Saints, the below is chapter one of this free book. (Download Realities of a True Christian for FREE here: http://www.time2stand.com/realities-of-a-true-christian or purchase on Amazon here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1490803580/ )
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"Lazarus, come forth.”[1] Jesus, having just wept with Mary and Martha, spoke with a loud voice calling the dead man to awaken to life. With authority and power the Son of God commanded new life to be wrought about in the dead man’s body. Soon followed these words, "Unbind him, and let him go.”[2] Today, in an even more wicked and unbelieving world, Jesus still calls the dead to new life and commands the grave clothes to come off. Oh I wish that all mankind would willingly fall down and worship the King and truly believe and truly confess that Jesus is Lord in this last hour ”“ especially those who profess to know something of Christianity.
Unfortunately in the prosperity driven societies, and especially that of North America, we have millions of professing Christians and thousands of so called ‘churches’ that are wrapped in grave clothes of death. They say, "relevance matters; sin is only an issue; godliness is obsolete; we know a new and better way; tolerance; love wins.” They are comfortable in their rot and hell-bound garments. Do not be fooled, God has not changed. He does not have a bunch of undisciplined children running around.[3] Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament[4] and He is still the only Way, the only Truth and the only Life.[5]
There must be a reality of the power of God upon the life of the believer. Life must be breathed into the dead heart whereby stone turns to flesh, a new Spirit is given[6] and God’s laws are stamped on the new heart and placed deep within the new life.[7] There must be a reality of bearing one’s own cross;[8] a sacrificial laying down of selfish desires; an attaching with the Holy Spirit in soul convicting discipline of sin; a sacrificial love for Christ and the brethren; a continual killing of worldliness; a growing in holiness[9] and sanctification;[10] a turning from sin and the things which God hates. How can we give testimony to the power of the Spirit if the Spirit has not given testimony to us first?[11] How can we give an account for the hope that is in us if the hope (that being the living presence of Christ and the Spirit of God) has not taken residence within us?[12]
How can a person walk around thinking they, in their own strength, can convince others of being alive while they are dressed in the worldly poison soaked garments of death? Who do they think they are kidding? They may be convincing themselves and their friends that they are believers but let me assure you they will not fool God as they stand naked and fully exposed before the Lord of Glory at the Great White Throne Judgment. On that dreaded day mercy will flee, heaven and earth will run but find no home[13] and those who have not been truly converted will cease from eternal life. They will be thrown into the lake of fire[14] whereby God will fully deliver their due penalties for denying Christ. He will sustain His wrath that was previously pronounced upon them for all eternity.[15]
Those of you in Church leadership, those of you who teach and preach in the pulpit, those of you in Church authority, take heed here ”“ for you "will incur stricter judgment.”[16] As those who have taken the holy name of Christ upon themselves and who are not true as they claim, will suffer God’s wrath, but how much more will those who teach and those who oversee be guilty before Christ?[17] Are you causing anyone to stumble?[18] Take heed and thoroughly inspect your claim, your confession, and your lifestyle, unless of course you are afraid to find that Christ is indeed not in you.[19]
"‘Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of My pasture!’ declares the Lord. Therefore thus says the Lord God of Israel concerning the shepherds who are tending My people: ‘You have scattered my flock and driven them away, and have not attended to them; behold, I am about to attend to you for the evil of your deeds,’ declares the Lord.”[20]
How dare a man stand in a pulpit raise his hand and utter his beliefs and his demands before a holy God when He does not know the very God to whom he blasphemies? Don’t you know professing Christian that sin must be purged from among you? "Depart, depart, go out from there, touch nothing unclean; go out of the midst of her, purify yourselves, you who carry the vessels of the Lord.”[21] Don’t you know that light has nothing to do with darkness?[22] Don’t you know that apart from receiving the supernatural acts of grace, divine mercy and sacrificial propitiation[23] of Christ that you are only temporarily lingering just over hells grips?[24] Don’t you realize that to cause one of God’s created children to sin and live a life of waywardness is an inexcusable and punishable atrocity before Almighty God?[25] Here is what happens: Millions are led astray because of some supposed preacher’s half-truth gospel message that proclaims a God they really don’t know and all while void of the power of God in converting the soul; as a result, this leaves the hearers "deceived”[26] by their own "wicked” hearts and condemned because of a man standing on a stage pronouncing a salvation that the Spirit of God never spoke.
Let me ask you, did the conversion of Saul look anything like the so-called conversions and transparent salvations of the great majority today? Saul fell to the ground in reverence and fear; we spill coffee on the floor out of undisciplined laziness and simply raise our hands to some preacher’s half-hearted prayer. The power of Christ’s conviction spoke to Saul’s soul; today entertainment driven music blasphemies the Holy Spirit and temporarily stirs our emotions. Saul was blinded and given a vision; we are blinded by our sin, given three steps to salvation and left ignorant and desolate to the power of the Gospel. Saul’s very nature was changed; we are given excuses why our nature must be nurtured.
"That reformation, which is brought about by a coercive power, will be only outward and superficial; but that which is done by the force of God’s Word, will be inward and lasting.”[27]
Paul went away and relearned the Scriptures regarding Christ through and renewed his mind;[28]we read relevant Bible versions,[29]so called ‘Christian’ magazines, worldly newspapers, superficial books, watch godless television, and listen to supposed ‘Christian’ radio. Paul preached the truth in power because of the constraining love of Christ; we preach with intellectual emotionalism and use ‘love’ as an excuse to justify our carnality. Paul suffered because he obediently followed the will of his Master; we live selfish self-centered lives in complete disobedience. Paul intimately knew his Lord and Savior; we spend most of our lives wondering if we have ever really heard His voice, let alone know Him. Paul said, "I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself…”[30]; we live in such a way that screams, "It’s all about me.” Paul finished victoriously; we finish backslidden under a mask of outward morality. Paul was truly converted; we are led foolishly through a circus of dead religiosity called ‘modern christianity.’ Paul died and now lives with Christ; we die and are cast out by Christ. Paul left a legacy leading to salvation; we leave a legacy of generational sin[31] and traditional hypocrisy. Does anyone see the difference?[32]
I know that it is God who saves. He still saves and He saves people in all different ways. Some are transformed rapidly and from seemingly much, while yet others are transformed over more time and from seemingly little. Every work of salvation is amazing and leads to a new creation in Christ.
Who am I really speaking towards? Is it not the great majority of people who profess God? Is it not those who blaspheme His holy name through falsely justifying their ongoing sin? Is it not those who say, "Sin is no longer sin”? It does not matter by what camp these people have attached themselves; whether it is called Relevant, Emergent, Seeker-sensitive, Liturgical, Reformed, Evangelical, Charismatic, Catholic, or even Jehovah Witness, Mormon, etc. Those who are truly converted are a new creation and will be led to repentance, confession of sin and continued sanctification as an ongoing lifestyle.[33] This is because Christ’s work upon Calvary actually saved such a soul. Those who make up the great majority of professing Christians in North America are not resting upon Christ’s work as complete but rather as complimentary to their lifestyle.
We must realize that we were not saved on our own merit or simply because of a wooden cross, but rather there was something much for valuable given ”“ the very blood of the spotless, sinless, Lamb of God was poured out because He willfully drank of the cup[34] of His Father’s wrath ”“ the wrath that was due to us. The nails, the whips, the scourging, the crown of thorns were indeed physically painful, greatly disfiguring, and should never be overlooked nor diminished, but this was not the pinnacle of what washed you and I clean. No. A greater price was paid upon Calvary. How was it that Christ became the worm and fulfillment of Psalm 22, paved the way through the valley of death in Psalm 23 and was able to say to the ancient doors, "be lifted up", in Psalm 24? It was because Christ was crushed by His own Father for taking our sins upon Himself. And we must realize, not only was He crushed for our sins, but He became our propitiation and satisfied the justice of God. His ransom became our freedom; freedom from not only continuing in our participation of sin, but He destroys our desires and affections for sin itself; He gives us a new heart and writes His laws upon our new heart. For the true believer, He died because of the inherent depravity of the soul; thus your old nature was put to death.
"He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.”[35]
If you have been regenerated, then know that Christ was "despised and forsaken”; was "a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief”; He was "smitten” of God; "He was crushed for our iniquities”; "He was chastened for our well being”; "by His scourging we are healed”; our "iniquity” has fallen on Him; "it pleased the Lord to crush Him”; to put "Him to grief” and offer Him "as a guilt offering.”[36] Almighty God crushed His own Son because of the rotten stench of our sinfulness. Jesus Himself said, "The cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?”[37] Jesus Christ was the fullness of Deity[38] unto us.
"As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; by His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, as He will bear their iniquities.”[39]
Even with Christ suffering in such tremendous and unfathomable ways, God still has to ask us this day, "A son honors his father, and a servant his master. Then if I am a father, where is My honor? And I am a master, where is My respect?”[40] Regarding our Savior, ponder these things: He was prophesied about like no other; He was born like no other; He displayed a passion for God like no other; He displayed sacrificial love like no other; He was just in His anger like no other; He suffered like no other; He died like no other; He rose from the grave like no other; He was holy like no other.
If you are newer in the faith, know that following Christ will not cost you much ”“ only your entire life. Suffering, persecution, anguish in prayer, and the denying of self is what is promised to you in the true Christian life, but oh what joy and peace there is in Christ. There is no greater reward in this life and in the life to come than walking in the narrow path with the God of all glory. Oh how Christ is to be the treasure of a true believer.
"When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.”[41]
If you have been a Christian for some time, seek all of your days to be pleasing to the Lord. Let nothing separate you from the love of Christ; let not superficiality, nor longevity, nor pleasures of this world, pull you from Christ as your love, your treasure and your rock. Let it not be said of you, "But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.”[42]
You see, we cannot have a slice of Christianity and a slice of the world too. Luke warm is the worst option, just read what is said the church of Laodicea in book of Revelation. It’s either true conversion having been born again of the living God or cessation of eternal life and an eternity of endless torment. Let not the latter have its grasp on you. Seek the Living God, the Father of Jesus Christ, earnestly and you will find Him.[43]
The Father’s Bargain ”“ John Flavel
"Here you may suppose the Father to say, when driving his bargain with Christ for you.
"Father ”“ ‘My son, here is a company of poor miserable souls, that have utterly undone themselves, and now lie open to my justice! Justice demands satisfaction for them, or will satisfy itself in the eternal ruin of them: What shall be done for these souls?’ And thus Christ returns.
"Son ”“ ‘O my Father, such is my love to, and pity for them, that rather than they shall perish eternally, I will be responsible for them as their Surety; bring in all thy bills, that I may see what they owe thee; Lord, bring them all in, that there may be no after-reckonings with them; at my hand shalt thou require it. I will rather choose to suffer thy wrath than they should suffer it: upon me, my Father, upon me be all their debt.’
"Father ”“ ‘But, my Son, if thou undertake for them, thou must reckon to pay the last mite, expect no abatements; if I spare them, I will not spare thee.’
"Son ”“ ‘Content, Father, let it be so; charge it all upon me, I am able to discharge it: and though it prove a kind of undoing to me, though it impoverish all my riches, empty all my treasures, (for so indeed it did, 2 Cor. 8: 9. "Though he was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor”) yet I am content to undertake it.’
"Blush, ungrateful believers, O let shame cover your faces; judge in yourselves now, has Christ deserved that you should stand with him for trifles, that you should shrink at a few petty difficulties, and complain, this is hard, and that is harsh? O if you knew the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ in this his wonderful condescension for you, you could not do it.”[44]
"This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”
John 17:3
[1] John 11:43
[2] John 11:44
[3] Hebrews 12:4-13
[4] John 5:39
[5] John 14:6
[6] Ezekiel 36:26
[7] Jeremiah 31:33
[8] Luke 9:23
[9] "Sacredness; the state of any thing hallowed, or consecrated to God or to his worship. That which is separated to the service of God.” ”“ 1828 Noah Webster’s Dictionary
[10] "The act of making holy. In an evangelical sense, the act of God’s grace by which the affections of men are purified or alienated from sin and the world, and exalted to a supreme love of God. The act of consecrating or of setting apart for a sacred purpose.” ”“ 1828 Noah Webster’s Dictionary
[11] Romans 8:16
[12] 1 Peter 3:15; 2 Corinthians 13:5
[13] Revelation 20:11
[14] Revelation 20:14-15
[15] John 3:36
[16] James 3:1
[17] Romans 8:33-34
[18] See Matthew 18:1-7; Luke 17:2
[19] 2 Corinthians 13:5
[20] Jeremiah 23:1-2
[21] Isaiah 52:11
[22] 2 Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 5:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:5; 1 John 1:5
[23] "The act of appeasing wrath and conciliation the favor of an offended person; the act of making propitious. In theology, the atonement or atoning sacrifice offered to God to assuage his wrath and render him propitious to sinners.” ”“ 1828 Noah Webster’s Dictionary. A Law term whereby relating to Christ taking on the full weight of sin, taking on the guilt that was ours and leaving us innocent before the justice demanded by God and being declared innocent of our guilt (author’s).
[24] Thought owed to Jonathan Edwards ”“ Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God
[25] Matthew 18:6; Mark 9:42; Luke 17:2
[26] Jeremiah 17:9
[27] George Whitefield ”“ George Whitefield’s Journals, pg. 241, The Banner of Truth Trust, 1998 reprint
[28] Romans 12:2
[29] I highly recommend reading and studying only from the most accurate Bible versions ”“ NASB, ESV, NKJ, are among the most accurate in regards to the translation from the ancient manuscripts (although there are others). The Bible version you read from really does make a difference.
[30] Acts 20:24
[31] Exodus 34:7
[32] Please understand that when I talk about ‘we’, I mean the collective whole of what is called modern Christianity in prosperity driven North America. I do not label the true church, Christ’s bride, in such a way.
[33] More on, a style of life, in Chapter 7
[34] Luke 22:42
[35] 1 Peter 2:24
[36] Isaiah 53
[37] John 18:11
[38] Colossians 2:9, also see Colossians 1:19
[39] Isaiah 53:11
[40] Malachi 1:6
[41] Colossians 2:13-14
[42] Revelation 2:4; also see 2 Corinthians 11:3
[43] Matthew 7:8; Luke 11:10; Act 17:27
[44] Opens the Covenant of Redemption betwixt the Father and the Redeemer ”“ Volume 1, Sermon 3 ”“ John Flavel