Tag Archives: Bearing fruit

Several Christians fail to recognise the Chosen ones of God and are not taking on a Christian attitude

This beautiful Summer we may enjoy the fruits of the earth but we can also take so time free to think of the fruits of the spirit. In our free time we can think of what the master teacher had to tell and how he spread his message. The way of him addressing people should be as an example for us.
Since we do have a new gadget, an i-Pad, we tried to enrol at some Facebook Groups and share our thoughts about our Messiah. But at those groups we are often confronted with such vile language,  morally depraved, ignoble or wicked, disgusting, repulsive, coming from the mouth of those who call themselves Christian, we can get red ears or have to close them and sometimes even have to close our eyes for what disgusting things we can see placed by trinitarian Christians.

For those using such awful language the kingdom of God may  still look far away and we can clearly see that often they did not even grasp 10% of Jesus his teaching.

In his days Jesus could find many dens of robbers, and to day he would not find something else in many places. Everywhere we can find churches which charge the people coming along, want to give them guilt feelings if they are not given money, and try to sell many things.

Today’s reading of Matthew chapter 21 tells us about the Nazarene seeing a fig tree by the road and finding nothing on it but leaves. When he said to it,

“Let there be no fruit from you forever!”

Immediately the fig tree withered away.

This reminds us of many people who call themselves Christian but never bring forth any fruit, but also let us think of those who only produce rotten fruit.

First to the Jews a Land was promised. Now with Jesus the people, the Gentiles, also got the opportunity to come to live in that Land of God. To them too is the kingdom given. But like the Jews they too have to produce fruits for God.

The Jewish

“branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in”
the apostle Paul wrote to the Romans. But he also warns them,
“do not be arrogant toward the branches … if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you” (11:17,21).

So many we hear telling us we are no Christians because we do not accept Jesus as our god, also attack other monotheist people like Jehovah Witnesses, Jews and Muslims. Those attacking the Jews for having killed Jesus and telling them they are cursed by God, do forget God promised them the Holy Country. Many of them do not see that Israel (the people) shall be united in a Land (Israel) as part of the promise to Abraham. And today we can see (part of it) already coming (slowly) in fulfilment.

Those who really love God and believe that Jesus is His only begotten son, the sent one from God and the Messiah, should do their best to produce fruit God can use and which can feed those who do not know Jesus or do not know God yet.

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Filed under Activism and Peace Work, Being and Feeling, Crimes & Atrocities, Lifestyle, Religious affairs, Social affairs, Welfare matters

Witnesses of Christ and of his gospel

At the beginning of this Summer we made a call to all our readers to open their ‘heart and soul’ to those they are going to meet on their holiday trips. Now having not to go to work lots of people have much more time to talk to their neighbours and to meet other people. When on holiday we can show others we are of the world or we can show them we are not from this capitalist materialist world but partakers of a world of loving people striving for a better world and spreading the hope for a peaceful world.

It can well be that several people – now having more time to relax – love to enjoy more the extravaganzas and want to look for receiving kicks by doing dangerous things or just by exaggerating the ‘moments of fun’ in entertainment parks. Several people also shall love to talk in a bad way about others, finding more time to gossip and to give negative critic on others. Lots shall not mind to show their ungodly attitudes . Perhaps not much has changed with previous times. Jeremiah also complained already that people “love to have it so” (Jeremiah  5:31). Many do not want to think that their world shall pass. Though we can be sure and must take it serious and can wonder “what will we and them do when the end comes?”

When we do have a personal knowledge of Christ, and continually love to feel that we are sincere partakers of the Body of Christ we do know we are coming closer to the end-times and that we should not find any excuse to withdraw from the task Jesus has given to not only his close disciples, but to all his followers.

Though many people around us may already know about Jesus, having heard about him, having different impressions about him, but not really knowing him and not believing in what he might mean for the world.

Therefore we should take up our task to let them know its getting time to really coming to know Christ. For us that also means

knowing Christ and not just knowing about Christ.

A passionate pastor, teacher, author and academic who believes in ‘Preaching‘ as the means of translating God’s timeless truth in scriptures across the globe, writes

You must know Christ in order to be his witness.
You must believe in Christ, that he is the Son of God, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, that he is the way, the truth and the life.

Not forgetting that

Knowing Christ, having a personal relationship with him to be his witness is very important because to witness for him is not by human knowledge or power.

When we go out in this world and feel the necessity to make Christ to be known, we too may count on the helper Jesus has asked his heavenly Father to send to this world. Also today the Power of God is available for those who want to receive that Power. The Holy Spirit is ready to enter each heart that is willing to open for It.

It was not only for the time of the prophets and of the apostles that

Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days (Joel 2:28-29).

In our days too we may find people being blessed with the power of God, having the Holy Spirit providing them with the necessary words to tell others about the Work of God and the Work of Christ.

As Christians, we need the enabling power of the Holy Spirit to live our Christian life, we need the Holy Spirit to empower us to be witnesses for Jesus Christ our Lord, we need the holy Spirit to empower us in making decisions; we need the Holy Spirit in all of our lives. We are like plants that needs to bear fruit, as plants can but only bear fruits if well supplied with water and minerals; we can also but only bear fruit when full of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit helps us produce this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! (Galatians 5:22-23 NLT). {Following Jesus’ example through Prayer – I}

The Holy Spirit empowers feeble men to bold men, he strengthens the tongue of the stammer to proclaim his good news. You don’t have to worry of what you will say or how you will witness, only avail yourself to be a witness and the Holy Spirit will empower you to witness in ways known to him. And you will be a

Witness for Christ everywhere and every time

There is no particular place and time to witness, witnessing for Christ should be everywhere and every time. Witnessing for Christ is by both word and deed. We must not reduce witnessing for Christ to either of the two, they are sides of the same coin. We must live like Christ, in this way, the world will know that we are his disciples and we shall make him known to the world. {Witnesses for Christ: everywhere and every time}

Read:

Earnest prayers yields miraculous results

Witnesses for Christ: everywhere and every time

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Preceding articles

Go and make disciples of people of all the nations

What Should I Preach ?

Daring to speak in multicultural environment

Crisis man needed in this world

Refusing to Be Silent

Go Ye!

To proclaim the day of vengeance

Proclaiming: a task given to Christians

Go! Proclaim! Testify!

Scriptures and Thoughts about: Proclaim

Summer holiday time to knock and ask, and time to share

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Additional reading

  1. Looking to the East and the West for Truth
  2. Positive Preaching Day 2015
  3. Germinating small seeds, pebble-stones, small and mega churches and faith
  4. Being in isolation #7 Mission work

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Filed under Activism and Peace Work, Knowledge & Wisdom, Lifestyle, Religious affairs

Christians remaining hidden not sharing the gospel

Witness well Net knows that we are not human beings who like to come in the open easily. It says

we have a tendency to remain hidden and not share the gospel. {How pre-judging others has a serious effect on evangelism}

Some of us want to be so much like God and cast judgement on a person’s receptivity toward the message of salvation that they forget the love message.

Placing a gag over our mouth that keeps us from proclaiming His name rather than allow His Words to overflow from our hearts can be a result of pre-judging the condition of a person’s soil. {How pre-judging others has a serious effect on evangelism}

Talking about a saving relationship with ChristDave Malnes from the website Witness well tells us that we should trust his promises that our righteousness is secure because of his faithfulness – not our own; his obedience and not our own; his trustworthiness and not our own. {How evangelism rests on trust and what you possess}

He writes that

Evangelism

Evangelism (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

World religions attempt to search within to find true meaning and purpose. The object of their faith is themselves. Biblical Christians trust squarely on Jesus promises as the object of their faith. Peace and joy is not something that is self-generated, but Spirit-filled. {How evangelism rests on trust and what you possess}

Jesus-army-bus

Jesus-army-bus (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Though we do find still  too many Christians counting too much on worldly arrangements and governments. Also a lot of Christians do not know their Bible. Some of them know perhaps several phrases from the New Testament, but do not see the whole picture.

The same about one of the tasks Jesus has given and as such has to be one of the many works of faith we do have to do. We do have to become one in Christ, like Christ is one with his heavenly Father. In case we would think like trinitarians, that would mean they have to become like God and some of them consider themselves to be like Christ, to be God.

The Elohim, who has sent His only begotten son to this world, commissions believers in Christ to sow the seeds of the gospel and to become humble like Jesus humbled himself. By embracing this role, Christians find joy and peace in encouraging and equipping others with the faith in Christ and in Only One true God (the heavenly Father of Jesus).

When we call ourselves Christian we should show others that we are willing to become like Christ and like him have faithfully responded God’s call to sow the seeds of the gospel and trusting God His promise that the harvest may be plentiful.

English: 4 days of Evangelism Training in Sout...

4 days of Evangelism Training in Southern California provided by LivingWaters Ministry. Obeying the great commission of Jesus Christ. “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to everyone” Mark 16:15 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Full enjoyment and trust we should bear the Good News in our mind and be of full courage to share the message of encouragement and uplifted spirit of rejoicing being presented to us by the acts of the apostles. Their work must have been an amazing experience, but is not finished yet. We do have to continue the work of the apostles and those first Christians.

Followers of Christ should be giving themselves totally to Jesus, willing to become in Christ Jesus, a part of a bigger picture as partakers of the Body of Christ, being those who have been set apart as God’s children through God’s grace.

It is by grace, God’s undeserved love that makes us Christians. No wonder we can rejoice through any circumstance that comes our way when we can be assured of our status before God, not by what we have done or what we are doing, but what God has already done for us. {An appropriate benediction}

We should be so tankful for Jesus proving to us that man is able to put his own will aside for doing God’s Will, and giving himself for atonement, paying the ransom prize for the sins we did.

For this liberation we can have joy which comes from trusting God’s promises that we will receive liberation from the curse of the Fall and that Jesus restored the relationship between God and man and has received authority to be the mediator between God and man and the judge at the end times, where it is him who shall decide who shall be able to enter the Kingdom of God.

An evangelist fully trusts God’s promises associated with being His messenger. Sharing the message of the gospel is not about us, but proclaiming the power of the message. In Christ, we conquer fear, worry, and guilt. By remaining in Christ, we bear fruits of the Spirit that reflects the light of Christ and introduces His presence to the world. {How evangelism rests on trust and what you possess}

The Bible teaches that God “gave” to certain people the gift of evangelism to build up the church (Eph. 4:11). We marvel and rejoice at these gifts as one who has the gift of music. Most believers like myself do not have the gift of evangelism, but we are not excused from the work of evangelism (2 Tim. 4:5). God commissions all believers to go, teach, and baptize (Matthew 28:19-20). {Twelve Things Successful Evangelists Do}

Dave Malnes believes these are twelve things that successful evangelists do:

Love Successful evangelists speak the truth that is prompted by love and concern for the soul.

Joy Evangelists reflect the gospel light in their own lives that attracts unbelievers.

Peace   Evangelists find their identity in Christ that washes away guilt.

Patience Evangelists understands the fruit of patience ripens into persistence by keeping God’s timetable and not our own.

Kindness Evangelists sacrifice acts of kindness and generosity with no strings attached.

Self-control Evangelists resist the need to win the argument and focus on winning the soul.

Goodness Evangelists consistently extend grace to those who are least deserving.

Gentleness Evangelists express humility and give all credit and glory to God.

Pray continually Evangelists give thanks in all circumstances and reflects this pattern in an ongoing prayer life.

Perseverance Evangelists never, never, never give up.

Faithfulness Evangelists rely on God’s faithfulness to renew their own faithfulness by regularly reading, studying, and praying over God’s Word. {Twelve Things Successful Evangelists Do}

We have to set our mind on Christ Jesus and nurture our and others their need for a goal, a focus, instructions, and a hero. When we are afraid to tell others about our faith we do need to conquer our fear with our faith. We also should remember that “Everything God has made is an assignment”. In the knowledge that our future is the seed for the one we chose to honour we should be pleased, showing our joy in the Messiah. Our gratitude should be a seed for more. and we should not be afraid to sow seed wrapped with expectation and faith in the harvest.

When having become a Christian we have come into a covenant with Jesus that gives purpose and then we should follow his rules and given tasks, sowing our seed for a desired harvest.

Oxbow sunset #2

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Preceding

Witnessing because we love

Is being a humanitarian enough to convey the full love of Christ?

Preaching Christ Is Not Enough

A Christian has to have eyes and ears and a tongue to use in good ways

Beautiful feet of those who announce the good news

An uncovering book to explore

Preaching by example

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Additional reading

  1. A question to be posed
  2. Creator and Blogger God 2 Image and likeness
  3. Written down in God’s Name for righteousness
  4. A way to look for Christ, the Bible, Word of God
  5. The Right One to follow and to worship
  6. The Almighty Lord God of gods King above all gods
  7. Glory of only One God Who gives His Word
  8. Necessary to be known all over the earth
  9. Appointed to be read
  10. Focussing on oneness with Jesus like Jesus is one with God
  11. Not able to make contact with God because to busy
  12. Salvation, trust and action in Jesus #3 as a Christian
  13. Atonement and the race been bought
  14. Atonement And Fellowship 1/8
  15. Atonement And Fellowship 2/8
  16. Atonement And Fellowship 3/8
  17. Atonement And Fellowship 4/8
  18. Atonement And Fellowship 5/8
  19. Atonement And Fellowship 6/8
  20. Atonement And Fellowship 7/8
  21. Atonement And Fellowship 8/8
  22. The manager and Word of God
  23. The Metaphorical language of the Bible
  24. Scripture alone Sola Scriptora
  25. Let us become nothing, and Christ everything
  26. Be an Encourager
  27. Foundation for a good relationship with God
  28. Apple of Gods eye
  29. A “seed” for the blessing of all mankind would come through the family of Abraham
  30. Our relationship with God, Jesus and eachother
  31. Sow and harvests in the garden of your heart
  32. Bearing fruit
  33. Rejoicing in the day
  34. She who sows thistles will reap prickles
  35. You cannot change anything in your life with intention alone
  36. Picking Stones
  37. The Big Conversation
  38. John 4 according to the Scriptures

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Further reading

  1. Simple John
  2. Seeds that you plant
  3. With the Patience of a Saint
  4. 7 Laws to Create Uncommon Success
  5. The Good Gardener
  6. Others before myself
  7. Leviticus 2:8-16: The First-Fruits Offering
  8. A Spiritual Harvest
  9. Sharpen Your Blade!
  10. The Secret to Successful Gardening
  11. Your Mind is the Garden
  12. No Soup For You!
  13. Who is Going to Tell Them?
  14. Dying Field
  15. IF: I listen, can I hear You?

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More on Grace and Spiritual Fruit – Abide in Me, and I in you


Abide in Me, and I in you.
As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.  (John 15:4-5)

Although these verses do not mention grace, they are a classic biblical explanation of grace bringing forth fruit in lives.
The language depicts an actual vineyard, where fruit grows on branches that are properly related to a vine. Then, this physical reality is applied figuratively to spiritual fruit developing in our lives, if we are relating correctly to Jesus.

In this teaching, our Lord reminds us that literal branches are not able to produce fruit themselves.
“The branch cannot bear fruit of itself.”
We are spiritual branches, so we will not be able to produce fruit either.
“Neither can you, unless you abide in Me.”
In fact, our potential for manufacturing genuine spiritual fruit is zero.
“Without Me you can do nothing.”
The best we could ever hope to produce would be religious, wax fruit. Such would come from our fleshly attempts to appear godly or effective. People may be fooled by this, but God never will be. Furthermore, people cannot be edified by partaking of such, and God cannot be glorified.

True fruit results from the ongoing development of life.
Life is only innate to vines, not branches.
For a grape to develop on any grape branch, the life of the vine must flow into, and work within, the branch. So it is with us. “I am the vine, you are the branches.” This distinction is vital. We must never forget the difference, if we desire to bear fruit.
The life we need for fruitfulness is in Him, not in us.

How do we avail ourselves of that life which is essential for fruit?
“Abide in Me, and I in you.”
We are to look to Jesus for life, counting on Him to live in and through us. Then, His life, working in us, brings forth Christlike fruit.
How do we know if we are abiding?
If we are willing to depend upon Jesus for spiritual fruit as a grape branch relies upon its vine for grapes, then we are truly abiding in Christ. Such dependency brings valid expectation for great measures of Christlikeness to be developing in and through our lives. “He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit.”

This is clearly grace at work, as seen in the relational realities of humility and faith.
Humility is operating as we acknowledge”without Me you can do nothing.”
Faith is exercised as we believe” that He who abides in Me . . . bears much fruit.”

Lord Jesus, my true vine, I humbly agree with You that I cannot produce spiritual fruit on my own. I admit that apart from You at work in me, I could never manifest any genuine godliness. So, with great expectation I look to You to provide the life I need for much fruitfulness, Amen. 

 

We pray to the great Spiritual Power in which
We pray, above all, for peace throughout the world.
prayer for … – name


  • Bob Hoekstra


Preceding

100-Day Identity Makeover: Day 56

Paul giving notice of the works we have to do

The works we have to do according to James the brother of Christ

Our life depending on faith

Which is worse–works without faith, or faith without works?

James 2:24 – You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only

Passion fruit still on the vine

Passion fruit still on the vine (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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Additional reading

  1. The way of salvation
  2. Faith Requires a Basis
  3. A Living Faith #3 Faith put into action
  4. A Living Faith #4 Effort
  5. A Living Faith #5 Perseverance
  6. Faith and works
  7. Sharing your faith
  8. Bearing fruit
  9. Observing the commandments and becoming doers of the Word
  10. The first on the list of the concerns of the saint
  11. Be holy
  12. 1 Corinthians 15 Hope in action
  13. Chief means by which men are built up
  14. Not to play at Christianity
  15. To be established in the present truth
  16. She who sows thistles will reap prickles
  17. Love for each other attracting others
  18. Share your faith
  19. Outflow of foundational relationship based on acceptance of Jesus
  20. Faith, storms and actions to be taken
  21. The longer you wait
  22. A call easy to understand

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James 2:14-23 — Justified Dynamic Faith & works

Faith without works is dead

  • 2:14: if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? – James begins to now introduce the issue of faith-works. The word ‘faith’ appears here in this passage some 11 times, while the word ‘works or working’ appears 13 times. While we must have faith the true outworking of that will be in our works. {Dead Faith – James 2:14-18}
  • Christ considered human soul to be a tree of faith > A tree will only bear the fruit that it has been created to bear. Apple trees will not product lemons, and an unhealthy tree will not produce any fruit of quality, if at all => a healthy tree of faith will bear fruit of good works => quality + appearance of fruit either confirm or deny reality of faith (See Matt 7:15 – 20; John 15:1 – 8; and Romans 7:4.) {Dead Faith – James 2:14-18}
  • James connected two ideas of faith + works together = One cannot be without the other.
  • faith to exist without the support of works = no
  • Jesus said works would be required for those that have a living faith => faith without works= dead faith
  • => If person professes that he is a new person in Christ => he must live a new life dictated by doing works for Christ. {Dead Faith – James 2:14-18}
  • ‘swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath’ (1:19) = a do-er of the Word by looking after poor of the world + bridling tongue (1:21 – 27), not showing favouritism (2:8) = all tied up in aspect of the law of faith-works.
  • To have true faith, one must show true works.
  • two examples of faith combining with works = teaching on dynamic faith
  • Abraham = father of all who believe >had to have faith before he could be justified by his works => justified twice. 1 by his faith, 2 by works
  • Abram’s faith = counted to him as righteousness. (Paul in Romans 4) his faith needed to be established before his works could be accounted for.
  • in order to follow God’s command of offering his son to the Lord = required great faith because of details of the first promise that Abraham had received concerning his numerous descendents.
  • Abraham’s confidence in God so strong = prepared Isaac by tying him to the altar + raising knife to kill him = reality of Abraham’s faith => faith combined with his actions, + therefore his faith in God was made perfect => Abraham’s faith complete + whole.
  • Abraham’s faith partnered with his works, + by his works his faith was made complete.
  • Scripture (=not Abraham’s justification) fulfilled = completed > made whole, accomplished, achieved, + consummated.
  • Abraham believed God, + = accounted to him for righteousness => Abraham only had to believe God at that particular time > After he had declared a faith in God, + his ‘faith tree’ been planted, the fruit of works > to blossom
  • Abraham’s true faith resulted in obedience to things that Father had required of him => combination of faith + works = resulted in his justification
  • => Works alone will not justify a man (Rom 3:28, Gal 3:11; 5:14)
  • => Faith alone will not justify a man
  • Faith ~~~ mere act of mind to believe > Genuine living faith = act of combining beliefs with actions

By faith Abraham was justified before God and his righteousness declared

By works, Abraham was justified before man, and his righteousness demonstrated


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Filed under Being and Feeling, Lifestyle, Re-Blogs and Great Blogs, Religious affairs

Which is worse–works without faith, or faith without works?

Rob Heijermans, who says is a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ and believes that God has spoken

— in fact, the universe itself is a product of the voice of the Lord. The phrase, “And God said…,” appears nine times in the first chapter of Genesis alone. {Is Anyone Listening?}

He also knows he has ever deceived himself and looks at James, Jesus’ younger half-brother, who knows all about self-deception.

Though the writer wrongly thinks James deceived himself for many years,

“denying that Jesus was God in the flesh.” {11 Self-Deceit 101}

Having grown up with Jesus in an Essene family he probably got to know Jesus as well as God very well. He also knew what Jesus had told others and to whom Jesus prayed, like they at their family, at home, prayed to the only One true God, the God of Israel. Jesus did not pray to himself, but to the God of Abraham, about Whom he taught people to pray to as well.

The apostle James warns us in Verse 22  of the first chapter that if we are hearers of the word–the Bible–and not doers, we deceive or ensnare ourselves.

James 1:22 EWB-CB  But become ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Much too often Christians do forget Jesus’ parables and the warning of James. We may not delusively content our selves with being of the audience, but have to put what we hear in practice.

The writer of the blog UpStream writes

James says it’s like looking into the mirror on the morning of an important interview, seeing some serious bed-head, lots of stubble and a smudge of last night’s hot fudge sundae, and just walking away without taking action. {11 Self-Deceit 101}

Too many Christians make it themselves very easy, thinking because they are saved they do not have to do anything any more.

Rob Heijermans is aware that

sitting under the teaching of the Scriptures and not doing what they say is an act of self-deceit. Studying the Scriptures for ourselves, gaining an understanding of their meaning, but not obeying God’s Word, produces knowledge that makes us arrogant but yields no fruit in our lives. It is self-deceit. Even more serious is purporting to be a teacher and either teaching what is false or not doing what is true. James will deal with this more later in his letter. {11 Self-Deceit 101}

We should come to get to know what is written in the Bible and may not twist around the words of it. As such when is written “the son of God” we may not say “god the son“. We should clearly take the Words of God into account and take them serious.

In this world many have made their own gods. A lot also made Jesus in to their god, like Rob Heijermans has done. He also preaches about hell as a sort of place of eternal torture, whilst forgetting that the Divine Creator is a God of Love, who is an eternal Spirit Who can not be seen by man, but is with man, telling them no lies and saying they shall have paid for their sins with their death.

But this God of gods tells also about His sent one, the Nazarene Jew Jeshua, Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Jesus on this earth tried to make his heavenly Father known and showed the way to the Kingdom of God. His brother knew also very well the importance of Jesus’ teaching about that Kingdom. He had to loose his brother at the wooden stake and see his mother cry, being full of grieve. But he had also come into the hope Jesus preached and wanted to share it with others, like his brother had asked it.

That preaching James had taken up is also an act we should do. It is one of the works Jesus asked his followers to do.

Twice, the writer of Hebrews mentions “dead works.” (Heb 6.1, 9.14) Now, James writes of “dead faith.” In the subsequent verses of Chapter 2, he mentions that even the demons believe in God–and tremble before Him!–so simply believing facts about God is not saving faith. James then cites two Old Testament characters whose faith was demonstrated by their works: Abraham, the Iraqi father of the Jewish nation was not content simply to tell God he was willing to sacrifice Isaac. He unsheathed his dagger and was about to plunge it into Isaac’s belly when God stopped him and provided a substitutionary ram. Rahab the whore did not stop at believing that God was conquering His enemies through the Israelites–she protected their spies, knowing the awesome power of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. {14 How to Work Your Way to Hell}

Lots of Christians have forgotten Who that God of the Israelites is and why we should take Him as our Only One True God, like Jesus also took Him as His Only One Most High Almighty God. But not only did they take the ransom offer of Jesus as the final act for them, misleading themselves that they would not have to do anything more because they are saved by the Blood of Christ.

Strangely enough the blog writer seems to know that

On some occasion, James probably heard his Brother say that God is glorified when we prove we are His disciples by producing fruit. (John 15.8) {14 How to Work Your Way to Hell}

In many parables Jesus had told how we have to get a good relationship with the heavenly Father. How He is willing to take us up as His children, but also how we can loose the entrance to the Kingdom of God. James came to understand those teachings of his brother and knew how important it was when people came into the faith how they had to change themselves and had to work on themselves continuously.

We may not assume that it are only our works that can get us some where.

the second half of James 2 demonstrates: just as it is vain to think that my works–religious duty, outward devotion, social activism, neighbourly consideration–could possibly get me to heaven, so also is it vain to suppose I am truly a child of God while my life manifests nothing of my faith. As Jesus said, a fruit tree with no fruit is cut down and burned. {14 How to Work Your Way to Hell}

When having come into the faith we have to water our own tree. (By reading and studying the Bible.) Then we do have to let the food of the earth and food of heaven feed ourselves, so that we can bear good fruits. For getting good fruits we need good pruning. We need to do a lot of work. Without the work there shall be no good fruits and when we are not willing to prepare ourselves for the Kingdom of God we shall be too late like some young girls who did not prepare themselves or thought they had enough time. Please do not postpone. Take care that you are ready for when the day comes.

When procrastinating you will be surprised when the day comes you shall have nothing done what had to be done and will miss the boat.

Some things may be hard or difficult, like changing sides, or putting away human doctrinal teachings, like the trinity a.o.. but God wants from His son an his followers truthful worshippers of God who are faithful to Him, the Adonai Jehovah, and to His commandments. When we do not follow God’s commandments it will be like ignoring God’s Wishes and not wanting a good relationship with Him. Keeping to those commandments shall demand works we shall have to do with pleasure because we do believe in Christ, the son of God, and in his heavenly Father we also want to love.

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Preceding articles:

Leading people astray!

Restitution

Comments to James remarks, about Faith and works

Luther’s misunderstanding

January 27, 417, Pope Innocent I condemning Pelagius about Faith and Works

Our life depending on faith

Romans 4 and the Sacraments

Is Justification a process?

Justification – salvation is by grace through faith – JI Packer

Faith itself not the cause of justification – Louis Berkhof

Letter to the Romans, chapter 3

Letter to the Romans, chapter 4

Additional comments to the 3rd Letter to the Romans

Additional comments to the Letter to the Romans 4

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Please find also to read

  1. God of gods
  2. God is one
  3. Sayings around God
  4. A god who gave his people commandments and laws he knew they never could keep to it
  5. Jesus Messiah
  6. Jesus and His God
  7. the Trinity – the Truth
  8. Our relationship with God, Jesus and eachother
  9. Bearing fruit
  10. Faith Alone Does Not Save . . . No Matter How Many Times Protestants Say It Does
  11. Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness
  12. Christ’s ethical teaching
  13. Being Justified by faith
  14. A Living Faith #3 Faith put into action
  15. Faith and works
  16. Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #8 Prayer #6 Communication and manifestation
  17. Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #16 Benefits of praying
  18. Observing the commandments and becoming doers of the Word
  19. The first on the list of the concerns of the saint
  20. Be holy
  21. She who sows thistles will reap prickles
  22. Love for each other attracting others

 

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Further related articles

  1. Count on your desire to procrastinate
  2. Sermon Redux – Part 4 of Doing Our Best for God’s Church – “Rejoicing in the Brutal Truth” – 1 Corinthians 12:4-7
  3. Boast in God’s Grace for You- Joseph Prince
  4. The Parable of the Two Sons
  5. Rewarded for Doing Good?
  6. Rewarded for their Labor? (1 Corinthians 3:8)
  7. Judged for What We Have Done
  8. Rewarded for What We’ve Done?
  9. 2:24 – You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
  10. Chapter 2:23 – And he was called a friend of God.
  11. Four Panel Philosophy
  12. James 2:20-22 — Dynamic Faith
  13. Show Me Your Works

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25 Comments

Filed under Being and Feeling, Lifestyle, Religious affairs

Bible, helmet of salvation, God’s Words put in the mouth of prophets for perfecting, to reprove and correct

 

 

“«To the chief musician: A Psalm of David.» The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth His handiwork.” (Psalms 19:1 KJ21)

“1  And God spoke all these words, saying: 2 “I am the LORD thy God, who have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.” (Exodus 20:1-3 KJ21)

“thus saith the Lord GOD: It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass.” (Isaiah 7:7 KJ21)

“Then the LORD put forth His hand and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, “Behold, I have put My words in thy mouth.” (Jeremiah 1:9 KJ21)

“Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak unto you I speak not of Myself; but the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works.” (John 14:10 KJ21)

“And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God,” (Ephesians 6:17 KJ21)

“Moreover He said, “I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God.” (Exodus 3:6 KJ21)

“And we know that the Son of God is come and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true; and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and Eternal Life.” (1 John 5:20 KJ21)

“”Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are, and were created.”” (Revelation 4:11 KJ21)

“2 And God spoke unto Moses and said unto him, “I am the LORD. 3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob by the name of God Almighty, but by My name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.” (Exodus 6:2-3 KJ21)

“13 And thou sayest, ‘How doth God know? Can He judge through the dark cloud? 14 Thick clouds are a covering to Him, that He seeth not; and He walketh in the circuit of heaven.’” (Job 22:13-14 KJ21)

“5 Then the Levites, Jeshua and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said: “Stand up and bless the LORD your God for ever and ever! And blessed be Thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise! 6 Thou, even Thou, art LORD alone; Thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens with all their host, the earth and all things that are therein, the seas and all that is therein; and Thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshipeth Thee. 7 Thou art the LORD the God, who didst choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gavest him the name of Abraham;” (Nehemiah 9:5-7 KJ21)

“7  “Hear, O My people, and I will speak, O Israel, and I will testify against thee: I am God, even thy God. 8 I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, to have been continually before Me. 9 I will take no bullock out of thy house, nor hegoats out of thy folds. 10 For every beast of the forest is Mine and the cattle upon a thousand hills. 11 I know all the fowls of the mountains, and the wild beasts of the field are Mine. 12 If I were hungry I would not tell thee, for the world is Mine and the fullness thereof. 13 Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? 14 “Offer unto God thanksgiving, and pay thy vows unto the Most High, 15 and call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.” 16  But unto the wicked God saith: “What hast thou to do to declare My statutes, or that thou shouldest take My covenant in thy mouth, 17 seeing thou hatest instruction and castest My words behind thee?” (Psalms 50:7-17 KJ21)

“11 And He appointed some to be apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry, and for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 until we all come into the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 that we henceforth be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men and their cunning and craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;” (Ephesians 4:11-14 KJ21)

“And I, brethren, when I came to you declaring unto you the testimony of God, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom.” (1 Corinthians 2:1 KJ21)

“9 But as it is written: “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.” 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit. For the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10 KJ21)

“14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged by no man. 16 “For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:14-16 KJ21)

“Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being His counselor hath taught Him?” (Isaiah 40:13 KJ21)

“5 which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ by the Gospel.” (Ephesians 3:5-6 KJ21)

“that their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love unto all the riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may acknowledge the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ,” (Colossians 2:2 KJ21)

“Speak not to the ears of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.” (Proverbs 23:9 KJ21)

“1  Now these are the last words of David. David the son of Jesse, the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said: 2 “The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me, and His word was on my tongue.” (2 Samuel 23:1-2 KJ21)

“”Men and brethren, it was necessary that this Scripture be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit by the mouth of David spoke before concerning Judas, who was the guide to those who took Jesus.” (Acts 1:16 KJ21)

“And when they were unable to agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had spoken one word: “Well spoke the Holy Spirit through Isaiah the prophet unto our fathers,” (Acts 28:25 KJ21)

“searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them had signified when He testified beforehand of the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow.” (1 Peter 1:11 KJ21)

“20 knowing this first: that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in olden times by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:20-21 KJ21)

“But the Comforter, who is the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” (John 14:26 KJ21)

“16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly equipped for all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJ21)

“For this cause also we thank God without ceasing: because when ye received the Word of God, which ye heard from us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which also worketh effectually in you who believe.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13 KJ21)

“For whatsoever things were written in times past, were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” (Romans 15:4 KJ21)

“Now all these things happened unto them by way of example, and are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” (1 Corinthians 10:11 KJ21)

“49  «ZAIN» Remember the word unto Thy servant, upon which Thou hast caused me to hope. 50  This is my comfort in my affliction, for Thy word hath quickened me.” (Psalms 119:49-50 KJ21)

“7 Wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom; and with all thy getting, get understanding. 8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee; she shall bring thee honor when thou dost embrace her. 9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace; a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.”” (Proverbs 4:7-9 KJ21)

“The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge, but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.” (Proverbs 15:14 KJ21)

“But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the Word and understandeth it; who also beareth fruit and bringeth forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”” (Matthew 13:23 KJ21)

“But strong meat belongeth to those who are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” (Hebrews 5:14 KJ21)

“As for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.” (Daniel 1:17 KJ21)

“There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel against the LORD.” (Proverbs 21:30 KJ21)

“Hear counsel and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.” (Proverbs 19:20 KJ21)

“7 Consider what I say, and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. 8  Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my Gospel, 9 wherein I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even unto bonds. But the Word of God is not bound. 10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.” (2 Timothy 2:7-10 KJ21)

“as Thou hast given Him power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given Him.” (John 17:2 KJ21)

“And we know that the Son of God is come and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true; and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and Eternal Life.” (1 John 5:20 KJ21)

“2 for kings and for all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who will have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:2-4 KJ21)

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Holy Bible King James Version Wide Margin Edition by the Christadelphians

Holy Bible King James Version Wide Margin Edition by the Christadelphians

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Preceding articles:

Bijbel, Gods Woord ingegeven nuttig tot lering, tot bestraffing, tot verbetering en tot onderwijzing

Bibel, Helm des Heils, nütze zur Lehre, zur Strafe, zur Besserung und zur Züchtigung

 

Bible, casque du salut, témoignage de Dieu en vue de la perfection pour l’édification utile pour enseigner, pour convaincre, pour corriger et pour instruire

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Also recommended to read:

 

  1. Bible, God’s Word to edify (ERV)
  2. Looking for wisdom not departing from God’s Word
  3. The holy spirit will bring back to your minds all the things told
  4. True God giving His Word for getting wisdom
  5. Words to inspire and to give wisdom
  6. Eternal Word that tells everything
  7. Bric-a-brac of the Bible
  8. We should use the Bible every day
  9. Feed Your Faith Daily
  10. May reading the Bible provoke us into action to set our feet on the narrow way
  11. Hearing words to accept
  12. Genuine message of salvation
  13. God who knows the heart
  14. Bible, God speaking words profitable for doctrine, for reproof and for correction
  15. L’esprit saint vous rappellera toutes les choses dites
  16. Vrai Dieu donne Sa Parole pour obtenir la sagesse
  17. La Bible, Parole de Dieu poussés par l’Esprit-Saint pour enseigner, pour convaincre et pour corriger
  18. Die helper, die heilige gees sal julle alles leer en julle herinner
  19. Der heilige Geist wird euch an alle Dinge erinnern
  20. Wahren Gott gibt sein Wort für immer Weisheit
  21. Bibel Gott redet Worte zu unserer Belehrung geschrieben
  22. Hele Skrif deur God geïnspireer om in die waarheid te onderrig en dwaling te bestry
  23. Bijbel, Gods Woord ingegeven nuttig tot lering, tot bestraffing, tot verbetering en tot onderwijzing
  24. Het woord van de Ware God gegeven voor wijsheid te vergaren
  25. Bijbel, Gods Woord tot opvoeding (NBG51)
  26. De heilige geest zal alle dingen welke gezegd zijn in herinnering terugbrengen

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35 Comments

Filed under Knowledge & Wisdom, Quotations from Holy Scriptures, Religious affairs, Spiritual affairs