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Daily Devotions Archive
November, 2000
By Bernie Parsons - Nov 1, 2000
But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
The Apostle Peter said that we are to add to our foundation of faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, and patience the characteristic of godliness. 2 Peter 1:6 "And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;"
We are to be like God. There are those who argue that this is not possible, nor expected, but the scriptures say otherwise.
1 Peter 1:15-16 "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."
1 Timothy 4:7-8 "But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come."
2 Timothy 3:12 "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."
That we are to be godly is certain. We are to learn of God, learn His attributes and characteristics, and become like Him.
Titus 2:11-14 "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."
1 John 3:2-3 "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure."
1 John 3:6-7 "Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous."
Holy as He is holy, pure as He is pure, and righteous as He is righteous--godliness is indeed an important aspect of Christian living.
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Nov 3, 2000
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Romans 12:10 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
The Apostle Peter said that we are to add to our foundation of faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, and godliness the heartfelt attribute of brotherly kindness. 2 Peter 1:7.4 "And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity." There is little that I can add to this, and the scriptures speak plainly on the matter of loving one another, and showing due kindness. Here are a few:
Matthew 22:39 "And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."
Romans 13:9-10 "For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law."
John 13:34-35 "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."
John 15:12-13 "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."
John 15:17 "These things I command you, that ye love one another."
1 Thessalonians 4:9 "But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another."
Romans 12:9-10 "Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;"
Galatians 5:13-14 "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another."
1 Peter 1:22 "Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:"
Hebrews 10:24 "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:"
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Nov 6, 2000
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:2 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
The Apostle Peter said that we are to grow as Christians by adding to our lives the building blocks of faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, and brotherly kindness, and the greatest characteristic of God, which is charity. 2 Peter 1:7.4 "And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity."
Charity is love that is felt and expressed whether or not the recipient deserves it. Charity is not a handout, or welfare, or any of the negative stereotypical descriptions. Charity is pure love, as expressed by God when He sent His son Jesus to die to take away our sins, when we did not deserve it. You cannot earn charity and charity is extended unconditionally. It is the love that Jesus was talking about when He said to love your enemies.
Matthew 5:43-45 "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."
How can one develop such a deep and abiding love that extends eve to one's enemies? By adding the things to your life that the Apostle Peter mentioned in:
2 Peter 1:3-7 "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: 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. 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."
As we adopt the divine nature of God, we reach the pinnacle of charity. We begin by diligently examining God's attributes, then incorporating them into our own thinking and being. We trust God completely, which is faith in His power and His promises. To that faith we add the strength of purity, of taking a stand for the righteousness of God, which is virtue. To that virtue we add knowledge by seeking God and learning of Him, His will and His ways. To that knowledge, we add temperance, or moderation and spiritual control, bringing balance to our lives. To temperance we then add patience, the ability to persevere and see things through to the finish, because now we know that God will do the right thing for us, with us, and to us. To patience we add godliness, as knowledge and spiritual control lift us above the world's deceitful and damaging lusts. With godliness bringing a new perspective to our lives, we understand how to experience and demonstrate brotherly kindness, that love for those who are similar to us, with whom we share certain ties. (This was the second great law of God.) Finally we realize and are able to accomplish the wonderful aspect of God known as charity, the first great law of God. When we love God with all of our heart, soul, and energy we are one with Him, see the world through His eyes, and are able to approach the world as God approaches the world.
Mark 12:30 "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment."
1 Corinthians 13:8 "Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity."
When that which is perfect has come, everything else pales in comparison, everything else fades to the background. When we achieve true charity in our lives, we shall see the world as it really is, know the needs that exist, and will understand our role in dealing with everyone in the world--and the universe!
John 15:13 "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
John 17:20-23 "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me."
John 3:16-17 "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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Nov 7, 2000
For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:8 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
The Apostle Peter wrote that it is important that we add to our Christian lives the vital componenets of faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity. As he continued to write, he imparted additional important information.
2 Peter 1:8-12 "For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth."
First, note that he said that these things need to be in you--your Christian life is incomplete without them. Next, note that he said that these things need to abound, or overflow. We are to be so full of them that we cannot contain it all so that they overflow to those around us. He went on to say that these things cause us to bear fruit in the knowledge of the Lord. Contrariwise, if we lack those things we are blind, not able to see beyond the little circle of close proximity. Christians need vision, the ability to look ahead to judgment and eternity. We also need to see other people and how we influence them. Another aspect is that we need to remember that we were once steeped in sin, and recall the grace and mercy of God that delivered us from our sins. This keeps us both humble and helpful, not thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought and keeping us aware of the need to take the gospel of Christ to those lost in sin, as we once were.
The Apostle Peter furthermore wrot that we are to use diligence in securing our calling and election. As Jesus said in Matthew 22:14 "For many are called, but few are chosen." Just because God calls us and elects us to salvation does not mean that we will automatically receive eternal life. Peter urges Christians to make that calling and election sure by doing the things about which he had just written. This, he said, serves as a portal into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord. Approaching the end of his life, he did not want to held accountable in the judgment for not reminding the Christians of these things.
2 Peter 1:13-15 "Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance."
Let us then do those things about which Peter wrote, adding them to our lives--let God have His way with us, filling us to overflowing with the things of God!
2 Peter 1:4-7 "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. 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."
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Nov 8, 2000
And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Matthew 24:31 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
The Bible teaches us that we worshippers are the elect of God, chosen by Him.
Colossians 3:10-14 "And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness."
Titus 1:1 "Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;"
1 Peter 1:1-2 "Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied."
Mark 13:20 "And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days."
The elect are the chosen of God. Many are called, but few are chosen, Matthew 22:14 "For many are called, but few are chosen."
He has extended His grace to all--"many are called", but many reject that grace--"few are chosen". Of those who say that they accept the grace of God, many do not listen to and obey God.
John 15:19 "If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you."
Ephesians 1:3-6 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved."
The chosen are expected to be holy and without blame before Him in love! Our purpose is to give praise and pleasure to God by hearkening to His voice, and by following His example and instructions.
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
Make Your Calling & Election Sure
By Bernie Parsons - Nov 9, 2000
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 2 Peter 1:10 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
Is it possible for the elect (chosen) of God to fall? Some argue that once chosen by God, eternal life is assured. Is that what the scriptures teach? The Apostle Peter said to make our calling and election sure, doing the things that he listed, so that we shall never fall. This leaves us with the understanding that if we do not add those things to our lives, we shall fall.
The Apostle Paul also indicates that grace can be received in vain. Having received the grace of God, we can waste it by rejecting the authority and example of God.
2 Corinthians 5:21-6:1 "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain."
Galatians 1:6-8 "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed."
According to Paul, once called into grace, it is possible for us to follow a perverted gospel and depart from that very grace. The argument that "once saved by grace you can never fall" is a perverted gospel itself as it does not follow the teachings of the scriptures. In fact, those who promote and cling to this incomplete doctrine fail to acknowledge that when Paul wrote so extensively about being saved by grace that he was actually refuting the Christian Jews who insisted that newly converted Gentiles must keep the Law of Moses. He wrote in depth on this topic in his letters to the church in Rome and Galatia, and mentions it in other letters.
Galatians 5:3-4 "For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace."
It is possible to fall from grace when we ignore God and His son, Jesus, and follow a defunct set of laws that were intended for another time and people. The same would hold true if we turn aside from God's teachings to follow the ways of manthough we, or an angel from heaven, teach any other doctrine, let him be accursed!
Hebrews 12:14-16 "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright."
We can fail of the grace of God if we are distracted by the world and what it offers.
Jude 1:3-5 "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not."
We can be saved from our past sins by the grace of God, but lose our souls if we turn back to sin.
Hebrews 10:38-39 "Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul."
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Nov 10, 2000
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. Galatians 1:8 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
When seeking God and His righteousness, is it possible to be misled into a "false gospel"? Some folks think that anyone is a Christian and is assured eternal salvation who says that he or she believes in Jesus. They label those who disagree as fanatics and "cults". The truth is that there is only one true gospel of Jesus Christ, and it is set forth in the Bible. Some claim confusion because so many groups profess so many doctrines. There is an easy way to resolve this problemlet us all take what the Bible says, and take it as a whole, within its given context, and not in snippets.
Galatians 1:6-9 "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed."
There are those who pervert the gospel, proclaiming a different message that what God intended. Jesus had already warned of this.
Matthew 24:11-13 "And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."
Matthew 24:24 "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect."
Matthew 7:15-17 "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit."
As Paul and Jesus said, we can tell false prophets by what they teach and what they do. If it deviates from the Bible, or does not contain the entire truth, it is false and perverted.
2 Corinthians 11:2-4 "For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him."
1 John 4:1 "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."
1 John 2:19 "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us."
Revelation 22:18-19 "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Nov 13, 2000
And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. Matthew 24:11 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
There have always been false prophets, those who take God's word and twist--pervert--it. Others speak in the name of God when God hasn't spoken--they are lying prophets. What causes people to pervert or contradict the word of God Almighty? It seems they fall into three general categories: those who are self-deceived (self-righteous), those who are deceived by others, and those who knowingly deceive others.We are warned against the self-deceived.
1 Corinthians 3:18-19 "Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness."
Romans 10:2-3 "For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God."
This kind of false prophet is so full of himself, so smitten with his own importance, that he decides what is right and wrong, not regarding what God has spoken. I see many of these on television and and hear them on the radio.
1 Corinthians 10:12 "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."
1 Corinthians 8:1-3 "Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. But if any man love God, the same is known of him."
1 Corinthians 4:18-20 "Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power."
Colossians 2:18-22 "Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?'
These self-important, self-righteous individuals make up their own rules (ordinances) based upon their weak fleshly observations, neglecting to look to the God of the universe who is the source of all truth. Thus we see the proliferation of man-made doctrines.
Matthew 15:7-9 "Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."
Proverbs 8:13 "The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate."
Ezekiel 13:2 "Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear ye the word of the LORD;"
Ezekiel 13:3 "Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!"
Jeremiah 23:26-30 "How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart; Which think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbour, as their fathers have forgotten my name for Baal. The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD. Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbour."
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Nov 14, 2000
But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 2 Timothy 3:13 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
Besides false prophets who are self-deceived (self-righteous), there are also those who are deceived by others, and those who knowingly deceive others. How is it possible for someone who claims to be a prophet, or a preacher, of God to be deceived?
Matthew 15:13-14 "But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch."
Some people blindly follow someone else, perhaps because that person is charismatic or seems to desire to do the right thing. What they don't consider is that their role model may have ulterior motives, may be smitten with his own importance, or may simply misunderstand the word and will of God. Our trust should be in God, not man. God is infallible, man is fallible.
Titus 3:3 "For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another."
2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 "And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."
Sometimes those who take pleasure in unrighteousness allow themselves to be deceived. If one does not humble his heart before God, yielding to and diligently seeking God's will. God may send a strong delusion to that person. After all, if one is insincere and rebellious against the will of God, he is not seeking God, and therefore will never find Him. This is true of prophets of God, as well as others.
Jeremiah 14:14 "Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart."
Colossians 2:6-8 "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."
False prophets may preach what they think to be the truth because they base their doctrines upon what they have been taught. If they have been deceived, they may not even realize the wrong that they are doing, simply because their trust is in the man, not in God.
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Nov 15, 2000
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Matthew 7:15 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
Besides false prophets who are self-deceived (self-righteous), and those who are deceived by others, there are some who knowingly deceive others. Why would any preacher want to deliberately mislead someone who is seeking their soul's salvation? Could it have to do with wealth, power, or glory?
Many false prophets realize that there is wealth to gain by saying what people want to hear.
Matthew 21:12-13 "And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves."
2 Peter 1:20-2:3 "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. But there were false prophets also 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, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 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."Jude 1:10-11 "But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core."
1 Timothy 6:3-6 "If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain."
The Apostle Paul discusses this in the 11th chapter of the second Corinthian letter.
2 Corinthians 11:4 "For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him."
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."
Unfortunately, many of the religious radio and television "ministries" seem geared to make the hosts wealthy. The message that is presented is often not trustworthy, depending upon the charisma of the man or the pandering message intended to salve the conscience of the audience.
Isaiah 56:10-11 "His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter."
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Nov 16, 2000
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; Ephesians 4:14 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
Jesus and His Apostles warned of many false prophets to come. Why do they do it? Some religious preachers and teachers teach false doctrines because of the power that it gives them over other people.
Acts 8:18-19 "And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost."
1 Peter 5:1-3 "The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock."
Peter warned the church elders, who were also teachers, to lead by example, not behaving as lords over the people. The purpose of the prophet is to warn and remind, not to brainwash or oppress.
3 John 1:9-10 "I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church."
2 Timothy 3:5-7 "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."Sadly, false prophets often zero in on women, especially widows or the elderly, abusing their power.
Matthew 23:13-15 "But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves."
Romans 16:17-18 "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple."
Beware of false prophets!
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Nov 17, 2000
And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost. Acts 12:23 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
Jesus and His Apostles warned of many false prophets to come. Why are there false prophets? Some religious preachers and teachers teach false doctrines because they want personal glory for their doctrines, writings, and other achievements.
Acts 12:21-23 "And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost."
Matthew 23:5-8 "But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren."
Man is not to take glory from God and apply it to himself. Yet some false teachers do just that.
1 Corinthians 9:16 "For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!"
2 Corinthians 10:17-18 "But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth."
Any glory should come from God, not men.
John 12:42-43 "Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God."
Some preach a twisted gospel because they desire the praise of men more than the praise of God.
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Nov 20, 2000
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; 2 Timothy 4:3 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
It is no wonder that false prophets, teachers, and preachers prosper. Over mankind's history there have been masses of people who yearn for someone to tell them what they want to hear. This eases their guilty consciences and justifies--in their minds--the sins they commit.
2 Timothy 4:2-4 "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."
People look for false teachers to soothe their "itching ears", who will validate their disobedience to the word and the will of God. They don't want to hear God's truth, but are satisfied rather with a lie.
Isaiah 30:9-10 "That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:"
This is dangerous, because that the person claiming to be a worshipper and servant of God actually is not, but is rather only posing as such--the definition of a hypocrite. And Jesus harshly criticized hypocrites.
Matthew 15:7-9 "Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."
Revelation 3:15-16 "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth."
2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 "And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."
The best way to avoid false preaching is to diligently seek God with all the heart, mind, and soul. Armed with the knowledge of God's will, it is then possible to recognized flase doctrine.
Matthew 7:20 "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Nov 21, 2000
Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws. Genesis 26:5 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
I have discussed the gospel with several people from different denominations and there are those who say that, since the grace of God gave us the free gift of His Son, Jesus, to take away our sins, then there is nothing for us to do. This is not scripturally sound reasoning.
Genesis 26:4-5 "And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws."Genesis 12:1-4 "Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran."
The Apostle Paul, writing about this in the letter to the church at Rome, said of Abraham:
Romans 4:20 "He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness."
Would Abraham have manifested faith had he not left his country to follow the instructions of God? Would it have counted as righteousness? No! He would have been like the son in this parable who said he would do his father's bidding, but did not.
Matthew 21:28-31 "But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you."
Or, as James put it:
James 2:18 "Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?"
James 2:24 "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only."
James 2:26 "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also"
So when Jesus says that we are to believe and be baptized in order to be saved, what if we believe only?
Mark 16:15-16 "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Nov 22, 2000
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 1 Timothy 2:1 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
At this time of year we hear much talk of the giving of thanks. Many intone that on this day we give thanks to God for...everything good we have received over the past year.
1 Timothy 2:1-4 "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."
We should pray and give thanks always. Every day. No exceptions. And not just everyday, but all day long.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit"
2 Corinthians 9:8-11 "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God."
Philippians 4:6 "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."
Colossians 4:2 "Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;"
1 Timothy 4:4-5 "For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer."
Happy Thanksgiving...every day!
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
Measuring Themselves By Themselves
By Bernie Parsons - Nov 27, 2000
For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. 2 Corinthians 10:12 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
A sad condition in many religious groups is the standard by which they measure themselves. Our standard must be the word of God. It is set forth in what we refer to as the Holy Bible, an accumulation of writings by ancient godly historians, prophets, and the Apostles of Jesus. It is inspired by the Holy Spirit of God.
2 Peter 1:19-21 "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: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."
2 Timothy 3:14-17 "But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."
Hebrews 1:1-3 "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:"
We must use the word of God as our measure. If we measure our lives by the philosophies, opinions, and declarations of men, then we choose to measure ourselves with ourselves, or with other fallible human beings like us. That is not a valid measure, and will not hold up when we stand before God in judgment. He will judge us by how we have responded to His instructions and statutes--not the commandments and teachings of men.
2 Corinthians 10:12-13 "For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you."
Matthew 7:2 "For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again."
1 Corinthians 4:3-4 "But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord."
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Nov 28, 2000
Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen. Deuteronomy 27:25 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
Millions of helpless, unborn children have been--and continue to be--murdered in their mothers' wombs. While politicians and lawyers debate the social and political advantages and disadvantages of these murders, I am appalled that Christians are not crying out publicly against these ungodly and unspeakable acts of terror. If people were murdering the born as systematically and horribly as they do the unborn, we would have them in court for brutal crimes against humanity.
Is an unborn child real, or just a pretend-person, a lifeless blob of tissue as advocates of "a woman's right to choose" to murder her unborn contend?
Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations."
Psalms 139:13-16 "For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them."
Ecclesiastes 11:5 "As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all."
Many other scriptures substantiate that the baby in the mother's womb is a living child, given life by God Almighty. How can we invade the safety and sanctity of the womb, that wonderful place of warmth, comfort, and sustenance that God designed, to destroy God-given life and then refer to it merely as "a woman's right to choose"? If every American would take the time to seek out and view photographs of this cruel and horrible procedure we call abortion, this nation would be on its knees in sackcloth and ashes, begging God for forgiveness.
Luke 1:41-42 "And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb."
Psalms 106:37-40 "Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils, And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood. Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions. Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance."
Matthew 19:14 "But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven."
God forgive us all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
For more scriptures, go here: http://www.christianuniverse.com/biblinks/scripans3.htm
Does God Approve Of Homosexuality?
By Bernie Parsons - Nov 29, 2000
For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. Romans 1:26-27 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
We live in a society in which we are asked not only to accept homosexuality as "normal", but in which liberals want it to be illegal to speak out against it. Those who quote the Bible and take a scriptural stand against homosexuality are said to be "hateful" and "bigoted". They call us "homophobes", which is a terrible misnomer. A phobia is a fear. We are not afraid of homosexualsother than the damage they do to our societybut abhor their ungodly behavior. For those who seem unclear how God feels about it, under the Law of Moses, death was the penalty for homosexuality.
Leviticus 20:13 "If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them."
Jude 1:7 "Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire."
2 Peter 2:6-8 "And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)"
1 Corinthians 6:9 "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,"
1 Timothy 1:10 "For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;"
As Christians, we do not ask for the death penalty for homosexuals. Instead, we ask them to repent and renounce that lifestyle, and come to Christ, that their souls will be saved.
Acts 17:30-31 "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead."
Luke 13:3 "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."
Acts 3:19 "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord."
God help us all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
For more scriptures, go here: http://www.christianuniverse.com/biblinks/scripans2.htm
By Bernie Parsons - Nov 30, 2000
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
Many of my Christian and religious friends have bought into the liberal argument that religion and politics don't mix. Oddly enough--or perhaps not so oddly--political liberals condemn conservative religious people for wanting moral (even righteous) government, yet these same liberal thinkers rush to church groups during elections to shore up their political party support. What does the Bible say about Christians and their relationship to government?
Ephesians 6:12 "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
The Bible tells us to resist spiritual wickedness in high places, including government. The early disciples were told that they would stand before governors and kings as witnesses against them.
Matthew 10:18 "And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles."
John the Baptist was beheaded because he condemned the tetrarch (king) for having his brother's wife, and for other unrighteous deeds.
Luke 3:19-20 "But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison."
It is our responsibility to challenge wickedness even in the highest positions of government. Jesus did not hesitate to put Pilate on the spot as to where his power really originated.
John 19:10-12 "Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar."
Jesus was not beyond sending King Herod a strong message, as noted below:
Luke 13:31-33 "The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee. And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected. Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem."
Jesus was crucified by a Roman government official, Pilate, after being examined by a Roman-appointed Jewish king, Herod. The crime of which He was accused? He was King of the Jews.
Matthew 27:35-37 "And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. And sitting down they watched him there; And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS."
The Apostle Paul was thrust into the midst of governors and kings as he preached the gospel and battled for his life.
Acts 26:30-32 "And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them: And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds. Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar."
Tell me now that we are not to mix religion and politics. You cannot separate the two. Let us pray for peace, set a good example, and challenge wickedness when it appears in high places.
1 Timothy 2:1-2 "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all
godliness and honesty."God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
For more scriptures, go here: Scriptural Answers Page 2
