Truth rather than Traditions of men! Pt. 2 By James Lantz
The Lord God said that he would honor those who honor him, but lightly esteem those who despise him. To despise God, as mentioned in the King James Bible, does not necessarily mean that you curse him or hate him but rather that you don’t esteem His words as being important. 1 Sam. 2:30 Wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the Lord saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed. You might be thinking, so God does change his mind. No, God did not change his mind, Eli the priest disqualified himself, choosing the companionship of wicked men rather than earnestly contending for holiness and the faith of God. We are still on the subject of Jesus declaration that the traditions of men nullify the word
To choose man’s way over God’s way stops God’s power from reaching you!
of God. I have had people personally tell me that sin is to be handled differently when it is in your own family members than how the Bible teaches. This may be your tradition and you may have to learn the hard way like Eli did or you could summit to the truth of God’s word. Many are honoring their natural family above the family of God, but the Bible teaches that we are to love one another as Jesus loved us. Of course we have close family relationships and personal responsibilities at home that don’t apply everywhere, but that does not negate the commandment to love our spiritual family. John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. Jesus is not expecting us to wear ourselves out taking on responsibilities that are not ours, but to be willing and obedient as the Spirit of God leads us to help those who really need us. Martha was so concerned about helping others but Jesus said Mary has chosen the one thing that was needed. Loving our brothers and sisters in Christ should start by telling them the truth and treating them right. Treating them right includes being compassionate and helping them with our substance. 1 John 3:17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? Seeing a genuine need is one way God leads us to get involved in helping others. Some have misunderstood the message of the parable of the good samaritan, not recognizing the difference between saving someone’s life and sticking your nose where it dosen’t belong. If we are not selective we may find ourselves taking on responsibilities of others that we should not, at the neglect of our own. The five wise virgins told the foolish virgins to go to those who sell oil and buy from them. Beware of trying to solve spiritual problems with purely natural solutions. Rom. 13:8 Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. It is the love of God that compels us to take our place in sharing this glorious Gospel!
God seems to have put his spotlight on the subject of grace in recent days. God has made abundant grace available through the Lord Jesus Christ to those of us who believe! Grace is God treating us as if sin had never happened. 2 Cor. 4:15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound (superabound) to the glory of God. Think about how merciful and gracious God has been to us! Justice says that anyone who disobeys God and his laws is guilty as if he has disobeyed all of God’s law. God, in his great love for us, has sent Jesus to pay the penalty for our sins. All who believe that Jesus is the Christ, and make him Lord of their lives receive the gift of eternal life. We become righteous through faith in the finished work of Christ Jesus! 2 Cor. 5:21 For he (God) hath made him (Jesus) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. There is no sin so bad or done so often that the shed blood of Christ will not cleanse and remove from you! There is no sickness or infirmity that God has not placed on the Lord Jesus Christ so you could go free. Isaiah 53:10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief (sickness) : when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin . . . God is not a child beater, He had Jesus agreement to take our punishment, the just suffering for the unjust. God was pleased that Jesus could take our sins, sicknesses, and poverty upon himself so we could be redeemed from the curse of the law. Gal. 3:13&14 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree: that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. In order to receive God’s grace we must humble ourselves and admit we need God’s help, we can not earn this grace nor do we deserve any of it. Then we must believe that we receive (or take) this grace as our own. Having a thankful heart is prerequisite to receiving and maintaining the gifts of God. It is impossible to extend grace to someone who believes that they deserve it. Rom. 4:4&5 TEV A person who works is paid his wages, but they are not regarded as a gift; they are something that he has earned. But the person who depends on his faith, not on his deeds, and who believes in the God who declares the guilty to be innocent, it is his faith that God takes into account in order to put him right with himself. Many people in this world have the idea that God will save them because they are pretty good people. They try to treat people fair and
Believing this tradition of man will cause you to wind up in hell!
help others and in their mind they are not bad people. This is a tradition of man that can not be believed if we are to receive eternal life. The Bible says that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. (See Rom. 3:23) The sin nature was born into us through Adam’s transgression. Rom. 5:12 Where- fore, as by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: Jesus said that we must be born again in order to receive eternal life. (John 3) Jesus also said that no man can come to the Father except through Him. John 14:6 . . . I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Jesus is either the biggest liar there ever was, or he is the Son of God, who was raised from the dead to give eternal life to those who believe in Him. Everything that contradicts the Holy Bible is a lie. (Rom. 3:4) The holy scriptures are inspired by God and written down by men. (2 Pet. 16-21 & Rev. 22:18&19) The Holy Spirit had it written that we must believe with our heart (innermost being) and confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord in order to be saved. Babies and those who have not reached the age of accountability will be saved if they die at an early age. (Rom. 7:9) There is much misunderstanding about God’s grace. God’s grace does not mean that God will just look the other way and let your sin slide. Many people think that because God did not reprove them immediately that what they are doing is acceptable in His sight. Ps. 50:21 These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. God speaks to us personally, through his written word and through others. Heb. 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement: God graciously gives many opportunities for people to repent and come into covenant with Himself through Jesus Christ but they are all in this life. There is no second chance after this life, no such thing as purgatory or coming back as another person for a redo. Oh the tragedy of not heeding God’s word! There is judgement and destruction ahead for all who refuse God! Judgement and great destruction is coming to America unless there is repentance.
The one true God is the God of heaven, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, and the God of the Bible! He gave us the Lord Jesus as the sacrificial Lamb of God. He is the God of salvation and the Father of spirits! If you have not made Jesus the Lord of your life, Pray this prayer!
Dear Heavenly Father:
Please forgive me for my sins. I believe that Jesus is the Christ and that he is risen from the dead.
I confess Jesus is my Lord! Please take my life and do something with it. in the name of Jesus Amen
