Posted in Listening To God, Living in Today's World, Trusting God

I interrupt this series…NO I AM Ending It!

I interrupt  end this series “Sound Biblical Doctrine vs. Man-Made Doctrine” because in my time of studying the Word (both Old Testament and New Testament) for this series, I’ve realized through our Father’s glorious love, grace and patience the series was initiated as a response to a blogger and NOT as a response to God’s guidance.**

I’ve struggled with frustration, indignation and down-right anger at those who are distorting the Word of God for their own personal benefit or agenda.   My frustration led me away from the ‘HOPE and PEACE’ of the Truth.  The only  truth is God’s Divine plan for reconciling sinful men/women to Himself through the shed blood of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross at  Calvary.   So, I am simplifying my posts (keeping it simple Streim) from here on out.

I am not a prophet, nor a preacher, nor a leader… so I’ll leave the heavy “doctrinal” stuff to them; BUT I won’t shy away at all from the Truth of God’s Word.  I see the greatest failure in today’s Christianity is the average Sunday morning pew sitter is not making time to feed on the Word!  If you are not dependent upon God’s Word for your spiritual relationship and growth with the Lord Jesus and our Father, something or someone else is more than willing to fill that need.  Beware fellow adopted brethren, we have an enemy who lurks around just waiting to be that something or someone!  

And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.”  Matthew 24: 4-5

Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately,  “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?” And Jesus, answering them, began to say: “Take heed that no one deceives you.  For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many.”  Mark 13:3-6

And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore do not go after them.”  Luke 21:8

I suggest that these passages be read in context, in a ‘reliable’ version/translation of the Holy Bible.  If you are a born-again (changed from within), bought with a great price (the blood of the Lamb of God) adopted child of the Father (through His grace), you are given the indwelling presence if His Holy Spirit.  It is the Spirit that discerns all things, including the Word of Truth, when you ask in the name of Jesus for the glory of God!  ( John 3: 3-7; 1 Corinthians 6:20 and 7:23; 1 Peter 1:19; Revelation 12:11; Romans 8:15 and 23; Acts 2:38 and 4:31; Ephesians 5:9; Matthew 7:7 and 11; Matthew 21:22 and 24; 1 John 5:14-16)

( here’s a piece of what I was going to post for ‘grace’ doctrine–maybe it will be insightful to some one)

In this time when all sound Bible/Christian beliefs are under attack in one way or another, it’s expected that “God’s grace toward man” would be challenged.  In my last post, I gave the definition of God’s grace toward man. I believe God’s grace toward mankind is 100% UNMERITED. Why?  Because there is nothing that we as sin-filled creatures could ever do that is deserving of the LORD God’s favor.  In the Old Testament, the LORD God gave Moses the ‘law’ for people to live by, however even the most favored men in the Old Testament (for example King David) couldn’t follow  every dotted ‘i’ and crossed ‘t’ of the law.  John 1:16-17 says And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”   Yes, Jesus Christ was full of grace and truth which is how we are able ONLY to receive it through Him.

Because not one person born could or would completely follow the law,  there was a void between God and man.   This void is beyond our comprehension, because the LORD God said ” my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are my ways your ways…”   (Isaiah 55:8-9)  But in all His love for man, despite their sinful, desperately wicked hearts and hatred of Him;  He gave us forgiveness through the shed blood of Jesus Christ–His only begotten Son on the cross!  It’s a ‘gift of grace’ available to anyone and everyone who chooses to “accept” it for themselves. You see as with any gift, it the person chooses not to accept, then it’s NOT theirs!  Is that too simple for some of my more theological readers.  If so, remember what Jesus said about children… ” unless we become like little children we can not see the kingdom of heaven…”.   Jesus Christ was grace personified!

A well-known Christian martyr of 19th century theology,  Dietrich Bonhoeffer spoke these words in one of his famous writings  “The Cost Of Discipleship”    “Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves. Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession…. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.” and  “Cheap grace is the deadly enemy of our church. We are fighting today for costly grace.”  

He wrote this in the 1920’s. Here, nearly 100 years later, blood bought adopted children of the LORD God are still contending for ‘costly grace’ and standing up for what they know to be true.  Let each of us examine ourselves.  Are we “responding to God’s guidance” and living completely in Him or being deceived because we are “responding to men”. **  May you be blessed each morning anew when you start your day with the Word and prayer.  Now that’s the breakfast of spiritual champions.   ♥Streim

Author:

There is joy, hope and peace in knowing the Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Everyday is a new day to share the the glorious Gospel message of grace and forgiveness; the blessings of hope; the Father God's eternal promises; and the importance of living daily in the will of God according to the Scriptures, especially now with the world in chaos and uncertainty. My life before I repented of all my sin, was washed clean by the blood of the Lamb of God-- Jesus Christ and was born again; was one of utter selfishness in every aspects of my life. I lived for ME and only me! Now I live for my Lord and soon coming King, rejoicing daily. I earnestly desire to share the message of the Gospel, encourage sisters/brothers in Christ by fervent prayer and studying the Holy Scriptures more each day. Maranatha Read more on my "About Me" page at my site.

5 thoughts on “I interrupt this series…NO I AM Ending It!

  1. Your article is a wonderful demonstration of our Lord’s influence in your heart good friend. Our Father’s grace is not cheap, and we must not present it so, but it does reach farther than our finite minds can fathom. Bonhoeffer is a personal hero of mine. He made the ultimate sacrifice because he truly understood the difference between costly and cheap grace. I pray I too learn to love God and others as he did.
    Thanks for these gracious words, many blessings to you today.

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    1. Thank you so very much for your comment. I, like you, realize just how costly grace is!
      There are far too many “cheap grace” movements within the church today. I pray daily for the Body to stand strong and cling to the “true grace” which we have received of our Lord God and Savior Jesus.
      Blessings to you! Stand on the Word and in the power of our God!
      Stephanie

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  2. “BUT I won’t shy away at all from the Truth of God’s Word. I see the greatest failure in today’s Christianity is the average Sunday morning pew sitter is not making time to feed on the Word!”

    This is so true. What is even more sad is that many of today’s teachers are not spending time in the Word as well. That is one reason, among many, why there is such false teaching that is taking place.

    Lord bless you. May He continue to guide you as you prepare the postings for the blog. They are a blessing.

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  3. You have detailed a number of sad truths here Stephanie.

    “Cheap grace” and “easy-believism” are indeed “deadly enemies” causing a lot of harm in the spread of the Gospel. People, especially children, have been falsely persuaded that because they “prayed a prayer” or “put up their hands” or some such thing, in response to a meassage, they are saved, even though there was NO REPENTANCE of sin and no changed life, and no understanding of Christ’s work of redemption. They are trapped in a false security.

    We need to pray for all pastors, teachers, children’s workers and for all Bible college lecturers and students, that the Word of God will be taught in truth, and accepted in truth, and passed on in truth, with no more making excuses or leaving out our responsibility and accountability.

    Praise God for your obedience to Him.

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