1st

• It's all about Jesus, the Lamb of God slain from before the foundation of the world! (By design, this is what EVERY book of the Bible is about!)
• Remember the key elements of the truth of our faith in Jesus. He is the inerrent Word! He is divine! He is coming again!
• Know your enemy! 1Pet.5:8. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Pastors, church planters, missionaries, parents, caring people---do not be discouraged when you see the natural man take hold of those you thought were solid in Jesus' eternal security. This phenomenon is inborn in humanity. From the Garden of Eden to this current nanosecond of time we are bent on wandering away from the truth of what God says to the thoughts inspired by the ever present "me, me, me".

• Jesus experienced it in His earthly ministry. John 6: 66. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
• The book of Revelation gives Jesus' messages to the seven churches, telling how they had drifted away from Him in various ways, beginning with Rev. 2:4. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. (Jesus!)
• Every faithful member of the body of Christ battles it, within one's self as well as without. So keep fighting the good fight. As Paul told Timothy: 2Tim.4:2-5. Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
  But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

*See the devotionals for June 2011: Galatians: Keeping the Purity of the Gospel

090111

2nd

Peter's Faith in Jesus

John 6: 66-8. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

Peter may have had what pop-psychology calls "issues".

• He often spoke without thinking, sometimes in anger, using inappropriate language.
• He had many ideas that were impractical.
• He would act on impulse.

In other words he was a sinner just like you and me!

But for all his faults, when he got a hold of the truth --he REALLY got it! That is what is taking place in the book of John.

Jesus had just miraculously fed the hungry tired multitudes. And those multitudes were flocking to what they hoped would become the "Mega Church of Jesus", where there would be food, entertainment, and a good time had by all. Itching ears would be soothed. Emotions would be activated. And when church was over they would be fed and ready to go to the local evening chariot races.

Jesus soon put a stop to that expectation. He had fed the multitudes because He knew they needed the physical strength at that time, not because He was luring them into some sort of mega-ministry.

He sent the apostles across the Sea of Galilee alone, while He went to pray. Meanwhile a storm was brewing on the Lake, physically and spiritually. The apostles were about to see whether they had the mettle to endure. Easy times were not on the horizon. Persecution, Jesus' crucifixion, and martyrdom for most were looming ahead.

Jesus walked across the sea to meet them. It was time to start winnowing out those who were the of the mega-entitlement mindset. Many of these had followed the apostles over the sea, thinking that Jesus had powers that would put everyone on the Gravy Train. They wanted Him to be King of a new Welfare State full of miraculous provisions. Jesus knew that by the last times this mega-mentality would be so pervasive that He would not even be inside with the multitudes in these "Christian" assemblies. He would knock on the door of these churches and try to enter, pleading that some one individual would hear His voice and let Him in. Rev. 3: 14, 20. And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;... Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Jesus then spoke of the true bread of life, Himself. As it became apparent that this was not handout time, and this Rabbi Jesus wanted a committment, the crowds began leaving. At this point Jesus asks the twelve if they will also leave.

Peter's simple answer is the ONLY one we all need. It sums up all we need to remember--ever!

Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

-Remember: It's ALL About Jesus!-

090211

3rd

Peter's Salutation and Reminder of Whom We Have Believed
II Peter 1:1-3

1. Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. His name, he wrote "Peter" simply in the First Epistle; here he writes "Simon Peter" now. Apparently, he is writing to the same Churches as before. He gives his full name. That name contains the history of his soul: and Simon tells of his admission into the old covenant by circumcision; Peter tells of his admission into the new covenant through faith in Jesus Christ. He had passed through a great spiritual change. So had those to whom he was writing; they had been gathered, one by one, into the fold of Christ, some from heathenism and some from Judaism. His first name identified that he was a Jew, as they were. He bore the name Simon, of one of their old patriarchs. It means "hearing." God once heard the prayer of Leah and gave her a second son. God had heard the prayers of Simon (Peter) Barjona and gave him a new name. Peter is one of those twelve foundations on which are the names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb (Rev. 21:14).

2. Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord. The knowledge of God is the sphere in which grace and peace are communicated to the soul; they cannot be found outside that sphere. "Full knowledge" is the theme of this Epistle as "hope" is of I Peter. The meaning of knowledge is not merely of intellectual apprehension, but of deep contemplation; the knowledge which implies love, and only love can concentrate continually in close meditation toward its object.

3. According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue. By "life", Peter is referring to the life of the soul and that life is in union with Christ. The word "godliness" is used by Peter four times in the book and is also recorded in Acts 3:12. Paul uses the same word in is his Pastoral books, I Timothy nine times, and II Timothy and Titus one time each.

All of God's attributes are used in the perfection of the saints. God is in the process of building within our lives, His likeness for our relationship with Him in eternity. Hallelujah!

For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 2Timothy 1:12.

It's all about Jesus!

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4th

We are Partakers of His Divine Nature
II Peter 1:4-7

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. Some years ago we purchased a little ceramic loaf of bread that was filled with little cards on which were printed Bible verses and were called "Precious Promises" that we would take out and read at the table before we had the blessing. Every time you read one of these little cards you had received another precious promise. We have escaped the corruption of the lusts of the world and are now living above them, that is, we should be. If we are really living for Christ, we are living a very sheltered life and that sheltering is from the Holy Spirit who is working in our hearts and these precious promises are reminding us that we no longer belong to the world, but are living above it.

5-7. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge. And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. This notable passage, grows out of what precedes and into what follows and has a wealth of instruction. True Christian character consists of manifold elements. Here is a chain no link of which may be omitted, a structure no stone in which may be lacking, a body no member of which may be wanting.

• 1. It is certain that faith is the primary essential of the character. It is the root out of which grows, the foundation on which faith rests. Faith is great, it is life giving.
• 2. Each of these elements of character demands careful contemplation.
  • "Virtue" is an element of character that will save a man from being a chameleon.
  • "Knowledge," - discernment, intelligence. "Thou shalt love… with thy… mind and heart."
  • "Temperance," - self-restraint; as Jeremy Taylor says, "reason's girdle as well as passion's bridle."
  • "Patience,"- the silver side of the shield whose iron side is temperance, - endurance, meekness, continuance in well-doing.
  • "Godliness," - not the whole of piety, but fellowship with God, walking with God, being the "friend of God."
  • "Brotherly kindness," - the duty of equals to equals - constant kindness.
  • "Charity," - better the great king-word, the dear home word, "love;" the sunshine on the whole landscape of character.

   

  The Shechinah glory in these temples of clay is letting Christ shine through you, that is, Christian character.
  (some material from the Pulpit Commentary, Vol. 22, P. 33.)

As we walk with Jesus, led by Him, we develop these traits which will help us to recognize, avoid, and battle heresies. It's all about Him!

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5th

Is Your Life Barren or Fruitful?
II Peter 1:8-9

8. For if these things be in you, and abound;. The word used here implies possession; these graces must be made ours. They must be wrought in our character. They will increase and multiply, for the grace of God cannot lie still, it must ever he advancing from glory to glory. They make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Literally, they make you not idle nor yet unfruitful towards the full knowledge. Now we know only in part, we see through a glass darkly; but that imperfect knowledge should be ever growing, increasing in fullness. The graces of Christian character, are in the heart, and will lead towards a fuller knowledge of Christ. They will not allow us to be idle, they will bring out the fruit of good works; of faith that draws the Christian into the knowledge of Christ. If you are growing in the Lord, you are slowly developing a Christ-like pattern of thinking. Your thoughts are moving more and more to the spiritual and away from the thinking of the world. Down through the years this writer has wondered how the writers of many books and movies could possibly dream up the weird thoughts and concepts that are put together to create the plot. The Christian mind does not allow us to think along these lines.

9. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off; Literally, for he to whom these things are not present is blind, short-sighted. We cannot attain to the knowledge of Christ without these graces, for he who has them not is short-sighted, like one who blinks with his eyes when he tries to see distant objects and cannot bear the full light of day. Such a man can only see the things which lie close around him, earth and earthly things; he cannot lift up his eyes by faith and he cannot "see the King in his beauty" (Isaiah 33:17). The word for "short-sighted" occurs only here in the New Testament. And hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins; literally, having incurred forgetfulness of the cleansing from his old sins. Every Christian needs to read Galatians 5:22-23 where Paul speaks of the fruit of the Spirit. Do these nine facets of the Spirit reflect in your everyday life? We should see them reflecting from us to others everyday.

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6th

Giving all Diligence to Make our Calling and Election Sure
II Peter 1:10-11

10. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall. Later on, in II Peter we shall see what apostasy is and there seems to be no return when apostasy entangles us with the former manner of life or wickedness. Many of the apostate Jews in the Old Testament were given opportunities to repent, but they did not, and died in their sins.

In these days of Christianity there is also a sin unto death, 1 John 5:16-17. The foremost sin unto death is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit; another is to reject Christ and die in your sins; a third is to become apostate and unrepentant.

When one rejects Christ as the only sacrifice for sin, there remains no other sacrifice. That one who rejected salvation will suffer the punishment of willful rejection. Willful apostasy is different from ordinary backsliding. The backslider that returns to the faith and repents is again in good favor, but the apostate continues on in his sin and goes from bad to worse. The apostate is helpless and hopeless before God and man. He is a drowning man who refuses to be secured by the rescuer and lifeline: Jesus. There is no other way of rescue, and he is doomed to die. He believes he has the strength to tread water, but he will soon give out and die.

We have approached the negative side of this verse , but there is also the positive side. If we seek the Lord He will seek us. God never turns His face from the repentant sinner and always welcomes them back into the fold.

11. For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Paul said we look through dark glasses now, and actually we would be blinded if we could look on the glory that is set before us with these natural eyes. The kingdom mentioned here is beyond description and in both the mind and heart we can only think of it in earthly terms. It is beyond our fondest imaginations. Our finite minds cannot understand it now, but it is more glorious than anything in this world. The mansions and palaces of this earth are as beggar's shacks down by the tracks compared to the mansions that God has prepared for us in heaven. John gives us a worm's eye view of the glory of heaven and the New Jerusalem in Revelation, but even that we cannot comprehend.

Please, make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall. This is the first step to avoiding heresy. Be safe in Jesus. It's all about Him.

If you are unsure of your eternal destiny or have questions about salvation please visit our web page: http://libertyministriesgj.com/Salvation.htm.

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7th

Peter's Testimony Concerning Himself
and His Demise
II Peter 1:12-15

12. Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of those things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. To paraphrase the above, "In view of the truths necessary to enter into eternal life that I have already told you, I will not neglect to remind you again of those things that you already know, for these truths have established you in faith."

13. Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance. I think it good while I am in this body to continue stirring up your minds and refreshing your memory. Anything short of that is for the minister to be negligent of his duties.

As a young preacher I was tempted to turn from the normal preaching, as the people had already heard that for so long, it would be old hat. I was thinking I should try to give them something new. But after much prayer, I decided that only by the preaching of the Word would people be saved and edified. Here's a quote from an old country preacher that sums up these verses simply and eloquently, "I tells them what I'm going to tell them, then I tell them and after that I tell them what I done told them."

14. Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. We know that Peter was speaking of his martyrdom as prophesied in John 21:18-22. Peter was referring to the words that the risen Lord gave him before the ascension, as recorded in Acts 1:9-11.

15. Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. Remember that very few people in the first century were able to read. Peter wanted to instill in the minds of those to whom he wrote this Epistle, the great truths of the Gospel, in order that they might not only pass along to the next generation his writings, but by word of mouth. Peter, like Paul was much concerned about the persecution of Nero and knew that only a miracle of God would save the lives of Christians in order that the Gospel would be propagated to all following generations, even until the Lord's return.

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8th

No Fables, Only Truth
II Peter 1:16-18

16. For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. The above verse is applicable to today as never before. The present social-political attitude in America is that the Bible is antiquated and just a group of fables written in ages past by the Jews. It has nothing to do with today's enlightened man. In New Testament times ancient Grecian fables were part of the culture. Paul speaks of this in Titus 1:14 and he knew also that there would come a time when people would reject the Bible as a series of fables. However, both Apostles give eyewitness of the power and majesty of the Lord Jesus. They had a personal contact with Christ and could not deny the miracles and teaching of the Messiah.

17. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Both Peter and the writer of Hebrews were well aware of the resurrection and glorification of the Son after He finished the work He was sent to do. Peter had seen and heard too much to deny again the presence and power of the Lord as he had done the night before the crucifixion.

18. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. Peter was on the mount of transfiguration and heard the Father's words from heaven, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

19. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts. Peter was there on several occasions when the Lord appeared to them in bodily form. He knew of the five hundred that had witnessed the Lords' glorified body of Christ. Paul met the Resurrected Jesus on the turnpike to Damascus, and his life was changed immediately. They both desired that we should understand and know Him as they did.

They understood that it was ALL about Jesus!

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9th

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10th

False Prophets and their Destructive Teachings
II Peter 2:1

1. But there were false prophets also among the people, (there arose false prophets among the people) even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them (denying the Master who bought them), and bring upon themselves swift destruction. Such contenders would commonly prophesy false things, and they spoke without divine direction. Most all of the ancient heresies propagated false teachings regarding the Lord Jesus Christ.

The same is true today; the cults all have one thing in common; their rejection or misconception of who Christ was and what He did. Most of their heresies reject the attributes of God that make Him God. They deny our need for Him. People deliberately, or because we are so small in our mental faculties, place God into a box. Some of these are smaller than others. There are many boxes heretics use to comparmentalize their teachings. Here are some:

• Making God smaller than His creation. Unless God is bigger than the universe He is not God. Unless He created the universe just as He said He did--He is not God. God is not nature, He is not a part of creation--He planned and executed creation. He invented time, science, redemption--EVERYTHING. He knew the whole sequence of how things happened, are happening, and will happen before His first words that created the heaven and the earth were spoken. To make Him less than He is is heresy.
• Making God less intelligent than His created beings. Lucifer's sin was to place himself above God. Eve thought that Lucifer-as-serpent had better advice than God had. Her "intelligence" agreed with his pleasing self-glorifying advice, and she put him into God's position as mentor and Lord. Adam chose to follow Eve, using his great intellect to believe that he should follow his mate instead of following his Creator. Nobody is smarter than God. If we put anyone else, living or dead, "holy" or unholy--including ourselves-- in God's place of authority, we are in heresy.
• Downgrading the Word of God. God's Word IS complete and without error. And no philosophy or teaching supercedes God's Word in authority. To add to it or take away from it is strictly condemned. We can't add books, or make other books equal to the Bible. We can't set forth one version as specially inspired. To do any of these is to place some human interpretor or set of translators as greater authority than Our Word, Jesus. This is heresy.
• Professing that mankind is either good, or sometimes "makes mistakes", but can fix itself without God. No way, no time, no how can we ever get anything right. And that starts within each of us! We are desperately wicked sinners. We NEED a Savior.
• Denying our salvation can only be achieved through Jesus' shed blood on the cross of Calvary. Without the shedding of Jesus' blood there is no remission for sin. You and I know it bought our freedom from sin, the power of sin and the presence of sin and eternal life, Amen!

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11th

Remember Me?...Remember Me!

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

We should remember men and women who have lain down their lives for their friends. As members of the human race we are all "friends", because of our commonality. And no greater love has one person for another than to lay down his life for him. God's word has no greater praise for that love we people sometimes exhibit. Our sin nature is incapable of anything better or more noble.

We must not forget those who have made that sacrifice. We must be grateful of that love that was shown. We must also make sure that we encourage that sense of self sacrifice and dedication to the greater good-- in ourselves and oothers. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. John 15: 9.

Before creation was spoken into being Jesus had already made His death at Calvary a completed perfect act of sacrifice. Already slain from the foundation of the world He proceeded to put that action into time and space--into our reality-- that day some 2000 years ago. That sacrifice was greater than the universe in size and scope. If everyone who had ever lived on this planet simultaneously voluntarily gave up their lives to save just one life-- and we added all that sacrifice together--the sum total would not even equal one atomic particle of the infinite love that Jesus showed on the cross.

That is because Jesus DID go beyond the "greatest love of man". He went infinitely beyond that "greatest love". He gave His life for an entire race of beings who were His enemies. There is nothing "friendly" in us towards God before we become His children through the sacrifice of His Son. All our motivations --even those we believe to be altruistic and loving--ultimately have a root in the fact that the outcome benefits us. There is no thought of doing something for God's sake. When we attempt to do something "for God's sake" we just feed our pride in how good we are. It's as if we have mirrored sunglasses on--but the mirrors are backwards, so that we see only ourselves. His scales are his pride, shut up together as with a close seal. Job.41:15.

Those "scales" must be removed before we can see the truth clearly. We must remember first and foremost our Saviour, Jesus. But we can't remember someone we have never really seen. It is only when the scales are removed that we can know Him. Paul gave us the metaphor. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. Acts.9:18.

Once we know Him we can remember Him. These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him. John 12:16.

It is only then that we can begin to live for Him. Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. 2 Tim 2:10.

Summary and Bottom Line: It's all about Jesus! As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John15: 9-13.

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12th

The Sheep Who Follow the Works Cults

II Peter 2:2

2. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. In the twentieth century there were more new cults under new names than in any three preceding centuries. The problem is that they are just old cults rehashed. These have been around since the early church, only the names have changed. False religions have been around ever since Nimrod.

Why are cults so successful? They appeal to our natural man--our sin nature--the Me, Me, Me! within us. It is possible to find a cult to fit anyone's particular "Me, Me, Me" perception of "what is right for me".

The majority of cults revolve around works. Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Galatians 2:16.

These emerge from a denial of Jesus' being The BIG Mighty God. 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, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6.

These emerge from a denial of Jesus' being THE ONLY WAY. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6. It's either ALL about Jesus, or nothing.

When it is no longer ALL about Jesus, man has to find his own way. He invents his own god, and defines him according to personal convenience. Self is the first god for all of these religions because god is defined by "ME".

Without a salvation that is 100% Jesus these sorts of cults emerge;

• 1. God isn't big enough to save me. I must help out. I follow certain rules and commandments, live strictly according to the same. I attend church. I dress, eat and behave according to the rules. I'm better than those who don't and this merits my salvation. (Luckily I can find a cult somewhere whose works living standards fit my agenda, and are only as strict as I may decide they must be!)
• 2. God isn't big enough to save me or keep me. My works may not be enough, so I must get others to help out. I must get my other gods to help. These may include spirits of nature, my ancestors, saints. If I pray, bring food or other offerings, they will be persuaded to put in a good word to God for me. Since they are already on the "other side" they can add some works on my behalf to tip the scale in my favor.
• 3. I don't believe in God. I am a part of evolution, and I am free to do as I will. However, I have determined that living an orderly life is beneficial for planet, as well as all of the humanoid animals . I do not want to live in anarchy and violence, so some laws make sense. I choose to have a code of ethical behavior. This code is determined my me.
• 4. If there's an afterlife I'll be fine because I am a part of nature, and I take care of my Mother earth. I am superior to those who are not "green enough", so I'm OK. Of course I can choose how green is green enough. My donations to green causes offset my excesses in lifestyle.

The truth is that we must trust Jesus, and Him alone. When we trust Him to tell us the truth, and He says that we have eternal life--no works involved--we must believe Him. If you don't trust Him and have the security that you will be with Him in paradise, you have just called Him a liar, and set yourself up as god.

If you are not sure of this truth of your eternal destiny or have questions about salvation please visit our web page: http://libertyministriesgj.com/Salvation.htm.

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13th

Come One, Come All--Feel Free to Believe Whatever Feels Right:

They Aren't After Money, Are They?

II Peter 2:3

3. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. Every cult is born or renewed under a new name for the founder to make financial gain for himself. Peter says, "make merchandise of you." However in the last part of verse 3 there is a time of judgment coming for the false prophets and it is none other than damnation from God and man. They have a hotter place in hell reserved for them and will not escape the judgment of God. Let us beware of these false teachings.

Generally speaking, whether the heresy is in a huge mega complex church or a small family sized church the "money motivated heresies" seem to follow one or more of the following characteristics:

• invite anyone to believe whatever is "right for them". Salvation is easy: no repentance required. Pray a prayer, jump into the baptism pool. Then place your cross up there on the shelf next to your athletic trophy. You know, the shelf that is on the wall where all the degrees, awards and diplomas hang, next to the file cabinet full of the deeds for all your properties and titles for the cars and boats and ATVs...well you get the message. Just add Jesus to your life. But bring your wallet. There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Prov.14:12.
• control every behavior. Some churches know more about you than the FBI, CIA and IRS put together. Every move you make is subject to the approval of the powers that be, whether one leader or within a tightly regulated structure. Some of these go so far as to telling you how much you must give-- even up to 100% of your assets! Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Matthew 7:15.
• teach that they have some secret special revelation making them the "one true church". "We are the ONLY ones who know this, and unless you join (and pay into) our organization, you will not receive this "special" knowledge." Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 2Pet.1:20.

The Good News is for all people, all over the world! After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. Revelation 7: 8-9

It is free to anyone who will come. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Rev. 22:17.

Salvation is a Person, Jesus--and the relationship with that Person-- not a religion: Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13

Walk with Him, and the heretics can't fool you!

If you are not sure whether you are walking aimlessly around a church-- or really walking with with your hand in Jesus'-- please visit our web page: http://libertyministriesgj.com/Salvation.htm.

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14th

Two Illustrations Angels and the Citizens of Sodom
II Peter 1:4-5

4. For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment. Your writer believes this is referring to fallen angels impregnating pre-flood women and creating a hybrid race that could not be saved, therefore, God had to destroy them and saved only Noah and his family in the ark. We have other references, including Satan coming to Eve in the form of a serpent. The demoniac of Gadara whose name was Legion and the Sons of God mentioned in Job included Satan. Moses used the words the 'Sons of God" in Gen. 6:4 and the result was giants or monstrosities. If these "sons of god" were sons of Seth, why didn't Moses call them the sons of Seth? Why would they have created giants when they impregnated the daughters of men?

Another argument is that these fallen angels are in Tartarus according to I Peter 3:19-20 and incarcerated in chains until their final judgment. An argument against this is the words of Jesus in Mark 12:25. That the angels in (the sphere of) heaven are sexless. That does not say the fallen angels did not have the power to take upon themselves the body of a man as demons did in the New Testament. All the above makes an interesting study, but we can only be sure of our positions. When we get to heaven and we can ask the Lord all about it, if we are still interested when we get there. If all the former things are passed away we will not be concerned about these mundane things and only want to enjoy the fellowship of our Lord.

5. And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly. The word "eight" is the word for new beginnings. In the musical scale there are only seven notes and the eighth note is the beginning of another octave. We need to remember that we are the sons and daughters of Adam and Noah. Noah had the old Adamic nature and he and his posterity passed it on to all mankind. All of this said that we must realize that we need to be born again of God and become new creatures in Christ.

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The Second Great Illustration
II Peter 2:6-8

6. And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomarrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly. The words "turning into ashes," occur only here in the New Testament. These cities were literally wiped from the face of the earth. Here are some interesting thoughts: After the separation of Lot from Abraham, every time Lot moved his flocks to new pastures the move was towards Sodom. After they were forced to leave the city by the angelic messengers that came to deliver them, Lot's wife looked back, her heart was still in that wicked city. Her children that refused to leave had perished and she perished along with them because her heart was still there. Lot's daughters were also morally debauched by the wickedness of Sodom. They committed incest with their father and their sons. Moab and Benammi were the fathers of two peoples who became enemies of Abraham's seed, the Jews. Moab was the father of the Moabites and Benammi was the father of the Ammonites. It is true, the children follow the example of their parents and it behooves every Christian parent to live so that they will guide their children in the ways of the Lord.

Making them an example unto those that after should live ungodly. The example is to be a lasting warning; literally, an example of those that should live ungodly; i.e., an example of their punishment and their terrible end.

7. And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked. There is no record that Lot ever returned to fellowship with Abraham. Lot hated the way the Sodomites were living, but there is no record that he witnessed to them. He even offered his daughters to the citizens of Sodom when they came to his house and sought to take, by force, the angelic messengers that came to deliver him. We see this sinful heresy of Lot present in many cults today, especially polygamous organizations, where girls are bred to be "sold" as wives without regard to their personhood. And we see this cheapening of womanhood- and manhood- prevalent today. Sex is now just a pleasurable " entertaining activity" much like sports.

8. For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds. It was either Lot's or his wife's choice of moving to Sodom. Lot was disgusted with their lifestyle as we are of that lifestyle today. Pray for all who are trapped in this self destructive lifestyle to be saved!

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• Local and TV charletan evangelist/healers/entertainers who are after money, power, status and social importance.
• the majority of churches in this country who have dropped the Bible to focus on entertaining the masses. This leads to bragging rights: "I brought in 14,000 new people."

God curses using deceit in any way that implies it is "God's" work.
Jeremiah 48:10a. Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully, ...

God curses those who "fluff" the message, and don't do battle when it is time. Jeremiah 48:10b...and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood. The sword they should be wielding is the Complete Word of God. Not just the easy parts. Not selected texts. All scripture. Every word.

They refuse to bloody their sword. And there is no salvation until our "self" is slain by the convicting sword of God's Word. With "self" defeated we can then choose salvation via God's grace. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12.

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

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• The way of Balam. His love of the wages of unrighteousness, and coveting the gifts of King Balak, Numbers 22:7; 17; 37; 24:11. 2)
• The error of Balam. Accepting the wages of unrighteousness for his service and giving Balak the secret of how to bring a curse on Israel, Jude 11; II Peter 2:15; Numbers 31:8, 16. 3)
• The doctrine of Balam. This was to teach that if Balak would give the most beautiful women to the Israelite men to commit idolatry and that adultery would cause God to curse Israel, (Numbers 25:1-9; 21:8, 16). v16. But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.v16. This passage in Numbers in too long to copy please read (Numbers 22:22-35). God always has ways of getting to sinners, but like Balam, God's ways or miracles are rejected and ignored because sinners don't want to give up their ungodly ways.

19. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. Saved or unsaved false teachers are still in the bondage of sin and cannot lead others from sin because they themselves don't know the answer. Sin stops spiritual growth and fellowship with God.

All sinners tend to be blind to their own sin, and have it rationalized and excused away. It is redifined by Self so that it is no longer sin. "My sin is not really being sin because I have a good reason--It may be sin for that guy, but not me!" (This thought may just be an unconscious one, because God teaches us that our heart is deceitful. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Jer. 17:9.).

The teacher is in sin, others follow along. Sin is excused among the staff and flock as well--for the "good" of the ministry. Ministries have covered up immoral and/or illegal activity for fear of losing members, money, reputation.

20. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. There is a great misunderstanding in the church today, and that is the lack of "down to earth Bible teaching." This is not new; it has been around for the past 50 or 60 years. Unfortunately, the great teachings of the Bible also called Doctrines and most Christians are not interested in Doctrine these days. Doctrine will keep a Christian from being led into every whim of men and keep both church and Christian family on the straight and narrow.

Jesus is the cornerstone. Doctrines are part of the foundation. Without the nuts and bolts of truth we are led astray.

Remember the Bible principle is all things in moderation. There is a time for excitement and emotion-- but if that is the "regular agenda" there is something wrong. Here are the stories of two young ladies:

1. My fiancee and I have dated for 6 months. We've been to concerts, bungee jumping, snowboarding, went to the amusement park, movies, football and other sports activities... etc etc etc. We do extreme adrenalin pumping stuff and I'm always charged up. But I still don't know much about him personally. But he's so cute and fun to be with! We're getting married! Life is a rush!

2. My boyfriend and I have been on 4 dates. Day one we spent 4 hours walking in the park talking. Day 2 we sat in a fishing boat all day talking. Day 3 we drove to see his family 6 hours away. We talked the whole time there and back. The 4th date we went biking. Next week we're going skiing with the church. I feel like we've known each other for years. We are developing what may become a solid lasting relationship!

We can run with our doubts and make up our own doctrines. This is how a heresy begins. Once God's Word has been compromised it is easy to expand that compromise. Because heresy stems from a sin nature it eventually leads to carnality. We excuse some clear sins--obvious moral disobediences to God's commands--because we now have a good reason--and the perceived authority-- to do so. At the same time we set up traditions and standards as part of our doctrine. We add to, and take away from God's Word. The Corinthian Church was embroiled in this, possibly stemming from the Judaizers who had infiltrated the new churches. They spread the works doctrine that Jewish laws such as circumcision must still be observed. The Corinthian churh slid to the point where they had made a mockery of the Lord's Supper by allowing drunkenness. There was incestuous immorality, and probably much more, going on.

Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.
For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you... 1Corinthians 11:17-19.

Come back to Jesus! Stay close to Jesus! With your heart and mind in His Word, and your hand in His hand, you will not slip down the slope into heresy!

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