Finishing this up with part 4. Here's where we left off. Ephesians 5:15 - “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,” How many today, that are so called Christians, do not walk in the faith as wise? Instead they get carried away in false teachings, in legalism, in denominationalism, in organizations, and institutional religion. It is a controlling spirit, and it’s prevalent in many of the churches today.
I’m going to keep doing what God called me to do. Preach Jesus, not about Jesus, but Jesus…The solid Rock. The Rock that will fall upon the unbelieving and crush them. The Rock that the believing will fall upon and be broken. I would rather be broken than crushed.
So we preach and teach as Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1:23-25.
23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
Like the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 2:2 “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified”, we are ever seeking truth in that regard. Yet the question remains. How do you know Jesus Christ and Him crucified? Here’s one way to know Jesus Christ and Him Crucified. Here’s how those called to preach, do so without error. Here’s how we test the spirits and understand the truth.
Acts 6:7 “And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith”.
You notice that increase is part of the gospel of grace. Knowing Christ and Him Crucified gives you understanding of all He finished at the cross. That will bring understanding of all you received at the cross and the power of your conversion as a result. I’m not talking about big crowds of “looky loos” at a mega church or a constant ebb and flow of new people, because they get bored or discouraged. I’m talking about people who stick with the truth of grace.
“A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.” What does that mean. Many of the priests received a revelation of the saving power of Jesus and stepped into faith in Christ as opposed to the old law of works, ordinances and commandments.
Romans 10:16-17.
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
In verse 16 we see one of those unfortunate “buts” in the bible which is still true today. Not all can receive the wonderful truth about the gospel of grace. They simply will not believe the truth/report of the absolute finished work of the cross and all that comes with that.
Moving on to 1 Peter 1:22-25.
22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
How do we obey the truth? Through the Spirit. It takes a revelation to bring Truth to freedom. You won’t get it by my teachings, the Pastor’s teachings, the denomination’s teachings, or from headquarter’s teachings. The only way you will get the truth and receive it is from a revelation by the Spirit.
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Born again, not by works, performance, religion, or willpower, but by “the Word of God”.
24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
It is the ability Christ Jesus gives us. He strengthens us and lives through us. God enriches and equips us. Holy Ghost speaks through and to us. All these things are present and available. It is what gives us the ability to preach the truth of God’s word which endures forever.
It is the word and truth of the gospel of the grace of Jesus Christ. It will never fade away, but will accomplish that which it was sent out to do. God’s Word is the incorruptible seed that saved you. Jesus is the Word, the incorruptible seed, and He’s the Savior. The truth always reveals and confirms itself, and if it doesn’t, it’s not Truth.
Don’t be foolish. Don’t be tricked by the deceit of religion, legalism or denominationalism. Paul makes it clear what the course and path for believers ought to be and states the outcome of that path.
Lets finish with these scriptures. Ephesians 4:17-24.
17 With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused.
It is with the Lord’s authority we preach and teach the great grace of God and living by receiving rather than achieving. Those who do not understand the concept of rest in the finished work of the cross are “hopelessly confused”.
Because of their opinions, false belief through false teaching, religious acts of righteousness they believe are so spiritual, they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts to the Truth.
19 They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. 21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.
Since you heard the truth, simply “throw off” your old sinful nature and former way of life. It’s not easy, but it’s simple. Just like blind Bartimaeus in Mark 10:46-50 casted away his garment of blindness, we can throw off our old nature and live in the newness of life in Christ Jesus.
23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.
Did you see that. It says LET the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. You can’t do it and you have not been commanded to do it. You’ve been directed to LET THE SPIRIT do it for you. Just rest in that.
24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
PUT ON. It’s like getting a new set of clothes. Just put them on. Just put on everything Jesus says you are, have, and are an heir to as sons and daughter of the King.
Now in this scripture it says you are “truly righteous and holy”. Then what’s the argument and discussion all about. You are righteous and holy. You cannot work or perform to be righteous and holy. You have been made righteous and holy. So if you’re having a problem with that, let me ask you O foolish person. Who hath bewitched you? Who has cast an evil spell on you? Did someone put a hex on you?
To put it in Paul’s words from Galatians 2. I’m paraphrasing here. “To go back to that old rule-keeping, peer-pleasing religion would be an abandonment of everything personal and free in my relationship with God. I refuse to do that, to repudiate God’s grace. If a living relationship with God could come by rule-keeping, then Christ died unnecessarily. Walk in the freedom for which Christ has set you free. Grace and Peace.
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