June/July 2006

Mark 10:46-52, “And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great
number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. And when
he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have
mercy on me. And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal,
Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And
they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. And he, casting
away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that
I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said
unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and
followed Jesus in the way.”

Christ’s humble servant, David Neal

So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and

immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.
July, 2006

Isaiah 42:6-7, “I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will
keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; To open the blind
eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison
house.”

An Electronic Book
Microsoft Word Format

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Introduction
The author found himself becoming very discouraged in trying to share the truth of God
with others. It just seems that there are very few people that want to hear or read the
Word of God as was spoken with power (the gospel) and walked in example by Jesus
Christ. The author had been very dedicated and spent many many hours writing down the
precious things of God, but just who has ears to hear or eyes to see? So many hearts are
waxed gross and their ears are dull of hearing. Many say they see, yet are fully blind (Mt
13:15, Jn 9:39).

Even those closest to the author tired of hearing the beloved truth of the Lord. He has
been called mad/crazy by some, and others, including some friends and family members,
have separated from his company. The author was absolutely certain of the truth of the
message, but just began to be weary (worn down) due to all the rejection.

The author considered the fact that he could not just stop speaking and writing God’s
truth and simply keep to himself the cherished things that the Lord was revealing. This
would be to hide your light (truth) and put it under a bushel (Mt 5:15). This would be to
lay up the truth in a napkin or hide the truth in the earth (Lk 19:20-23, Mt 25:25-28). This
is to be as salt that has lost his savour (Mt 5:13).

However, we are to give light unto all that are in the house (Mt 5:15). Matthew 5:16,
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your
Father which is in heaven.” A candle (light) must be set upon a candlestick so that all
may see (Mk 4:21). There is a great responsibility and obligation (a commandment) to
speak and demonstrate the Lord’s gospel (Mk 16:15, Mt 24:14) - not only to believe on
him, but also to suffer for his sake (Php 1:29, 2 Thess 1:5, 2 Tim 2:12).

The Lord spoke to the author’s heart and revealed something precious that brought about
the needed encouragment – a reminder (a help to remember something important). The
Lord said that man rejected Him when He spoke the Father’s Word, so how much more
will you be rejected when you speak My Words (Jn 15:18)? Luke 21:17, “And ye shall
be hated of all men for my name’s sake.” This was so incredibly encouraging to me, but
why? Because it revealed to me something desired more than anything this world has to
offer – it revealed that I was walking in the steps of my Lord (1 Pt 2:21, 4:1).

The author was not being offered a solution to end all of the rejection or necessarily a
remedy to remove the hurt. The author was being offered a cross and a narrow path to
continue to walk in (Mt 7:13-14, 16:24, Mk 8:34, 10:21, Lk 9:23, Jn 14:6) – just as Christ
had walked. This was more beneficial and prized (valuable). This was a treasure and a
pearl of great price (Mt 13:44-46, 19:21). Luke 6:40, “The disciple is not above his
master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.” AND Matthew 10:24-25,
“The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the
disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master
of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?” 2
Timothy 3:12, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”

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After all, Jesus learned obedience by the things which He suffered – and so shall His
followers (Heb 5:8-9).

The Lord plainly tells us: Luke 6:22-23, “Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and
when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out
your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for,
behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the
prophets.” So: 1 Peter 5:9, “Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same
afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” Your not alone in
your tribulations – Jesus endured suffering and so do all His followers.

Now there are many religious people in this world and most claim to be following Christ.
The truth of the claim is revealed when your life actually lines up (aligns) with the
example that Jesus walked (Jn 15:20). This is how we must judge ourselves (2 Cor 13:5).
Jesus said we would be judged by His Words (which He walked flawlessly); so Christ’s
Words are our standard to live by (Jn 12:48). The religious world claims to practice or
adhere to God’s Word, but mostly ignors or explains away the hard things – those things
that come against the will of the flesh - those things that require sacrifice. These often
compromise away the meat of the message that was spoken of God in the person of Jesus
Christ (the Word of God made flesh).

Examples might be: being hated by others (not popular, Mt 5:10-12, Lk 6:22); losing
your life for Christ’s sake and the gospel’s (Mt 10:39, 16:25, Mk 8:35, Lk 9:24); bearing
your cross (dying to self, Lk 14:27); forsaking all that you have (Lk 14:33); not loving the
world or seeking fleshly lusts, desires or possessions (or walking in the course of this
world, 1 Jn 2:15-17); placing Jesus before father, and mother, and wife, and children, and
brethren, and sisters, yea, and your own life (Lk 14:26); bearing the injuries of others
(forgiveness, Mt 6:15, Mk 11:26); and loving your enemies (Mt 5:43-45). These things
are often explained away by religious man thus making Christ’s Words of none effect
(effect - to promote needed change).

There are many hard truths in the Bible and it is certain that a true follower (disciple) of
Jesus will experience everything that Christ experienced. 1 John 2:6, “He that saith he
abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” AND Colossians 2:6,
“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him.” Jesus is the
firstborn of many brethren (Rm 8:29). Brethren are brothers whereby one resembles the
other in nature and experience. Jesus forged a path that His disciples must follow along –
for He is the Shepherd and they are His sheep (Jn 10:27). He goeth before them (Jn
10:4). Galatians 5:25, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

One of the things a follower of Christ quickly learns is that man has consistently rejected
God and His Word from the very beginning. When Jesus came (the Word of God made
flesh) speaking God’s Words, He was soundly rejected by those who claimed to serve
God – meaning religious man. Jesus said of His followers: John 17:14, “I have given
them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as
I am not of the world.” If Jesus is hated by the world then His disciples must also be
hated by the world – thus you know that you are following Christ.

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Why are they hated? They are hated because of God’s Word or truth. The world is in
rebellion against this truth. The world walks opposite of the truth. Christ sanctifies (sets
apart) His followers in God’s truth. John 17:17, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy
word is truth (also Jn 17:19).” So: Luke 10:16, “He that heareth you heareth me; and he
that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.”
God’s Word is the real issue here!

Therefore: If you walk as Jesus walked and speak His Words, then the world will hate
and reject you just as it did Jesus. John 13:16, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant
is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.” AND
John 15:20, “Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his
lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my
saying, they will keep yours also.” What we are being told is that by and large rejection is
an expected condition of speaking the truth of God’s Word. Christ’s disciples perfectly
follow Him in all things including being persecuted, rejected, hated and despised. Only
the humble (self denying) will receive God’s truth.

Conversely, if your message is being well received by a large audience (such as

authoring a very popular book), then you have cause for concern (1 Jn 4:5). The world
loves its own (Jn 15:19)! Jesus spoke to and was rejected by a very religious people who
thought they knew and served God. This was quite a disconnect in that God (the Word)
became flesh and spoke God’s Word or truth to His own people only to be rejected by
them. Christ’s message (which was the Father’s Word) was rejected by religious man.
John 1:10-11, “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew
him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”

Do not be surprised that the exact same condition exists today in so many of those who
claim to know and serve Jesus Christ. In other words, many claim to follow Jesus, but
they do not know Him. These same one’s who claim to follow Jesus (with mental
acknowledgement) will actually reject walking the path that Jesus walked. God’s truth
quickly separates the light from the darkness (2 Cor 6:14-18). Many “identify” with
God’s Word, but who “practices” God’s Word? Jesus said: Matthew 7:20, “Wherefore by
their fruits ye shall know them.”

God’s Word is so divisive! The Word of God quickly separates the real from the false.
The majority of man, including much of what calls itself Christian, has rejected the Word
of God. How so? They have not “received” God’s Word in that they will not apply it to
their lives and actually walk therein. Most of the religious world has a “free gift” and
“cheap grace” doctrinal theology that essentially believes that Jesus did everything (and
He is worthy) and nothing is required of man (that through Christ sin may abound???).
They bandy about (pass about freely and carelessly, exchange in argumentative manner)
the ill-advised (unwise, misguided, foolhardy) phrase: “works do not save.”

This outlook has nullified the Word of God and made it of none effect. It is so much
easier to accept (as in some mental acknowledgment) or tolerate the words of another
(Jesus) when you do not believe that you must actually walk them (live them) or be held
accountable to them. However, we must OBEY the truth (Rm 2:8, 2 Thess 2:8, Gal 5:7)!

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Nothing is so easy as to deny that which is not agreeable to your own desire. Oh it was
just fine when Jesus walked the narrow way; however, Jesus always said, Come, follow
Me.” Jesus is telling you dear reader to “follow.” Let us understand what “works” means.

Modern Christian thinking is that if you “accept” Jesus (as in some repeated sinner’s
prayer) that you will somehow be exempt from having to walk and live the things Jesus
said – confusion? – its all so surreal. They distort (do not understand) and are ignorant of
the verses: Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” The
underlined words are what modern popular Christianity stresses (emphasizes).

Understanding “grace” and “faith” is the key! God’s grace is the Holy Spirit of grace
working in you to accomplish the Lord’s purposes (Acts 4:31-33, Php 1:25, 2:13, Heb
10:29). The Holy Spirit is the gift! Grace = gift = Holy Ghost! Peter said it well: 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
(also Acts 10:45).” Paul said: 2 Corinthians 9:14-15, “And by their prayer for you, which
long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be unto God for his
unspeakable gift.” The grace in you or unspeakable gift is the Holy Ghost which dwells
within you (1 Cor 3:16, 1 Jn 4:13).

Faith is your free-will (not coerced, must be sincere and genuine) submission, obedience,
love, trust and devotion toward God. When such faith is coupled with the Holy Ghost’s
working in you, then God’s will is accomplished (Acts 5:32, Rm 4:16, 5:1-2, 5, Php 1:6,
2:12-13, 15). This results in a “change” of condition! Rather than denying God to seek
self, you will now deny self to seek God. Such “change” will turn your life upside down
– a complete change of direction! You shall be renewed in knowledge after the image of
him that created him (Col 3:10).

Iniquity, which is the transgression of God’s will, is destroyed because those who fear
God depart from that which opposes God. If God’s Word is not mixed (joined, united or
blended) with such faith it does not profit the hearer (Heb 4:2). True faith as led by the
Spirit is what saves you and Christ’s death made it possible.

Christ’s life and death provided four essential things: 1) God’s truth; 2) an example to
follow; 3) forgiveness of past sins; and 4) the ability and means to follow – namely, the
Holy Ghost. You must “conform” to the will of God which is found in Christ (Rm 8:29,
12:2). Colossians 2:10, “And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality
and power.” Jesus is well pleasing to God! Following Christ by faith through the leading
of His Spirit makes you well pleasing to God! This cannot be achieved soley through
your own works – no one will be able to boast of such.

Peter said: “through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the
blood of Jesus Christ God hath begotten us in His mercy (1 Pt 1:2-3).” The sprinkling of
Christ’s blood is forgiveness of past sin (transgressions against God’s will, Rm 3:25, 1
Jn 2:2). Being “set apart” by the Spirit unto obedience is the Holy Ghost leading you
through your faith. God forgives past sin for a purpose – to transform you (born again, 1
Pt 1:23) into what you were originally intended to be (before corruption, 1 Pt 1:14-16) –

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to make you perfect – in His image (Mt 5:48, Lk 6:40, Rm 12:2, 2 Cor 13:11, 2 Tim 3:17,
Heb 13:21, 1 Pt 5:10, Rev 3:2). This image is found in Christ – look unto Him and
follow. Peter goes on to say: “kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation (1 Pt
1:5). We shall understand that the power of God is the Holy Spirit. AND “ye have
purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit (1 Pt 1:22).”

Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines “grace” as divine influence or the influence of the
Spirit in renewing the heart and restraining from sin. We are “quickened (made alive)” by
the Spirit: Ephesians 2:5, “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together
with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;).” The Spirit of God + man’s faith = path of
righteousness. The Lord leads in the way of righteousness (Pv 8:20, 12:28, Ps 23:3, Rm
8:14). This means that the Holy Spirit will NEVER lead you to remain in sin/bondage.

Jesus’ death provided the means of reconciliation with God. Reconciliation with God is
based upon a free-will desire to serve God – to seek Him with all of your heart. This
desire must be demonstrated in your life. You must have virtue whereby you voluntarily
seek God and walk in His truth. Faith is never coerced/forced, but must come forth freely
from a willing heart. Therefore, only the humble (self denying) can possibly come to this
position. You can “say” all you want, but God observes them that “do.”

Its not your works that save you, but rather your obedience to the Spirit’s leading and
teaching – the Holy Spirit working to transform you into the image of Christ. Titus 3:5,
“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.” You are changed
into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord (1 Cor 3:18).
Jesus is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the
power that worketh in us (Eph 3:20). First you receive the Holy Spirit and then your heart
is purified by faith as you obey His Word (Acts 15:8-9, Eph 5:26). - the work of faith
with power (2 Thess 1:11). In other words, we have access by faith into this grace
wherein we stand (Rm 5:2, also Gal 5:5). This is so elementary (baby food – milk, not
meat, 1 Cor 3:2), yet so completely misunderstood by a religious world.

Obedience is not your “own” work toward “earning” salvation, but rather submitting to
the will of another, who is God. Obedience is a free-will sacrifice of self offered to God
(the opposite of what man did in Eden). Your obedience to God’s will produces God’s
works and not your own works. To “obey” God’s will and thereby produce God’s works
actually requires that you “die” to (forsake) your own will and thus forfeit your own
works. So, its not your works of righteousness, but rather God’s through His Spirit. Don’t
be lost in religious confusion that contradicts the bulk of God’s Word by having you
think that nothing is required of you.

Consider God’s intent: Hebrews 10:15-17, “Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to
us: for after that he had said before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after
those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I
write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” How are they put
there? 2 Corinthians 3:3, “Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of

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Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in
tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.”

This speaks of the Holy Ghost and His leading and teaching. For what intent? Titus 2:11-
14, “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; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of
the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might
redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good
works. ALSO consider: Galatians 1:4, “Who gave himself for our sins, that he might
deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.” So:
God’s grace (Holy Spirit) in you bringeth salvation – the Spirit “brings about” salvation
in you by teaching you to forsake those things that oppose God.

Once you understand “faith” and “grace,” then the follow-on verse to the above
Ephesians verses makes sense (usually omitted by religious man): Ephesians 2:10, “For
we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before
ordained that we should walk in them.” The result of your faith yielding to the Holy
Ghost is good works known as the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23, Eph 5:9, Rm 6:22,
7:4). Faith must yield good works (Js 2:17-26, 3:17). May Jesus stablish you in every
good word and work (2 Thess 2:16-17).” Therefore: Colossians 1:10-11, “That ye might
walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and
increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his
glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.”

Christ’s sacrifice was so that “we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor
5:21).” We are “made” righteous through obedience to the Holy Ghost. So: 1 Peter 1:5,
“Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in
the last time.” (The “power of God” = the Holy Ghost) + your faith = salvation.

Why did John the Baptist place such an emphasis that Jesus would baptize with the Holy
Ghost (Mt 3:11, Mk 1:8, Lk 3:16, Jn 1:33, Acts 1:5)? Why did Jesus say it was expedient
that He go away such that the Holy Ghost would come (Jn 7:39, 14:26, 16:7, 20:22)?
Why did Christ insist that His disciples tarry at Jerusalem until they received power from
on high (Lk 24:49, Acts 1:4, 8, 2:2-4)?

The reason is so clear! The Holy Ghost is the grace of God. The Holy Ghost is the
promise of God. The Holy Ghost is the gift of God (Rm 5:15-21). The Holy Ghost is the
power of God (Jn 1:12, Lk 24:49, Acts 1:8, 2 Thess 1:11, 1 Pt 1:15). The Holy Ghost =
God’s grace = God’s promise = God’s gift = power of God. Faith without works (Holy
Spirit’s teaching/leading) is dead (Js 2:17, 20, 26)! Faith must produce God’s purposes to
have merit. Faith must “change” you – transform.

Please understand: “the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life (Rm 5:18).”
The Holy Spirit came upon man at Pentecost because Jesus, the baptizer of the Holy
Spirit, received this promise from the Father and shed it forth (Acts 2:1-4, 33). By the
obedience of one (Jesus) shall many be made righteous (Rm 5:19). We are “made”
righteous by the workings of the Holy Spirit through our faith (submission, obedience).

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John 1:12, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of
God, even to them that believe on his name.” The “power to become” is the Holy Spirit
working to transform you to God’s expectations. Therefore: Romans 8:14, “For as many
as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”

The Holy Ghost is your comforter, teacher and guide to conform you to Christ’s well
pleasing image such that you become a son of God. Consider what Peter told the Jews
after the Holy Ghost had come upon the Gentiles: Acts 11:16-17, “Then remembered I
the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be
baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did
unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?”

Understand that grace is not simply unmerited favor in the sense that God just looks the
other way (a concept completely contrary to God’s Word) or does not hold you
accountable for the evil that you continue to do (walking in darkness). God does not look
the other way and this is why Jesus had to suffer man’s condemnation of “thou shall
surely die.” Grace is actually the Holy Spirit working in you to transform you into the
image of Christ. Once you comprehend this, then scripture makes sense and verses no
longer conflict with one another.

Those who are sojourning in this world and seeking God quickly come to the knowledge
that there are two different “Christs” preached and proclaimed. 1) One group (the
majority) preach a Jesus who justifies you in your sin (Gal 1:6-7). They essentially say in
so many confused religious reasonings that Jesus is a covering for man’s continued sin
because man is incapable of stopping – a “not perfect just forgiven” mentality. This is to
hold the truth in unrighteousness (Rm 1:18). 2) The other group (a minority) preach a
Jesus who delivers you from your sin. They say that Jesus came to free you from the
bondage of sin that you may be reconciled to God and freely serve Him – by My Spirit
saith the Lord. If the fruit of your doings has not changed with regards to Christ, then
what has Jesus availed you? If you are still burdened by sin, then how are you free?

These groups may sound similar at times, but are eternally different. You must choose
very wisely based upon sincerely seeking God and placing His Word (truth) in your
heart. Christ’s first Words concerning the time in which we live were: “Take heed that no
man deceive you (Mt 24:4).” Jesus came to lead in mercy, truth and righteousness (by My
Spirit) and this is the key to understanding. Who shall ultimately prevail? 1) Man through
the justification of his transgressions against the will of God OR 2) God through the
purging of all transgressions against His will? Is sin justified or erradicated? What
prevails – the lie or the truth?

Can one be found “wicked (sinful, transgressing of God’s will)” in Christ Jesus? If one
kills in the name of Jesus (as in war), does that make him innocent (Mt 5:43-45)? If a
thief steals (or is adulterous, lying, hating, etc.) in the name of Jesus is he no longer
guilty? Hebrews 10:26, “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge
of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins (also Ez 3:19-20, 18:26, 33:12-13,
18).” You must again sincerely repent and forsake such evils to be found in Christ.
Continued sin nullifies any “forgiveness” given. You cannot be forgiven to continue to

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violate the thing you were forgiven – that would void the meaning of the word and the
action.

The issue is that many have made “peace” with sin rather than “overcoming” sin. For
most, the battle is over – they say you can’t live a “perfect” life acceptable to God and
that Christ’s blood is a covering for your continued sinfulness. In other words, they are in
agreement with the devil that you can sin against God and “ye shall not surely die,” Yet
Jesus said: Matthew 5:48, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in
heaven is perfect.” The Lord also says: 1 Peter 1:15-16, “But as he which hath called you
is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation (lifestyle); Because it is written, Be ye
holy; for I am holy.” 1 John 5:4, “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world:
and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” Does God require us to
do something that cannot be done? This reasoning will not stand because God has given
us His Spirit.

I say this to those who have made peace with sin: 1 Corinthians 15:34, “Awake to
righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your
shame.”

The Holy Ghost is the grace of God that leads one in truth unto righteousness. However,
religious man attributes the grace of God as a covering for unrighteousness which is only
found in the devil’s lie. They essentially say, through so many religious words and
doctrines, that grace is God not acknowledging or holding you accountable for continued
transgressions – because you cannot stop sinning. Can you see how this is utterly
contrary to the Holy Spirit’s work and a denial thereof. The only thing they are justifying
is sin and they make Christ the Lord of sin – He who brings license?

What does the Lord expect? “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life,
which is in the midst of the paradise of God (Rev 2:7).” This verse EQUALS =
Revelation 22:14, “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right
to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Those who overcome
do the Lord’s commandments and have life! --- its all so simple!

Now consider: Revelation 2:26, “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto
the end, to him will I give power over the nations.” AND Revelation 3:5, “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.” So, is overcoming no more than repeating a prayer that is not even of your own
making (i.e. a sinner’s prayer)? Is overcoming “saying” and not “doing?” Your eternal
destiny is based upon correct understanding. If you do not “overcome,” then you will not
be found in the Lamb’s book of life!

Lets get right to the cruxed of the matter: Revelation 3:21, “To him that overcometh will
I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my
Father in his throne.” This brings us back to “following” Jesus and walking as He walked
(Col 2:6, 1 Jn 2:6, 1 Pt 2:21). This reveals that we must conform to His image (Rm 8:29,
2 Cor 3:18, Col 3:10). There is a narrow way that must be trod with cross in hand and no

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true disciple of Christ will travel it any other way (Mt 10:38, 16:24, Mk 8:34, 10:21, Lk
9:23, 14:27).

Oh, there is still a battle raging (with eternal consequences) irregardless if you are in it or
have again been taken “captive” by the enemy. 2 Timothy 2:26, “And that they may
recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his
will.” There are those who are “free” and those who are “bound.” Jesus came to “free;”
are you still bound? The “bound” are in Satan’s prison house!

God’s Word never contradicts itself when it is properly understood and applied. How
does one separate grace from the Spirit of God working in you? God never, under any
circumstances, accepts transgression of His will (disobedience to His commandments).
God does not oppose His own truth! God does not justify the wicked and will by no
means clear the guilty (Ex 23:7, 34:7, Deut 25:1, Pv 17:15, Is 5:23). The Lord does not
overlook evil.

If you believe that Jesus came to justify or provide a covering for sinful behavior, then
you have completely “missed” God’s purposes. Satan is the author of the lie that
proposes you can transgress the will of God and “ye shall not surely die (Gen 3:4).” This
proposition completely opposed God’s Word of “thou shalt surely die (Gen 2:17).” Pick
your side! Are you walking in Satan’s lie?

Many religious men (Mt 7:15) would have you believe that Jesus came to justify you in
your sin and disobedience to God’s Word. Galatians 2:17, “But if, while we seek to be
justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of
sin? God forbid.” Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee (Ps 94:20)? A
false prophet’s message always has the implication that you can disobey God (through
Christ) and “ye shall not surely die (Gen 3:4).” This is the devil’s lie! They will say that
you can never measure up to God’s expectations and that you must live vicariously
through Christ. To be vicarious is essentially to share-in or undergo another’s experience
through “imagined participation.” This reasoning utterly negates everything the Holy
Spirit is sent to do and absolutely opposes God’s purposes.

For those who say they love Jesus, but walk in darkness; know this: God always says: “I
will not justify the wicked (Ex 23:7, Pv 17:15).” Jesus in no way came to justify the
wicked (Jn 3:19)! 1 John 1:6, “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in
darkness, we lie, and do not the truth.” Jesus is not a covering for continued wickedness
(sin, iniquity, transgression of God’s will). Those who continue in darkness only prove
the insincerity of any commitment they may have made to Christ (Pv 14:16, 16:17).

So, is it possible to be correct with a theology of “works do not save” and that what you
do does not contribute to salvation? Paul said of such: Titus 1:16, “They profess that they
know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto
every good work reprobate.” How can you say you are saved by God irregardless of your
actions toward God? Did this theology (once saved always saved way of thinking) work
for Adam? Didn’t such opposition to God’s will bring sin, death and so much misery into
the world?

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Jesus said: Luke 13:24, “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will
seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” – to be accounted worthy to obtain (Lk 20:35,
21:36). Peter said: “be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and
blameless (2 Pt 3:14).” Paul said: 1 Corinthians 9:24, “Know ye not that they which run
in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” John said: 1
John 3:3, “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is
pure.” AND 1 John 5:18, “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.” To
strive, be diligent, run that you may obtain, purify yourself, sinneth not, and keepeth
himself all speak of effort that results from your faith (submission, obedience and
devotion to God).

There are some things that are monumentally important to understand. First of all, we are
held accountable to Christ’s Words: John 12:48, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not
my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge
him in the last day.” Secondly, the application of God’s Word to your life shall determine
if you “received” Jesus’ Words. In other words if Jesus said “stop” and you “go,” then
obviously you did not “receive” what He said as proved by your actions. Christ said:
Matthew 16:27, “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels;
and then he shall reward every man according to his works.” AND John 5:29, “And shall
come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have
done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”

You will be judged by your works and deeds: Romans 2:6-9, “Who will render to every
man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for
glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do
not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and
anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile.”
Every man’s work will be revealed according to his ways (Job 34:11, Eccl 3:17, 11:9,
12:14, 2 Kg 8:39, Ps 62:12, Pv 24:12, 29, Is 59:18, Jer 17:10, 25:14, 32:19, Ez 7:3-4, 8-
9, 27, Oba 1:15, Zech 1:6, Mt 12:36-37, 16:27, Jn 5:29, Rm 2:6, 16, 14:12, 1 Cor 3:13,
4:5, 2 Cor 5:10, Col 3:24-25, 2 Tim 4:1, 1 Pt 1:17, 4:5, Jude 1:15, Rev 2:23, 20:12-13,
22:12). So, works and deeds really do matter.

Therefore, how does God judge? “Without respect of persons judgeth according to every
man’s work (1 Pt 1:17).” A simple profession (mental acknowledgment) of Christ
without a walk of faith will fall short – even so, Christ judges the very intent of the heart.

The following writing came about as the Lord began to show the author just how God
(and His truth) has been rejected by man from the beginning. The world loves it’s own,
but has rejected God. John 15:19, “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own:
but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the
world hateth you.” That verse reveals how standing on the side of the Lord and speaking
His Word will set you up for rejection by the world.

If you love the world (it’s ways, path, culture, etc.), then the world will love you. It is
only when you come against the world that you are rejected. When you walk in step with

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Jesus, you walk out of step with the world (vice versa). Jesus said concerning the world:
“but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil (Jn 7:7, Gal 1:4).”
To speak God’s Word or truth is to come against the world and testify that its works are
evil. Is it any wonder that you would be continually rejected? Natural man loves the
darkness/world rather than the light/truth (Jn 3:19-21). If the majority of mankind loves
the world and you speak against the world, then where does that leave you while being in
the world?

Let me tell you dear reader, it is very hard to stand against this world. No one can do it in
their own power for a sustained period of time. You must be walking in God’s truth and
be empowered by the Holy Spirit. If you are walking in God’s truth and you desire to do
His will, then God will make a way – but you have to really want it. It is so easy to go
along with the flow of this world; there is no persecution in compromise – neither is there
a witness for God.

The free flow of this world is as a mighty river flowing over a cliff and down into a great
abyss. Shouldn’t you fight against such a current with all your might? Is going against the
current (gravity) ever easy? You are either traveling with/in the current or you are
fighting against the current. The Lord saves/rescues those who are fighting against the
current. The Lord helps you in your struggles to reach Him, but never in your concession
to the world’s flow.

The following writing will reveal man’s initial rejection of God and then will specifically
move on to how man has rejected the Word of God made flesh called Jesus the Son of the
Highest who was sent from God (Lk 1:31-32). Man is blinded by the flesh and remains
that way when he will not “receive” and “walk in” the Word of God. Jesus came that the
blind might see and those who see might be made blind (Jn 9:39).

The Lord has been longsuffering toward the world and His Word does not return void
and accomplishes that which He pleases, and it prospers in the thing whereto He sends it
(Is 55:11, also Is 45:23). The Lord says concerning His purposes: “I have spoken it, I
will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it (Is 46:11).” The Lord desires
the “few” who have ears to hear (Jn 6:40). Jesus often said: “He that hath ears to hear, let
him hear (Mt 11:15, 13:9, 43, Mk 4:9, 23, 7:16, 8:18, Lk 8:8, 14:35).” Shall we hear?

Jesus once profoundly touched a blind man’s life; this man later said: “one thing I know,
that, whereas I was blind, now I see.” The only blind men that were healed were those
who sought (cried out) God for sight (Mt 9:27-29, 20:30-34, 21:14, Mk 10:46-52)! Shall
we see? Shall we cry out to the Lord for sight? God desires the “few” who will hear and
apply His Word and see to walk His path…

Whom hath God called? Isaiah 43:7-8, “Even every one that is called by my name: for I
have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him. Bring forth the
blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears.” For I will pour water upon
him that is thirsty (Is 44:3, Mt 5:6). The water is the Holy Ghost (Jn 4:7-15, 7:38-39).

If you have eyes to see and ears to hear – if you hunger and thirst for righteousness, then
God can work in you.

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 
Chapter 1, Disobedience to God Brings Death
In the beginning God created man in His own image and placed man in a beautiful
garden (Gen 1:26-27, 2:7-8, 15). God gave man His Word: Genesis 2:16-17, “And the
LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely
eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the
day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” In other words, if man disobeyed
God’s Word and ate from the forbidden tree, he would surely die.

The devil entered the garden through a serpent (Gen 3:1). The serpent told man that he
could disobey God and eat from the forbidden tree and that “ye shall not surely die (Gen
3:4).” The devil’s word was utterly contrary (completely opposite) to God’s Word. The
devil changed the truth of God into a lie (Rm 1:25).

Man obeyed the devil’s word and rejected God’s Word (Gen 3:6-13). Man chose that
which was opposed to God! Man did not obey the truth, but obeyed unrighteousness (Rm
2:6-9). To reject the truth is to obey a lie – for no lie is of the truth (1 Jn 2:21). God’s
Word required a denial of self-will in order to obey God’s will. The devil’s word
embraced self-will and thus denied God’s will (Word/commandment). The devil’s word
benefited the flesh and offered that which was forbidden.

Man elevated (exalted) his flesh over God’s Word in seeking its lust and desire. Man
rejected God in favor of self. To disobey God and walk in your own will/way is to rebel
against your Creator. This exaltation of self is known as “pride.” Pride always goes
before destruction and this is the broad way in which the devil leads (Pv 16:18). Man
chose to be as a god and decide good and evil for himself rather than submit to and obey
the one true God (Gen 3:5). Romans 3:16-18, “Destruction and misery are in their ways:
And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

The devil overcame man through his craftiness and man lost his standing with God. “For
of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage (2 Pt 2:19). Oh, who
shall redeem us from such bondage and death??? Sadly, we shall discover that most do
not necesserily want to be redeemed when they discover that they must relinquish self-
will (to be as a god).
Death

One thing is clear throughout God’s Word and that is that disobedience to the will of God
brings forth death. God is the giver of life and there is no life apart from Him (Gen 2:7).
Romans 5:12, “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.”

God told man that the day he disobeyed His will (commandment) that “thou shalt surely
die.” This condemnation is an expected and eternal conclusion for those who do not

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reverence their Creator (Ps 119:4). The truth of this statement still stands and always
shall.

God is your life! If you remove yourself from God, then you remove yourself from your
life – plain and simple. The creation does not have life within itself – it is not self
sustaining. God created you! Shouldn’t you love and be devoted to the One who gave you
life? Shouldn’t you reverence and obey Him?

Satan is a created being who deceived man in saying: “ye shall not surely die.” The devil
has no life to give and can only offer death, through bondage in his lie and rebellion. This
rebellion shall not stand and its only purpose in temporaily continuing is to shake that
which can be shaken so as to remove the chaff. God prevails in every way – He retains
that which has been tried and tested and is pure.

Chapter 2, Obedience to God Brings Life

Man has been disobedient and rebellious toward his Creator. Man has violated God’s will
and is under the condemnation of death. The Lord God has no further obligation toward
man and can certainly carry out the sentence of death at His discretion (Rm 5:16).
However, God is a merciful God - longsuffering toward man, not willing that any should
perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Pt 3:9, Ps 103:10). Psalms 85:4-7, “Turn
us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease. Wilt thou be angry
with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations? Wilt thou not revive
us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee? Shew us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us
thy salvation.”

God’s mercy and forgiveness can only be obtained through God’s determined way which
is always found in His truth. We shall only understand God’s path of salvation when we
understand: Psalms 85:10, “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace
have kissed each other.” Can there be mercy outside of God’s truth? Can there be peace
with God apart from righteousness?

For it is said of God (and Christ’s throne): Psalms 89:14, “Justice and judgment are the
habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.” AND Isaiah 16:5,
“And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the
tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness.” Psalms
100:5, “For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all
generations (also Ps 108:4, 115:1, 117:2).”

We shall understand in this book just how important it is to be found in God’s truth so as
to partake of His mercy. Righteousness or “fear of the Lord” tendeth to life (Pv 11:19 &
19:23, also Pv 12:3, 28, 13:6, 15:9, 21:21, 1 Pt 2:24, 1 Jn 2:29, 3:7). The Lord says:
Hosea 6:6, “For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God (truth)
more than burnt offerings.”

Therefore, let us understand: Romans 5:19, “For as by one man’s disobedience many
were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” Who is

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this “obedient” man who brings life to the repentant…? Who is this obedient man who
brings “truth” and makes “righteous,” through “mercy,” so as to establish “peace”
between God and man?
The Coming of Christ

The first mention of the coming of Christ or the Messiah is given in the following
account: The Lord God JEHOVAH through His mighty hand delivered His people from
the bondage of Pharaoh in Egypt and brought them out unto Himself into the wilderness
(Ex 6:3, 7:16, 13:3, 14, 16, 14:13-14, 18, 30, 15:2, 6-7, 13). Israel encamped at Mount
Sinai/Horeb where Moses had first met God at the burning bush (Ex 3:1-12, 19:1-2).

God said: Exodus 19:4-6, “Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare
you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my
voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above
all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an
holy nation…” The people responded: “All that the LORD hath spoken we will do (Ex
19:8).”

The Lord God was going to speak so that the people would hear His voice. Exodus 19:9,
“And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people
may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of
the people unto the LORD.”

The people were made ready and assembled to hear God speak (Ex 19:9-15). Exodus
19:16-20, “And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders
and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding
loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled. And Moses brought forth the
people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount.
And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in
fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount
quaked greatly. And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and
louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice. And the LORD came down
upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the LORD called Moses up to the top of
the mount; and Moses went up.”

Furthermore: Deuteronomy 4:10-13, “Specially the day that thou stoodest before the
LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together,
and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they
shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children. And ye came near and
stood under the mountain; and the mountain burned with fire unto the midst of heaven,
with darkness, clouds, and thick darkness. And the LORD spake unto you out of the
midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a
voice. And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform,
even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone (also Deut 4:36-
39, 5:4-6).” Deuteronomy 4:33, “Did ever people hear the voice of God speaking out of
the midst of the fire, as thou hast heard, and live?”

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God then began to speak His Ten Commandments. Deuteronomy 5:4, “The LORD talked
with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire, (I stood between the
LORD and you at that time, to shew you the word of the LORD: for ye were afraid by
reason of the fire, and went not up into the mount;) saying, I am the LORD thy God,
which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.” AND Exodus
20:1, “And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God, which have
brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.” Among the Ten
Commandments, the Lord specifically said: Exodus 20:3, 23, “Thou shalt have no other
gods before me. Ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you
gods of gold.” Later, the people again said: “All that the LORD hath said will we do, and
be obedient (Ex 24:7).”

The people greatly feared God (Deut 5:24-27): Exodus 20:19, “And they said unto
Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die
(also Deut 5:23-28).” Deuteronomy 18:17-19, “And the LORD said unto me, They have
well spoken that which they have spoken. I will raise them up a Prophet from among
their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto
them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not
hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.” The
Lord further said of them: Deuteronomy 5:29, “O that there were such an heart in them,
that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well
with them, and with their children for ever!”

The whole purpose of God speaking directly to the people was so that they would “fear”
God and keep His commandments and walk in His ways (Deut 4:10, 5:29, 6:2, 10:12-13,
20). God’s Word requires a submission and obedience from man.

This people rejected hearing directly from God! Very soon after God had spoken His
commandments, they also rejected God’s Word (and violated their own word) in that
they built a god of gold (Ex 32:1-8). While Moses was meeting with God, they made a
molten calf of gold and worshipped it, and sacrificed thereunto: and they said, These be
thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt (Ex 32:4, 8, 23, Deut
9:12-14, 16-17).

Once again, man did not obey the truth, but did obey unrighteousness (Rm 2:6-9).
Therefore it was said: Acts 7:39-40, “To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust
him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt. Saying unto Aaron,
Make us gods to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of
Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.”

God had delivered them from Egypt and the house of bondage, but when it came right
down to obeying God, who really wanted to be delivered? Similarly, Jesus delivers man
from the world, but when it comes right down to obeying Christ, just who wants to be
delivered from the world (Gal 1:4)? Who really wants to die to self-will and the lusts and
desires of their flesh (Jn 3:19)? Who really wants to make God the foremost desire in
their life? Many say they love God, but obey the flesh (just as thy first father, Adam – Is
43:27). Jesus said that “if ye love Me, keep my commandments (obey Me, Jn 14:15).”

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The Lord said: “I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people;” and had
it not been for Moses He would have destroyed them and blotted their name out from
under heaven (Deut 9:13-14). God also said: “a very froward generation, children in
whom is no faith (Deut 32:20, also Ps 78:7-8, 22).” These were the people that had seen
all of God’s miracles and wonders. These were not heathens, but rather the Lord’s people
whom God had delivered by His mighty power and stretched out arm from the most
powerful nation on the face of the earth (Ex 19:5, Deut 4:20, 9:29, 14:2).

Moses would later say of them: Deuteronomy 9:24, “Ye have been rebellious against the
LORD from the day that I knew you.” AND Deuteronomy 31:27, “For I know thy
rebellion, and thy stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been
rebellious against the LORD; and how much more after my death?” – “I know that after
my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have
commanded you (Deut 30:29).”

Even though God had done so many miracles before them they were full of unbelief and
disobedience (Deut 4:34-35, 11:1-7, 26:8, 1 Cor 10:1-12, Ps 106:21-22). Psalms 78:32,
“For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works.” Psalms 78:10-
12, “They kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law; And forgat his
works, and his wonders that he had shewed them. Marvellous things did he in the sight of
their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.”

So, God said of them: Hebrews 3:9-12, “When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and
saw my works forty years. Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They
do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my wrath,
They shall not enter into my rest. Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil
heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God (also Ps 95:9-11).”

The Lord counseled them: Deuteronomy 10:16, “Circumcise therefore the foreskin of
your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.” In other words, stop being obstinate and
stubborn (obdurate) in your own way and yield to God. A circumcised heart for what
purpose? Deuteronomy 30:6, “And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and
the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul,
that thou mayest live.”

At mount Sinai/Horeb, the people did not want to hear directly from God. The Lord said:
Deuteronomy 5:29, “O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me,
and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their
children for ever!” The Lord said He would one day raise up a prophet from among them
and would put His Word in His mouth. This prophet would come speaking only that
which God commanded Him to speak. This is very relevant to Christ as will be discussed
below. Furthermore, the words spoken would be required of man – man would be held
accountable to obey.

Jesus was this one who would come and speak God’s Words (truth). Peter acknowledged
that Jesus was the one in saying: Acts 3:22-23, “For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A
prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him
shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass,

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that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the
people.” The faithful martyr Stephen also acknowledged that Jesus was this prophesied
one (Acts 7:37-39). God in these last days spoken unto us by His Son (Heb 1:2).

God the Father said of Jesus: Matthew 12:18-20, “Behold my servant, whom I have
chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and
he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man
hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he
not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.” Psalms 85:11, 13, “Truth shall
spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. Righteousness
shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.” Jesus leads those who will
“receive” God’s truth back to “peace” with God.

When Jesus later came He was very emphatic that He only spoke the Father’s Words.
Jesus said: John 12:49-50, “For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent
me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I
know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the
Father said unto me, so I speak.” AND John 7:16, “Jesus answered them, and said, My
doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.” John the Baptist bore witness in saying: “For
he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God (Jn 3:34).”

The Lord said: “for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the
truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice (Jn 18:37).” The Word of God
brought God’s Word or truth to man as a man. Those who receive this truth are of God.
John 3:21, “But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made
manifest, that they are wrought in God.”

The Word was made flesh to teach man the Word or truth of God, both by Word and
example (in the form of a servant, Php 2:7-8, Ps 119:160). All of God’s commandments
are truth (Ps 119:151). Jesus said: “I speak those things I have heard of him (God the
Father, Jn 8:26).” Christ also said: “I must work the works of Him that sent Me (Jn
9:4).” John 6:45, “It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God.”

Jesus came and taught God’s Words (which were taught to Him of the Father, Jn 8:28-
29) and those who desire the truth and seek God must come to Him. “Every man
therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.” Jesus further
said: Matthew 11:29, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and
lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”

Jesus brought God’s truth to man to complete God’s path for reconciliation: James 1:18,
“Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits
of his creatures.” The Lord “brings us into being (born again)” as sons of God with the
Word of truth and gives us the Spirit of truth (Jn 1:12-13, 17:17, Rm 8:14, Gal 4:6, Php
2:15, 1 Jn 3:1-2). God’s mercy is for those who desire (hunger and thirst for) His truth –
those who live by God’s Word (Deut 8:3, Mt 4:4, Lk 4:4).

It is very important to understand that Jesus proceeded forth (was sent) from God
bringing “mercy” and “truth.” Jesus revealed this when He said: John 5:24, “Verily,

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verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath
everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto
life.” AND “the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them (Lk
9:56, 19:10).” “He that is of God heareth God’s words (Jn 8:47).”

Jesus came the first time in great mercy bearing an offer of forgiveness. When Jesus shall
be sent from God the second time it will be in great wrath and judgment (Is 13:9-11, 13,
34:1-6, Zeph 1:15, 2:2-3, Rev 6:16-17). Who can stand before his indignation? and who
can abide in the fierceness of his anger (Nah 1:6)?

For those who receive Christ’s Word: “the word of God, which effectually worketh also
in you that believe (1 Thess 2:13).” The Word or truth of God and the Spirit of truth work
in you to achieve God’s purposes (Jn 14:17, 15:26, 16:13, 2 Jn 1:2). – “to stablish your
hearts unblameable in holiness before God (1 Thess 3:13).” Psalms 33:4, “For the word
of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.” 1 Peter 1:25, “But the word of
the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto
you.” AND Isaiah 40:8, “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God
shall stand for ever.”

When Jesus was with Peter, James and John (the pillars of His future church) at the
mount of transfiguration (Mk 9:1-6), the following significant event occurred: Mark 9:7,
“And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud,
saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him (also Lk 9:34-35).” This brings us back to
when God appeared in a cloud at Mount Horeb and the people feared to hear God. God
again appears in a cloud and now directs us to listen to the one He has raised up from
among the brethren to speak His Words (Deut 18:17-18). Jesus was sent of God to speak
God’s Word or truth. John 3:34, “For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God:
for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.” The Father’s message to these men
was “hear Him.” Jesus said on several occasions: “If any man have ears to hear, let him
hear (Mk 4:9, 23, 7:16). Lets repeat: “He that is of God heareth God’s words (Jn 8:47).”

The Words spoken by Christ (given by the Father) will be required of man. Jesus said:
John 12:48, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth
him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” The judgment
of God is according to truth (Rm 2:1). Furthermore, Jesus said: Matthew 24:35, “Heaven
and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away (also Mk 13:31).” So, if
Christ’s Word shall never pass away and all of creation will be held accountable to these
Words, doesn’t it behoove us to take them very seriously? Jesus said: Luke 10:24, “For I
tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and
have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.”
Jesus gives sight and hearing to know God’s will, which is the Lord’s truth.

Through Moses, God gave Israel the following commandment: Deuteronomy 6:4-5,
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy
God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might (also Deut 10:12-
13).” Jesus reiterated this commandment: Mark 12:29-30, “And Jesus answered him, The
first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou

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shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy
mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.” These commandments
speak of self sacrifice for the benefit of others and encompass love and mercy.

You can be absolutely assured that man will be judged according to this
standard/Word/truth! Consider the denial of self (your lusts and desires) that must be
done to accomplish this commandment. You must “seek first (foremost)” the kingdom of
God and His righteousness (Mt 6:33, Lk 12:31).

To summarize, God sent His Word as prophesied (Jn 5:37). The Word was made flesh,
as a man, to speak God’s Word or truth to man (Jn 1:14). Jesus specifically came to
speak God the Father’s Word or truth unto man. Christ was anointed to preach the gospel
(Lk 4:18). The Lord was totally devoted to do God’s will: John 5:30, “I can of mine own
self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own
will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” AND “My meat is to do the will of
him that sent me, and to finish his work (Jn 4:34).” AND John 6:38, “For I came down
from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” AND “the living
Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father (Jn 6:57).” Jesus said: “whosoever shall
receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me (Mk 9:37).” God will hold man
accountable to obey and live His truth – count on it! Anyone who says otherwise is a
false prophet/teacher (2 Cor 11:13-15, Php 3:2, 18-19, Col 2:8).

Jesus not only “perfectly” matched the description of this coming prophet who would
bring the Word of God, but is also man’s “example” of God’s expectations for man. Man
is to be completely devoted to God as Jesus the Son was to God the Father. “Man shall
not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God (Deut
8:3, Mt 4:4, Lk 4:4).” Jesus is “the Word” that proceeded forth and was sent from God
(Jn 1:1-3). Man’s life is found in Christ (1 Jn 5:11-12). Man shall live by Christ’s Words
and shall be held accountable for such.

Christ said: John 6:33, “For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and
giveth life unto the world.” The “bread of God” equates to the “Word of God.” The Word
came down from heaven and was made flesh, and dwelt among us (Jn 1:14). Jesus said:
“John 6:48 I am that bread of life.” Man lives by the Word of God which is Jesus whom
God sent. This is that prophet which was foretold to Moses. Jesus brings God’s truth and
man shall live by that truth.

Consider this prophesy concerning Christ: Isaiah 42:16, “And I will bring the blind by a
way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make
darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them,
and not forsake them (also Heb 13:5).”
Sent from God

Jesus was very emphatic that He was “SENT” from God (Jn 3:16-17, 4:34, 5:24, 30, 36,
38, 6:29, 38-40, 44, 51, 57, 7:16, 18, 33, 8:16, 18, 29, 9:4, 36, 12:44-45, 49, 13:16, 20,
15:21, 16:5, 28, 17:21, 23, 25). John 7:28-29, “Then cried Jesus in the temple as he

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taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of
myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not. But I know him: for I am from
him, and he hath sent me.” AND “For I proceeded forth and came from God; neither
came I of myself, but he sent me (Jn 8:42).”

God sent His Word to accomplish His purposes and prosper in that which He pleases (Is
55:11). God’s Word shall return victorious. John 16:28, “I came forth from the Father,
and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.” Those who
“hear” and “live” this Word shall be found in this victory. If you do not believe, Jesus
said: “ye shall die in your sins (Jn 8:24).”
 The Gospel is the Power of God unto Salvation
Now here is something very important to understand. The “gospel” is the Word of God
with power, and the “power” is the Holy Spirit – the inseparable combination of the two
– for His Word was with power (Lk 4:32). Jesus was anointed to preach (David had also
been anointed of God, 2 Sam 23:1-2 & 1 Sam 16:13). The anointing or power is the Holy
Ghost (Jn 1:12, Lk 24:49, Acts 1:8, Rm 1:16). Jesus’ disciples also receive the anointing
which teaches them all things (1 Jn 2:27). Unto us which are saved it is the power of God
(1 Cor 1:18). 2 Corinthians 6:7, “By the word of truth, by the power of God…” It was
noted above that Christ spoke the Words of God and the Spirit was not given by measure
unto Him (Jn 3:34). This reveals the indivisible blend of Word and power.

God’s Word goes forth with power because it always accomplishes that which He
pleases, and it always prospers in the thing whereto He sents it. God has the ability to
“enact” His Word and this is just what He does. There is tremendous and unbelievable
power behind the Word or truth of God. Pharaoh found this out when he resisted and
opposed God’s Word. All creation will know this power at the great Judgment.

Jesus spoke God’s Word and this was followed by demonstration of power (signs and
wonders, miracles). It was said of Jesus: Luke 4:36, “And they were all amazed, and
spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he
commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out (other examples: Mt 8:16, 24-27).”
The people also said: “Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works (Mt
13:54)?” Words are just that without the power! – the demonstration. Without the power,
God’s truth is just so many words to the unbeliever or religious Pharisee (and modern
variation of).

The demonstration of power verified the Words Jesus spoke. Matthew 9:2-8, “And,
behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their
faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. And
Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? For whether is
easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? But that ye may
know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of
the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. And he arose, and departed to
his house. But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had
given such power unto men.” Christ’s Words were undeniable due to the works He did!

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The Apostle Paul said: Ephesians 3:7, “Whereof I was made a minister, according to the
gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.” AND
Romans 15:19, “Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God;
so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel
of Christ.” As previously discussed: God’s grace = Holy Spirit = power = God’s gift.
Hebrews 2:4, “God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with
divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?”

So now we understand another dimension to God’s provision. The Holy Ghost is God’s
gift to man. The Holy Ghost further gives additional gifts to man to be used for God’s
purposes. God’s Word is power and the Holy Ghost equips those who speak this Word
with power – bearing them witness.

Paul also wrote: 1 Thessalonians 1:5, “For our gospel came not unto you in word only,
but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what
manner of men we were among you for your sake.” AND 1 Corinthians 2:4-5, “And my
speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in
demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom
of men, but in the power of God.” AND 1 Corinthians 4:20, “For the kingdom of God is
not in word, but in power.” AND Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of
Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth…” The Word
and the power cannot be separated in Christ’s gospel!

What about those who do separate the Word and power through unbelief? 2 Timothy 3:5,
“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
Prepare Me a House

The Lord told David (through Nathan the prophet): 1 Chronicles 17:11-14, “And it shall
come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I
will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his
kingdom. He shall build me an house, and I will stablish his throne for ever. I will be his
father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take my mercy away from him, as I took it
from him that was before thee: But I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for
ever: and his throne shall be established for evermore.” Jesus fulfilled this prophecy
exactly.

Many will consider that God was referring to Solomon. However, Solomon’s wives
turned his heart unto other gods and he built temples to these gods which became a
stumbling stone to Judah (1 Kg 11:1-10). 1 Kings 11:6, 9-10, “And Solomon did evil in
the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father. And
the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God
of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice, And had commanded him concerning this
thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD
commanded.” Because of this the Lord God split the kingdom of Israel (Solomon’s
throne) and only left one tribe to Judah - and that only for David’s sake (1 Kg 11:12-13,
32-36). Finally, the temple that Solomon built was later destroyed.

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Let us consider how Jesus Christ fulfills this prophecy:

1) “I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons” - Jesus came forth
from the seed of David: John 7:42, “Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of
the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?” AND
Romans 1:3-4, “Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the
seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power,
according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead (thus God did
not take away His mercy from Him, see below).”
2) “I will establish his kingdom” – Jesus talked extensively about the kingdom of God.
Christ spake: Mark 1:15, “And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God
is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” The gospel was the truth of God that
Christ brought and shall be required of man. God’s Word is with power and
establishes His purposes (Is 55:11) – sifting the good and the bad (discussed below).
God the Father has appointed Jesus the Son an eternal kingdom (Lk 19:12, 22:29, Jn
18:36). Isaiah 22:22, “And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder;
so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open. And I
will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his
father’s house (also Rev 3:7).”
3) “I will be his father, and he shall be my son” - God the Father said of Jesus: Hebrews
1:5, “For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have
I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?”
AND Acts 13:33, “God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath
raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this
day have I begotten thee (also Ps 2:7, Heb 5:5).” God the Father said of Jesus:
Matthew 3:17, “And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in
whom I am well pleased (also Mt 12:18, 17:5, Mk 1:11, Lk 3:22, 2 Pt 1:17).”
Furthermore it was prophesied: Psalms 89:26-27, “He shall cry unto me, Thou art my
father, my God, and the rock of my salvation. Also I will make him my firstborn,
higher than the kings of the earth.”
4) “He shall build me an house” – Isaiah 45:13, “I have raised him up in righteousness,
and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives,
not for price nor reward, saith the LORD of hosts.”
John the Baptist prophesied of Jesus: Luke 3:17, “Whose fan is in his hand, and he
will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff
he will burn with fire unquenchable (also Mt 3:12).” We discussed how Jesus was
raised up from among the brethren to speak God’s Word or truth to man (Word of
God made flesh, Jn 1:1-14). The Word that Jesus brought separates the good from the
bad. Only those of a humble and contrite heart will receive God’s Word and apply it
to their lives. Concerning these John said: Luke 3:16, “John answered, saying unto
them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet
of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost
and with fire (also Mt 3:11, Mk 1:8, Jn 1:33).”

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Jesus builds an house for God to dwell in by baptizing with the Holy Ghost those who
receive God’s truth and are obedient to it (Jn 14:21, 23, Acts 5:32). Christ said: John
14:15-17, “If ye love me, keep my commandments. 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.”
Furthermore: John 14:20, 23, “At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and
ye in me, and I in you. Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will
keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make
our abode with him.”
Christ builds a church (Ekklesia – called out ones) which are called out of the world
unto God (Rm 1:6, 8:28, 30, 9:24, 26, 1 Cor 1:9, 24, 26, 7:17, Gal 1:6, Eph 4:4, Col
3:15, 1 Thess 2:12, 2 Thess 2:14, 2 Tim 1:9, 1 Pt 1:15, 2:9, 3:9, 2 Pt 1:3, Jude 1:1).
John 6:37, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to
me I will in no wise cast out.” AND John 6:44-45, “No man can come to me, except
the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is
written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that
hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.” Jesus baptizes each
member of His body with the Holy Ghost and dwells within them (Acts 2:33, Rm
8:9). One is “sealed” unto God by the Spirit (2 Cor 1:22, Eph 1:13, 4:30).
5) “I will stablish his throne for ever” - God has given Christ an eternal throne and
everlasting kingdom (Mt 16:28, 25:31, Col 1:13, 1 Thess 2:12, 2 Tim 4:1, 2 Pt 1:11):
Luke 1:32-33, “Luke 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the
Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he
shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end
(also Acts 2:30).” AND Philippians 2:9-11, “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted
him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus
every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the
earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of
God the Father (also Acts 5:31).”
Jesus was exalted to sit at the right hand of the Father (Mt 22:44, 26:64, Mk 12:36,
14:62, 16:19, Lk 20:42, Acts 2:33-34, 5:31, 7:55-56, Rm 8:34, Eph 1:20, Col 3:1,
Heb 1:3, 13, 8:1, 10:12, 12:2). Luke 22:69, “Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the
right hand of the power of God.” AND 1 Peter 3:22, “Who is gone into heaven, and is
on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto
him.”
6) “I will not take my mercy away from him” - God the Father did not take His mercy
from Jesus the Son when He took our sins and suffered our condemnation. It was
prophesied of Jesus: Isaiah 54:7-10, “For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but
with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a
moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy
Redeemer. For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the
waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be
wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be

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removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my
peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.”
7) “I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for ever: and his throne shall be
established for evermore” - Jesus said of His body: 1 Peter 2:5, “Ye also, as lively
stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual
sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ (also Eph 2:21-22).” Jesus is the chief
corner stone of this spiritual house (Mt 21:42, Mk 12:10, Lk 20:17, Acts 4:11, Eph
2:20, 1 Pt 2:6-7).
When Christ’s kingdom is fully realized on a new earth, the Lord says: Revelation
21:1-3, “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first
earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city,
new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned
for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the
tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his
people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God (also Rev 7:15).” AND
Revelation 21:23, “And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine
in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.”

The Lord Jesus perfectly fulfills the prophecy in that He was born of the seed of David
and was called the Son of God (begotten of the Father, Jn 1:13, 18, 3:16, 18, Acts 13:33,
Heb 1:5, 5:5, 11:17, 1 Jn 4:9, that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called
the Son of God, Lk 1:32, 35). Jesus absolutely obeyed the Father’s will and spoke God’s
Word or truth to man. This truth separates the righteous from the wicked.

Those who genuinely/sincerely receive God’s Word and walk in His ways are baptized in
the Holy Ghost. This is such an important point! Jesus builds a sure house with a firm
foundation and God dwells within each member (Mt 7:24-27, Lk 6:47-49). Ephesians
2:20-22, “ And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ
himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together
groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an
habitation of God through the Spirit.” The Father raised Jesus from the dead (who bear
the sin of the world) in great and eternal mercy. Proverbs 16:6, “By mercy and truth
iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil (also Ps 119:11,
105).”

Oh such a house the Lord Jesus has built: Isaiah 9:6-7, “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. 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.”
Additional Prophecies of the Coming of Christ

God had a plan whereby He would dwell among men bringing His eternal truth. It was
prophesied: Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a

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virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” This was later
confirmed when an angel told Joseph (concerning Mary his espoused): Matthew 1:23,
“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.”

In the course of God’s timing, the Word was made flesh. John 1:10-11, “He was in the
world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his
own, and his own received him not.” The Lord came to His own people, yet was rejected
by them. Thus the prophecy concerning His suffering (death on the cross): Psalms 22:6-
8, 16, “But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. All
they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He
trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted
in him. For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they
pierced my hands and my feet.”

It was also prophesied of the coming of Christ: Psalms 2:1-3, “Why do the heathen rage,
and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers
take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break
their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.” This prophecy clearly reveals the
rebellious and corrupt nature of man. Man does not desire to be under God’s authority,
but rather seeks self-will and to be as gods as per the tenets of the devil’s lie (Gen 3:4-5).

How does God respond? Psalms 2:6-9, “Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of
Zion. I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day
have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance,
and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod
of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel (also Rev 12:5, 19:15).” Jesus
(the Son) later tells His followers: Revelation 2:26-27, “And he that overcometh, and
keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall
rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers:
even as I received of my Father.”

The Lord God knew in advance that His Word would be rejected of man. Even so, God’s
purposes were fulfilled in the midst of it. Isaiah 53:3-6, “He is despised and rejected of
men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from
him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and
carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he
was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement
of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have
gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him
the iniquity of us all.”

God made a way for “repentant” man to be forgiven of his past sins. Jesus lived a perfect
life of obedience to the will of God. He then offered up His life in place of our sins (2
Cor 5:21) and suffered our condemnation of “thou shalt surely die (Gen 2:17).” - Who
gave himself a ransom for all (1 Tim 2:6). Christ’s sacrifice assuaged God’s wrath by
providing atonement for remission of sins (Rm 5:11).

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Therefore, it can be said of Jesus: Isaiah 53:10-12, “Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise
him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall
see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his
hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall
my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I
divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because
he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and
he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”

Jesus hung on a tree (meaning accursed of God, crucified, Deut 21:22-23, Acts 5:30, Gal
3:13) as an offering for man’s transgressions against God. 1 Peter 2:24, “Who his own
self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto
righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” God prophesied of Christ: Isaiah 54:7-8,
“For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a
little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I
have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.”

The Word (Jesus) that was sent (proceedeth forth) from God did not return void, but
accomplished that which God pleased, and prospered in the thing whereto He was sent
(Is 55:11). Jesus finished the work! John 17:4, “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have
finished the work which thou gavest me to do.” Jesus brought God’s Word to those who
have ears to hear! Jesus walked in God’s truth as a perfect example for man to follow.
Jesus atoned for man’s past transgressions of God’s will. Jesus procured the promise of
the Holy Spirit and has shed forth such that man is empowered to walk the narrow way
(Acts 2:33, Mt 7:13-14, Jn 14:26, 15:26). All of this was done such that through faith a
man can be saved or have eternal life. Therefore, John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am
the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

Chapter 3, He That Hath Ears to Hear

When Jesus spoke God’s truth to the people He spake many things to them in parables
(Mt 13:3, Mk 4:1). Matthew 13:34-35, “All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in
parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: That it might be fulfilled which
was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things
which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.

A parable is a simple story dealing with a very real circumstance (situation, fact, event)
in which the principal subject is described by another subject resembling it in its
properties and circumstances. The principal subject is thus kept out of view, and one is
left to ponder the intentions (meaning, objective, purpose) of the speaker. A parable will
often say something the flesh does not want to hear (receive) in such a way as to defuse
(neutralize, disarm) personal objection (people tuning out their attention or focusing on
their objection), or prejudice and hold the attention of the hearer and convey the message
(which is pondered in their hearts for an extended period).

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So: Mark 4:33-34, “And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they
were able to hear it. But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were
alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.”

Christ spoke parables because man could not bear to hear the truth of what God was
revealing (Is 44:18). This is why Jesus said: Matthew 13:13-15, “Therefore speak I to
them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they
understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye
shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For
this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they
have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and
should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.”
The gospel of Mark says: “Mark 4:12, “That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and
hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and
their sins should be forgiven them.”

In other words, if the people could “receive” the truth that Christ brought, then they could
be “born again” or converted and be reconciled with God (Rm 5:10). For those who truly
walk in the light (truth), the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin (1 Jn 1:7).
However, if Jesus had spoken many of God’s truths openly then rebellious man probably
would not have suffered Him as long as they did.

The gospel of John adds: “He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart that they
should see with their eyes nor understand with their heart and be converted (Jn 12:40).”
The hardness of the people’s hearts (obstinate, stiffnecked, unyielding, stubborn,
obdurate, inflexible) only enraged them when they heard God’s truth and further blinded
their eyes. This seems to always be the effect on those walking in pride (self exaltation,
self-will).

Man’s heart is hardened and he becomes blind when he seeks his own way. Your way is
those stubborn (immovable) ideas that you place above the truth and will not release. This
is a refusal to let go of your ways and submit to God and embrace and walk in the Lord’s
ways. Hardness of heart is to seek your inclinations and not God’s truth. This is “to be as
a god” and “deciding good and evil for yourself” rather than submit and obey the one true
God (Gen 3:5). This hard heart must be circumcised (stubbornness cut away) that thou
turn unto the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul (Deut 30:6, 10,
Rm 2:29).

John the Baptist prepared the way for Christ by preaching repentance (Is 40:3, Mal 3:1,
Mt 3:2-3, 11:10, Mk 1:2-4, 15, Lk 1:76, 3:3-4, 8, 7:27). To repent is to acknowledge your
transgressions before God, forsake your evil, and fully turn to God. One must be humble
and meek to repent. This is self denial that focuses upon God. Only the meek can be
taught of God and only the meek will walk in the Lord’s ways (Mt 5:5). Psalms 25:9,
“The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.” Jesus was
meek and His disciples will learn from Him and follow in his example (Mt 11:29, 21:5).
Jesus was anointed to preach good tidings unto the meek (Is 61:1) otherwise known as
the poor in heart/spirit (Mt 5:3, Lk 4:18, Is 29:19).

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So, we must with meekness receive the Word or truth that Christ brought. James 1:21-22,
“Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with
meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the
word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” This Word is found in the two
great commandments and these must guide your life’s actions (Mt 22:37-40, Mk 12:29-
31, Lk 10:27, Js 2:8).

The Lord’s truth would be revealed to or understood by those who are humble and
genuinely and sincerely seek to know it. The gospel tends to be “esoteric” which means it
is understood only by a particular and often small group – he that hath ears to hear. John
9:39, “And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not
might see; and that they which see might be made blind.” This is why Jesus always said
after most parables: Mark 4:23, “If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.” This is a
monumental statement of tremendous and eternal importance. Jesus is the prophet raised
up from among the brethren who spoke only that which God commanded Him. What
Jesus spoke will be required of man. Acts 3:23, “And it shall come to pass, that every
soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.” Do
you have ears to hear? Most people do not!

Jesus revealed the meaning of the parables to His disciples (i.e. Mt 13:36-37, Mk 4:34).
Christ told them: Matthew 13:16, “But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears,
for they hear.” Christ’s disciples were chosen due to their humbleness and hearts toward
God – they could bear to receive the Words spoken. They were given additional
explanation from Jesus as to the meaning of the parables. Even so, Jesus also told them:
John 16:12, “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.”
Christ further said: John 16:25, “These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the
time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you
plainly of the Father.”

Chapter 4, The Word Made Flesh

The birth of Christ was in this fashion: John 1:14, “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.” Jesus came full of the Holy Spirit (grace) and truth! How
so? The Word became flesh when the Holy Ghost overshadowed Mary (Rm 1:3, Is 7:14).
Matthew 1:18, “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary
was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy
Ghost.” – for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost (Mt 1:20). Luke 1:35,
“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.”

In other words, Jesus was “born of the Spirit.” Those who “follow” Christ (disciples,
brethren) must also be born of the Spirit. We follow Jesus in all things. John 3:5-6,
“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the
Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh;
and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” To be born of water is the baptism of

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repentance. This prepares the heart to be baptized of the Holy Ghost, which John the
Baptist had stressed that Jesus would do.

Jesus was literally born of the Holy Spirit. Christ’s disciples must be literally “born
again” of the Holy Spirit (Jn 3:3). To be born of the flesh is to be born in corruption and
in bondage to the devil’s lie. To be “born again” of water and the Spirit is to be redeemed
from the bondage of Satan (just as God redeemed the children of Israel from Pharaoh).
All things become new – your nature, and whole life’s motivation & purpose focus upon
doing the will of God. Acts 26:18, “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to
light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins,
and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” Suddenly you
can “see” (refer to “He that hath Ears to Hear” above).

The darkness is the way of wickedness (your way, the will of the flesh) which is opposite
of the light (God’s truth). Proverbs 4:19, “The way of the wicked is as darkness: they
know not at what they stumble.” Darkness is blindness to the truth of God. The power of
Satan is his appeals (allurements, enticements, beguiling) to the lusts of the flesh – thus
leading in darkness. The power of God is the Holy Ghost working in you (grace) and
leading in God’s truth. God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all (1 Jn 1:5). God calls
us out of the darkness and into His marvellous light (1 Pt 2:9). So you must stop being
led of the devil through the desire of the flesh and start being led of the Spirit by
submitting to the truth of God (1 Pt 2:11, 4:2). Galatians 5:16, “This I say then, Walk in
the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”
Redeemed in Christ (1 Pt 1:18-19)? Just as God delivered the children of Israel from the
bondage and corruption of Egypt (Ex 15:13), Jesus delivers repentant man from the
corruption that is in the world and from the bondage of the devil (Gal 1:4, Heb 2:15).
Romans 8:21, “Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of
corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.” Corruption is through the
lusts and desires of the flesh. In Eden, man sought the desires of his flesh rather than
obey the commandment of God. To be “redeemed” means that you no longer walk in or
serve the darkness. You no longer walk in the lusts and desires of the flesh. The children
of Israel were redeemed out of Egypt and served under bondage no more. To be
redeemed by Christ means that you no longer walk in the course of this world (the
darkness, 2 Pt 1:4) – you have a new Master and Lord (Jn 13:13).

The Holy Spirit leads us to be “sons” or “children” of God (Rm 8:14-15, discussed more
below). In other words, the Spirit leads us out of the corruption that is found in the flesh
into God’s will or righteousness. 2 Peter 1:4, “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.” Final and complete deliverance
shall be realized/obtained upon Jesus’ return. Romans 8:15, “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.” We are delivered from Satan’s bondage into adoption as children of
God. We were partakers of the devil’s corruption through bondage, but now (having been
redeemed) we become partakers of God’s nature as sons.

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Notice that “forgiveness of sin” is predicated upon “turning from darkness to light.” You
cannot be forgiven to continue to walk in darkness. Do you forgive a thief to keep
stealing or a murderer to continue to murder? The intent of forgiveness is that the
violation will stop or be forsaken. There must be a very real “change” of actions in you.

This is an exchange of kingdoms: Colossians 1:13, “Who hath delivered us from the
power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.” You now
yield to the will of God in all things! Jesus is the King in the kingdom of God. You no
longer defend the flesh and its lusts and desires (the devil’s lie). You must no longer walk
in the course of this fallen and corrupt world or follow the prince of this world (Gal 1:4).
Ephesians 2:2, “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world,
according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children
of disobedience (also Gal 1:4).” You no longer say things like: “works do not save” or
“everyone sins” or “you can’t out sin God.” You now desire God’s will and do not justify
the will of the flesh.

The flesh (self) must die in every respect. It must be crucified with Christ Jesus (Gal
2:20). Romans 6:6, “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.” AND 2 Corinthians
5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed
away; behold, all things are become new.” Suddenly these verses have new and great
meaning. Matthew 16:24, “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after
me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Otherwise, you cannot
be Christ’s disciple (Mt 10:38, Lk 14:27).

Those who are “born again” are no longer led by the lusts and desires of the flesh. 1 Peter
4:2, “That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but
to the will of God.” AND Romans 13:14, “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make
not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” AND Galatians 5:24, “And they
that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” So: the “born
again” walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 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 (Rm
8:4-5). You no longer do the things you once did and are washed, sanctified and justified
in Christ Jesus and by the Spirit of God (1 Cor 6:9-11, Gal 5:19-21, Eph 5:3-8, 11).

To no longer walk in the course of this world or in the lusts and desires of the flesh is the
evidence of the Holy Ghost’s work in you. The world is crucified unto me, and I unto the
world (Gal 6:14). Religious man often tells us that our righteousness is imparted to us by
virtue of Christ’s righteousness and it is nothing we do. This is a partial truth with serious
connotations.

Why did Jesus die? Galatians 1:4, “Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver
us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father (also Eph
5:25-27).” To continue to walk as the world is to not be delivered from it (consider
carefully: Gal 6:8). To “not change” is to “be the same.” 1 John 1:6-7, “If we say that we
have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we
walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood

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of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” Jesus brought the “truth” and we must
“receive” and walk it - Ephesians 5:10, “Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.” The
Lord’s truth must be demonstrated in you – as it was in Christ Jesus.

You are now led of the Spirit. Romans 8:14, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God,
they are the sons of God.” Suddenly, you understand the true meaning of the following
verse: Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ
Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Mark 8:35 For whosoever will
save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s,
the same shall save it (also Mt 10:39, 16:25, Lk 9:24, 17:33, Jn 12:25). So, Galatians
5:16, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh (also
Gal 5:25).”

Those born of the flesh cannot receive such truth: 1 Corinthians 2:14, “But the natural
man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him:
neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” Those who defend the
flesh defend the one who leads in the lusts and desires of the flesh – the devil. Jesus said
in a conversation with such men (Jn 8:31-47): John 8:44, “Ye are of your father the devil,
and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode
not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of
his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” Jesus further said to them: John 8:47, “He
that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of
God.”

The Word was made flesh to bring life (the Word of life, 1 Jn 1:1). Jesus came as a light
to show us the way in this dark and fallen world (Is 9:2, 59:9). Matthew 4:16, “The
people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and
shadow of death light is sprung up.” AND Luke 1:79, “To give light to them that sit in
darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” John 1:4,
“In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” This light is God’s truth (the Word
made flesh). To be in God’s truth is to partake of the Lord’s life. John 8:12, “Then spake
Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not
walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” Therefore, Jesus boldly proclaimed: “I
am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me (Jn 14:6).”

We must come to the light! John 3:21, “But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that
his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” John 12:35, “Then Jesus
said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest
darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.”
Ephesians 5:8, “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk
as children of light.” AND 1 John 1:7, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light,
we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us
from all sin.”
 Bondage
We discussed earlier in this paragraph how the children of Israel were redeemed from
Egypt – the house of bondage (Ex 13:3, 14, 20:2, Deut 5:6, 6:12, 8:14, 13:5, 10, Josh
24:17, Jdg 6:8). God took them out of Egypt and freed them to serve Him and never

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return to Egypt again or serve them (Deut 4:20). Once you are redeemed, you never walk
under the old way (bondage) again. This can easily be equated to being “born again” in
Christ. The old life is dead (forsaken) and the new life is embraced and walked in. Jesus
delivers us to walk in His light and serve the darkness no more. The redeemed shall walk
in the way of holiness (Is 35:8-9, Lk 1:75, Rm 6:19, 22, 2 Cor 7:1, Eph 4:24, 1 Thess
3:13, 4:7, Heb 12:14).

Many want to serve God, yet remain in Egypt. In other words, many want to live as this
world and yet serve God also. They essentially serve God on one day (perhaps Sunday)
and live for self and the world the rest of the week. God calls us out of self and the world
unto Himself – you cannot have dual masters (Mt 6:24, Lk 16:13). God desires your full
heart, soul, mind and strength. God desires that you seek Him first/foremost. God told the
Israelites to tell their sons: Deuteronomy 6:21, “Then thou shalt say unto thy son, We
were Pharaoh’s bondmen in Egypt; and the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty
hand.” In Christ: We were the devil’s bondmen in the world; and Jesus brought us out of
the world with a mighty hand (Jn 8:31-36, Rm 8:21, Gal 4:3-5, 5:1, Heb 2:15, 1 Jn 3:8).

We are given a description of Satan in the book of Isaiah (Is 14:12-17) in which it is said:
“he opened not the house of his prisoners (Is 14:17, also Is 42:22).” Even so, the Spirit of
the Lord was upon Christ to preach deliverance to the captives (Lk 4:18, also Is 45:13).”
Isaiah 61:1, “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed
me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.”

The deliverance is found in the truth that Jesus spoke. ALSO Isaiah 42:7, “To open the
blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of
the prison house.” Those that hear and apply this true will no longer be in bondage. Jesus
destroys the works of the devil which are found in sin (transgression of God’s will)! 1
John 3:8, “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning.
For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the
devil.”

It was further prophesied of Christ: “I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that
thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth (Is 49:6).” Isaiah 49:9-10, “That
thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves.
They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places. They shall not
hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on
them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them (similar to Ps
23:2-3).”

Return to bondage? When the children of Israel were led out into the wilderness (desert)
they were denied the comforts of the flesh. Their flesh suffered in its desires on the
way/journey to the Promised Land. This was intended for the purpose of learning trust
and obedience toward God, (foreshadowing of sacrifice in this world and life’s journey to
obtain the world to come). They began to look back to Egypt (Ex 14:12, Num 14:3-4,
Acts 7:39) – after all, the bondages now didn’t seem so bad – there was some benefit to
the flesh. The children of Israel built a god of their own making to return to Egypt, the

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land of their bondage (Ex 32:4, 8, Deut 9:16, Ps 106:19, Neh 9:18, Acts 7:41). They
worshipped the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made.

The golden calf that Israel made was a god controlled by man. This was a rejection of the
true God who is sovereign over man. That which man makes/builds, man controls.
However, we must realize that which God creates is in God’s control. Israel had cried to
God for deliverence, but having been delivered had no appreciation for the Lord’s way –
and sought their own way. Israel had no sense of direction (blind), but were sure they
knew where they were going (stubborn, obstinate, unyielding, hard headed, unbelieving,
disobedient).

We must consider that many religious men today serve a god of their own making,
carefully constructed through theology, doctrine and tradition – precepts of men (Is
29:13). This is a god that allows them to remain in their bondage (sin) walking in the
course of this world (Egypt). In an honest evaluation and comparison with God’s Word,
their religious system reflects the image of the world much more than the image of the
Jesus described in the Bible. They most likely call this god Jesus (2 Cor 11:4). We are to
be “born again” to embrace God’s nature. God will not be re-created (through religious
maneuvering) to conform to man’s nature. The stubborn ways and blindness is the
deception they walk in. Unfortunately in many cases, the blind are leading the blind (to
be discussed in Chapter 7).

The “real” Jesus delivers from the bondage of sin and will not allow one to remain there.
John 8:31-36, “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in
my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth
shall make you free. They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in
bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them,
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the
servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore
shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”

No my friends, God didn’t redeemed the children of Israel so that they could continue to
serve Pharaoh and Egypt in bondage. Jesus doesn’t redeem you so that you can continue
to serve Satan and the world in bondage. In both cases, the freedom was to serve God.
How do you honor God with your redemption?

This writing has made clear that the Word became flesh to speak God’s Word or truth to
man – as a man. Those who continue in the Words or truth that Jesus spoke are His true
disciples. To “continue in” takes one beyond just hearing the Word (consider the parable
of the seeds). To “continue in” leads one to apply and walk in the Word or truth – brings
them to Christ’s marvellous light.

Chapter 5, Jesus Begins His Ministry

Christ was literally born of the Spirit (made Flesh). However, Jesus was walking an
example for man to follow so He was baptized of water and the Spirit – even though He
was filled with the Spirit and had no need of repentance. Matthew 3:13-17, “Then cometh
Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him,

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saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering
said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness (in
other words, to set the example). Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was
baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto
him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo
a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

God revealed to Moses concerning Himself (in a song, Deut 31:19): Deuteronomy 32:3-
4, “Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. He
is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without
iniquity, just and right is he.” Jesus who is God and the Rock perfectly walked that
description as a man on the earth (Word made flesh). Jesus came bearing the truth and
was without iniquity (Jn 8:46, 1 Pt 2:22).

The Father, Son and Holy Ghost were all present at the Lord’s baptism. The same must
be true for Christ’s disciples – for they follow Him in all things. This is why Jesus said:
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.” A man can only be “born again” of God
(Jn 1:13).

Baptism of repentance (water) and baptism of the Holy Ghost are two separate events.
John the Baptist made it clear that he baptized with water unto repentance, but that Jesus
would baptize with the Holy Ghost and with fire (Mt 3:11, Mk 1:8, Lk 3:16, Jn 1:26-27).
In other words, those baptized of John did not receive the Holy Ghost for He was not yet
given because Jesus was not yet glorified (Jn 7:39). Jesus’ disciples also baptized men
with water unto repentance (as Jesus looked on), but those that were baptized did not
receive the Holy Ghost because the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was
not yet glorified (Jn 4:1-2, 7:39). Jesus said you must be born of 1) water and of 2) the
Spirit (Jn 3:5) – two events. Christ’s disciples were baptized with the Holy Ghost at
Pentecost after Jesus had been glorified (Acts 2:1-4, 33, 38-39).

In the book of Acts, some were baptized with water before they were baptized with the
Holy Ghost and some were baptized with the Holy Ghost before they were baptized with
water. For example: 1) Acts 8:15-17, “Who, when they were come down, prayed for
them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of
them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands
on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.” AND 2) Acts 19:4-6, “Then said Paul, John
verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should
believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard
this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands
upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.”

Consider that events occurred in reverse order when the gospel (God’s Word) was given
to the Gentiles. Acts 10:44-48, “While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell
on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were
astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out
the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.

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Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which
have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in
the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.”

Even though baptism in water and baptism of the Spirit are two separate events, God is
not limited and both could occur simultaneously depending on circumstances. The point
is that most people assume that if they have been baptized in water that they have also
been baptized in the Holy Ghost and this is usually not the case.

The clearest indication that one has been baptized in the Holy Ghost is speaking in
tongues. This may be a hotly disputed, contested and abused issue in the religious world,
but Jesus said: Mark 16:17, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name
shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues.” Speaking with new
tongues always followed being baptized with the Holy Ghost as detailed in the book of
Acts. It is also very important to realize that the Holy Ghost first fell upon the Jews at
Pentecost followed by speaking in tongues and the Holy Ghost first fell upon the Gentiles
at Cornelius’ house followed by speaking in tongues (Acts 2:4 and Acts 10:44).

In explaining that God had given His truth to the Gentiles, Peter told the Jews: Acts
11:15-18, “And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the
beginning. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed
baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch then as
God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ;
what was I, that I could withstand God? When they heard these things, they held their
peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance
unto life.” The only evidence that the Holy Ghost had fell upon the Gentiles was the
speaking in tongues. How did the Holy Ghost fall on the the Jews at the beginning? Acts
2:4, “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other
tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

Speaking in tongues is one of those things that men become hard hearted about and
refuse to yield to God on. After all, this is a humbling thing and it denies the flesh its
reasoning and control. Some call it gibberish (nonsense), but this position is found in
pride. When one prays in tongues, it completely bypasses human understanding (and
interference) and this is the point. 1 Corinthians 14:2, “For he that speaketh in an
unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him;
howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.” AND 1 Corinthians 14:14, “For if I pray in
an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.”

Speaking in tongues is your spirit praying as the Holy Spirit (who dwells within you with
your spirit, discussed below) gives utterance (Acts 2:4, 1 Cor 14:14). The understanding
of the flesh is not required nor desired.

Not having the baptism of the Holy Spirit places you with an impossible handicap in
serving God - if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His (Rm 8:9). This
does not mean that you can’t be “religious” and do many “religious things” just like the
Pharisees did. However, like the Pharisees, you will not “know” God or be walking in
His ways. “Ye say, that He is your God: Yet ye have not known Him (Jn 8:54-55).” To

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reject the Holy Spirit is to reject God’s grace or free gift and this is certainly “not
knowing” God. The Holy Spirit teaches God’s ways and leads in them (Jn 14:26, Rm
8:14, 1 Cor 2:13).

Further understanding concerning baptism:

Water baptism represents death and resurrection. We must die to the old life in the flesh
and embrace new life in Christ. Romans 6:3-5, “Know ye not, that so many of us as were
baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 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. For if we have been planted
together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.”

When a man is born, God gives him life and there is a spirit in man (Job 32:8). Genesis
2:7, “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his
nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” Job 33:4, “The Spirit of God
hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.” God gives and the
Lord takes away (Job 34:14, Ps 104:29, Eccl 8:8, 12:7). The vessel of clay is the
container that the spirit dwells within (Gen 3:19, Job 10:9, 13:12, 103:15, Eccl 3:20,
12:7, Is 29:16, 64:8).

When a man is “born again,” God gives him the Holy Spirit to dwell with his spirit in the
vessel of clay - for your body and spirit are God’s (body, Jn 1:12-13, 3:3, 5, 7, 1 Cor
2:10-16, 6:20). This is the baptism of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is our Comforter
(Jn 14:16, 26, 15:26, 16:7). Romans 8:9, “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if
so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you…” God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk
in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people (2 Cor 6:16, also Rm 8:11).
Therefore: 1 Corinthians 3:16, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the
Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” AND 1 Corinthians 6:19, “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?” You are no longer your own because your spirit now has a Comforter
(Holy Spirit) dwelling with it.

The spirit of man knoweth the things of man. The Spirit of God knoweth the things of
God (1 Cor 2:11). God’s Spirit dwells in you to reveal and lead in the things of God (1
Cor 2:12-13) – through your faith. In this way, you have the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16).

Christ was the temple of the Holy Ghost. John 2:19, 21, “Jesus answered and said unto
them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. But he spake of the temple
of his body.” His body was the temple of the Holy Ghost and three days after His death
He was raised by the power of the Holy Ghost. Romans 8:11, “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 (also 2 Cor
4:14).” AND 1 Peter 3:18, “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the
unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the
Spirit.”

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The Holy Spirit is our access to Christ and the Father (1 Cor 2:10-16). Ephesians 3:17,
“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith… (also Gal 3:14)” Ephesians 2:18, “For
through him (Jesus) we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” So: 1 John 4:13,
“Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his
Spirit.” AND Romans 8:16, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are
the children of God.” Can you see how the Holy Spirit and your spirit (if you be His) are
together? The Holy Spirit provides comfort to your spirit bearing witness that you are
God’s.

All of this is for a purpose. We are “born again” to live unto God (heart, soul, mind and
strength, Rm 12:2). Romans 6:10, “For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that
he liveth, he liveth unto God.” The old way of life in seeking the lusts and desires of the
flesh is dead. Romans 6:12-13, “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye
should obey it in the lusts thereof. 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.” Yield to the Spirit!

Here is something amazing: The children of Israel worshipped God in a temple made
with hands. God dwelt in the holy of holies and only the high priest once a year went in
(Heb 9:3-7). The holy place was separated from the holy of holies by a veil. Hebrews 9:8,
“The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made
manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing.” When Christ died that veil was
rent from top to bottom (completely) signifying that through Jesus man has direct access
to the Father (Mt 27:51, Mk 15:38, Lk 23:45, Eph 2:18). As described above, the Lord
dwells within those who love and obey Him - for they are now His temple (Jn 14:15-17,
21, 23).

These are precious things, but who has ears to hear and eyes to see?
Christ Preaches in a Synagogue

After having been tempted of the devil in the wilderness, Jesus returned in the power of
the Spirit into Galilee. Shortly thereafter, Jesus came to a synagogue in Nazareth and
stood up for to read (Lk 4:16-17). He read a prophecy concerning Himself from the book
of Isaiah (Is 61:1-2).Luke 4:18-19, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath
anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted,
to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty
them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” Jesus told the
audience: “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears (Lk 4:21). Our “sight” is
recovered when we begin to hear and see what Jesus said.

Christ next answered what He knew was in their hearts with a short rebuttal which was
not well received. Luke 4:28-29, “And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these
things, were filled with wrath, And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him
unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down
headlong.” This event seemed to set the tone for man’s future response to God’s Words
as spoken through Jesus the Son.

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Jesus came forth boldly speaking God’s Word and demonstrating it in great power for all
to see. The Lord’s followers or disciples will do just as He did: Acts 4:29-31, “And now,
Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they
may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders
may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place
was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy
Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.”

After being filled with the Holy Ghost at Pentecost, Peter quickly got everyone’s
attention when he healed a lame man at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful
(Acts 3:1-11). Of course this deed of love and compassion also quickly brought about
persecution from religious man (Acts chap 4).
The Son of Man Speaks to Man

Jesus came speaking only the Father’s Words, doing the Father’s will and doing the
Father’s works (Jn 4:34, 5:17, 19-20, 36, 6:38, 7:16-18, 8:26, 28-29, 9:4, 12:49-50,
14:10, 24, 31, 15:15). Christ showed only love and compassion toward His fellow man
and He fed, taught, sacrificed for, healed, raised the dead, calmed storms and delivered
from demons (Mt 4:23-24, 8:16, 9:31-33, 11:4-6, 14:14, 35-36, 15:30-38, 16-21, 19:2,
21:14, 32-33, Mk 1:34, 3:10-11, 4:37-41, Lk 6:17-19, etc.). Even so, He was despised by
religious man (Is 53:3, Mt 9:34, 12:10, 14, 45-46, 21:15, 22:15, 26:4, Mk 3:2, 6, 14:1,
Lk 11:53-54, 20:19-20, 22:4, Jn 5:16, 7:1, 20, 25, 8:6, 48, 59, 9:16, 24, 20, 25, 30, 44-
49, 10:20, 31, 39, 10:20, 11:8, 47-48, 50, 53-54, 57, 12:19, 15:24). John 8:42, “Jesus said
unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came
from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.”

Christ walked the two great commandments in that He loved the Father with all His
heart, soul, mind and strength. Jesus loved His neighbors and sacrificed for their benefit.
Jesus showed man how to relate to the Father – as a loving faithful Son who is devoted to
and honors the Father’s will. Christ showed us to love each other by always desiring the
welfare of others. Jesus revealed “perfect” love by laying down His life (all that He had
to give) for man’s benefit and God’s will.

Some followed Jesus just to see the great wonders that He did. John 6:2, “And a great
multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were
diseased.” Some had other reasons: John 6:26-27, “Jesus answered them and said, Verily,
verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did
eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that
meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for
him hath God the Father sealed.” Men were following for fleshly reasons and not for
God’s truth which brings eternal life.

Jesus spoke some hard truth and it immediately brought a separation. John 6:60, “Many
therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can
hear it?” Jesus told them: John 6:63, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth
nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” The flesh is
opposed to God’s truth. God’s Word comes against the flesh! The flesh nature in you

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must die (be crucified with Christ) if you are to follow in the Lord’s narrow way. John
6:65-66, “And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except
it were given unto him of my Father. From that time many of his disciples went back, and
walked no more with him.” Only those whose heart’s have been humble and no longer
walk in pride (self) can come unto Christ.
Rejection

Jesus grew up in the region of Galilee. Matthew 13:54-57, “And when he was come into
his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished,
and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? Is not this the
carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and
Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man
all these things? And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is
not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.” This is so true, those
most familiar with you tend to give you the least amount of respect – who are you that
you should be able to tell us anything? The author has experienced this in following His
Lord. The result was: Matthew 13:58, “And he did not many mighty works there because
of their unbelief.” Those with unbelief toward God always come out the losers.

The people said: John 7:27, “Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ
cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.” They further said that out of Galilee ariseth no
prophet (Jn 7:52). Do we see God when He is in our midst or do we just explain things
away? God raises up whom he will to confound the wise (1 Cor 1:27). The author has
heard some of the most profound things of wisdom from men who had been humbled
through imprisonment or having lived homeless on the streets. Do you recognize truth
when it comes from a source that you do not expect or from one you have little respect
for? Do you say: “out of my family, friends or from the stranger down the street ariseth
no prophet?”

A man in jail taught the author (who was suppose to be the one doing the teaching)
something that profoundly changed the author’s life. He said that the television had been
the single worst influence in his life and had destroyed him. Oh, such wisdom for those
who only have ears to hear! Another man humbled through great need once told the
author that its not in talking about what Christ did, but rather doing what Jesus did. He
said he saw that in me as I was lending some help, and this I would not trade for great
riches. We must have discernment to recognize “truth.”

The prideful give no thought to those they consider beneath them. 1 Corinthians 1:26-28,
“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many
mighty, not many noble, are called. But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world
to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the
things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised,
hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are.” God’s
way is not man’s way.

Christ’s own brothers did not believe Him. John 7:5, “For neither did his brethren believe
in him.” These were the children of Joseph and Mary who were named James, and Joses,

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and Simon, and Judas (Mt 13:55). When one is “born again,” they are born into a new
heavenly family. Jesus said: Mark 3:33-35, “And he answered them, saying, Who is my
mother, or my brethren? And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and
said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of God, the
same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.” This is your eternal family – those who
completely submit to God and walk in His ways.

Let us re-consider something very important once again:

God’s prophecy: Deuteronomy 18:18-19, “I will raise them up a Prophet from among
their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto
them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not
hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.”

Christ’s Words: John 12:48-50, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath
one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last
day. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a
commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his
commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said
unto me, so I speak.”

Jesus was completely focused upon completing the Father’s work. Mark 3:20-21, “And
the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. And
when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside
himself.” To say “beside Himself” would equate to being unbalanced or losing control.
John 4:34, “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to
finish his work.” If you follow Christ with such devotion, friends and family will say the
same of you. They will say – “Lets not be extreme” or “you must keep things in balance.”
Yet, with the same passion, they will serve the things they love (hobbies, entertainments,
collections, sports teams, etc.).
The Miracles

Recall that the children of Israel saw the mighty miracles of God in Egypt and the
wilderness yet were full of unbelief and did not obey God or walk in His ways (Acts
7:39). Jesus also came speaking God’s Word and doing mighty miracles. He healed,
opened blind eyes, delivered from devils, raised the dead, calmed the sea, and fed
multitudes with only minor provisions. John 12:37-38, “But though he had done so many
miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: That the saying of Esaias the prophet
might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom
hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?”

Romans 3:3-4, “For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of
God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written,
That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art
judged.” Being found in God’s truth, ye shall withstand the judgment.

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Man continues to reject God and refuses to walk in His truth. What more could God do in
reaching out to man? The Lord has said: “All day long I have stretched forth my hands
unto a disobedient and gainsaying people (Rm 10:21).” To gainsay is to oppose or act
against. The Lord God reaches out in love and man continually resists because to walk
with God man must concede (give up, forfeit) his own way (1 Jn 4:10). It is the Creator’s
right to be sovereign over His creation. It is the Potter’s right to have power over the clay
(Is 44:9, 64:8, Jer 18:6, Rm 9:21, Rev 2:27). Woe to the rebellious ones!

So, just how are the Lord’s purposes being accomplished? Jesus came for the lost sheep
to lead them back to God. Luke 19:10, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save
that which was lost.” AND “I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance
(Mt 9:13). God desires to grant mercy to the repentant. There is a percentage of man,
however small, that will humble themselves and receive God’s truth and walk therein.
The Lord delights in mercy and rejoices when a lost sheep is found (Lk 15:4-6). Jesus
said: John 10:27-28, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck
them out of my hand.”

Jesus said it over and over: “he that hath an ear let him hear” and “I say to those who
hear.” Are you one that will hear? The evidence of having heard is to follow! The
evidence of having “received” is to obey!

Chapter 6, To Separate or Sift

God’s Word has it’s effect in separating the good from the bad. John the Baptist said of
Jesus: Matthew 3:12, “Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor,
and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire
(also Lk 3:17).” Jesus spoke the truth and it had a sifting effect: John 7:12, “And there
was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good
man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people.” John 7:43, “So there was a division
among the people because of him.” Some presumed one thing: John 7:20, “The people
answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee?” Others were not so
sure: John 7:31, “And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ
cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?”

Jesus sent forth His disciples into the surrounding area with His Word and power (Mt
10:1). Matthew 10:7-8, “And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received,
freely give.” A follower of Christ shall be as his master in all things – particularly
speaking God’s Word with power (miracles). Christ gives His followers authority to
speak for Him: Luke 10:16, “He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you
despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.” AND Matthew
10:40, “He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that
sent me.”

Jesus further instructed them: Matthew 10:14-15, “And whosoever shall not receive you,
nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your

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feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and
Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.” Why is this important? Because
God specifically stipulated that those who would not hear the Words that He put in the
mouth of the prophet would be destroyed from among the people (Acts 3:22-23) – these
Words would be required of them (Deut 18:18-19). Jesus further said the Words that He
spoke would judge man in the last day (Jn 12:48). Christ said: Matthew 12:30, “He that is
not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” To
“reject” Christ’s Words is to oppose Jesus, and the message He brought which is God’s
truth. This is to set yourself against God.

When the disciples went forth speaking God’s Words with miracles, then man would
either “receive” or “reject” the message – an eternal sifting. Do not suppose or presume
that you are due multiple and endless opportunities to respond to God in an acceptable
way (not words, but demonstrated faith walked daily). This day may be your last – as a
snare come upon you.

Christ rebukes those cities which have rejected God’s Word. Matthew 11:20-24, “Then
began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they
repented not: Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty
works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have
repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable
for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art
exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have
been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I
say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of
judgment, than for thee (also consider Mt 12:38-42).” Shall Jesus also say woe unto you?
The prideful disregard God’s Word and the humble receive it (Mt 11:25, 28-30).

The Lord’s Word will intentionally produce divisions and Jesus made this very clear.
Matthew 10:34-36, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send
peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the
daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a
man’s foes shall be they of his own household.” There will be division because those who
seek to walk in God’s Word will walk opposite from those who walk in the course of this
world. There will be great contention over God’s Word.

Even so, we must choose our side wisely: Matthew 10:37-39, “He that loveth father or
mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than
me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not
worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake
shall find it.” For the disciple of Christ, the real family are those who do the will of God
(Mt 12:47-50, Mk 3:32-35).
Violating God’s Will

By reading God’s Word we can be assured that God’s anger is directed toward those who
ignor or disregard His Word and treat His commandments as trivial (unimportant,
insignificant) or irrelevant (Ps 7:11). The Lord’s wrath will be against those who do not

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acknowledge His authority and submit to it – they do not retain God in their knowledge
or thoughts (Job 24:13, Ps 10:4, Rm 1:28).

This rebellious attitude was expressed by Pharaoh when he said: “Who is the LORD, that
I should obey his voice (Ex 5:2)?” and “I know not the LORD (Ex 5:2).” Many think, “It
profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God (Job 21:15, 34:9).” Job
21:14, “Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of
thy ways (also Job 22:17).” The wicked, through the pride of his countenance (self
exaltation), will not seek after God (Ps 10:4). Psalms 36:1, “The transgression of the
wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes (also Rm
3:18).”

For those who are truly repentant and fully acknowledge and forsake their evil, God is
very merciful (Ps 86:5). You must call upon God in truth (Ps 145:18). No one is worthy
for all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Rm 3:23). Romans 3:10, “As it is
written, There is none righteous, no, not one.” The Lord’s pleasure is found in those who
fully acknowledge their sin and completely turn from it back unto the Lord. There is
rejoicing in heaven over such (Lk 15:7, 10). Psalms 147:11, “The LORD taketh pleasure
in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.”

The Lord says: Proverbs 28:13, “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso
confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” AND Isaiah 55:7, “Let the wicked
forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the
LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly
pardon.” The Lord always says: Ezekiel 33:11, “Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord
GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his
way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of
Israel?”

Turning from your way (forsaking it) to God’s way is repentance. God is longsuffering
not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Pt 3:9). This
is the goodness of God – His forearance and longsuffering that leadeth thee to repentance
(Rm 2:4). 1 Corinthians 8:3, “But if any man love God, the same is known of him.” To
love God is to deny or sacrifice self for His benefit.

Consider God’s nature: The LORD God is merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and
abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and
transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty (Ex 34:6-7, also Deut
4:31, Ps 116:5, Jonah 4:2, Lk 6:36, Heb 8:12). God is plenteous in mercy for the contrite
of heart (Ps 103:8). Psalms 86:15, “But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and
gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.” AND Psalms 86:5, “For thou,
Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon
thee.”

God’s mercy is based upon acknowledging and walking in His truth (forsaking and
eschewing evil, Ps 57:10, 85:10, 89:14, 100:5, 103:11, 108:4, Ti 1:1, 2 Tim 2:25).
Psalms 25:10, “All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his
covenant and his testimonies.” AND Proverbs 16:6, “By mercy and truth iniquity is

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purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.” The Lord is greatly upset
when: “there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land (Hos 4:1).” AND
Malachi 2:17, “Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have
we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the
LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?”

The Lord responds accordingly: Psalms 18:25-26, “With the merciful thou wilt shew
thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright; With the pure thou
wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward (also Rm
9:18).” The upright man is virtuous or pure in heart (genuine, real sincere, right motives)
meaning he voluntarily obeys the truth. To be froward is to refuse to do what is right or
expected or to turn from the truth.

God is not mocked, for what a man sows he shall reap (Gal 6:7). Deuteronomy 7:9-10,
“Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth
covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand
generations; And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not
be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face. Hatred would be to
sacrifice (disregard) God for the benefit of self. In other words, to place “self” before
(ahead of) God is to hate the Lord. To hate God is to make Him of lesser importance in
your life.
Misleading the People?

Not only were Jesus’ Words not received and rejected by the people, but He was accused
of perverting the nation before the the power and authority of the Roman governor (Lk
20:20, 23:1-2). To pervert is to turn from the truth, propriety, or from its proper purpose;
to distort from its true use or end; as, to pervert reason by misdirecting it; to pervert the
laws by misinterpreting and misapplying them. The religious leaders said: “He deceiveth
the people (Jn 7:12, 47).

The Son of God who spoke only the Father’s Words was accused of turning men from the
truth or lying. In other words, religious man accused God of doing what the devil had
done at the beginning. The governor did not agree. Luke 23:14-15, “Said unto them, Ye
have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having
examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof
ye accuse him: No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death
is done unto him.”

Jesus showed nothing but love, first toward God the Father and then toward His fellow
man. In other words, Jesus perfectly walked the two great commandments. Matthew
22:40, “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets (also Mt 7:12).
Also these two great commandments are more than all whole burnt offerings and
sacrifices (Mk 12:33). John 15:25, “But this cometh to pass, that the word might be
fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.”

Chapter 7, Blind Leading the Blind

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We discussed how blindness to the truth results from hardness of heart (hearts as an
adamant stone). This is a refusal to forsake your own way and is manifested as obstinacy,
stubbornness and obduracy. This is to cling to and exalt your way above God’s way. This
is to be froward, which is a refusal to do what is right or required. This is also to walk in
pride. Romans 2:5-6, “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;
Who will render to every man according to his deeds.” The judgment is all based upon
God’s Word – did you yield to it or stubbornly and contentiously resist it (Rm 2:9-10)?
Romans 2:11, “For there is no respect of persons with God.”

When King Saul was disobedient to the Lord in the matter of the Amalekites, Samuel
told Saul: 1 Samuel 15:23, “…stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast
rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.”
Stubbornness is iniquity because it places your will/way above God’s. To reject God’s
Word or truth is to also be rejected of God – action begats reaction (1 Sam 15:26).
Afterward, the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul (1 Sam 16:14). Let him hear that
hath ears to hear.

The religious leaders accused Jesus of transgressing the tradition of the elders (of man)
concerning the washing of hands (Mt 15:1-2). Christ pointed out how the religious
leaders violated God’s commandment through their traditions by not honoring their father
and mother. Through their religious maneuvering they had made God’s commandment of
none effect (Mt 15:3-6). Jesus said: Matthew 15:7-9, “Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias
prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and
honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship
me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”

Many were concerned by what had transpired. Matthew 15:12-14, “Then came his
disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they
heard this saying? But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath
not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if
the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch (also Lk 6:39).” Was this harsh? No,
the religious leaders were inflexible and stubborn and refused to yield to God’s truth.
They sought the way of man through doctrines and traditions and nullified God’s Word
or truth. They were leading in disobedience to God which is the way of death.

These men were blind and walked in pride. Jesus said of such: John 5:40, “And ye will
not come to me, that ye might have life.” Why? Because of their hardness of heart and
frowardness (obstinacy, obduracy). Coming to Christ requires humbleness which denies
the flesh its place or control. Coming to Christ requires one to admit fault and change
direction in their life. The religious leaders thought they could see, but were truly blind
(Jn 9:39-41). Jesus was specifically sent from God to reveal God’s Word with power.
Walking in your way or the ways of the world blinds you to the truth Jesus brought.

We must equally and seriously consider that there are many blind leaders in modern
Christianity. These are no more willing to yield their religious ways than were the

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Pharisees of old. These walk in the doctrines and traditions of man. They speak great
things with their mouth and lips, but their hearts are far from God, but near to self.
Pride and Hypocrisy

Jesus brought many things to light concerning the behaviors of religious men. Religious
men are those who seek God their way through their doctrines, traditions and religious
protocol (modus operandi, practice, theology), yet are unyielding to God’s way
(stubborn, obstinate, stiff necked). Matthew 23:4-7, “For they bind heavy burdens and
grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not
move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men:
they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love
the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the
markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.” They walk in pride (self exaltation)!

Blind guides (Mt 23:4)! Matthew 23:13, “But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees,
hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in
yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.” Through their great
institutions with their doctrines, traditions and theologies (of man) they misdirect.
Matthew 23:15, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea
and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the
child of hell than yourselves.” Their theology tells us “the doctrines we are to believe”
and “the duties we are to practice.” Blind – without perception or understanding. They
know not what they do, but are steadfast in their course (Pv 4:19, Lk 23:34).

Oh such a form of godliness they possess – they say: “you must come to us and our
institutions to find God.” Matthew 23:27-28, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees,
hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful
outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also
outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.”

Jesus said: Matthew 23:33, “Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the
damnation of hell?” What did the serpent do (Rev 20:2)? The serpent led man away from
God into the path of disobedience and rebellion (Gen 3:1-6). The serpent led man into the
path of darkness which is blindness to God’s truth. Blind leaders of the blind, you are
leading opposite of God to eternal damnation. The blind walk in darkness and know no
where they go, yet they are positively sure they are almost there. Pray for eyesalve, that
thou mayest see – ye blind men that have need of nothing (Rev 3:17-18).
Rebellious Man Condemns God to Death

Christ said: Matthew 23:34, “Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise
men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye
scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city.” In other words, God
send many men to speak His truth and all were soundly rejected and treated harshly.

Religious man had been anticipating the coming of Elijah (Elias) and the coming of the
Messiah. It was prophesied: Malachi 4:5, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet

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before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.” When John the Baptist
(in the spirit of Elias, Mt 11:13-14) and Jesus Christ came, neither one met religious
man’s expectations and both were also soundly rejected.

Jesus revealed something to His disciples that was very condemning of religious man.
Matthew 17:10-13, “And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that
Elias must first come? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first
come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they
knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the
Son of man suffer of them. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John
the Baptist.” Is this not a serious disconnect between religious man and God? Do you not
realize that much the same still exists in the religious world today (in whatever form)?

Jesus was despised of the religious leaders – rejected of men, a man of sorrows (Is 53:3).
He came to His own, the people of God, with a message from God (the gospel) and His
own received Him not (Jn 1:11). Jeremiah 8:9, “The wise men are ashamed, they are
dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the LORD; and what wisdom is in
them?” What wisdom do you have you great blind theologians? Do you walk blind to the
world yet in the light of the Holy Spirit of truth (2 Jn 1:2)?

Christ spoke and walked God’s Word, yet man condemned Him to death. Even so, God’s
purposes are being fulfilled even to this day. There is a great and eternal separation
occuring – a sifting. The Lord is determining who will “receive” and “walk” in His
Word. In other words, God is determining just who really loves Him. Faith in
combination with the workings of the Holy Ghost will produce what God desires and
shall yield a harvest unto the Lord. The fruit will be evident and cannot come forth any
other way.
Great Hope

Those who receive Christ have great hope. John 3:33, “He that hath received his
testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.” AND John 1:12-13, “But as many as
received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that
believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of
the will of man, but of God.”

John 3:21, “But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made
manifest, that they are wrought in God.” AND 1 John 1:7, “But if we walk in the light, as
he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his
Son cleanseth us from all sin.” Those who do truth come to the light and walk in the light
and have forgiveness in Christ’s shed blood. Those who walk in truth will not walk or
abide in darkness - have the light of life. (Jn 8:12, 12:35, 46).
The Journey

A journey that last for eternity begins with a first step. You must take that first step
toward God and never look back (Lk 9:62). God is light! Those walking opposite of God
are walking away from His light and into ever greater darkness. This darkness further

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blinds their eyes to God’s truth (Ps 18:28, Is 9:2, 42:16, Mt 4:16, Lk 1:79, Jn 1:5, 12:35,
Acts 26:18, 2 Cor 4:4). John 8:12, “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the
light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light
of life.” AND John 12:46, “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on
me should not abide in darkness.” AND Ephesians 5:8, “For ye were sometimes
darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light.”

Each step toward God is one more into the light and one more step out of the darkness. 1
John 1:5, “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you,
that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” Each step toward God is that much
more clarity in understanding God’s truth. To walk toward God is to see God ever
clearer. To walk toward God is to walk in Christ’s path. Jesus is “the Way” and “the
Truth (Jn 14:6).”

Each step toward the Lord increases your understanding. Each step draws you nearer to
God. With each step it becomes all the more evident to you that: “I was blind, but now I
see.” Each step increases your love toward God and relationship with Him. Each step
increases your faith and thereby your strength.

Walking toward God is walking in mercy, truth and righteousness. There is no place for
justifying unforgiveness, sin/iniquity and unrighteousness. The closer you draw to God
the more evident it becomes that there is no place for any opposition to God’s will. You
realize that the flesh has no place and is a great hindrance to doing God’s will.

May your eyes begin to open that you may see these things! May your ears become
unstopped that you may hear.

Conclusion
Man is a most rebellious creation! Man has been rebelling against God and rejecting His
Word since the beginning – from generation to generation. The Lord God knows this.
God intends to harvest a faithful obedient remnant from throughout the ages – called of
God (Joel 2:31-32, Mt 13:36-43, Rev 14:15). Jesus acknowledged this in saying: Luke
13:23-24, “Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto
them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in,
and shall not be able.” AND Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is
the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in
thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few
there be that find it.” A remnant shall be saved (Rm 9:27-28, 11:5).

What more could God do for man? Must the Creator bow to the will of His creation?
Jesus Christ (the Word of God made flesh) came as a man speaking and demonstrating
God’s Word. Jesus gave everything for man’s benefit – complete sacrifice – complete
love. God says to the disobedient and rebellious: “I have called, and ye refused; I have
stretched out my hand, and no man regarded (Pv 1:24). God’s is slow to anger, but His
wrath is certainly kindled and shall come forth in great fury (Rev 6:17, 19:15).

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In the religious world, most men are led about by the doctrines of men rather than the
Holy Ghost. Jesus said we are to be led and taught of the Holy Spirit (Spirit of truth,
Comforter, Jn 14:26, 15:26, Rm 8:14). Complete theologies (what we must believe and
practice) have been developed through what men like Martin Luther, John Calvin or
perhaps some Catholic father taught.

Even so, there is much error in these teachings and in these men’s examples. The Holy
Ghost does not have such handicaps and is certainly without error. 1 John 2:27, “But the
anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man
teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie,
and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.” The Holy Ghost teaches and leads
each generation in God’s truth if they will receive it! The religious, quite frankly, have
their doctrines, theologies and traditions and do not desire the Holy Ghost’s teaching – it
usually conflicts with theirs.

The GREAT condemnation is that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness
rather than light, because their deeds were evil (Jn 3:19). Jesus “personally” brought
“light” or God’s “truth” unto man. Men prefer the darkness! – seeking their own way
through the lusts and desires of the flesh – led about by constant temptations. James 1:14,
“But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.” Who
leads in such temptations? The devil deceives through the flesh (2 Cor 2:11)! 2
Thessalonians 2:10, “And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish;
because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” Men refuse
God’s truth that the “Word made flesh” brought unto man. They do not love the truth
because they love darkness which is the devil’s lie. They believe the devil’s lie, yet reject
God’s truth (2 Thess 2:11). The truth will be required of man by God and you must be
found in it to have life.

Those led of the flesh walk an opposite direction from God. 2 Thessalonians 2:12, “That
they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in
unrighteousness.” To love the darkness is to have “pleasure” in unrighteousness.

Our righteousness before God is only found in our faith (love, submission, obedience,
trust and devotion toward God) as guided in truth by the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ.
This is the path back to God! This is the only escape from the condemnation of death.
Those who walk this path shall fully realize complete reconciliation and restoration in
that death is swallowed up in victory (1 Cor 15:54). They shall be raised from the dead
just as Jesus was – Christ went before and they follow after (as sheep). 1 Corinthians
15:55-57, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death
is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Those who have made peace with sin and “religiously” or otherwise justify it shall have
no right to life. Death shall claim them as its own. Proverbs 5:22, “His own iniquities
shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.” The
wages of sin is death and death shall rightfully claim its own (Rm 6:23).

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The Bible speaks of a time when all things shall be restored upon the earth. Isaiah 11:9,
“They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the
knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.” AND Habakkuk 2:14, “For the
earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the
sea.” Those who have “received” Christ’s Words and endeavor to walk in them as led by
the Holy Ghost, look forward to such a time of “peace.” Those who have “rejected”
Christ’s Words as evidenced by living in a way opposed to the truth (walking in darkness
– religiously or not) will have no place.

Let us be found walking in the truth that Jesus brought so that we may partake of the
mercy that He obtained with His own blood. Proverbs 3:3-4, “Let not mercy and truth
forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt
thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.”

The Lord says “come” to “whosoever will,” but how many receive His Word and walk
therein (Rev 22:17)? Who has ears to hear? Who hath eyes to see?

The author has written six books and periodically writes other articles, tracts and books as the Lord puts them on his
heart. These are offered free of charge and may be obtained by writing: 209 Cedar Pond Dr., Madison, Al. 35757

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