SELF-DISCIPLINE AND RESPONSIBILITY
EPISODE THREE
Introduction: Your ability and willingness to discipline yourself to accept personal RESPONSIBILITY for your life is essential to happiness, health, success, achievement, and personal leadership. Accepting responsibility is one of the hardest of all disciplines, but without it, no success is possible.
Respinsibility is simply defined as your Response' ability.In other words, your ability to respond to what happens to you. You may not be responsible for all the things that happen to you; but you are responsible for the way you act when they do happen.
FROM CHILDHOOD TO MATURITY CONDITIONING.
When you are growing up, from an early age you become conditioned to see yourself as not responsible for your life. Your parents are in charge when you are a child. They make all your decisions.They decide what food you will eat, what clothes you will wear, what toys you will play with, what home you will live in, what school you will attend, and what activities you will engage in during your free time. Because you are young, innocent, and unknowing, you do what they want you to do.
You have little choice or control.As you grow up, however, you begin to make more and more of your own decisions in each of these areas. BUT BECAUSE OF YOUR EARLY PROGRAMMING, you're conditioned unconsciously to feel that someone else is still responsible for your life, that there is still someone else out there can or should take care of you. Most people grow up believing that if something goes wrong, someone else is responsible. Someone else is to blame. As a result, most people make more excuses for the things in their lives, past and present, that make them unhappy.
Get over the Mistakes your parents made
The criticism, and being beaten out of anger, punishing you emotionally and physically, or withholding punishment from you making you feel guilty. All these negative feelings could then intersect to make you feel like a victim, inferior. And the next thing is to ask who is to blame?.
AN ATTITUDE OF IRRESPONSIBILITY
Courts today are full of people demanding redress and payment for something that went wrong in their lives being backed by ambitious plaintiff lawyers, people go to court demanding compensation. PEOPLE DO NOT WANT TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY. People are attempting to escape responsibility for their own behaviours by blaming someone else, making excuses, and then demanding compensation.
Eliminate negative emotions, like envy, jealousy, anger, fear, resentment, which leads to blaming others. You develop the attitude of irresponsibility when you always blame others for such negative emotions.
AN ANTIDOTE TO IRRESPONSIBILITY
1.Learn to say and accept the statement, I am responsible
After saying you are responsible, then look into the situation to find the reasons why you are responsible for what has happened or what is going on. Your car may be damaged in the parking lot while you are at work, you may not be legally at fault for the accident. But you are still responsible for your responses, for how behave as a result of what happened.
2. Never complain.
3. Never explain.
The moment you begin to complain or to explain, then know that you are on the road to refusing to accept complete responsibility for the situation.
4. Do not allow your emotions to control you; control your emotions. You take charge if your emotions by accepting 100% responsibility for yourself and your responses to everything that happens to you. Refuse to make excuses, complain, criticize, or blame other people for anything.
Take action! Work on accepting personal responsibility for your life, taking complete control of your thoughts and feelings. By so doing, you become a much more effective, happy, and positive person in everything you do.
ADDENDUM:
It is the lack of the 'sense of responsibility' that is killing us as Africans and as Ghanaians. Thus, in every situation, we keep blaming the witches and wizards in our family and hometown. We are not responsible enough for our finances, we are not responsible enough towards our work and acadamics, marriages, family relationships, etc, and when things go wrong we are even more irresponsible towards accepting our failure. We are always quick to point fingers at people that they are responsible for our mistakes, suffering and unhappiness.
Interestingly, some cunning individuals have identified our problem of irresponsibility and decided to make money out of it. They are not helping us to solve it. Never!
These people call themselves pastors, prophets, prophetess, bishops, angels and so on . They always make us understand that the headache we have is a message from our hometown witches; The financial crisis is not a matter of management but the work of the devil; The marriage that is not working is the doing of your wizard grandpa. In fact every problem in our life is caused by someone, and not us. We do not sit down to analyse our lives to see the mistakes we are making ,or the progress we are making in order to take full control of our lives.
Citizens blame government for not doing certain things for them. The Government is to be blamed all the time(which is not true anyway). Government also blames the political party in opposition for not doing A or B. The opposition party also blames the party in power....and that is the climax of the blame game.
It is very natural and part of humans to play the blame game like did Adam and Eve, the first of the human race as recorded on the pages of the Holy writ.Gen 3:12-13. However, it is not cool to do that. Our maker accepts responsibility.
Take responsibility, and stop giving excuses.
MORE ABOUT JESUS
MORE ABOUT JESUSJESUS
It is the most abused name on earth. It is abused in both when and how it is mentioned, yet it is the sweetest name on earth. I will not talk about how the name is being abused now but the need to know more about that name. The name is JESUS. For, "neither is there salvation in any other; for there's none other name under heaven given among men whereby, we must be saved.Acts 4:12. Phil2:9-11.
At these times that every thing is becoming too personal. We are always thinking how to win that business contract, how to make that great amount,how to buy that expensive car, how to get that promotion, how to win that lady's heart, how to get that and that, the list goes on. But i wonder how many of us are eager to know about Jesus? I would be happy to meet that disciple who will say:
More about Jesus would i know,More of His grace to others show; More of His saving fullness see, More of His love who died for me.
At these times that all we think is more of material things. More of money, more of food, more of customers, more of businesses, more of children, more of followers, more of healings, more of power, more of miracles, and more of every good thing.But there is nothing better than knowing more about Jesus. Let's say:
More about Jesus let me learn, More of His holy will discern; Spirit of God, my teacher be, Showing the things of Christ to me.
At these times that we only want go wherewhere our itching ears will be tickled, to hear what we want to, Turning our ears away from TRUTH, and turn aside to myths. We are only interested in; you will buy that, you will get that visa, your bank account will be full, you are free to do whatever you feel like doing, etc, let's remember to desire;
More about Jesus in His Word, Holding communion with my Lord;Hearing His voice in every line, Making each faithful saying mine.
Am I saying at these times, it is wrong to ask for physical needs. Of course not. I am saying"But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matt 6:33 For the pagan world run after all such things,.....Luke 12:14, 29-34
Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.
Do not seem to worship God yet chasing after the wind. Think about it today. Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power ,are you washed in the blood of the lamb?
Then know that Christ died for the sins of you and i,he was buried and on the third day, he resurrected according to the scriptures, believe this and believe on Him as the only begotten son of God, our Saviour, repent of your sinful life, confess him as Christ and give yourself to him through baptism for the remission of your sins and be added by God to His Church which he purchased with his own blood: Rom 10:17, Mark 16:15-16,John3:16, Matt 28:18-20,Acts 17:30,31 Rom10:9, Acts 2:38 1st Pet 3:21
Then join me sing:
More about Jesus on His throne, Riches in glory all His own; More of His Kingdom's sure increase; More of His coming, Prince of Peace.
More, more about Jesus,
more, more about Jesus
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love who died for me.
It is the most abused name on earth. It is abused in both when and how it is mentioned, yet it is the sweetest name on earth. I will not talk about how the name is being abused now but the need to know more about that name. The name is JESUS. For, "neither is there salvation in any other; for there's none other name under heaven given among men whereby, we must be saved.Acts 4:12. Phil2:9-11.
At these times that every thing is becoming too personal. We are always thinking how to win that business contract, how to make that great amount,how to buy that expensive car, how to get that promotion, how to win that lady's heart, how to get that and that, the list goes on. But i wonder how many of us are eager to know about Jesus? I would be happy to meet that disciple who will say:
More about Jesus would i know,More of His grace to others show; More of His saving fullness see, More of His love who died for me.
At these times that all we think is more of material things. More of money, more of food, more of customers, more of businesses, more of children, more of followers, more of healings, more of power, more of miracles, and more of every good thing.But there is nothing better than knowing more about Jesus. Let's say:
More about Jesus let me learn, More of His holy will discern; Spirit of God, my teacher be, Showing the things of Christ to me.
At these times that we only want go wherewhere our itching ears will be tickled, to hear what we want to, Turning our ears away from TRUTH, and turn aside to myths. We are only interested in; you will buy that, you will get that visa, your bank account will be full, you are free to do whatever you feel like doing, etc, let's remember to desire;
More about Jesus in His Word, Holding communion with my Lord;Hearing His voice in every line, Making each faithful saying mine.
Am I saying at these times, it is wrong to ask for physical needs. Of course not. I am saying"But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matt 6:33 For the pagan world run after all such things,.....Luke 12:14, 29-34
Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.
Do not seem to worship God yet chasing after the wind. Think about it today. Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power ,are you washed in the blood of the lamb?
Then know that Christ died for the sins of you and i,he was buried and on the third day, he resurrected according to the scriptures, believe this and believe on Him as the only begotten son of God, our Saviour, repent of your sinful life, confess him as Christ and give yourself to him through baptism for the remission of your sins and be added by God to His Church which he purchased with his own blood: Rom 10:17, Mark 16:15-16,John3:16, Matt 28:18-20,Acts 17:30,31 Rom10:9, Acts 2:38 1st Pet 3:21
Then join me sing:
More about Jesus on His throne, Riches in glory all His own; More of His Kingdom's sure increase; More of His coming, Prince of Peace.
More, more about Jesus,
more, more about Jesus
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love who died for me.
RAPTURE? WILL THERE BE RAPTURE? WHEN?
RAPTURE? RAPTURE? WILL THERE BE RAPTURE? WHEN?
Some folks say," I believe in Jesus so what does it really matter what I think about the Bible?"But it does matter says the Bible 2nd Tim3:16. It matters greatly what you believe about the Bible! Jesus himself will not let you make false distinction between his person and his word. He often quoted the Scriptures as originating with God the Father (Matt 19:4-5). When the Pharisees tried to replace God's commandment in the Law of Moses with their own tradition, he accused them of making void the word of God (Mark 7:13)
Now listen to Jesus' strongest statement about the complete trustworthiness of the Bible"THE SCRIPTURE CANNOT BE BROKEN" John 10:35. Since Scripture cannot be broken, an appeal to Scriptures is final; it cannot be challenged or disproved or denied.
So what does the Scripture says about RAPTURE?
AIM OF STUDY:To refute the false teachings on Rapture.
INTRODUCTION: Some religious groups have many false propositions on these concept, but Biblical teachings on Eschatology differ from their teachings.
What is rapture?
Rapture is defined as the secret taking of the saints before the second coming of Christ.
Many believe that the saints will be taken up in to heaven SECRETLY, and come back with Christ and rule on earth with Christ for thousand years (1,000).
During this period the battle of Armageddon would be fought, a second repentance would be given. Actually, there are so many extensions of this concept of rapture among it teachers and believers
Rapture did not occur at all in the Bible;KJV,NKJV,NIV and other modern translation of the Bible.Historically, it was not in existence until 1500A.D ,came to stand for the SECRET snatching up to heaven. Many have been too foolish to set dates and time for it occurrence and were found liars. Prov 30:6
The teaching on rapture comes from the misunderstanding of 1st Thess 4:13-18,(which talks about the second coming of the lord Jesus), Matthew 24, Mark 13,Luke 21(which discuss the destruction of Jerusalem).The latter point will be discussed into details in another article. However, you should know that the prophecy on the destruction of Jerusalem does not endorse rapture.
BIBLICAL TEACHINGS ON THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST.
know that all the events regarding the second coming of Christ will be fulfilled in one Day
1.According to 1 Thess 4:13-18, there will be no rapture or secret taking of the saints.
2.Christ second coming will be audible 1 Thess 4:16.
The resurrection and the judgement will take place simultaneously John 5:28-29.
3. There will be no second chance Heb 9:27
4.It is not now that some special Antichrist will be coming but Antichrist has been the world since the time John wrote.1John2:18-20, 4:1-3
5. The battle of Armageddon is not physical or nuclear war Rev 16:16-22
6.Christ's kingdom has existed since A.D 33 (col1:13)
7.The earth will melt with fervent heat 1 pet 3:9-12
8.Christ will not set His foot on this earth again not to talk of coming to rule on this earth for 1'000 years.1Thess 4:17.
On this note I urge you to resolve from this error and be free John 8:32.
God is not the author of confusion 1 cor14:33
You can be simply a Christian. Of such blessed fellowship of the Lord's Church is the reason why I will not hesitate to invite you to give yourself to Christ through baptism after you have heard ,believed the gospel of Christ, repented and confessing Jesus, calling up the name of the Lord in the Church. The Churches of Christ salute you.ROM 16:16.
Some folks say," I believe in Jesus so what does it really matter what I think about the Bible?"But it does matter says the Bible 2nd Tim3:16. It matters greatly what you believe about the Bible! Jesus himself will not let you make false distinction between his person and his word. He often quoted the Scriptures as originating with God the Father (Matt 19:4-5). When the Pharisees tried to replace God's commandment in the Law of Moses with their own tradition, he accused them of making void the word of God (Mark 7:13)
Now listen to Jesus' strongest statement about the complete trustworthiness of the Bible"THE SCRIPTURE CANNOT BE BROKEN" John 10:35. Since Scripture cannot be broken, an appeal to Scriptures is final; it cannot be challenged or disproved or denied.
So what does the Scripture says about RAPTURE?
AIM OF STUDY:To refute the false teachings on Rapture.
INTRODUCTION: Some religious groups have many false propositions on these concept, but Biblical teachings on Eschatology differ from their teachings.
What is rapture?
Rapture is defined as the secret taking of the saints before the second coming of Christ.
Many believe that the saints will be taken up in to heaven SECRETLY, and come back with Christ and rule on earth with Christ for thousand years (1,000).
During this period the battle of Armageddon would be fought, a second repentance would be given. Actually, there are so many extensions of this concept of rapture among it teachers and believers
Rapture did not occur at all in the Bible;KJV,NKJV,NIV and other modern translation of the Bible.Historically, it was not in existence until 1500A.D ,came to stand for the SECRET snatching up to heaven. Many have been too foolish to set dates and time for it occurrence and were found liars. Prov 30:6
The teaching on rapture comes from the misunderstanding of 1st Thess 4:13-18,(which talks about the second coming of the lord Jesus), Matthew 24, Mark 13,Luke 21(which discuss the destruction of Jerusalem).The latter point will be discussed into details in another article. However, you should know that the prophecy on the destruction of Jerusalem does not endorse rapture.
BIBLICAL TEACHINGS ON THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST.
know that all the events regarding the second coming of Christ will be fulfilled in one Day
1.According to 1 Thess 4:13-18, there will be no rapture or secret taking of the saints.
2.Christ second coming will be audible 1 Thess 4:16.
The resurrection and the judgement will take place simultaneously John 5:28-29.
3. There will be no second chance Heb 9:27
4.It is not now that some special Antichrist will be coming but Antichrist has been the world since the time John wrote.1John2:18-20, 4:1-3
5. The battle of Armageddon is not physical or nuclear war Rev 16:16-22
6.Christ's kingdom has existed since A.D 33 (col1:13)
7.The earth will melt with fervent heat 1 pet 3:9-12
8.Christ will not set His foot on this earth again not to talk of coming to rule on this earth for 1'000 years.1Thess 4:17.
On this note I urge you to resolve from this error and be free John 8:32.
God is not the author of confusion 1 cor14:33
You can be simply a Christian. Of such blessed fellowship of the Lord's Church is the reason why I will not hesitate to invite you to give yourself to Christ through baptism after you have heard ,believed the gospel of Christ, repented and confessing Jesus, calling up the name of the Lord in the Church. The Churches of Christ salute you.ROM 16:16.
SELF-DISCIPLINE AND CHARACTER EPISODE TWO
SELF-DISCIPLINE AND CHARACTER
EPISODE TWO
"Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anyone else expects of you. Never excuse yourself. Never pity your self. Be a hard master to yourself and be lenient to everyone else"-Henry Ward Beecher,nineteenth-century clergyman.
The development of character is a great task of life. Your ability to establish a reputation as a person of character and honour is the highest achievement of social and business life.
Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote,"What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear a word that you say."
The person you are today, your innermost character, is the sum total of all your choices and decisions in life up to this date. Each time you have chosen rightly and acted consistently with the very best that you know, you have strengthened your character and become a better person. The reverse is also character
To be a person of character you have to possess these virtues or values;
1.courage
2.compassion
3.generosity
4.temperance
5.persistence
6,friendliness and among others
Truth is the core of your character.
But INTEGRITY guarantees all these virtues.
When your character is being tested,or when you are under pressure, make sure you do not compromise-for that is when you demonstrate your true character. Guard your integrity.
In development of character,
1.study the values you admire
2.emulate the people you most admire
3.practice the values you respect.
It also involves the orderly coordination among;
1Your self-ideal- the values you aspire to possess in yourself.
2.Your self-image: your inner mirror. This the way we see and think of ourselves
When you see yourself as calm, positive, truthful, and possessed of high character, you behave with greater strength and personal power.
3. Your self-esteem: how much you like yourself. How you feel about yourself. Your emotional core.
Note
Whenever you act in a way that is consistent with your values, you feel good about yourself. And whenever you compromise your values for any reason you feel bad about yourself. It means when you compromise your values your self-confidence and self-esteem go down.ALWAYS BEHAVE CONSISTENTLY(POSITIVE)
Do the right thing.What you dwell upon grows. The good values you admire will be placed deep in your subconscious until they begin to operate automatically only if you concentrate on them.
To be continued
EPISODE TWO
"Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anyone else expects of you. Never excuse yourself. Never pity your self. Be a hard master to yourself and be lenient to everyone else"-Henry Ward Beecher,nineteenth-century clergyman.
The development of character is a great task of life. Your ability to establish a reputation as a person of character and honour is the highest achievement of social and business life.
Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote,"What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear a word that you say."
The person you are today, your innermost character, is the sum total of all your choices and decisions in life up to this date. Each time you have chosen rightly and acted consistently with the very best that you know, you have strengthened your character and become a better person. The reverse is also character
To be a person of character you have to possess these virtues or values;
1.courage
2.compassion
3.generosity
4.temperance
5.persistence
6,friendliness and among others
Truth is the core of your character.
But INTEGRITY guarantees all these virtues.
When your character is being tested,or when you are under pressure, make sure you do not compromise-for that is when you demonstrate your true character. Guard your integrity.
In development of character,
1.study the values you admire
2.emulate the people you most admire
3.practice the values you respect.
It also involves the orderly coordination among;
1Your self-ideal- the values you aspire to possess in yourself.
2.Your self-image: your inner mirror. This the way we see and think of ourselves
When you see yourself as calm, positive, truthful, and possessed of high character, you behave with greater strength and personal power.
3. Your self-esteem: how much you like yourself. How you feel about yourself. Your emotional core.
Note
Whenever you act in a way that is consistent with your values, you feel good about yourself. And whenever you compromise your values for any reason you feel bad about yourself. It means when you compromise your values your self-confidence and self-esteem go down.ALWAYS BEHAVE CONSISTENTLY(POSITIVE)
Do the right thing.What you dwell upon grows. The good values you admire will be placed deep in your subconscious until they begin to operate automatically only if you concentrate on them.
To be continued
Aim Of Study :To refute the false teachings of the teachers of this concept, especially the Jehovah Witnesses and any other religious group on this FIGURATIVE NUMBER, 144,000.
INTRODUCTION:
Isn't it a heartrending story, to hear that all that the faithful child of God has been promised concerning heaven is a fairytale, but a renovated earth awaits him in eternity? In other words heaven is not for everyone but for some special people and for that matter the saved will not received anything more than a renovated earth. The Jehovah Witnesses predominantly teach that only 144,000 saints will go to heaven and the great multitude will live on a renovated earth. They falsely use Rev 7:1-17 and 14:1-ff
But what does the Bible say about this topic.
THE BIBLICAL EXPOSITION ON THE TWO PASSAGES.
1.According to the context, an angel was restrained to stop destruction, until the sealing of the servants of God. Rev7:3. So the angel sealed 144,000 from the tribe of Israel.
2.The great multitude that was shown to John was from all nations and was before the throne of God or in heaven. (Rev 7:14-17) ACCORDING TO CHRIST, THE THRONE OF GOD IS HEAVEN (Matt 5:33-34)
3.Later in the vision, John sees them standing with the lamb on Mount Zion, having been redeemed from the earth. Rev14:3 According to the Hebrew writer Mount Zion also refers to heaven (Heb 12:22-24) We can therefore conclude that both the 144,000 and the great multitude were in heaven.
In a comparative study of the qualifications of the 144,000, the great multitude and that of Christians, you will without doubt acknowledge that all have the same yen qualifications. In summation, we can establish the fact that the number 144,000 is figuratively representing the redeemed who shall be in heaven with God, Christ and the angels.
COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE QUALIFICATIONS OF THE 144,000 TO CHRISTIANS
BIBLICAL REFERENCE. 144,000. CHRISTIANS
1.Rev 7:4 They were sealed. Christians are sealed(Eph 1:13)
2.Rev 7:9. From all nations Christians are from all nations (mark16:15)
3.Rev 7:10 They were saved. Christians are saved (Acts2:47)
4. Rev 7:14. Came out of great tribulations. Christians came out of same (Acts 14:22)
5.Rev 7:15. They were before God's throne. We are one before God's throne heb12:22-24
6.Rev 7:17. Christ is in their midst. He's in our midst (matt 18:20)
7.Rev 7:17. God shall wipe away their tears God will do same for Christians Rev21:4-
8.Rev 14:3 They were redeemed. We are redeemed (1Pet 1:18)
9.Rev 14:4 They were undefiled and virgins. Christians are undefiled and virgins 2cor11:2
10.Rev14:4. They follow the lamb. We follow Christ,the lamb of God Jn10:27,1:29
According to the comparative study, the 144,000 are not the only LITERAL occupants of heaven but it's a figurative number represents the total number of saints.
Note.that the number 144,000 is from 12*12*1000
12-standing for God's religious number
1000-standing ultimate completeness
144,000 and the great multitude refers to the same group of people spoken of in different instances.refers to the redeemed or Christians that would be saved.
If that is the case ,why were they spoken of as if already saved?
The writer employed a literary device called prolepsis which speaks of future event as if were already existing or achieved.
Let us be assured that if we are faithful to the end we will receive the crown of glory Rev 2:10.
Are you in Christ's sheepfold? The Church he purchased with His blood?
ROM 16:16The Churches of Christ salute you.
Reference: Bro.Daniel Kyereh-Mensah,preacher
Annual Youth Camp ,Sunyani Technical University.
THE POWER OF SELF- DISCIPLINE (NO EXCUSES) ....BY BRIAN TRACY
EPISODE ONE
.shutterstock.com
Discipline (training+behaving in a controlled way) is one of the core values every individual needs to be truly successful.
It is usually easy to discipline anyone at all but it is more difficult to discipline oneself. While discipline is good for every person,SELF-DISCIPLINE is inseparable from the things that lead to success.
Self-discipline is the ability to make yourself do things you know you should do even when you do not want to........ Cambridge dict.
Self-discipline is what makes the difference between successful people and failures
Mastering others is great but mastering yourself is power.
He wants to be the best singer in the world, yet he has no discipline to practice often and long
She usually makes new year resolutions....... Saying I will never do this thing again,........and it will not take much long to find her doing that same thing
Or
I will always do this and that,......and it will not take years or even months to find her discontinuing with what she has begun
The solution is SELF-DISCIPLINE and that will take away all excuses. No excuses.
"The first and best victory is to conquer yourself"
1.Know what you want(your ideal life)
And do your own thing. Do not do something because others are doing it.
2.Strive to be in the top 20% in your chosen career.
3.Accept the fact that you are starting with nothing and almost everyone starts out the same in life-with little or nothing.
You just need to work harder.
4.Hard work is the key
Overcome the natural tendency to cut corners and take easy way.
5.Appreciate and apply the great law of cause and effect.
If you do what other successful people do,over and over again, nothing can stop you from eventually enjoying the same rewards they do. Nature does not take sides.It is about the law of cause and effects.
To be continued.......
"will they not say that you are out of your mind? ??? 1 Cor 14:23
"will they not say that you are out of your mind? ??? 1 Cor 14:23
Isaiah 59:13-14 In transgressing and lying against the LORD, and departing away from our God...... conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.....
and for truth is fallen in the street....this can also be said of today's 'religious groups'.
So said the Prophet Jeremiah also,
Jeremiah 9:3 And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the LORD.
Any Christian who who loves God will surely consider prayer to be a most essential evidence of love for God and right relationship with God. Since there are many abuses of Prayer one may pray and still not have assurance that God hears and accepts his or her petitions.
*How blessed we are*,
Christ has not left us to struggle in this *pool of confusion* surrounding prayers.
Prayer is one of the important subject Jesus Himself taught in the scriptures both in His sayings and Actions
Matthew 6:5-15 And when thou prayest, *thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are*: *for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets*, *that they may be seen of men*. *Verily I say unto you, They have their reward*.
*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*.
*But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions,* *as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard* *for their much speaking*.
*Be not ye therefore like unto them*: *for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of*, *before ye ask him*.
*After this manner therefore pray ye*: .......read to verse15
It is for us to model that prayer not to repeat it like our daily greetings
With his life, He also showed us how important prayer is. Usually he separated himself from his disciples and went to solitary place to pray
Luke 6:12, Matt14:23 matt26:36
All these examples show how important prayer is to the life of a christian and more to that how christians are to pray.
*Our prayers must follow the Biblical pattern, nothing less and nothing more*
*Be it your own private prayer or congregational prayer, it must follow the Biblical pattern*
If prayer is a communication between we and God, and it is, then we will consider how we approach God when praying-in humility and with reverence Heb 12:28
Some religious groups have succeeded in teaching others falsely, as if one must be in a certain mood when praying :one must be emotionally and physically enthusiastic, a lot of bodily activities, jumping, stomping, clapping, shouting, moving up and down...charismatic
We see this most often on our television stations how some claim to be praying: a whole lot of noise, clapping, stomping of foot, babbling(1st Cor 14:7-19) claiming to be speaking in tongues.
Nearer to us, we hear of such uproar in our neighbourhoods where such groups do not even allow people to rest in their homes, priding themselves in what is deceitfully called"prayer warriors"
Others abominably pray through Mary and some so called priests or prophets.
And you call that prayer?
I am not against prayer but i am against the *dramatic performance of prayer*
God doesn't answer our prayers for how charismatic one must be,
By shouting, jumping, drumming, speaking in tongues(which has ceased actually), lying on the floor etc
Such are just hypocritical ways of praying. Jesus indicated matt6:5-8
Some also think to stand against the wiles of the devil, they must engage in this vigorous bodily activities forgetting that since we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, our prayer should also not be about clapping and making noise. Jesus never taught that.
Ephe 6:12-18
Shows us that it takes, truth, breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace, shield of faith,helmet of salvation, the sword of truth..
Making noise, and shouting and clapping and moving up and down as if God could not hear is the 'baalian' way where the prophets of baal cry aloud even to the point of cutting themselves with knives and lances, chanting... 1st Kings 18:22-37
You see to get your prayers answered or to stand against the wiles of the devil, is not about how vigorous you pray. It is about faith, sincerity with God, truth, humility, love for one another, being forgiving (Gal 5:22-23)
2nd Chron. 7:14 makes it crystal clear" if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and forgive their sin and healed their land"
Our faith is what counts James 1:6-10
Now to those who claim to pray in tongues, it is unfortunate how you missed the point
*the definition*-what and how tongues speaking is
*the delivery*-how one get to speak in tongues
*the design*-the purpose of tongues speaking
*the duration*-the period for it existence, all keeps the facts straight that tongues speaking has ceased and is no more as we now have the complete revelation of God's word (1stCor 13:8-13)
Please stop deceiving yourselves and pray intelligibly so that even when unbelievers come into your midst, they will not say 'you are out of your mind..'1stCor14:23
Isaiah 59:13-14 In transgressing and lying against the LORD, and departing away from our God...... conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.....
and for truth is fallen in the street....this can also be said of today's 'religious groups'.
So said the Prophet Jeremiah also,
Jeremiah 9:3 And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the LORD.
Any Christian who who loves God will surely consider prayer to be a most essential evidence of love for God and right relationship with God. Since there are many abuses of Prayer one may pray and still not have assurance that God hears and accepts his or her petitions.
*How blessed we are*,
Christ has not left us to struggle in this *pool of confusion* surrounding prayers.
Prayer is one of the important subject Jesus Himself taught in the scriptures both in His sayings and Actions
Matthew 6:5-15 And when thou prayest, *thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are*: *for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets*, *that they may be seen of men*. *Verily I say unto you, They have their reward*.
*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*.
*But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions,* *as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard* *for their much speaking*.
*Be not ye therefore like unto them*: *for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of*, *before ye ask him*.
*After this manner therefore pray ye*: .......read to verse15
It is for us to model that prayer not to repeat it like our daily greetings
With his life, He also showed us how important prayer is. Usually he separated himself from his disciples and went to solitary place to pray
Luke 6:12, Matt14:23 matt26:36
All these examples show how important prayer is to the life of a christian and more to that how christians are to pray.
*Our prayers must follow the Biblical pattern, nothing less and nothing more*
*Be it your own private prayer or congregational prayer, it must follow the Biblical pattern*
If prayer is a communication between we and God, and it is, then we will consider how we approach God when praying-in humility and with reverence Heb 12:28
Some religious groups have succeeded in teaching others falsely, as if one must be in a certain mood when praying :one must be emotionally and physically enthusiastic, a lot of bodily activities, jumping, stomping, clapping, shouting, moving up and down...charismatic
We see this most often on our television stations how some claim to be praying: a whole lot of noise, clapping, stomping of foot, babbling(1st Cor 14:7-19) claiming to be speaking in tongues.
Nearer to us, we hear of such uproar in our neighbourhoods where such groups do not even allow people to rest in their homes, priding themselves in what is deceitfully called"prayer warriors"
Others abominably pray through Mary and some so called priests or prophets.
And you call that prayer?
I am not against prayer but i am against the *dramatic performance of prayer*
God doesn't answer our prayers for how charismatic one must be,
By shouting, jumping, drumming, speaking in tongues(which has ceased actually), lying on the floor etc
Such are just hypocritical ways of praying. Jesus indicated matt6:5-8
Some also think to stand against the wiles of the devil, they must engage in this vigorous bodily activities forgetting that since we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, our prayer should also not be about clapping and making noise. Jesus never taught that.
Ephe 6:12-18
Shows us that it takes, truth, breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace, shield of faith,helmet of salvation, the sword of truth..
Making noise, and shouting and clapping and moving up and down as if God could not hear is the 'baalian' way where the prophets of baal cry aloud even to the point of cutting themselves with knives and lances, chanting... 1st Kings 18:22-37
You see to get your prayers answered or to stand against the wiles of the devil, is not about how vigorous you pray. It is about faith, sincerity with God, truth, humility, love for one another, being forgiving (Gal 5:22-23)
2nd Chron. 7:14 makes it crystal clear" if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and forgive their sin and healed their land"
Our faith is what counts James 1:6-10
Now to those who claim to pray in tongues, it is unfortunate how you missed the point
*the definition*-what and how tongues speaking is
*the delivery*-how one get to speak in tongues
*the design*-the purpose of tongues speaking
*the duration*-the period for it existence, all keeps the facts straight that tongues speaking has ceased and is no more as we now have the complete revelation of God's word (1stCor 13:8-13)
Please stop deceiving yourselves and pray intelligibly so that even when unbelievers come into your midst, they will not say 'you are out of your mind..'1stCor14:23
MIRACULOUS (SPIRITUAL) GIFTS
MIRACULOUS (SPIRITUAL) GIFTS
The misunderstanding or misinforming of devout men and women concerning some Biblical teachings has led to denominationalism, which equals confusion which God is not the author (1st cor 14:33)
So is the teaching on miraculous gifts
While Pentecostals and charismatics and other protestant churches who are more enthused about these gifts would agree with the scriptures that it is not the possession of one or more of these miraculous gifts that will usher one into heaven 1st Corinthians 13,
Yet will not agree with the scriptures when it points out to them that there's no one who has these miraculous gifts today-which is the truth
so why is the begrudging when one speaks such truth?
The answer
Is the attitude of the itching ears 2nd Tim 4:3-4
Well, WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY
Let's look at it along these four sub headings
1.The definition of the miraculous gifts -the gifts enable the apostles and those to whom the apostles gave those gifts to do things that beat the laws of nature (which is the definition of a miracle)
For instance Jesus fed the five thousand men with five loaves and two fish. Mark 6:30-44 this is not naturally possible,
Jesus walked on the sea, restoring of withered hand.. ,the apostles(Acts 2) and some early believers(Acts 10,19,1st cor14) speaking in tongues they never learned Etc... These we know are not naturally possible
So that is miraculous
2. The delivery of those gifts
In other words how men got this gifts
I) at the point of Holy Spirit baptism which was promised the apostles (Acts 1:4-8) which they received (Acts 2)
II) same thing happened in Cornelius' house as a proof of the gentiles grafted into God's kingdom Acts 10:34-48
The other form of delivery is when the apostles laid their hands on some people Acts 6:6-8
Acts 19:1-6
Note those who received the gifts apart from the apostles could not transfer the gifts to third persons
Evidenced in Acts 8:14-18
As philip who was full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom(Acts 6:3) could not lay hand on these infant believers
3.The design of this spiritual gifts
In other words, the purpose of the gifts
Whichever thing God does has a purpose
Whichever miracle God does or allowed men to do has a purpose
Miracles Jesus did confirmed the sonship of Jesus John 20:31, Heb 2:3-4
Right from the beginning so it was, the intellectual God wrought miracles for very significant purposes
So the question is if the desired purpose is realised, is there still the continuation of such miracles?
The answer is a clear no
Raining of bread in Exodus 16 makes it crystal clear
Tell me that after the people entered the land and were no more in the wilderness, God still rained bread
Then we too should wait such raining of bread
I don't doubt God's power
But I understand from the scriptures that He would not do it today because He did it then for a purpose
My conclusion on this point is that yes miraculous gifts were given in the early Church and it was for the confirmation of God's word which the apostles and Jesus Himself taught
Heb 2:1-4,
Ephesians 4:7-14
1st Corinthians 12,14
4.Now the duration of the gifts
The time limit for the exercise of those spiritual gifts
People usually use Heb 13:8 to support their argument that spiritual gifts is still in exercise like before since Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever,
Yes Jesus is the same but it doesn't mean what he did yesterday he will do the same of necessity today
He fed five thousand sometime ago
He would not do it today
All that the scriptures teach is that those gifts were but for some temporary duration for the purpose for which they came
After God's word was complete those gifts were gone
After the apostles and the second persons they gave those gifts to, died we have them no more
There's no record of transfer of those gifts up to our time today
1st Corinthians 13 discuss this topic which was once a controversy in the Corinthian church
Now verses 8-13 of this same chapter tells of the ceasing of those gifts
That which is perfect (complete) verse 10
James 2:25 that perfect Law of liberty
Which we must be the doers also not only listeners is THE WORD OF GOD
Cf Psalm 19:7
Then what next Paul the apostle pointed to a more excellent way at the close of 1st Corinthians 12
I. E concluded at the verse 13 of chapter 13
And now (as at now that the spiritual or miraculous gifts have ceased) abide faith,
Hope,
Love
These three, but the greatest is love (charity)
And so be faithful until death... Rev. 2:10
Love never fails
If we love one another, God abides in us... 1st John 4:12
....which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Col 1:27
We have the perfect knowledge and prophecy both in quantity and quality -the Bible
This what scriptures teaches
Let's speak as the oracles of God 1st Peter 4:11
The Churches of Christ salute you...
Please share
Any question send to kasmakose@gmail.com.
The misunderstanding or misinforming of devout men and women concerning some Biblical teachings has led to denominationalism, which equals confusion which God is not the author (1st cor 14:33)
So is the teaching on miraculous gifts
While Pentecostals and charismatics and other protestant churches who are more enthused about these gifts would agree with the scriptures that it is not the possession of one or more of these miraculous gifts that will usher one into heaven 1st Corinthians 13,
Yet will not agree with the scriptures when it points out to them that there's no one who has these miraculous gifts today-which is the truth
so why is the begrudging when one speaks such truth?
The answer
Is the attitude of the itching ears 2nd Tim 4:3-4
Well, WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY
Let's look at it along these four sub headings
1.The definition of the miraculous gifts -the gifts enable the apostles and those to whom the apostles gave those gifts to do things that beat the laws of nature (which is the definition of a miracle)
For instance Jesus fed the five thousand men with five loaves and two fish. Mark 6:30-44 this is not naturally possible,
Jesus walked on the sea, restoring of withered hand.. ,the apostles(Acts 2) and some early believers(Acts 10,19,1st cor14) speaking in tongues they never learned Etc... These we know are not naturally possible
So that is miraculous
2. The delivery of those gifts
In other words how men got this gifts
I) at the point of Holy Spirit baptism which was promised the apostles (Acts 1:4-8) which they received (Acts 2)
II) same thing happened in Cornelius' house as a proof of the gentiles grafted into God's kingdom Acts 10:34-48
The other form of delivery is when the apostles laid their hands on some people Acts 6:6-8
Acts 19:1-6
Note those who received the gifts apart from the apostles could not transfer the gifts to third persons
Evidenced in Acts 8:14-18
As philip who was full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom(Acts 6:3) could not lay hand on these infant believers
3.The design of this spiritual gifts
In other words, the purpose of the gifts
Whichever thing God does has a purpose
Whichever miracle God does or allowed men to do has a purpose
Miracles Jesus did confirmed the sonship of Jesus John 20:31, Heb 2:3-4
Right from the beginning so it was, the intellectual God wrought miracles for very significant purposes
So the question is if the desired purpose is realised, is there still the continuation of such miracles?
The answer is a clear no
Raining of bread in Exodus 16 makes it crystal clear
Tell me that after the people entered the land and were no more in the wilderness, God still rained bread
Then we too should wait such raining of bread
I don't doubt God's power
But I understand from the scriptures that He would not do it today because He did it then for a purpose
My conclusion on this point is that yes miraculous gifts were given in the early Church and it was for the confirmation of God's word which the apostles and Jesus Himself taught
Heb 2:1-4,
Ephesians 4:7-14
1st Corinthians 12,14
4.Now the duration of the gifts
The time limit for the exercise of those spiritual gifts
People usually use Heb 13:8 to support their argument that spiritual gifts is still in exercise like before since Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever,
Yes Jesus is the same but it doesn't mean what he did yesterday he will do the same of necessity today
He fed five thousand sometime ago
He would not do it today
All that the scriptures teach is that those gifts were but for some temporary duration for the purpose for which they came
After God's word was complete those gifts were gone
After the apostles and the second persons they gave those gifts to, died we have them no more
There's no record of transfer of those gifts up to our time today
1st Corinthians 13 discuss this topic which was once a controversy in the Corinthian church
Now verses 8-13 of this same chapter tells of the ceasing of those gifts
That which is perfect (complete) verse 10
James 2:25 that perfect Law of liberty
Which we must be the doers also not only listeners is THE WORD OF GOD
Cf Psalm 19:7
Then what next Paul the apostle pointed to a more excellent way at the close of 1st Corinthians 12
I. E concluded at the verse 13 of chapter 13
And now (as at now that the spiritual or miraculous gifts have ceased) abide faith,
Hope,
Love
These three, but the greatest is love (charity)
And so be faithful until death... Rev. 2:10
Love never fails
If we love one another, God abides in us... 1st John 4:12
....which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Col 1:27
We have the perfect knowledge and prophecy both in quantity and quality -the Bible
This what scriptures teaches
Let's speak as the oracles of God 1st Peter 4:11
The Churches of Christ salute you...
Please share
Any question send to kasmakose@gmail.com.
REJECT DENOMINATIONALISM AND BECOME ONLY A CHRISTIAN
REJECT DENOMINATIONALISM AND BECOME ONLY A CHRISTIAN
When the question is asked, would you want to become a Christian as were Paul, Peter and others of the New Testament?
Most of us will readily answer YES
But are not ready to come out of these institutional churches
THE CURE FOR DENOMINATIONALISM
We must have an unreserved commitment to the Bible as the sole, objective standard in religion. If three people differ as to the time of the day, they can settle their differences by consulting the objective time standard, the naval observatory time. Such settles the matter, and produces unity. If a man goes to three different post offices, he will be given the same postage for mailing of his package. Why? Because each postal clerk consults the same guide book. Unity exists because of allegiance to a single objective authority. In like manner when all men will lay down their creeds, disciplines, manuals, confessions of faith, catechisms, think-so's, maybe's and subjective feelings and each with an unprejudiced and receptive heart turns to the word of God, then, and only then, will unity result. Such will constitute the death knell to denominationalism. We must be committed to being nothing, calling ourselves nothing, obeying nothing, and saying nothing except that which is authorized by the word of God.
Only then will we have the "unity of the spirit" of Ephe4:1-6:
One body -unity of organisation
One Spirit -unity of guidance
One Hope-unity of aspiration
One faith-unity of message
One Lord - unity of authority
One baptism-unity of practice
And One God-unity of worship.
REASONS WHY THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IS NOT A DENOMINATION
1. Denominationalism is contrary to the Lord's prayer(John 17:20,21)
2. Denominationalism is a fruitful cause of infidelity(John 17:20,21)
3. Denominationalism is wrong because Christ is not divided (1 Cor 1:11-13)
4
Denominationalism is wrong because the body of Christ is one, not many(1Cor 12:13,20 Ephe 2:15 Col 3:15)
5
Denominationalism is contrary to one of the basic purposes of calvary's cross (Eph 2:15,16)
6
Denominationalism is a vain attempt to serve God (matt 15:9,Psalm 127:1)
7
Denominationalism divides homes, when God wants homes united(Josh 24:15,Amos 3:3,Mark 3:25)
8
Denominationalism is contrary to Paul's plea for unity, for undenominational christianity(1 Cor 1:10)
9
Denominationalism is contrary to the apostles doctrine(Rom16:17,18)
10
Denominationalism is a sin that God hates(prov.6:6-19)
11. Denominationalism implies that God is the author of confusion(1Cor 14:33)
12
Denominationalism is not apostolic
13
Denominationalism is destined for destruction(mark 3:24,25)
The Church of Christ is not a denomination. If she were, she would surrender her right to exist(matt 15:13)
Our Lord was undenominational and anti-denominational. His church cannot afford to be otherwise. Her plea is for pure, New Testament, Undenominational Christianity. And, how encouraging it is that many are being attracted thereto.
Shallom
From the book INTRODUCING THE CHURCH OF CHRIST
When the question is asked, would you want to become a Christian as were Paul, Peter and others of the New Testament?
Most of us will readily answer YES
But are not ready to come out of these institutional churches
THE CURE FOR DENOMINATIONALISM
We must have an unreserved commitment to the Bible as the sole, objective standard in religion. If three people differ as to the time of the day, they can settle their differences by consulting the objective time standard, the naval observatory time. Such settles the matter, and produces unity. If a man goes to three different post offices, he will be given the same postage for mailing of his package. Why? Because each postal clerk consults the same guide book. Unity exists because of allegiance to a single objective authority. In like manner when all men will lay down their creeds, disciplines, manuals, confessions of faith, catechisms, think-so's, maybe's and subjective feelings and each with an unprejudiced and receptive heart turns to the word of God, then, and only then, will unity result. Such will constitute the death knell to denominationalism. We must be committed to being nothing, calling ourselves nothing, obeying nothing, and saying nothing except that which is authorized by the word of God.
Only then will we have the "unity of the spirit" of Ephe4:1-6:
One body -unity of organisation
One Spirit -unity of guidance
One Hope-unity of aspiration
One faith-unity of message
One Lord - unity of authority
One baptism-unity of practice
And One God-unity of worship.
REASONS WHY THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IS NOT A DENOMINATION
1. Denominationalism is contrary to the Lord's prayer(John 17:20,21)
2. Denominationalism is a fruitful cause of infidelity(John 17:20,21)
3. Denominationalism is wrong because Christ is not divided (1 Cor 1:11-13)
4
Denominationalism is wrong because the body of Christ is one, not many(1Cor 12:13,20 Ephe 2:15 Col 3:15)
5
Denominationalism is contrary to one of the basic purposes of calvary's cross (Eph 2:15,16)
6
Denominationalism is a vain attempt to serve God (matt 15:9,Psalm 127:1)
7
Denominationalism divides homes, when God wants homes united(Josh 24:15,Amos 3:3,Mark 3:25)
8
Denominationalism is contrary to Paul's plea for unity, for undenominational christianity(1 Cor 1:10)
9
Denominationalism is contrary to the apostles doctrine(Rom16:17,18)
10
Denominationalism is a sin that God hates(prov.6:6-19)
11. Denominationalism implies that God is the author of confusion(1Cor 14:33)
12
Denominationalism is not apostolic
13
Denominationalism is destined for destruction(mark 3:24,25)
The Church of Christ is not a denomination. If she were, she would surrender her right to exist(matt 15:13)
Our Lord was undenominational and anti-denominational. His church cannot afford to be otherwise. Her plea is for pure, New Testament, Undenominational Christianity. And, how encouraging it is that many are being attracted thereto.
Shallom
From the book INTRODUCING THE CHURCH OF CHRIST
SEEKER OF TRUTH
LEGEND OF THE SEEKER OF TRUTH
Long long ago, in the early Church, faithful Christians were seekers of the truth
People who wanted to hear nothing but the truth of God's word.
An evidence of such attitude is what we read in Acts 17:11 where brethren searched scriptures to see if what Paul told them were so.
People who were persecuted for preaching the truth :
Some were burnt at stake
Others thrown into prisons and starved to death
Some stoned etc
Left to some people, the efforts of such truth seekers would profit nothing.
God forbid
Their efforts have produced some good and it will continue
Why do I call it legend of the seeker of truth
A legend is a traditional story sometimes popularly regarded as historical but not authenticated
Yes, that is how so called Christians of today see the complete gospel which is the power of God unto salvation. Rom 1:16. As for sound doctrine, it has no place. It is a matter of choice to practice whatever doctrine you like.
Seekers of truth
In the writings of the apostles, they spoke of Truth
The church is a pillar of truth 1Tim 3:15.
In contrast, people now don't need to know whether this or that church is a pillar of truth.
They only need where their worship will suit them
The Church of Christ as the Bible tells us, teaches the way of truth which some will not follow 2Pet 2:2, Eph 4:21,Mark 12:14
Paul, the apostle writes to Timothy :
" they will turn their ears from the truth... 2 Tim 4:4, 2Thess 2:10
We see that most often on tvs, radio stations, in our surroundings
Such are those who have not paid heed to, "standing therefore, having guirded your waist with truth.... Eph 6:14
Self-seekers have and are still teaching us not to obey the truth Rom 2:8 they seek their own glory
🤔Majority attend churches where there is entertainment, jazz concerts (man-made organisations, not actually churches)
🤔We like to attend churches with great and magnificent edifices
🤔We like to attend churches where material gospel is being preached
🤔And I pity those leaders, who lead such people
They are full of pride and ignorance that there's no space left for them to learn
Yet we can still become seekers of truth
For I present to you the church Jesus established
John, the apostle says the truth will be with us for ever 2John 2
Walking in the truth was his greatest joy 3John 4
Do not yield submission even for an hour to this false brethren, just as the early saints did, so that the gospel truth may continue Gal 2:5
Our Savior desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of truth 1Tim 2:4
🤔You See, throughout this writing, I have consistently refer you to where the apostles spoke of truth. Why?
It is because when we know the truth, it will set us free. John8:31-32
And how can we know the truth?
By going back to the Bible and Bible only and leaving behind commandments of men.
The Holy Spirit guided the apostles to all truth John 16:13
God's word is truth John17:17
We can only dwell in this truth if we obey His commandments 1John 2:4.
His commands of
1.Hearing the gospel Rom 10:17
2. Believing the gospel John 3:16
3. Repenting from our sins Acts 17:30
4. Confessing Christ as son of God Acts 8:37
5.Being immersed (baptized) for the remission of sins Acts 2:38
6.Allowing God to add you to His Church Acts 2:47
Preach the truth, only the truth
"For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth 2cor 13:8
NB:
when truth seekers keep quiet, lies dominate
And make the truth a legend
God bless you
kasmakose@gmail.com.
Long long ago, in the early Church, faithful Christians were seekers of the truth
People who wanted to hear nothing but the truth of God's word.
An evidence of such attitude is what we read in Acts 17:11 where brethren searched scriptures to see if what Paul told them were so.
People who were persecuted for preaching the truth :
Some were burnt at stake
Others thrown into prisons and starved to death
Some stoned etc
Left to some people, the efforts of such truth seekers would profit nothing.
God forbid
Their efforts have produced some good and it will continue
Why do I call it legend of the seeker of truth
A legend is a traditional story sometimes popularly regarded as historical but not authenticated
Yes, that is how so called Christians of today see the complete gospel which is the power of God unto salvation. Rom 1:16. As for sound doctrine, it has no place. It is a matter of choice to practice whatever doctrine you like.
Seekers of truth
In the writings of the apostles, they spoke of Truth
The church is a pillar of truth 1Tim 3:15.
In contrast, people now don't need to know whether this or that church is a pillar of truth.
They only need where their worship will suit them
The Church of Christ as the Bible tells us, teaches the way of truth which some will not follow 2Pet 2:2, Eph 4:21,Mark 12:14
Paul, the apostle writes to Timothy :
" they will turn their ears from the truth... 2 Tim 4:4, 2Thess 2:10
We see that most often on tvs, radio stations, in our surroundings
Such are those who have not paid heed to, "standing therefore, having guirded your waist with truth.... Eph 6:14
Self-seekers have and are still teaching us not to obey the truth Rom 2:8 they seek their own glory
🤔Majority attend churches where there is entertainment, jazz concerts (man-made organisations, not actually churches)
🤔We like to attend churches with great and magnificent edifices
🤔We like to attend churches where material gospel is being preached
🤔And I pity those leaders, who lead such people
They are full of pride and ignorance that there's no space left for them to learn
Yet we can still become seekers of truth
For I present to you the church Jesus established
John, the apostle says the truth will be with us for ever 2John 2
Walking in the truth was his greatest joy 3John 4
Do not yield submission even for an hour to this false brethren, just as the early saints did, so that the gospel truth may continue Gal 2:5
Our Savior desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of truth 1Tim 2:4
🤔You See, throughout this writing, I have consistently refer you to where the apostles spoke of truth. Why?
It is because when we know the truth, it will set us free. John8:31-32
And how can we know the truth?
By going back to the Bible and Bible only and leaving behind commandments of men.
The Holy Spirit guided the apostles to all truth John 16:13
God's word is truth John17:17
We can only dwell in this truth if we obey His commandments 1John 2:4.
His commands of
1.Hearing the gospel Rom 10:17
2. Believing the gospel John 3:16
3. Repenting from our sins Acts 17:30
4. Confessing Christ as son of God Acts 8:37
5.Being immersed (baptized) for the remission of sins Acts 2:38
6.Allowing God to add you to His Church Acts 2:47
Preach the truth, only the truth
"For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth 2cor 13:8
NB:
when truth seekers keep quiet, lies dominate
And make the truth a legend
God bless you
kasmakose@gmail.com.
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