Transformation

[MessageOfTheCross]

The Christian is doomed to failure if he thinks he can face the sin business and simply say yes or no. That's not the way it works. Those who try that (and almost all have) will conclude by failing every time. You may win for awhile, but after awhile, you're going to fail.

Now, stop and think about this for a moment: If it were possible for us to defeat sin and the attacks of Satan by willpower, then Jesus would not have had to come down here and die on a Cross. He could have merely taught us how to function within our willpower, and that would have solved the problem.

However, He didn't do that, did He? The truth is, the problem of sin is so deadly that it took the Cross to defeat this monster, and even then, we have to have the help of the Holy Spirit to get this thing done. That's why Paul said, "But if the Spirit (Holy Spirit) of Him (God the Father) who raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He who raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit who dwells in you" (Rom. 8:11).

This tells us that sin is so powerful that it takes the same power to overcome this thing as it did to raise Jesus from the dead, which, of course, is the power of the Holy Spirit. Understanding that, we should come to the conclusion that our personal willpower is totally inadequate.

However, most Christians little understand the victory of the Cross and try to do this thing on their own, which always results in failure.

The majority of Christians know nothing about the Cross of Christ for sanctification. Justification delivers us from the penalty of sin, while sanctification delivers us from the power of sin. The Cross of Christ is as necessary for sanctification as it is for salvation (1 Cor. 1:18).

If you get Jesus wrong, it does not matter what you get right!

JSM

What did Jesus say about the Cross?

“DISCIPLESHIP

25 And there went great multitudes with Him (proclaims Him having left the home of this Pharisee, and now continuing His journey toward Jerusalem): and He turned, and said unto them (He was anxious now, at the end, clearly to make it known to all these multitudes what serving Him really signified),

26 If any man come to Me (no exceptions), and hate (prefer) not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also (no affection, however strong, must be permitted to compete with or displace Christ), he cannot be My Disciple (once again, no exceptions!).”

“27 And whosoever does not bear his Cross (this doesn’t speak of suffering as most think, but rather ever making the Cross of Christ the Object of our Faith; we are Saved and we are victorious not by suffering, although that sometimes will happen, or any other similar things, but rather by our Faith, but always with the Cross of Christ as the Object of that Faith), and come after Me (one can follow Christ only by Faith in what He has done for us at the Cross; He recognizes nothing else), cannot be My Disciple (the statement is emphatic!; if it’s not Faith in the Cross of Christ, then it’s faith that God will not recognize, which means that such people are refused [I Cor. 1:17-18, 21, 23; 2:2; Rom. 6:3-14; 8:1-2, 11, 13; Gal. 6:14; Eph. 2:13-18; Col. 2:14-15]).” (Luke 14:25-27)

JSM

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

The Truth is, everything hinges on Calvary, one's Salvation, one's constant Victory in Christ, Divine Healing, Answered Prayer, the Baptism with the Holy Spirit, etc. In other words, the effect of Calvary does not stop with Salvation, but continues just as important in one's everyday walk before God (Rom. Chpt. 6).

Satan attacks this Message as he attacks no other!

Many believe that the Finished Work at Calvary's Cross does not mean the same thing as the Blood of Jesus or the Cross of Calvary where the victory was won. They believe when you say, "Christ Crucified or the Cross," you are talking about the wooden beam. When we say place your Faith and maintain it exclusively in Christ and the Cross, we are saying place your Faith and maintained it in "Who Jesus is (Christ - The Son of God), and what Jesus has done (at the Cross of Calvary, where the victory was won, i.e., The Blood of Jesus, i.e., The Finished Work). However it has become a stumblingblock and foolishness for most.

Galatians 2:20 says, ": and the life which I now live in the Flesh I live by the Faith of the Son of God (WHO JESUS IS), Who loved me, and gave Himself for me (The Finished Work at Calvary Cross, i.e., The Cross of Calvary where the victory was won, i.e., The Blood of Jesus.)."

If this is not understood "Grace" is frustrated. Jesus Christ has become of no benefit to you.

JSM

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

The violent process of separating the wheat and the chaff

“11 I indeed baptize you with water unto Repentance (Water Baptism was an outward act of an inward work already carried out): but He (Christ) Who comes after me is mightier than I, Whose Shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit, and with fire (to burn out the sinful dross [Acts 2:2-4]):

12 Whose fan is in His Hand (the ancient method for winnowing grain), and He will thoroughly purge His Floor (“purging it, that it may bring forth more fruit” [Jn. 15:2]), and gather His Wheat into the garner (the end product as developed by the Spirit); but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire (the wheat is symbolic of the Work of the Spirit, while the chaff is symbolic of the work of the flesh).” Matthew 3:11-12

WHOSE FAN IS IN HIS HAND

The Work of the Holy Spirit is here outlined, which will, without fail, take place in the hearts and lives of Believers.

The phrase, "Whose fan is in His Hand," refers to the ancient method of winnowing grain.

After the stalks had been pulverized on the threshingfloor, a worker would use a pitchfork of sorts, throwing the grain and the husk in the air.

Another worker, that is, if there was no wind, would use giant palm fronds or some other type of apparatus, fanning the grain and the husk. Consequently, the husks, which were much lighter, would be blown to the side of the threshingfloor, with the grain falling back to the floor.

This would be continued until all the husks were separated from the grain, with the grain being placed into the garner.

The idea is, the primary task of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Believer is to bring about this process, using whatever is necessary in order to separate the chaff from the grain. This "wind" created by the "fan" may come in various ways, such as adversity, persecution, chastisement, etc., but, to be sure, it will come.

As well, it speaks of a violent process, which is not at all appetizing to the flesh, but will prove to be invigorating to the spirit.

DAVID

As an example, one would ask as to why the Lord, after having Samuel anoint David to be the future king of Israel, would allow Saul to persecute him as he did, even causing great tribulation for a period of about 15 years.

The answer is found in Verse 12. Even though David was anointed by God to be the king of Israel, still, there were traits in David’s life that needed to be removed. Regrettably, those traits, as in all of us, could not be removed easily but only by adversity and persecution, which are meant to teach us trust and dependence on the Lord, in other words, that the flesh may be humbled.

David was anointed, but he was not ready! It would take this crucible of persecution by Saul to make him ready!

The story of Moses teaches us that “40 years in the desert was needed to humble the strength of the “flesh” and destroy its hope; the possible king of Egypt was now an obscure shepherd.” Exodus 3:1-2

THE BRANCH

2 Every branch (Believer) in Me (to have Salvation, we must be “in Christ” which refers to trusting in what He did at the Cross) that bears not fruit (the Holy Spirit Alone can bring forth fruit within our lives, and He does such through the Finished Work of Christ, which demands that the Cross ever be the Object of our Faith) He takes away (if the Believer refuses the Cross, ultimately, he will be taken out of the Body of Christ): and every branch that bears fruit (has some understanding of Christ and the Cross), He purges it (uses whatever means necessary to make the Cross the total Object of one’s Faith), that it may bring forth more fruit (only when the Cross becomes the total Object of one’s Faith can the Holy Spirit perform His Work of bringing forth proper fruit [Rom. 8:1-2, 11]).” John 15:2

JSM

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

THE PURGING OF THE FLOOR

The Phrase, "And He will thoroughly purge His Floor," is actually the violent part of the process.

The Threshingfloor of old generally consisted of a large flat portion of rock that could be used for this purpose.

The grain would be piled on top of this rock (floor), with several different methods used to purge the grain from the husk. At times, an ox cart was used, with it being pulled back and forth across the grain, with its heavy wheels breaking the grains loose from the husk. This was done repeatedly until it was ready to be thrown in the air, as recently stated.

The purging process has to do with what Jesus spoke of in taking away the branches from the tree that did not bear fruit and, consequently, "purging it, that it may bring forth more fruit" (John 15:2).

As stated, this is a violent process, which, at times, makes the Believer think he will not survive it. This has to do with the age old struggle of the "flesh and the Spirit." They constantly war against one another because one or the other must ultimately go. To be sure, this war is not quick, and the battle is not won easily.

THE THRESHINGFLOOR

Many have attempted to circumvent the "threshingfloor" with many and varied schemes, not the least of them being the modern confession principle. However, regardless of how Scripturally valid that it may be in its place, the flesh cannot be confessed out, and this work be effected in one's heart. Too oftentimes, this method only produces more religious flesh. Even though such is covered up with religious phraseology, petted and pampered, and made to seem holy to a carnal world, still it is "flesh" and must ultimately be purged, that is, if we want the Lord.

THE GARNER

The phrase, "And gather His Wheat into the garner," concerns the end product as developed by the Spirit.

Even after Conversion, and especially after Conversion, our Spiritual Eyes are still a mixture of "chaff" and "wheat." The "chaff" constitutes the work of the flesh while the "wheat" constitutes the Work of the Spirit. They must, and without fail, be separated. The reason should be obvious!

Any and all accepted by God can only be that which is the Product of the Holy Spirit. Any product of man, i.e., the flesh, must be rejected out of hand, and not only rejected, but separated and ultimately burned. As stated, this is the great basic Work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Believer. It is a Work that He will carry out with vigor and faithfulness with one view in mind, and that is to "present us faultless before the Presence of His Glory with exceeding joy" (Jude 24).

This is also the reason Jude said, "And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh" (Jude 23).

UNQUENCHABLE FIRE

He was speaking of this "fire" mentioned by John the Baptist!

The phrase, "But He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire," pertains to that which will be done to the "chaff." This speaks of all our trust and our good works, plus religious acceptance, place and position, and all we prize so highly other than Christ.

Regrettably, this "chaff" abides even in the godliest and, consequently, must be separated, and at whatever price.

JSM

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

THE PURGED BRANCH

The phrase, "And every branch that bears fruit, He purges it, that it may bring forth more fruit," proclaims the exact opposite of the first phrase.

He plainly tells us that the branch which bears fruit will be purged, which, in the Greek, means "to cleanse, as in to make pure.'

One may wonder as to how fruit could be developed when there is uncleanness and impurities.

The truth is, there are no perfect Christians, but the Lord looks beyond the surface and, as well, the impurities, etc., "searching the heart, trying the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings" (Jeremiah 17:10). The very fact that the branch is bearing fruit shows there is a hunger for God, even a hunger and thirst which are intensifying, desiring all that God has for the Believer.

However, once again, this does not mean perfection, and indeed cannot, at least as long as we live in this body of flesh.

However, many, if not the majority, in the church wrongly interpret purging, thinking it is destruction. As such, they write off such as being of no more consequence. What they do not seem to realize is that the "purging" is not because of a lack of fruit but the very opposite. There has been fruit, and wonderful fruit at that, but the Holy Spirit sees that there is a potential for much more. Consequently, the Father, Who is the Vinedresser, purges the branch in order that it may bring forth "more fruit," which refers to greater quantity, but above all, greater quality.

THE PURGING

The cleansing effect of the purging is brought on by the Word of God; consequently, it is the criterion for all things pertaining to God. In other words, the "Vinedresser" does whatever is necessary to bring one's life in every respect in accordance with the "Word." The actual carrying out of this task is done by the Holy Spirit through Whom the "Vinedresser" works. This is partly what John the Baptist meant when he spoke of Jesus "baptizing with the Holy Spirit, and with fire" (Matthew 3:11-12) This is the refiner's fire, as spoken of by Malachi (Malachi 3:3).

Malachi 3:3 - "And He shall sit as a Refiner and Purifier of silver," refers to the purifier who sits watching the silver and maintaining the temperature; directly when he sees his face reflected in the metal, he stops the process.

The word "clean" in the Greek is "Katharos" and means "to be free from impure admixture, without blemish, spotless, and blameless, " which can only be brought about by the shed Blood of Jesus Christ, with the Believer making that the Object of his Faith.

JSM / John Bible Commentary

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

THE CONSECRATION OF THE SAINT

“12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he has is in your power; only upon himself put not forth your hand. So Satan went forth from the Presence of the LORD. (There were limitations placed on what Satan could do, as there are with all Believers. Concerning this, Williams says: “Job does not symbolize an unconverted, but a converted, man. It was necessary that one of God’s children should be chosen for this trial; for the subject of the Book is not the conversion of the sinner, but the consecration of the Saint. It is evident that an unconverted man needs to be brought to the end of himself; but that a man who feared God, who was perfect, and who hated evil should also need this is not so clear.

“We find in this Book that God uses Satan, calamity, and sickness to be His instruments in creating character and making men partakers of His Holiness. Such were the instruments; but the Hand that used them was God’s; and the facts of this Book explain to Christian people, who, like Job, are conscious of personal integrity, why calamities, sorrows, and diseases are permitted to afflict them.”)” Job 1:12

“22 Confirming the souls of the Disciples (pertained to the new converts in these areas), and exhorting them to continue in the Faith (it is not he who begins, but he who finishes), and that we must through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God (quite a different Message than that being presently proposed).” Acts14:22

Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the LORD tested Joseph’s character. (Regarding the mission that God had for Joseph, which Joseph was not even aware of, he would have to be put to the test. Faith must be tested, and great Faith must be tested greatly.)” Psalm 105:19 NLT

“10 Behold, I have refined you, but not with silver; I have chosen you in the furnace of affliction. (Israel was “refined” in Egypt, and was to be “refined” after Isaiah’s day in Babylon, and will be “refined” during the coming Great Tribulation. The “furnace of affliction” always has to do with wrongdoing on the part of the individual or nation. The Lord allows the affliction, hopefully, that it will bring the person or nation to Repentance! Consequently, Israel still has one great “furnace of affliction” to go through!)” Isaiah 48:10

“7 That the trial of your Faith (all Faith is tested, and great Faith must be tested greatly), being much more precious than of gold that perishes (the emphasis is the testing of our Faith to show whether or not it is genuine; the Holy Spirit says such is more precious than the testing of gold, which is the most precious commodity in the world; is our Faith really in the Cross or not?), though it be tried with fire (the fire of temptation, trouble, etc.; such are meant to show the weakness), might be found unto Praise and Honour and Glory (which can only be done if the Cross of Christ is the sole Object of our Faith) at the appearing of Jesus Christ (we are being prepared by the Holy Spirit as fit subjects for the appearing of our Lord, as it regards the Rapture):” 1 Peter 1:7

JSM

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

Continue

“12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you (trials do not merely happen; they are designed by wisdom and operated by love; Job proved this), as though some strange thing happened unto you (your trial, whatever it is, is not unique; many others are experiencing the same thing!):

13 But rejoice (despite the trial), inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings (refers to suffering for Righteousness’ sake); that, when His Glory shall be revealed (refers to His Second Coming), you may be glad also with exceeding joy. (There will be great joy in the heart of every Saint when we come back with the Lord at the Second Coming.)

“14 If you be reproached for the Name of Christ, happy are you (should have been translated, “since you are reproached”); for the Spirit of Glory and of God rests upon you (refers to the Holy Spirit): on their part He is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified. (This refers to the fact that the world, and even the apostate Church, reproaches this sacred influence of the Holy Spirit by their treatment of true Christians. But if we conduct ourselves correctly, the Lord is Glorified in our lives.)

15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. (This Scripture plainly tells us that if the Christian doesn’t place His Faith entirely in the Cross, which guarantees the help of the Holy Spirit, these things Peter mentioned can definitely happen. That’s why it is imperative every Believer knows and understands the Message of the Cross.)”

“16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian (which sometimes happens for Righteousness’ sake), let him not be ashamed (such a one is not suffering because of lack of Faith, but rather because of his Faith); but let him glorify God on this behalf. (If we truly suffer for Righteousness’ sake, such suffering will always glorify the Lord. We should rejoice accordingly [Vs. 13].)

JUDGMENT

17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the House of God (Judgment always begins with Believers, and pertains to their Faith, whether in the Cross or otherwise; the Cross alone is spared Judgment, for there Jesus was judged in our place): and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them who obey not the Gospel of God? (If God will Judge His Own, how much more will He Judge the unredeemed? The Cross alone stays the Judgment of God. Let that ever be understood.)”

“18 And if the Righteous scarcely be saved (can be saved only by trusting Christ and the Cross, and nothing else), where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? (If the great Sacrifice of Christ is rejected and spurned, where does that leave those who do such a thing? There is no hope for their Salvation.)

19 Wherefore let them who suffer according to the Will of God (it really doesn’t matter what we have to go through in order to live for God, the end result will be worth it a million times over) commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing (victory is assured if we continue to look to the Cross), as unto a Faithful Creator. (This means God hasn’t created an insufficient Salvation. He has created a Way through the Death of Christ that guarantees victory, if we will only follow that Way.)” 1 Peter 4:12-19

“12 Fight the good fight of Faith (in essence, the only fight we’re called upon to engage; every attack by Satan against the Believer, irrespective of its form, is to destroy or seriously weaken our Faith; he wants to push our Faith from the Cross to other things), lay hold on Eternal Life (we do such by understanding that all Life comes from Christ, and the means is the Cross), whereunto you are also Called (Called to follow Christ), and have professed a good profession before many witnesses. (This does not refer to a particular occasion, but to the entirety of his life for Christ.)” 1 Timothy 6:12

JSM

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

The Cross of Christ is as necessary for sanctification as it is for salvation (1 Cor. 1:18).

John 6:53 - "Except you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man, and drink His Blood (i.e., the Cross, i.e., The Finished Work), you have no life in you," (presents the demand that caused "many of His Disciples to go back, and walk no more with Him" (John 6:66). It does the same presently! This Verse tells us the degree of believing that is required; it refers to the Cross being the total Object of one's belief; failing that, there is no Life in you.)

John 6:66 - From that time many of His Disciples went back, and walk no more with Him.

Sanctifying peace allows the Holy Spirit to deliver the Believer into the death of Christ so Christ life is manifested through the Believer (2 Cor. 4:11, Gal. 2:20-21, Romans 8:2,13, John 14:21). I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me (Who Jesus Is), and gave himself for me (What Jesus Has Done on the Cross for us where the victory was won). Gal. 2:20

If The Believer doesn't enter into the LORD's rest, they die in the wilderness...only a few enter into His rest!

JSM

 

[GraceAndTruth]

So I take it there are now two people who have lived in the flesh that are sinless, Jesus the lamb of God and your self?

So ridiculous. And what are YOU thinking today?

 

[tourist]

this sounds like a bunch of baloney if you ask me

Baloney is not bad if it's all beef. Might need a little mustard though.

 

[selfdissolving]

Baloney is not bad if it's all beef. Might need a little mustard though.

i agree. i'll have to remember to place an order for mustard the next time a baloney salesman comes knocking at my door.

 

[tourist]

i agree. i'll have to remember to place an order for mustard the next time a baloney salesman comes knocking at my door.

For those that enjoy living on the edge perhaps some Grey Poupon is in order so as to spice things up a bit.

 

[preacher4truth]

this sounds like a bunch of baloney if you ask me

How is it a bunch of baloney?

 

[selfdissolving]

For those that enjoy living on the edge perhaps some Grey Poupon is in order so as to spice things up a bit.

 

[selfdissolving]

How is it a bunch of baloney?

what is a soul-mind?

 

[preacher4truth]

what is a soul-mind?

I believe we get psyche from the Greek for this in Scripture, which refers to our spirit or mind. What do you disagree with in his premise? I see him saying we are to be transformed in our minds, which is true. What part is baloney to you though? Maybe I am missing something there so I want to know.

 

[selfdissolving]

I believe we get psyche from the Greek for this in Scripture, which refers to our spirit or mind. What do you disagree with in his premise? I see him saying we are to be transformed in our minds, which is true. What part is baloney to you though? Maybe I am missing something there so I want to know.

well, upon further examination of the original post, it appears to be doctrinally sound. i suppose that the term "soul-mind" colored the post in a way that made it sound a little New-Agey and i took it and ran with it without really knowing what i was talking about.

My apologies to the OP for calling his post deli meat.

 

[preacher4truth]

well, upon further examination of the original post, it appears to be doctrinally sound. i suppose that the term "soul-mind" colored the post in a way that made it sound a little New-Agey and i took it and ran with it without really knowing what i was talking about.

My apologies to the OP for calling his post deli meat.

Yours is a refreshing post brother! Great job reviewing your statements and the post at hand.