The Schoolmaster

Listening to Richard Rives video, this morning, alluded to, and gave credence to, the rising crescendo of voices insinuating that Christians are to obey the Law. The Law, as the Scripture says in Romans 7:12, "...is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good...". That will never change. But, it can never do anything than to convince us of our need for Christ.  Romans 9:31, "but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal...". Galatians 3:23-25, "But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster." I do not know how much clearer the Scripture can be. Romans 6:15-18, "What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness." Paul wrote about a more excellent way...that of Love. Now the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life. The spirit of the law is Love. Faith works by Love. Love does no ill to its neighbor. Love is the fulfillment of the Law. The instrument that our Lord chose to answer these questions was the 'Hebrew of Hebrews' Paul. If you notice much of his writings are for the express purpose of answering the question as to whether or not Christians need to obey the Law. The Book of Romans answers the question for Gentile believers, the Book of Hebrews answers the question for Jewish believers (with dire warnings), and there is much information to be found in other epistles, especially Galatians. Notice Paul's arguments about this subject with the other apostles...especially Peter. Note that Paul did NOT TEACH the TORAH. As we submit ourselves to God, HE leads us and guides us into all truth. HE sanctifies us and corrects us. Romans 5:20-21, "Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: that as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord." 1 Tim 1:5-7, " Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: from which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm." Galatians 3:2-3, "This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?". Many are influenced by people that are in the public eye...you are responsible for what you preach and will stand to give account before the Judgement seat of Christ. I suggest you give diligent heed to the writings of Paul and ask the Lord you claim to serve (as did the Pharisees and Sadducees) to search your heart and mind and to correct you if need be. I say "if need be" because I know that in your heart you believe yourself to be serving God. Woe to them that go in the way of Cain...who gave his best to God, but was rejected because he refused to acknowledge what God said He actually required. Our best, our understanding, our opinions are as dung. Compare Scripture with Scripture and as you heart is prostrate before God, He will do the work and as the Scripture says, will lead you and guide you into all truth.

TOO MANY ARE MISSING THE MARK

As I read today's 'Christian' news, I keep hearing the same message. It all sounds good...pastors gathering together to preach against homosexuality, bloggers urging people to wake up. What's wrong with that? Well, firstly, pastors need to be prostrate before God and listening to Him. They need to preach what He wants them to preach. Instead, reacting to political pressures, they gather together and decide what they need to do to maintain religious freedom in their State and in America. It IS hard to see why that's a problem. You know, the Children of God ARE FREE say what He wants us to say, no matter if we are in a church or in jail. The first century apostles and pastors were constantly opposed by the powers of the State. We should expect it. So, it's not a matter of figuring out how to maintain the status quo. It's not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, sayeth the Lord,(Zechariah 4:6). He says He is opposed to what these pastors are doing in His Name! Jeremiah 23:30-31, "Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that steal my words every one from his neighbour. Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that use their tongues, and say, He saith". Give it up! Lay it down! Wait, I say, on the LORD. The people in these congregations need to hear from Him...not from you! His desire should be our desire, His passion, our passion. We are so steeped in religiosity and methodology, that when we think we are serving God, we are ourselves the victims of our own vain imaginations. And we have set up the traditions of men above the Word of God, while using that same Word to justify it. Sound familiar? That's exactly what the Sadducees and Pharisees were doing. Who were the only people Jesus got angry with? The religious elite. It's not that they didn't have the Word of God, or know the Word of God...they did. But, they missed the point and that is what I see happening here.
Secondly, the bloggers crying Wake UP! Yes!!! Wake up! But, you won't be awake if you think that you are 'hot' (vs lukewarm) because you are in church on Sunday. Nothing's wrong with going to church per se...but, as already stated, look who's preaching! Look at what is being preached. 
Jeremiah 23:26-32, "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. Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that use their tongues, and say, He saith. Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the Lord, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the Lord".
2 Peter 2, "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. For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; and spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; 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;) the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: but chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; and shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; but was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet. These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire". Wow.  If you refuse to believe these things about your pastor, I totally understand, but just look at the recent news stories of preachers sleeping with the women in the congregation, advocating homosexuality, being more concerned for numbers and building funds than hearing from the God they presume to speak for, etc... One is following another and they are leading their congregations into the ditch. When a man hears from God, you will hear from Him too. Romans 11:22, "Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off"...what He says will cut across our natural thinking, it will not always be nice, politically correct, happy, or make you feel good. Who cares! As long as He speaks! Where can we go but to the Lord? Is there any other refuge?

Every one that has been made to drink of that Holy Spirit of God...every one that has believed in his heart the Lord Jesus and that God has raised Him from the dead. Every one that confesses with His mouth that He is Lord, needs to seek His face, in secret, just you and Him. Matthew 6:6, "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly". Read the Scriptures for yourself, check what you hear by the Scriptures and don't just read the citations given, compare Scripture with Scripture...it interprets itself. The Holy Spirit will lead you and guide you into all truth. The brightness of His life and love will burn in you and teach you to discern between good and evil. You will be 'hot' for Him. Rev 3:14-22, " And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 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.  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." This generation is the church of Laodicea (meaning 'the voice of the people). God's desire for us is that we are hot for Him! Do you KNOW HIM? Will He say, in that day, that He knows you? Matthew 7:21-23, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 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". So, how can we be sure? First, as I stated already have you believed in your heart and confessed with your mouth, the Lord Jesus? Romans 10:8-13, "But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved". So, it's not about church, methodologies, works, conduct, devotions, tithing or anything else. Jesus is the Door that leadeth unto life...you must go through the Door! John 14:5-7, "...how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him." Matthew 7:13-15, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." If you have this assurance then you need no man to teach you, but the Holy Spirit will lead you and guide you into all truth, 1 John 2:27, "But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him". Now, that same Spirit has given the church pastors, teachers, evangelists and so forth, but you will be able, as you grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus to 'hear' whether or not these entities are speaking the truth of the Scriptures, or if they are off. My sheep know my Voice and another they will not follow, John 10:27-28, " My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand". Especially, in these last days, you must run to the Lord and ask Him always to search your heart that you may be able to walk in the truth and not be afraid. I always emphasis this point, because our hearts are desperately wicked and deceitful above all things...who can know it? but the Spirit of God searches the heart and mind. He uses the circumstances of our lives to try us and to reveal to us what it actually in us, (Psalm 139). And, He will verify what He is speaking in the mouth of two or three witnesses, 2 Corinthians 13:1, "...In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established". You will learn to recognize that. Hold what you 'know' as you are growing and learning with an open hand, waiting and watching only for Him. He has promised to correct us if we are 'in anything otherwise minded', Philippians 3:15, "Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you". 

Matthew 24:33, "...so likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors". 

Matthew 25:10, "And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut".

TIME IS SHORT...THE BRIDEGROOM COMETH!