^“17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the Cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

¹⁸ For the preaching of the Cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:17-18

The preacher who is called of God, not of Mama and not of man, will have an anointing on Him from the Lord to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  The Lord will not anoint the preaching of any other means of Salvation OR Sanctification. Justification by anything other than faith in the redeeming work of Jesus Christ is another gospel (2 Corinthians 11:4) and is not anointed by the Holy Spirit.  Sanctification, dominion over sin, by any other means other than faith in the redeeming work of Jesus Christ is another gospel and is accursed (Galatians 1:8-9).

The religious organizations who fellowship on Sunday mornings under the heading of Christ yet offer another gospel and another Jesus are of no use in the Body of Christ. The message they are preaching cannot change lives.  They are preaching death to the Body of Christ.  Humanistic psychology, traditions of man and religious ceremonies cannot break the power of sin in the Believer’s life.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”  Romans 8:1

Walking after the Spirit is not merely doing spiritual things.  One cannot walk after the Spirit, while at the same time exhibiting faith in man’s methods for victory over death, hell and the grave.  We cannot divide our faith between Jesus Christ and Him crucified for Salvation and other means for dominion over sin.  No matter how Scriptural these methods may indeed be, they were not given to us for dominion over sin.  Please understand, sin is the problem in the world.  Sin is the means by which satan snares God’s Children, isolates them and then begins to whisper in their ear his lies.

“So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” Romans 8:8

Trying to overcome sin in the world through self effort will result in spiritual death.  Our weapons are not carnal (2 Corinthians 10:4). The self righteous do not see their attempt to gain righteousness through their works as an attempt to overcome sin, they will claim it is to honor God.  The reality is the fact that they are attempting to “gain” righteousness reveals the condition of their heart.  We cannot do anything in the flesh to gain righteousness.  Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness (Galatians 3:6).

“²³ But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such to worship Him.

²⁴ God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship him in Spirit and in Truth.” John 4:23-24

I thank God for the churches who are preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified for Salvation AND Sanctification.  I pray the Lord raises up, strengthens and blesses those who are bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ BACK to the church. I pray the Lord places a hedge of protection around HIS Ministers and that they do not turn to the ways of the world for their increase. If God has called you to preach His Gospel, He will anoint you to preach His Gospel and His Word will bring life to the Body of Christ.  The anointing of the Holy Spirit will convict, deliver and heal the broken hearted when faith is directed to Jesus Christ, Who He is and what He has done for whosoever will believe.

“Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the Right Hand of the throne of God.”  Hebrews 12:2

-Donna Clark Warren