The Pharisee of Antiquity and the Pharisee of Modernity

1 John 2:3-4

"And hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He that saith, 'I know Him,' and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the Truth is not in him."

What is salvation? What does God command? Are we saved through faith? Works? Both?

Many whom profess Christ Jesus come to me saying that faith alone is what saves. To them I say: "faith is just the starting point, for without faith, how could we even hope to begin seeking Christ Jesus?"

Fewer come to me saying that works are all that is required. Rather, more come to me saying works are entirely fruitless. That to even attempt works (which is the keeping of God's commandments) is to place oneself under a painful, burdensome yoke of God's "former," "outdated, "old" commands - do these people not know that God never changes? If we are grafted into an old promise (of Abraham), which should have "passed away" at his death - yet has not - why then have the Ten Commandments fallen away?

Malachi 3:6 (words of Christ)

"For I am the LORD, I change not..."

Hebrews 13:8

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."

John 10:30 (words of God)

"I and the Father are One."

Satan, that snake and great accuser, has always been at the forefront of the path of inversion - that is, teaching the Truth for falsehood, and teaching falsehood for truth. It is simply by flipping the Truth upon its head that the devil operates.

In the days of antiquity, when Christ Jesus walked the earth in His flesh born of a woman, the Pharisee claimed the law was all. In these days of modernity, when Christ Jesus ministers in heaven on our behalf as a High Priest of the order of Melchisedec, the Pharisee claims that faith is all.

But the Word of God rebukes them both!

Galatians 3:26

"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus."

James 2:26

"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."

Alone, neither the law or faith aveileth anything but faith which has its works in love. This is fully understood when one knows that the keeping of God's (Christ's) commandments (Ten and Love) are the works which are required alongside our faith - the belief in Christ Jesus as Lord Messiah.

If you yet refuse to believe me, then you tell me: what commandments does God speak of?

Is there some other commandment which God has given elsewhere? Other than the Ten, Love, and Mosaic? True believers of Jesus Christ have no choice but to forsake both faith alone, and works alone (the law alone). For it is manifest that both faith and works are required.

Faith, because without it we cannot enter into heaven. Works, because without it we do not Truly have faith - for works (keeping the law of Ten and Love) is a consequence of having True faith in the Lord God Jesus Christ. Truly, if you love Jesus Christ then out of this love for Him, you will do all that He has commanded in His Word.

John 14:15

"If you love Me, keep My commandments."

If we have faith, we keep God's (Christ's) commandments. Because we love Jesus Christ and He asked us to do so, we do both attest and keep them. Why go on forsaking what He asks? Keep His commandments - but only if you love Him. If you love Him you will keep His commandments. This is simple.

So, you Pharisees. What say you? Will you adhere to faith alone? Will you adhere to works alone? Or will you put off such foolish notions that either alone can save, and put on the full faith, the whole armor of God-through-Christ, and fully come to terms with what God-in-Christ has commanded?

Revelation 14:12 (emphasis mine)

"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."

It is clear there is a differentiation between the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Both works of the commandments and faith by the Lord God Jesus Christ are required. Let us all strive to live in the way which is desired of God-in-Christ.

Truly, the Pharisee of every age is a fool,

Logos Prevailing.

Of the Sabbath Rest and the Final Rest

Hebrews 4:4-6 KJV [emphasis mine]

"For He spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all His works. And in this place again, If they shall enter into My rest. Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:"

As is understood by the Scripture above, there is a rest of Seventh Day (Genesis 2:3), and there is a rest of the Final Day, understood by: they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief. Did "they to whom it was first preached" not keep the Sabbath? Even adding unto the Ten and Mosaic with their own laws?

"They": The people of Israel, whom, alone, Christ Jesus came to save.

"To whom it was first preached": The Son of God, Immanuel, the Christ, Messiah, the Lord God Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Since Moses, He, That Messiah, has been preached - the veil of the knowledge thereof which obscured the Old Covenant, rent upon the foundation of the New.

"Entered not in": The people of Israel whom entered not into God's rest, despite alway keeping His day of rest, will not enter into heaven on the Last Day, the Final Rest.

"Because of unbelief": The people of Israel whom denied their Lord God Savior - Jesus Christ the carpenter, son of Joseph and Mary, borne of the Holy Ghost.

Hebrews 4:8

"For if Jesus had given them rest, then would He not afterward have spoken of another day."

We bear witness to the Truth that God's True Rest is not His Sabbath alone (being the ceremonial, the present form), yet while this old earth and old heaven still exist that Seventh Rest is a statute to this day.

Hebrews 4:9

"There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into His rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from His."

For in the Last Day, all in Christ Jesus will cease from their works. The Seventh rest then becomes the hope for that Day. Therefore it is a work, good in the sight of God and expressly commanded, to keep His Seventh Day rest. Not only for the hope, rejuvenation, and relationship it grants us as a blessed promise of God but also for the doing and keeping of that which God commands.

Revelation 14:12

"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."

As understood by the above verse: There is a differentiation between that which is commanded to do as a work, and that which is the salvation by faith in Christ Jesus alone.

Strive to be counted among Christ's saints,

Logos Prevailing.

Women Must be Silent in the Church

1 Corinthians 14:33-38
"For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant."

This is in the Bible. This is God's Word. If you do not conform to God's Word you don't know God, neither Christ Jesus, and will be counted among the many whom Jesus Christ will deny at Judgment.

The curse of the woman:

Genesis 3:16
To the woman He said: “I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; in pain you shall bring forth children; your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.”

This is a curse, a judgment. That curse is of pain in childbirth (which is seen the world over) and of desiring a man's status (which is seen the world over). Yes, this curse is not a desire of a sexual nature but of status. This curse is the sure Word of God.

The woman's sin-nature will desire to rule over her husband but the man of God will rule over his wife. It would be sin for a husband to allow his wife to rule over him, as that would be against the Word of God: "and he shall rule over you." If husbands do not rule over their wives, they transgress the law (the Word of God) and thus sin. To live in sin is to not know Jesus Christ.

To allow women to speak in church is to sin - for does not this Bible, which is the Word of God which you claim to follow, forbid it?

Men must be manly men, rule over their wives, follow the Word of God,
Logos Prevailing.

-

Pastoral sermon which inspired this post: "Does the Bible Permit a Woman to Preach?"

A Warning to Married Men

2 Timothy 3:5-7 (emphasis mine)

Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

I have a number friends whom are married or are courting, of which their wives/women I consider only half-friends (if friends at all). This is as much for the respect of God as it is for my friends' marriage bond/relationship. For that bond is sacred and in no wise can another even think to interrupt. As for those courting, it is for the respect of my male friend that I will always keep my distance - and I fully expect my own friends to do the same for me when it comes to my own relationships with women I'm courting, or the woman I'm married to.

Throughout my life I have seen a number of so-called "godly" men whom have made themselves the close acquaintances of other men's wives. Of these men, you married man, I advise caution. For it is wise for both married men and women to avoid friendships, and especially private time, with people of the opposite gender whom are neither related by blood/marriage.

If you are married, I advise you to have absolutely ZERO one-on-one time with people, outside family, whom are of the opposite gender. Even then, when you are gathered as friends, I advise you to keep distance between yourself and any friend of the opposite gender. The depraved lusts of our mind's cannot be underestimated, and there are men whom are all too willing to enter into another man's wife.

If I, myself, were married, it would be my wife's duty to have no male friends - period. If my wife had male friends before our marriage, I would forbid her from continuing to do be friends with them. They are men which would pervert our marriage bond, offering unnecessary temptations and no doubt plenty of "advice" for her distressed mind. By the very closeness of being together and the vulnerability of a woman in distress, such would lead to adultery. So too, would I (and now do) forbid myself from having any female friends. This is as much out of respect for my future wife, as it is for these women whom between us could be no other thing but fornication.

But why did I use 2 Timothy 3:5-7? It is because it explains the behavior of these men whom seek to be friends with another man's wife. They are wicked men whom masquerade as servants of Christ Jesus but only seek self-gratification in the deception of others. They are praised for their outward works - which they only do to be praised - and constantly refer to these works to remind others that they "have" done them. Of course, they are liars and have not Truly done or seen these things they claim (or fully exaggerate them for the express purpose of self-praise).

Married men, do not let another man into your marriage. Forbid your wives from being too close to these men whom seek them, or you may just find that man creeping into your house and leading away your silly wife.

Wives must be subject to their husbands,
Logos Prevailing.

No, Deceived Christians, You Do Not Hear the Voice of God

Acts 16:6-8
Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.

It is seen by the Apostles that they simply did things, and God either stopped them or allowed them to go on. That is how God deals with us. Just do things with confidence in Christ and He will either allow it, or stop you in some way. It's very simple.

There is no need for God's voice to dictate to us to decide mundane things. Prayer in all things is good but expecting the literal voice of God to inform you of what you should wear, eat, say, or think is ridiculous, and is the very thing that the "Charismatics" teach. It's absolutely un-Biblical nonsense, and opens one up to demonic influence - for demons are very happy to masquerade as the voice of God and give you confusing input contradictory to Scripture via thought, dream, or even, quite possibly, an audible sound.

The Truth of the matter is this: If God is speaking to you, such that you could re-iterate or write down what He said, then you are a prophet and you should write new Scripture for all to follow.

That's right, the duty of all those in modernity who claim to hear/speak with God is to write a new book to add unto the Bible. For God's voice is now no more or less authoritative then it was in antiquity. God's Word IS God's Word. You hear God? You write Scripture.

I, and all who claim to seek God, want to know what He is saying - and you, O you deceived Christians whom claim to speak with God, are you not the vessel for God's new dictations?

Let go of false doctrine,
Logos Prevailing.

In Christ Jesus: The Law, Gender Roles, and the Races/Nations of men are "Nailed to the Cross"

Colossians 3:11
"where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all."

Most, if not all, people understand that passage to mean that all the differentiations of men and women, race and nation, etc. are now undone (though men and women will forever remain different). It does somewhat mean that but only in the spiritual sense - reserved till it be fully realized at the time we are in heaven.

Truly, in heaven all these differences among people will no longer be of any effect but we are still on this old earth and are thus subject to its ways and the earthly ordainments of God. We are even still giving and taking into marriage - should not marriage now be abolished if there truly is none of all these things in Christ Jesus?

I digress: [but if we are still giving and taking into marriage, then should we not also still be keeping the 7th day holy? For in Genesis, God both established that we "be fruitful and multiply" and that the 7th day is blessed and sanctified (set apart). If both are established from the beginning (the 7th before marriage, even) why then should we keep the one (marriage) and not the other (Sabbath)?]

So put away false understanding of God's Word, and see how Colossians 3:11 makes more sense when read after Colossians 3:10.

Colossians 3:10-11 (emphasis mine)
"and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, *where* there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ *is* all and in all."

Notice the "where?" Notice the "but Christ is all and in all?" See what these mean by the following two passages.

1 Corinthians 15:28
"Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God *may be* all in all."

John 10:30
"I and My Father are One.”

Until that time that even Jesus Christ is made subject to the Father, He shall not be all in all. And do not think that Paul spoke of the current time, for we already saw that Jesus and God are One at all times. Further, even now, people still refuse Him, so how then could He be "all in all" to those whom are the children (both willing and deceived) of Satan?

Again, how could God only be "all in all" after Christ has finished His works of this old earth and old heaven, as seen in "may be," telling that He (God) is not now "all in all," yet Christ already "is all and in all?" Truly, the Father and Son are One. Neither Christ nor the Father are yet all and in all - for how could any refuse Him, if that were so? Yet, Christ is now "all and in all" to those whom are Truly His by the Law and Faith.

Understand that the True heart of Colossians 3:11, as applied to this current old world and old heaven, is that everyone in Christ Jesus is subject to His Law (Ten and love - not Mosaic). In God's (Christ's) Law, there is currently "neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all." Yes, all people are subject to Christ's commandments, which are the Ten Commandments (written by His own finger - twice) and those of Love He added while in His flesh on this old earth.

See by the Lord's Word that, Truly, we are under His complete subjection.

Matthew 5:17 (brackets mine)
“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill [the prophecies]."

Matthew 5:18 (emphasis and comment, mine)
"For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled." - "till all is fulfilled" being Revelation, which is the final prophecy to be fulfilled before the old heaven and old earth pass away and we go onto eternity (even Daniel 11 is not yet fulfilled at the time of my writing this).

John 14:15
"If you love Me, keep My commandments."

Revelation 14:12 (emphasis mine)
"Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God *and* the faith of Jesus."

Now it is understood of the current application (of the Law applying to all in Christ) of Colossians 3:11, together with the future application in heaven (when there shall no longer be any Greek nor Jew, slave nor free, etc), when Truly, all these worldly classifications will no longer be. However, let it be known that the differentiation of men and women (gender) shall remain unto eternity, for (paraphrased from Genesis 5:2) "God made them male and female" whilst yet in their pure, sinless state and it shall be so again that we return to that pure sinless state and yet remain male and female.

Let go of false doctrine, the denominations, and embrace Christ Jesus,

Logos Prevailing.

Works are not Themselves Salvation - but the Proof, the Fruit, the Evidence of it

Matthew 7:22-23 (emphasis, brackets mine)

Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? And in Thy name have cast out devils? And in Thy name done many wonderful works?' And then will I profess unto them, 'I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity [also translated as, 'lawlessness']."

Continuing my argumentation on the necessity of keeping the Ten Commandments (the Sabbath is not just a nonchalant thing to God!) as well as Christ's Commandment of Love - both of which are God's Commandments - this post will be about those verses which seem to posit that faith alone in Jesus Christ is enough, and that works are not a part of what saves us - and, get this, both are True!

Note: [dashed and clustered verses are related to each other, followed by, other, seemingly contradictory dashed and clustered verses. All emphasis is mine, meant only to highlight the key portions I'm addressing].

- Galatians 3:14

    "That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."

- John 3:16

    "For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

- John 3:36

    "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."

By the above verses, it is understood that faith and belief in the Lord God Jesus Christ, alone, is all that is required to be saved. As such it would then seem to be a simple matter of: "I believe, and so I am saved, and no other thing is required of me." But not so fast...

- James 2:17

    "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead."

- James 2:20

    "But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?"

- James 2:26

    "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."

Wait just a minute. The three verses before these other three said that faith and belief alone were all that is required. "If I believe, I am saved." So why then is our faith now dead if we don't do works? Works are not what save us, as seen, again, in the upcoming verse - take special notice of the highlighted, but especially "by love."

- Galatians 5:6

    "For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love."

As shown in Galations 5:6, only our faith is what saves us. If we love God-through-Christ, we have faith in Him. Again, clearly this is all we need. There is no work which we can do to save ourselves, which is True - but then again...

- 1 Corinthians 7:19

    "Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God."

So, are circumcision and uncircumcision nothing but the keeping of the Commandments of God? That is, are they only works and thus not necessary? Or, are circumcision and uncircumcision nothing of use, but, instead, only the keeping of the Commandments of God are of use? - both are True when done in the Commandment of Love.

The physical circumcision was kept because it was a Commandment of God. There was no other reason for it. God commanded, and so men obeyed. Now, the Apostles specifically state that the physical circumcision is no longer necessary, as Christ Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament ceremonial (physical works-based display) requirement, and so now it is in spirit and in Truth (Whom IS Christ Jesus) that we are saved. That is to mean, that the circumcision is now spiritual, in our heart.

Circumcision is still a Commandment, and thus necessary for salvation by faith but it is by spirit we circumcise ourselves - that is, by our works, thoughts, actions, choices, beliefs, and words that we prove ourselves having been circumcised in the baptism (both the ceremonial by water, and the spiritual by faith) of the Lord God Jesus Christ.

But what of love? Why did I ask you to note it? This "faith which worketh by love?" Below, you shall see and, God willing, understand.

Galatians 3:28

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."

See now: Many have taken the above passage to mean that there are no longer any gender roles, or that all the different and God-ordained nations (races) should intermingle freely and that there is no difference between them whatsoever (which is coercion and force, not Christ's Love) - but it is not True.

Understand now: Galatians 3:28 Truly means there is no longer a differentiation between whom the Law is for, and whom the Law is not for. Recall what God said in the following verse (and here IS Love!):

John 14:15

"If you love Me, keep My commandments."

Do you remember earlier when I said, "take special notice of 'by love'" when I referred to Galatians 5:6? John 14:15, above, tells us what that "faith which worketh by love" means. If we loved Jesus Christ, we WOULD keep His Commandments. It is faith which is worked by the love thereof. It is the love of Christ to keep His (God's) Commandments.

In other words, our faith is worked by THIS love: keeping His Commandments. That is entirely all the works which are necessary for one with faith in Christ Jesus to do. It is not that the works themselves are a hope of salvation and shall save us, but that because we love Jesus Christ we keep them - because the One we love Commanded us to do so!

Why does a wife pick up after her husband without complaining? Why does a husband provide for his wife to the detriment of his own physical well-being? Why do a husband and wife sacrifice all of their own pleasure for the sake of their children? Love.

If we love Jesus Christ, we would keep His Commandments. If we do not love Jesus Christ, we do not keep His commandments. It is that simple. Do you follow God's Word, or do you not? Those who follow the Word of God keep His Commandments - those who don't, do not.

It is Christ's Commandment of Love that we do things for others in self-sacrifice. Thus if we loved Jesus Christ we would commit ourselves to the self-sacrifice of keeping His Commandments. Truly, we have no right to merely do as we please, and are Commanded to be in subjection to God:

Isiah 45:9-10

“Woe to him who strives with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth! Shall the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’ Or shall your handiwork say, ‘He has no hands’? Woe to him who says to his father, ‘What are you begetting?’ Or to the woman, ‘What have you brought forth’?”

Truly, works do not save us. They are merely the proof, the verification, that we are indeed saved by our faith in Jesus Christ. No works-based anything will be of any use to us in being deemed "acceptable" at Judgement (we are only worthy of death). Rather, it is our love of Christ Jesus that we DO keep His Commandments - no other reason. Thus only those who DO love Jesus Christ keep His Commandments.

I believe that this understanding, Truly, is the great mystery of iniquity - of lawlessness.

2 Thessalonians 2:7

"For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only He who now letteth will let, until He be taken out of the way."

Matthew 7:23

"And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

This mystery of lawlessness is the very iniquity of those whom refuse God-in-Christ's Commandments - declaring them "nailed to cross," "done away with." The mystery is the True confusion and bewildered understanding of those who claim to follow God through Jesus Christ, yet refuse their own Living God's Commandments - Truly, it is perplexing (try convincing your spouse you love them, while simultaneously outright refusing to do anything they ask of you).

Matthew 5:18

"For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled."

The old heaven and old earth still stand, my brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. Our works and show of faith to God is in keeping His Commandments.

Revelation 14:12

"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."

May we all do as God's Word commands,

Logos Prevailing.