EVIL SPIRIT FROM THE LORD?

*[[1Sa 19:9]] KJV* And the evil spirit from the LORD was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand: and David played with his hand.

It's clear today that that account is an imperfect revelation because we have seen Jesus, the brightness of God's glory and express image of His person and we found there is NO EVIL in Him.

The people of the old testament had certain limitations in their insight because man was yet spiritually dead. The devil was able to hide in their ignorance that when he does his work (to kill, steal and destroy), the people will still think God is the doer.

But because of the new creation, we have an unction from the holy One, and we know all things (1John 2:20). We can now boldly declare that evil is not the work of God! Sickness was never created by God! God does not use satanic tools: evil, sickness is satanic.

*[[1Jn 1:5]] KJV* This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

EasyEnglish Jesus Christ gave us a message and this is the message: God is good and *clean like light. There is nothing dark about him.

*[[Jas 1:13]] KJV* Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

But in the old, you'll see things like:
*[[Amo 3:6]] KJV* Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it?

*[[Isa 45:7]] KJV* I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

No! God did not create evil. James says God tempts no one with evil. we see all that God created in Genesis: ALL were pronounced as good. Evil came later through another means.

More explanations on the origin of evil will come in subsequent posts. Share.
www.wordcentre.net

The Gospel that is Balanced

Someone said,

a balanced gospel teaching is when you teach that making heaven / salvation is only when you believe in Jesus and also obey the law: not just believing in Jesus alone, or just not doing evil alone: but believing Jesus and also keeping the commandments. That this is balanced gospel.

Hmm... Sounds appealing? Nodding your head too?

It's not a balanced gospel: it is a balanced error!

Every believer should be of good conduct (Matthew 5:16); live holy lives (1Peter 1:15-16 2Cor 7:1); and should be careful to maintain GOOD works (Titus 3:8).

However, they are not saved (or going to make heaven) by their good conducts!

If there is any of the good works you've been doing before they got born again
(such as being respectful to elders, not fornicating, being honest, maybe you don't even take alcohol nor smoke)
and despite those good works you remain UNSAVED, it goes to show you those things CANNOT effect a salvation in you. They could not write your name in heaven!

That's the misery of good works.

And if you only started to do good only after they got saved, it goes to show you those things know NOTHING and have NOTHING to contribute to your salvation... since they came after salvation has already happened.

Only what effected the salvation can affect it. Only what brought the salvation can keep or withdraw it: WORKS HAVE NO SAY in the matter because good works is only an AFTERMATH of salvation.
Salvation abounds in much fruit in some people, and have less fruit in some others depending on individual receptiveness. Believers should walk more and more in the Spirit so they give more and more fruit unto holiness. The fruit however does not decide the tree, rather, the tree decides/affects/sustains the fruit.

What then is "balanced teaching"? Balanced truth teaching is:

Titus 2:1-14 KJV
But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: ...be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. ...be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things...to love their husbands, to love their children... be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to...husbands... In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; For (because) the GRACE OF GOD that bringeth SALVATION hath appeared to all men, (and because we have received this, it is) Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

A balanced gospel honours Christ redemption as eternal (Hebrews 9:12); does not refer to Christ's blood-purchased salvation as incomplete. it achieves zealous people by magnifying Grace.

What Romans 6:1 Does Not Say About Grace and Sin

Romans 6:1
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

This popular "balance-striking" verse indeed! What does it say, and what does it not say?

Yes! This verse establishes how that grace and sin are antithetical. It makes us see the incompatibility of grace and sin. It says we shall not continue in one that the other may abound. In other words, the continuity of one forbids the continuity of the other. Yes! This interpretation is safe up to this point.

However, bear in mind it does not say, "Grace will fade out for sin".

That is, it will be wrong to interpret it as "if you continue to sin, grace will vacate you". It did not say so and could not have. You know why?

Romans 6:1-2 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid.

God forbid what? Sin, devil, grace, or us in sin; which did God forbid?
Read the verse again.
Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid…

God forbid that WE (not grace) should continue IN SIN… so we might go on IN GRACE. Our continuity in sin is what "God forbid"; not the continuity of grace!
Shall WE IN SIN continue, that the new Mr Grace may abound? God forbid…

Now, how does/did God enforce the "God forbid"? How did God ensure we don't continue in sin that Mr. Grace may abound?
By Killing Mr Grace?
By punishing defaulters with the withdrawal of grace so that others will "run away from sin" in fear?
By vexing off Mr Grace?

Now can you see how we have added many things into that verse?
Romans 6 did not say that. What says it then?

God forbid. How shall WE, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Romans 6:2

That is, "we TO sin or we IN sin are already dead: so how shall we to sin who is dead ever live IN sin again?"
Simply put "God already forbade us continuing in sin that grace may abound in making us DEAD to SIN", "For he that is dead is freed from sin." (Romans 6:7)
(As additional information, verse 9-10 makes us know that this death to sin cannot happen twice: you don't live in sin after once dying to it. Just read it yourself and take note)

So that is the "God forbid" he is talking about; not "taking His grace away from us". What can we ever achieve without grace? What else can make a hardened sinner come to repentance but a persistent communication of everlasting love and mercy which endures forever to him? Grace is greater and stronger than our sins! Did you not read this verse?
"where sin abounded, grace did much more abound" (Romans 5:20)

True recipients of grace do not "live" in sin. "How shall we, that are dead to sin, LIVE any longer therein?" (Rom 6:2). It is not sin dealing with grace but God forbidding sin by grace.
That as sin hath reigned unto death… (That is, sin's despotic era is over) even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5:21)
Praise Jesus!

Believers and Hell Fire

There have been so many reports and stories of one believer found in hell fire in visions. Thanks to God more and more people are beginning to discredit such visions; howbeit not because they have come to understand how that such insinuations are false, but just because they do not want it to be true. But if it's true, choosing to ignore it won't be a right approach. Will it?

Welcome to this timeout for a brief journey into the Bible, and thank you for our articles you've been sharing to get men free from ignorance.

Believers and Hell fire. Bible Standpoint.

*[[Rev 21:8]] KJV* But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

This is one popular scripture quoted to describe the kind of people who will go to hell. Please take note of the last clause: "which is the second death".
It didn't say "a second death", but "THE second death". So the "lake of which burns with fire and brimstone" is the second death.

*[[Rev 20:13-14]] KJV*  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. THIS IS THE SECOND DEATH.

If it's clear that what is called "lake of fire" is "the second death", now, who partakes in this "second death"?

*[[Rev 20:6]] KJV* Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Who will partake of this first resurrection?

*[[1Th 4:14]] KJV* For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

So the resurrection is for us that believe that Jesus died and rose again. On such, Revelations say the second death has NO POWER.

Do you believe that Jesus died and rose again? Then the second death (lake which burns with fire and brimstone) has no power over you!

Jesus said,

*[[Joh 5:24]] KJV* Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

He says you shall not come into condemnation (that is, judgment), but you are passed from (the second) death unto life. You have passed from your lake of fire unto life everlasting. It means it's too late to decide for hell because you didn't say "stop me here" when you were being passed from death and now the life you're in is everlasting - life forever.

But where is the place of living righteous lives? Show the world you're not of this world! Be good ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). Preach the Gospel. Love your friends and have no enemy. Be submissive to your parents (physical or spiritual). But what qualified you for heaven is not your works (Titus 3:5), but the sacrifice of Jesus ONLY. Boasting is irrelevant except it is in the Lord. Congrations!

A Boast in the Lord is Humility

When we talk of righteousness, holiness and the "holy presence of God", so many of us are accustomed a religious lowly humiliating attitude and we often think it is a way of honoring God. In ignorance, we are doing exactly the opposite: we are not honoring God but despising Christ riches.

We think it's by confessing a sinner daily that we are humble. No! You honour God only when you confess His words (Josh 1:8). His word says you have exchanged your sins for Christ's righteousness. Don't henceforth confess that sin anymore then if you agree God's word is true. It's not the man that is humble in his thinking that God sees as humble. Humility can only be defined by God's word! And God's word says it's the man who trembles at GOD'S WORD that is humble.

…but to this [man] will I look, [even] to [him that is] poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. (Isa 66:2)

He gives grace and has respect to the humble: the humble priotizes His word.

So if the word says you are worthy, the truly humble walks and speaks worthily with trembling. If the word says "come boldly to the throne of grace", he won't say "I must first examine myself because I can't be too sure"

Christ's work not only grants us a free access to the Father: it brought boldness with it.

In whom we have BOLDNESS and ACCESS with CONFIDENCE by the faith of him. (Ephesians 3:12 KJV)

If you cannot enter unto God and look Him straight in His eyes, you are making it look like Christ did not do a perfect job on your sins. The best way to reverence Christ is to stand fast in the liberty He has got for you. Being afraid of God amounts to taking lightly the gift of Christ. Don't forget: His thoughts of are not your thoughts and his ways are not your ways. When you think He will kill you for what you've done, He is thinking "if this man will just come to me, I will protect Him and even make him not see death anymore".

A boast in the Lord is NEVER counted as sin, but as righteousness before God. "And he {Abraham} believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness." (Genesis 15:6) If you also will approach God with boldness and confidence without guilt consciousness, it will not be counted as pride, but righteousness for you.

You don’t “deserve” a miracle

Have you ever thought like this?

"If only we could live a very holy life before God, if you can just maintain a sinless life before God, ah… before you say 'God do this…',  it's already done; our words will become commands answered speedily. The reason we are praying and it is hard to get answers is because of our sins. If we can just be holy…"

Ah! If you think like that, you will never work a miracle. If you think God is not hearing you "speedily" like some "holier men of God" because you have not been as perfect as them, hmm… you're distancing yourself from being used mightily by God.
Why do miracles happen? Because people are holy? Do they cease because people are not holy?
Peter and John have performed several miracles before; and they have this to say after healing a lame man at the Beautiful Gate:

And when Peter saw [it], he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power OR HOLINESS WE HAD MADE THIS MAN TO WALK? (Acts 3:12 KJV)

Did you see that? Peter confessed, it's not our holiness actually even though it is this Peter who wrote to the church on the need to "be holy"
But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. (1 Peter 1:15-16 KJV)

Why do miracles happen?

God gives you his Spirit and works miracles in you. But does he do this because you obey the Law of Moses or because you have heard about Christ and have faith in him? (Galatians 3:5 CEV)
That's the answer we finally got! Miracles happen because we BELIEVE.

And these signs shall follow THEM THAT BELIEVE; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. (Mark 16:17-18 KJV)

And miracles cease when people step out of faith.

And he {Jesus} did not many mighty works there BECAUSE OF THEIR UNBELIEF. (Matthew 13:58 KJV)
Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, WHY COULD NOT WE CAST HIM OUT? And Jesus said unto them, because of your UNBELIEF… (Matthew 17:19-20 KJV)

The world has always been wicked. People have always sinned. But miracles will not cease as long as whenever the son of man comes, He finds FAITH.
Jesus worked "mighty works" amongst UNREPENTANT people

Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because THEY REPENTED NOT (Matthew 11:20)

But it was not until He got amidst UNBELIEVING people, the powerful Jesus that we know was grounded.

And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed [them]. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. (Mark 6:5-6)

Righteous living surely has got its place. However, don't shortchange yourself to try to merit any gift of God: no, not by your standard of disciplined life. So that it may be fulfilled which was written: "He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 1:31 KJV)

Sin has not changed name: stay away!

Brothers and sisters in Christ let us take note that the lifestyle of sinning is not the kingdom lifestyle. Yes! Christ paid it all! Yes! We are not under the law: We are under grace! But sin has not done a change of name. It is still as cruel as ever, ruining lots of lives, destroying homes and diverting destinies.

God has not today (under grace) become a lover of sin: the hatred is still as strong as it was under the law. The only difference is that someone has offered to bear the chastisement so we can have the peace we all are enjoying today (Isaiah 53:5), so that even when we sin, we are not treated by God as one that sinned (1 John 2:1-2).

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: (1 John 2:1 KJV)
And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. (Hebrews 10:17 KJV)

So you don't have to change the name of sin please! Please do not play down on sin. Don't reduce its weight in your attempt to confess grace. Let the people know how weighty what Jesus bore for them is so  they'll love Him much. What is sin? SOME things that are not right? FEW unrighteousness?... ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS is sin (1John 5:17) so Jesus paid a heavy price. How far you are from it if you have to depend on your own works!

On grace we must constantly insist, affirm and never be moved away from (Tit 3:8, 2Pet 1:12, Col 1:23, Gal 5:1).
God will not impute sins against you (John5:22).
you are forgiven unconditionally and without requirements (Heb 10:18, Act 13:39); and saved not according to our conducts (good/bad) (Tit 3:5).

Also, we must remember, sinful living is of the devil and not of God.
He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:8 KJV)

That's why we have several admonitions in the epistles to stay away from sin.
Eph 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not…
1Jn 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not.
1Co 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not;

In fact, apart from God not punishing you for your sins anymore, the earthly setup for sinners should scare you: the police to prosecute you; your good name to be soiled; gossips all around with their monitoring eyes and lips ready to speak your fall: oh walk in the Spirit please! You'll be doing yourself and the kingdom a favour.
Alleluia!