Living Saviour….Dead Faith :: By Nathele Graham

Published on: October 22, 2017 by RR7

Jesus Christ is God. He has always existed. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1. It can be difficult to wrap our human minds around this fact, but there is no doubt about what John is telling us. We live within time restraints so we can only look back into history, be aware of our present, and look forward into the future. God has no such restriction. He knew that Adam would sin and that the only cure for the death that resulted from that sin was for God Himself to enter creation as a human and become our once for all sacrifice. “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” John 1:14.

There are many false gods that people worship but they’re all dead (i.e. Buddha) or are demons (i.e. Allah). Jesus was crucified and His blood was shed for the remission of sins, but He rose from the grave. “And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them saying, Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” Matthew 26:27-28. Jesus said these words at the last meal He ate with His disciples, soon after which He was crucified. He would have just been another man who claimed to be a god except He was God and three days after His crucifixion His tomb was empty. It had been sealed and a Roman guard was there to be sure no foul play took place. After the Resurrection Jesus appeared to many people and when He entered a closed room where Thomas saw Him, Thomas was overwhelmed. “And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.” John 20:28. Yes, Jesus is alive and He is our Lord and our God.

The New Testament gives many accounts of Jesus being seen after His Resurrection. For instance, two disciples travelling to Emmaus had a long talk with Him and He gave them an Old Testament study about how it all points to Him. He entered a locked room where His disciples were and a week later re-entered that same room to dispel any doubts that Thomas had. Jesus needed to be sure that the men He had chosen understood what they were to do so He continued to teach them “Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: to whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” Acts1:2-3. There’s no doubt that Jesus conquered death and lives. His last words to His disciples before He ascended into Heaven was to spread the Gospel. “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be damned. ” Mark 16:15-16. Baptism won’t save, but it is a work of obedience. Only unbelief will condemn a person. We must share the Gospel.

Our Saviour is alive and has purchased our salvation at a great cost to Himself so we need to serve Him well. Salvation is a free gift, but it comes with responsibility. Because Jesus did so much for us we need to show our gratitude by doing good works. Jesus directed us to share the Gospel with the world, and those first Christians did a great work as they went out and witnessed to others. The persecution in Jerusalem forced them to flee, but that helped to spread the Gospel to many places that wouldn’t have been so easily reached. “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city..” Acts 8:5-8.

We shouldn’t be surprised that people respond when the Gospel is preached. Today we hear of so many “missionaries” who go into the “mission field” but preaching the Gospel is somewhat of an afterthought. I once knew a man who was a missionary to India. He told stories of how dangerous it was there for a Christian. Then he began telling what his “mission” truly was. Instead of preaching the Living Saviour to people who needed to hear it, he was converting those who had already accepted Christ to his particular denomination. He had dead faith. Many others will try to blend in with the culture and timidly bring up Christ if an opportunity opens up. Philip “preached Christ unto them“, and that’s what missionaries should do. He preached the living Saviour and got results. Make no mistake, the Gospel is to be preached to the lost even if they’re in your own neighborhood.

Persecution against Christians was great, but they wouldn’t be silenced. Multitudes of people came to faith through the preaching of the Gospel and their love for each other was evident in their works. “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things in common.” Acts 4:32.

These people cared for each other. They helped each other when there was a need, which was a great witness to unbelievers. Instead of telling fellow Christians to depend upon the government or outside resources for help, Christians took care of Christians. No wonder there’s so much dead faith today…Christians don’t care for each other as demonstrated to us in the Bible. The early Christians preached the Gospel to unbelievers but directed their works towards fellow Christians. “Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.” Acts 4:34-35. Don’t misunderstand, it isn’t wrong to do good towards unbelievers, but we seem to forget that it’s the Gospel we’re directed to give them…introduce them to the Living Saviour.

Many Christians today get confused when it comes to faith and works. We have faith that Jesus is alive and works should follow our faith. “And these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Mark 16:17-18.

These are the works that should follow faith. The first Christians took Jesus seriously and shared the Gospel with everyone. As they stepped out in faith they were honest and straight forward. Their mission was to share the Gospel with the lost and Jesus said signs should follow. They didn’t hide behind works to share the Gospel but were upfront. They didn’t build houses or give gifts hoping for an opportunity to mention Jesus, but they immediately spoke of the Gospel. The Living Christ was preached and people responded.

Many people today don’t rely on the Holy Spirit. “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Acts 2:4. That power of the Holy Spirit is lacking today, not because it isn’t available but most Christians don’t care. Instead of serving the living Lord daily, we settle for dead faith. We sit in a pew for an hour on Sunday and call it good. Life wasn’t easy for those first believers. They were rejected by their families, their jobs were jeopardized, and speaking about Jesus was forbidden. That sounds a lot like today. A young man named Stephen was one of those early believers. “And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.” Acts 6:8.

That same faith and power should fill us today. We’re too easily discouraged and distracted by the world. Stephen didn’t allow opposition to stop him, even when he was stoned to death for speaking of Jesus. Stephen’s faith was alive and his love for Jesus was heard by the Jewish leaders who accused him of blasphemy. “When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. But he being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing of the right hand of God, and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.” Acts 7:54-56

. He saw the living Saviour! The eyes of the others around him were blind to the sight, but that didn’t stop Stephen from speaking truth. Neither should we be intimidated by the blindness of those around us. Our faith in our Living Saviour should never be stifled by the attitudes of others. Someone just might respond to our faith and accept Christ for salvation. In fact Saul, the man who would later be known as Paul, was holding the cloaks of those throwing the stones at Stephen. He witnessed Stephen’s faith.

The Apostle Paul is a great example of how the Gospel should be spread. Once he met Jesus Christ he was impelled to spread the Gospel. He made many missionary trips and introduced innumerable people to Christ. Paul didn’t hide the Gospel behind “good works” toward the lost but went directly into synagogues and met in pagan surroundings to share his faith. Some Christians supported his mission journeys by giving directly to him, but when he asked for money to be collected it was to aid fellow Christians. “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye…And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.” 1 Corinthians 16:1 & 3. Collecting money to directly help needy Christians (saints) with no middleman is the example we should follow. Paul didn’t collect money to give gifts to non-believers but preached the Gospel to the lost and did what he could to help fellow Christians. Today our widows, orphans, elderly, and brethren in need are expected to depend upon “Big Brother” for help. Government assistance has replaced Christians helping Christians so it’s no wonder faith is dead. We put other gods before our Living Saviour and where our treasure is our heart follows.

When a person accepts Christ a change should happen. Paul said “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20. If you don’t recognize that Christ lives in you then how can your faith thrive? You won’t accomplish anything for Christ and your joy in the Lord won’t exist. That’s exactly what Satan wants, dead faith evidenced by angry, sad, and depressed Christians who act like the world rather than a child of God. A person who has truly accepted Christ for salvation can’t lose that salvation by anything they do or don’t do. On the other hand, if your faith is dead then you’re working for the enemy. If you’re not living for Christ then you’re living for the world and mocking Jesus. “But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” James 2:20.

James wrote about faith and works and we need to pay attention. Doing good should be a result of our faith. Works won’t save us, but we serve Christ by aiding fellow Christians and sharing the Gospel with the lost. “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart n peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?” James 2:14-16. James is speaking about how we treat “brethren”. We have a family commitment to aid our brothers and sisters in Christ. “Even so faith, if it hath not works is dead, being alone.” James 2:17.

Oddly enough, most Christians neglect our obligation to fellow Christians and forget we are to care for each other. There are plenty of Christians in your town who could use some help. I’ve recently been in need and been shown tremendous generosity from some fellow Christians. I may never be able to repay their kindness to me, but I can certainly pass on blessings to fellow Christians. Jesus is alive and lives in each of us but dead faith helps no one.

Salvation is a gift of God but it comes with responsibility. Brothers and sisters, let’s spread the Gospel to the lost and take care of the brethren.

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.

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Don’t Surrender to the Enemy :: By Nathele Graham

Published on: October 14, 2017 by RR7

War has been declared. I’m not talking about a conflict between one nation and another, or even civil unrest within a nation. I’m talking about the war that Satan has declared against God. This spiritual war has been raging for thousands of years and will soon reach a climax. The first recorded act of this war occurred in the Garden of Eden. Eve knew that God said not to eat the forbidden fruit, but Satan lied, Eve listened, and she was deceived. “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:4-5. The weapons used by Satan were lies, doubt, and deceit. Satanic lies caused Eve to doubt God’s truth and that’s when the battle lines were drawn. Eve believed Satan above God, Adam chose to join her in defiance of God, and the rest is history. Satan still uses lies to befuddle us, but Christians have no reason to be deceived. It should be easy for us not to be drawn in by Satanic lies because we have Scripture to arm us and the Holy Spirit to guide us. So why are there so many problems all around? Instead of following our Commander in Chief (God) we surrender to Satan.

Satan lies today just as he lied to Eve. He has infiltrated our congregations and convinced many pastors to water down their teachings in order to not offend anyone. Why? Sin is a part of our human nature, but only through the blood of Jesus Christ can our sins be forgiven. If a person sitting in a pew embraces sin and rejects Jesus, they’re as lost as a person who never has stepped into a congregation. God’s truth, from Genesis through Revelation, must be preached from the pulpits and taught in Sunday school. “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel, For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:14-17. Jesus entrusted the Gospel to Christians and it isn’t to be compromised, doubted, or watered down. Teach the Gospel. Don’t dilute it or add sugar to make it easier to swallow. Preacher, if you do then you’ve surrendered to the enemy and are taking your congregation with you. “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” 2 Corinthians 4:3-4. If the “god of this world” is put ahead of God Almighty then there’s a problem. In America there are tax advantages for watering down God’s word, so it’s useful to deny God’s truth rather than pay a tax penalty. That’s putting a false god ahead of the true God. If you’re more worried about being politically correct than standing firm on Biblical truth then you’ve surrendered to the enemy. How can you tell if you aren’t being taught God’s truth from the pulpit or in Sunday school? First of all you need to arm yourself with God’s word. You won’t be deceived if you know the truth. Don’t expect your pastor to arm you, and most Sunday school material won’t fit you for a thumb-war, let alone a full out spiritual battle. Study God’s word for yourself.

We see the results of Christian surrender all around. Drug addiction is at an all time high. I’m not just talking about the drugs you can buy in a dark alley. Prescription drugs are as destructive and addicting as any illegal kind. Could that be why God tells us to stay away from drugs? “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21. Look up each word in this list and be sure you aren’t harboring any of these works of the flesh, but I will pull out “witchcraft”. The Greek word is “pharmakeia” which is the use or administering of drugs, poisoning, sorcery, and magical arts. Mind altering drugs should never be a part of a Christians life. How many children do you know who are on drugs because the supposedly have ADHD? How many people do you know who take drugs for depression? Instead of standing on God’s word, Christians have surrendered to the enemy and turn to mind-altering drugs which can open the way for demonic entry. I challenge you to do an internet search for mass murderers who take prescription drugs and you’ll be surprised, if not outraged. Instead of firm discipline based on God’s word, we allow schools, psychiatrists (another way Christians surrender to the enemy), and doctors to tell you how to dumb-down your child. “Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.” Proverbs 23:13-14. Don’t misunderstand this Scripture. God is not giving a license to abuse children, but is giving direction to discipline children and spank if necessary. The alternative is to give your child drugs. Don’t surrender to Satan or battle by battle the war will get deadlier.

When we step away even slightly from God’s word we open the way for troubles from Satan. Eve shouldn’t have talked to the serpent (Satan), but she did. Instead of standing upon what God said she tried to go over and above what His rules were. God said don’t eat the forbidden fruit. “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Genesis 2:17. God said don’t eat it…don’t take it into you and make it a part of you. Eve got it wrong; she tried to outdo God. “But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.” Genesis 3:3. God didn’t say don’t touch it, He just said don’t eat it. We need to be aware of sin and know what it is, but not make it a part of our life. Today there are many people who do make sin a part of themselves…even Christians. In the verses above from Galatians we’re warned against adultery and fornication, but how many people sitting in a congregation have made these sins a part of their life? We know what those sins are but instead of turning away from them many professing Christians have surrendered to the enemy by making them part of life…acceptable to the god of this world but unacceptable to God Almighty. Where are the preachers who speak out against sin? They are silent so as not to step on toes. No wonder it seems as if Satan is winning the battle. Christians aren’t armed for battle.

Many Christians have no idea what God’s word teaches because they choose not to study it. Why is it that Christians are willing to participate in sin-filled “entertainment” but refuse to pick up the Bible. Could it be that they want to keep partaking of the forbidden fruit? How can you call yourself a Christian if you don’t love Jesus and His ways? How can you know His ways if you don’t study His word and apply it to your life? “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. We have a huge blessing today because we have easy access to the Old and New Testaments. When Paul wrote these words to Timothy only the Old Testament was available and few people had access to it. Read and learn from all of Scripture by asking the Holy Spirit to guide your study. God’s word is perfect in the original languages and translations help us to read it in our own language, but there have been many influences by Satan at the hands of men who have misconstrued what God says. Today the politically correct/Biblically incorrect crowd are attempting to corrupt God’s truth. There are people who are attempting to change God’s word to be gender-neutral and accepting of homosexuality. Corrupting God’s word doesn’t change God’s rules but helps people to surrender to Satanic ploys which twist God’s truth.

Our attitude and way of life need to conform to God Almighty, not the other way around. Conforming to the world around us is surrendering to Satan. Jesus is our example, and though we fall short of His perfection we need to consciously sacrifice our own lusts and sin. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2. A soldier training in boot camp is transformed from a common citizen to a fighting soldier fit for combat. The drill sergeant makes sure each soldier is schooled in weaponry and that he knows how to fight. The training of Christian soldiers is no less important. Our training is often neglected and our weapons are rusted and dull. Instead of being battle ready we blend in with the enemy and surrender rather than cause waves. Shame on us.

Jesus never said it would be easy. His last talk with His disciples before He was arrested was one of love, warning, and revelation. Their faith in Him was about to be tested and they needed to be equipped for battle. These faithful men would soon face their fears and have to choose whether to follow Christ or flee. “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. The words Jesus spoke to the disciples are true for us today. Things don’t get easy once we accept Christ, but He has defeated the god of this world. We may face tribulation in this world because Satan still spreads his lies, but Jesus Christ has given us the weapons of spiritual warfare. If we aren’t committed in our walk with Him then we’ve surrendered to the enemy. Very soon there will be tribulation that is unfathomable. Satan will make an attack against humanity as never seen before. If you’ve surrendered to the enemy then chances are you never truly accepted Christ for salvation and will be a part of Daniel’s 70th week. If you continue to embrace the god of this world and reject Christ you won’t escape the wrath of God. Satan’s lies continue. Study your Bible so that you won’t be deceived. Only faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ will save you from the wrath that will come upon the earth. If you claim to have accepted Him, then follow His ways.

Arm yourself with the weapons of the spiritual war and fight. Don’t surrender to the enemy.