I am “God Made”

“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” Romans 12:3

I see people as competitors, wanting to be the best, strongest, smartest, best looking, etc. etc. etc. I see people racing down the road to get in front of someone else, racing to merge in front of you instead of behind you, I think you get the image I am painting. Few people in this world are humbled in nature. As Christians we need to slow down, we need to feast on the grace and blessings of God, and to do that, we need to see ourselves in the proper prospective. God described us this was, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23 We never find God bragging on people, unless He is speaking about something He gave them the ability to accomplish. God went on to say, “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” Romans 3:24 As people we are so weak we cannot even believe on the Lord Jesus Christ on our own, we need God’s power and faith to do that. “So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” Romans 8:8 “When we see ourselves in the saved state we are always better Christians if we look back to see what God has done in our life, and understanding as Paul did, “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.” 1 Corinthians 15:10 - 11 Paul admits that what he was in his Christian life was a gift of God, “…but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me…” Paul spoke of two things in our text scripture, but we must limit out thoughts:  

     1. “not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think” - Why not, why shouldn’t we think highly of ourselves if we have accomplished much? Because in this flesh whether lost or saved we can only accomplish what God’s grace has given us the ability to do. Notice here that Paul is not talking about our lost state but rather our saved state, “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you…” God also told us, “For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.” 2 Corinthians 1:12 If a man such as The apostle Paul had no reason to glory in his accomplishments, then why would we? Look at this, “Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.” Jeremiah 9:23 – 24
  

2.           2.   “…according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” The word “faith” here means – a persuasion, that is, credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God – So it is an action word, not only of believing in Christ but also believing and exercising God’s truths. As Christians and as Pastors we are all made like Paul, we are what we are by God’s grace. No matter how great of a church member or how great of a preacher/pastor you are, you are not self-made. The word “measure” means – a limited portion – therefore whatever you are, as great as you may be, please realize as Paul did when he wrote, “But by the grace of God I am what I am…” As Ministers and Christians in the churches we are not measured on our greatness, no, not at all, we are measured on the truth we preach. “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.” 1 Timothy 5:17

Please allow me to conclude with this thought. Christians are only as great as God hath blessed them, even if we labor more abundantly, we are still God blessed only. “but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me…”  When listening to preachers, listen to their words, do not judge them on their preaching abilities or their styles of preaching. We are here to worship the Lord and we celebrate in the Truth of His word, not in the man delivering the sermon. It is not wrong to celebrate the good of the speaker and to honor him for preaching the truth, but please always remember he is what he is only by God’s grace. Humility is the greatest asset to the preacher, never thinking of yourself as great or not so great, I have known many great preachers that are humble and that makes them beautiful in their ministry. I have also known preachers who do not have great skill or styles as speakers who are just as great in word.  We are all only as good as the “measure of faith” God has given to us.

Does God really love everyone?

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 

This is probably the most memorized verse in the entire bible, but it is also one of the most falsely referenced scriptures in the bible. Oh, the old “God loves everyone” lie, oh how misquoted it is. People who fail to study the scriptures and fail to use the scriptures in context never properly understand and teach the scriptures correctly. Therefore, we have so many denominations of local assemblies that falsely call themselves “churches” teaching this false narrative. Folks, please do not be fooled by fools who are blind to the scriptures, GOD DOES NOT LOVE EVERY PERSON ON THE EARTH! This word “world” has been debated over the centuries endlessly. They have been countless volumes of book written try to prove this word means the entire worlds population, only to show that many do not take the bible in context. I can give one single example to prove this theory wrong, that is that God loves everyone. You will find it in Romans 9:13 “As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.” If God hated Esau then God does not love everyone on the earth. God did not come to love Jacob and hate his twin brother Esau, God never had love for Esau, ever! Notice that Paul wrote these words, “As it is written…” that means it is written in the Old Testament, so let’s find that referance and see what God said there, Malachi 1:2 - 3 “I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob, And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.” God not only hated Esua but here God promised to “…I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.” Wow, God must have been angry at Esau, so what did Esau do to make God so angry? The scriptures only give one reason why God hated Esau, because He never loved him. Because God’s love or hate is eternal, as God is eternal. We must recognize that God’s love is a gift to those that He loves, and not gifted to those who He does not love. God is not under any obligation to love anyone; it is by His own choice to love or not to love anyone. If you are saved then you are loved of God, if not then unless God saves you in time, then He does not love you. Therefore, these preachers that deny this, they will call God unjust if He choses to love one soul and not another. But God said, “he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.” Romans 9:15 – 16 See, God did not come to hate Esau, God never loved Esau, Esau never did anything for God to hate him, Adam did, when he sinned against God. It is truly not unjust for God to show mercy and love one soul and to not show mercy and love another. “What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.” Romans 9:14 So for anyone to teach that God loves everyone, that just isn’t true and that makes it a lie.

Let’s look at another example in, Psalms 5:4 - 5 “For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee. The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.” Here we see that God hates the non-elected “thou hatest all workers of iniquity” who are they? Well they are all who are not saved nor will ever be saved, because outside of the saved there is nothing but wickedness. God does not count mortal goodness, in Gods eyes all sinners are wicked, He himself call them enemies. God said in Romans 8:7 “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Who is the “carnal minded”, that is those who are not saved, and even though some saved are referred to as carnal minded it is speaking about their scriptural mind set and not their spiritual condition. While some of these people call themselves Christians, and groups call themselves churches they are neither. Now it is true that God demands that Christians to love their enemies it is never said that God loves all of his enemies. We do not know who the loved of God are and are not, who ever thought Saul of Tarsus would ever be loved of God. So, a large hater of God, Jesus, of the churches could one day be saved and be a great servant of God. Folks, do not make the mistake of studying the word “world” wrongly, it is speaking of the Gentiles and Jews both, the world, the different nationalities, not that God loves them all but that God loves a remnant of most nations. If God loved everyone on earth then everyone would be saved over time, because Jesus wrote this promise, “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.” John 17:12 Folks, if you do not take the scriptures in context, you will miss a lot of blessings and misunderstand the bible.

Be a good Soldier for Jesus Christ.

“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” 2 Timothy 2:3

A Pastor is a warrior for Jesus Christ, Pastors are examples just like Jesus was when He had His earthly ministry. The Local New Testament Church is the only institution on earth that is set to bring glory to God because Jesus her founder. As Pastors, Jesus called us names like “under-shepherds, and overseers” and it is our responsibility to fill those shoes. We all need to be as Christ-like as much we can no matter what happens in the world or the churches. Any Pastor who does not love his flock above everything else on earth is not a good Pastor. There is no question that we were chosen above all other men to Pastor the church where we are at, and we need to honor our calling as though it is an honor to have been called. We must understand as “under-shepherds, and overseers” we are likened to a manager of a business, caring for the owner’s commodities, which happen to be the children of God. We cannot allow ourselves to be sidetracked by worldly affairs, Christ Jesus has appointed us to oversee His beloved flock. It is true that hard times will come, God promised that they would. And hard times will come the more as a Pastor is more a stronger soldier for the Lord and His church. Pastors, God has promised hard times in the last days, churches will shrink, money will shrink, and many more things will cause hardships for Pastors. The world will hate you, people in the world will despise you because of who you are, and you will be refused and rejected many times over, even by others that call themselves Christians. The Lord reminded us in verse 4 “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.” In this world Pastors and all Christians must not engage themselves so much in worldly affairs that it affects their churches. As a Pastor, we are only good as we are as under-shepherds, and overseers, for it is the Lord’s work that was entrusted into our care. A good Pastor never lets worldly things to come between him and his church, ever! Not even the hardness’s we endure. As a Pastor I must work a secular job and I must fight the world every day, keeping in sight my true responsibility to Jesus and His church. Trusting that vengeance belongs to the Lord and not to me, because what I do in the world reflects on the Lord’s church. We must all endure hardships for the Lord, being a good example to those who serve with us in the churches. Our reward is not here, it is not on this earth, it is laid-up for us in heaven, awaiting us if we continue as the Lord has commanded. Paul gave us the very reason to work and strive so hard in verse 4 “…that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.” Pleasing Him who elected us to be under-shepherds, and overseers, where in the end He will say Job well done, “His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matthew 25:23 As Pastors and Churches let us pray for one another, we are all in this fight for the Lord’s work together.

Are you carnal or spiritual?

“For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.”  Romans 8:6 – 8

God uses Romans chapter 8 for two reasons, (1.) to show His blessings to the redeemed or spiritual and (2.) to show His condemnation to the lost or carnal. God calls the saved spiritual and the condemned lost carnal and this is done for a pacific reason, to separate the sheep and the goats. The image here we need to see is the controlling factor of two sorts of people, the carnal is worldly controlled and the spiritual is Holy Spirit controlled. Paul, in speaking to the church at Corinth called the church membership because of their mind-set and actions “carnal minded”, “For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” 1 Corinthians 3:3 But remember, this is a church therefore they are actually saved, but they were worldly in their thinking and acting as though they were lost. Therefore, Paul told them in verses 1 – 2 “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.” This is a sad place for a Christian, but even sadder for a church to be “carnal-like”. This is what happens when you stop teaching the meat of the word, you become child-like and can only handle milk. I mostly preach the milk of the word when I’m among lost people with no ability to have spiritual understanding, but how horrible when a church has none, even a counterfeit church. Folks, please just teach the word, as it is, the Holy Spirit will lead and direct your services in the word. Every church needs to remember who controls their church, “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” Revelation 2:5 Whom do you seek to please, God or people? Paul said in Romans 8:5 a very profound fact for all believers and churches to remember, “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.” Paul also wrote on this subject to the church at Galatia these facts, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” Galatians 5:16 – 17 Folks, please understand this, true churches and sound Christians are both spiritual in nature, we both seek to walk in the scriptures, not by man’s commentary of them, but the Holy Spirits teaching to them. The scriptures do not change because you change, they do not change because the world changes, they are eternal just as God is eternal, “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.”  Numbers 23:19 – 20 There are four kinds of people in this world, (1.) those who are lost and carnal, (2.) those who are saved and spiritually minded, (3.) those who are saved and carnally minded, and (4.) those who are lost and act as though they are spiritually minded, what group do you and your church fit into? Paul also wrote these profound words, “So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.”  Romans 8:8 Carnally minded people, whether saved or lost will never please God, even if they call themselves “a church”. The only way to please God is to be spiritually minded and walking in the Spirit which is after the truth of the word. “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” Romans 8:9 - 10