For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

[Blain]

Don't confuse what love is. Jesus is, and was, and always will be the ultimate example of love. God is love. And yet that didn't stop the Lord from calling the Sadducees and the Pharisees what they were. He called them snakes, vipers, and two fold child of the Devil in the book of Matthew.

Jesus said, "you will know them by their fruit." According to Eph. 5:9, the Fruit of the Spirit is located in these three areas; goodness, Righteousness, and Truth. Romans 4:5 tells us that God awards Righteousness to a Child of God only by their Faith placed and maintained exclusively in Christ and His Finished Work at Calvary Cross (The Blood of Jesus) where the victory was won. Therefore, if you reject the Cross (The Blood of Jesus), you reject the Righteousness of God. Which means Satan is your father.

And as I have stated several times before I in no way reject the cross you just refuse to listen to what I am saying you see only what you want to see in my words when I am clearly not saying what you say I am. If your going to make false claims about someone maybe take a minute to reflect on what they are actually saying.
You want to teach the message of the cross but unless people are in line with what you detemin things to be they are rejecting the cross.

Also the devil cannot force us to do anything he is not allowed to do so, he can influence us yes and he can tempt us but he has not control over free will and especially not with those who are in christ and believe it or not more are in christ than you seem to think

 

[Blain]

But as it is I can see there is no reasoning with you on this so I will take my leave

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

And as I have stated several times before I in no way reject the cross you just refuse to listen to what I am saying you see only what you want to see in my words when I am clearly not saying what you say I am. If your going to make false claims about someone maybe take a minute to reflect on what they are actually saying.
You want to teach the message of the cross but unless people are in line with what you detemin things to be they are rejecting the cross.

Also the devil cannot force us to do anything he is not allowed to do so, he can influence us yes and he can tempt us but he has not control over free will and especially not with those who are in christ and believe it or not more are in christ than you seem to think

You stated that we should not put so much emphasis on the Cross. Another person stated on another topic that the cross has never done anything for them. Another person stated we must go beyond the Cross. This is called apostasy!

Paul says that a Christian can be taken under the snare of the Devil.

“24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive (pertains to being drawn aside into endless discussions which serve no purpose, and can only conclude in “strife!”); but be gentle unto all men (Fruit of the Spirit [Gal. 5:22]), apt to teach (teach correct Doctrine), patient (show patience to those who do not easily and quickly understand that which is being taught),

25 In meekness instructing those who oppose themselves (refers to those who place themselves in opposition to the true servant of the Lord and to True Doctrine); if God peradventure will give them Repentance to the acknowledging of the Truth (hoping those in error will repent and come to the Truth, and we might quickly say, “The Truth of the Cross”);”

“26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the Devil (if one is placing his Faith and Hope in anything other than Christ and the Cross, he has been “snared by the Devil,” which is serious indeed!), who are taken captive by him at his will. (Unless the Believer makes the Cross the Object of his Faith, which then gives him the help of the Holy Spirit, he is helpless against Satan, who will make him his captive, i.e., “in bondage to sin” [Gal. 5:1].)” 2 Tim. 2:24-26

JSM

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

But as it is I can see there is no reasoning with you on this so I will take my leave

For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him Crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2

 

[Scribe]

He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” John 14:21

How does a Child of God keep His commandments?

Anything Jesus taught can be called his commandments. Some say believing on Jesus, but it is more than just believing. For example Paul spoke about having a command of Christ on the subject of Divorce (1 Cor 7) because Jesus actually spoke about it. Paul gave his Spirit inspired advice about the benefit of staying single in the present circumstances that the Corinthian Christians faced but Jesus did not teach about that, and so calling Jesus teaching about Divorce a Command of the Lord gives me biblical authority to say that Jesus teachings were commands. Anything that Jesus taught the disciples to obey would qualify as a commandment. Being a servant, and all the teaching he gave about that. All of the beatitudes, such as being a peacemaker, or meek, etc, Taking the mote out of your own eye before speaking to a brother about their problem that needs to be addressed, forgiving others who have trespassed against you, and many others. Yes we can say loving God and loving others, but I say that obeying the commandments of Christ are obeying everything that He taught.

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

Anything Jesus taught can be called his commandments. Some say believing on Jesus, but it is more than just believing. For example Paul spoke about having a command of Christ on the subject of Divorce (1 Cor 7) because Jesus actually spoke about it. Paul gave his Spirit inspired advice about the benefit of staying single in the present circumstances that the Corinthian Christians faced but Jesus did not teach about that, and so calling Jesus teaching about Divorce a Command of the Lord gives me biblical authority to say that Jesus teachings were commands. Anything that Jesus taught the disciples to obey would qualify as a commandment. Being a servant, and all the teaching he gave about that. All of the beatitudes, such as being a peacemaker, or meek, etc, Taking the mote out of your own eye before speaking to a brother about their problem that needs to be addressed, forgiving others who have trespassed against you, and many others. Yes we can say loving God and loving others, but I say that obeying the commandments of Christ are obeying everything that He taught.

It is impossible for the Believer to Love God or do what the scriptures ask of us to do in our own strength, willpower, and ability. All commandments and laws are kept by the Holy Spirit when the Believer Faith is placed and maintained exclusively in Christ and Him Crucified. The TRUTH we must understand is that we are Crucified with Christ. Therefore, if Christ is a LAW KEEPER, than the Believer is a LAW KEEPER, because we are in Christ. No other way can we ABIDE IN CHRIST. Rom. 6:3-5

 

[Scribe]

It is impossible for the Believer to Love God or do what the scriptures ask of us to do in our own strength, willpower, and ability. All commandments and laws are kept by the Holy Spirit when the Believer Faith is placed and maintained exclusively in Christ and Him Crucified. The TRUTH we must understand is that we are Crucified with Christ. Therefore, if Christ is a LAW KEEPER, than the Believer is a LAW KEEPER, because we are in Christ. No other way can we ABIDE IN CHRIST. Rom. 6:3-5

That may be true, but practically speaking we choose to make time to pray. We choose to scrub the church toilets because we understand servanthood. It is not that hard. We are already the righteousness of God in Christ before we choose to obey his commands but we choose to obey them because we love him. I have never once thought about it being impossible to scrub a toilet in my own strength. Who thinks like that?

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

That may be true, but practically speaking we choose to make time to pray. We choose to scrub the church toilets because we understand servanthood. It is not that hard. We are already the righteousness of God in Christ before we choose to obey his commands but we choose to obey them because we love him. I have never once thought about it being impossible to scrub a toilet in my own strength. Who thinks like that?

All works must be produced and birth by the Holy Spirit or it is dead works, rotten fruit! (wood, hay, stubble)

 

[Scribe]

All works must be produced and birth by the Holy Spirit or it is dead works, rotten fruit! (wood, hay, stubble)

We are motivated by love and obey the promptings of the Spirit. The Love of God is shed abroad on our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given to us. We serve others and deny ourselves all the time and that might cost us something from time to time, and we may find it difficult because our flesh wants to do something else, but we decide, (YES WE DECIDE) to obey the prompting of the Spirit (who reminds us of what Jesus has said about serving others and giving our lives away) And then we choose, and we can not do it or do it, when we do it, we are glad and we grow stronger in that area of our lives, but we ALWAYS have the choice. This too is the glory of Christ and nothing to boast about.

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

We are motivated by love and obey the promptings of the Spirit. The Love of God is shed abroad on our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given to us. We serve others and deny ourselves all the time and that might cost us something from time to time, and we may find it difficult because our flesh wants to do something else, but we decide, (YES WE DECIDE) to obey the prompting of the Spirit (who reminds us of what Jesus has said about serving others and giving our lives away) And then we choose, and we can not do it or do it, when we do it, we are glad and we grow stronger in that area of our lives, but we ALWAYS have the choice. This too is the glory of Christ and nothing to boast about.

Jesus had Faith without measure. Every Child of God has been given by the Hoy Spirit at conversion a “measure of Faith” from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who loved us and gave Himself for us at the Cross of Calvary where the victory was won (Rom. 12:3, Gal. 2:20, Col. 2:12-15) We have obtained like Precious Faith through the Righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:1). Therefore, our Faith will not work outside of the Righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. It is the measure of Faith from our Saviour Lord Jesus Christ we live by. Faith is dead if it is not working (John 14:21, James 2:14-26). The “measure of Faith” we have been given works by His Love (Gal. 5:6), and not our own love. Jesus Christ has done the Righteous Work at Calvary so that we will bear His Righteous Fruit. The scripture says, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: “(means that He is constantly speaking and witnessing certain things to us).”

 

[C313brat3]

As I stated before, Satan can force you to do and say things you really don't want to do when you reject the Righteousness of God, which is the Cross (The Blood of Jesus). The hedge of protection comes down (Eccl. 10:8).

Is God hiring human judges?
You have no claim in examining anyones heart,only He does,for the heart is decietful above all and desperately wicked who can know it!
You may need to stop starching your jockies bc you do not show love and compassion in your statements to others!
Whom do you claim has rejected His righteousness,me or @Blain or anyone else for that matter?

You are on ignore now.....done!

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

Is God hiring human judges?
You have no claim in examining anyones heart,only He does,for the heart is decietful above all and desperately wicked who can know it!
You may need to stop starching your jockies bc you do not show love and compassion in your statements to others!
Whom do you claim has rejected His righteousness,me or @Blain or anyone else for that matter?

But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. 1 Corinthians 2:15

If you reject the Cross, you reject Gods Righteousness!

 

[Scribe]

Jesus had Faith without measure. Every Child of God has been given by the Hoy Spirit at conversion a “measure of Faith” from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who loved us and gave Himself for us at the Cross of Calvary where the victory was won (Rom. 12:3, Gal. 2:20, Col. 2:12-15) We have obtained like Precious Faith through the Righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:1). Therefore, our Faith will not work outside of the Righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. It is the measure of Faith from our Saviour Lord Jesus Christ we live by. Faith is dead if it is not working (John 14:21, James 2:14-26). The “measure of Faith” we have been given works by His Love (Gal. 5:6), and not our own love. Jesus Christ has done the Righteous Work at Calvary so that we will bear His Righteous Fruit. The scripture says, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: “(means that He is constantly speaking and witnessing certain things to us).”

Amen. Those things Jesus has said. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
It's just not that hard. If you see a need and it is your power to meet it, do not shut up your bowels of compassion and walk away and say God has not told me to do it. He has already told you to do it in the Word of God which you know. You are going to be held accountable and saying I did not want to do it in my own strength will be a pretty lame excuse. Who's strength did you want to do it in? Jesus? He is the one that told us the parable of the Sheep and Goats. What more do you need? This constant mentioning of not being able to do it in our own strength is unnecessary. We desire to love others because he has already poured out the Love of God in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. We already have the commandment! We do not need to wait for a new one. Now get to obeying and knock off the head games. LOL That is how I see it anyway.

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

Amen. Those things Jesus has said. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
It's just not that hard. If you see a need and it is your power to meet it, do not shut up your bowels of compassion and walk away and say God has not told me to do it. He has already told you to do it in the Word of God which you know. You are going to be held accountable and saying I did not want to do it in my own strength will be a pretty lame excuse. Who's strength did you want to do it in? Jesus? He is the one that told us the parable of the Sheep and Goats. What more do you need? This constant mentioning of not being able to do it in our own strength is unnecessary. We desire to love others because he has already poured out the Love of God in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. We already have the commandment! We do not need to wait for a new one. Now get to obeying and knock off the head games. LOL That is how I see it anyway.

As you know, There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. This is called the "Tree of knowledge of good and evil." Therefore, if the believer Faith is not placed and maintained exclusively in Christ, than the works of the flesh will begin to manifest (the sin nature).

Acts of sin will turn into practicing sinning (the works of the flesh Gal. 5:19-21) when the Believer Faith is not placed exclusively in Christ and the Cross, i.e., "The Finished Work," i.e., "The Blood of Jesus."

God does not give victory to the flesh. All victory is in Jesus Christ; all victory is in Who He Is and What He accomplished for us at Calvary.

Paul tells us this in the 5th Chapter of Galatians. The entire Book of Galatians, but especially the 5th Chapter, is a warning from Paul to the Church at Galatia, which is also meant for us. The warning is that if they place their faith in anything except “Christ and Him Crucified,” that “Christ shall profit you nothing” (Gal. 5:2).

The Apostle goes on to say that if the Believer doesn’t adhere to the Way of the Spirit, which is the Way of the Cross, then works of the flesh will manifest themselves. He said:

“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” (Gal. 5:19-21).

Now let me say it again, because it is so very important:
If the Believer doesn’t understand the Cross of Christ, as it regards Sanctification, then, in some way, one or more of these “works of the flesh” are going to manifest themselves in his life. As stated, such is inevitable! The first four, “Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, and lasciviousness,” are obvious and easily understood. But the modern Christian quickly dismisses “idolatry, witchcraft, and heresies,” thinking they do not really apply today.

Let us address that:
First of all, any suggested way of victory other than the Cross of Christ, such as the “Purpose Driven Life,” the “Government of Twelve,” the “Word of Faith,” or “Denominationalism,” etc., constitutes idolatry. In effect, it is the same as Old Testament times, when Israel would begin to worship idols instead of Jehovah. To be sure, Israel actually referred to these idols as Jehovah; but the Lord definitely did not look at it in the same manner! And neither does He look any differently at modern idolatry!
Furthermore, all of this constitutes “heresies,” in which the modern Church abounds.

Let me say it more clearly:
Any doctrine, way, scheme, or direction made up by men, which means it is devised by men and not by God, is constituted by the Lord as “heresy,” which is a “work of the flesh.” Let me say it again, and because it is so very, very important! Any way other than “Christ and Him Crucified” is, in the eyes of God, “heresy.” Once one begins to understand these “works of the flesh,” these things become more obvious.

JSM

 

[Diakonos]

Please explain.

Jesus is painting with a broad brush, using this statement.
Consider your time, money, affection and resources:
You invest/spend these things throughout the course of your life. Some things/people are bad investments ....some are good investments
(please don't misunderstand the meaning here...a "good investment" is one that yields a profitable return. I'm not saying that we should pick and chose who we preach to. This would be more relevant to discipleship and passing the mantle to faithful people who will steward their calling with diligence).

But whether you invest your life into something worthwhile or not, inevitably, you will be concerned with the things you spent your time/money/ etc on. People tend to care a lot about what they have made their life about. What Jesus said here explains why. When you disciple a person for several years, you tend to think about how they are doing more often than the average Joe in your life. When you spend time in the Word of God, it tends to become the main concern of your heart. When you give money to an orphanage in Ethiopia every month, you tend to think about them more often than the other orphanages around the world. When you impart your life to others, they become part of your life. If you go to many Sea-hawk games and buy their apparel, and decorate your house with their stuff, you will inevitably have a football team stored up in your heart, and they will occupy your thought life.

Jesus’ point was that if His followers had a treasure on earth they would think about it. But if they instead had a treasure in heaven, which is safe from theft and decay by moths, and were “rich toward God”, they would be concerned with matters pertaining to the kingdom and therefore would not be in a state of anxiety.
Seeking heavenly treasure means serving others and honoring God by doing so. If believers make the kingdom their consuming passion, then God will take care of other needs. Disciples, then, are not to fear but to trust God. They will not draw their security from possessions, and so they will be free to give their possessions to others. If their treasure is money, then that will be their consuming passion. Making money one’s treasure is the path to insecurity, however, because it is always subject to the vicissitudes of life.
If God does not own our possessions, then our possessions will own us.

What are we putting in our barns? We ought to invest in heavenly things, so that God is glorified and our hearts will be concerned with the things of heaven and not earth. If a person seeks such heavenly treasure, the implication is that his heart, i.e. his affections, is directed in the right way, whereas if a person piles up earthly treasure, the evidence shows that his affections are earthbound and hence his heart is not truly seeking God. This verse saying provides a motive for the preceding command, by showing that the person who continues to hold on to earthly wealth and does not fulfill the command in is not really seeking after the kingdom of God.
One cannot serve God and money, but one can serve God by the correct use of money.

Our heart attaches itself and is concerned with the things we invest our lives in. By definition "treasure" is something that is "stored up" or "held onto".

 

[Blain]

Amen. Those things Jesus has said. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
It's just not that hard. If you see a need and it is your power to meet it, do not shut up your bowels of compassion and walk away and say God has not told me to do it. He has already told you to do it in the Word of God which you know. You are going to be held accountable and saying I did not want to do it in my own strength will be a pretty lame excuse. Who's strength did you want to do it in? Jesus? He is the one that told us the parable of the Sheep and Goats. What more do you need? This constant mentioning of not being able to do it in our own strength is unnecessary. We desire to love others because he has already poured out the Love of God in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. We already have the commandment! We do not need to wait for a new one. Now get to obeying and knock off the head games. LOL That is how I see it anyway.

 

[karen0123]

He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” John 14:21

How does a Child of God keep His commandments?

“19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth (everything on the Earth is temporal), where moth and rust does corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust does corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

It is easy to check up on "earthly treasures," by looking at a financial statement. What kind of "treasures" is the Lord speaking of that the Child of God is to lay up in Heaven? And how do we do what the scripture is asking us to do in verse #20?

Please explain verse #21?

Matthew 6:19-21 King James Version (KJV)

19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

The greatest treasure in heaven which will last forever. Being transformed into the righteousness of Jesus Christ.

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

Jesus said these words, "8 This people draweth nigh unto Me with their mouth, and honoureth Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me. 9 But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." Matthew 15:8-9

Question? How do you know that Jesus has your heart? Many follow Jesus for the fishes and the 5 loaves.

 

[karen0123]

Jesus said these words, "8 This people draweth nigh unto Me with their mouth, and honoureth Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me. 9 But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." Matthew 15:8-9

Question? How do you know that Jesus has your heart? Many follow Jesus for the fishes and the 5 loaves.

King James Version Ezekiel 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

 

[tantalon]

The "treasure" asked about in the thread are simply the good deeds for the kingdom of God and the Glory of His name. The treasure of the world are the riches and pleasures of this world, which are temporary, and lost at death. Therefore the treasure one embraces, reveals where their heart really is.