Tag Archives: Salvation

C&C: Reconciliation by the Death of Jesus Christ

December 31, 2016 cpministries 11 Comments

Connections and Comparisons is an ongoing weekly series that deals with many scriptures in the Bible, some of which are not commonly addressed. The purpose of this series is to examine the scriptures at hand comparing what is said and looking at the connections within.

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Isaiah 64:5-7
5 Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou art wroth; for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and we shall be saved.
6 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.
7 And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.

In this lesson we will be focusing our attention on a statement made many times by pastors, teachers, and preachers alike. That statement is “all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags”. It is important to first establish that in the context of this passage this statement is being spoken to people who were under the Mosaic Law. The question then becomes can we who are living under the New Testament Covenant of God be the righteousness of God in Christ while at the same time making the statement that “all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags”?

2 Corinthians 5:17-21
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

We are the righteousness of God in Christ!!

2 Corinthians 6:14
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

John 12:32-34
32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
33 This he said, signifying what death he should die. {reconciling the world unto himself}
34 The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?

Romans 5:8-10
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Let us focus our attention again to this particular verse of scripture. “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.”

We are not as an unclean thing as the Prophet Isaiah spoke of pertaining to the natural seed of Israel who were under the Mosaic Law. For we have been cleansed and purified!! Our sins and iniquities are not taking us away because under the New Testament Covenant of peace the Lord was merciful to our unrighteousness by remitting our sins and thus remembering our sins and iniquities no more.

Hebrews 8:12-13
12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

Ephesians 5:24-27, 30
24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

Remember we are the righteousness of God in Christ!! We are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. The washing of water by the word is speaking of the water baptism in Jesus name where the blood of Jesus Christ is applied to our sins and thereby remitted. (See: Acts 2:38, 22:16, Col 2:11-14, 1 Peter 3:21)

Titus 3:4-5
4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Spiritual cleansing, regeneration, and reformation by repentance and water baptism in Jesus name and the receiving of the Holy Ghost.
The Greek word in use for washing:

3067. loutron, loo-tron’; from G3068; a bath, i.e. (fig.) baptism:–washing.

The Greek word in use for regeneration:

3824. paliggenesia, pal-ing-ghen-es-ee’-ah; from G3825 and G1078; (spiritual) rebirth (the state or the act), i.e. (fig.) spiritual renovation; spec. Messianic restoration:–regeneration.

1 Peter 1:18-23
18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
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:
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

We must remember that when the Prophet Isaiah spoke “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”, was being spoken to people who were under the Mosaic Law.

Hebrews 10:1-4
1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.
3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.
4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

Our sins have been remitted!!

Romans 3:19-26
19 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.
20 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.
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:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

Since we all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God, God sent his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ the Righteous into the world, to be the mediator between God and man bringing forth reconciliation through his death. Now we have access through faith in his blood unto God’s grace wherein we now stand. Being then justified freely by his grace we have the hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Therefore we are made the righteousness of God in Christ through our obedient faith in his blood.

So as to the question of can we who are living under the New Testament Covenant of God be the righteousness of God in Christ while at the same time making the statement that “all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags”, the answer is no. How can that which God has cleansed be unclean? You can’t be both the righteousness of God and yet at the same time say all your righteousness is as filthy rags.

Hebrews 11:32-33
32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

By the works of faith righteousness is wrought. Our works are wrought in Christ. We are the righteousness of God in him. Therefore the works that we do are through faith of Jesus Christ and righteousness is imputed unto us. We are to follow after righteousness and this takes place by our obedient faith to God.

James 2:24
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

James 2:17
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

James 1:25
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

Works of faith wrought in Christ!! “For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.” (Eph 5:30)

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God, Jesus, Uncategorized

If We Love God We Will Keep His Commandments

December 21, 2016 cpministries 8 Comments

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1 John 5:1-21
5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

Does this verse mean that if you believe Jesus is the Christ you are born of God and have eternal life? That is what many would say. However, they never continued reading the rest of the chapter. This verse tells us that if you believe Jesus is the Christ you are born of God: and every one that loves God, loves him also that is begotten of Him. Which would be His children or Sons of God.

2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

A portion of the answer is now found in this verse. This verse tell us how we know if we have loved His children. It continues from verse 1. It tells us we love the children of God, when we love God and keep his commandments. So, now we just learned that those Born of God, love His children, love God, and keep his commandments. One of his commandments was, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. See John 3:5.

So now we see that Jesus tells us to be Born of God you must be born of water and of the Spirit. So to fulfill the question from verse one, which was, Does verse 1 mean that if you believe Jesus is the Christ you are born of God and have eternal life? That to answer this question you also have to apply verse 2 which tells us that we must love His children, love God, and keep His commandments, of which one is specifically about what must be done to enter the Kingdom of God, which was how to be born again.

3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

This tells us how we know if we love God. Which is if we keep His commandments. And tells us that His commandments are not grievous.

4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

This tells us we overcome the world, by faith.

5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Here a specific question was asked. Who is he that overcometh the world, is it he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

This verse tells us how Jesus Christ came. Which was by water and blood. Not water only, but by water and blood. And the Spirit bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. Who is the Spirit that bears this witness?

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” (John 14:16-18)

So this Spirit, which is the Spirit of Christ bears witness that Jesus came by water and blood. How did he come by water and blood? John 19:34 “But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.”

7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

Here we are told there are three that bear record in Heaven and these three are one. So who is the Father? God. Who is the Word? John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” So the Word is also God. Who is the Holy Ghost? The Spirit of God. We just learned that Jesus is the Comforter, the Spirit of truth. So what does all of this mean? That the three that bear record in Heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, are God and His name is Jesus.

Remember , John 5:43 ” I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.” So verse 7 said that the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost are one. It did not say these three are one made up of three. Because that would no longer be one, but three.

8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

Now we are told that there is three that bear witness in Earth. The Spirit, the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. We know that the Spirit is the Spirit of Truth, the Holy Ghost; and that when the soldier pierced His side, there came out blood and water. So the question is what do these three agree in? They agree in how to be Born again. Which is the whole topic. Remember the question from verse 1? If not it was, does this verse mean that if you believe Jesus is the Christ you are born of God and have eternal life?

So now we see that the answer to this question is yes only if you have met all these other requirements. Which were: we must love His children, love God, and keep His commandments, of which one is specifically about what must be done to enter the Kingdom of God, which was how to be born again.

So the two questions that remain are, What then is the fulfilling of the commandment of God, to be born of water and of the Spirit? And if the Spirit, water, and the Blood agree in one, and it is Salvation. How then?

Question 1 was answered in:

Acts 2:36-39
36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

So when we baptize in the name of Jesus we are being born of water and when we receive the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking with other tongues, we are born of the Spirit.

This also fulfills Matthew 28:19 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost”.

Which Peter understood and thus why he told them to be baptized in the name of Jesus. Do you recall that Jesus told Peter He would give him the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven?

Matthew 16:17-19
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Question 2 And if the Spirit, water, and the Blood agree in one, and it is Salvation. How then?

(John 19:34) Showed us the blood and water represents Jesus’ death.

Romans 6:3-6
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

So when you apply Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost”, The blood represents your repentance.

“And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” (Hebrews 9:22)

The water represents burying yourself into the death of Jesus which crucifies our bodies and puts sin to death, so that we also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:3-6 above)

The Spirit represents the Holy Ghost which is promised to you after taking on the name of Jesus Christ in baptism. (Acts 2:38 above)

(Continuing from I John 5)
9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.

This verse tells us that the witness of God is the testimony of His Son.

10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

This verse tell us that if you believe on the Son of God you have the witness in yourself: but he that does not believe makes God a liar, because he does not believe the record that God gave to Jesus.

11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

Here we are told the record is eternal life given by God, and that this eternal life is in His Son Jesus.

12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

This tells us again that if you have Jesus you have eternal life. And if you do not have Jesus you do not have eternal life.

13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Here we are told the reason of this chapter. That you might believe on the name of the Son of God, which is Jesus; so that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you might believe on the name of the Son of God, which is Jesus.

14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

This verse tells us the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He will hear us.

15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

Here we are told, that if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, according to His will, we know that we will have the petitions that we have desired of Him.

16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

This verse tells us that if we see our brother sin a sin that is not unto death, that if we ask, He shall give him life, if it were not a sin unto death. We are told that there is a sin unto death, and told not to pray for it, if our brother has committed that sin. That sin is Mark 3:29 “But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation”.

17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.

Here we are told that all unrighteousness is sin: and that there is a sin not unto death. These are Mark 3:28 “Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme”.

18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

Here we are told that one born of God sins not; but that he keeps himself, and the wicked one will not touch him. Does this mean that you can do anything you want and it is impossible for you to sin? Recall what this chapter has told us in verse 3. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. Also:

Romans 6:15-16
15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

Here we are told that we are of God, and the whole world lies in wickedness.

20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

This verse tells us that now we know the Son of God, Jesus is come, and has given us and understanding, and that understanding is that we may know Him that is true, and that we are in Him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. And then we are told, that Jesus is the true God, and eternal life.

John 14:6-9
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?

21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

This verse tells us to keep ourselves from idols and was said because now we should have understood who God is.

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Faith, Grace

C & C: What the Grace of God Teaches Us

December 16, 2016 cpministries 1 Comment

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Titus 2:11-15
11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

Are you following the grace of God? The grace of God that brings salvation? The grace of God that teaches “us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world”? It is very important that you understand What the Grace of God Teaches Us! We are saved by grace but you will not be saved if you are not following after What the Grace of God Teaches Us!

Maybe no one has ever taught you What the Grace of God Teaches Us! Maybe you are unaware that the grace of God that brings salvation requires you to be obedient to What the Grace of God Teaches Us! “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;”! This is required or you have fallen from grace and will not be saved!

2 Peter 3:17-18
17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

There is no such doctrine in the Word of God that teaches you that once you are saved you are always saved, but the contrary is taught all throughout scripture! “beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.”

1 Corinthians 9:26-27
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

The Apostle Paul himself declares that he keeps his body under subjection “lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway”.

Revelation 3:5
5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Your name can clearly be blotted out of the book of life! It is of the utmost importance that you not only understand this but that you also follow after what the grace of God teaches us or you will not be saved! “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;”!

Let’s take a closer look at what it means to be obedient to What the Grace of God Teaches Us! The Grace of God teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. How does one know what is ungodly and what is worldly lusts without studying the Word of God and being taught by the 5-fold ministry that God has given to the Church? You can’t just follow after your heart!

Galatians 5:19-21
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

You can’t claim to be saved by grace while you deny What the Grace of God Teaches Us! The grace of God that brings salvation requires you to be obedient to What the Grace of God Teaches Us! It is more than “denying ungodliness and worldly lusts” but also the grace of God teaches us that “we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world”! You MUST “live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” to be saved by the grace of God!!

People love to quote these scriptures from Ephesians:

Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Yet deny or misunderstand What the Grace of God Teaches Us! We are saved by grace through faith if you are obedient to What the Grace of God Teaches Us!

1 Corinthians 3:16-17
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

You MUST “live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” to be saved by the grace of God while also “denying ungodliness and worldly lusts”!

Romans 14:16-19
16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

Hebrews 12:14-16
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

If you do not follow after “peace with all men, and holiness” you will not be saved! It is essential to salvation as well as being part of following What the Grace of God Teaches Us!

1 Corinthians 14:1
1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

Charity is love and love is the fulfilling of the law of Moses.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8 Charity never faileth:

Romans 13:8-10
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

If you do not have the love of Christ in you then you are not following What the Grace of God Teaches Us!

1 Timothy 6:6-14
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

The grace of God that teaches “us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” teaches us to be content with “food and raiment” for “godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.”

We are to “follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” These are the things that the Grace of God Teaches Us!

2 Timothy 2:22-26
22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

We are saved by grace through faith “and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” However, you MUST OBEY What the Grace of God Teaches Us or YOU WILL NOT BE SAVED BECAUSE YOU FAIL SHORT OF THE GRACE OF GOD AND HAVE 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! (See Hebrews 10:29)

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Christian, Christianity

Grace – Moving from Condemnation (Law) unto Justification (Grace)

November 16, 2016 cpministries 9 Comments

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In our study of Grace we are going to be covering many topics. These topics will include how grace is accessed, how we moved from the law to grace, who the Justifier of many is, how grace is applied, how our conscience has been perfected, how grace does not give us an occasion to sin, that if we do fall short we can boldly come before the Lord and ask for forgiveness, and finally, what the grace of God teaches us.

Ephesians 4:8
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

Thank God for these wonderful gifts that were left for us. You may be wondering what are some of these gifts that were left for us. The Gift of Eternal Life, The Gift of the Holy Ghost, The nine Gifts of the Holy Ghost, The Gift of restoration of Sonship, The Gift of Grace, The Gift of Righteousness, The Gift of the five fold ministry, namely, Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

Praise God for these wonderful Gifts!!

This captivity that was led captive was that of death.

Hebrews 2:14-17
14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

Lets begin our teaching on the Gift of Grace.

Acts 20:32
32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

The very first thing we have just learned is that grace is able to build us up. Unlike guilt which will tear you down.

This is because the Law brought forth guilt and condemnation, whereas grace brings forth justification of life.

Romans 3:19
19 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.

Romans 5:15-19
15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

However we also learned from Acts 20:32 that grace will also give an inheritance to all them which are sanctified. So the first thing we better find out is how does one become sanctified?

Hebrews 13:11-16
11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.
12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Here we have learned that the blood of Jesus sanctifies us.

Romans 15:15-16
15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God,
16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

So now we have learned how one becomes sanctified. We are sanctified by the Blood of Jesus Christ and the receiving of the Holy Ghost. This is very important.

Recall: Acts 20:32
32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

This means that the Gift of Grace which is able to build you up, allows you to gain access to the inheritance, which is eternal life through Jesus Christ by the Gift of the Holy Ghost, which we have found is needed to be sanctified. To be sanctified, one must be born again of water and of the Spirit as Jesus has told us in John 3:1-7, which is fulfilled in Acts 2:38-39.

It is essential for you to repent and be baptized in Jesus name for the remission of your sins and it is a promise that you will receive the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost will come into you with the evidence of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance.

Acts 2:1-4
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Galatians 5:5
5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

Romans 10:4-5
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

James 2:10-13
10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath showed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

Romans 5:1-6
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

So those who have the Spirit, which is the Holy Ghost, wait for the hope of righteousness by faith, and therefore being justified by faith, have access by their faith into grace, wherein we stand.

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

Since we all have sinned and fell short of the Glory of God, God sent Jesus Christ the Righteous, to be a reconciliation between God and man. Now by our obedience of faith and partaking of Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, we now have access by faith in His blood unto God’s grace wherein we now stand. Being then justified freely by his grace we have the hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

We are a Purchased Possession. Bought with the Price of the Blood of Jesus Christ!!!

Ephesians 1:12-14
12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

The redemption of the purchased possession is our gathering together to Him in what we call the rapture, where we will meet the Lord in the air and be forever with Him.

1 Thessalonians 4:17-18
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

At this time I would like to turn our focus on how we obtain the free Gift of righteousness.

John 1:15-17
15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

Romans 4:2-8
2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not ascertained by grace, but of debt.

Meaning that to him that works the reward is a debt owed for his labor instead of being freely given by God’s grace without works.

5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

So we obtain righteousness not by our works, but by obedience and by believing on God that justifies the ungodly. This person, who has been obedient unto God and has believed on Jesus Christ whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, (to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past,) this person, God forgives their iniquities and does not impute sin to them, but instead as the Justifier of many, He imputes righteousness unto you, remembering your sins no more.

Romans 4:13-25
13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb:
20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Even though righteousness is not obtained by works, we have learned that it is obtained by obedience.

Romans 6:16
16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

We also have learned that righteousness is obtained by believing on God that justifies the ungodly. Therefore being justified by faith it is highly important to realize that faith without works is dead. It is our obedience of faith that leads unto righteousness.

Romans 1:5-6
5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:

James 2:20-23
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Apostle James has given us clear instructions on how the scripture was fulfilled which said that Abraham believed God. Just as our father Abraham applied his faith with obedience in believing God concerning the promise he was given through his seed, we too must be obedient to believing on God that justifieth the ungodly, as the scripture has told us.

Abraham showed his obedient faith by placing his only son Isaac on an altar to slay him as God commanded him, whereas we today are obedient to God as Jesus Christ has told us to be born again of water and of the Spirit, which will then lead to a life of separation, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. This person’s faith is counted for righteousness.

The atonement of Christ was the reconciliation between God and man when Jesus Christ became our sacrifice for sins and made a way for us to partake of His righteousness through our obedient faith unto Him. This is accomplished by applying Acts 2:38 in your life, wherein you partake of the born again experience of water and of the Spirit and thus the New Testament Covenant, (brought by Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection,) is fulfilled. This fulfillment restores sonship that was lost by the first Adam. The last Adam being Jesus Christ.

12 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:
13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

That figure of Him that was to come was Jesus Christ.

15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.

What you are reading is the moving away from condemnation that was brought forth by sin, to justification unto life that was brought forth by Jesus Christ.

17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

O the Manifold Wisdom of God!!! O the depth of His riches!!! How unsearchable are His ways past finding out!!!

Even though Jesus Christ never sinned, He became sin for us, that through His death sin might be destroyed. Thus allowing those who obey Him to partake of the born again process of God and to then become a new creature in Christ.

Colossians 1:19-23
19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

Set free from the Law of Sin and Death by the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus!!

Romans 8:1-18
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

This is why we must born of the Spirit, otherwise we are none of His.

10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

Righteousness that was imputed to your charge without the works of the Mosaic Law.

11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

We must not continue in sin, for if you live after the flesh, you will surely die!!

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 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 word Abba means Father.

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

We will be joint-heirs with Christ. Everything that is His will be ours!!

18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Praise God!! What Precious Promises we have in God!! What Precious Gifts God has given unto us!! O How Precious is the Blood!!??!!

Hebrews 10:1-4; 14
1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.
3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.
4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

This process of Justification wherein God the Justifier of many, has given the free Gift of grace that reigns through the free Gift of righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord, has forever purged us from condemnation and guilt concerning our conscience and has forever perfected the conscience of them that are sanctified, (which are those who have been born again by partaking of the Lord’s death, burial, and resurrection), and has set us free of the Law of Sin and Death.

Hebrews 10:26
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

Romans 6:23
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

So we see that it is very important once we come to the knowledge of the truth, to not purposefully and intentionally go on sinning. But instead we are to put our flesh to death concerning sin, and obey righteousness unto Life.

Romans 6:12-18
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

What form of doctrine that was delivered to you? The gospel of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ of which you partake of by applying Acts 2:38 in your life.

Galatians 5:13-26
13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

But if you are being led by the flesh, then you are under the penalty of the Law of Sin and Death. For, “the soul that sinneth, it shall die.” (Ezek 18:4b)

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

If we do make a Mistake and Sin

1 John 1:9
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Ephesians 3:11-12
11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

Hebrews 4:14-16
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

So when you fall into temptation and sin, don’t let the devil or yourself, begin to condemn you or to begin to give you a guilt trip. Instead apply the Word of God, the Sword of the Spirit! Come Boldly unto the throne of grace with full assurance, for He is Faithful and Just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Remember, there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Now that we fully understand the process of Justification, and how the free gifts of God has brought life unto us, let’s continue with what the Grace of God teaches us.

Those who truly are following the Grace of God will deny themselves ungodliness and worldly lusts, and will live Soberly, Righteously, and Godly, in this present world. They will be watching for the blessed hope of Jesus Christ’s return and will become zealous of good works.

Titus 3:8
8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Ephesians 2:10
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

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Bible study, Jesus

C & C: If the dead rise not at all?

October 22, 2016 cpministries 3 Comments

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Many people have questioned what the Apostle Paul was speaking of when he made the statement, “Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?” (1 Cor 15:29)

In this lesson I will show you from the scripture what the Apostle Paul is speaking of. Let us take a closer look at chapter 15 of 1 Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 15:1-29
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

The topic of this chapter has been laid out. The topic of Jesus Christ dying for our sins, being buried, and that he rose again the third day.

5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Here the Apostle Paul has given testimony of the witnesses that seen Jesus Christ after he was risen from the dead.

11 Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.
12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:
14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.
16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:
17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

Here the Apostle Paul has explained that if the dead rise not at all then we are still in our sins. And they themselves are also found false witnesses of God because they testified of God that he raised up Christ from the dead. And if there be no resurrection of the dead then Christ did not raise and our faith is in vain.

19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Here the Apostle Paul reaffirms the truth that Christ is risen from the dead and that he is become the firstfruits of them that slept. Meaning Christ is the first begotten of the dead. (Rev 1:5)

23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?

After explaining the order of the resurrection of the dead the Apostle Paul explains that death is the last enemy to be destroyed. And then the Apostle asks the question “Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?” Remember the topic of this chapter is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Some people were saying that there wasn’t any resurrection of the dead. So the Apostle has instructed them that if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen from the dead and your faith is in vain, if the dead rise not at all.

“Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?”

Something many people fail to realize is that we are baptized for the dead.

Colossians 2:10-14
10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

You don’t bury the living you bury the dead!! We are baptized for the dead that the body of sin might be destroyed. Remember the topic of this chapter is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. When a person repents of their sins they must also be baptized in Jesus name for the remission of their sins. Because as we just read in Colossians this is where “ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses”.

So the Apostle Paul asks the question, “Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?”

Romans 6:1-9
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

Notice carefully the question asked here, “How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” The Apostle Paul goes on to explain how we become dead to sin.

3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

We are baptized for the dead. We must die out to sin in repentance and then be baptized into Jesus Christ by invoking his name as we are being baptized that the “circumcision made without hands” might take place “in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ” “that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.” “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses” “For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection” “Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him”

Therefore we are baptized for the dead that the circumcision of Christ might take place which destroys the body of sin which we inherited from birth. This takes place in water baptism whereby our sins are remitted or washed away upon the invoking of the name of Jesus Christ through the faith of the operation of God. “For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection”. But you must be planted together in the likeness of his death by being “baptized into Jesus Christ” where we are “baptized into his death”. Or we will not be in the likeness of his resurrection because the body of sin was not destroyed.

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Holy Spirit, Jesus

Christ the Firstfruits

October 19, 2016 cpministries 3 Comments

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The First and only begotten of the Father!

John 1:1,14, 18
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

John 3:16-18
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

1 John 4:9-10
9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

The First begotten of Mary!

Isaiah 7:14
14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Isaiah 9:6-7
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Luke 1:34-35
34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

Matthew 1:20-23
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

The First begotten of the Dead!

Revelation 1:5-6
5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Acts 2:25-28
25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:
27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.

Acts 26:22-23
22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:
23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

The First begotten of every Creature!

Colossians 1:12-17
12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

The First begotten of the Living!

1 Corinthians 15:20-23
20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.

Matthew 27:52-53
52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

We have the Firstfruits of the Spirit!

Romans 8:19-23
19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

Romans 8:10-14
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

James 1:17-18
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

1 Peter 1:3-5
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

We who have the Firstfruits of the Spirit, have a Promise!!!

1 Corinthians 15:51-58
51 Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:15-18
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Come take part of the Promise…..

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Bible study, Faith

Obedient Faith

September 30, 2016 cpministries 5 Comments

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Hebrews 11:1-2
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.

Faith is an action word! Faith is something that you believe will take place! The result of this belief by faith produces a hope of what one desires and believes will take place. Thus you place your trust into this hope that you desire to take place by your faith.

The gospel of Jesus Christ was revealed to all people and nations for the obedience of faith.

Romans 1:5-6
5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:

Obedience requires actions on your part. In order for you to be saved through faith you must put forth actions necessary to be obedient to the faith that was once delivered to you.

Romans 16:25-27
25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

Again, we see the Apostle Paul has told us that the gospel was made known to all nations for the obedience of faith. So, what is the gospel that the Apostle Paul preached?

1 Corinthians 15:1-4
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

So the gospel that the Apostle Paul preached was the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Of which he tells us that we are saved by this gospel if we keep in memory what he preached to us.

Romans 3:19-25
19 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.
20 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.
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:

Remember the Apostle Paul said above that we are saved by the gospel, “if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.” So you can believe the gospel in vain and be lost!

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Here the Apostle Paul is explaining to us the process of how we are justified freely by God’s grace.

24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

It is important to recognize what the Apostle Paul is referring to in this explanation. Here the Apostle Paul speaks of the remission of sins that are past through the forbearance of God. So what does it mean to have faith in the blood of Jesus and how does this tie in with the remission of our sins?

We are speaking about being obedient to the faith that was made known to all nations. We are speaking about the gospel of Jesus Christ that was revealed to us by the Prophets and the Apostles. This gospel being the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and how we are to be obedient to this gospel that is able to save our souls if we keep in mind what was preached to us.

Remember we have learned that faith is an action word that one believes will take place producing a hope in the belief that one has, ultimately leading to the placing of your trust into what you have believed. And we can believe in vain. So how do we make sure we are obedient to the faith that was delivered to us and not be as one the believes in vain?

One must search the scriptures daily and see if what he hears is so by remembering that all scripture is inspired by God.

2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

So what does it mean to have faith in the blood of Jesus and how does this tie in with the remission of our sins?

Hebrews 9:22
22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

Luke 22:19-20
19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

The shedding of Jesus Christ’s blood is what allows us to have our sins remitted.

Hebrews 8:10-13
10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

So how do we have our sins remitted according to scripture?

Acts 2:38-39
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

This is how one partakes of the gospel of Jesus Christ that the Apostle Paul preached about.

The Apostle Paul, Saul of Tarsus, testifying of his conversion before the jews.

Acts 22:12-16
12 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,
13 Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.
14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.
15 For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Immediately Ananias told the Apostle Paul to be baptized and wash away his sins calling on the name of the Lord. This is because the blood of Jesus Christ is applied to your sins when you are baptized in Jesus name for the remission of your sins.

Remember we are speaking of being obedient to the faith that was once delivered to us. The gospel of Jesus Christ of which was made know to all nations for the obedience of faith.

We have learned that this gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and that the New Testament Covenant that was given to us by God required the shed blood of Jesus Christ for the remission of our sins. Our faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ causes us to take actions of obedient faith in accordance to how we partake of the plan of salvation of which we believe by faith. This causes us to then apply what the Apostles and Prophets taught us to do to partake of this new testament covenant that the shed blood of Jesus Christ purchased for us.

We were told by God concerning the New Testament Covenant that he would be merciful to our unrighteousness, and our sins and iniquities would he remember no more. So in order for us to receive the remission of our sins according to the scriptures we found that we must repent of our sins and be baptized in Jesus name for the remission of our sins and that we would receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. That this promise was to all that was afar off even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

So what are you waiting for? Let us be obedient to the faith that was once delivered to us.

John 14:15
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

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Heaven, Jesus

Anybody Want to go to Heaven?

September 14, 2016 cpministries 1 Comment

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Matthew 7:21
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

You Must be Obedient unto the Gospel of Jesus Christ or you will NOT go to Heaven!

1 Thessalonians 4:2-7
2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.

You must be Obedient to the commandments which were given us by the Lord Jesus or you will NOT go to Heaven!

3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

We have been called unto holiness! Every one of you should know how to possess your vessel in sanctification and honour!!!

1 Thessalonians 5:14-23
14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
16 Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
19 Quench not the Spirit.
20 Despise not prophesyings.
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Pay attention to the instructions that are given! Be patient toward all men. Follow that which is good unto all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks! In everything give thanks!! In everything give thanks!!! For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Hold fast that which is good! Abstain from all appearance of evil!!!! I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless!

Romans 6:16-17
16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

What form of doctrine that was delivered you?

DOCTRINE is not a dirty word!!!!! Without the doctrine of Jesus Christ, you will NOT go to Heaven!!!

After you have followed the instructions given to every person since the day that the Apostle Peter spoke the words above, which was to Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, you will then begin to live a life of separation, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

2 Corinthians 6:14-17
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

The word separation does not mean isolation. You must be Obedient to the Gospel of Jesus Christ or you will NOT go to Heaven!!!

2 Corinthians 7:1
1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

You must be Obedient to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, as was spoken by the Apostle Peter above and cleanse yourself from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit or you will NOT go to Heaven!!!

2 Peter 1:3-4
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Hebrews 12:14
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

You must be Obedient to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, or you will NOT go to Heaven!

1 Peter 1:13-16
13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: (HELLO????)
15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

You MUST separate yourself from the lusts that are in the world or you will NOT go to Heaven!

1 John 2:15-17
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

1 John 5:3
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

You must be Obedient to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, or you will NOT go to Heaven!!!

Hebrews 5:8-9
8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

Do you Want to go to Heaven? Then you must be Obedient to the Word of God!!!!

Romans 2:4-11
4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
11 For there is no respect of persons with God.

2 Thessalonians 1:6-10
6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

Matthew 7:24-27
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

The Choice is Yours!!! Be Obedient unto the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Live or continue to follow after the world and DIE!!!!

Do you really want to go to Heaven? Or do you really want to serve yourself?

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Behavior, Christian Living

A Little Sleep, A Little Slumber

September 7, 2016 cpministries Leave a comment

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The Bible says in Proverbs Chapter 6:9-12
9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
12 A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.
13 He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;
14 Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.
15 Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.

Proverbs 24:30-33 Says it like this:
30 I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
31 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.

A Nettle is a plant having jagged leaves covered with stinging hairs.

32 Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.
33 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
34 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.

Church we don’t want to be caught Asleep!!

We look around at our World today, and we see the signs of His coming!! And we look around and we see that our families and our friends still need Salvation. We see that our Nation has become a Nation of Abominations.

Every where we look, the stench of Sin is rising up to Heaven before the nostrils of our God. We see so called Homosexual marriages. We see a Nation of people that are acceptant of their behavior and in many cases standing along side of them, protesting with them to help them achieve their goal. We see our Retail Store Outlets taking Christ out of Christmas and replacing Him with silly Holiday Slogans. Every where we look in our World we see the March of the Anti-Christ spirit. As they proudly declare, We want Christianity erased from History.

Luke 17:26-30 says it like this…
26 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.
27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.
28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;
29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

Church, Where is your Burden for the Lost? Where is your desire to see one saved? Have you become so Sleepy in this world of filth that you no longer care about the Lost?

The wicked man is saying, what we see in II Peter 3:3-7
3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

These SIX things DOTH the LORD HATE: yea, seven are an ABOMINATION unto HIM:

In Proverbs 6
17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

A Proud look: Are you arrogant? Are you Stuck up? Do you have a haughty spirit?

A Lying Tongue: Do you say one thing and in your heart another? Do you speak deceit to spare yourself of troubles? Do you think white lies are not lies?

Hands that Shed innocent blood: Are you killing someone just because of their ethnic background? Having abortions? Are you slaying your brother because of his Beliefs?

Heart of Wicked Imaginations: Do you allow yourself to fantasize on causing harm to others? Do you allow yourself to imagine lustful desires? Do you imagine what life would be like if there wasn’t a God?

Feet swiftly running to Mischief: Are you quickly running to watch a fight at School? Are you running to be with the in crowd while they make hurtful jokes toward others? Are you running to make sure you get to take your best shot out on another fellow man, since everyone else is doing it?

A false witness speaking lies: Do you speak lies against another because they have offended you? Are you making up lies to purposely see another person get punished? Are you speaking lies against another because you don’t want to tell on your lying friends?

He that sows Discord among Brethern: Are you starting rumors at Church? Are you gossiping on the telephone of what you saw your Brother or Sister do last week? Are you back biting or stabbing your fellow man because you will not offer up Forgiveness for something that they had done to you?

Church, Are you doing one of these sins that God hates? If so REPENT. Do you see our Nation doing any of these things that God Hates? Then Why, are you not speaking out against them and showing them the error of their ways? Are you not the salt of the Earth? Are we not the Light of the World. How then, do you expect them to know their own way?

Romans 13:8-14 Reminds us How we should be Living
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

If you Love one another, Then why are you not out spreading The Word of Truth to your neighbors? Why are you not taking Salvation to the Lost? Have you become the Sluggard? Are you the slothful man with thorns and nettles over your face?

Oh A Little Sleep, A Little Slumber. A Little Folding of the Hands to Sleep.

I Thessalonians 5:1-11 says,
1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Church, Do you recognize the season? Then why are you not out in the highways and the byways compelling them to come to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb? Why are you willing to make excuses such as I do not have the time? Are you more wrapped up in this World, that you are not supposed to be taking part with, that you are going to be one of the Five Silly Virgins that didn’t have enough Oil burning in their Lamp? Do you feel it’s more important to watch TV, listen to ungodly radio music, or go shopping than it is to see a man saved? Are you to busy making sure your belly stays full, than making a commitment to God, and becoming a laborer in the harvest fields?

Luke 21:34-36
34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Church, Are you to SLEEPY to have Revival?

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Faith

Grace – Moving from Condemnation unto Justification – Part 2

November 25, 2010 cpministries Leave a comment

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Romans 5:10-19
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
12 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:
13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

O the Manifold Wisdom of God!!! O the depth of His riches!!! How unsearchable are His ways past finding out!!!

2 Corinthians 5:17-21
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Romans 8:1-18
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God,neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 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.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Praise God!! What Precious Promises we have in God!! What Precious Gifts God has given unto us!! O How Precious is the Blood!!??!!

Hebrews 10:1-4; 14
1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.
3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.
4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

Hebrews 10:26
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

Romans 6:23
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Galatians 5:13-26
13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

IF WE DO FALL SHORT AND SIN

1 John 1:9
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Ephesians 3:11-12
11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

Listen to what we are told in the book of Hebrews……

Hebrews 2:16-18
16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

Succour: help; relief; aid; assistance.

Hebrews 4:14-16
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

So when you fall into temptation and sin, don’t let the devil or yourself, begin to condemn you or to begin to give you a guilt trip. Instead apply the Word of God, the Sword of the Spirit! Come Boldly unto the throne of grace with full assurance, for He is Faithful and Just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Remember, there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Now that we fully understand the process of Justification, and how the free gifts of God has brought life unto us, let’s continue with what the Grace of God teaches us.

Titus 2:11-15
11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

Titus 3:8
8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Ephesians 2:10
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

In Closing,

Colossians 4:6
6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Connecting Point Ministries

Tag Archives: Salvation

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A Little Sleep, A Little Slumber

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Grace – Moving from Condemnation unto Justification – Part 2

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A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.