Claim the Name – Prove It – Foundational
Absolute Foundational
Let us talk foundational basics on this site.
What is on this site is the absolute, bare-bone minimum for judging if someone is a Christian or not. As of Friday, February 12, 2021 To those who are of Christ but need to be taught the way of God more adequately the things here on this site will prove to be a breaking point for good or bad. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. (Acts 18:26)
If your Christianity does not measure up to these foundational doctrines on this web site odds, are you have not passed 1st grade in the school to following Jesus. At best you are crippled in your walk and there is much healing that is required by the grace of God. In fact, the church has so doctrinonalized the gospel call for salvation that all is polluted and weak at best. Because this foundational layer is faulty God is sending a time of confusion upon the church. Just compare your foundational message on this site or the book Even the Demons Believe and you will see why God is judging the Christian church far more than the government.
The best of them is like a brier, the most upright worse than a thorn hedge. The day of your watchmen has come, the day God visits you. Now is the time of their confusion. (Micah 7:4)
As no one is going to be raptured out of the last days God tells us what will happen to believers. God warns that as we approach the last days many will fall away unto hellish damnation while a few others will stumble in the process of overcoming. Rather than having been a source of blessing to others they will have to be refined during the time of turmoil that is coming upon the whole world. Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time. (Daniel 11:35)
Note well that even now “Christians” are persecuting Jesus because the love of most is growing cold. Most disturbingly those who claim The Name have such a pathetic walk with God they easily believe the lie that the narrow road walk with Jesus is cult-like. In the end God is getting ready to turn up the heat of refining fire and many will be found to be dross that is scrapped away while others must stumble unto refinement.
By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. (1 Corinthians 3:10)
Everything on this site is the absolute, bare minimum of that it means to claim The Name. If you do not measure up or are striving to what is on this site you have not met the basic requirements of what Jesus demanded be met before one can claim to following Him.
Naturally, some, ok, many will whine, “So are you saying I cannot be saved unless I agree with you?!” This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. (1 John 5:2)
The answer is: stop asking a foolish, selfish, I-just-want-to-be-saved-accusatory-question and let us get on with fellowship in God’s holy light by perfecting holiness through Jesus Christ. Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. (2 Corinthians 7:1) God rebukes those whom He loves and like the 7 churches of Asia all but two needed some repair.
But, hey, we are talking about a vast ocean of whitewashed Americanized Christianity that has affected every ministry, church and Christian walk. It is time to wake up, let Christ shine on you and repent so that you are not a part of the great falling away. for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise but as wise, (Ephesians 5:14-15)
It is callously stupid to keep bemoaning how bad the world is and how other churches need to clean up their act when you refuse to live the basics. Massively spiritually stupid. Do you really think you will be able to stand strong by the grace of God with sloppy doctrine and flabby lives?
It is easy to spot how flabby and shallow the doctrines are by the fact there is so little desire to fellowship with those who actually do walk in the Light. The mere fact others think I am cultish underscores just how little, if at all they are following Jesus.
Because anyone, repeat anyone following Jesus with the saltiness Jesus requires would understand exactly what is going on. Indeed, the reason so many cannot spot the Truth to the point of prosecuting the Truth here is because they do not live enough of the gospel to be of Christ.
Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. (John 15:20)
Proving It
This is not a hell-n-brimstone prove-it.
This is not your church doctrine prove-it.
This is not a legalistic checkbox prove-it.
This is not your opinion verses my opinion prove-it.
This is not a whitewash religious Christianity prove-it.
This is not your, I am not going to debate scripture compromise prove-it.
This is, prove-it, in, through, and by the Holy Spirit, by persuading me you rightly claim, The Name. Let us both proof it out to each other before God.
So, then, claim The Name – prove it.
Gentleness
How one receives this message to prove-it depends on their spiritual need at the moment.
In other words, what the selfless love of Jesus commands and works through a surrendered servant is what you will get. Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. (1 Thessalonians 4:9)
Those few I have been blessed to fellowship within the Lord find me the vast majority of the time to be filled with the gentleness of Jesus and the selfless love of God because they have proven-it.
The safety they enjoy is that if need be, for their spiritual safety and growth I will, because I never use flattery and seek not the approval of any man will tell them the Truth as God works and wills. But, alas, many desire a feel-good-flattering-leadership over the leaders God authorizes. Itching ears have been invited to church and the result is a church ripe for judgmental cleansing. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. (2 Timothy 4:3)
By the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you–I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” when away! I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. (2 Corinthians 10:1-2)
A preacher filled with the love from God will literally “beg” those they fellowship with in the Light to not require the boldness of God. So too, “I” always beg and those who have come to respect God, growing in the fear of God, appreciate my begging. Such find me gentle, kind and meek through the grace of God.
Specifically, as needed the Living God will also work a “whip” if that is what is best for their spiritual growth in Jesus. Indeed, the righteous will pray to God to have a righteous man slap them if that is what is required. Let a righteous man strike me-it is a kindness; let him rebuke me-it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it. Yet my prayer is ever against the deeds of evildoers; (Psalm 141:5)
To state that the unrepentant and fall-away disciples resent and persecute such love in Jesus is almost a stupid statement to declare at this point. Certainly, the worldly, whether claiming The Name or not, resent the love of the Holy Spirit is as certain as ice at the North Pole.
What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit? (1 Corinthians 4:21)
Which do you prefer?
Hint: Actually, to those who hunger and thirst after righteousness such find it mighty reassurring that the love of Christ will manifest itself as is needed for their growth and safety in Jesus. Woe to us for there are few friends in Jesus these days! Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. (Proverbs 27:6)
Judging You
Of course, I am judging you as that is exactly what the Holy Spirit demands, and the Word of God confirms is to be done.
If “I” am not convinced you are a Christian, there will not be much hanging around with you that is going to happen.
Of course, the finer truth of the matter is seldom do I have to disassociate myself from anyone that is lukewarm, white-washy or unrepentant as they will not associate with me. A mocker resents correction; he will not consult the wise. (Proverbs 15:12)
And a certain woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul. And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us. (Acts 16:14-15)
As another version of the Bible puts it, persuade me you are a Christian that has expertly laid a good foundation and is building on that foundation.
“If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.
Persuade me and the grandest of fellowship in the Lord just might take place.
T. Williams
If anyone does not love the Lord–a curse be on him. Come, O Lord !
(1 Corinthians 16:22)
Post #