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The New Testament Warning Many Christians Have Never Learned
The Jews who argued with Jesus, resisted Him, and ultimately had Him crucified represent the religiously minded flesh of human beings who seek to serve the true God in a faulty way. They were truly of God’s people but Jesus said they were spiritually lost (Matt 15:24). The four gospels record many believing Jews and particularly the faith leaders had big problems with Jesus. The core reason why they did is something Christians should learn from because Christians have shown they are overwhelmingly susceptible to tendencies like in kind to those of the Jews. To some, the statement that Christians can practice the faith according to their flesh like the Jews…
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New Testament warnings that document and prophesy the degradation of the church from the first century forward
In a previous article, it was shown Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount prophesied that “many” people would take a “broad” – or somehow false way of practicing the Christian faith that leads to “destruction.” And “few,” He said, would be able to find a “narrow” and “difficult” way that leads to life. Matthew 7 – 13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. As will be shown further along in this article, Matthew 7:13-14 is just one passage among a few in…
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Jesus’ warning that ‘many’ missed though it was clearly stated
Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount prophesied “many” would take a “broad” way that leads to destruction and only “few” would take a “narrow” gate to eternal life. Matthew 7 – 13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. There are many – same word intentionally used – who may assume the “many” Jesus referred to are those who pursue other religions, or no faith, but that is not true. Jesus was addressing God seekers and the subject was…
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The true Christian life means Jesus lives His life through you
The overarching and primary purpose of Jesus Christ coming to earth goes well beyond what many have been commonly taught. Many emphasize that Jesus came as a means to forgive humans their sins and provide a way for them to be blessed in this lifetime as children of God and go to heaven when they die. This is true, but it is a starting point of much more. Humans however have a natural tendency to shift the emphasis of God’s purposes towards what is in it for themselves first, and unwanted consequences follow. The whole thrust of the New Testament speaks of much-higher multifaceted purposes of God which Christians…
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Paul never meant to set the stage for ‘once saved always saved’ or lawlessness
If Jesus Christ is fully obeyed by a disciple, this is supposed to yield certain discernible results including no longer being self-directed and living in and according to the flesh. Holiness to the Lord is the purpose. Jesus in the gospels indicated His true followers are to go above and beyond what was generally possible for followers of God under the Old Testament times because He offers the Spirit, whereby we may “walk according to the Spirit.” POINT ONE – It is not optional or permissible under presumed grace – such as Martin Luther errantly taught – to walk habitually through life in the flesh, or according to the flesh.…
