“Then spoke Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the Light of the World: he that follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of Life.” John 8:12

The born again Believer alone knows Jehovah God; the God of the Bible…the Great I AM. As a born again Believer we know God through His only begotten Son Jesus Christ Who came to die on Calvary’s Cross to pay the penalty of sin for the sinner and break the power of sin for the Believer.  Jesus Christ is alive and now sits at the Right Hand of the Throne of God.

As a born again Believer, we must understand that our state and our position affect the entire Earth because we alone know God.  Buddhist do not know Jehovah God. Muslims do not know Jehovah God.  No one except those who have freely chosen to accept Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ ALONE (not Jesus plus water baptism, etc.) as their Lord and Saviour knows God the Father.  It is not our financial position or our material goods that affect the earth but our position in Christ Jesus.  Our consecration and obedience as a Child of God to God’s Word and His Statutes directly affects others.  God’s blessings upon the Child of God affects our families, our jobs, our homes and our communities.

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.” Matthew 5:14

-Donna Clark Warren

“²⁴ There is that scatters, and yet increases; and there is that withholds more than is meet, but it tends to poverty.

²⁵ The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that waters shall be watered also himself.” Proverbs 11:24-25

The liberal soul gives liberally to the Work of God; they scatter and yet increases are promised.   They do not give to gain the increase but give to gain souls for the Kingdom of God. While those who withhold from God will not gain but instead tend toward poverty.

“²⁸ He who trusts in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.

²⁹ He that troubles his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.

³⁰ The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he who wins souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:28-30

Regrettably, it is satan’s minister who are all too often supported by the church and their supports will not be increased but in reality cursed by God.

“⁸ Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me. But you say, Wherein have we robbed You? In tithes and offerings. ⁹ You are cursed with a curse: for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation.” Malachi 3:8-9

Due to lack of proper teaching and preaching of the full counsel, rightly divided Word of God and turning instead to novels written by satan’s ministers to appeal to the lusts of the flesh (Blood Moons, Harbingers, Paradigm, Shack, Grace Revolution, Purpose Driven Life, etc.) much of the Body of Christ is without discernment and understanding of that which is the Work of God.  The Bible has been rewritten and translated into man’s private interpretation and presented as the Word of God.

“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 Corinthians 11:13-15

There are those who “scatter” and give liberally to the Work of God and there are those who scatter and give liberally to the work of satan.  For those who give liberally to the work of satan, there is no increase because they are robbing God and their giving is cursed.

The message is the criteria.  If the message is not Jesus Christ and Him crucified, then it is not the Gospel and we are supporting another gospel and another Jesus; a false gospel which is accursed (Gal. 1:6-8).

Jesus is the Source and His Cross the means by which Salvation comes to the sinner and Sanctification to the Saint.  When Jesus is lifted up among the people, the Holy Spirit draws us closer unto God and sick bodies are healed, the lame walk, bondages broken and the liberty in Christ Jesus realized.  It is the Power of God in the preaching of the Cross of Christ because the anointing is of the Spirit of God and not intellectual, vain philosophies.  Unless you know, you just don’t know.

Tragically so many do not know nor understand the power of God because their faith is directed and misplaced to another source and another means for victorious Christian living.  The power of sin is not broken in their lives because they are no longer under Grace but under law, man made laws presented from the pulpit given to gain their “best life now”.  This is the gospel too often being supported by the church because it motivates the Believer and appeals to their flesh.

“For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to Save them that believe.” 1 Corinthians 1:21

We must discern the message to understand whether or not we are giving to the work of God or the work of satan.  One message contains truth but is leavened with a lie, while the other is Truth and contains the power of God…the Cross of Christ (1 Cor. 1:18).

-Donna Clark Warren

“² And the Lord answered me (Habakkuk), and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run who reads it.

³ For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

⁴ Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.” Habakkuk 2:2-4

When the Lord speaks to His Children, His Words are often seen and not heard. God’s Words are the only voice that can be seen as He drops visions in our spirit.  I cannot be in one place while my husband is in another and when he speaks, I see his words.

“And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:” Acts 2:17

When the Lord speaks to us in a vision, it may tarry but will surely come.  We should wait with confidence as our faith in the promise of God (the vision) will birth comfort necessary to sustain our hearts.

“When you go, your steps shall not be straitened; and when you run, you shall not stumble.” Proverbs 4:12

As we go…as we walk our steps have no need of straightening because doors open.  Precept upon precept and line upon line our faith is authored. Walking is necessary but running is optional.  Whether we walk or run; the Lord gives wisdom.

“⁶ For the Lord gives wisdom: out of His Mouth come knowledge and understanding.

⁷ He lays up sound wisdom for the righteous: He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.” Proverbs 2:6-7

Jesus Christ is our Buckler as we press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  As we walk uprightly in Christ Jesus by faith in Who He is and what He has done for whosoever will believe, presumption and pride is purposely laid aside as the denial of our intellect and abilities opens the door to the blessings of God through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ…and we follow Him (Luke 9:23).

“¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto Salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

¹⁷ For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17

The just shall live by faith…faith in Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  The righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith.  Seeing we see…we see HIS Righteousness and our frailties.  Jesus Christ is lifted up and our hearts edified as we walk uprightly in His Will and His Ways.

“¹³ Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

¹⁴ I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14

Keep pressing.

-Donna Clark Warren

As several of us sat around last night after Bible Study enjoying fellowship one with another and my friend’s six year old daughter playing among us; sneaking behind tagging one person and then going to wrestle with another, she herself got tagged and tickled by none other than my dear husband sitting next to me.  Laughter erupted among all of us as her little face started turning red from laughter and she began to yell “stop, stop”.  Mind you now, as soon as he would stop, she would run right back for more fun and games.

It wasn’t until my husband, as he was holding on to her little arm so that she wouldn’t fall and hurt herself in her struggle to break free from the ‘tickle monster’ said, “I stopped tickling you a long time ago” that something quickened in my spirit.  

“For the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:2

There are many in the Body of Christ who have not realized their liberty; their freedom from the power of sin, because they are struggling in the flesh in order to break free from the chains that have them bound. Vain philosophies and humanistic psychology cloaked in Scripture have them yelling “stop” when they were loosed 2000+ years ago by Jesus Christ on Calvary’s Cross.  Their faith is in their “yelling”, their works or said yet another way…their part and not the Cross of Christ to be loosed from the besetting sin. They are free but remain bound because they lack a proper understanding of the Atonement.

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

At the Cross, Jesus paid the penalty of sin for whosoever will believe.  Those who choose to believe upon the atoning work of Jesus Christ have the blessed hope of eternal life.  No longer are we, as Believers, condemned to a devil’s hell but Jesus Christ made a way; He paid the price for us to be redeemed unto life and life everlasting.

However, the Cross of Christ has a double cure that has been deemed insufficient by religion and replaced with methods of man.  This double cure freely gives the Believer dominion over sin because we are now under Grace.  God’s Grace, afforded to the Believer through the Cross of Christ, gives us dominion over sin.  We are free yet do not understand our freedom.

Some reject this message, the preaching of the Cross of Christ, because they fear it is an excuse to sin.  Not so. The Cross of Christ gives the Saint victory over sin.  Therefore the preaching of the Cross of Christ is the power of God for those who are saved (1 Cor. 1:18).  It points us to the Source and the Means by which our victory comes, Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17).  Jesus Christ is lifted up among the people and He draws all men unto Him (John 12:32).  The preaching of the Cross of Christ is not an excuse to sin.

Other’s reject the message because their sin can no longer be ignored and they must choose in whom they are going to follow.  This is the conviction of the Holy Spirit.  It is HIS ministry, the Holy Spirit’s, that the religious attempt to infringe upon by giving laws and vain philosophies to sanctify the Saint instead of pointing them to the Cross of Christ for dominion over sin.

Many claim to be “spiritual” yet they are led around by every fad which comes down the pike due to zero discernment.  They do not recognize these harbingers, blood moons and paradigms as vain philosophies but are seduced by the appeal to their intellect. The methods given for victory over sin are vanities that appeal to lusts of the flesh and lead to further destruction.  With their mouths they draw near to God but their hearts are far removed (Isaiah 29:13).

“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

Once this sweet little girl realized the “tickle monster” had stopped a long time ago yet she continued in her struggles to be free, she stopped struggling and was loosed.  She was not condemned for not understanding her circumstances but set free when she understood and realized the arm that was holding her was actually keeping her from hurting herself.

God’s Arm is not shortened. Many do not understand the liberty they have in the Cross of Christ.  Don’t condemn them for their lack of understanding but tell them they are free and they no longer have to be a slave to sin.  Tell them those who the Son has set free, shall be free indeed!

“Preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.” 2 Timothy 4:2

-Donna Clark Warren

“²⁰ He (Abraham) staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; ²¹ And being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform.

²² And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

²³ Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;

²⁴ But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; ²⁵ Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” Romans 4:20-25

For those who have freely chose to believe, our Lord Jesus Christ was delivered unto death (the Cross) for our offences.  Sin and sickness (Sickness is a result of sin in the world; not necessarily our sin but due to Adam’s original fall.) was paid in full and it’s power broken on the Cross of Christ.  Jesus was delivered unto death for our offences and was raised again for our justification.  Because Jesus Christ rose again, we know the penalty of EVERY sin was paid in full.  One does not have to be water baptized to be Saved…Jesus’ work was sufficient.  Neither does one does not have to be a member of a certain church to be saved…Jesus’ work was sufficient.

Knowing Who Jesus is and what He did on Calvary’s Cross, we are therefore “…buried with Him (Jesus) 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 6:4-6

There is a death which works life in the Child of God, the death of Christ Jesus on Calvary’s Cross.  When we turn from His death to “life” according to worldly statutes we are perishing.  No matter the crowds, the popularity or the appeal to our intellect; faith in the Cross of Christ requires and results in the destruction of our worldly wisdom and brings to naught the understanding of our sensibility (1 Cor. 1:19)…hence, the offense of the Cross.

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 works in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:11-12

This faith by which we who are Saved live will bring us daily to the Cross of Christ when led by the Holy Spirit and we stagger not at the promises of God.  At times the lusts of the flesh may hinder or distract but the rough seas point us back to the Christ Jesus as repentance is met with forgiveness.

At other times the rough seas occur even as we daily walk with the Lord and are led by the Spirit.  Others may judge theses rough seas and declare them “chastisement for disobedience”; to them I say “Job’s friends are a dime a dozen”.  When we stop “discerning” everyone else’s storms; we will realize the condition of our own skiff and humbly fall on our face in repentance.

Discern the death.  The death of Christ works life in the Believer and we walk in newness of life.  The “life” of the world works death in the Believer and we will walk in condemnation.  Life isn’t flowing from our inner most being; there is no joy of the Lord and peace beyond all understanding because this “life” we are seeking is according to worldly statutes and not God’s Will and God’s Ways.

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them who diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6

God’s Way is faith in His Plan for Redemption….Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  Be determined to know nothing else.

-Donna Clark Warren

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, ² 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 12:1-2

Jesus Christ is the Author of Salvation for whosoever will believe.  The Plan of Salvation was predestined before the foundation of the world; not the person but the Plan…Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  The fall of man was not a surprise to God and His Plan of Redemption was not a back up plan.

“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

Jesus not only authored the Believer’s Salvation before the foundation of the world but He was manifest in the flesh to finish our Salvation. Jesus came to die on Calvary’s Cross to pay the penalty of sin for the sinner. The veil was rent and access to the Throne of God made possible by the precious Blood of Christ.  Jesus is the Source and Calvary’s Cross the means by which our Salvation is authored and finished.

This Plan of Salvation, authored and finished by Jesus Christ, is the object of the Believer’s faith.  Our faith is not made stronger by anything that “we” can do.  Other than faith, “our part” is not an option in God’s Redemption Plan.  Penance, water baptism or doing many wonderful works will not enhance God’s Redemption Plan but is another example of Cain’s offering.

When the object of our faith is moved from the Cross of Christ to our part, something we must do in order to maintain or gain righteousness, Jesus is no longer the Author nor the Finisher of our faith but the preacher, teacher, etc. who presented the vain philosophy is the author and “self” is the finisher…which always leads to self righteousness and failure.

Religion will redirect one’s faith after Salvation to other methods to break the power of sin for Sanctification.  Humanistic psychology draped in Scripture with Jesus Christ as an example of how to live is given to the people as the means to live a victorious Christian life.  The Cross of Christ is ignored as the means by which our faith is finished; therefore the object of our faith is no longer Jesus Christ and Him crucified but Jesus Christ and whatever vain philosophy is coming down the pike.

Recognize WHO the Author of our faith is for daily living?  Consider WHO the Finisher of our faith is for daily living?  If it’s not Jesus Christ AND Him crucified…my friend, you’re perishing. Prayerfully consider.

“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 1:18

-Donna Clark Warren

“²⁵ Wherefore He is able also to Save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever live to make intercession for them.

²⁶ For such an High Priest became us, Who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; ²⁷ Who needs not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this He did once, when He offered up Himself.” Hebrews 7:25-27

Believers understand the intercessory work of Jesus Christ for Salvation.  We know Jesus died on Calvary’s Cross and paid the penalty of sin for whosoever will believe.  However, do we understand Jesus came to die on Calvary’s Cross?  Our Lord was not a martyr, He was a Sacrifice…a Sin Sacrifice unto God so that we, whosoever accepts Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, may be reconciled to God.  This was and is the intercessory work of our Lord on Calvary’s Cross.

“²⁶ For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the Truth, there remains no more Sacrifice for sins,” Hebrews 10:26

After we have received this knowledge of the Truth, Jesus’ intercessory work as the Sacrifice for our sin, there remains no more Sacrifice for sin.  We are Saved to the uttermost by the Blood of Jesus Christ.  His Blood stands in defense of our frailties.  When we stumble, when we fail…when we mess up all there is to mess up; the Blood of Christ stands in our defense when we confess our sins to God and repent.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

However, when we stumble, fail and miserably mess up what is already messed up, religion will always have an answer…a method or philosophy that will supposedly “repair” the breach.  Some may indeed be Scriptural ordinances but are not given to overcome sin…and make no mistake, sin is the problem.

To “sin willfully”, to turn from the Cross of Christ after we have received the knowledge of the Truth of Jesus’ intercessory work as the Sacrificial Lamb of God to pay the penalty of sin for the sinner AND break the power of sin for the Saint (Romans 6:14), and turn to vain philosophies makes the Cross of Christ of no effect.  Jesus Christ ever lives to make intercession for those who receives the knowledge of the Truth and continues to believe this Truth.  Following a vain philosophy is not believing the Truth for Christ’s intercession but in fact deeming the Truth, the Cross of Christ, as insufficient.

“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.” 1 Corinthians 1:17

The wisdom of words, the vain philosophies, make the Cross of Christ of none effect…there remains no more Sacrifice for sins because we have turned from the intercessory work of the Cross of Christ to another method…a vain philosophy cloaked in Scripture therefore we do not recognize the corruption.  This is the devil’s purpose; to corrupt our understanding of the Cross of Christ.  Satan can’t corrupt the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified for Christ’s work is completed…it is finished.  However, the devil can corrupt our understanding through supposed “ministers of righteousness”, false teachers and preachers who present another Jesus and another gospel, which makes the Cross of Christ of no effect leading to the destruction of one’s faith in Jesus’ intercessory work.

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 Cross of Christ IS the power of God unto us which are Saved.  This is His intercessory work which keeps us to the uttermost when our faith is placed solely and exclusively in His finished work.  Beware of vain philosophies, wisdom of words presented to corrupt understanding of the Atonement (the Cross of Christ) and cause one to sin willfully after receiving the knowledge of the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified…be determined to know nothing else among.

-Donna Clark Warren

“If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and gives you a sign or a wonder, 2 And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spoke unto you, saying, Let us go after other gods, which you have not known, and let us serve them; 3 you shall not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the Lord your God proves you, to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

4 You shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear Him, and keep His Commandments, and obey His Voice, and you shall serve Him, and cleave unto Him.” Deuteronomy 13:1-4

The Lord will allow false preachers and teachers to succeed for a while in order test His people. These false teachers and preachers may indeed perform miracles but they are not of God. The devil can perform perceived “miracles” but they will never edify God nor line up with His Word.

The “other gods” do not appear as another but are presented in order to corrupt our faith in the Cross of Christ as the Source and the means by which we receive from God. Once corrupted, our faith is swept to and fro with every wind of doctrine. The source is ourselves and the means is the method…the latest vain philosophy presented by the false teachers. The “other gods” are us, the individual, therefore it appeals to our flesh. The philosophy is cloaked in religion and Scripture so we deem it scriptural merely because “we” approve and not because it is in fact Scriptural. The reality is, we don’t know if it is Scriptural or not because sadly, we don’t truly know the full counsel of the Word of God, rightly divided. It sounded right, therefore, we deemed it to be right.

False preachers and teachers prosper because God’s people support them. God’s people support them because they have not tested the Scriptures. The success of these false preachers and teachers are allowed by God to prove His people; to test them. To be sure, God knows our hearts…it is we who do not know our own hearts. Our hearts are deceitful and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9).

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

If we do not receive the love of the Truth that we might be Saved; God will see to it that we are sent a lie…a strong delusion (2 Thess. 2:10-12). That is not this writer’s opinion but the Word of God. The endtime apostate church is alive and well. The harlot is on every street corner seducing God’s people into her den and they know not that the dead are there (Proverbs 9:18).

If you do not see the false teachers and false preachers being used of the devil as “ministers of righteousness”, the chances are you are sitting under the teachings of one and in your flesh deemed it acceptable. Prayerfully ask the Lord to show you if you have been led astray. When the Lord shows you, proves your heart and reveals it unto you, there will come a point of decision…humility or pride will swell up inside. Heed the warning and repent. Come back to the Cross of Christ and find life and life more abundantly. There is healing in the Cross; liberty in the Cross; everything that we need from God comes through Jesus Christ and what He did on Calvary’s Cross. Failure and shame are laid waste when the deceived Believer comes back to Calvary for victory over sin.

“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the Word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Acts 17:11

Heed the warning. Search the Scriptures. Be determined to know nothing else among you, save Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

-Donna Clark Warren

“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 works in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-12

In our flesh, this earthen vessel of which we exist, there is a death that works in the born again Believer.  A death of which we were baptized into at Salvation, the death of our Lord Jesus Christ.

“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 6:3-6

Looking unto Jesus, our faith is authored.  Precept upon precept and line upon line, the Holy Spirit delivers us once again unto death; Jesus’ death…the death of which brings life, the Cross of Christ.  Perplexed, we may not now know the solution but we know in Whom we have believed and have accounted Jesus Christ and Him crucified sufficient to supply all of our needs.

This death is not self abasement or humiliation of one’s self but the death of Jesus Christ working in us a new creature through faith in the redeeming work of Jesus Christ on Calvary’s Cross.

“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

Daily our self will and self efforts are denied.  Perplexed, our intellect is denied.  Despaired, our efforts are denied.  We pick up everything the Lord provided for us there, at the Cross of Christ…and we follow Him.  The power of God is then made manifest of God and not of us.

“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Galatians 6:14

-Donna Clark Warren

“²² And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father (Noah), and told his two brethren without.

²³ And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father’s nakedness.

²⁴ And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him.

²⁵ And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.

²⁶ And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.

²⁷ God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.” Genesis 9:22-27

True godly love does not spread the failings of others; it does not stir strife but calms strife.  Hatred in one’s heart will stir contention among the Brethren…and they will do it with a smile.  Hypocrisy is unrecognizable when covered in sincerity, yet it remains hypocrisy.

Until one properly sees the Cross of Christ, Who Jesus is and what He did on Calvary’s Cross, one does not see their own frailties.   The more we see Christ and learn of Him, seek to know of Him; the more we will see His Perfection…not our own.   Many reject the Cross of Christ for daily living because they do not want to know their own frailties.  The Cross of Christ is an offense.

“¹¹ And I, Brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the Cross ceased. ¹² I would they were even cut off which trouble you. ¹³ For, brethren, you have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” Galatians 5:11-13

The best way to reveal a crooked stick is to lay a straight stick next to it.  Some in the modern church will indeed use Jesus Christ and His perfection as an example on how to live but the source to achieve such perfection is self and the means is humanistic psychology.  For the modern church to point to Christ as the Source and His Cross the means , one would need to admit their frailties, inabilities, insecurities and overall lack of power to achieve the perfection of Christ Jesus which would offend the majority of the congregation.

When the Blood of Jesus is lifted up among the people, Jesus as the Source and His Cross the means by which the sinner is Saved and the Believer is Sanctified, the Holy Spirit moves in the hearts and lives of the people who willingly choose to respond.  Humility and utter dependence on the Cross of Christ is wrought in the heart of those who have believed because they have denied themselves, picked up their cross and followed Jesus (Luke 9:23).

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, you which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest you also be tempted.” Galatians 6:1

If a Brother or Sister is overtaken in fault, hatred in the heart of another will stir and spread strife…and they will be cursed just as Canaan and Ham.  While the peacemakers, those who calm the strife with a spirit of meekness lest they too be tempted, will be blessed as Shem and Japheth were blessed for covering the sin of their father…which was drunkenness by the way.   Those who cover the failures of the Brethren understand their own frailties.  They do not condone sin but neither do they gossip about other’s sin.

“¹² Hatred stirs up strifes: but love covers all sins.

¹³ In the lips of him that has understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.” Proverbs 10:12-13

You will know them by their fruit. Discern the fruit.

-Donna Clark Warren