The poo-free Gospel part 3 - Uncomplicated

I am a devoted student of the fundamentals and birthplace of all things, the core and bedrock construction whence everything that we know originates from. Go back to the beginning and you are likely to find out what is ticking …

We continue in this post, having left off in our previous post looking at the poo-free-Gospel. In this post we look at what the Gospel is in its purest form, the way Jesus pronounced it. We'll get to that just a little later in this post … so, read further.

Moving from poo-induced to poo-free

Refined by fire?

During the week someone posted a message on social media about a Malachi 3 message that seems to imply that we are being refined in the fire … God places us in situations that burn away the muck so that we can become more like Him!

Huh?

Really? After what Jesus did? Still?

It is always a good idea to get the context when reading, and especially when quoting verses in the Bible.

But here is the soppy social media story first:

[soppy social media story starts] There was once a group of women studying the book of Malachi in the Old Testament. As they were studying chapter three, they came across verse three, which says: “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.”

Celebrate Hanukkah ... or Christmas?

Many feasts from many cultures and religions are celebrated during the months of November and December each year.

Hanukkah is up towards the end of November, early in December. Christmas follows on 25 December.

The list goes on and on. There is Diwali early in November, Saint Nicholas Day on 6 December, Rohatsu (Bodhi Day), Calan Gaeaf day,  Posadas Navidenas, Solstice day on 21 December celebrating the winter-born king and the rebirth of the sun, Mōdraniht day, Yalda on 21 December, Zarathosht Diso day on 26 December, Holy Innocents day on 28 December ... and many, many other man-made worship days.

Most of them (if no all) are of pagan and occult origin and dedicated to their elusive pagan gods.

Are we to celebrate these ... some ... maybe ... just a little bit ... any of them?

Maybe, just a little?

Rejecting the poo-message - now what? The poo-free Gospel part 2

The subject question of this post is somewhat ambiguous, but follow through to the the end if you already know the answer.

Between rejecting the corrupted, mixed-Gospel and accepting the Gift Gospel-message of unconditional love, there is a part that Paul explains so beautifully to the Galatians (and us). In this post we continue from where we left in the previous post. (see the previous post here)

You'll remember that Paul was referring to the undiluted word of Truth (2 Corinthians 2:17, James 1:21), mixed with nothing but Faith (Hebrews 4:2).

In the previous post we caught up with Paul explaining how that there is an accursed Gospel preached by trouble-makers, mixing the pure Good-News Gospel with poo (law, rules and doctrine), the latter being a toxic, deadly mixture that should be discarded immediately. We were reading what he said in The Message Translation.

In this post we look at Paul’s explanation on what to do once we’ve decided to reject the poo-induced Gospel to receive the pure Good-News-Gospel. This time we’ll read from both The Message and the KJV.

It is more dangerous than ignorance ... (unpublished post from 2019 ... until now)

What is more dangerous than ignorance?

False knowledge!

False knowledge is simply a lie. Ignorance is a lack of knowledge or information and careless attitude about it.

They are both dangerous, but according to Bernard Shaw false knowledge supersedes.

Where does all this come from?

Some time ago my youngest daughter prepared a speech for their English orators. The subject came from quotes made by well know public figures and hers was George Bernard Shaw and his famous quote "Beware of false knowledge ... it is more dangerous than ignorance."

Since I greatly assisted in the writing of her speech, I am taking liberty in using some of the elements thereof.

Why?

Jesus, the dog and the children

In most cultures calling someone a dog is the ultimate insult.

Similarly, calling someone a child or childish, offends that person maximally. 

However, in the economy of Jesus this is not true and we may even find that the exact opposite is appropriate.

There is this cool, prophetic history in the book of Numbers (13 and 14) which resulted in Joshua and Caleb being the only ones from their generation to enter the promised land - Joshua and the dog ... and the children from the younger generation.

How is this significant?

The poo-free Gospel - part 1

There is a wavering Gospel that says whatever Christ has done on the cross, is not enough - you have to be good and earn it!

It mixes poo with the good …

It modifies the Good News into something man-made.

The Good-News-Message becomes the Message of Doom.

That is why Paul reprimanded the Galatians. 

I can’t believe how you waver—how easily you have turned traitor to him who called you by the grace of Christ by embracing an alternative message! It is not a minor variation, you know; it is completely other, an alien message, a no-message, a lie about God. Those who are provoking this agitation among you are turning the Message of Christ on its head. Let me be blunt: If one of us—even if an angel from heaven!—were to preach something other than what we preached originally, let him be cursed. I said it once; I’ll say it again: If anyone, regardless of reputation or credentials, preaches something other than what you received originally, let him be cursed. Galatians 1:6-9 MSG

What does it mean to waver?

Stay poo-free!

This might come as a surprise to some, but there is not even a tiny bit of bad news in the Good News (Gospel).

The Finished Work of Jesus is the All-Good-News-once-and-for-all.

The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation. It only makes sense in terms of the Finished Work of Christ.

The Gospel is the exclusive Good News! It is Jesus. If you try to fit another word in there somehow, it becomes something entirely different.

Think about it.

If the news you are getting has a hint of bad news, it is not God’s News anymore and the origin should immediately be questioned. I must be discarded immediately!

Even the slightest addition of dog poo will corrupt and make the best Swiss chocolate vulgar.

Be ready to check out the next post on the poo-free-Gospel.

God has perfect timing, never early never late

Have you ever heard the expression “God has perfect timing, never early, never late”?

Have you tried googling it? Or look for that exact expression in the Bible?

Have you taken the time to look into when and how it is usually used by those who use it?

Have you applied your mind to something like this said?

Have you questioned it?

Well, in this post we’ll practice some logic discernment and investigate the matter.

Luck and chance

I am always surprised when good Christian people testify how God gave them a second chance …

Sickly people will tell you how that the doctors by chance became aware of a certain condition and how, through this, God gave them a second chance.

Others will testify how they miraculously escaped near death and through this, God gives them a second chance.

Some will tell you that God created some incident in their lives to give them a second chance.

Yet, others will tell you how God gave them three, four or any number of chances in life.

Phew!

I have serious concerns with these kinds of testimony.

Shall we consider our sin?

I have discovered that many Christians still struggle with the issue of sin.

The problem is that we have been brainwashed through the years by the institutional church to believe that sin is a verb and only a verb, speaking to our actions or lack thereof.

In contrast the Greek word used in the New Testament is much more explicit, using it as a noun. Sin is a condition rather than an action.

The problem is our understanding of sin

Sin is a condition, a sickness, a state … (see this post)

Whosoever shall call

Whilst running my afternoon run, The Holy Spirit impressed upon my heart Romans 10:13.

I usually do not quote single verses out of context, but during my run I developed this deep desire to look at what the original words communicate.

This is the verse: For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Simple! 

But loaded.

Yet, easily corruptible by the law-preacher.

Judgment or crisis?

One of my favorite Gospel moments came when the Holy Spirit shared with me the immense love that comes with the finished work of Christ … and John laid it down straight in 1 John 4. Like Paul’s letter to the Romans, there is no second guessing of what John is conveying here … plain simple truth. And if anyone should question the voice of the spirit they are hearing, John also begins this chapter by providing a perfect discerning-tool, so that we can unmistakably identify the spirit that speaks to us. And this can used on a daily basis.

Isn’t that just awesome?

Test the spirit!

Why? Because there are so many. And only one to listen to.

Pulling down of strongholds?

I was recently reminded again how that a stronghold can really be … a stronghold.

It is no strange coincidence that Paul alerts (beseech) us that the purpose of our spiritual fight is for the pulling down of strongholds. 

Paul is specific.

The fight is not carnal.

It is spiritual.

Why?

Tithēmi is also to make one’s own and to appoint for one’s use

We sometimes read and fail to look at the context.

This makes us really stupid.

Reading outside of context is like driving without a steering wheel.

Reading without taking into account the context deceives the pregnable mind.

Why is this important?

An heir with a Gift

A Gift

As heirs in the kingdom of our Father we inherit many, many good gifts, a place of belonging, an sure identity, unmeasurable wealth, perfect heath, security, but also dominion authority. All of this can be summarized as “every good gift and every perfect gift”, just as James wrote in the first couple of verses of his epistle.

 … and good gifts are good gifts!

But what if gifts are, in fact, more and better than what we are generally taught?

To answer this question we have to do a little language and translation exploration. Fancy that!

So, let’s get on with it.

I pray

I pray today

Lord, thank You that even though I thought I found You and gave my heart to You, You found me first and not only gave me Your heart, but all of You.

Thank You Yah’shua that when I thought I gave You my life, You had already given me Yours, completely and unreservedly and that I now stand sanctified and washed in your presence.

Thank You Spirit of God that when I first heard Your voice, You reminded me that it was always there.

Death to the commandments and doctrines of men

I write a lot about the church …

Let me rather rephrase ...

I write a lot about the ekklēsia, the word that was so terribly and wrongfully translated from the Greek into the English as church. Look at this post for instance.

It comes up time and again

During the week my wife and I were confronted time and again with people (wonderful people of God) who claimed that their church (their doctrinal system and pastor) was the right church with the right doctrine and the right pastor. Whatever their pastor or minister of their church said, is what they base their whole outlook on life upon. Wow!

We could not always be quiet

Fully furnished by the inspired Word

Disgusting

I find it difficult sometimes to follow the logic of some preachers laying out scripture as if they do not have the Holy Spirit to guide them.

The law preacher will always find law in the Bible, even if there is none. But don’t you dare talk about the grace of God! That will be blaspheme, for sure!

Now it gets up close and personal

There is a way to determine how close and personal a relationship is in everyday life.

This very same way also shows the desire for further advancement and intimacy, and it paves the way forward.

How?