As I said on the previous post on this matter; this may be tedious, but I will do my best to keep it to the point.
What do I want for Christmas? I want my life to be full of the Spirit of Jesus Christ; which is the Holy Spirit; so that others may see Him in me, and desire to know Him.
I am basing these wants on Scripture such as Psalm 37:4; Mark 11:24; and John 15:7
There are a few people I know who have jail, and prison ministries. They do it because they believe God has called them to go to the places where men and women are incarcerated for crimes against God and humanity. Yet, these minister to the men and women who are willing to listen to the message of Christ; the hope for all mankind; even the murderers and rapist and child molesters.
The event from Acts which we read today is not of criminals who have violated God’s laws, but violators of men’s laws which are against God. The apostles had preached when they were ordered not to preach in that name of “Jesus”; yet, they did. Hear what they said:
“Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with His right hand, a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey Him.” Acts 5:29-32 (KJV)
This takes place following their arrest, and imprisonment. An “Angel of the Lord” has come to them in the “common prison” and opened the doors, and sent them to preach in the temple. They went, and that is where they are found the next morning. Doing as they had been told by God.
When men’s laws are against God’s law, then Christian men and women are to continue their practices of being Christian; obeying God’s Word, His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments. I do not think we Christians should be surprised by persecution in a dark world. We ought rather, be surprised that we are not; because the apostle Paul has written, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12 NKJV). Now, I do not want to be persecuted, but really, if I am not; am I really living a godly life? The apostles were.
As Peter stated above; “We ought to obey God rather than men”. That begins through our faith; trusting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour; obeying Him in our lives; being His witness.
One thing this passage of Scripture teaches is that the freedom of speech is from God, not men; therefore men cannot take it away. Let our speech be always with words that glorify our God and Saviour Jesus Christ.
On the first day of December of 2015 as I was writing in my journal I had a thought of counting down the 25 days til Christmas with the question “What do I want for Christmas?”
The first day the “want” was, “A fuller heart and life for my Lord and Savior.” In those 25 days I have thought of counting down until next Christmas with the same heart and mind; which I believe is the wants God gives me.
This may get tedious, draggy, and maybe some would say “Boring”; I do not believe in boring. I never use the word in my vocabulary, except as here, to rage against it.
This being day 366 before Christmas; What do I want for Christmas? I want the Spirit of God who has created all things to reach into the hearts and minds of all who come here, convict of sin the hearts of those who do not know Him and draw them to Himself for salvation.
For the Christian to accomplish any thing for the glory of the Lord, and not for the glory, or boasting of one’s own self; and/or ego; it must be done by the Spirit of God in us.
It is GOD who gets things done. It is God who saves a soul. It is God who opens eyes to His revelation. It is God who gives understanding and wisdom in the ministry of His Word. How did Jesus live?
“And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of Him through all the region round about. And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.” Luke 4:14-15 (KJV)
Following His baptism Jesus was led of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tested (Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13). He then proceeded to go to the synagogues teaching and preaching the Word of the Lord; which by the way was the Old Testament. There was no New Testament written at that time. He taught them things concerning Himself (Luke 24:27).
In everything Jesus did or said; He did so by the leadership and power of the Holy Spirit of God. He did not move from one place to the other, except by the Spirit. He did not speak a word, except by the Spirit. He did not do any healing without the Spirit of God upon Him.
Hear what Paul the apostle says of the Spirit of God and the Christian,
“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” Galations 5:16
“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galations 5:25
This is living as Jesus lived. It is impossible without the Spirit of God in Christ Jesus. Walk in the Spirit; and we will have the Power of the Spirit.
There is a lack of patience in me. There is a lack of patience in me toward other people at times; especially when I am driving down the highway; or in the city. I must often correct my mind and thinking as I am driving. Many times; probably all the time; that correction comes from God’s Spirit in me.
In the 49 plus years that I have been born again I can see that God has grown me, and improved my patience and understanding for others, and probably less for myself. Where am I going with the “Patience” thing? I am going to tell you about a man who had waited for many years for the coming of Messiah; the first coming.
It is written,
“And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for Him after the custom of the law, then took he Him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word: for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel. And Joseph and His mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of Him.” Luke 2:25-33 (KJV)
Simeon had been promised by God that he would not die until he had seen the Christ [Messiah] of Israel, and Saviour of the world.
Now, here was a man who was patient; waiting for the coming of Christ. I am fairly certain he must have occasionally thought that it was not going to happen; but he keeps holding on to God’s promise.
You see faith is not the absence of doubt; it is believing in spite of the doubt. The enemy will continuously throw detours, roadblocks, and lies at you; but you just keep believing. You must keep believing and trusting God, and His Word. God has never failed, and He never will.
As Christians in 2015, and beyond, we believe that God has promised that His Son Jesus is returning soon; and Jesus has said Himself, “I will come again, and receive you unto Myself…” (John 14:3); so either we patiently await His coming, or we quit believing, and in doing; and so we end up saying, that God is a liar. He is faithful, and will bring to pass every word He has spoken.
Let us patiently wait. Wait and occupy until He comes (Luke 19:13). He is coming. Get ready by calling on His name, believing that He died for your sins, was buried, and He bodily rose from the grave; and He is alive today.
Have you ever felt betrayed? It can be from a friend, family member, work place employee, or even a spouse. Betrayal is not pleasant to experience. Have you ever sensed that it was coming?
I am not talking about a paranoia; but rather a reasoning thought that someone is about to leave you with the cat in the bag. I cannot begin to imagine how being sinless, and the perfect Lamb of God, and knowing that there was one of my followers about to betray me; how that would feel.
Jesus had that happen. The verses for today tell of that; at least that it was near. We read,
“And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, He said unto His disciples, Ye know that after two days is the Passover, and the Son of Man is betrayed to be crucified.” Matthew 26:1-2 (KJV)
Jesus knew this was about to happen, yet, He goes to Jerusalem for the Passover, and He knows it will be His last.
When we have trusted Jesus as our Lord and Saviour it is the work of the Holy Spirit to conform us into the image of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29). When He lives in us we must die daily to the desires, lust, greed, and anger of the world (1 Corinthians 15:31).
When it comes down to it for the Christian – the follower of Christ – we like Him go on with our work, our ministry, our lives; trusting the Lord of all with what happens in our lives. The devil is the ultimate betrayer.
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4
Feeling betrayed today? Remember Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God. He was betrayed and He went to the cross, bled and died for us.
Acts 1:1-11
I. A REMINDER OF THE PASSION OF JESUS CHRIST (vv. 1-3);
II. THE PROMISE OF THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (vv. 4-5);
III. THE RESTORATION OF ISRAEL NOT FORGOTTEN (vv. 6-7);
IV. THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GIVEN (v. 8);
V. JESUS IS TAKEN UP – WILL BE SEEN AGAIN; IN LIKE MANNER (vv. 9-11).
“And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.” Exodus 13:21-22 (KJV)
The LORD had just worked out the deliverance of Israel out of Egyptian bondage. Now He gives them the assurance of His presence, and His abiding with them with a pillar. By day it was a Pillar of cloud; by night a Pillar of fire. He would lead them by day and by night.
How did the Moses and the children of Israel know where to go? God was leading them with His powerful presence.
This Pillar was associated with the “Angel of the LORD” and with when Moses spoke with the LORD (Exodus 33:9-11). The Pillar was to stand between the Israelites and the Egyptians later before they would cross the Red Sea. He was their Guide and Protector. Notice too, that “He took not away the Pillar…” He is the Living Presence.
For the Christian that Pillar is the presence of GOD within every follower of Jesus Christ. He is that Cloud by day, and Fire by night. He is our Comforter, our Conviction, our Direction and Guide every moment of the day and the night (John 16:7-11). The Holy Spirit is Jesus Christ in you to lead and guide you to become like Jesus in living. That is the desire of every born again believer; to be like Jesus: loving the Father, doing the Father’s will, glorifying the Father, doing the work of the Father.
Living in the Presence of the LORD begins by following His Son Jesus Christ.
“The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.” Psalm 50:1 (KJV)
Of this Psalm, and of this verse Matthew Henry has written,
It is probable that Asaph was not only the chief musician, who was to put a tune to this psalm, but that he was himself the penman of it; for we read that in Hezekiah’s time they praised God in the words of David and of Asaph the seer, 2Ch_29:30. Here is,
I. The court called, in the name of the King of kings (Psa_50:2): The mighty God, even the Lord, hath spoken – El, Elohim, Jehovah, the God of infinite power justice and mercy, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. God is the Judge, the Son of God came for judgement into the world, and the Holy Ghost is the Spirit of judgment. All the earth is called to attend, not only because the controversy God had with his people Israel for their hypocrisy and ingratitude might safely be referred to any man of reason (nay, let the house of Israel itself judge between God and his vineyard, Isa_5:3), but because all the children of men are concerned to know the right way of worshipping God, in spirit and in truth, because when the kingdom of the Messiah should be set up all should be instructed in the evangelical worship, and invited to join in it (see Mal_1:11, Act_10:34), and because in the day of final judgment all nations shall be gathered together to receive their doom, and every man shall give an account of himself unto God.
Matthew Henry Commentary
God is LORD of all the earth. From the rising of the sun until its going down He rules, and sets the rising and the fall of kings and kingdoms. His Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom.
God’s plan is being fulfilled today, His will for you and me today is to hear Him, and follow His direction and His Holy Spirit. If you have no ear for GOD or His Word; repent, and believe Him.
In January I posted a short article on this same topic. I awoke this morning with this topic on my mind; and it has been just about everyday I live. The topic of “Treasure”; in particular: what is my treasure. It is something for which I am ashamed to mention. First let us look at what Jesus said;
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:19-21 (KJV)
Jesus knew we would have treasure; however those treasures are not to be earthly treasure; and that is the first thing we think of when we think “Treasure”. Gold, silver, precious jewelry, houses, lands, boats, cars, and sometimes spouses and children. Jesus does not tell us these things are bad. They are, in fact, good to have; remembering from whom they have come.
My shame lays in the thought that I see in myself more affinity for speaking of things like a good movie, book, car, a football game; than I do of speaking of Christ Jesus. That tells me that Jesus Christ is not my Treasure. Why is it when the subject of those other things come up I can speak without fear; yet when the subject of God comes up I can get really quiet?
I have no excuse. Jesus is the greatest treasure. I am endeavoring today, by the power of the Holy Spirit to make Jesus Christ my Treasure.
“And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days He did eat nothing: and when they were ended, He afterward hungered. And the devil said unto Him, ‘If Thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.’ And Jesus answered him, saying, ‘It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’ And the devil, taking Him up into an high mountain, shewed unto Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto Him, ‘All this power will I give Thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If Thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be Thine.’ And Jesus answered and said unto him, ‘Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.’ And he brought Him to Jerusalem, and set Him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto Him, ‘If Thou be the Son of God, cast Thyself down from hence: for it is written, ‘He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee:and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.’ And Jesus answering said unto him, ‘It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.’ And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from Him for a season.” ~Jesus as He dealt with Satan (Luke 4:1-13)
“And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, ‘He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth He out devils.’ And He called them unto Him, and said unto them in parables, ‘How can Satan cast out Satan? And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end. No man can enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house. Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: but he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:’ because they said, ‘He hath an unclean spirit.'” Mark 3:22-30
“Doth this offend you? What and if ye shall see the Son of Man ascend up where He was before? It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you that believe not.’
‘Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto Me, except it were given unto him of My Father.’
‘Will ye also go away?’
‘Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?’ ~Jesus (John 6:60-71)
The Christian and the Holy Spirit
1. SALVATION IS A WORK OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD; NOT OF THE FLESH (Galations 3:1-5).
2. SANCTIFICATION IS THE WORK OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD; OUR GROWTH (Galations 4:1-7)..
3. LIVING IN THE SPIRIT OF GOD PRODUCES FRUIT; OUR EVIDENCE (Galations 5:22-26).
4. THE SPIRITUAL CHRISTIAN WILL SEEK THE RESTORATION OF FALLEN BRETHREN; OUR LOVE (Galations 6:1).
“For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself of twain one new man, so making peace; and that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” Ephesians 2:14-18 (KJV)
Many in our world are crying out for peace. Peace between Israel and Palestine, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, etc.. Ever since I was a child I can remember people calling for “Peace”. Not too many, however, really appreciate what “Peace” means.
Peace does not mean the absence of conflict. There can be conflict for the cause of peace. The greatest peace is realized when a man, woman, boy or girl receives the peace of God.
The thing Paul speaks of in the above verses, “…Broken down the middle wall of partition…” is speaking of the wall between Jew and Gentile; the law, and heathenism. By the death of Jesus Christ on the cross that wall has been broken down, and we are both reconciled to God.
If one does not believe in, trust in the death, burial and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ you are still at enmity with God. Your heart is far from Him, and you cannot know peace. With Christ Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior you will have the Holy Spirit and permanent access to the Father.
With this peace, even in the midst of the world’s greatest conflicts, you will be at peace. Peace of heart and soul. Peace of mind. Peace with God.
“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14 (KJV)
We need not be fearful that God will not fulfill His Word. He has promised that He will finish what He has began (Philippians 1:6). There is nothing that can separate us from the love of Christ Jesus (Romans 8:35-39). Best of all we have God’s “Earnest” payment that He will do it.
“Earnest” is a real estate term. One puts down an earnest payment as a guarantee of payment of a down payment on a house or land. The Holy Spirit is God’s gift to us as promise, evidence that He will complete what He has began in us. You will note too, that “Ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise”.
In Christ we are a sealed document, that cannot be opened until it is delivered into the hand of the King. Please read Romans 8:9.
In January I posted a short article on this same topic. I awoke this morning with this topic on my mind; and it has been just about everyday I live. The topic of “Treasure”; in particular: what is my treasure. It is something for which I am ashamed to mention. First let us look at what Jesus said;
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:19-21 (KJV)
Jesus knew we would have treasure; however those treasures are not to be earthly treasure; and that is the first thing we think of when we think “Treasure”. Gold, silver, precious jewelry, houses, lands, boats, cars, and sometimes spouses and children. Jesus does not tell us these things are bad. They are, in fact, good to have; remembering from whom they have come.
My shame lays in the thought that I see in myself more affinity for speaking of things like a good movie, book, car, a football game; than I do of speaking of Christ Jesus. That tells me that Jesus Christ is not my Treasure. Why is it when the subject of those other things come up I can speak without fear; yet when the subject of God comes up I can get really quiet?
I have no excuse. Jesus is the greatest treasure. I am endeavoring today, by the power of the Holy Spirit to make Jesus Christ my Treasure.
“What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (KJV)
Within the loving climate of the Corinthian Church there was sexual immorality. Tolerance, love, and peace was the motive of their inaction toward this immorality. While the name of Christ was blasphemed and the character of Christianity was mocked; the apostle Paul was calling for action.
Christian, our bodies do not belong to us. We “Are bought with a price”; and that “price” was the precious blood of Jesus. You and I are His. Let us glorify God in our spirit and with our bodies. We are God’s.
-Tim A. Blankenship
“Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” 1 Corinthians 2:6-8 (KJV)
We know that none of us are perfect in the sense which we understand the word “Perfect”. In the text above it has to do with being complete in Christ Jesus. When it comes to salvation by grace through faith we are complete in Him.
No matter how hard we try we cannot open the eyes or ears of those who refuse to see, hear and understand that Jesus is the Christ Son of the Living God. It is a work of God. As Jesus told Peter in Matthew 16:17,
“…For flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in heaven.”
Part of our “Perfection” is understanding that all of salvation is God’s doing. By the Spirit of God; not by flesh and blood. Our commission is to Preach the gospel…
-Tim A. Blankenship
And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; ‘These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” Revelation 3:14-22 (KJV)
For more on the church of Laodicea follow this link.
-T.A.
And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; ‘These things saith He that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.'” Revelation 3:1-6 (KJV)
If you would like you may click on this link and read GIVER OF THE SPIRIT.
-T.A.
And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; ‘These things saith He which hath the sharp sword with two edges; I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast My name, and hast not denied My faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; ‘To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.” Revelation 2:12-17 (KJV)
You might want to follow this link and go read THE CUTTING EDGES for further study.
-T.A.
And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; ‘These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.” Revelation 2:8-11 (KJV)
For further reading and study you may want to read THE RESURRECTED ONE
-T.A.
For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to Him from the excellent glory, ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’ And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with Him in the holy mount. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:16-21 (KJV)
It has been said by many people, “You can make the Bible say anything you want it to say.” In one sense that thought is correct if you take a verse of the Bible from one place, out of its context, you can have it tell you to “Go and hang yourself”, but we know that is not what it really says.
If one is to have any understanding of the Scripture it must be understood in the light of other Scripture. “No prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation” says Peter, so we must be aware when we interpret Scripture that we twist it by using only that point of interpretation.
Let me give you an Old Testament example. When Moses led the children of Israel through the wilderness to Kadeshbarnea, it appears in Numbers 13:1-3 that there is a direct commandment from the LORD to send men into the Promised Land and come back with report; however in Deuteronomy 1:22 and following we see that there were people of the tribes who had came to Moses requesting that before they cross the Jordan River that spies be sent to examine the land and the people. By knowing that we not only learn that though God may have spoken to Moses directly, He also spoke to him through the people he was leading.
There are many who try to build theologies by using a verse of scripture in one place, one book, one paragraph, or one chapter; and do not look at the whole. If we do not trust and believe the whole for interpretation we will stand in danger of not only losing our minds, but also our hearts to unbelief. The Scriptures are eternal; not one jot or tittle will pass away, until all are fulfilled.
-T.A.
Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; that at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: but now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself of twain one new man, so making peace; and that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:11-22 (KJV)
The only hope of the world, and its people is the cross of Jesus Christ. It is the only means by which mankind can be or will be reconciled to God.
-T.A.
The Fire and Hammer 