Teachings form Matthew 10 & 11

Matthew chapter 10 opens with Jesus appointing and anointing the 12 apostles for ministry, “And when He called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits to cast them out and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.” Then He give them instruction on where and how to minister that the Kingdom was at hand and to demonstrate it, “And as you go preach saying, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” This is well before His death, resurrection and giving of the Great Commission.

“Freely you have received, freely give.”, is something I have believed for quite awhile but don’t see being practiced by some Christian ministries. In this era of the prosperity doctrine and the Church as a business too many are more concerned about size and the bottom line (finically). That is not to say that they are not ministering the Kingdom into their community and to the world. It might be saying that GOD would rather have one thousand Churches of 100 people rather than one Church of 10,000 people. Why, when a Church of 10,000 people will do better financially then a Church of 100 people and it will have the resources to do larger works in the communities it ministers in? Because a Church of 100 people will have greater more intimate relationship with one another, it will be hard for anyone to blend in and go unnoticed, their time of worship and learning will be deeper as they know each others’ lives and situations. Their ministry in their community will be more impactful when those who were ministered to see those who ministered to them regularly, living and working in their community. (Now none of this is what I was meditating about when I sat down to write.)

I was thinking about the rest of chapter 10 and all of chapter 11, the instruction that Jesus gave them and us on how to be a disciple. There are a few highlights that are commonly preached. Jesus talks about John the Baptist being the one promised to come in the power and spirit of Elijah, He speaks judgment to the cities that did not repent because of the miracles preformed in them. And the often quoted, “Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I al gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” These verses about resting in Jesus are the most taught about from this section but I think the most misunderstood.

From Matthew 10:5 thru chapter 11 Jesus is giving the disciples and us instruction on how to be ministers of His Kingdom on the earth. Remember, He told them to preach “The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” We know that it is more than at hand now because on the day of Pentecost the Father sent His Spirit to all mankind (Joel 2:28-32), the Kingdom of GOD (Heaven) is on the earth and we are to do the will of GOD; remember Jesus’ taught the disciples to pray in Matthew 6:5-15, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.” Well His Kingdom has come and in Matthew 10 & 11 Jesus is telling us how to do the Father’s will in the earth and what the cost of it is to us.

We have all heard messages on counting the cost but today we are more likely to hear a message on GOD’s plan to prosper us and give us the good life. The principles of the prosperity teachings are base on the true principles of the scriptures, GOD does what us to prosper, the problem is in understanding what that prosperity is for us rather than our being prospered the same as others. Jesus said, “…I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10b But, the gospels are full of Jesus’ teachings that the life is going to have difficulties and we are not to seek to be rich. Matthew 6:19-34, store up treasures in heaven not on earth, you cannot serve riches and GOD, seek GOD first and He will provide what we need for life. Matthew 19:16-30, how hard it is for the rich to enter into Heaven.

So here are a couple of my highlights, “Whatever I tell you in the dark speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear preach on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body only but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” It starts with the admonition to teach the Word of GOD, it ends with GOD’s promise of care and provision, but the middle reminds us that obedience will come at a cost but disobedience will have a eternal cost.

What about, ”Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be those of his own household. He who love father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.” Jesus is saying that He did not come to bring peace but many in the Church are speaking peace and prosperity. Jesus is saying we will be persecuted by our very own family and that we cannot put them before serving Him and His Kingdom. We must take up our cross and follow Him! That was a hard one for them because He had not been crucified and raised all they understood about the cross was that it was a very cruel Roman form of corporal punishment. We understand it in the knowledge of Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and ascension, but many Christians do not live their life by losing it for His sake. Many Christians just want to go to church regularly and give money sometimes and wait for the rapture to rescue them from persecution. This mindset will not lead to eternal salvation, this lifestyle is not what most of the Church is experiencing around the world.

“At that time Jesus answered and said, ‘I thank You Father, LORD of Heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. Even so Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. All things have been delivered to Me by My Father and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Our true rest is not in relaxing and taking breaks but in being absolutely surrendered to Jesus by dying to ourself. Steve Scott said “His yoke is what He said…His words. We are yoked to Jesus by His words!” GOD holds each of us accountable to know what His Word says and to live accordingly then we will have rest. Not from the works but from the fear of what the world will do to us. If we take up our cross and follow Jesus it does not matter because our life is not about this world but about His eternal Kingdom.

Remember, the books of the Bible were not written with chapter and verse divisions or with subtitles inserted or cross references and notes, these are devices of men to make reading, study and memorizing easier; but sometimes they breakup the thought of the writer and sometimes we lose the concept of the truth that Holy Spirit is revealing. Remember that the translators of different versions at different times in different languages also affect how we understand it in our everyday language and culture. So read it, meditate on it (think about it) and pray, ask Holy Spirit to reveal His truth for you and those you love and minister to.

40 Day of Hope for San Diego

As I was praying about the 40 Days of Hope for San Diego starting this Wednesday the 14th, I felt Holy Spirit speaking to me.

“There are some Church leaders who will not participate because of doctrinal or denominational issues. Some will not participate because of regional, social or racial reasons. There are some who will not participate because of the different groups that are participating or leading the effort of uniting the Church in San Diego.

Shame on those who will not come together in unity for the salvation of our communities here in San Diego County.”

If we only pray and fast in our local assemblies and fellowships we only have a little power there. But if we pray and fast in fellowship throughout the county in harmony and unity with focus led by Holy Spirit we have power over our whole region. If the light is shining only on one or two groups in a couple of communities our whole county remains in darkness.

Jesus called us to be one in Him and the Father as He and the Father are one this is only done in the world by the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus asked the Father to give to the Church. The 40 Days of Hope for San Diego is a call for the whole Church to act as the Body of Christ in San Diego County (even if only for 40 days each year). Then the Light of His Kingdom is revealed and His Will is accomplished. This will only be done as the Church is the Body of Christ not separate pieces of the body flailing about hoping to be seen.

One World Government

It is so sad to see that the Democratic party has almost completely been taken over by those who support the leftist one world government also called globalism. It is easy to see in their hard line against everything President Trump puts forth or supports, even those issues that they claim as their own causes.

Why is this? It is because the leftist agenda of globalism requires that the United States be weak politically, economically and militarily. A strong USA makes a global government impossible.

What about Russia and China, they have strong governments, economies and militaries?  They are socialist (communistic) in nature which is what the leftist agenda is. Those who want a one world government want it as a socialist government. Because they are elitist and they believe they will be part of the one world government elite that rules over the whole world.

Now that is not to say that there are no elitist, leftist, one world government members in the Republican party, because there are. Watch and see how many Republicans oppose President Trump and his agenda for a strong America.

Many in our government are not true Americans but they are true globalists who want a one world government. It has nothing to do with conservative or liberal ideals, it is about strong independent nations or one government ruling all nations.

The reality is that this is what the Bible says is going to happen, there will be one government that will rule over all the nations, actually there will be two one world governments according to the Bible. The first will be led by a human with seeming supernatural charisma and the power to unify the world under his rule. But this will fail after seven years and be replaced by the one true government of Jesus Christ which will last for 1000 years.

Then all humanity living and dead will be judged and enter eternal damnation or eternal life depending on whether they believed on Jesus Christ as the savior and LORD of the whole world or not. There will be an eternal lake of fire for those who reject Jesus and a new heaven and earth for those who believe and confess Jesus as their savior and LORD.

The Word of the LORD for His Church

The Word of The LORD for His Church                                     1-14-2018

Last night at the worship and fellowship meeting of New Beginnings CF during worship Katherine Zent had a word in tongues and Alma Patterson had the interpretation; “For I declare to you My precious ones, you are My alabaster boxes on the earth at this time and as life happens to you and brings forth trials that seem to be episodes of brokenness, I purpose it to bring forth the fragrance of Christ to those around you. Be not dismayed nor despair I am with you doing a good work in you. I love you and I’m with you take heart.”

Also during our worship Katherine had a vision, she saw herself like a softball fastpitch pitcher (with the windup, leap forward and release) that hurls the ball at great speed. The LORD had her pitch three times and each time a ball of light went forth, but she did not know where they were going. As our worship continued and I thought about it I felt the three balls were for the Church, USA and Israel. Jim Cantos pointed out Habakkuk 3:4, “His brightness was like the light; He had rays flashing from His hand, and there His power was hidden.” NKJV

After worship Ben Monson read and commented on John 17, He spoke of glorifying, that it is the act of revealing others’ goodness. Jesus’ prayer about unity, the unity of the GOD Head and the unity of GOD and His people. The main points to me were that our GOD is one GOD and that eternal life is to know the one true GOD and Jesus Christ whom He had sent. Salvation comes through believing and receiving the life, death and resurrection of Jesus as the Lamb of GOD who takes away the sin of the world. But, eternal life is being with the Father and the Son in the Spirit forever knowing them as they know and have always known each other. That we cannot not know GOD in the world, but as believers as we believe that He sent Jesus  the love with which the Father loves Jesus would be in us and Jesus would be in us.

As the meeting was winding down my wife Charlene made the comment that she had recently heard a pastor teaching on the unity of GOD so that contrary to popular teaching the Father did not and could not abandon Jesus on the cross when He became sin for us. The consensus was that we all believed that the Father and Son could not be separated and that while many had taught this separation because of our sin, that Jesus was suffering our punishment, we’ve heard taught that Jesus suffered in hell and was tormented by the devil and demons. IMPOSSIBLE! In the flesh as a man Jesus defeated the devil under direct temptation. Jesus’ true suffering was in the garden as He prayed to His Father, “If this cup could pass from Me, not My will but Yours be done.” As the Son of Man Jesus understood what He was about to endure and He understood that it was the only way to restore humanity to the original sinless eternal relationship we were meant to have with GOD. As the Lamb of GOD He took away our sin but He did not suffer our punishment, with our sin removed no punishment is required. Even under the Law when an animal sacrifice was made to cover the peoples’ sin there was then no punishment required.

We discussed Jesus’ cry on the cross as His body died, “My GOD, My GOD why have You forsaken Me?” In His humanity He felt abandoned at the point of death even though He was the GOD Head incarnate (Colossians 2:9).  Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit could never be separated because they are the One True GOD. In the Psalms and Prophets many cry out to GOD, “How long LORD will You abandon us?” Yet today we know that He never did even though their experience made them believe that He had.

Pastor Chris Leeper said it was possible that this bad teaching could also have come out of Habakkuk 1:13a, “You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on wickedness.” The problem is when we look at the whole verse (this is a problem in the church where people only use the part of the scripture that fits what they are teaching), “You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on wickedness. Why do You look on those who deal treacherously, and hold Your tongue when the wicked devours a person more righteous than he?” then we see that GOD is not turning away from seeing evil or sin, the book of Habakkuk is talking of GOD’s longsuffering to sinners putting off His judgment giving us time to repent, even when it is too late to stop GOD’s judgment for a group or nation it is not too late for an individual to repent and be saved.

Study Habakkuk, John 17, Colossians 1 & 2, 2 Timothy 3, 2 Peter 1 & 2. Remember the Bible was not written in chapters and verses, it is 66 different books written by 40 different men over 1500 to 2000 years. Psalms and Proverbs are the only ones written in their present form but they were not numbered as we have them. GOD gave us His Word because He wants us to learn of Him and to serve Him. While we are to follow Holy Spirit we have the Bible to make sure that we are not following a false spirit, there are several “Christian” churches that have their own doctrine and book that differs from the one GOD gave humanity (Joshua 1:8-9; 2 Timothy 3:10-17; 2 Peter 1:16-2:3; Revelation 1:3).

Our Cross

Our Cross

What does “Take up your cross and follow Me!” mean?

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:34-39 NKJV also study Luke 14:25-33)

“From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, ‘Far be it from You, LORD; this shall not happen to You!’ But He turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offence to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of GOD, but the things of men.’ Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of the Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.’” (Matthew 16:21-27 NKJV also study Mark 8:31-38 & Luke 9:21-26)

“Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, ‘Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?’ So Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is GOD. You know the commandments: “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not bear false witness,” “Do not defraud,” “Honor your father and your mother.”’ And he answered and said to Him, ‘Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.’ Then Jesus looking at him, loved him, and said to him, ‘One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up your cross and follow Me.’ But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great passions.” (Mark 10:17-22 NKJV)

I’ve never truly understood what the people (even the disciples) thought when Jesus would tell them that to follow Him they must take up their cross. They (even the disciples) did not yet understand what He meant about following Him, it seems to me that they (even the disciples) mostly followed Him because of the signs and wonders and the hope He would free them from Roman rule. They all knew what the cross was, the Roman form of a torturous death penalty. But they did not understand what Jesus meant when He told them they had to take up their cross and follow Him. After His crucifixion some might have thought He meant they would have to carry their own cross and be crucified like He did, to follow Him (and many have), I am sure that the disciples thought this and feared this not understanding the fuller meaning of dying to themselves and following Christ.

It was not until the day of Pentecost and Holy Spirit filling the disciples with His presence and the knowledge of who and what Christ was and had done that suddenly they understood everything they had heard, seen and experienced with Jesus in the context of eternal salvation rather than mortal life. I am sure that most if not all of the first converts after Pentecost were people who had heard Jesus teach and seen Him do signs and wonders, but they had no context in which they could understand what He was teaching and demonstrating.

Not until Holy Spirit downloaded into the disciples and they began under His influence and power to expound and demonstrate the Kingdom of GOD did they and the people begin to understand what Jesus had been teaching about His eternal Heavenly Kingdom. That the pursuit of it verses the natural world was GOD’s plan for humanity all along and that Jesus was the only bridge that allowed sinful humans to cross over from the natural world with its’ eternal destruction into His Heavenly Kingdom with its’ eternal rewards.

Today many in the Church seem to have lost the understanding of this essential concept! There is much teaching in the Church about our comfort and prosperity in this life rather than building up treasures in Heaven. More Christians are presence minded than Kingdom minded, we are to, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of GOD, did not consider it something to be held onto, to be equal with GOD, but emptied Himself of His privileges, taking on the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore GOD also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in Heaven, and those on earth, and those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is LORD, to the glory of GOD the Father.” (Philippians 2:5-11 NKJV)

How did Jesus do this and how are we to do this?

Jesus took up His cross and was crucified because He only did what He saw the Father do and He only said what He heard the Father say. He fully yielded His will to the Father knowing the cost. “But I have said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe.  All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. For I have come down from Heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:36-40 NKJV Also study John 5:16-30, 8:21-30, 12:42-50, 14:7-11)

“Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. When He came to the place, He said to them, ‘Pray that you may not enter into temptation.’ And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, ‘Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.’ Then an angel appeared to Him from Heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow. Then He said to them, ‘Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.’” (Luke 22:39-46 NKJV also study Matthew 26:36-46 & Mark 14:32-42)

So why is this so hard for us as believers? Because we are slow to know that GOD has called us not to live our life, die and go to Heaven to be with Him for eternity; but to die to ourself, crucifying our flesh and our will and to live our life to do His will; the works of His Kingdom now in the earth. “Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who had seen Him after He had risen. And He said to them, ‘Go into the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.’” (Mark 16:14-18 NKJV also study Matthew 28:16-20; Luke 24:44-49; John 20:19-23 & Acts 1:4-8)

Father, forgive us our desire to live our own life rather than the life that You wrote out for us while we were yet in our mother’s womb. Holy Spirit, thank You that You instruct us in the way of your Kingdom and teach us how to yield to and obey GOD’s call for our life. Amen!

5 Phases of Salvation

5 Phases of Salvation!

11.       The promise: Before the foundation of the earth was laid GOD the Father knew that humanity would sin and need salvation so He ordained that Jesus, His only Begotten Son, would go to the cross to redeem humanity, giving His life and shedding His Blood to redeem us to our Creator.

22.       Jesus’ birth by a virgin, His life of overcoming sin and every temptation that is common to humanity by only doing the will of His Father as the Son of Man.

33.       Jesus’ death on the cross becoming sin for us and removing our sin from us. His resurrection from the grave defeating death and hell and taking the keys of their dominion. His commission to all believers (the Church) to do as He did in the world.

44.       Jesus’ ascension to the right hand of the Throne of GOD from where He directs His Body (the Church) in the earth, the Father’s sending of Their Spirit (Holy Spirit) to indwell His earthly temples (our bodies) to teach, guide, comfort and direct all believers.

55.       We come to the place in our life that we know we cannot save ourself and recognize that only GOD’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ can save us from eternal damnation into eternal life. We confess we are a sinner in need of salvation and ask GOD to forgive us in Jesus’ name and by His shed Blood, to live in us by His Holy Spirit and to take control of our life (be LORD of our life). We confess to others our faith in GOD and salvation in Jesus and do only His will.

Warning

 To our family and friends who believe that they are Christians; you go to church fairly often, give money to the church, participate in some type of mid-week meeting, you may belong to the men’s or women’s group in your church. To all of you who believe you are born again and going to Heaven someday I want to give you a warning.

Please read this all the way through, I was one of you for over 30 years. I became a Christian on my 23^rd birthday. Over a period of 20 years I went to Bible College for 3 years, I read and studied the Bible (for my own reasons usually to prove my point), Charlene and I tithed, we were children and adult Sunday school teachers, we were home group leaders, we supported missionaries in Mexico and in YWAM, I taught Bible studies, I spoke from our pulpit when our Pastor was away, I went on a church planting trip to Russia, I was on the board of our Church for a few years,. We were busy and happy Christians.

But, I was not fully surrendered to GOD, I had secret sin, I served GOD the way I wanted as much or more that the way He wanted. This led to 17 years of walking away from GOD, leaving the church family that we loved and who loved us, of my going deeper into sin, of our marriage almost being destroyed, of health issues for Charlene. 6 years ago we started going to a small church where our old pastor was teaching, we liked the church and we kept going. I repented of my sin to GOD and Charlene and started seeking to serve GOD.

This is the warning: For all of that 37 years I prayed, I read and studied the Bible, I was used by GOD to teach and minister to others but as stated above there were times that I acted upon my own agenda instead of GOD’s. Was I a saved – born again believer? Yes I believe I was! Did GOD use me for His purpose? Yes He did when I agreed or allowed Him to! Was it possible for me to be excluded from Heaven? Yes, not because I had secret sin or even because I did not always do what I knew GOD wanted me to do. But because out of not yielding my life (the one that Jesus purchased back to GOD) I had rebellion in my heart. The rebellion led to the secret sin and not always doing what GOD wanted me to do. Rebellion is lawlessness and is what leads to not entering into GOD’s Eternal Heavenly Kingdom! “Not everyone who says to Me (Jesus), ‘LORD, LORD,’ shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ’LORD, LORD, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”

After 40 years of being a Christian and reading and studying the Bible one day these verses jumped out at me and made me realize that many in the church were in this position, then it dawned on me that I was one of those who could be left out of heaven. This leads to a discussion on salvation that I am not going to start at this time since it will be more of a booklet than a paper.

So how can a Christian be left out of Heaven? There are many parables in Jesus’ teachings that emphasis this teaching, Matthew 17:24-27, chapter 25; Luke 9:57-62, 11:37-54, chapter 12, 13:22-30, 14:25-33 and there are many more. Some of these are hard to take because Jesus is calling for our full surrender to GOD. The Bible is clear that GOD wants our full undivided life. So how does that work and why.

The why first: GOD created everything that exists, the earth, sky, seas, universe, etc. They are His because He made them. GOD formed man from the dust of the earth and breathed His breath of life into him, then GOD gave that man dominion over all that He had created in the earth to care for and use. That man, Adam, the progenitor of all humanity then took and gave that dominion to Satan, a fallen angel who had rebelled against GOD. How did Adam do that, he disobeyed the only law GOD had given him, to not eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Before Adam’s decision to disobey and be lawless there was no sin or death in the earth. Since Adam gave his dominion to Satan there has been continual sin and death and it will continue until Christ Jesus Returns.

The how: Jesus the Son of GOD was born as a human from a virgin mother, no earthly father was involved because the sin nature of humanity would be passed on. GOD created His only begotten Son in the womb of Mary and Jesus Christ was born the son of man and the Son of GOD. He then lived a sin free life overcoming or resisting every type of temptation that humanity faces, He then in obedience to His Father went to the cross and died in our place for our sin. He became sin for us and was separated from His Father which is our eternal punishment. He then defeated death and hell taking the keys of their dominion and by the power of His Holy Spirit He rose from the grave and ascended to the right hand of His Father in Heaven where He waits for His Church to complete His work of salvation on the earth (the great commission). When we ask GOD to forgive us our sin because of what Jesus did and confess to others that we have given our life to GOD we are born again; saved by grace; redeemed.

What do these terms mean? Born again – we are no longer children of humanity and the world, we are now children of GOD, joint heirs of His eternal Kingdom with Jesus. Saved by grace – we did not do anything to deserve or earn our salvation other than to ask GOD in Jesus name to forgive us and save us. Redeemed – Jesus purchased us from the devil back to GOD by His blood.

So the how is that we no longer belong to the devil, we never have belonged to our self because Adam gave us to the devil in his lawless act of rebellion over GOD’s one command. We are now the possession of GOD as we were intended to be from creation. Since we are the possession of GOD reinstated as the inheritors of His eternal Kingdom we no longer have the right to disobey GOD (we have the freedom of choice, but not the right), as our creator and Heavenly Father He expects us to obey and serve Him. As Jesus taught His disciples and later prayed Himself, “Father, not My will but Yours!”

If you do not want to be with those to whom He says, “I do not know you, you lawless one, you are not allowed in My Kingdom.” Then stop living according to your own will and desires and start obeying GOD in everything you say and do.