Search God’s Word
We live in a time that’s exciting, but it also can be frightening. Moral issues are at the forefront of much controversy, we continually hear of wars being fought or threatened, and people seem to snap and become violent for no reason. What’s going on?

You won’t find the answers on the nightly news or in self-help books. The answers are found in God’s word. Scripture is a collection of history, prophecy, moral guidance…and evidence of God’s love for us. History begins at the beginning. God was there and spoke everything into existence, yet very few people believe Him. He told Adam not to eat the forbidden fruit, but Adam and Eve both ate it. They didn’t believe God when He said they would die but chose to believe satanic lies. They learned the hard way that God was telling the truth.

If people today would believe God and follow His ways, we would live in a better world. Satan’s lies and deceit have caused all of the pain, suffering, and death that we face each day. When things go wrong in your life, blame Satan — not God.

Every word of Scripture was inspired by the Holy Spirit; and if we don’t study it we miss out on a treasure trove of knowledge, wisdom, and guidance. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

God wants us to know Him. When you set yourself on a deep study of God’s word, you’re taking on a challenge that’s both exciting and rewarding. Begin your study with prayer and let the Holy Spirit guide you so that you’ll grow in your faith in God and knowledge of His word. Search the Scriptures each day.

Throughout the ages people haven’t always found it easy to study Scripture. The early Scriptures were written on large scrolls that were kept in synagogues. These weren’t New Testament Scripture, but were the Old Testament. Before the New Testament was compiled, people found that by studying the Old Testament scrolls they were able to easily understand that Jesus Christ was pictured and prophesied throughout Scripture.

The Apostle Paul was very knowledgeable of the Hebrew Scriptures and encouraged others to use them to prove what was being taught regarding Jesus. When Paul went on mission journeys, he would go to the synagogue and reason with the Jews using the Old Testament. One such place was in Thessalonica:

“And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three Sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ” (Acts 17:2-3).

Can you do that? You could start in Genesis chapter 3 where God covered Adam and Eve in coats of skin (this would require a blood sacrifice) to cover their sin, or in chapter 22 where there’s an account of Abraham’s willingness to offer his son Isaac and Isaac’s willingness to become the sacrifice. God didn’t allow Abraham to sacrifice his son, but it’s a picture of the very real sacrifice of God’s only Son on the cross at Calvary. There are many more such examples, and you should take time to search for them.

Some of the people in Thessalonica found the truth, but others became angry and ran Paul out of town. He traveled to Berea where he once again went to the synagogue. This time, instead of getting angry, they studied Scripture.  He commended the Bereans for being willing to listen to what he said, but filtered what they were being told through Scripture.

“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11).

The Scriptures they searched were the Old Testament. It’s easy to be deceived if we don’t know Scripture, and it’s easy to miss finding the truth if we don’t search diligently.

Scripture has been given to us from God. The words contained in the Bible are all inspired by the Holy Spirit and need to be taken seriously. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

When Scripture is taken seriously, the confusing and contradicting doctrines of men are cleared up.

Doctrine should never be built around one or two Scriptures, nor should it be taken out of context. Erroneous doctrine such as the “name it and claim it” deception is built around one or two Scriptures rather than the whole of God’s word. That’s why it’s important to study all of Scripture. God doesn’t want anyone to be deceived. When Scripture differs from denominational teaching, it always put God’s truth above men’s ideas. Whether something is taught by a Catholic priest, a Baptist preacher, or a man on television, search Scripture to be sure it’s correct. That’s what “reproof and correction” means.

When we study Scripture and find differences between what we’ve been taught and what God’s word says, we need to correct our doctrine. If the denomination you attend professes a doctrine that doesn’t align with God’s word, then they are in error. Our righteousness only comes through Jesus Christ, and our study of His word should help us to grow more like Him. Through study of both the Old and New Testaments we grow closer to Jesus and become more like Him.

God wants us to know Him, and doesn’t want us to stumble in our Christian walk from lack of knowledge. A good study tool is a concordance. Scripture is God breathed, but the truth is clear in the original languages. There can be some translation problems in going from Hebrew to English, for instance. A concordance will help you to a deeper understanding of His truth.

“NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). Here’s a challenge; do you know what “nun” means and why it’s at the beginning of this verse? God’s word can’t light our path unless we study it and understand it.

In times past it wasn’t so easy to study Scripture. The Catholic Church opposed anyone who tried to translate Scripture so it could be understood by regular people. Many false teachings were the result, and the clergy gained too much control over the uneducated. This control happens today, but that’s mostly because the “sheep” don’t do their own study. Not only are many people willfully ignorant of Scripture but many countries make it illegal to own or read a Bible. If you’re blessed to live where Scripture isn’t illegal, then search the Scriptures diligently and learn what God says.

Study prophecy too. Most preachers ignore prophecy and omit an important part of God’s word.

“We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts. Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:19-21).

The prophets of old told of the coming Messiah, and those prophesies were fulfilled by Jesus. Scripture also gives signs of the end times. Study prophecy to understand the times in which we live.

Are we living in a time similar to that which the prophet Amos spoke about? “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: and they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it” (Amos 8:11-12).

Both the Jewish Northern and Southern Kingdoms would eventually be taken captive because they didn’t heed God’s warnings. They disobeyed God’s laws and they ignored prophecy. Could this be a lesson for us today?

God’s word is translated into virtually every language on Earth, yet many people refuse to listen or read it. The internet is full of Christian information, but search engines and sites like YouTube are hindering people from getting accurate information. By the way, search Scripture to be sure what you read on the internet is accurate.

Jesus said “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6).

Dust off your Bible and begin to read it. Search for truth that can only be found in God’s word.

It’s easy to slip into sin if we don’t study Scripture. “BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:9-11).

Moral decay is constantly making news headlines. Parents don’t teach their children Scripture, and public schools promote satanic lies. How can a young man or a young woman live godly lives if they aren’t taught God’s truth? Parents, take time to read Scripture with your children. Don’t just send them to Sunday school but take them. Answer their questions and always hold Scripture as authority. Teach your children to pray and to love the Lord. If you don’t teach them, who will?

We’re living in the last days. Very soon this world will be plunged into a seven-year period of judgment. According to Jesus this will be a time such as never seen before.

“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24:21).

By searching Scripture you’ll understand just how close we are to the end of time which has been prophesied. You’ll also understand how important it is for you to draw near to Jesus.

Prior to the final seven years of judgment, Christians will be Raptured. “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:50-52).

Everyone will leave this life one day, either by dying or by the Rapture. Either way, the only difference between eternal life and eternal torment is your choice to accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour. God doesn’t condemn anyone to eternal death. Each person makes their own choice by either accepting Christ’s shed blood for salvation or rejecting Him. Search the Scriptures to be sure you understand the choice you make.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

www.straitandnarrowministry.com

ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

Ron and Nathele Graham’s previous commentaries archived at https://www.raptureready.com/featured/graham/graham.html

All original scripture is “theopneustos” God breathed.

If you’d like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries just drop me an email and let me know.

 

Be Separate Unto God: Don’t Fraternize With the Enemy

We are in a spiritual war, and to fight the battle we need spiritual weapons. The enemy uses violence and sin against people in his aggressive fight against Jesus, but Christians aren’t to use weapons of hatred. Our battle plan is to stand unyieldingly upon God’s word; otherwise, we can easily be tempted into becoming a double agent.

Consorting with the enemy can’t be tolerated in a physical battle and is also unacceptable in a spiritual battle. God is serious about His children separating themselves from the world. It seems as if there’s a “so what” attitude towards sin, and Christians have no problem joining with non-Christians. We want to be liked and popular, so God’s ways are ignored and worldly attitudes are adopted.

“Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets” (Luke 6:22-23).

Sadly, many Christians have surrendered to the enemy rather than being separate unto God.

Christians are sinners saved by the grace of Jesus Christ, and that should mean everything to us. Our sins are forgiven and taken away when we first accept Christ’s sacrifice for redemption. From that point on our desire should be to live for Jesus instead of living for Satan. I’m not talking about doing works to make you more saved, but living for Him because you love Him.

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you” (2 Corinthians 6:14-17).

Paul quoted from Old Testament prophecies regarding the coming Messiah, found in Ezekiel and Isaiah. Come out from among the heathen and separate from the sin that consumes them. Fellowship with fellow Christians and help each other to stand firm on God’s word. Put Christ first and fight against the enemy.

Separating from the people around us who don’t honor God isn’t a new idea put forth in the New Testament. God gave the Israelites the Law of Moses, and some of those laws were specifically to keep God’s chosen people separate from the pagan culture around them. The heathens embraced all things that God abhors, such as child sacrifice to demon gods and perverted sexual practices. God warned the children of Israel against marrying into the heathen culture around them.

“Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son. For they will turn away they thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly. But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire” (Deuteronomy 7:3-5).

That’s very straightforward. If a believer is yoked to an unbeliever, strife can follow. This was true for Israel and it’s true for Christians. If a son or daughter decides to marry someone who rejects Christ, then they go against God’s will. The non-believing spouse is seldom happy when the Christian determines to attend worship services or give money. The children have no commitment from both parents to honor God, so the unbelieving parent is a very poor example to the children.

There are two influences in this world: God Almighty and Satan.

“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24).

If you don’t love and serve God, then you serve Satan. If you’re married and then accept Christ as your Saviour, remember that marriage is sacred to God. Don’t compromise your faith but do everything you can to bring your spouse to Christ. No matter what situation you find yourself in, honor Christ.

The Christians in Corinth had not separated themselves from the world. Sin was welcomed into their congregation, which is very much like many congregations today.

“I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world” (1 Corinthians 5:9-10).

We live in a fallen world, but we aren’t to live like the fallen world. We work with people who don’t know Christ; we shop in stores along with the unsaved and may even attend social gatherings with them. Even though we’re in the world with non-believers we must remember that we serve Jesus. You may be laughed at because of your resistance to sin, but that is Satan laughing, not people. People aren’t the enemy, but the god they serve is.

Make no mistake: If a person doesn’t serve Christ they serve Satan no matter how sweet and kindhearted they are. It may be necessary to be around the unsaved but we aren’t to participate in their lifestyles. Dress modestly, don’t use foul language, and keep Christ first in the choices you make.

What if the person who embraces sin claims to be a Christian?

“But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one, no not to eat” (1 Corinthians 5:11).

People who claim to be Christian but have chosen to live in such a way that they honor Satan have committed treason in this spiritual battle, and we aren’t to keep company with them.

“For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? Do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person” (1 Corinthians 5:12-13).

So much for not judging.

The unsaved have no standards to guide moral conduct, but Christians have God’s word. We aren’t to judge in order to condemn, but we are to judge with righteous judgment when discerning sin.

“Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24).

God is clear about what is sin. The worldly people who follow Satan need to be witnessed to, but don’t join yourselves to them in partnerships. We also need to be sure when pointing fingers at others that there isn’t sin in our own life that needs to be dealt with. Be sure you aren’t keeping company with the enemy.

Jesus is our example and He did spend time with sinners. He is God and is perfect but chose to become human in order to bring the gift of salvation to lost sinners. He spent time with tax collectors, Pharisees, prostitutes, and others who needed to find salvation through Him. If we follow His example and spend time with homosexuals, drug addicts, fornicators, and others who practice sin, are we fraternizing with the enemy? That depends on your motive for associating with them. Are you witnessing to them or are you yoking yourself to them in friendship?

Only Jesus, our High Priest, was perfect and would never yield to temptation.

“For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself” (Hebrews 7:26-27).

If you’re spending time with non-believers who are living happily in their sin, then you need to be sharing the Gospel with them. If you yoke yourself to them, you just may end up accepting their sin and may even participate in it. Fraternizing with the enemy can only bring grief. Satan is the enemy, and those who reject Christ serve the enemy.

Pride can cause a person to think they won’t be influenced by the sin of others.

“Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us” (1 Corinthians 5:6-7).

It’s easy to be deceived. Sin (leaven) can overtake anyone who hasn’t put on the full armor of God. The helmet of salvation should guard your thoughts from enemy attack.

Everyday activities can numb a person to sin. Television is a terrible influence. Do you watch soap operas? MTV? Cartoons? Do any of these shows you allow into your brain glorify God? Make the choice to remove sinful influences from your life and don’t give Satan a chance to draw you into his schemes. Before you accepted Christ you embraced sin, but that should have changed.

“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

Everyone has sinned but Christians are forgiven. Don’t go back into the sin that once had a hold on you. Don’t spend time in the enemy’s camp, but stay close to Jesus.

We have freedom in Christ, but that freedom doesn’t include the freedom to indulge our flesh. If a Christian soldier is walking close to our Commander in Chief, there won’t be any fraternizing with the enemy. Witnessing to the lost is good, but accepting their lifestyle is fraternizing with the enemy. Always follow Jesus.

“Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof” (Romans 13:13-14).

Brothers and sisters, the enemy is becoming bolder. If Christians choose to lower their defenses and embrace the enemy’s tactics, this battle will be tough to fight. Choose to follow Christ in everything you do. Stand strong.

To succeed in spiritual warfare, fellowship with Christ and don’t fraternize with the enemy.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

www.straitandnarrowministry.com

ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

Ron and Nathele Graham’s previous commentaries archived at https://www.raptureready.com/featured/graham/graham.html

All original scripture is “theopneustos” God breathed. 

If you’d like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries just drop me an email and let me know.