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“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore, it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works (II Cor. 11:13-15).
In these Passages, Paul warns of false leaders. It may be gathered from the statements given by the Apostle that these false apostles were Hebrews (11:22); that they were of commanding presence and gifted with eloquence (10:10); that they were highly cultivated (10:5); that they had attractive personalities, for they had a large following, it seems, in the Church (11:18); and that they announced an “ethical gospel” (11:15).
As stated, these men preached Christ as the Messiah, but the Cross had no meaning to them. So the gospel they preached was not a true Gospel, and would not affect any type of true Biblical results.
I might hurriedly ask the question, “If that yardstick is applied presently, the yardstick of the Cross, where does that leave the modern Church?”
If Christian Television serves as any type of barometer, most Preachers presently fall into the category of these “false apostles,” as described by Paul.
Satan doesn’t try to deny the Gospel, for, in fact, he can’t! Therefore, he seeks to corrupt it and does so by presenting something else, and it doesn’t really matter too much what the “something else” is. In the corrupting of the Gospel, what he presents sounds so right that the Holy Spirit through Paul referred to Satan as an “angel of light.” That means that what he presents looks genuine, sounds genuine, and, of course, is claimed to be genuine.
But always remember the following:
The yardstick always is “The Cross of Christ.” That, and that alone is the measuring line. If Preachers aren’t preaching the Cross regarding Salvation and Sanctification, which refers to the Scriptural fact that the Cross is to be the foundation of all things, then whatever it is they are preaching is not the Gospel. According to II Corinthians 11:15, this means that such Preachers are “Satan’s ministers.”
Paul is actually saying that every single Believer must investigate thoroughly what is being preached by the Preacher they are following!“
—Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”) Donnie Swaggart
The Christian’s function in the body of Christ is not decided by the individual Christian. The Christian’s purpose in the body of Christ is not decided by a committee of men or women. It is not decided by mom or dad who desires their child to be in ministry or to play an active role in the local church. We have far too many people trying to minister in a capacity that God never called them to. Not everyone is going to have a pulpit ministry! Not everyone is going to have a music ministry! Just wanting to do a certain work in your local church or even seeing a legitimate need does not qualify a person for a specific task. When we take on a job that is not ordained for us by the Head of the Church (Christ), we hurt the Church by trying to do something we are not called to do. We also fail to operate in the responsibility that God has chosen specifically for us. Let the Lord lead you into your function. Do not be in a hurry to do something. Be in a hurry to become something. Then and only then will you be ready to handle the function that God has chosen specifically for you!
1 Chronicles 15:2 - Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the LORD chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto him for ever.
Proverbs 27:14
He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.
This portion of God’s wisdom refers to the fact that some “Right things” can be done at the “Wrong time.” More than likely when someone comes around being loud early in the morning when others aren’t even awake good yet, is for some purpose that is not of the Lord.
Those who have to listen to this sort of thing will count this action accursed on their part. God’s Word says there is a time and a season for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:17). We are to share the gospel of Jesus Christ in every opportunity available, and to praise God at all times, but the Lord will give us the wisdom for all of the times of opportunity. And, in this verse we see it is not the blessing his friend in the morning, but the blessing of his friend “With a loud voice”, and this is very important. If we maintain our faith in the work of Christ on the cross, we will be found walking humbly, obediently and concerned for others more than ourselves. The cross puts others first!
Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!
“And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the Revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And He said unto me, My Grace is sufficient for you: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me (II Cor. 12:7-9).
Most Preachers boast of their strength, but Paul boasted of his weakness.
Paul recognized himself as an earthen vessel; as such, he also realized that nothing could amend the carnal nature, not even the great revelations and visions which had been given to him by the Lord. So, to save him from failure and even falling, he was impaled upon a stake, so to speak.
Whatever that thorn in the flesh was, the Holy Spirit did not see fit to reveal that to us, but what is necessary to learn from this experience is the moral purpose of that thorn in saving the Apostle from destruction. To have all the revelations and visions which Paul had, being given, in effect, the meaning of the New Covenant, actually being appointed by the Lord as the Masterbuilder of the Church, all can minister unto pride, if one is not very careful. Such can easily be a subject of carnal boasting.
We must come, therefore, to the conclusion that whatever the thorn in the flesh was, the Lord knew that Paul needed such, and if Paul needed such, what about us? It must be remembered that this “thorn in the flesh” was given by God, but yet was a “messenger of Satan” sent to buffet Paul, and to do so continually.
“Prevention” and “humiliation” are both Divine instruments. Paul was saved from failing, and possibly even from falling, by prevention; Peter was permitted to fail, thereby, greatly humiliated. There was, however, no difference between Paul and Peter; they were both indwelt, as all Believers are, by a corrupt nature incapable of amendment, at least by human instrumentation.
This is one of the most bitter and humbling lessons for the human heart. It is painful but necessary for the Believer to have an experiential sense of the principle of evil which indwells him, and we speak of the Sin Nature. But a greater power also inhabits the temple of the Believer’s heart and body, and its victorious warfare is a profitable exercise for the heart.
If the Apostle Paul needed so humbling and painful an experience of what the carnal nature is, it is evident that all Christians need it; and it is plain that whatever weakens, belittles, and humiliates that proud and willful nature should be regarded by the Believer as most worthful.
The distinction between the “sinless nature” of Christ and the “sinful nature” of Paul, in fact, of all Believers, is seen in that Christ needed no stake in His Flesh on descending from the Mount of Transfiguration. Facing Satan at the foot of the Mount, He was the same Person Who shone in the Glory of God on the top of the Mount. The scenes were different, but He was alike Perfect in both. All was Perfection and Evenness in Him — symbolized in the Old Testament by the fine flour of the Meal Offering.
What is the moral of all of this?
The Grace of God was “sufficient,” irrespective of the “thorn.” Every time that Paul received a buffet, there was a sufficiency of Grace immediately given to meet the blow — not a moment too soon, not a moment too late, not too little, and not too much.
The lesson of all of this is that the higher the Christian experience, the sharper must be the “thorn,” and for all the obvious reasons.“
—Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”) Donnie Swaggart
Every single believer needs to discipline themselves to participate in a personal prayer life. This is not a time of corporate prayer. It is not maintaining a sensitivity to the ever-present reality of God living in us. I speak of a personal time of private prayer. This is where a believer makes his petitions and requests known unto the Lord. It includes praises from a grateful heart. Prayer does not always produce instant answers. But I pray reassured, through the authority of God’s Word, that every time I call on my Heavenly Father, He hears me and it moves Him to action. Mine is not the wisdom of the Father and at times I grow impatient as I continue to seek him in regard to situations, needs, or even hopes. But everywhere I look in scripture I am encouraged to knock and keep on knocking. I'm exhorted to seek and keep on seeking. I am told to ask and keep on asking. For even though it may take some time, and even though things may not resolve or work out the way I perceived they should, there is one thing I am assured of. My Father will answer me and His answer will fit my need!
Luke 11:8 - I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
Proverbs 27:15
A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.
Just like a continual dripping of the rain over and over again, so is a contentious woman alike, as they both are very distracting and worrisome. Remember where there is envy and strife, there is confusion AND EVERY evil work (James 3:16). The only answer for envy and strife is faith in Christ and His atoning work at Calvary (Galatians 2:20, 1 John 5:4), for there He overcame all envy and strive, confusion and every evil work.
When we try to go around the cross of Christ for anything from the Lord, it is only through a deceptive heart, and we will never receive that which we seek, but the distractions will only become worse and worse. We end up saying to ourselves, “How did I, or how did we get in this mess?” If you will turn to Christ today and believe that what He provided through the cross was enough for you, for this is what it means that His grace is sufficient, you will be free and have the peace of Christ!
Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!
“Examine yourselves, whether you be in the Faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except you be reprobates? (II Cor. 13:5).
Self-examination, according to the measuring rod of the Cross, is here demanded. “The Faith” is the Cross, i.e., “Jesus Christ and Him Crucified.”
If the Holy Spirit had the Apostle Paul to place this in the Word of God, that we should examine ourselves, then we should realize just how important all of this is.
What is actually at stake?
The single most important thing in the world is at stake, your eternal soul. There is nothing more important than that! That’s why the Holy Spirit also had Peter to say, “Wherefore the rather, Brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if you do these things, you shall never fall” (II Pet. 1:10).
“Deception” is one of Satan’s greatest weapons. It was the weapon with which he caused Eve to fall, and, thereby, Adam also, which doomed the entire human race. Inasmuch as deception was the primary weapon of Satan’s effort, this means that the human race is plagued with deception, meaning that it is so easy for human beings to be deceived — even Believers!
When Paul uses the term “the Faith,” he is not speaking of faith in general, but rather the very embodiment of Christianity, which is referred to as “The Faith.” It answers to the statement of “Jesus Christ and Him Crucified.” As stated, this means that the Cross of Christ is the yardstick, the measuring rod, the plumb line. Everything is to be measured by that yardstick, and by that alone, which, in effect, is the Word of God (Jn. 1:1, 14, 29; I Cor. 1:1718, 23; Gal. 6:14).
This is the alarming thing about the modern gospel, which is not the Gospel of the Cross of Christ, but something else altogether, and is accepted by millions. As an example, look at the Purpose Driven Life scheme. At the time of this writing, the book, “The Purpose Driven Life,” has sold over 30 million copies. It is being adopted by virtually every Church Denomination, and even by the business world. This widespread acceptance should be a warning sign. To be sure, and as is obvious, the Cross of Christ doesn’t have that type of appeal. In fact, the Cross of Christ has little appeal at all!
There is no “Cross” in the Purpose Driven Life doctrine, and, for that reason alone, it is basely wrong! To be sure, the Cross of Christ, which is “The Faith,” is not attractive at all to the world, and, regrettably, not attractive at all to the Church. But it happens to be “The Way,” in fact, the only way!
So, whenever Satan’s wares are looked at closely, even though he may put a different face on his efforts from time to time, still, when the face is pulled off, it is the same old spirit of deception — a “Cross-less” Christ, a “Cross-less” gospel!
Every Believer had better do exactly what the Apostle said, “Examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith.” Apply the measuring rod of the Cross to your belief system. If it doesn’t measure up, abandon that which you have previously accepted. Then deny all of these false ways (deny yourselves) and take up the Cross daily, and follow Christ (Lk. 9:23).“
—Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”) Donnie Swaggart
“I marvel that you are so soon removed from Him Who called you into the Grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some who trouble you, and would pervert the Gospel of Christ (Gal. 1:6-7).
God, in His Love, has given man the Gospel and suited it to his needs. Satan, in opposition, degrades it to the level of man’s corrupt nature and proud will, and fashions it into a religion that suits man, as man, in the flesh.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ condemns man, as man, to death, and so puts an end to him and all his religion, and it reveals a “new man” born of the spirit and not of nature. The impotency of man to serve, please, and obey God was made manifest under the Law. Satan’s aim during the present day of Grace is to unite the religion of the flesh with that of the Spirit; and the impossibility and wickedness of that union are plainly set out in the Epistle to the Galatians.
Christ gave Himself up as a Sin Offering in order to take His People out of the world (Gal. 1:4). In His Cross, man, his religion, and the world are judged. Every effort of man, therefore, as a man and by natural birth, to make himself religiously acceptable to God is rebellion, which is the greatest sin of man. In fact, that effort is no more than the energy of the “evil world,” out of which Christ redeems.
Paul was the founder of the Churches in Galatia; however, after he left, called by the Lord to other fields of endeavor, certain false teachers had interjected themselves into these Churches to attack both the Doctrine and the person of the Apostle, and did so by introducing a gospel of “works.”
In the writing of this Epistle to the Galatians, the Apostle Paul offered no commendation at the opening of this Epistle, as he did others, but at once an abrupt exclamation of amazement. How could these converts to the Lord, in fact, Paul’s converts, so quickly turn to a perverted gospel? As we have stated, it is not Satan’s aim to deny the Gospel, for that he cannot do, so he tries to corrupt it.
Anything other than the Message of the Cross, pure and simple, is “another gospel,” which, in fact, is “not another,” at least that will help anyone. Anything other than the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him Crucified is a “perversion of the Gospel of Christ.” And, to be certain, a “perverted gospel” will not save, will not heal, will not deliver, and will not bring about any positive results whatsoever. In truth, it will push the person deeper into bondage and deception. There is no deliverance in a perverted gospel; there is no power in a perverted gospel; there is no Salvation in a perverted gospel! The only thing there is in a perverted gospel is “trouble,” hence, the Apostle saying, “there be some who trouble you.” To be sure, it’s “trouble” with a capital “T.”
It is my belief that the Church presently is in worse spiritual condition than at any time since the Reformation. To be sure, it is richer than ever, and with greater numbers of people; however, Jesus said, “And knowest not, that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” (Rev. 3:17).
Any gospel, so-called, which doesn’t have the Cross of Christ as its foundation, and its only foundation, is, pure and simple, a “perverted gospel.” And the world is rife with such presently!
At approximately the turn of the Twentieth Century, the great “latter rain” outpouring of the Holy Spirit began. The “former rain” took place during the time of the Early Church, as recorded in the Book of Acts. Both were prophesied by Joel (Joel 2:23). Most, if not all, of the mainline Denominations rejected this latter rain outpouring. As a result, some of them attempted to preach the Cross without the Holy Spirit, which presented a “perverted gospel,” which the Lord could never accept. As a result, they are no longer preaching the Cross or the Holy Spirit.
The Full Gospel Churches, which were born out of this great latter rain outpouring, tried to preach the Holy Spirit without the Cross. As the former would not suffice, neither would the latter. Now, most Full Gospel Churches, so-called, are not preaching either. The Message of the Cross of Christ and the Holy Spirit are so intertwined that it is impossible to separate the two (Rev. 5:6; Jn. 7:37-39).
Tragically, all of this means that what is being presently presented, with some few exceptions, is little more than a “perverted gospel.” Jesus predicted this by saying, “Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, shall He find faith on the Earth?” (Lk. 18:8). In the original Greek Text, this reads, “Shall He find The Faith upon the Earth?” He is speaking of the same Faith which the Apostle Paul addressed in II Corinthians 13:5. It pertains solely to the Message of the Cross.
The question must be asked:
Are you in “The Faith,” or have you accepted “another gospel”?“
—Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”) Donnie Swaggart
Doubt and fear are twins birthed by unbelief. The Christian is called upon to live by faith. We are brought into the kingdom of God by faith and we are to exist and find abundant life by exhibiting faith in God's willingness to provide for us on a daily basis. We have to believe that God is ready, able and willing to meet every need that we encounter. Jesus died on Calvary so that an entranceway into an inheritance from God could be established for us. Jesus told His disciples that after He departed from this world that all they need do was ask in His name and the Heavenly Father would equip them with supernatural supply. The Christian has to rise above both doubt and fear and walk by faith in what God promised He has prepared for us. We must never doubt that God has our best in mind. We must never doubt that we are not qualified to receive these blessings by faith. Ultimately, we are qualified for His provision because of what Christ did for us at Calvary. When we truly believe that Christ has already paid for everything we may ever need, doubt and fear fade away, neutralized in the fires of faith.
John 14:14 - If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
Proverbs 27:16
Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, which bewrayeth itself.
Speaking of the contentious woman in the previous verse, the Lord here reveals that trying to put her away is as an attempt to hide the wind or to hold oil in the hand. There are many contentious women and may the Lord have mercy on anyone who find themselves entangled with one of them. With much prayer and simple childlike faith in the cross of Jesus Christ one will find the peace and deliverance of God for these situations.
The Lord took ALL contention, and crucified it to His cross (Colossians 2:14-16), and there, anyone can find forgiveness and deliverance from that bondage, or from that woman who is bound herself by that contentious spirit. Where there is contention, it is due to pride in the heart (Proverbs 13:10), therefore God will always be found resisting pride (1 Peter 5:5), so we know His help comes when we deny ourselves and accept His Son’s sacrifice for FORGIVENESS AND DELIVERANCE.
Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!
The only way to the top is by staying at the bottom! This is just another way of saying that humility which comes from the heart will open more doors than pride and arrogance. A person does better to bow before God in prayer rather than being forceful and demanding. The believer must come to recognize that God resists the proud. “Resist” is a military term that describes the activity of God setting up a military campaign against those who are operating in pride and self-reliance. There's no way for man to rise above and beyond the forces that God positions to stop men, as a result of their pride. It is better for us to take the low road. Relying and resting upon God requires humility. Man would oftentimes prefer to trust himself and take charge of the situation. But God asks us to surrender our will, our powers, our reliance upon our own skill, and anything else we may lean on. Humility runs low like a river. That river may not appear to be a formidable force, but just stand in the middle of that stream and see how easy it is to stop the current from flowing. The best way up is by bowing down. Advancement is from Lord!
James 4:10 - Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
Proverbs 27:17
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
Just as iron sharpens iron when struck together, so is a man able to sharpen the countenance of his friends. All men have an influence on other men, but those who are Spirit filled and refuse to move their faith from the cross of Jesus Christ will have the biggest sharpening effect on those they come in contact with (2 Corinthians 2:14-16).
The Christian family should be learning to grow in the knowledge and the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ at the cost of all things. Our lives are to be spent on our Savior, expressing our Savior, and this is seen as the fruit of Christ in the integrity which we live through faith in Him. May we be found in the company of others whose words are words of grace seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6) making us sharper, and more alert. We can learn from our own mistakes, and we can also learn from each other’s mistakes, and in both situations we will need the iron sharpening work of the Holy Spirit, therefore allow Him to use you today as you look to the cross!
Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!
The prophet Hosea made the statement, and rightly so, my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. It is vital to us as people of God that we not only read the word, but that we understand it, and rightly divide the word of truth! It was Brother Norman Geisler who said that the key to understanding and interpreting the scriptures is to understand that the scriptures are Christ-Centered, so, if we want to understand the word of God we must understand the person and work of Christ.
Far too often we approach the word of God and boast of how much we read the scriptures, however while reading the word is vital, it’s our understanding of the word and application of it to our lives that is even more important to us as believers. The scriptures tell us over and over again how important it is that we know and understand the scriptures, and how we should read it and as well study it. It is my belief that we should spend time daily reading the word, and through our reading and searching for truth, the Holy Spirit will illuminate our hearts and minds and give us revelation of the truth that is held within the text. Paul would say that we must study to show ourselves approved unto God....rightly dividing the word of truth. He would also tell us that all Scripture is Given by inspiration, and that the scriptures are profitable for all of us and for our Christian journeys.
So, in all of our getting, let’s get understanding, and as well, the reason for so much false doctrine in the church, is that the word of God is not being rightly divided! My prayer is that God’s people will see the importance of God’s word, and that we allow it to lead our lives and to be the final authority on all subjects!
Proverbs 4:7
"Wisdom is the principal thing? Therefore get wisdom, and with all thy getting, get understanding"
Every born-again believer has the Holy Spirit resident within their very being. At conversion, the believing sinner is granted the positional status of justification. This is a declaration of God spoken over the heart and life of everyone that has chosen to depend upon Christ as their Savior. Having expressed faith in God's Son, God declares the believing sinner as righteous. Based upon this declaration of justification the believer is qualified for and instantly becomes the temple of the Holy Spirit. As soon as the Holy Spirit enters the new creation man, He begins the process of change. There is no destructive habit that He cannot overwhelm, overcome, or overthrow. There is no besetting sin or lingering vine of the fall that He cannot remove. He only asks that the believer keep their faith in Christ and His sacrifice on Calvary. Though growth is never as quick as we desire, there is no stopping the power of the Holy Spirit in cleaning this temple. Therefore, whatever is standing in your way or preventing or even slowing down the believer’s new desire for holiness, is sure to be eliminated by the power of the Spirit. Be encouraged! Your victory is promised and assured!
1 Corinthians 3:16 - Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
Proverbs 27:18
Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.
A picture of sowing and reaping is presented here, as whoever tends to the fig tree will eat of its fruit. God cannot be manipulated, nor can He be mocked, and has set before humanity the law of sowing and reaping. Whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap (Galatians 6:7-8), but the two areas of sowing mentioned are to the flesh or to the spirit.
When man places his faith in Christ and His atoning work on the cross, he is sowing to the Spirit and will therefore reap of the Spirit of Life. The other alternative is only to trust in something else, which is to sow to the flesh and to reap to ourselves corruption. When we wait, which is to serve, our Master the Lord Jesus Christ, we will experience the honor we are looking for, but when we attempt to honor ourselves by being self serving, we will experience the corruption of the flesh. Trust in Christ today from your heart, for He can be trusted in every situation! He proved it to you at the cross!
Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!
The practice of daily prayer is often times an exercise in great patience. Much like the farmer who sows a seed and expects to reap a harvest months later, prayer could be viewed as the planting of desires that will ripen to a harvest sometime in the future of God's timetable. Just because we do not see an instant answer, a rapid response, or a split second reply in regard to our petition, does not mean that God has ...not already set things in motion to answer our prayer. We are to believe, that if we ask anything in accordance to His will, that God will oversee our request until it comes time to bring the petition to the status of being answered. So we must never grow weary when delay seems the order of the day. We must continue to believe even when our hearts are breaking and unbelief like a ravenous wolf keeps knocking on the doorway of our mind. We are to continue to ask! We are to continue with our supplication! We are to continue to persevere in the patience of prayer! We are to always recall to our mind that we are guaranteed, on the authority of God's Holy Word, that He will answer us in His time.
Luke 18:7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
