sin
exists (Rom. 7:17- 20). We need to be justified, declared righteous, in order to fellowship with God. Righteousness has to be credited to our account, the same way the debt on our account had to be paid. When we believe we are forgiven by Christ we are then justified. Righteousness is credited to our account. It does not mean we become righteous but we are credited with the righteousness of Christ and that righteousness is a gift of God to be believed.

It is only from the knowledge that we have been forgiven for all of our sins, past, present, and future by Christs death on the cross that we are free to love and forgive others.

Here is a test. When you sin, and you will, do you thank God that He has forgiven you or do you beg Him to do that which He already did? Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness so if you are asking Him to forgive you what are you really asking? You are asking Jesus to come back to earth, crawl up on that cross again and die for your sins again. Is He going to do it?

This is the test of faith with which we are to examine ourselves.
(John 8:23 KJV) And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
(John 16:7 KJV) Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me;

The opportunity of salvation comes to one not because they believe something about Jesus Christ. It comes because they believe something specific about Jesus Christ. It comes because they believe the Proclamation that that through this man (Jesus Christ) is preached (proclaimed)unto you the forgiveness of sins. When we have faith in that proclamation, God gives us the gift of the righteousness of whom we have believed, Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:8 and God doth commend His own love to us, that, in our being still sinners, Christ did die for us; 9 much more, then, having been declared righteous now in his blood, we shall be saved through him from the wrath; 10 for if, being enemies, we have been reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved in his life. 11 And not only [so], but we are also boasting in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom now we did receive the reconciliation; 12 because of this, even as through one man the sin did enter into the world, and through the sin the death; and thus to all men the death did pass through, for that all did sin; 13 for till law sin was in the world: and sin is not reckoned when there is not law; 14 but the death did reign from Adam till Moses, even upon those not having sinned in the likeness of Adam's transgression, who is a type of him who is coming. 15 But, not as the offence so also [is] the free gift; for if by the offence of the one the many did die, much more did the grace of God, and the free gift in grace of the one man Jesus Christ, abound to the many; 16 and not as through one who did sin [is] the free gift, for the judgment indeed [is] of one to condemnation, but the gift [is] of many offences to a declaration of `Righteous,' 17 for if by the offence of the one the death did reign through the one, much more those, who the abundance of the grace and of the free gift of the righteousness are receiving, in life shall reign through the one -- Jesus Christ. 18 So, then, as through one offence to all men [it is] to condemnation, so also through one declaration of `Righteous' [it is] to all men to justification of life; 19 for as through the disobedience of the one man, the many were constituted sinners: so also through the obedience of the one, shall the many be constituted righteous. 20 And law came in, that the offence might abound, and where the sin did abound, the grace did overabound, 21 that even as the sin did reign in the death, so also the grace may reign, through righteousness, to life age-during, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

JPN Bible Study - Riches of Grace. Our position in Christ.

JPN Bible Study - Riches of Grace. Our position in Christ.

The Filthy Righteous

(Isa 64:6 KJV) But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Have you ever considered the concept of the filthy righteous? The term 'filthy sinners' is something we can all understand. No problem there. We all look at another person and judge whether or not we think they are sinners or righteous. We don't even have to be Christian to do this or even know a thing about God. That is the way we are as humans. We judge another according to whether we feel that person is right (righteous) or wrong (sinner). In the world of the unbeliever the judgment comes from the secular or socialistic realm. In the world of the believer the judgment comes from the spiritual realm. Regardless which area is the root the judgment comes from whether we think the other is right or wrong. The only real difference between the two roots is the judgment coming from an unbeliever is from what society says is right or wrong and the Christian judges by what they believe God says is right or wrong.

In both the secular and spiritual realm we have the tendency when we judge another to also judge ourselves. When judging we naturally believe that we are better than the person we judge because we don't do what they are doing. We set ourselves up as being more righteous than the one doing wrong. We have all done it and if we think we haven't we are lying to ourselves.

It is the people who have the attitude of being righteous is what this passage in Isiah is speaking. Let's look at it again.

(Isa 64:6 KJV) But we (humanity) are all (every single one of us) as an unclean thing (regardless of whether we consider ourselves sinner or righteous), and all our righteousnesses (Yes, ALL our righteousnesses) are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

The word translated here as filthy means menstrual blood and the word translated rags is what we would call Kotex or tampons. It's not talking just about something filthy it is showing us that our righteousnesses are dead. If the egg which attaches itself to the blood lining in the uterus is not fertilized it is discarded permanently from the body as being useless, dead, with no ability to ever produce life and will only decay. It will never again be able to produce life. The truth of this passage is telling us that our righteousness are as dead blood, good for nothing, filthy and not acceptable to God.

We who are Christian have a vulnerability to this attitude of believing we are more righteous than an unbeliever. When we get this attitude we become the 'filthy righteous.' The filthy righteous believes they become righteous when they become a Christian. When one is regenerated (born again) they do not become righteous they have been given the 'gift' of righteousness. The only difference between them and an unbelieving sinner is God has counted them righteous because Christ died on the cross for their sins and they accept (trust in) that sacrifice. They are not righteous because of anything they do, they are righteous only because God has credited the righteousness of Christ to their life account.

In Matthew 19 a man comes to Jesus and calls him 'Good Teacher.' Jesus responds to him by asking, "Why do you call me good, only God is good." Jesus is saying two things here. He is saying that if anyone calls Him good they have to call Him God and if only God is good, then they are not.

The filthy righteous have assumed the position of being 'good' or righteous and have taken the position of God. But this is not acceptable to God for only God is good (righteous). There is nothing that we can do to make ourselves righteous in the eyes of a Holy God. We can always do what we think is the right thing to do and keep from doing what we think is wrong but that does not make us righteous enough to be accepted by God. He accepts only one righteousness and that is the righteousness of Jesus Christ. He accepts us only because He has given believers the righteousness of His Son. He has not made them righteous.

(Isa 64:6 KJV) But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

(Prov 21:2 KJV) Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.

5 Good Friends

Nelle Fullerton was a good friend of mine who was full of wisdom and lived a long life of 106 years. I was fortunate to spend much time with her in her elder years and benefited from many wise sayings from her and I miss her dearly. She often told me "If you live your entire life with 5 good friends you are a very fortunate person."

Nelle's description of friends.

Helping Friends

Nelle was very outgoing and knew a lot of people over the years. Some of these friends she would call helping friends. These friends were people who were friends with her so she would be around if they would need her help for something. They were always friendly but sometimes they were more friendly than normal. Nelle always knew when that happened they wanted helping with something.

Giddy Friends

Someone who is always outwardly happy and joyful was referred to as a giddy friend, however, Nelle never trusted them because she knew they were living within a facade. She said she would never trust them to really tell her the truth because they didn't live in reality where there is both good and bad, righteous and evil. As one could say, they saw life through rose colored glasses instead of through the clarity of the real.

Then there were those who she didn't have names for but, although were friends, they were not good friends. Those who would be your friend if you happened to fit into their schedule and conditions. Those who would be your friend only when good things were happening to you. Those who were always more interested in what was happening to them than to you. And I'm sure if I contemplated long enough I could come up with more examples she told me.

Even on her death bed I'm sure Nelle knew the good friends she had during her lifetime could be counted on one hand. She would say, "I have many, many acquaintances, but only a handful of real friends." AND, she often told me that if I thought I would end up with more than that then I was probably lying to myself.

"If you live your entire life with 5 good friends you are a very fortunate person."

Perfect Sacrifice

Perfect sacrifice


The Ark of the Covenant was inside the Holy of Holies in the temple. Although the Priests made daily sacrifices it was only on one day, the Day of Atonement, that the Priest entered the Holy of Holies to sprinkle the blood of the sacrificial animal on top of the Mercy Seat on the Ark. Within the Ark of the Covenant were the two tables of stone containing Ten of the 613 Commandments God gave in the Law, the golden pot, and Aaron’s budded rod. One each end on top of it stood two cherubim (angels) facing each other. The cherubim, symbols of God’s divine presence, power, and judgment, faced downward toward the ark.


It was only on the Day Of Atonement that the blood of the sacrificial Lamb was sprinkled upon the Mercy Seat. At no other time was anyone allowed into the Holy of Holies which also symbolized God's judgment upon the sins of mankind. Atonement for the sins of the people had to be done by God's way and God's timing or the people would die. “Tell your brother Aaron not to come whenever he chooses into the Most Holy Place behind the curtain in front of the atonement cover on the ark, or else he will die, because I appear in the cloud over the atonement cover.” (Leviticus 16:2) When the blood of the sacrificial Lamb was presented by God's way and in God's timing then sin was covered until the next Day of Atonement. Then it had to be done over and over, every year.


It was not by the Old Covenant (Testament) sacrifice of animals on the Day of Atonement that mankind is redeemed. It was a temporary way in which God's judgment was withheld from the people and it was a picture of the future, perfect, once for all, sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 10 makes that clear when saying the blood of bulls and goats never took away sin, it only covered sin till the next sacrifice. Under the Old Covenant the Priests had to stand daily offering sacrifices over and over again. The blood of the sacrifice on the Day of Atonement was then sprinkled upon the mercy seat of the alter covering their sin but had to be repeated yearly.


The sacrificial system set up by God was a direct result of Adam and Eve's sin against God in the garden. Adam and Eve rebelled against God and that separated them from God. God was still walking in the garden with them but in their consciousness of sin they hid from Him. God sacrificed an animal out of His mercy for them in order that their sin be covered. This was something God never desired to do but did anyway because He loved them enough to do it. In His mercy for one of His creation He sacrificed the life of another of His creation. Since God is the creator He has the right to do with His creation whatever He wants and He chose to set up a way in which they could have life and remain in fellowship with Him, but in order to do that things had to be done in His way and His timing. God is Sovereign and all rights belong to Him. It is His way or no way.


Imagine the horror brought to Adam and Eve when God called an animal, which Adam had named and loved, to Himself and took the life of that animal because of their sin. Up until then there had been no death but death intervened in another of God's creation because of what they did. God could have just killed Adam and Eve instead but He provided something else to stand in their place of physical death because He loved them and desired fellowship with them.


A sacrifice had to be made and He could have forced them to make the sacrifice, but He didn't. HE chose to do the killing, HE made the sacrifice. Mankind somewhere along the line has decided they were the ones to do the sacrificing.

Whichever animal it was He used was also created by Him. The sacrifice was done by God for man. He sacrificed a life He created for the life of another of His creation. If I may be permitted to use the phrase 'hard for God', this was the ultimate for Him. When Adam and Eve rebelled against Him God made a choice of sacrificing a being He created and gave physical life to for the sake of another of whom He created instead of killing them. This initial sacrifice painted a picture of God's love for us which culminated in the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. This had to make Him very, very sad---and angry!


I think this is why His anger come forth in these passages:


(Heb 10:26-31 KJV) For if we sin wilfully (unbelief in the final sacrifice of Christ) 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. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 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? 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. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.



The final sacrifice for sin was His own beloved Son whom He appointed for this very purpose. God's will for Jesus was to be the final sacrifice for our sin, taking sin away and not temporarily covering them. He sacrificed Jesus because of His mercy for us. But yet we perverted God's will along the way and began to believe it is us who does the sacrificing. This attitude is a direct result of trying to do it our way, instead of God's. This attitude that we are the ones who provide the sacrifice still angers Him. Whether that sacrifice be our own works, righteousness, dedication, or even searching after Him (Rom. 3:10-19), those sacrifices will be rejected by Him. His anger is fulfilled in those who attempt to offer their own sacrifice instead of acknowledging that HE offered the sacrifice, once for all. Those who refuse to believe Christ offered the final sacrifice or choose to offer their own sacrifices and do it their way will fall into the hands of the living God who will punish them. They will be punished for their sin of not believing God is the One who offered the final sacrifice and return to offering their own.


Jesus was the final sacrifice for sin for all mankind. The only sin not taken away by Christ's sacrifice is the sin of unbelief.



(Hebrews 10:7f) In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.


(John 12:44f) Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.

And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not (they judge themselves Acts 13:46): for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.


Hebrews 9:22 And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.


Without the shedding of blood there is NO forgiveness. Christ shed His blood once on the cross and He isn't going to do it again. It is finished. We have been forgiven, once for all, when He died on the cross. If we do not believe this then there is no other sacrifice acceptable to God. This is God's way, there is no other.






About Me

Time for a little background on me. I was taken to church when young and continued to attend as an adult. I became involved in Sunday School and eventually began teaching. I believed I was a Christian, after all I had asked Jesus into my heart and have even been baptized 3 different times. First time was as an infant, second time I was sprinkled of my own volition and last time I was coerced into being dunked because the people talking to me didn't believe sprinkling was the 'right' way and didn't count.

In church we had a several people who were what I thought 'enlightened' Christians. They seemed to be super spiritual and knew a lot about the Bible. However, some of the things they taught gave me that uneasy feeling. I was not really into spirituality nor the Bible so I thought they must be right even though I questioned what they taught. Their teachings often left me feeling guilty and not as good as they seemed to be. I had that 'somethings not right here' feeling but could not put my finger on what wasn't right. Since I was not 'spiritual' I assumed my feelings of 'something's not right' must be wrong.

Then at age 34 (I'm now 61) God turned my life inside out. I was not looking for Him nor did I pray and ask Him into my life nor to do anything. I did not consider myself 'smart', was a terrible student in school, and hated to read. I had not read anything I didn't have to read for 13 years. I then had a compulsion to study the Bible and read it everything about it I could get my hands on. This compulsion took me to intense study from 6 to 8 hours a day, every day, for the next 6 years. I spent mega bucks on Bible study tools and commentaries along with dozens of different versions of the Bible. All of this money was worth every penny for I discovered my feeling of 'something's not right' was, indeed, right.

First thing I did after God intervened in my life was read completely through the Bible. I started with the New Testament and I was pissed!! It didn't take long for me to discover I had been lied to. A simple story everyone has heard about and sees every Christmas set me on fire to uncover how many other lies I had been taught.

I found the Wise Men of the Nativity story I had heard and Nativity scenes I had seen all my life were NOT THERE! They were NOT at the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, in fact, they did not arrive until Jesus was at least 2 years old (classified as a child and not an infant) living in a house in Nazareth. I also discovered the number of wise men was not specified as being 3. There were three gifts mentioned which the wise men brought but the number of men could have been 2, 20, or 153. The scripture simply does not specify the number of men. I HAD BEEN LIED TO.

One may think this is insignificant and pastors, teachers, and others did not deceptively and intentionally lie to me, but lie they did. This lie I had been told all my life made me wonder, "How many other times have I been lied to?" This lie fueled the fire to discover the truth of the Scriptures.

What I present in this blog is my discovery of truths of about God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and doctrines of the Bible.

The most important truth I have discovered is that the Truth will set you free.

Thank you for visiting and may God bless you with TRUTH.

Leanna Steward

Bible Study - Prerequisites of Bible Study

PREREQUISITES OF BIBLE STUDY


I. Authority of the Bible
A. Basic facts
1. Old Testament was written in Hebrew and Aramaic (derivative of Hebrew found in Ezra and Daniel, also language spoken by Christ). The New Testament was written in Greek.
2. Written by 40 writers over a period of 1,500 years.
3. Contains 66 books, 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New.
(Catholic Bible has 7 extra Books called the Apocrypha, however, these were not added to the Canon until the Council of Trent in 1540 A.D. These books contain historical inaccuracies and questionable doctrine not found anywhere else in Scripture)
4. Bible claims inspiration and claims to be the Word of God and the complete truth to man.
5. Accurate record of history.
6. Contains fulfilled prophecy.
7. Predicts the future of the world.
8. Bible says you can't add or take away (Rev. 22:18,19) or you will destroy its unity and finality.
B. Reliability
1. Historical reliability of any document are based on three things:
a. The number of available manuscripts. Before the printing press the
Bible has the most (13,000) manuscripts of any document. The next
document numbered only 200 and they were all copied from one copy.
b. Time interval between original and 1st copy. The Bible has manuscripts
within 100 years of the original and other documents the average is 1,000
c. Internal evidence. Were there eye witnesses to the events taking place.
2. External evidence of reliability
a. History. The Bible is the most accurate historical record there is.
b. Archeology. There is yet to be any discoveries that contradict the
Bible.
C. Revelation - The communication of God's truth to man. Heb. 1:1
1. Is the truth. Jn. 17:17; 16:13; 8:32
2. Is complete and final. Heb. 1:1,2; Jude 3; Rev. 22:18,19
(All cults have extra-Biblical and continuing revelation)
D. Results - Does it accomplish anything?
1. Experience of salvation. 2 Tim. 3:15; I Pet. 1:23
2. Exercises the senses to discern between right and wrong. Heb. 4:12; 5:13,14 Right and wrong are not based on feelings, culture or education but on the Word of God.
3. Effectiveness in prayer. John 15:7
4. Enablement for victorious Christian living through the power of the Holy Spirit. I Pet. 2:2; Jn. 15:3; Ps. 119:11; 2 Tim. 3:1
E. Testimony of Jesus - Lk. 24:44; Mt. 23:35; Jn. 10:35; Mt. 5:18
(jot or yod is the smallest Hebrew letter, looks like an apostrophe.
The tittle is a mark on a letter to distinguish it from another letter.)


II. Inspiration of Scripture

If we don't believe the Bible and what it claims about itself then we have no reason to believe anything it says. Either it is ali inspired (jot and tittle in the original) or it is false and we have no hope.

A. Definition
1. Inspiration is not the same as revelation. Revelation is truth or facts
that God has made known to man. Inspiration refers to the written record
of those facts. Since the Scripture is complete neither of these are taking
place today.
2. The Scripture is inspired and not the writers (II Tim. 3:16) and it is the guarantee that what was written was without error and has power in and of itself. Rom. 1:16
3. The word inspiration is actually "God breathed". He "breathed" the very thoughts,
words and form of the words into the writers.
B. Nature of inspiration
1. Inspiration is not the result of human research or the products of the
writers own thoughts. II Pet. 1:20,21 compare I Cor. 2:13
2. The writers did not always understand what they were writing. I Pet. 1:10; Dan. 12:8,9
3. The "breathing" of God's word in man by the Holy Spirit so that they were speaking or writing the very word of God. II Sam. 23:2; Jer. 1:9; Ezek. 2:2 Hosea 1:1; Joel 1:1; Amos 7:14-16; I Cot. 2:13
C. Christ's testimony
1. Old Testament - Lk. 24:44; Jn. 5:39; Nk. 7:10-13; Ht. 5:18; 24:35
2. New Testament - Jn. 15:27; 14:26: 16:12,13; Lk. 10:16; Jn. 17:20
D. Others testimony
1. Paul quotes from both Deut. and Luke and calls them both Scripture. I Tim. 5:17 2. Peter speaks of the writing of Paul as Scripture. II Pet. 3:15
E. Results of Inspiration
1. It has no errors because of God superimposing His thoughts on the writers.
2. Infalible or not capable of leading into error rightly understood. They
are incapable of teaching deception and therefore has final authority.

(It was not until the 1700's that people began question%ng the inspiration of Scripture and now there are probably many who don't believe in the inerrancy an~ infallibilityfin the ministry.)

III. Other prerequisites of Bible Study
A. Regeneration. A person must be a believer in order to understand Scripture. John 3:3; I Cor. 2:10-14 For an unbeliever to try to understand spiritual things is like a deaf man trying to judge the quality of music. He can't.
Also one must be willing to study. II Tim. 2:15; Jude 3


IV. Tools for Bible Study

A. Bibles - Since there are many translations of the Bible in English it is
important to try to find the translations that are close to the original in
meaning.
1. Some of the more popular ones are:
King James and the New King James; New American Standard; Tyndale; Revised Standard; Thompson Chain Reference
2. It would probably be good for Bible Study to stay away from the paraphrased Bibles.
3. There are also topical Bibles which lists all verses under one topic as the Nave's Topical or Bibles in chronological order as the Narrated Bible.
Dictionaries
1. Much like a regular dictionary except a Bible dictionary has more explanation on the entries.
2. List: Ungers, New International, New Bible, Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible, Wycliff, Zondervan. Vine's Expository is a good Greek (in English) dictionary.
Concordance
1. Takes every word in the Bible and lists it in alphabetical order in the phrase it is found in. It also gives the Hebrew and Greek words and meanings.
2. List: Strong's, New American Standard, Young's Analytical, Crudens.
Commentaries
1. Good tool for additional information such as cultural or historical background and cross-references. Keep in mind when using commentaries that you are simply reading another persons interpretation of Scripture. It is good when using commentaries to compare several and use your o~m judgment as to which bast fits with the text.
2. List: New Bible CoI~mentary, Layman's, Matthew Henry, Tyndale, Wycliff
and volumes of individual book commentaries.

V. Methods of Bible Study
A. Word Study - taking a word or phrase and following it through the book or Bible to gain understanding of how it is used.
1. Example: Take an important word and use a concordance to look up Scripture where that word is used and pick the verses which appear to be most useful for your study and compare. You may want to stay with one particular x~iter to see how he uses it or go throughout the x~ole Bible. You can also use this to come up with a systematic doctrine study.
2. Contextual - Using the surrounding verses and paragraphs in order to get the exact meaning. Be careful of taking verses out of their context and giving them a meaning other than what the writer meant. Remember no verse stands alone but Scripture interprets Scripture and there is only one interpretation. 1. Points of contextual interpretation.
a. The immediately preceding and following verses, better yet, paragraphs.
b. The entire book or letter in order to get the general theme.
c. Context of the entire Bible and what it has to say on the subject.
d. Historical Context will have a bearing on your interpretation. Many of the promises of the Bible simply were not meant for us because of the historical situation. Questions of where, when, why, to whom and by whom are always important to ask.
e. Cultural context means we have to find out what the culture of the day has to do with sacrificed to idols, the dress and customs of the time.



Application - applying what we have learned to our life and growing from it.
1. All this study is useless to us if we are studying only for knowledge or for any other reason than our spiritual growth or to help others grow. It should all lead to a further knowledge of and understanding of Jesus Christ. For Jesus says in John 17 that eternal life is knowing God and His Son, not in how many Scripture verses we know or anything else. hay God use your Bible study to accomplish the only thing He wants to accomplish and that is transforming us into being more like His Son. II Cor. 3:18; Rom. 12:2