¿Personal Relationship? or Common Salvation??

It's actually funny how in contemporary Christendom, Everything we do and say is in direct contradiction with what is written in the Bible.

Today I would like to explore the idea of having a 'personal,' relationship with Christ. 

To stand on: God stopped speaking with men directly because of the foolishness of the Children of Israel from after He spoke the 10 commandments. Exodus 20:1-20 (they did not want to hear the voice of God they requested that Moses speak with them... Jesus was the answer to that request!)

Now on to the Epistle of St. Jude:
"Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied. Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." Jude‬ ‭1‬:‭1-3

A 'common salvation,' he wrote.
Personal and Common are not synonymous. 

Personal, is when something affects or is designed towards a particular person rather than a anyone else.

Common on the other hand, is defined as: belonging to, open to, or affecting the whole of a community or the public. 

Salvation Cannot be thru a personal relationship, and yet be called, "Common ."

《Based purely on logic, the premise of a needing to have a personal relationship is an Oxymoron!》

Let us also check out the Apostle Paul who worked hard to keep the church under 1 gospel thru the resistance of some Gentile converts.

"Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the COMMONWEALTH OF ISRAEL, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;" Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭11-13, 18-19‬

The commonwealth of Israel! There's a phrase I'd be willing to bet, 90% of all Christians have Never heard. If you're not apart of this commonwealth, you remain an alien and stranger. However, when you follow Christ (the Real Christ), you are no more strangers and foreigners but fellow citizens of the household of God.

The May the Lord add a blessing to the reading of His Word... In Jesus name.

LOCKSMIF... Knowledge is the key

Should we read, follow and/or observe the Old Testament: VOLUME III

Oftentimes people try and use the Apostle Paul's writings to somehow convince people that the Old Testament (from Genesis to Malachi) should be discarded, not read, not studied, not quoted, not followed. I have even heard ministers go as far as to  say that the Old Testament was, "nailed to the cross."

In our 3rd volume of, "Should we read, follow and/or observe the Old Testament:" lets actually look at something that Paul wrote personally to a student that he was grooming named Timothy.

"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are ABLE to make thee WISE UNTO SALVATION through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for INSTRU CTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Timothy 3:12-17 

Here the Apostle to the Gentiles said a mouthful. It kind of sounds like what Peter said in Volume II; be sure of what you have learned from me (Paul), AND that you have know the, "holy scriptures," from childhood. These same scriptures— according to Paul—are also able to make Us wise unto salvation. The only other ingredient that Paul suggests is, "FAITH."

Paul then goes on to explain to Timothy why he should rely soooooo heavily on the holy scriptures (even though Timothy by this time has two letters from Paul that he could be preaching from), because it is given by inspiration of God AND is PROFITable for doctrine. The Old Testament is also Good for correction (As Jesus used to correct Satan in Volume I), and last but not least, the Old Testament is good to, 'instruct you on how to be righteous.'

THE CONCLUSION OF THE MATTER: If your church's, 'doctrine,' does not begin in the Old Testament, if you quote Old Testament scriptures for the purposes of correcting behavior and  they are dismissed, if you quote Moses or a law that he recorded for us to follow as a way of being righteous and you are ridiculed, then I have 1 question for you...

Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread?   

Listen diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Isaiah 55:2  

[consider a donation to offset this work]

May the Lord add A blessing to the reading of His Word

LOCKSMIF... Knowledge is the Key

Should we read, follow and/or observe the Old Testament: VOLUME II

We Must understand that when the Apostles preached the gospel to the Jews and to the Gentiles, the  ONLY books they had wherewith to preach were the 39 books of the Old Testament from Genesis to Malachi.

Some preachers say that it is not necessary to read or study the Old Testament. Not only is that thought process false, Technically all that you need to follow Christ is from Genesis to Malachi. I would argue further that all that you would NEED to follow Christ is from Genesis to Deuteronomy. 

The apostle Peter is going to explain my point to us:

"For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. We have also a MORE SURE word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 Peter 1:16-21 

Here Peter is simply explaining to us that He and the other disciples are not following fables that were created with craftiness. The Gospel of Jesus Christ that they wrote and bear witness to, was inspired by their witness to the things that happened because of Him and eventually to Him.  Peter heard the voice from heaven that testified to Jesus being the, 'beloved,' son while he was in the mountain during Jesus's transfiguration.

However, knowing that All these things are true, somehow although Peter saw and heard; the word of prophecy is, "More Sure." So much more sure, that we would do well if we took heed. 

Why?

Because prophecy is not up for PRIVATE Interpretation. Every prophecy must fit with every other prophecy as well as the foundation that Moses wrote. Prophecy came as men were moved by the Holy Ghost. That is how Moses knew what happened in the Garden of Eden, the Angel told him what to write.

So the next time your preacher tries to put the Old Testament down, as if it somehow is lesser than the New Testament; or tries to downgrade the scriptures; or call the prophets outdated; or if he hints that the Old Testament is not necessary or able to get you salvation;

Ask yourself this question: Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread?   Listen diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Isaiah 55:2  

[consider a donation to offset this work]

May the Lord add A blessing to the reading of His Word

LOCKSMIF... Knowledge is the Key

Should we read, follow and/or observe the Old Testament: VOLUME I

It is frequently said in many Christian denominations, when you get saved, start reading in the book of John. Some may say start in the book of Matthew; either way if you were still missing the point. You should never start reading a book in the middle, you always start reading from the beginning. 

But, many will say the Old Testament is done away with, because it has been fulfilled. How can it be done away with? When was it done away with? In the series we will explore these questions and see how the Apostles  preached the gospel...

Let us Begin with simple words from the Master during His conversation when He was correcting Satan during His temptation:

"And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God." Luke 4:1-4

Pretty simple conversation, and an even more simpler statement; if a man eats only bread he will still eventually die. If a man eats EVERY word of God he will live forever.

Now my question is this: When Jesus made that statement; there was NO New Testament written. Jesus did not have the gideon New Testament Bible in His back pocket.



 Nor did He have the gospel according to John.

Q:So then what was Jesus referring to, when he said Every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God?

A: The Scriptures (what we call the Old Testament)!

          Why then would anyone ever have the audacity to ever say that the Old Testament is, 'done away with?'

How could it Ever be done away with, if Jesus is recorded as saying, by EVERY WORD of God does a man live.

                                                        EVERY WORD!!!

The Conclusion of the Matter: Not only is Jesus telling us we should read the Old Testament, He said that man should LIVE by EVERY Word! Technically if there was ever a discrepancy between the Old and the New Testament, according to the fourth chapter of Luke the Old Testament should win.

Everything mentioned or that changed in the New Testament was discussed and/or prophesied in the Old Testament. The death of Jesus, the end of animal sacrifice, the bringing in of the Gentiles etc.

Read EVERY Word of God from Genesis to Revelation!

To the Law AND to the Testimony (Isaiah 8:20)

May the Lord add A blessing to the reading of His Word in Jesus name

LOCKSMIF... Knowledge is the Key 

Why Go2 Heaven, when U Can Go With Jesus? Part II: GOD HAS ALWAYS WANTED TO LIVE ON THE EARTH WITH MEN

A perplexing question, after I came to the knowledge of the truth, about how Bible readers can conclude that God/Jesus wants to take them to heaven. Contrary to popular belief the polar opposite is true, Jesus is coming with His saints to this earth, and will live HERE, as King, forever.

                                                                                                                                                   

"And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering. And this is the offering which ye shall take of them; gold, and silver, and brass,

Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense,

And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell Among them. According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.

And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof. And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat. And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof. And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be.

And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.

And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount. Exodus 25:1-3, 6, 8-9, 17-20, 22, 40 

The mercy seat represents the place where God sat and forgave Israel's wickedness; still between the two cherubims every since Genesis 3:24. Jesus, the only God man has ever known, reeeally wanted to dwell on the earth amongst His creation. 

Verse 8, insinuates that the purpose of building the Tabernacle is so that God could dwell with Israel. Even in Genesis, the Most High God, walked thru the garden of Eden before Adam and Eve spoke with the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Consider also, that this Tabernacle is patterned after the Tabernacle that the Lord has in heaven.

(A house on earth, just like His house in heaven).

 

But did God really visit with Moses?

"And it came to pass on the day that Moses had fully set up the tabernacle, and had anointed it, and sanctified it, and all the instruments thereof, both the altar and all the vessels thereof, and had anointed them, and sanctified them;

And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with him, then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubims: and he spake unto him." Numbers 7:1, 89

Not only did god visit Moses but he did so in the sight of all the people; even after the tabernacle of the congregation was not in the midst of Israel. (Exodus 33:8-11)

Visiting and talking is one thing, but God gave a commandment while the Children of Israel were in the wilderness, that sure makes it look like God was in the midst...

"Thou shalt have a place also without the camp, whither thou shalt go forth abroad: And thou shalt have a paddle upon thy weapon; and it shall be, when thou wilt ease thyself abroad, thou shalt dig therewith, and shalt turn back and cover that which cometh from thee: For the Lord thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy: that he see no unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee." Deuteronomy 23:12-14

God was soo close to Israel that He made them cover their waste after defecating because he was there, WALKING THRU THE CAMP, and didn't want to see the waste!

However, the people defected, and eventually God left His angel to guide the people in the wilderness. Why? Because he would've killed every man on the way! (Exodus 33:1-3,5) 

It was also during this time the tabernacle of the congregation was placed outside the camp. V.8-11 

So we have learned that it has long been God's desire to be here amongst His creation, since walking through the Garden of Eden. He warned us in Genesis chapter 6 that His spirit would not always strive with man.

God still tried again after the flood with Noah, when He chose Israel to be His priests. So-far, in the story, the children of Israel, have successfully ran the Most High God out of the congregation.

By Exodus 33:8-11, if you wanted to witness, petition, commune, worship or hear the God of the Bible, you had to leave the from where everyone lived, and walk a distance away from the borders of the camp.  And why not, makes perfect sense to me, if the people are committed to wickedness, they will perish in their wickedness. 

May the Lord add A blessing to the reading of His Word,

Locksmif... Knowledge is the Key

Spoiler Alert: 

In part III we're going to find out THe ONLY reason God (Jesus) does not presently dwell on the earth with men, is because man, ran the Most High from off the Earth!

Check back before the weekend, for, Why Go2 Heaven, when U Can Go With you Jesus? Part III: Why doesn't God live on the Earth, WITH the people that He created?

Why Go2 Heaven, When U Can Go With Jesus?

"The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord's : but the earth hath he given to the children of men." Psalms 115:16 

 

American Culture is very much monkey see, monkey do.   This is why when someone makes the statement that, people are not in heaven, many Christians behave as if going to heaven is how to get close to Jesus. 

If this is your first time reading this blog, try an open your mind to the possibility that maybe, just maybe, Jesus the created the earth to be inhabited... As hinted to in the opening scripture; we all agree that our God is Not vain, so first, does the Bible speak on the explicit purpose of the Earth?

“For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord; and there is none else.”  Isaiah 45:18 

Our 2nd witness is the prophet Isaiah, which confirmed the earth was created for us to live here. This is why everything that we eat comes from the earth. We have various minerals in our bodies that we need in order to live (iron, zinc etc.). The earth is 75% water and humans are approximately 70% water. 

This could be a hint as to where we are expected to spend eternity. 

Now, let's let the Bible speak, as we ask the million dollar question where does Jesus Christ want to live?

"The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne. If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore. For the Lord hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it." Psalms 132:11-14 

Let's break here for a check. Consider the magnitude of these words. Consider the greatness of both The Lord, who he was talking to and what He said: 

Not only did God choose Jerusalem (Zion) the Bible actually says that Jerusalem would be God's REST, FOREVER, just because that is what His desire is... 

                               The Earth is where the creator wants to chill and take it easy!!

And I again ask a question: Why would you want to Go2 Heaven, When Jesus is coming to the earth???

I'd much rather be with God, than to be in heaven.  #Ijs

Thank you for reading, please Like, Share, Comment, Asses (check is it funny, interesting, or cool) AND subscribe. Follow on All Social Media...

Be sure to Check back soon for,

Why Go2 Heaven, when U Can Go With Jesus? Part II: GOD HAS ALWAYS WANTED TO LIVE ON THE EARTH WITH MEN

May the Lord add A blessing to the reading of His Word,

Locksmif... Knowledge is the Key