Hello to All:
We have come a long way in our journey to: "victorious discipleship in Jesus Christ." A significant amount of foundational material has been presented; but, many are finding it difficult to get this material, these foundational truths, from their heads into their hearts. Thus, our Lord Jesus Christ directs me to take some time; and examine why, so many, are stuck in: "entry level discipleship."
Let it boldly be proclaimed, as the Holy Ghost compels me to do so, that the principal and most challenging obstacle to "victorious discipleship," is: Unbelief! I am compelled to capitalize Unbelief, because it has become, principally in the west, a demonic stronghold that holds many, who are truly Christian, in a bondage that is powerful, controlling and deceiving. This stronghold has become so powerful, that the church in the west, has, for the most part, been reduced to presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ, on a purely academic and philosophical level. We have been robbed of the power and authority, that Jesus Christ has won for us; and is ready to pour into us; if we would only believe. But, rather then believing Jesus and His Word, we have embraced unbelief; while, all the while, thinking that we know what the truth really is; but, in reality, we have embraced the precepts and commandments of men; rather then: "The Truth" that will set us free.
To properly examine this deception: will take some time. But, to get us started: let us look to a definition of what constitutes "unbelief." Since Jesus Christ is first in all things; and above all things; and has authority over all things; and is the creator of all things; and the sustainer of all things; and we could go on and on about Jesus Christ and who He is and what He has done and what He will do; but, this should serve to get us focused and enable us to begin to understand the meaning of unbelief.
Unbelief - rightly understood - is: the acceptance of (as truth), any precepts, commandments or teachngs (that cannot be confirmed as truth by the King's Book), of a person or persons, of an organization, of a local church group, of a home church group, of a regional or national or international church structure or organization (such as a specific sectarian or denominational perspective); that claims to be an authority that must be submitted to; and proclaims that it knows the truth better then anyone else.
Such claims, are often indirectly made. They take the form of membership documents, doctrinal statements, pledges of obedience and a host of other things that require our allegiance. The entities that make such claims, are usurpers and pretenders - they have chosen to stand, in the place, where only Jesus Christ can rightly and legitimately stand! They have chosen to take the place of Jesus as the head of the church and the sole mediator between God and men. It is this choice that has made them, not only the usurpers and pretenders that they are; but, it is also that choice that has made a way for the demonic stronghold, that has it's oppressive grip on the church in the west. The Oppression of Unbelief has taken hold; and it will not easily be overcome!
Join with me, in the weeks ahead, as we seek to grow in our understanding of this stronghold and how we can overcome; so that we can truly be victorious disciples in Jesus Christ.
Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Jesus Christ, I continue to be:
Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus
Monday, July 25, 2011
Sunday, July 17, 2011
What must I do to be saved?
Hello to All:
When this blog, first came on line, it was intended for the church in the west and, specifically, for believers - that is: those who are converted to Jesus Christ. When I returned to writing on this blog - I was surprised by how widespread our readership had become. Our King and Saviour, The One and The True and The Living God, the One who has most fully revealed Himself in and through His Son: our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ; He has taken this blog unto the uttermost parts of the earth. As He continues to do this, Jesus makes it clear to me that the audience for this blog is much more diverse then I had anticipated. Thus, it has also become clear to me, that not everyone who reads these pages is converted to Jesus Christ. So, the question : What must I do to be saved? - has become very relevant to God's purposes in these postings.
When I was privileged, by our King, to be in Haiti, for a short time in May of last year (see earlier postings regarding the Haiti trip and the work that our Lord Jesus Christ did), I was also privileged to be instructed, by Jesus, working through the Holy Ghost, regarding a gospel dialogue, that He would effectively use to bring about the conversion of many to Him! This gospel dialogue is a very simple and direct statement of the truths contained in the King's Book (what is often referred to as the Bible or The Word of God). Compelled by the Spirit of God, I will now engage all of you, my beloved (including, those of you who are not converted to Jesus Christ), in this dialogue. Please listen carefully to what I have to say - for I speak with the authority of Jesus Christ:
First: hear this command from the Kings Book (Hebrews 3:7-8): "Wherefore: as the Holy Ghost saith; Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts..."
Listen carefully my beloved:
God is your creator - God created you because He loves you - He loves you so much, that He wants you to be with Him for all of eternity - But, there is a problem - The problem is your sin - Your sin separates you from God - But, because of God's great love for you, He has made a way to overcome the sin problem - He has sent His Son Jesus Christ to be the sin bearer and to pay the price for your sin and my sin - Jesus Christ took our sin to the cross and in freely giving up His life; He paid the price for our sin - Through His death and resurrection, Jesus Christ proclaimed to all of the creation, for all of time, that He has the power over sin and death; and that He will give eternal life to all who turn to Him - Because of His great love for you, my beloved, Jesus also wants you to be with Him for all of eternity!
The question, now before you, my beloved, is: Do You Want To Be With Jesus?
If you have answered yes to this question, then you have taken the first step in understanding the answer to the question that is before us: What must I do to be saved?
If you have said yes to Jesus, then you must take the next step - please pray with me:
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of The Living God: have mercy upon me a sinner. I have sinned against you and against my neighbor. I am sorry for my sins and I repent of my sins and I ask forgiveness for my sins. Lord Jesus, I want to be with You for all of eternity. Please keep me as your own. Amen.
At this point in the dialogue, I would say to the new convert, and now I say to you, my beloved: look at me, if you can, but surely, listen to me and repeat what I say: Jesus Christ is my Lord and my Saviour! If you have proclaimed these words - out loud and to the creation - then I can say to you, on the basis of the truths contained in the King's Book; and with the authority of Jesus Christ: that you now belong to Jesus! Amen and Amen and Amen!
Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:
Your servant and fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus
P.S. For those of you who have said yes: contact me through the comment option (I will keep your comment confidential); and I will do what I can to help you find the fellowship of other believers, that will be an essential part of your journey with Jesus Christ. Please include an e-mail address or some other way that I may communicate with you.
When this blog, first came on line, it was intended for the church in the west and, specifically, for believers - that is: those who are converted to Jesus Christ. When I returned to writing on this blog - I was surprised by how widespread our readership had become. Our King and Saviour, The One and The True and The Living God, the One who has most fully revealed Himself in and through His Son: our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ; He has taken this blog unto the uttermost parts of the earth. As He continues to do this, Jesus makes it clear to me that the audience for this blog is much more diverse then I had anticipated. Thus, it has also become clear to me, that not everyone who reads these pages is converted to Jesus Christ. So, the question : What must I do to be saved? - has become very relevant to God's purposes in these postings.
When I was privileged, by our King, to be in Haiti, for a short time in May of last year (see earlier postings regarding the Haiti trip and the work that our Lord Jesus Christ did), I was also privileged to be instructed, by Jesus, working through the Holy Ghost, regarding a gospel dialogue, that He would effectively use to bring about the conversion of many to Him! This gospel dialogue is a very simple and direct statement of the truths contained in the King's Book (what is often referred to as the Bible or The Word of God). Compelled by the Spirit of God, I will now engage all of you, my beloved (including, those of you who are not converted to Jesus Christ), in this dialogue. Please listen carefully to what I have to say - for I speak with the authority of Jesus Christ:
First: hear this command from the Kings Book (Hebrews 3:7-8): "Wherefore: as the Holy Ghost saith; Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts..."
Listen carefully my beloved:
God is your creator - God created you because He loves you - He loves you so much, that He wants you to be with Him for all of eternity - But, there is a problem - The problem is your sin - Your sin separates you from God - But, because of God's great love for you, He has made a way to overcome the sin problem - He has sent His Son Jesus Christ to be the sin bearer and to pay the price for your sin and my sin - Jesus Christ took our sin to the cross and in freely giving up His life; He paid the price for our sin - Through His death and resurrection, Jesus Christ proclaimed to all of the creation, for all of time, that He has the power over sin and death; and that He will give eternal life to all who turn to Him - Because of His great love for you, my beloved, Jesus also wants you to be with Him for all of eternity!
The question, now before you, my beloved, is: Do You Want To Be With Jesus?
If you have answered yes to this question, then you have taken the first step in understanding the answer to the question that is before us: What must I do to be saved?
If you have said yes to Jesus, then you must take the next step - please pray with me:
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of The Living God: have mercy upon me a sinner. I have sinned against you and against my neighbor. I am sorry for my sins and I repent of my sins and I ask forgiveness for my sins. Lord Jesus, I want to be with You for all of eternity. Please keep me as your own. Amen.
At this point in the dialogue, I would say to the new convert, and now I say to you, my beloved: look at me, if you can, but surely, listen to me and repeat what I say: Jesus Christ is my Lord and my Saviour! If you have proclaimed these words - out loud and to the creation - then I can say to you, on the basis of the truths contained in the King's Book; and with the authority of Jesus Christ: that you now belong to Jesus! Amen and Amen and Amen!
Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:
Your servant and fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus
P.S. For those of you who have said yes: contact me through the comment option (I will keep your comment confidential); and I will do what I can to help you find the fellowship of other believers, that will be an essential part of your journey with Jesus Christ. Please include an e-mail address or some other way that I may communicate with you.
Friday, July 15, 2011
I can do all things through Christ!
Hello to All:
If, by ourselves, we are "nothing"; and, since our "sufficiency" is of God; how do we bridge the gap between being nothing and being sufficient? The answer, as is the answer to all of our questions, is found in our deepening understanding of our relationship with Jesus Christ.
It is written, at Philippians 4:13, of the King's Book: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." In our previous posting (Our sufficiency is of God!), we are reminded of the words of our King, as He states: "without me ye can do nothing." But, in today's text, we are directed to the truth that: In and through Jesus Christ all things are possible! All things are possible because of Jesus Christ! Thus, when we who are nothing, become one with Jesus Christ, who is everything; then, and only then, do we find ourselves in an abiding relationship where "all things" are possible.
Some insight into the "mystery" of this abiding relationship, can be found recorded at Colossians 1:29 of the King's Book: "Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily." In the preceding verse (verse 28), the apostle Paul speaks of the work that he is called to do. In verse 29, he speaks, regarding how he is able to do this same work: "according to his working, which worketh in me mightily." The one whose "working which worketh ... mightily," is Jesus Christ. Thus, we are again directed to the victorious discipleship we can have through the "indwelling and manifesting" presence of Jesus Christ: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:
Your servant and fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus
If, by ourselves, we are "nothing"; and, since our "sufficiency" is of God; how do we bridge the gap between being nothing and being sufficient? The answer, as is the answer to all of our questions, is found in our deepening understanding of our relationship with Jesus Christ.
It is written, at Philippians 4:13, of the King's Book: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." In our previous posting (Our sufficiency is of God!), we are reminded of the words of our King, as He states: "without me ye can do nothing." But, in today's text, we are directed to the truth that: In and through Jesus Christ all things are possible! All things are possible because of Jesus Christ! Thus, when we who are nothing, become one with Jesus Christ, who is everything; then, and only then, do we find ourselves in an abiding relationship where "all things" are possible.
Some insight into the "mystery" of this abiding relationship, can be found recorded at Colossians 1:29 of the King's Book: "Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily." In the preceding verse (verse 28), the apostle Paul speaks of the work that he is called to do. In verse 29, he speaks, regarding how he is able to do this same work: "according to his working, which worketh in me mightily." The one whose "working which worketh ... mightily," is Jesus Christ. Thus, we are again directed to the victorious discipleship we can have through the "indwelling and manifesting" presence of Jesus Christ: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:
Your servant and fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Our sufficiency is of God!
Hello to All:
Our last posting left us pondering the reality that we are "nothing." Today, we look at our "sufficiency." In the King's Book, we find the following statement recorded (2 Corinthians 3:5): "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God."
The first part of the text, reminds us of our nothingness: Not ... sufficient of ourselves - No ... thing is of ourselves. The last part of the text directs us to "victorious discipleship": "Our sufficiency is of God."
We find these words, of the King, recorded at John chapter 15 and verse 5: "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." Our King, Jesus Christ, is telling us that: without Him - we can do nothing! Earlier in John's gospel, we find John the Baptist speaking these words regarding Jesus Christ (John 3:30): "He must increase, but I must decrease."
Applying John the Baptist's perspective, to our own circumstances, we move closer to "victorious discipleship in Jesus Christ." We "decrease," as we embrace our nothingness. The indwelling and manifesting presence of Jesus Christ, will, "increase," in our lives, as we submit to the truth that: "Without" ... Jesus .... "we can do nothing."
Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:
Your servant and fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus
Our last posting left us pondering the reality that we are "nothing." Today, we look at our "sufficiency." In the King's Book, we find the following statement recorded (2 Corinthians 3:5): "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God."
The first part of the text, reminds us of our nothingness: Not ... sufficient of ourselves - No ... thing is of ourselves. The last part of the text directs us to "victorious discipleship": "Our sufficiency is of God."
We find these words, of the King, recorded at John chapter 15 and verse 5: "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." Our King, Jesus Christ, is telling us that: without Him - we can do nothing! Earlier in John's gospel, we find John the Baptist speaking these words regarding Jesus Christ (John 3:30): "He must increase, but I must decrease."
Applying John the Baptist's perspective, to our own circumstances, we move closer to "victorious discipleship in Jesus Christ." We "decrease," as we embrace our nothingness. The indwelling and manifesting presence of Jesus Christ, will, "increase," in our lives, as we submit to the truth that: "Without" ... Jesus .... "we can do nothing."
Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:
Your servant and fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus
Thursday, July 7, 2011
You are nothing!
Hello to All:
It is good to be back!
Before getting to the substance of this posting - I need to take care of a couple of format issues:
1. From this posting and going forward, all quotes from the King's Book (commonly referred to as the Bible), will be from the King James Version of the English translations. When exceptions are made, it will be stated in the text. The reasons for this will be dealt with in future postings.
2. As originally intended, this blog was meant for the Christian church in western countries: particularly the United States. But, our Lord Jesus Christ, is prone to surprise us. It has come to my attention that many readers of this blog, are located in other parts of the world. To date: we have readers in a total of fifteen nations. Many of these brethren are in locations where few copies of the King's Book are available. Thus: I will be more fully quoting the text for each posting. Depending on the flow of the post: the full text of the KJV might be in the body or at the end. It is my hope that a complete quote from the King's Book will be helpful to those brethren who have few, or perhaps, not any copies of The Word of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Now - to our posting for this day: "You are nothing."
We find written at Galatians 6:3 - the following: "For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself." In the west, we are taught to think very highly of ourselves. Phrases such as: self-esteem and self-worth are highly regarded. In the west: self is the center of everything. But, for the brethren, for those who are truly converted to Jesus Christ; and thus, truly christian; we understand that this western way of thinking is contrary to God's way of thinking. But, how many of us truly comprehend and apprehend (that is: apply) the reality that, according to the King's Book: we "are nothing"?
My brethren, before you become discouraged, regarding God's view of us as being "nothing," consider this: From nothing, our Lord Jesus Christ made everything: including you and me. More on this in our next post.
Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:
Your servant and fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus
It is good to be back!
Before getting to the substance of this posting - I need to take care of a couple of format issues:
1. From this posting and going forward, all quotes from the King's Book (commonly referred to as the Bible), will be from the King James Version of the English translations. When exceptions are made, it will be stated in the text. The reasons for this will be dealt with in future postings.
2. As originally intended, this blog was meant for the Christian church in western countries: particularly the United States. But, our Lord Jesus Christ, is prone to surprise us. It has come to my attention that many readers of this blog, are located in other parts of the world. To date: we have readers in a total of fifteen nations. Many of these brethren are in locations where few copies of the King's Book are available. Thus: I will be more fully quoting the text for each posting. Depending on the flow of the post: the full text of the KJV might be in the body or at the end. It is my hope that a complete quote from the King's Book will be helpful to those brethren who have few, or perhaps, not any copies of The Word of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Now - to our posting for this day: "You are nothing."
We find written at Galatians 6:3 - the following: "For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself." In the west, we are taught to think very highly of ourselves. Phrases such as: self-esteem and self-worth are highly regarded. In the west: self is the center of everything. But, for the brethren, for those who are truly converted to Jesus Christ; and thus, truly christian; we understand that this western way of thinking is contrary to God's way of thinking. But, how many of us truly comprehend and apprehend (that is: apply) the reality that, according to the King's Book: we "are nothing"?
My brethren, before you become discouraged, regarding God's view of us as being "nothing," consider this: From nothing, our Lord Jesus Christ made everything: including you and me. More on this in our next post.
Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:
Your servant and fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
It is time to continue.
Hello to All:
It has been just over a year since my last posting - a year of reflection - a year of discovery - a year of deepening conversion - a year of imparted grace leading to action.
It is time for these postings to continue. With the grace filled help of the Holy Ghost; and the indwelling and manifesting presence of Jesus Christ: these postings will continue!
Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:
Your servant and fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus
It has been just over a year since my last posting - a year of reflection - a year of discovery - a year of deepening conversion - a year of imparted grace leading to action.
It is time for these postings to continue. With the grace filled help of the Holy Ghost; and the indwelling and manifesting presence of Jesus Christ: these postings will continue!
Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:
Your servant and fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus
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