“³ Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

⁴ There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you are called in one hope of your calling;

⁵ One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

⁶ One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” Ephesians 4:3-6

Unity of the Spirit is not compromise of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Unity is not agreeing to disagree because denominational lines will not allow agreement.

“Suppose you that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:” Luke 12:51

If it is the Truth of the Word that is causing division, discern the effect.  We must recognize the effect the Word of God has on our heart, not our emotions or our good intentions but our heart.  If our heart is hardened,  recognize this and decide in whom we will follow – philosophies of man or the Truth according to the Word of God.

Satan has access to our emotions and he will use this access to seduce us into compromising what the Lord has given us in Spirit and in Truth.  Little by little we keep looking back to Egypt to help us overthrow the world, the flesh and the devil.  These worldly ways are familiar but now they have a twist of Scripture to gain our acceptance…but they are still of the world and not of faith.

“But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such to worship Him.“John 4:23

Vain philosophies declared from the pulpit to unite those who should be divided goes against Scripture.  Unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace is destroyed when faith in things other than the finished work of Jesus Christ is declared.  40 days of purpose destroys the peace.  Philosophies of man to overcome the sin that so easily besets us destroys the peace.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ lays waste these vain philosophies to overcome sin yet they are forever rewrapped and presented as the Gospel of Jesus seeking to unite Believers.

“⁸ But though we, or an angel from Heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

⁹ As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that you have received, let him be accursed.

¹⁰ For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:8-10

Friends, if it is another gospel – in particularly, the gospel of  “political correctness” in order not to offend…we simply cannot unite in the bond of peace. That is a house built on sinking sand. The Truth of the Word of God offends the sinners AND the Saints.  Recognize the offense and consider the condition of your heart.  Christianity is a choice.

“¹⁴ Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve Him in sincerity and in Truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve you the Lord.

¹⁵ And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”  Joshua 24:14-15

Prayerfully consider.

-Donna Clark Warren

“¹⁷ You therefore, beloved, seeing you know these things before, beware lest you also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

¹⁸ But grow in Grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:17-18

If we are not growing in Grace, growing in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, Who He is and what He has done on Calvary’s Cross to break the power of sin in the Believer’s life, we are falling from Grace…we are apostatizing.  Christ has become of no effect on us when we place methods of man to overcome sin above that which Jesus has done on Calvary’s Cross to afford us the victory over the world, the flesh and the devil.

“⁴ Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; you are fallen from Grace.

⁵ For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

⁶ For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision avails any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which works by love.

⁷ You did run well; who did hinder you that you should not obey the Truth?

⁸ This persuasion comes not of Him that calls you.

⁹ A little leaven leavens the whole lump.”  Galatians 5:4-9

Growing in Grace does not involve 40 days of purpose, sanctimonious ceremonies, denominational traditions or humanistic psychology to achieve your best life now.  Growing in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, growing in Grace, involves the stedfast faith that our Lord, Jesus Christ, has given us the victory…no matter the present circumstances.  During times of trouble, the circumstances do not suddenly become our god…God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is our God through the redeeming work of Jesus Christ on Calvary’s Cross.  That reality does not change, even when our circumstances change UNLESS we fall from Grace and turn to law.

“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the Living God.” Hebrews 3:12

Hear me friends, do not partake in the lies of the devil.  An evil heart of unbelief is the believing the lies of the devil and not believing the promises of God.

“⁸ But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

⁹ The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”  2 Peter 3:8-9

It is not up to us to know the time nor the reason…it is up to us, God’s Children, to occupy until He comes.  A human promise may be weakened over time but God’s promise is Everlasting.

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”  Hebrews 13:8

Grow in Grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  He is not slack concerning His promise.

-Donna Clark Warren

“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

Prophesying in the name of Jesus, casting out devils in the name of Jesus and doing many wonderful works in the name of Jesus are NOT the criteria for entering in to the Kingdom of Heaven.

“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.” 1 Corinthians 11:14-15.

Workers of iniquity, those who have exalted self efforts, self will and any other method from the vanities of man’s mind to overcome the sin that so easily besets us other than Jesus Christ and His redeeming work on Calvary’s Cross are workers of iniquity.

The only way to God is through the Blood of Jesus Christ (John 14:6).  The only way to Christ is through the Cross.  Believing Who Jesus is (the Son of God, God manifest in the flesh) and what He did on Calvary’s Cross to pay the penalty of sin for whosoever will believe, leaves no room to doubt the Resurrection of our Lord.  He is Risen, He is Alive and He is sitting at the Right Hand of God searching to and fro to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is perfect toward Him.

“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

The only way to the Cross of Christ is to deny ourselves…our self efforts, self will, our “many wonderful works” and take up our cross daily and follow Jesus.  Taking up our cross is not “bearing our burdens”.  The Cross of Christ is the means by which we receive every blessing from God.  Jesus Christ is the Source of those blessings and His Cross the means.  Again, we deny our self efforts, take up every blessing Christ afforded us on Calvary’s Cross and FOLLOW Him.

Workers of iniquity exhort our self efforts and focus on our problem.  They prophesy in the name of Jesus, cast out devils in the name of Jesus and do many wonderful works in the name of Jesus…yet they are workers of iniquity.  They make the Cross of Christ of no effect with their wisdom of words.

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

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

The preaching of the Cross of Christ is the power of God unto us which are saved but it is foolishness to workers of iniquity.  Prayerfully discern.

-Donna Clark Warren

“¹⁹ There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

²⁰ And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

²¹ And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

²² And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

²³ And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeing Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

²⁴ And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

²⁵ But Abraham said, Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and you are tormented.

²⁶ And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

²⁷ Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house:

²⁸ For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

²⁹ Abraham said unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

³⁰ And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

³¹ And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” Luke 16:19-31

The rich man was probably quite proud to have given the beggar, Lazarus, his crumbs. Before Jesus came to die on Calvary’s Cross to take away sin from whosoever accepts Him as their Lord and Savior, the Old Testament Saints believed the revelation given to Abraham regarding their coming Redeemer (Romans 4:16).  The Resurrection of Jesus is proof that every sin, not most sin but EVERY sin was atoned for on Calvary’s Cross.

“⁷ But unto every one of us is given Grace according to the measure of the Gift of Christ.

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 4:7-10

Jesus led captivity captive when He descended to the lower parts of the earth and redeemed the Old Testament Saints…including Lazarus.  Satan held the Old Testament Saints captive but they were comforted and separated from the torment of those who died not believing God would send their Redeemer.

The rich man’s riches didn’t lead him to the Lord and neither did the beggar’s poverty keep him from the Lord.  The rich man, knowing that he was eternally and consciously entombed in hell begged Abraham to send Lazarus to his brothers to testify of this place called hell; to testify of his torments.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

¹⁷ For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.

¹⁸ He that believes on Him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”  John 3:16-18

Jesus is not one of many options to avoid condemnation.  He is the ONLY Way, the ONLY Truth and the ONLY Life.  No one comes to God except through Him (John 14:6).  This Truth does not change because one does not believe.  The Truth remains the same.  We are born condemned because of Adam’s fall.  God sent His only begotten Son not to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved.

The lost are not lost because they reject Jesus; they reject Jesus because they are lost…they are condemned, consciously and eternally entombed in the torments of hell. We, as Believers, have a responsibility to tell the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world.  Not every Believer is called to be a Minister of the Gospel but every Believer is given the Great Commission to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the four corners of the world.

I have lost loved ones that may not listen to me but may listen to you.  If they ever crossed your path, would you tell them the Gospel of Jesus Christ?  Would you witness to them of the goodness of God?  They are lost and condemned.  They need to know Jesus.

There are millions upon millions who have loved ones praying for their Salvation. Perhaps God wants to use you to lead them to the Lord.  Prayerfully consider.  The rich man waited too late.  His prayer to Abraham to send someone to testify to his brothers availed as much as other’s fruitless prayers to Saints, absolutely nothing.  Go, tell them…tell them of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

-Donna Clark Warren

“And the Lord said unto Satan, Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that fears God, and eschews (hates) evil?” Job 1:8

For the Child of God who is walking in the Will of God, every trial and tribulation is authored by divine wisdom and finished with love.  As our flesh is mortified daily through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, we are alive unto God.  Precept upon precept, line upon line we become perfectly knit with the Spirit of the Living God, not sinlessly perfect but perfectly knit together with His Spirit, as we continuously look unto Jesus Christ, the Author and Finisher of our faith, we are established, strengthened and settled in Whom we have believed.

“But the God of all grace, Who has called us unto His Eternal Glory by Christ Jesus, after that you have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”  1 Peter 5:10-11

Satan’s attempt to lead God’s Children away from God’s Will may include “good” works.  The work itself may or may not be sinful.  The devil will use truth to elevate his lie, but his sole purpose is to lead the Child of God away from faith in the redeeming work of Jesus Christ on Calvary’s Cross to another method for victory over the world, the flesh and the devil.  More specifically, satan will direct the Believer’s faith to their self efforts for dominion over sin.  These “efforts” may not be sinful in and of themselves but they were not given to overcome sin.  If such was the case, the Cross of Christ was in vain.  God forbid No! There is but one answer to sin and that is Jesus Christ, Who He is and what He did on Calvary’s Cross for whosoever will believe.

The Lord will never tempt His Children.  God will use satan and his minions as instruments in His Divine Wisdom to author and finish our faith.  The eyes of the Lord search to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him (2 Chronicles 16:9).

“⁶ Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty Hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time:

⁷ Casting all your care upon Him; for He cares for you.

⁸ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour:

⁹ Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” 1 Peter 5:6-9

Have you ever considered your spiritual testimony? Sometimes God will allow satan to touch our body, our family and/or our finances.  What did we do?  Did we deny our circumstances?  Maybe we rebuked our circumstances.

If God has allowed the trial, it is indeed authored with the Lord’s Divine wisdom and finished with His love.  Until our work on this side of Glory is complete, the Lord will always deliver those who seek Him. Our job is to humble ourselves under the Mighty Hand of God, that He may exalt us in due time.  We cast all our cares upon Him because He cares.  We FIGHT the good fight of faith…faith in Jesus Christ and His redeeming work on Calvary’s Cross.

Job fell down upon the ground and worshipped the Lord.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord has anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

² To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

³ To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified.” Isaiah 61:1-3

No matter the circumstances, put on your garment of praise.  To God be glory and dominion forever. Amen.

-Donna Clark Warren

“⁸ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the Truth is not in us.

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

¹⁰ If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us.” 1 John 1:8-10

Some will say this Scripture was not written to Believers.  Please don’t be deceived, the Word of God is written for Believers.   Why would the lost care about confessing their sin?  The better question is, why would the Believer NOT want to confess their sins to God and be forgiven?

“⁶ And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

⁷ And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

⁸ And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.”  Genesis 3:6-8

Too many of the grace revolution sect claim that 1 John 1:8-10 was written to unbelievers.  Let me tell you friend, they are using that Scripture as a fig leaf to hide from God in their sin.  Jesus Christ came to die on Calvary’s Cross to pay the penalty of sin (death) and break the power of sin in the Believer’s life (Romans 6:14). When we stumble, we repent and the Lord is faithful to forgive us.

However, don’t mistake God’s forgiveness for His deliverance.  Once we are forgiven, we don’t have to fast 21 days to overcome; we don’t seek 40 days of purpose for our victory and we don’t simply change our mind to overcome sin…we stand, submitted to God and HE commands our victory.  The Scripture says SUBMIT to God and the devil will flee (James 4:7).

Once Adam and Eve ate of the tree of good and evil, they were no more God conscience and were made self conscience.  All are now born with the sin nature because of Adam’s fall.  We are born conscience of self.  It is not until we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior that we are alive unto God and have the power to submit to God (Romans 6:13) if we so choose…and choose we must. Precept upon precept, line upon line, we must choose daily to deny ourselves, pick up our cross and follow Jesus.

“⁹ And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where are you?

¹⁰ And he said, I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

¹¹ And He (God) said, Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded you that you should not eat?”  Genesis 3:9-11.

Adam was ashamed of the effect of sin.  He was sorry of the result of sin but was not repentant of turning his heart from God in unbelief.  Adam did not believe that eating from the tree of good and evil would cause him to die…spiritually die unto God.  God took any excuse of ignorance away when He asked Adam “…Have you eaten of the tree, where of I commanded you that you should not eat?”

Have you been taught a Believer does not have to repent of their sins?  Are you wearing 1 John 1:8-10 as your fig leaf in order to live in sin?  Have you been told conviction of the Holy Spirit of sin is condemnation from the devil?  Calling the conviction of the Holy Spirit a work of satan is blasphemy.  Repent.

“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, says the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.”  2 Corinthians 6:17

If we are looking for an excuse to sin, we need to consider the condition of our heart.  All sin leads to death but life is in the power of the Cross of Jesus Christ.

“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 For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:” Job 19:25

Job, perfect in his efforts to serve the Lord, feared God and hated evil.  The Book of Job is the oldest book in the Bible.  It was written before the Mosaic Law was written.  Job knew that His Redeemer lives.

“For for this cause was the Gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the Spirit.” 1 Peter 4:6

The Gospel was preached to the Old Testament Saints while they were alive and accepted it. Dear old Job knew His Redeemer lived.  Faithful Abraham believed God and it was accounted unto him for righteousness (Romans 4:3).

The Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of mankind, was declared long before the Mosaic Law was ever given.  The Mosaic Law did not save anyone but was given to indict man of unrighteousness and reveal their need for a Redeemer.

We are saved and mankind has always been saved by Grace through Faith in the atoning work of Jesus Christ on Calvary’s Cross; the Old Testament Saints soon coming Redeemer and the New Testament Saints Redeemer.  Today He is our Savior.  However, one day soon and very soon, Jesus Christ will be the Judge of all earth.  The sacrifice of bulls and goats could not take away sin from our account but restored fellowship with God.  The were types and shadows of the coming Redeemer, Jesus.

“¹⁰ Hear the Word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, you people of Gomorrah.

¹¹ To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto Me? says the Lord: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.

¹² When you come to appear before Me, who has required this at your hand, to tread My courts?

¹³ Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto Me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.

¹⁴ Your new moons and your appointed feasts My Soul hates: they are a trouble unto Me; I am weary to bear them.”  Isaiah 1:10-14

God had grown weary of Israel’s vain oblations. Their appointed feasts His Soul hated.  The sacrifices of bulls and goats of the Mosaic and our Sacrifice now, Jesus Christ, was given to atone for sin and restore fellowship with God, yet there was no more fellowship with Him. When the Israelites came to appear before God, He asked “who has required this at your hand to tread My courts?”.  God knew in their hearts they were not there to fellowship with Him.  God wants our heart. He wants to be our God and we His Children, yet so many refuse to follow.  They go about their worldly ways, methods of man and religious traditions all to “honor” Him.  This is the “good” of the tree of “good and evil”.  Good intentions do not take the place of God’s Way.

God has sent us a Redeemer.  Jesus not only atoned for our sin on the Cross but wiped away sin from the Believer’s account.  Through His Resurrection, we know that every sin was paid in full.  By Grace through Faith we are given dominion over sin.  The Holy Spirit isolates our sin nature when our faith is placed in the finished work of Jesus Christ.

“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

The only Law that is greater than the law of sin and death, which we are all under before we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, is the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus.  Changing our thought process, 40 days of purpose or 50 sit ups will not overcome the law of sin and death. Faith – faith in Jesus Christ and His redeeming work on Calvary’s Cross is how we give the Holy Spirit latitude to do what He is commissioned to do…free us from the Law of sin and death.

Fight the good fight of faith – faith in Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  Job knew His Redeemer lives.  Abraham believed God and it was accounted unto him as righteousness.  Do you Believe?  Do you KNOW in Whom you have Believed?

“And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the Salvation of the Lord, which He will show to you to day: for the Egyptians whom you have seen to day, you shall see them again no more for ever.”  Exodus 14:13

-Donna Clark Warren

“⁶ I marvel that you are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

⁷ Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the Gospel of Christ.

⁸ But though we, or an Angel from Heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

⁹ As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that you have received, let him be accursed.

¹⁰ For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.”  Galatians 1:6-10

Let us not forget that satan knows the Word of God better than most Christians.  He will twist Truth and use it as a snare to seduce the unlearned and babes in Christ to make his lie bigger.  The watered down translations of the Word of God that are thought for thought and not word for word, present God as bait for the Believers and thoughts from the vanities of man’s mind lure the lost to another Jesus.  A Jesus that compromises with sin and joins the world to overcome the world.  To be sure, the Word of God says to come out from among them and be ye separate (2 Corinthians 6:17).  Yes, Jesus ate with sinners but he came to call them unto repentance…not be their companion (Mark 2:15-17).  The Jesus Christ of the Word of God is the Great Physician of sinners.

“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.”  1 Corinthians 11:13-15

We must recognize who is being proclaimed from the pulpit, NOT who they say they are proclaiming but who is being lifted up among the congregation.  Do we leave motivated about what we must do or rejoicing in what Jesus Christ did for whosoever will believe?

When hearts are changed by the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the poor, broken hearts are healed and the captives are delivered from their bondages (Luke 4:18); they will go about declaring “Come, see a Man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?” John 4:29  The religious centers will no longer need methods of man to fill the pews because the Holy Spirit will draw the sinner; the lost and undone to Jesus…the Jesus of the Word of God; the Son of the Living God when HE is lifted up.

“¹⁵ He (Jesus) 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.” Matthew 16:15-17

Who do you say He is; the Jesus Christ of the Word of God?  The One Who came to die on Calvary’s Cross as the Sacrifice for our sin, broke the power of sin in the Believer’s life and now sits at the Right Hand of God; Who is He?  Do you know Him?  He is Holy.  He is Righteous.  Jesus came to save us from sin, not in sin. Who is He in your life? Is He Lord or is another Jesus from the vanities of man’s mind your lord?

The answers are between you and God, not you and me.  Prayerfully consider.

-Donna Clark Warren

“⁹ Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dies no more; death has no more dominion over Him.

¹⁰ For in that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He lives, He lives unto God.

¹¹ Likewise reckon you also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  Romans 6:9-11

Upon our conversion into the Body of Christ, the Believer is baptized into Jesus’ death (Romans 6:3-4).  Because of our faith in the redeeming work of Jesus, we are now dead to our sin nature (which we are all born with due to Adam’s fall) and alive unto God.  The Holy Spirit is able to discharge what God the Father has commissioned Him to do, free us from the law of sin and death, when our faith is properly placed solely and exclusively on the finished work of Jesus Christ on Calvary’s Cross.

“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

It is here, at this point of decision, that our faith touches the hem of Jesus’ garment and His virtue flows from the throne room of God.  We remain free from the dominion of our sin nature when we maintain our faith in Jesus and HIS finished work, not ours.

However, be not deceived, religion will present various methods to seduce the Believer with worldly methods to draw others to the church…not God.  The Word of God says if Jesus be lifted up, He will draw all men unto Him (John 12:32).  The Gospel of Jesus Christ can and will do exactly what it says when the name of Jesus is lifted up to the masses and they will WANT to come to church.

As for me, when I accepted the Lord as Savior, I was sitting on the sofa one Sunday morning, a sinner who was lost and undone, when the Holy Spirit pricked my heart. I began attending a small Pentecostal church regularly and the Holy Spirit began convicting me.  Soon and very soon, I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior.  They did not change my oil, work in my yard or attend to any of my worldly needs. They attended to my spiritual needs and presented the Gospel of Jesus Christ to me and the Holy Spirit did His work in my heart.  Mind you, the Word of God says

“³ Honor widows that are widows indeed.

⁴ But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to show piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.” 1 Timothy 5:3-4

Most don’t recognize the difference in these good “civic” works offered by many seeker sensitive churches to fill the pews and the spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ to fill the empty vessels with the Spirit of the Living God.  The church is to take care of their own widows who do not have someone to take care of them.  Those who are “widows indeed”.

“But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

The sad fact is most of the modern church does not believe the Scripture.  In reality they do not believe that God will supply all of our needs when we are obedient to His Word. They instead try to perform the work and duties of the Holy Spirit themselves.  None of this requires faith in Jesus Christ and His atoning work but faith in the church.  The hook is set and the seduction complete.  The ministry of the Holy Spirit is completely disregarded and they are no longer dead to sin.  Self righteousness and a religious spirit has dominion in their lives.  Make no mistake, this is the same religious spirit that rests upon the world and their moral authority according to the vanities of their own minds.

As the Believer maintains their faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ, not their church or their good works, the Holy Spirit isolates our sin nature.  Sin no longer has dominion over us.  We are dead to sin and alive unto God.  Until we are born again, we are spiritually dead and unable to willingly yield unto God.

“¹⁶ Know you not, that to whom you yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom you obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

¹⁷ But God be thanked, that you were the servants of sin, but you have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.” Romans 6:16-17.

Until we, God’s Children, believe that Jesus Christ broke the power of sin in our lives on Calvary’s Cross and reckon ourselves dead unto sin and submit our will to His Will, sin will continue to reign in our hearts.

“³ According as His divine power has given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that has called us to glory and virtue:

⁴ Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these you might be partakers of the Divine Nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:3-4.

We partake in God’s Divine Nature by stepping out in faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ, Who broke the power of sin in the Believer’s life and enabling us to live…live unto God through Christ Jesus, our Lord.

-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

Faith is not conjured up.  We either believe Jesus Christ broke the power of sin on Calvary’s Cross and is now set down at the Right Hand of the Throne of God searching to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him (2 Chronicles 16:9) or we don’t believe.

Meditating and/or memorizing Scripture does not author our faith but is used by many in an attempt to conjure up faith.  In reality those who attempt to conjure up faith are placing their faith in their abilities and self efforts and not in the finished work of the Lord.  Please don’t misunderstand, we all should study and try to memorize Scripture.  If we don’t know the Scripture for ourselves, how will the Holy Spirit bring those things into remembrance and teach us according to God’s Word (John 14:26).  God has given us His Word and the Holy Spirit to lead us into all Truths.

Our fight is the good fight of faith…faith in Jesus Christ, Who He is and what He has done on Calvary’s Cross to break the power of sin in the Believer’s life (Romans 6:14).  As our faith is maintained in Jesus’ finished work, the Holy Spirit is able to discharge His responsibility to the One Who sent Him, God the Father, and deliver us from the sin that so easily besets us.  Through our faith in the redeeming work of Jesus, the captives are set free, the sick are healed by the power of God and all things are turned to good for those who love the Lord.

Looking unto Jesus, our faith is authored and finished because the Holy Spirit is able to do what He is commissioned to do…keep us by the Power of God.

“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

Fight the good fight of faith…faith in Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

-Donna Clark Warren