“Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivers from death.” Proverbs 10:2

There are three types of righteousness but only one which God will accept.

RELATIVE RIGHTEOUSNESS:

“The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank You, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.” Luke 18:11

Relative righteousness compares one with another and is nothing more than self righteousness.

WORKS RIGHTEOUSNESS

“I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.” Luke 18:12

Works righteousness is rampant in the modern church.  There are many who perform wonderful works in the Name of Jesus but Whom Jesus Himself does not know (Matthew 7:21-23). None of these works are required to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven but many believe their works merit righteousness.  Cain’s works based righteousness was squarely rejected by God.  Even the unredeemed have a works based righteousness.  Just as the worldly system’s works based righteousness does not deliver them from death; neither does the religious system’s works based righteousness deliver from death.

IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS

“And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto Heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.” Luke 18:13

Imputed righteousness is given freely by God and is the ONLY righteousness God can accept.  Those who have accepted the atoning work of Jesus Christ as their means of Salvation are imputed HIS righteousness…not our own.  The righteousness of Jesus Christ cannot be earned and neither can it be measured but is freely given when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour.

“¹⁸ Forasmuch as you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; ¹⁹ But with the precious Blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: ²⁰ Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, ²¹ Who by Him do believe in God, that raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.” 1 Peter 1:18-21

The believing sinner is washed in the Blood of Christ, Who was foreordained before the foundation of the world.  The Child of God is washed because Jesus loves us; He does not love us because we are washed.  Jesus imputed HIS righteousness unto the Believer as the Sacrificial Lamb of God, that we may be delivered from eternal death. It is our faith in Jesus Christ and Him crucified which justifies us before God.  It is vanity to believe our good works, even though they may be Scriptural, gains us righteousness with God.

There is a righteousness which delivers from death…but it is imputed righteousness; the only righteousness God can accept.  This righteousness comes by faith in the Son of God, Jesus Christ.  We are given access to this righteousness by means of the Cross of Christ.  Jesus is the Source and His Cross the means by which the Believer is imputed righteousness.

Jesus Christ and Him crucified…be determined to know nothing else.

-Donna Clark Warren

“¹³ A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knows nothing.

¹⁴ For she sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, ¹⁵ To call passengers who go right on their ways: ¹⁶ Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wants understanding, she says to him, ¹⁷ Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.

¹⁸ But he knows not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.” Proverbs 9:13-18

The end result of false doctrine is hell.  The purpose of false doctrine is to corrupt the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  False doctrine claims greater knowledge and wisdom and the false prophets are transformed as ministers of righteousness (2 Cor. 11:14-15).

As the Bible is abandoned for books claiming the way of victory without the Blood, consecration is replaced with ambition and faith has fallen out to greed; the modern church labors and toils in the world to gain that which has already been given…Holiness.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10

There is a fear, a reverence, of a Holy God which frees the Believer who knows in Whom they have believed, Jesus Christ.  The knowledge of the Holy, Jesus Christ, is understanding.  To labor and toil in the world does not result in a fear that frees the bound through knowledge of the Holy but a fear that binds; a fear off loss…loss of holiness due to lack of works.

Claims of stolen waters being sweet and bread eaten in secret as pleasant (vs. 17) may appear good and right because the lust of the flesh is pricked and “our part” for holiness presented but the end result is the depths of hell.

Many have overlooked, condoned and turned a blind eye to false doctrine being presented from the pulpit. “No one has it all right” is the excuse. “Touch not God’s anointed” is the Scripture used to defend their condoning of “error”; error which is false doctrine.  Let me be clear, teachers of false doctrine are not anointed by God; a little leaven leavens the whole lump.  A preacher may indeed be called by God but not yet sent; therefore they are NOT anointed by God.

“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the Gospel of God?” 1 Peter 4:17

Where are the teachers called to teach God’s people the difference between the Holy and the profane?  Who is going to teach them to discern between the unclean and the clean according to God’s Word? (Ezekiel 44:23)

Where are the God called preachers and teachers crying out to God “Here am I; send me.” (Isaiah 6:8)

There is a fear that frees the bound; a fear that sets the captives free.  Understanding such fear requires knowledge of the Holy…Jesus Christ and Him crucified, Who He is and what He’s done on Calvary’s Cross for whosoever will believe.

Discern the fear. Does it free or bind?

-Donna Clark Warren

“¹² Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

¹³ Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teach, but which the Holy Ghost teaches; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

¹⁴ But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

¹⁵ But he that is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.” 1 Corinthians 2:12-15

The things of the Spirit of God are foolish to the natural man.  The natural man has not received the Holy Spirit, that they may know the things which are freely given to the Child of God.  Man’s wisdom cannot teach the things of God; such things are not intellectual but spiritual and the Holy Spirit bears witness (Romans 8:16).  The Scripture says the Spirit of God will guide us into all Truths; He will not speak of Himself but will show us that which would come…the New Covenant (At the time John 16:13 was written, the New Covenant had not yet been given.).

“Howbeit when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all Truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will show you things to come.” John 16:13

The Spirit of Truth has come to those who have believed and there is no more condemnation for those who are led by Him.  At times we may falter; we may even stumble and fall, but we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ (1 John 2:1) Whose Spirit, the Holy Spirit, calls us to repentance and moves us forward with Him.

“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

If something seems foolish, discern the foolishness.  The things of the Spirit of God are foolish to the natural man.  The spiritual are to judge all things.  We are to discern whether they be of the Spirit or of the flesh.   This is not judging according to appearance but following the Spirit of God.

The Child of God has been given the Word of God and the Spirit of God to guide us into all Truths.  They will never contradict one another but always point to the Cross of Christ as the Source and the means by which we receive from God.  Faith placed there, in the finished work of Jesus Christ, gives the Holy Spirit latitude to do that which He is commissioned to do in the Believer’s life…guide us into all Truths according to the Word of God and free us from the law of sin and death which gives us dominion over sin.

With our faith in Jesus Christ and Him crucified, we are allowing the Holy Spirit to superintend the work of God in our life.  Be determined to know nothing else among you.

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

-Donna Clark Warren

^“16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: ¹⁷ That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

ALL Scripture, not “some”, not “most” but ALL Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness.  The Word of God is the plumb line of Truth…the only revealed Truth in the world.  The denominational doctrines are not the plumb line.  Man-made philosophies are not the plumb line.  Human opinion, nope – not the plumb line.  The Bible does not contain the Word of God; it IS the Word of God.

The only way to see when something is out of plumb, is to hold the plumb line (the level) to it.  A small, 6″ level will not give an accurate reading of a 20′ stick…just as a single Scripture taken out of context will not give an accurate plumb line for life and living.

However, a 4′ level (the full counsel, rightly divided Word of God) will reveal any wrong direction of the full length of the stick.  The smallest degree of wrong direction in the stick is revealed because it can cause the entirety of the stick to go the wrong direction. The wrong direction is the leaven which leavens the whole lump.

“⁸ Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate you: rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.

⁹ Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.” Proverbs 9:8-9

The religious who live by worldly statutes, denominational guidelines and man made philosophies are not regarded as religious by the world; they are in fact readily accepted.  Their religious spirit is revealed when the Word of God is held up to their beliefs and their beliefs are laid waste.  These are scorners who will turn on a dime when the Word of God is used for their correction.

If the preacher does not use the full counsel of the Word of God, ALL Scripture, there will be no reproof, no correction…no instruction in righteousness.  Many confuse instruction in righteousness with consecration to Christian ordinances and good works.  Not so. Doing those things, the Christian ordinances that every Believer should do, will not fall out to righteousness.  Faith in Jesus Christ and Him crucified imputes the righteousness of Jesus unto the believing Saint.  Us in Him, Jesus Christ, allows the Holy Spirit to superintend that which belongs to Jesus.  Our works and consecration do not place us in Him, our faith in the Cross of Christ places us in His righteousness.

“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common Salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the Saints.” Jude 3

The Believer who is led by the lusts of the flesh will consider others who earnestly contend for the faith as religious.  Believers who hold the Word of God as the plumb line for all doctrine, reproof and correction and earnestly contend for the Christian doctrines are regarded as religious and legalistic to most of the modern church.  They do not take kindly to rebuke.

Indifference to doctrine has led and allowed many to fall away.  Another Jesus and another gospel matters not to many who would prefer their many good works and soothed conscience.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified has been set aside for another, more socially acceptable means of “salvation”…which in fact is no salvation at all.  Others sit by and allow their children, friends and family to be swept away into this false way; the plumb never measured and the path gone astray.

Judgment begins at the house of God (1 Peter 4:17) and many need to repent of their slothful ways; this writer included.  There truly is a river life.  Many have tasted the good Word of God and drank of the water and it is life unto our soul.  I am one of many who have seen the Salvation of the Lord and will not be shaken.  Jesus Christ has authored and He has finished our faith, precept upon precept, line upon line but He is not finished with us.  We must look to Him daily and fight that good fight of faith…faith in Who HE is and what HE has done.   No longer is it we who live but Christ Jesus Who lives in us.  We are not our own but bought with a price.  Our Redeemer paid the price and He has the power to possess that which He has redeemed.

A plumb line is vertical and never horizontal.  Consider the entire counsel, ALL Scripture, as the plumb line by which the Child of God is to live.

“Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15.

-Donna Clark Warren

“¹¹ Not that I (the Apostle Paul) speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

¹² I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

¹³ I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:11-13

Taken out of context, Philippians 4:13 would seem that the Apostle Paul offered a blank check to do all things through Christ Who strengthens us…whether it be God’s Will or not.  As long as we memorize this verse and keep repeating it during difficult circumstances, many believe this activity will build faith and motivate God to move on our behalf.  Even though this is the Word of God, taken out of context and used in this way is error which the Lord cannot bless.  Many have had their faith destroyed due to errors such as this.  Remember a little leaven, leavens the whole lump.  The devil won’t come with a red cape but as an angel of light and his ministers transformed into ministers of righteousness (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

“⁸ For by Grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: ⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

Placing Scripture, or anything else for that matter (prayer, Bible reading, fasting, etc.), in a position of law makes the Cross of Christ of no effect.  Please don’t misunderstand, every Believer should be reading the Bible and praying but doing these activities in order to “gain” righteousness, victory or whatever the Believer is seeking to do, turns one’s consecration into ambition and places them squarely under law.

The fact of the matter is, when the Holy Spirit gave this Scripture through the Apostle Paul, He meant exactly what He said…as a Child of God we can do all things through Christ Who strengthens us when whatever “it” may be that we are trying to do is the Will of God.  In context this Scripture says that no matter the Apostle Paul’s state, he has learned to be content.  Whether he was abased or whether he was abound, he had learned to be content because he could do all things through Christ who strengthened him.

Repeatedly repeating this Scripture does not build our faith.  Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith builds our faith.  Whether we are abased or whether we abound, we are content because we KNOW in Whom we have believed and we are persuaded that He is able to keep that which we have committed unto Him (2 Timothy 1:12).  Learn of Him, Who He is and what He has done for whosoever will believe.  His Yoke is easy and His burden light.  No man comes to the Father except by Him.  He is Jesus Christ.  He is the Source and His Cross the means by which whosoever believes upon Him receives from our Heavenly Father.  He is the Lamb of God, the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, Who is and was and is to come.

Jesus Christ and Him crucified…be determined to know nothing else among you.

-Donna Clark Warren

“Jesus said unto him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man comes unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6

The only way to God the Father is through Jesus Christ, not Buddha, mohammed, Mary or Oprah.  No one, no not a one, has come to God through good works either.  Believing in the Person of Jesus Christ and entrusting oneself to His atoning work on Calvary’s Cross for eternal Salvation and dominion over sin this side of Heaven gives the Believer access to the Throne of God.  Corruption will put on incorruption once we enter the pearly gates (1 Corinthians 15:53-55) but until then, we are given dominion over sin this side of Glory when our faith remains in the Cross of Christ for everything we receive from God (Rom. 6:14).

“³ Know you not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?

⁴ Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

⁵ For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His Resurrection:”  Romans 6:3-5

The only way to Jesus Christ is through the Cross.  Unless we are (present tense) buried with Him; planted together in the likeness of His death, we will not be in the likeness of His Resurrection.  The “Resurrection Life” in which the Believer seeks is found in the Cross of Christ, not the Resurrection.  This is by no means to demean the Resurrection, God forbid no! However, understanding Who Jesus is and what He did on Calvary’s Cross to pay the penalty of sin for the sinner and break the power of sin for the Believer’s life, there is no doubt as to His Resurrection.

“And He (Jesus) said to them all, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” Luke 9:23

No one can come to the Cross of Christ and be planted together is the likeness of His death unless we deny ourselves.  By denying our self will, self efforts, intellect, ability, education, talent, and own strength, we then purposely place our faith in Jesus as the Source and His Cross the means by which we receive from God the Father…this is “our cross” that we pick up.  The benefits afforded the Believer through the Cross of Christ was a place of great suffering for our Lord but for the believing Believer, the Cross of Christ is a place of great blessing.  This is “our cross” which we bear and glorifies our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, as we pick it up and follow Him.

We cannot follow Christ Jesus unless we deny ourselves and we cannot deny ourselves lest we be buried with Jesus by the baptism into His death.  It is HIS death that paid the penalty of sin and broke the power of sin utterly and completely.  Our self will, self abasement or penance cannot do any of this…no matter what religious man claims.

Finally, we cannot approach our heavenly Father and let God be God in our lives unless we have accepted His plan of Salvation.  Then and only then, when our faith is placed solely and exclusively in the Cross of Christ for everything we need, is the Holy Spirit commissioned to superintend the Will of God in our lives.  Precept upon precept, line upon line, old things pass away and all things become new.  We become a new creature in Christ Jesus.  He places His desires in our heart and then gives us the desires of our heart.

Jesus Christ and Him crucified…be determined to know nothing else.

-Donna Clark Warren

“²⁰ Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the Blood of the Everlasting Covenant, ²¹ Make you perfect in every good work to do His Will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to Whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21

The Sacrificial System God instituted after the fall of Adam and Eve remains to this day in effect.  God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, as the Sacrificial Lamb to pay the penalty of sin for whosoever will believe.  Given by God, Jesus is the only Sacrifice that God can except because of His utter perfection.  Jesus, being born of a virgin, was not of the seed of fallen man.  God sending Jesus as our Sacrifice cost us nothing, He is freely given to whosoever will believe.

The blood of bulls and goats could not pay the penalty of sin for man, which is death (Romans 6:23), but atoned for sin and restored fellowship with God.  When Old Testament Saints died they did not go to the burning side of hell but were separated by a great gulf in “Abraham’s Bosom” (Luke 16:20-29) where they were conscious and comforted.  Then, just as now, when the lost die and the gates of hell close behind them, they too are conscious but they are forever tormented.

“⁸ Wherefore He said, When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

⁹ (Now that He ascended, what is it but that He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

¹⁰ He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that He might fill all things.)” Ephesians 4:8-10

Captivity, the Old Testament Saints held captive and comforted in Abraham’s Bosom, were led captive when Jesus Christ descended into the lower parts of the earth and delivered every believing soul, including the thief on the cross, from satan’s captivity.  The Kingdom of Heaven suffered violence when Jesus Christ paid man’s penalty of sin on Calvary’s Cross but the violence took satan’s dominion by force (Matthew 11:12)….blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, nailing it to the Cross of Christ (Colossians 2:14-15).

The Crucifixion of Christ Jesus was violent and many don’t like to discuss.  Kenneth Copeland declared the Cross of Christ the greatest failure in human history which is what the word of faith doctrine actually believes.  The name it and claim it greed gospels declare themselves as “little gods” and believe they can manipulate God by using His Word to achieve their will.  This manipulation is nothing more that using the Word of God to cast a spell, an incantation, in order to influence the righteous spiritual world.  Because it is the righteous spirit world and not evil, Believers do not recognize this “white witchcraft” for what it is…witchcraft.

No matter if religion prefers to discuss or not, the Crucifixion of Christ Jesus IS the ONLY Sacrificial System which remains in effect today.  His Crucifixion IS the New Covenant.  Jesus Christ IS the Sacrificial Lamb of God.  The Blood of Jesus IS the Everlasting Covenant; that which makes the Believer perfect in every good work to do GOD’S Will, not self will by using God’s Word against Him.

Our faith in THIS Covenant, THIS Sacrifice….the Sacrificial Lamb of God, Jesus Christ – Who He is and what He has done, gives the Holy Spirit latitude to do that which He is commissioned to do…break the power of sin in the life of the Believer which allows us to live unto God and partake in His Divine Nature.  Religion will direct our faith to our part; unprofitable works which are not pleasing unto God through humanistic psychology cloaked in Scripture in order to appear “good”.

Consider your faith.  Who is the source and what is the means of victory? Consider the sacrifice which has become the source and the work which has become the means by which we receive our blessings from God.  If it is not Jesus Christ and Him crucified, it’s another gospel and another Jesus.

Prayerfully consider.

-Donna Clark Warren

“¹⁵ Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

¹⁶ For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

¹⁷ And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the WILL of God abides forever.” 1 John 2:15-17 (emphasis added)

The soul of mankind is merely merchandise to the worldly system.  There is but One Who cares for the soul of man and that is our Creator.  God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die on Calvary’s Cross to reconcile fallen man to Himself.  Jesus Christ made the Way, the ONLY Way, for God to be our God and we His People.  Any other way is a man made philosophical religion that is part of the worldly system; many of which profess Christianity but are a mere form of godliness.  God is constantly spoken of but have no part in their proceedings, or they in His.

Knowing Who Jesus is and what He has done for whosoever will believe, there is no doubt as to our Lord’s Resurrection.  Jesus Christ is alive and sitting at the Right Hand of the Throne of God.  The atoning work of Jesus Christ has made intercession for us, those who have freely chosen to follow Jesus, and we are declared innocent and fully justified through the Blood of Jesus Christ…not through the Resurrection but through His shed Blood on Calvary’s Cross.  Jesus is the Source and His Cross the means by which we are fully reconciled to God and power of sin is broken in the Believer’s life…”For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under Grace.” Romans 6:14.

The worldly systems used in the modern churches today involve humanistic psychology presented as the means, while self is the method and result in the Believer’s dependence on external circumstances and worldly methods to overcome sin…none of which are of the Lord.  God’s Prescribed Order requires faith in the atoning work of Jesus Christ which gives the Holy Spirit latitude to do that which He is commissioned to do, free us from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2).  Being free from the law of sin and death enables the Believer to live unto God; to partake in His Divine Nature (2 Peter 1:4) and be led by the Spirit of God.

“Not every one that says unto Me (Jesus), Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he that does the WILL of My Father which is in Heaven.” Matthew 7:21

Sadly, many souls in the modern church have become nothing more than merchandise of a worldly system cloaked in religion.  The religiosity of the system and the many “good” works makes it even more deceitful to the sincere Christian.

“²² Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your Name? and in Your Name have cast out devils? and in Your Name done many wonderful works?

²³ And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, you that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:22-23

Prophesying, casting out devils and doing many wonderful works in the Name of Jesus are not requirements to enter the Kingdom of Heaven but are used in modern religion to present a form of godliness.

Recognize the worldly system cloaked in religiosity.  Your soul is merely merchandise in such a system to satisfy the pride of life for workers of iniquity.

“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.” Matthew 6:20-21

Independence from our external circumstances and creature comforts is found in the Cross of Christ.  It is there, at Calvary’s Cross, that flesh is crucified and we are able to follow Jesus.

“And He said to them all, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” Luke 9:23

-Donna Clark Warren

“³ Understand therefore this day, that the Lord your God is He which go over before you; as a consuming fire He shall destroy them (the giants in the promise land) , and He shall bring them down before your face: so shall you drive them out, and destroy them quickly, as the Lord has said unto you.

⁴ Speak not you in your heart, after that the Lord your God has cast them out from before you, saying, For my righteousness the Lord has brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the Lord does drive them out from before you.

⁵ Not for your righteousness, or for the uprightness of your heart, do you go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the Lord your God does drive them out from before you, and that He may perform the Word which the Lord swore unto your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis 15:16).

⁶ Understand therefore, that the Lord your God gives you not this good land to possess it for your righteousness; for you are a stiffnecked people.” Deuteronomy 9:3-6

The devil is “good” at being the devil.  He is evil and therefore everything satan touches he kills, steals or destroys.  While satan is indeed the enemy of our soul, he remains nothing more than an instrument  of our God used for chastising His Children; for whom the Lord loves He chastens (Hebrews 12:6-7).

The giants fell in the Promise Land because of God’s Righteousness.  Righteous is Who He is.  Our consecration to Him does not result in our righteousness but in more of His Righteousness which results in His blessings, His perfect Will, His favor and providence.

The giants fall in our hearts and lives because of His Righteousness dethroning these giants and in turn the victory is realized.  This victory is not given because of our righteousness but because of the evil of these giants.  These giants work to kill, steal and destroy the faith of the Believer.   The Believer’s faith in Jesus Christ, Who He is and what He has done on Calvary’s Cross for whosoever will believe, gives the Holy Spirit latitude to do that which He is commissioned to do…destroy the giants.  Jesus Christ is light and IN Him is no darkness (1 John 1:5).   Jesus IS our Righteousness; that is Who He is.  IN Him is life…HE is the Source of Life and His Cross is the means by which we receive life.

The devil kills, steals and destroys but whosoever has eaten the Bread of Life and drank of the Living Water, Jesus Christ dwells in them and them in Him.  Where He goes, they go because they are quickened by His Spirit.  Sin has no more dominion.  They are consecrated to God’s Word.  His statutes are written on their hearts and they walk in His Ways; precept upon precept and line upon line.  Here a little and there a little, they grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Daily they fight the good fight of faith…faith in Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  They know that in them dwells no good thing.  This life is not their own but His Who sent them.  Whether they live or they die, they are the Lord’s (Romans 14:8).

“¹⁵ I (Jesus) pray not that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil. 

¹⁶ They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 

¹⁷ Sanctify them through Your Truth: Your Word is Truth. 

¹⁸ As You have sent Me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

¹⁹ And for their sakes I Sanctify Myself (separate unto God), that they also might be Sanctified through the Truth.

²⁰ Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word;

²¹ That they all may be one; as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be One in Us: that the world may believe that You have sent Me.

²² And the glory which You gave Me I have given them; that they may be One, even as We are One:

²³ I in them, and You in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them, as You hast loved Me.

²⁴ Father, I will that they also, Whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am; that they may behold My glory, which You have given Me: for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

²⁵ O Righteous Father, the world has not known You: but I have known You, and these have known that You have sent Me.

²⁶ And I have declared unto them Your Name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith You have loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” John 17:15-26

There will be giants that fall but it will not be because of our righteousness but because of His Righteousness, Jesus Christ, that the world may behold HIS Glory.

“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me.” John 12:32

The giants are falling.  Hearing we hear, seeing we see and those who are spiritual understand…the giants are going to fall.

-Donna Clark Warren

“⁶ And the Lord God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd.

⁷ But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered.

⁸ And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live.” Jonah 4:6-8

God sent Jonah to call Nineveh to repentance and they turned from their evil ways. Upon Nineveh’s repentance, God repented of the evil He had said He would do unto them (Jonah 3:10).  Man’s repentance is the result of love and guilt of their wrong doing.  God’s repentance is a result of love and pity.

Once Nineveh repented and God withdrew His wrath, Jonah went out of the city and pouted hoping to see Nineveh yet to be destroyed for their evil of which they had repented but destruction never came.  While Jonah was pouting, the Lord prepared a gourd to come up over Jonah’s head to shade him and he was exceedingly glad.

Not only did the Lord prepare the gourd, he also prepared a worm to destroy the gourd and a vehement east wind and the sun then beat upon the head of Jonah and he wished to die.

While Nineveh celebrated their blessing, Jonah pouted.  While Jonah pouted, God prepared…prepared to give and prepared to take away from Jonah.  God gave him shade and God took away his shade.  God’s mercy gives and God’s mercy takes away.  Jonah did not understand God’s pity on Nineveh upon their repentance; yet Jonah had pity on the gourd and was angry when it perished.

“⁹ And God said to Jonah, Do you well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, even unto death.

¹⁰ Then said the Lord, you have had pity on the gourd, for the which you have not labored, neither made it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night:

¹¹ And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?” Jonah 4:9-10

God’s pity understood Nineveh’s utter lack of discernment and His mercy called them to repentance.  Sadly, there are many today who do not understand God’s pity on those with lack of discernment and would rather see them perish than repent. If their call to repentance was met with an actual turning away from evil, they would not understand God’s pity but only His judgement.

Sometimes God will prepare us a gourd while we pout, so we will understand pity when He prepares that worm to take it away. Jonah could have been rejoicing with the Ninevites but instead he chose to pout.  Discern the gourd when it perishes. Seek understanding.  God gives and God takes away…blessed be the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

-Donna Clark Warren