Tag Archives: righteousness

Christian

Fine Tuning

Here are some common modern day fallacies about Christianity:

Righteous acts do not make a person righteous.

Jesus did not come to make bad people good. He came to make dead people live.

When I sin it is not me that sins, but sin that dwells in my flesh.

Reading the Holy Bible isn’t the same as studying.

Religion says do. Jesus says done.

It’s not about religion it’s about relationship.

God loves you unconditionally.

Baptism is just a public display of faith.

These fallacies may sound true, but in your heart and that nagging part of your mind – you know something just isn’t quite right about these statements. Pay attention to those feelings, keep exercising your discernment.

Fine tuning comes from experience. Reading the Holy Bible is study and through it you can learn the difference between right and wrong. Recognizing a half truth or wishy-washy statement can save you grief in the future and protect and strengthen your faith.

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Christian, Inspirational

Stuck

In Revelation 2:25 KJV, the Lord warned the church in Thyatira, But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.

The problem is most denominations today heed this advice not discerning the truth. Their preachers cling to what they were taught in seminary or preaching school. I once heard someone jokingly call it cemetery – and I’m not sure that’s far off the mark.

Which is a commandment of God:

A. Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy.

Or

B. Thou shall not use musical instruments in a worship service.

The correct answer is A. All the Ten Commandments are still valid and even reiterated in the New Testament. What theologians who divide the law argue is that the law of Moses has ended while we are now under the law of Christ and the New Testament. To which I say read the New Testament correctly and you will see Jesus and his disciples keeping the Sabbath. Read the Old Testament correctly and you will see Moses received the law from Christ.

In Matthew 5:17 KJV, Jesus says, Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

There are plenty of examples of musical instruments in the Old Testament being used to worship the Lord. If you’re holiness is composed only of singing acapella in church services, I point out, Matthew 5:20 KJV For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Cling to the truth. If you have problems discerning it while you’re in school or reading the Bible at home, pray to the Lord for understanding.

James 1:5 KJV If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

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Christian

Endrun

Is it the endrun for Jeshurun?

Deuteronomy 32:15 KJV
But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness ; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.

Jeshurun or Israel has forsaken God, not by ignoring him, but by ignoring his Son. In their hubris they believe they are allowed to approach God the Father directly. Deuteronomy 32:18 KJV
Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee.

1 Timothy 2:5-6 KJV For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; [6] Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

He is the scepter extended to Jew and Gentile alike. If one would live they must accept him. John 3:16

If they recognize him, the men of Israel can move out of their shame which they have confused with righteousness and uncover their head when they pray. 1 Corinthians 11:4 KJV
Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.

You can’t run around our Rock, Jesus, to get to Jehovah. And you can’t get to Heaven relying on your Culture (fatness).

Matthew 23:8 KJV
But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.

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Christian, Inspirational

Trophy of Grace

I recently started listening to a Christian radio station called wayfm. A few weeks ago, the DJ gave a short sermon on being a trophy of grace versus being a leader of moral righteousness. He maintained he was not an example of righteousness, but only a trophy of grace.

His error. These aren’t antonyms they are synonyms. To be a trophy of grace, to be saved, you must of necessity be righteous.

What does the Bible say: 1 John 3:6-8 KJV Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. [7] Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. [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.

To be a trophy of grace we must have a part in God. To have that part we must not sin. Not sinning makes us an example of righteousness.

Luke 21:36 KJV
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and stand before the Son of man.

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Christian, Inspirational

Filthy Rags

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

This verse is used by some to discourage self effort in living righteously.

I tell you a truth.

God might have a use for your filthy rags.

There is a song, Must I go and empty handed. Must I go and empty handed, thus my redeemed meet? Not one day of service give Him, lay no trophy at his feet.

Don’t let anyone, especially a so called preacher of the Word talk you out of trying to do right and having good works.

Notice in Acts 10:4 KJV how Cornelius is rewarded with an angelic visit that eventually saves his house, … What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.

Many have defined Grace as unmerited favor. Remember God can and does reward based on merit as well.

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Christian, Inspirational

A Matter of Degrees

I worry for the future of the Church. I had a recent conversation with someone attending a Church of Christ preaching school in which he said everyone who was not of the Church of Christ denomination was unrighteous.  I have heard before of certain denominations or individual churches believing they were the only ones saved, but was somewhat shocked that this was the spirit of a church I attend.

Is this the future spirit of the Church? The Bible tells us the righteous are scarcely saved. 1 Peter 4:18. And yet I have not found a congregation that worships perfectly. Where is that church, one that keeps the Ten Commandments and understands the gospel?

There are keys of Salvation that cross denominational barriers? 

  1. John 3:16 Belief in Jesus
  2. Mark 16:16 Correct Water Baptism
  3. 1 John 1:9 Forgiveness After Baptism


Does the use of musical instruments in worship make one unrighteous? Does receiving sprinkling as an infant make a person unrighteous? Does not keeping the Sabbath make one unrighteous? 

It’s a matter of degrees from the straight and narrow. Being unable to discern God is accepting of both a cappella and musical worship may not make one worthy of damnation. However, believing you are holier because you only worship a cappella may be a stumbling block. Being sprinkled with water as an infant doesn’t make one unrighteous. However choosing not to read the Holy Bible to learn baptism requires knowledge of Jesus, knowledge of sin for repentance, and being immersed by another in the name of Jesus or in the name if the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost may jeapordize one’s salvation. Keeping the Sabbath is a commandment, yet we are told not to judge one another in regard to the keeping of holy days. Colossians 2:16.

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