“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

God alone knows the way to life and living and He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, as the Sacrificial Lamb to pay the penalty of sin for the sinner and break the power of sin for the Believer so that we may have life. Through the Cross of Christ we are alive unto God and afforded the ability to partake in God’s Divine Nature if we so choose.

“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these you might be partakers of God’s Divine Nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:4

The way of man without God is corrupted and leads to death. No matter the vanities of humanistic psychology to overcome the world and live your best life now, it is a product of carnal minds under satan’s dominion. In the modern church, psychology is draped in Scripture to appear “right” to the unknowing Believer, whereby they then equate this doctrine of demons with biblical Christianity. Being deceived, the Believer leads a defeated Christian life because they are not partaking in God’s Divine Nature but learning worldly statutes believing them to be the “Truth”. The Truth (the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified for Salvation AND daily living for God) is no longer Truth when it has been corrupted with a lie. This IS the leaven which leavens the whole lump.

Prayerfully these Believers run this race to the end and enter the Gates of Pearl still smoking from the fire which continues to burn the many unprofitable works they have been toiling over in the ways of the world, as their faith remains steadfast in the Cross of Christ for Salvation. Sadly however, there are untold millions who give up and turn from God’s Prescribed Order for life and life more abundantly through faith in the Cross of Christ for everything they receive from God and turn from Him. Their faith in Jesus Christ and Him crucified for Salvation is destroyed by the commandments of men given as doctrine and they lose their way. It is the devil’s purpose to destroy the Believers faith in the Cross of Christ and he uses religion to achieve his goal. The sincere yet deceived Believer is satan’s tool…just ask Adam.

“ But seek you first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33

-Donna Clark Warren

“But the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23

What we need to be in Christ we cannot be on our own accord. Our self efforts and man mad rules to gain those things of which we should be in Christ are all vanities. Developing the Fruit of the Spirit in the heart of the Believer is the ministry of the Holy Spirit…not man’s. It is the circumcision made without hands. Old things pass away and we become a NEW creature in Christ Jesus through the ministry of the Holy Spirit when our faith is placed in the Cross of Christ. The Holy Spirit only works within the parameters of faith in the finished work of Jesus. He is not commissioned to do this work when our faith is in anything other than the Cross of Christ; not the wooden beam but Jesus Christ and Him crucified…Who HE is and what HE has done for whosoever will believe. Faith in our ability to produce the Fruit of the Spirit is not faith in the Cross of Christ but our own efforts.

If someone isn’t exhibiting the Fruit of the Spirit in their lives it is because their faith has been corrupted into something they must do. Friends, parents, husbands, wives….if there is no fruit, point them to the Jesus Christ and Him crucified for the answer in which they seek so the Holy Spirit can superintend the work He is commissioned to do.

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” Romans 5:1

There is peace with God through the Cross of Christ; sanctifying peace…peace beyond all understanding. We may not be perfect but we are at peace with our God Who loves us.

“But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” Romans 6:22

Discern the fruit. Being made free from sin, we have become servants to God. The power of sin was broken by Jesus on Calvary’s Cross. We are alive unto God through the Cross of Christ and afforded the ability to partake in God’s Divine Nature. Choose this day in whom you will serve. Allow the Holy Spirit to produce in you fruit unto God through faith in the Cross of Christ. Be determined to know nothing else among you.

-Donna Clark Warren

^“13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His Disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of Man am?

¹⁴ And they said, Some say that You are John the Baptist: some, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the Prophets.

¹⁵ He said unto them, But whom say you that I am?

¹⁶ And Simon Peter answered and said, You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.

¹⁷ And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed are you, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood has not revealed it unto you, but My Father which is in Heaven.

¹⁸ And I say also unto you, That you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:13-18

This passage of Scripture has been greatly misunderstood through the ages, mainly due to the Roman Catholic’s teaching Peter being “the rock” of which the Lord built His Church.  Not so.  In verse 17 Peter Jesus calls Peter “Simon Barjona”, while in verse 18 Jesus refers to Peter as “Peter” which in the Greek means a “fragment of rock” and not “the rock”.  Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ alone is “The Rock”.  He is the head of His Church, not man (and that includes the pope).

The world does not know God through wisdom but by revelation alone.  When God revealed to “Simon Barjona” Who Jesus Christ is, the Son of the Living God, Simon Barjona became a living fragment of rock (Peter) of whom Jesus would use to build His Church.  Jesus Christ is the Chief Corner Stone which holds the Church (the Foundation) together.

“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 3:11

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, Who He is and what He has done to pay the penalty of sin for the sinner and break the power of sin for the Believer, can only come from God.  Intellectual knowledge of the Word of God does not reveal Jesus.  The natural man cannot receive the things of God.

“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.” 1 Corinthians 2:14

This revelation knowledge of Jesus Christ given by God to Peter, the same revelation given to every born again Believer, is that which Jesus builds His Church.  As living fragments of the Body of Christ, the gates of hell will not prevail.  Jesus; The Christ…The Son of the Living God, has nailed to His Cross the ordinances which were against us.  The principalities and powers of darkness against us have been made a show of by the Cross of Christ and utterly defeated.

“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the Children of God:” Romans 8:16

Being born of the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit bears witness to our spirit.  This is the revelation knowledge of which the Church is built.  It’s not gold dust and angel feathers; nor is it sanctimonious ceremonies.  The revelation know of the Jesus Christ results in a new creature in Christ Jesus; not a rehabilitated creature.

^“17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

¹⁸ And all things are of God, Who has reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

¹⁹ To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and has committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-19.

The born again Believer has been given a ministry of reconciliation.  This reconciliation was afforded by the Cross of Christ…the Power of God to us who are saved.  The world cannot receive this revelation until they hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified and choose to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Preach the Gospel Preacher.  No matter the amount of intellectual knowledge and charisma one may have, unless a man be born again; born of the Spirit of God, they will not see the Kingdom of God.  Redeem the time.

^“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

-Donna Clark Warren

^“13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.

¹⁴ And they talked together of all these things which had happened.

¹⁵ And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus Himself drew near, and went with them.

¹⁶ But their eyes were holden that they should not know Him.

¹⁷ And He said unto them, What manner of communications are these that you have one to another, as you walk, and are sad?”  Luke 24:13-17

After the death of Jesus and shortly after His Resurrection, Cleopas and another man who both knew Jesus but did not yet know of His Resurrection, were speaking of Him when He, in His Glorified Body, drew near and questioned them of their sadness.  Their response is striking.  

^“18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto Him, Are you only a stranger in Jerusalem, and have not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?

¹⁹ And He said unto them, What things? And they said unto Him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: ²⁰ And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and have crucified Him.

²¹ But we trusted that it had been He which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.” Luke 24:18-21

The two men “…trusted that it had been He which should have redeemed Israel…”.  Even though the prophets of old had declared the suffering Messiah to come; One Who would be despised and rejected, yet they believed them not.

“Who has believed our report? and to whom is the Arm of the Lord revealed?

² For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: He has no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him.

³ He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.” Isaiah 53:1-3

Throughout history mankind has chosen to believe certain parts of the Word of God and neglected the full counsel.  This cherry picking which caused many to stumble; the dismissing of that which is not pleasing to the masses, has too often resulted in another gospel and another Jesus being proclaimed.  Scriptures such as:

^“9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, ¹⁰ Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the Kingdom of God.” 1 Cor. 6:9-10

or

^“13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. ¹⁴ And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. ¹⁵ Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” 2 Cor. 11:13-15

or lastly;

^“8 This people draw nigh unto Me with their mouth, and honor 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, 

are all too often neglected.  Just as Scripture on Israel’s suffering Messiah was neglected by many, even His own disciples, so too are the Scriptures warning of false doctrines neglected in the modern church.  The prosperity and hyper grace gospels abound, while the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified is rejected.  This rejection is never on theological grounds but moral.  The moral authority of the Word of God is what is rejected.  The compromise is always on moral grounds.  Look at most in the modern church today and one can clearly see a people who openly condone and accept what the Word of God declares as sin.

^“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, is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and instruction in righteousness.  We either believe this to be true or we believe it to be a lie.

Prayerfully consider.

-Donna Clark Warren

^“17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of Grace and of the gift of Righteousness shall reign in life by One, Jesus Christ.)

¹⁸ Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the Righteousness of One the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

¹⁹ For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of One shall many be made Righteous.

²⁰ Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

²¹ That as sin has reigned unto death, even so might Grace reign through Righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 5:17-21

By one man’s offense, the fall of Adam, death reigns in the heart of the unbeliever.  Because of Adam’s original sin we are all born with a sin nature which reigns and grows in our heart.  It is not our sin nature that sends us to hell, if such were so, every child that died young would be in a devil’s hell.  God forbid NO!

However, it is because of our sin nature that mankind is bent toward evil.  Make no mistake, those who may appear “good” in the eyes of man yet they are not born again, are evil in the eyes of God.  Their righteousness is self righteousness.  Grace cannot reign in the hearts of man through self righteousness but only the Righteousness of Jesus Christ our Lord imputed to the believing Sinner upon conversion.

The unredeemed do not have the power to deny the devil.  He is their lord who comes with many hats…depending on the particular evil of which they are bent.  If we could deny the devil before our conversion, the Cross of Christ was in vain.

^“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.” Romans 6:3-4

Once the believing sinner accepts Jesus as their Lord and Savior, we are baptized into Jesus’ death.  Our sin nature is not dead but through this “baptism into (His)”, we are dead unto our sin nature of which we were espoused to due to Adam’s fall.

^“2 For the woman which has an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he lives; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.

³ So then if, while her husband lives, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.

⁴ Wherefore, my Brethren, you also are become dead to the law by the Body of Christ; that you should be married to another, even to Him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.” Romans 7:2-4

Being buried with Christ Jesus, we “…become dead to the law by the Body of Christ; that you should be married to another,…“.  No more are we espoused to the Law of Sin and Death which condemned us to death because of Adam’s disobedience but made free by the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus because of Jesus’ obedience that we may be made Righteous and bring forth fruit unto God.

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

² For the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the Law of Sin and Death.” Romans 8:1-2

There is but one Law greater than the Law of Sin and Death and that is the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus.  By this Law the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus, Grace reigns in our hearts through Righteousness freely imputed to the Believer.  The devil knows this and trembles.  Satan knows when the Believer’s faith is placed solely and exclusively in the Cross of Christ; our faith in JESUS’ obedience, that we are freely justified unto God by HIS (Jesus’) Righteousness and not our own.  Our righteousness is as filthy rags.

^“8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. ⁹ For in him dwells all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” Colossians 2:8-9

It is the ministry of the Holy Spirit to superintend the work of God in the heart of the Believer.  He is the One commissioned to dethrone and isolate the sin nature upon accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior…not man.  Philosophies and vain deceit after the traditions of men are offered up with all sincerity from the religious as doctrine.

“But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Matthew 15:9

Such doctrines, the rules and methods involved, even though cloaked in Scripture and may indeed be an ordinance of the church, are gross error when given to gain righteousness.  Such righteousness is the same righteousness as the heathen; self righteousness.  The doctrines cause the Child of God to live a defeated Christian life as they are swept to and fro with every wind of doctrine.

^“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

It is by Grace through faith that we are Saved; justified by the Righteousness of Jesus Christ, and it is by Grace through faith that we are kept THROUGH His Righteousness unto eternal life (Romans 5:21).

^“3 And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.

⁴ And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.

⁵ And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he strikes a man.

⁶ And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.” Revelation 9:3-6

This is but a mere glimpse into the spirit world of darkness.  These are the principalities, powers and rulers of darkness  of which we wrestle.

“¹² For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

¹³ Wherefore take unto you the whole Armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Ephesians 6:12-13

It is to be well noted that the Armor is God’s and in it we stand.  We do not get up every morning standing in front of the mirror pretending to put it on.  That’s foolishness.  In God’s Armor, we understand the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  We understand Who He is and what He has done to pay the penalty of sin for the believing sinner and break the power of sin for the Saint.

^“14 Stand therefore, having your loins gird about with Truth, and having on the Breastplate of Righteousness;

¹⁵ And your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace;

¹⁶ Above all, taking the Shield of Faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

¹⁷ And take the Helmet of Salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God:” Ephesians 6:14-17

In God’s Armor we are imputed His Righteousness through the Blood of Jesus Christ Who cleansed us from all unrighteousness.  We are given peace beyond all understanding in God’s Armor.  Our faith being in the Cross of Christ is the only Shield of Faith in which the devil recognizes.  All other shields of faith (faith in our consecration, efforts, intellect, abilities, etc.) are consumed by fiery darts.

Renewing our minds daily, fighting the good fight of faith in the Cross of Christ, is the Helmet of our Salvation.  We are Saved to the uttermost through the precious Blood of Christ and we are kept through the precious Blood of Christ.  No one can pluck us out of the Hand of God when we are abiding in His Armor.  God’s Word is the two edged Sword which severs the old man and creates in us a clean heart.

In God’s Armor, submitted unto Him, we are able to stand and resist the devil.  Fully submitted unto God, standing in His Armor and His Power through faith in the Cross of Christ, the devil must flee.

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

Be gone devil.  I know in Whom I have believed and am fully persuaded He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him. I remain determined to know nothing else except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  Is there anyone else among us who knows this God of Whom I serve?  Is there anyone else standing in God’s Armor with the Power of God resting in their hearts saying I Am that I Am?  I know God has allowed the devil to scatter us to declare this message to the four corners of the world.  I know that He is sending His Laborers into the harvest.  I can hear the sound of an abundance of rain.  I see the cloud the size of a man’s hand.  Lord send the rain!!

-Donna Clark Warren

^“8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

⁹ For in Him dwells all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

¹⁰ And you are complete in Him, which is the Head of all principality and power:

¹¹ In Whom also you are circumcised with the Circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the Circumcision of Christ:

¹² Buried with Him in Baptism, wherein also you are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hash raised Him from the dead.” Colossians 2:8-12

We, as Believers, are buried with Christ Jesus; baptized into His Death.  Walking daily in newness of life with our faith in the Cross of Christ, we are made whole.

“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:

⁶ Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” Romans 6:3-6

The Circumcision made without hands, the ministry of the Holy Spirit; that which HE is commissioned to superintend, gives us victory over the world, the flesh and the devil.  We are no longer a slave to sin for Grace has given us the victory.  It is by Grace through faith the penalty of sin has been paid and it is by Grace through faith that the power of sin is broken.

“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under Grace.” Romans 6:14

Precept upon precept and line upon line, old things pass away and all things are made new.  His mercies are new every morning.  Buried with Jesus through faith, the operation of God the Holy Spirit working in our heart and lives, produces fruit unto God for His glory; not our own.

^“13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, has He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses; ¹⁴ Blotting out the handwriting of Ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His Cross; ¹⁵ And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” Colossians 2:13-15

Jesus is the Source and His Cross the means by which the Believer walks in victory.  Victory is not a life with no trials nor tribulations.  No, in this life we will have problems.  Victory is knowing in Whom you have believed and being persuaded that He is able to keep  that which you have committed unto Him.  Victory is knowing the principalities, powers and rulers of darkness of this world have been utterly defeated by the Cross of Christ.

Psychology, whether it’s attached to the Source of our victory (Jesus) or whether it’s attached to the means of our victory (His Cross), remains psychology and has no power against the forces of darkness.   Psychology is the leaven which leavens the whole lump.  It corrupts the Atonement and makes it of no effect in the hearts and lives of the Believer.  That which is cleansed is defiled by such error and produces fruit unto death.  While Truth, the proper understanding of the Atonement made by Jesus Christ on Calvary’s Cross, expels error.

40 days of purpose, G12, Seven Mountains, NAR, word of faith and countless other false gospels have defiled many.  Death is being ministered from behind the pulpit as the leaven begins to leaven.  The world, the flesh and the devil have dominion because of blindness to Truth.  The corrupted gospel and other Jesus have resulted in the curse of blindness and seeing they see not.  Because they did not love the Truth, they have been sent a strong delusion.

^“10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the Truth, that they might be Saved.

¹¹ And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: ¹² That they all might be damned who believed not the Truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12

Some are determined to know nothing else except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  This is the knowing; knowing in Whom you have believed…this IS the power of God to us who are saved.

“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 Cor. 1:18

-Donna Clark Warren

You know the friend who took you out to lunch a couple of weeks ago and now you want to do something nice for them?  Your not trying to earn favor with them but simply love them and want to return the favor.  That’s all good.  We all have those friends of which we have close, personal relationships.  However, if those acts of kindness were not being somewhat reciprocated or those phone calls start being neglected, one friend would most likely be offended and the friendship would wax cold.

I do it.  Just this weekend I went to lunch with a friend who has helped me in my real estate career, so I felt obligated to buy her lunch. That obligation wasn’t burdensome.  It felt like the right thing to do.  She has helped me tremendously, so why wouldn’t I buy her lunch? It was truly my pleasure.

You see the problem arises when we Believers begin feeling this way about the Lord.  When we begin to view our acts of obedience as meriting our blessings.  We fasted 21 days, so the Lord blesses me.  We read the Bible in a year, so the Lord blesses me.  It’s that same feeling of “doing our part” in our earthly relationships that we tend to apply to our relationship with our Heavenly Father. Our sincerity is true but our evil motives are often not realized.  Religion is on the sidelines rooting us on for our wonderful works and we fail to discern the little leaven that is beginning to leaven.

“²¹ Not every one that says unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he that does the Will of My Father which is in Heaven.

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 7:21-23

Doing many wonderful works is not a condition of entering into Heaven.  Doing “our part” is not a condition of entering into Heaven.  Our only part in entering into Heaven is faith in the Cross of Christ.  Jesus Christ is the Source and His Cross the means by which we receive our blessings from God.  This is the fight of faith we must fight daily,  faith in Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  It is easy for us in our flesh to vainly attempt to earn our Salvation; returning the favor as we so often do among our friends.  God can’t accept our part.  Our part is nothing but filthy rags; it is Cain’s sacrifice.  Our part defiles our righteousness imputed to us by the Blood of Jesus.

“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto you are also called, and have professed a good profession before many witnesses.” 1 Tim. 6:12

God has given each and every person a work to do.  Blessed are those who are faithful to the work He has given us.  However, even those who God is using in a mighty way, need daily to humble themselves before the Lord and not allow their work to be the object of their faith and their consecration to the Lord to become ambition of further blessing.  Of course the Lord blesses our consecration but we must be ever so careful to not allow our consecration to be the means and ourselves the source of our blessings.  THIS is the denial of self.  THIS is the picking up of our cross, the blessings of God afforded us by the Cross of Christ…THIS is following Jesus (Luke 9:23).  THIS is the Power of God unto us who are saved.  Jesus Christ and Him crucified, be determined to know nothing else among you.

“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 Cor. 1:18

-Donna Clark Warren

“And He (Jesus) said also unto His Disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.

² And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of you? give an account of your stewardship; for you may be no longer steward.

³ Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord takes away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.

⁴ I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.

⁵ So he called every one of his lord’s debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owe you unto my lord?

⁶ And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take your bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty.

⁷ Then said he to another, And how much owe you? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take your bill, and write fourscore.

⁸ And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.” Luke 16:1-8

The lack of diligence among the unjust stewards, those who are called by Jesus’ Name, has allowed the children of this world to be wiser than the Children of Light.  Their “lords” commend their scheming and planning to achieve that which is commanded.  While many Believers are ever so slothful in contending for that which our Lord Jesus Christ has freely given unto us to steward.

^“24 Know you not that they which run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? So run, that you may obtain.

²⁵ And every man that strives for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.” 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

Striving to obtain a corruptible crown, the world beats the air…but at least they are striving to win.  How much more should we, those who know the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified; those who are born again by the precious Blood of Jesus Christ…how much MORE should we be striving; contending for the faith of which we have been given.

^“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 1:3

Earnestly contend for the faith which was delivered unto you.  Fight the good fight of faith.  Not looking to the right or to the left but unto Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  Be determined to know nothing else among you.  No matter the reason for our slothfulness, repent and get busy!  There is a lost and dying world who needs to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified. As long as we draw breath, Jesus Christ has a Will and a Purpose for our life. Get busy.  The children of the world should not be commended and wiser than the Children of Light.

^“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.”  Matthew 5:16

These good works are not handing out bottles of water and patting them on the back.  These good works are spreading the Good News of the Blood of the Lamb which took away all of our sin.  It is by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony that the lost are found.  It is going out into the highways and hedges and declaring The Gospel that the lost are compelled to come in to the Kingdom of God.  Not “A” gospel but THE Gospel…THE Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  Get busy church. Get busy.  I have friends and family, you have friends and family that need to hear Jesus loves them. Get busy.

-Donna Clark Warren

“The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

The devil deceives us into thinking that snare; the bait of which he tempts the Believer with won’t hurt us.  Twisting God’s Word he will convince us we have dominion over that sin and partaking in it won’t hurt us.

Just to be clear, the Believer whose faith is solely and exclusively in the Cross of Christ for victory over sin, the devil is correct…we DO have dominion over sin.  We are under Grace not law and sin no longer has dominion over us (Romans 6:14).  While one Believer is looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, the other is looking until self effort.  When we tune our itchy ear to the devil and believe that in our own power we can “control” the measure of sin in which we choose to partake, we have believed the lie of the devil.  His goal is to kill, steal and destroy our faith in the Cross of Christ for victory over sin.  To leave us defeated and bound.  The Believer is Saved, and praise the Lord for our Salvation which is the number one most important choice the believing sinner can ever make, but they are living a defeated Christian life.  The work the Lord has for them, His perfect Will and Providence, has been stolen by the devil’s lie.  The devil uses and abuses all that we have while never replenishing.  His ultimate goal is to destroy the Believer’s faith in the Cross of Christ for our Salvation.  Sadly, he all too often achieves this goal and the artery he uses for this destruction is religion.

^“Howbeit in vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Matthew 7:7

These commandments of men use and abuse the Believer and never replenish that which is stolen. The Cross of Christ gives us life and life more abundantly because we are afforded the ability to partake in God’s Divine Nature.  No longer bound by sin, we are troubled but not distressed.

^“7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

⁸ We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;⁹ Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; ¹⁰ Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

¹¹ For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

¹² So then death work in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-12

The death of Christ which works in us, is life unto us…life and life more abundantly.  THIS is the cross we must bear. As we continually look unto Jesus, all things work together for our good.  Persecuted but not forsaken, that which will always work for our good is made manifest for Jesus’ sake.

We are alive unto God through Christ Jesus.  What He and only He could accomplish on Calvary’s Cross gave us access to the Throne of God.

“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these you might be partakers of God’s Divine Nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:4

We are delivered unto death so that we may partake in God’s Divine Nature…not to entertain the wiles of the devil.  We have been given such great and precious promises.  Don’t let the devil use and abuse that which the Lord has given you.  Try the spirits. Search the Scriptures. Beware of man made commandments given as biblical doctrine.

-Donna Clark Warren