Many person besides claiming they are truly saved or always saved they are also claiming they are “more than conqueror”. But the truth is vast majority of Christians are conquered by the sin that are living in the members of their body.
Those who claimed they are more than conqueror take the four questions below and be honest to yourself:
This past week or month:
“Did you told a lie?” If so, then you are conquered by the sin living in your tongue.
“Did you look with a lust to opposite sex? If so then you are conquered by the adulterous eyes that belong to you body. You already committed adultery.
“Did you steal something even it is small of value? Did you rob God? If so then you are conquered by the sin living in your hand. You are a thief.
“Did you easily get angry? Are you harboring bitterness, wrath, indignation, hatred to others? If so, then you are already conquered by the devil who is murderer since the beginning. Just like Cain you are a murderer.
There is no problem with what we claimed and even the word of God we claimed. The truth of the matter, is that “In spiritual realm we are more than conqueror because Jesus had already conquered the devil, the world and even death. But in the natural realm or in reality there are sin living in the members of our body that conquering within us wherein we must conquer and subdued all completely.”
Have you observed yourself? You desire to pray but instead your eyes oftentimes conquered you to become sleepy. Why? Because the members of our body which is the flesh is contrary to the Spirit. The Spirit that is within us desires to do good, such as to pray and read the bible regularly but we find the body always weak to carry out the good we ought to do. The main reason why many “man of God” fall into the devil’s hand is the lack of being watchful and prayerful and because of it, the members of their body (hand, eyes and tongue) becomes alive again to the sin.
When a saved person becomes neglectful of what ought to be do such as reading the bible, prayer, fellowship, witnessing and most importantly surpassing the Law, the devil’s foothold will build. If he continually entangle himself from the things of God, his last condition will become worse than ever before. Understand that once a person has been enlightened, had fully known the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and have taste the so called born-again experience, the chance of going back to where he formerly belong is possible (2Pet 2:20).
If in this moment you see a sin working in the members of your body, don’t be dismay. Hold on to the promise that we are more than conqueror but then we have to be diligent and determine to take the other way around and that is to completely conquer the body. Paul says, “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection 1Co 9:27
The best way to conquer our body is to take a close watch of our hand, eyes and tongue in whatever we do and whenever we are. Then while you watch, do pray always so that you may not be caught up unaware (by temptations) of the things that might occur.
Paul see to it that he himself are not overcome (conquer) by his own body. He subject (and watch) his body by not staying too much time in the “comfort zone”. He always brings his body to the “prayer zone” and stay there until the presence and power of God rest on him.
Therefore as what Paul did let’s keep Watch and Pray. And, “Do not let sin rule your mortal bodies so that you obey their desires. Stop offering the parts of your body to sin as instruments unrighteousness. Instead, offer yourselves to God as people who have been brought from death to life and the parts of your body as instruments of righteousness to Go”d. Rom 6:12-13
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Claimed it, But Watch Out!
There is no problem at all when a saved person claimed he is “truly saved” or others claimed was “always saved”. Those who claimed they are truly saved, should claimed it and those who claimed they are always saved, should claimed it also, hold tight on what they believe. They should even claim what the scripture tells about on what they claimed. In fact, there are about more than 200 verses in the bible a saved person can claim that tells about the assurance of salvation of those who are in Christ.
As much as possible, besides claiming, a saved person should memorize and internalize those verses and meditate it day and night, however that is one thing. Claiming all of it without watching closely their Christian walk is another thing.
Claiming without watching their daily walk might cause a very serious problem for those who said they are truly saved or always saved.
For those who claimed they are truly saved or always saved,
Claimed it, But Watch Out!
You might become like the following persons below, they have been caught up by the sin unaware:
1.King David - who claimed to be the man “after God own heart”, but later in the comfort of his position he become adulterer, murderer, liar and a thief. God punished him and it proves that no one can escape from the wrath of God for those who committed detestable things.
2.Lucifer - who claimed to be a “bright morning light”, supposed to be eternally secured in heaven (eternally saved), but because of PRIDE, he was kicked out from heaven. Angels and human beings are created by God, both have the will to obey or to disobey God. Lucifer who once a beautiful angel chose to disobey God and many people today (including who says they are Christians) choose his way.
3.Ananias and Saphira - who claimed themselves as generous giver and serving God but found out to be a liar. The bible said that liar goes to hell Rev 21:8
4.Judas Iscariot - who claimed to be a disciple (chosen apostle) of Christ but found out to be a thief. No thief can enter heaven.
5.Peter – claimed to be the chief of the Apostles. He becomes unaware of his hypocrisy that if not caught in the act by Apostle Paul and publicly rebuke him (Gal 2:11-14), Peter will continue in hypocrisy that the devil might take foot hold on him. Peter must be thankful to Paul.
6.Demas – claimed to be a Christian worker and follower of Christ but then fall in love with the world (2 Tim 4:10). He becomes carnal and worldly.
7.Cain – claimed to have the best offering and worship. He killed his own brother because of envy.
8.Balaam – claimed to be a prophet of God who loved the reward he got for doing wrong (2 Pet 2:15). He becomes a lover of wealth.
9.Angels - claimed to have greater strength and power . Many of them have sinned that they are now called a fallen angels. God did not spare them to be punish in hell (2 Pet 2:4). Watch out! You might become like the fallen angels.
Look at Jude 1:11-13 and take notice of the two person mentioned: Cain and Balaam
How terrible it will be for them! For they followed the path of Cain, rushed headlong into Balaam's error to make a profit, and destroyed themselves in Korah's rebellion. These people are stains on your love feasts. They feast with you without any sense of awe. They are shepherds who care only for themselves. They are waterless clouds blown about by the winds. They are autumn trees that are fruitless, twice dead, and uprooted. They are wild waves of the sea, churning up the foam of their own shame. They are wandering stars for whom the deepest darkness has been reserved forever. Jud 1:11-13
Note the last sentence, “They are wandering stars for whom the deepest darkness has been reserved (for them)forever”. That is Hell! There is no doubt that Judas, Ananias and Saphira, and all angels that sinned goes with Cain and Balaam into the deepest darkness.
How about King David who murdered, lied, coveted and committed adultery, he must be in hell? No, he’s not in hell and he is not there because of being the man after God’s own heart. God spared him because he submitted himself to God’s discipline. When David said, “I have sinned”’, he humble himself and it means he did not let his pride overtake his heart. Read Heb 12:5-11; Jam 4:6
In the case of Peter, maybe you can imagine how shameful he must be when Paul rebuke him in the front of many people because of his hypocrisy. In that occasion Peter controlled himself not to loose temper and he also did not let his pride to arise in his shameful situation. He humbly submitted to Paul’s rebuke.
If it is hard for the righteous person to be saved, what will happen to the ungodly and sinful person? 1Pe 4:18
Therefore, the person who thinks he is standing securely should watch out that he does not fall. 1Co 10:12
“Many will (claimed) say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, we prophesied in your name, drove out demons in your name, and performed many miracles in your name, didn't we?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Get away from me, you evildoers!'" Mat 7:22-23
This clearly shows that by just claiming you are truly saved or always saved is not enough. Any persons who claimed what they claimed must be vigilant to closely watch their daily walk. It means his “talk” should be always conformed to his “walk”, it must go hand on hand and it will takes place only when one is being watchful. In every occasion and circumstances he must always be on the watch to his hands, eyes and tongue for in those members of the body manifest immorality, adultery and lying/boasting respectively.
Above all things, take a close watch of your heart for it is very deceitful (Jer 17:9).And the most important, don’t you ever, ever forget, disregard, and ignore the law. Look at what the scriptures says,
The person who says, "I have come to know him," but does not continually keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 1Jn 2:4
One more thing, in claiming and watching add to yourselves praying. In this way you are continuously learning, growing , maturing and guaranteed of what you claimed shall indeed be yours forever.
As much as possible, besides claiming, a saved person should memorize and internalize those verses and meditate it day and night, however that is one thing. Claiming all of it without watching closely their Christian walk is another thing.
Claiming without watching their daily walk might cause a very serious problem for those who said they are truly saved or always saved.
For those who claimed they are truly saved or always saved,
Claimed it, But Watch Out!
You might become like the following persons below, they have been caught up by the sin unaware:
1.King David - who claimed to be the man “after God own heart”, but later in the comfort of his position he become adulterer, murderer, liar and a thief. God punished him and it proves that no one can escape from the wrath of God for those who committed detestable things.
2.Lucifer - who claimed to be a “bright morning light”, supposed to be eternally secured in heaven (eternally saved), but because of PRIDE, he was kicked out from heaven. Angels and human beings are created by God, both have the will to obey or to disobey God. Lucifer who once a beautiful angel chose to disobey God and many people today (including who says they are Christians) choose his way.
3.Ananias and Saphira - who claimed themselves as generous giver and serving God but found out to be a liar. The bible said that liar goes to hell Rev 21:8
4.Judas Iscariot - who claimed to be a disciple (chosen apostle) of Christ but found out to be a thief. No thief can enter heaven.
5.Peter – claimed to be the chief of the Apostles. He becomes unaware of his hypocrisy that if not caught in the act by Apostle Paul and publicly rebuke him (Gal 2:11-14), Peter will continue in hypocrisy that the devil might take foot hold on him. Peter must be thankful to Paul.
6.Demas – claimed to be a Christian worker and follower of Christ but then fall in love with the world (2 Tim 4:10). He becomes carnal and worldly.
7.Cain – claimed to have the best offering and worship. He killed his own brother because of envy.
8.Balaam – claimed to be a prophet of God who loved the reward he got for doing wrong (2 Pet 2:15). He becomes a lover of wealth.
9.Angels - claimed to have greater strength and power . Many of them have sinned that they are now called a fallen angels. God did not spare them to be punish in hell (2 Pet 2:4). Watch out! You might become like the fallen angels.
Look at Jude 1:11-13 and take notice of the two person mentioned: Cain and Balaam
How terrible it will be for them! For they followed the path of Cain, rushed headlong into Balaam's error to make a profit, and destroyed themselves in Korah's rebellion. These people are stains on your love feasts. They feast with you without any sense of awe. They are shepherds who care only for themselves. They are waterless clouds blown about by the winds. They are autumn trees that are fruitless, twice dead, and uprooted. They are wild waves of the sea, churning up the foam of their own shame. They are wandering stars for whom the deepest darkness has been reserved forever. Jud 1:11-13
Note the last sentence, “They are wandering stars for whom the deepest darkness has been reserved (for them)forever”. That is Hell! There is no doubt that Judas, Ananias and Saphira, and all angels that sinned goes with Cain and Balaam into the deepest darkness.
How about King David who murdered, lied, coveted and committed adultery, he must be in hell? No, he’s not in hell and he is not there because of being the man after God’s own heart. God spared him because he submitted himself to God’s discipline. When David said, “I have sinned”’, he humble himself and it means he did not let his pride overtake his heart. Read Heb 12:5-11; Jam 4:6
In the case of Peter, maybe you can imagine how shameful he must be when Paul rebuke him in the front of many people because of his hypocrisy. In that occasion Peter controlled himself not to loose temper and he also did not let his pride to arise in his shameful situation. He humbly submitted to Paul’s rebuke.
If it is hard for the righteous person to be saved, what will happen to the ungodly and sinful person? 1Pe 4:18
Therefore, the person who thinks he is standing securely should watch out that he does not fall. 1Co 10:12
“Many will (claimed) say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, we prophesied in your name, drove out demons in your name, and performed many miracles in your name, didn't we?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Get away from me, you evildoers!'" Mat 7:22-23
This clearly shows that by just claiming you are truly saved or always saved is not enough. Any persons who claimed what they claimed must be vigilant to closely watch their daily walk. It means his “talk” should be always conformed to his “walk”, it must go hand on hand and it will takes place only when one is being watchful. In every occasion and circumstances he must always be on the watch to his hands, eyes and tongue for in those members of the body manifest immorality, adultery and lying/boasting respectively.
Above all things, take a close watch of your heart for it is very deceitful (Jer 17:9).And the most important, don’t you ever, ever forget, disregard, and ignore the law. Look at what the scriptures says,
The person who says, "I have come to know him," but does not continually keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 1Jn 2:4
One more thing, in claiming and watching add to yourselves praying. In this way you are continuously learning, growing , maturing and guaranteed of what you claimed shall indeed be yours forever.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
After salvation,What is the next real thing? Part 4
There is one excellent way for a saved person which he should undertake after salvation. It is great and excellent way because it surpasses all of the law of Moses and the law of the prophets combined. Jesus said, 'You mustlove the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and most important commandment. The second is like it: 'You must love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments." Mat 22:38-40
To love God and to love our neighbor is the excellent way a saved person should undertake after he got saved.
● How to Love God with all of your heart, mind and soul?
There is no other way to love God except by keeping the commandments. Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commandments". John 14:15. What exactly the commandment Jesus said are to be keep? What else, no wonder it’s none other than the law in which He did not destroy or abolished but He actually fulfilled them (Mat 5:17 ).
Therefore, a saved person can love God with all of his heart, mind and soul by applying to his own daily Christian living as what the commands or the law that Jesus said, “You have heard that was it said… But now I tell you…”
When Jesus says, “Do not commit adultery” it means “Do not look with a lust”. Looking to opposite sex with a lust is the same as adultery. Therefore, love God by obeying the command that Jesus had told about on the real intent of that command. And that is ,” Do not look with a lust”.
Jesus said, “Do not murder” it means “Do not be angry”. Anger is the same as murder. Therefore love God by obeying the command that Jesus had told about on the real intent of that command. That is, “Do not be angry”.
Notice the three words in the first greatest commandment, “heart, mind and soul”. “ For it is out of the heart that evil thoughts come, as well as murder, adultery, sexual immorality, stealing, false testimony, and slander”. Mat 15:19. It is very important that we must keep the commandments in our heart because if we will not keep it, there would be more evil thoughts in our mind that will lead us to anger (murder), adulterer, to steal, to become liar. If we not keep the commandments, our thoughts will lead us to break even the least part of the intended commands Jesus speaks.
If a saved person break the first greatest commandment then he is committing the first greatest sin. Not to love God is the first greatest sin.
Therefore let us not forget His commands and make it always as the apple of your eyes:
“My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Pro 3:1 -2
“My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.
Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.
Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart. Pro 7:1-3
● How to love your neighbor as yourself?
If you want to love your neighbor as yourself you can actually do that practically as in the following:
Do not tell a lie to your neighbor
Do not steal whatever belongs to your neighbor even if it is small of value.
Do not anger-murder. Do not provoke your neighbor to anger.
Do not look with a lust to opposite sex
Do not covet. Be content and enjoy what you have.
Maybe you can guess what the second greatest sin is- love not your neighbor is indeed the second greatest sin.
Understand that the 10 commandments as a whole were really intended for us to love God and to love others. The sum of all the commandments is love.
The excellent way to show that you love God with all of your heart, mind and soul and to show that you love your neighbor as yourself is only through the 10 commandments.
Only love is what God wants from us and only love is all what we need.
To love God and to love our neighbor is the excellent way a saved person should undertake after he got saved.
● How to Love God with all of your heart, mind and soul?
There is no other way to love God except by keeping the commandments. Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commandments". John 14:15. What exactly the commandment Jesus said are to be keep? What else, no wonder it’s none other than the law in which He did not destroy or abolished but He actually fulfilled them (Mat 5:17 ).
Therefore, a saved person can love God with all of his heart, mind and soul by applying to his own daily Christian living as what the commands or the law that Jesus said, “You have heard that was it said… But now I tell you…”
When Jesus says, “Do not commit adultery” it means “Do not look with a lust”. Looking to opposite sex with a lust is the same as adultery. Therefore, love God by obeying the command that Jesus had told about on the real intent of that command. And that is ,” Do not look with a lust”.
Jesus said, “Do not murder” it means “Do not be angry”. Anger is the same as murder. Therefore love God by obeying the command that Jesus had told about on the real intent of that command. That is, “Do not be angry”.
Notice the three words in the first greatest commandment, “heart, mind and soul”. “ For it is out of the heart that evil thoughts come, as well as murder, adultery, sexual immorality, stealing, false testimony, and slander”. Mat 15:19. It is very important that we must keep the commandments in our heart because if we will not keep it, there would be more evil thoughts in our mind that will lead us to anger (murder), adulterer, to steal, to become liar. If we not keep the commandments, our thoughts will lead us to break even the least part of the intended commands Jesus speaks.
If a saved person break the first greatest commandment then he is committing the first greatest sin. Not to love God is the first greatest sin.
Therefore let us not forget His commands and make it always as the apple of your eyes:
“My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Pro 3:1 -2
“My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.
Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.
Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart. Pro 7:1-3
● How to love your neighbor as yourself?
If you want to love your neighbor as yourself you can actually do that practically as in the following:
Do not tell a lie to your neighbor
Do not steal whatever belongs to your neighbor even if it is small of value.
Do not anger-murder. Do not provoke your neighbor to anger.
Do not look with a lust to opposite sex
Do not covet. Be content and enjoy what you have.
Maybe you can guess what the second greatest sin is- love not your neighbor is indeed the second greatest sin.
Understand that the 10 commandments as a whole were really intended for us to love God and to love others. The sum of all the commandments is love.
The excellent way to show that you love God with all of your heart, mind and soul and to show that you love your neighbor as yourself is only through the 10 commandments.
Only love is what God wants from us and only love is all what we need.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
After Salvation, What is the next real thing? Part 3
If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes with the holy angels in his Father's glory." Mar 8:38
The next real thing after salvation for a saved person to undertake is to make himself not to be ashamed of Christ and his words.
Usually, the problem that came to a saved person after salvation is not the tag that he is in Christ but the words – the Word of God. Jesus said “Go and make disciples” (Mat 28:19-20), it is a command not only for the “ordained” but to every Christian and in order to do that, each Christian should testify for Christ through His words.
Notice the word “ashamed”. Ashamed means to be “unwilling or restrained because of fear of shame, ridicule, or disapproval”. Testifying about Christ to the unsaved is something many Christian were more likely hesitant because of fear of shame, ridicule, or disapproval. If that so, then that kind of Christians are ashamed of Jesus and His words.
The good news is that there is a solution to the problem of being ashamed of Jesus and His words. One best solution is already given in the scripture and that is,
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”. 2Ti 2:15
That scripture told every Christian to study to show oneselves approved unto God. It means we should study the subject of evangelism to learn the way on how to share our faith to the unsaved so you and I need not to be ashamed and fearful. Pro 16:23 says, “The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips”. And Pro 11:30 says, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise”.
If any saved person do not make it a matter of study about testifying for Christ, then look at what the Revelation 21:8 indicates. The “fearful” are aligned with the “unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and wrongmongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars”, they all will be cast into the lake of fire.
God has not given us the spirit of fear, but instead He has given us power, love and a sound mind (see 1 Tim 1:7). We have been given “power” to witness for Christ. We have “love” to cast out all fear, and we have a “sound mind” to faithfully testify to the truth of the gospel- that God is holy, that hell is real, and that the cross is the only way to escape.
So let us diligently study how to share the gospel and how to do it. Let us make evangelism a part of our lifestyle.
Again, diligently study that matter so that we can rid totally ourselves of the fear of man. Let us need not to be ashamed of the truth.
The next real thing after salvation for a saved person to undertake is to make himself not to be ashamed of Christ and his words.
Usually, the problem that came to a saved person after salvation is not the tag that he is in Christ but the words – the Word of God. Jesus said “Go and make disciples” (Mat 28:19-20), it is a command not only for the “ordained” but to every Christian and in order to do that, each Christian should testify for Christ through His words.
Notice the word “ashamed”. Ashamed means to be “unwilling or restrained because of fear of shame, ridicule, or disapproval”. Testifying about Christ to the unsaved is something many Christian were more likely hesitant because of fear of shame, ridicule, or disapproval. If that so, then that kind of Christians are ashamed of Jesus and His words.
The good news is that there is a solution to the problem of being ashamed of Jesus and His words. One best solution is already given in the scripture and that is,
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”. 2Ti 2:15
That scripture told every Christian to study to show oneselves approved unto God. It means we should study the subject of evangelism to learn the way on how to share our faith to the unsaved so you and I need not to be ashamed and fearful. Pro 16:23 says, “The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips”. And Pro 11:30 says, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise”.
If any saved person do not make it a matter of study about testifying for Christ, then look at what the Revelation 21:8 indicates. The “fearful” are aligned with the “unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and wrongmongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars”, they all will be cast into the lake of fire.
God has not given us the spirit of fear, but instead He has given us power, love and a sound mind (see 1 Tim 1:7). We have been given “power” to witness for Christ. We have “love” to cast out all fear, and we have a “sound mind” to faithfully testify to the truth of the gospel- that God is holy, that hell is real, and that the cross is the only way to escape.
So let us diligently study how to share the gospel and how to do it. Let us make evangelism a part of our lifestyle.
Again, diligently study that matter so that we can rid totally ourselves of the fear of man. Let us need not to be ashamed of the truth.
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