Tag: spirit

Letters

A Salvation by Faith Versus Works

Peter

Obedience is the Work of Faith

Peter and Rohnel, servants of Jesus Christ,  to the scattered pilgrims in the faith. Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

A false doctrine keeping many in darkness and unable to receive the Gospel of the Living Commandments is the lie that teaching obedience to the Commandments is teaching of salvation by the works of men. The insinuation is that when the Commandments are preached as the way of salvation, one is not walking by faith and instead is trying to save themselves by their own work or obedience. Nothing could be further from the truth.  Faith is faith in the Living Christ, the Commandments to save us.

This study exposes and contrasts the works of men, which do not save from the works of God, which do bring salvation.  The works of the Father are the Holy Commandments and what Christ always speaks and does. As His Christ, being made into sons of God, we bear the same witness as we are Christ in this world once the Promise comes.

Joh 5:36  But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.

The faith of Christ is faith in the Living Commandments to save us from sin. Those given the faith of Christ are the blessed of God who strive to know and obey all His Commandments and enter into the narrow gates into the holy city of heavenly Jerusalem.

Rev 22:14  Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 

The “works salvation” lie is sustained and perpetuated by other false doctrines that ignore the scores of witnesses in the Old and New Testaments, who confirm that obedience is all that matters. Obedience is salvation, and any other teaching is a false Gospel.

Gal 6:15  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. 

Do not be deceived about who is righteous and what walking by faith looks like. Here is a sample of what could be a lengthy list of witnesses from the old and the new.

Joh 14:15  If ye love me, keep my commandments. 

Lev 22:31  Therefore shall ye keep my commandments, and do them: I am the LORD. 

1Pe 1:15  But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 

Deu 8:11  Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: 

1Jn 5:3  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 

Psa 119:98  Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. 

1Jn 3:7  Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 

One believing the lie that teaching and admonishing one to obey the Commandments is a salvation of one’s own works, ensures that the Commandments are esteemed lightly and given only lip service. The Gospel, the power of salvation, remains far from one’s heart and mind when one believes the lie. Being blinded by God, one cannot receive the preaching of the Gospel and falsely claim it is the works of men. The grace of God that is the Commandments is thus turned into lasciviousness and a lukewarm walk and conscience towards the Lord.  Isaiah prophesied of this as the Lord Himself quoted in the Gospels.

Mat 15:8  This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me [My Commandments]

Mat 15:9  But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 

The natural man within loves the darkness and does not come to the light until the Father draws them. Flesh and carnal minds trust in themselves, their knowledge, and hate the light of the Commandments.

Joh 3:20  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 

Joh 3:21  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. 

It serves the Lord’s purposes of election to blind the entire world and only reveal Himself to a chosen few in every generation. As in all Scripture, there are two sides to the sword, including what are “works”. There are the works of the flesh and the works of God. The works of men, the flesh, do not save, but the works of God bring salvation. Carnally minded men have mixed up the Scriptures, concocting many false doctrines by taking verses by themselves, without considering the sum, thus creating doctrines that keep them and their followers in spiritual darkness. Those marked of God, given faith, are receiving the marvelous light of Christ arising upon them that shows us the way to walk.

Isa 60:1  Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. 

Isa 60:2  For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. 

Those outside of faith are engulfed in spiritual darkness.

Mat 6:23  But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! 

It is only through the Lord’s mercy that our eyes are opened to see, and we come to the light of the Gospel, the hidden mystery of Christ.

1Pe 2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 

1Pe 2:10  Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 

The Works of God

Salvation is the Lord’s work, and the absolute sovereignty of God in directing our every step. The glory is all the Lord’s. Yet we are commanded to work out our own salvation, which means we strive to obey our Heavenly Father and the Gospel we believe, knowing that disobedience brings more grace and more trials until we are brought into subjection to the Commandments.

Php 2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 

Php 2:13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 

Salvation comes through the work of the Commandments, that is, the Living Word, the Lord from heaven, who dwells in us when the Promise comes. As many studies on the website show, the faith of Christ, which we are given as a gift, is the Spirit of the Father and the Son, who now dwell in us as we are the Temple of the Living God. The free gift, given to a few in this age, is also known as the grace of God and brings salvation at the appointed time.

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 

Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast. 

Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 

We enter the Kingdom of God and overcome sin by working the work of God, which is obeying His Commandments. There is no other way of salvation, which is defined as being saved or overcoming our sins. The Lord admonishes us to labour or work for the meat that is obeying the Gospel of His Commandments. Any other meat [knowledge] is a false gospel and is the works of men and a salvation that does not save.

Joh 6:27  Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. 

Joh 6:28  Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 

Joh 6:29  Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. 

The Spirit of Grace is the Living Commandments that chasten us when we disobey, and thus we are taught the righteousness of Jesus Christ by judgment in our day of the Lord. We overcome by exercising the faith God has given us. Salvation comes by way of many trials, the tests of our faith, where one is either chastened for disobedience or promoted in faith when we obey and pass the trial. Every trial is a test of faith. When the Lord comes in these trials, will he find faith on our earth? These trials are most precious to God as they bring forth Christ, the Son of God, and manifest His glory.

1Pe 1:7  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 

1Pe 1:8  Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 

1Pe 1:9  Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

The Works of the Law which Save Not

The law of Moses is the same as the law of the Gentiles, and also known as the law of sin and death, and is the law by which nobody is saved. This is because all flesh is weak and has no power of itself to overcome the lusts of the flesh and the pride of life God put into our sinful clay bodies. It is only through the Holy Spirit, the indwelling power of God, that one is delivered from their bondage to sin.

Rom 8:11  But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 

Every man is first of their father, the devil, being bound by their carnal mind and the law, which is the basic understanding of right from wrong, but unable to escape the bondage of flesh. All men have this law in them and by nature do the things contained in the law, which is pointing the finger and accusing and excusing in reasoning out how to behave in a given situation. These are the works that justify no man.

Rom 2:14  For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 

Rom 2:15  Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) 

Creating false doctrines out of one verse is a recipe for error and deception, all by the Lord’s design, and is what men have done in leading many away from the true Gospel. The works of the law of sin and death can be used lawfully, but do not bring lasting change to anyone’s heart. We are justified through the works of the law of faith, and there is a vast difference between the two laws.

Gal 2:16  Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the [carnal] law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. 

The works of the law are the works of men, a corrupted version of the Commandments of Jesus Christ. A mixed table, part truth and lies, which is the devil’s method to deceive and hold us in bondage until the Lord comes to set us free. The Spirit of Grace destroys the power of the devil and the resulting lies and spiritual death that kept us in bondage all our prior lives.

Heb 2:14  Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 

Heb 2:15  And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 

1Co 15:55  O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 

The works of the flesh that do not save anyone bring glory and gain to the flesh. The works of God bring glory only to God and not to man.

Mat 23:5  But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, 

To be carnally minded is death [Rom 8:6] and keeps one from hearing Christ’s Words in Spirit and in Truth. The Lord comes and sets us free from this bondage, and the end of death, the last enemy, is orchestrated by the Commandments. The spirit of Satan and death are cast into the lake of fire, of the fiery Commandments, and burned up. The other side of this event is the bringing forth of the new man, our resurrection from the dead. The Commandments perform both the destruction of death and the resurrection from death by calling us out of our graves.

Joh 5:25  Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live

Joh 11:43  And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. 

Carnal minds trust in their own spiritual riches and reason that one is saved by such knowledge, and thus we enter an endless loop of pursuing more, every learning, but never able to come to knowledge of the Truth, that is, the Living Christ, the Commandments. The true “works” salvation that does not save anyone is seeking to circumcise our own hearts and minds by pursuing more and more knowledge of the Scriptures. Men glory in themselves and their knowledge, but are not willing to come to Christ, the Commandments, until He drags us to Himself.

Joh 5:38  But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. 

Joh 5:39  You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.

Joh 5:40  But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. 

Solomon came to see that all the pursuits of men are vanity when they try to establish their own righteousness apart from Christ.

Ecc 12:13  Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

The chosen of the Lord are unprofitable servants, doing their duty, which is to obey the Gospel.

Luk 17:10  So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. 

The good works for which we have been created to perform is obeying the Commandments. As Christ in the world, we are setting an example and working in the vineyards of the Lord to bring Christ to birth and thus spread the love and light of God.

Mat 5:14  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 

Mat 5:15  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 

Mat 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Christ comes not to destroy the old law but to fulfill it to perfection when He comes as the Promise of the Living Commandments. The greatest in the Kingdom teach and do the Commandments, which have not changed, knowing this is the work of God to which they have been appointed.

Mat 5:17  Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 

Mat 5:18  For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 

Mat 5:19  Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 

Resting from Our Works

When Christ comes as the Living Commandments, the Spirit of Truth and Grace, the end of the law of Moses/Gentiles for righteousnes is come.  With the faith of Christ now abiding in us, we are no longer bound to the carnal law for the lawless. We have entered into the promised rest.

Rom 10:4  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth. 

To enter the Kingdom of God, we are entering into the Sabbath of the Lord. Entering the Sabbath means always obeying the Commandments every hour of every day. We hallow the Lord’s Sabbath, the true Sabbath, which is a parable to stand and do the Commandments. Rather than reason in our carnal mind, we just do what the Commandment says, proving ourselves as the people of the Lord, being disciples indeed.

Eze 20:19  I am the LORD your God; walk in my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them; 

Eze 20:20  And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God. 

When we come to the Commandments that are Christ, we enter into the rest of God. We cease from the works of the carnal mind and just stand in the Commandments.

Mat 11:28  Come unto me [Commandments], all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 

Mat 11:29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 

Mat 11:30  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. 

When we do not hallow the Lord’s sabbath, we are not obeying His Commandments. A time comes when He kindles the fire in us, the Living Word that brings the judgment which is causing us to enter into His rest.

Jer 17:27  But if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the sabbath day, and not to bear a burden, even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched. 

Doing the work of God is pressing into the Kingdom and labouring to enter into His rest. Our labour is the many trials of our faith and the resulting chastening that is teaching us righteousness. We run this race with endurance all the way to the end, and the Living Christ does not fail to deliver us and bring us into His rest.

Heb 4:10  For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 

Heb 4:11  Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. 

Only a remnant is being saved out of Spiritual Israel in every generation through the works of the Spirit of Grace that is the Promise. Few there be shall find the narrow way to enter, and everyone else is blinded. The stumbling stone that is a rock of offense to them is the Commandments, as the mystery remains hid from their eyes. So it is to this very day.

Rom 11:5  Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 

Rom 11:6  And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. 

Rom 11:7  What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded 

Faith without the Works of God

Faith without the accompanying works of God, meaning our obedience under the law, is dead faith. An active and living faith bears the fruit unto righteousness; it bears the works of God. Saying we have faith is not enough. We need to be disciples indeed and do the works of faith to prove our faith and become the Sons of God. James’s words are spiritual and harmonize perfectly with the sum of the Scriptures and are the truth.

Jas 2:20  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 

Giving spiritual bread and clothing to our hungry and naked brothers is done by doing the Work of God, which is preaching and obeying the Gospel. We provide them with a cup of water, a piece of bread, and clothing by doing the Commandments rather than passing them by. Admonishments and rebukes give spiritual food and clothing that carnal flesh is hesitant to give.  We are commanded to care for the sheep.  Brotherly love unfeigned demands that we put the needs of others above our own.

Jas 2:14  What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 

Jas 2:15  If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 

Jas 2:16  And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 

Jas 2:17  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 

Jas 2:18  Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 

Ceasing from our carnal works, we fervently begin working for the Lord, working in His vineyard with the implements of the Gospel and the Commandments. When the Gospel has been preached to us, the Lord is calling us to get to work in His vineyard. Those who do not work are not eating of the Gospel and thus making little or no progress toward entering the Kingdom of God and overcoming their sins.

2Th 3:10  For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 

2Th 3:11  For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 

The Lord has given us work to do while we are baptized with the baptism of John and are washed by the Commandments. We do not fall asleep but watch and are always about the Father’s business.

Mar 13:33  Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. 

Mar 13:34  For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. 

Mar 13:35  Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 

Mar 13:36  Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 

Mar 13:37  And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. 

We live by every Word, and thus we are the blind man to whom the Lord has opened our eyes to see Him. Our eyes have been opened to see the Commandments, so that the works of God may be made manifest by us and in us.

Joh 9:1  And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. 

Joh 9:2  And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? 

Joh 9:3  Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. 

Only those who do the will of the Father, which requires doing the work of God, enter into the Kingdom of God.

Mat 7:22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 

Mat 7:23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 

Our only boast is in the Lord. It is only by His mercy that we receive the Truth and are able to press into the Kingdom of God that has appeared to us.

Receive ye the Gospel of salvation and walk therein.

 

Articles

Principles to Rightly Divide the Word

Rohnel

Rightly dividing the Word of Truth

Rohnel, and my beloved husband, Peter, servants of God and Christ, unto the twelve tribes scattered in the world beloved of God, called to be saints, to the little children and to the faithful: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1Co 8:6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

Psa 112:1  Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.

Psa 112:2  His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.

Psa 112:3  Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.

Keep My Commandments  

Lev 22:31  Therefore shall ye keep my commandments, and do them: I am the LORD.

Lev 22:32  Neither shall ye profane my holy name; but I will be hallowed among the children of Israel: I am the LORD which hallow you

Deu 6:25  And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us.

Joh 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

1Jn 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Foundational Principles

Here are twelve principles for rightly dividing the Word of Truth and a final overarching principle we must never forget. When one deviates from these principles, they can be led into error and depart from the truth. Those chosen of the Lord take heed and apply these principles as they study the Scriptures to show themselves approved.

The Word of God is, was, and will be

The Word of God existing from the beginning shall never pass away and has a present, past, and future fulfilment, that is to say, the Word is, was, and will be:

Rev 1:8  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

Rev 4:8  And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

Mat 24:35  Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. 

The is, was, and will be applies both to ourselves and to all of God’s creation as every man fulfills the Word of God in their appointed time.

The Word is a two-edged sword

The Word is God, a two-edged sword, speaking about the natural man and the new man, being created in Christ’s image. The Word is a two-edged sword because it brings salvation to the new man and death to the natural man within us. The Commandments of the Lord are the two-edged sword, giving life and ministering death, within. The Commandments in us is Life, and to the carnal thoughts within us is death. Satan, the prince of the air, drives the carnal thoughts within us.

Heb 4:12  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Heb 4:13  Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

Psa 149:5  Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.

Psa 149:6  Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand;

Psa 149:7  To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;

Joh 5:29  And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

Rom 8:6  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Rom 8:7  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

One example, but there could be thousands. The word fire as an example is both positive and negative depending on the subject at hand. The word for fire spiritually represents the Living Word, the Commandments that save us from our sins and burn out all things that defile. In the negative, fire destroys the old man and wreaks havoc on the works of the flesh when the Lord brings judgment through the Commandments upon us. This is just one of the ways the Lord hides His truths from the world.

The Sum of the Word is the Truth

All the Scriptures, the whole counsel of God, is the truth. Take the whole Word into consideration to arrive at the Truth of the matter. All Scripture is profitable, the old and the new. The truth of any matter is always established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

Psa 119:160  The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever. [ESV].

2Ti 3:16  All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

2Ti 3:17  that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

2Co 13:1  This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

Many err by taking single verses to the exclusion of others to create false doctrines, which have led many astray. The following principle is closely related.

No Scripture is of man’s own private interpretation

No prophecy of Scripture is of man’s own private explanation, but all true prophecy is from God. Holy men of God were and are being moved by the Holy Spirit to prophesy. The Comforter was not in the holy men of old because Christ had not come to them yet, but these men were moved to speak what Christ told them to speak. We know it to be so, because all the prophecies these holy men of old spoke have been fulfilled and are being fulfilled as it is this Day. If a prophecy does not come true, it is a lie. All of the prophecies in Scripture have been fulfilled and are being fulfilled. All prophecies of Scripture are inspired by God, the Father, Christ speaking.

2Pe 1:19  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

2Pe 1:20  Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

2Pe 1:21  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Below is an example of a true prophecy that Isaiah spoke and was quoted again by Christ, His Christ, Paul, and John. True prophecy, like in the example below, will always be in every man’s life. The prophecy below is about man waxing fat in spiritual knowledge without Christ, without His Commandments.

Isa 6:10  Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.

Mat 13:14  And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:

Mat 13:15  For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

Joh 12:38  That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?

Joh 12:39  Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,

Joh 12:40  He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

Joh 12:41  These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.

Christ speaks of things that are not as if they were

Christ speaks of things that are not, as if they already are. He has already declared what shall be and brings it to pass in the Father’s appointed times.

Rom 4:17  (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

Isa 46:9  Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,

Isa 46:10  Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

Time is in God’s hand and part of all things He is working. It was many years before Abram became the father of many nations by Christ’s coming and the giving of His living faith for salvation. Yet Christ spoke as if it had already come to pass.

Gen 17:5  Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.

Our faith of Christ is imputed unto us for righteousness long before we overcome and actually become righteous by our obedience to the Gospel. Our faith in the Promises of God, yet to be revealed in us, makes us righteous in the Lord’s eyes, who brings all He has declared to pass in the appointed times.

Rom 4:20  He [Abram] staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

Rom 4:21  And being fully persuaded that, what he [Christ] had promised, he was able also to perform.

Rom 4:22  And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

Rom 4:23  Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;

Rom 4:24  But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

We are to be like Christ, and even while we wait or tarry for the Promise, we reckon ourselves dead to sin and alive to His Commandments. We are saved by the Hope of our faith and in the substance of things not yet seen.

Christ’s Words are Spirit

Christ’s Words are Spirit, and they are Life, not to be taken by the letter. The natural man in us does not see behind the letter. Only through mercy shown us by the Father and His Son are we able to understand spiritual things. Mercy shown to us is the opening of blind eyes and deaf ears.

Joh 6:63  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

Joh 6:64  But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.

Joh 6:65  And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.

Mat 16:13  When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

Mat 16:14  And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

Mat 16:15  He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

Mat 16:16  And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Mat 16:17  And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

2Co 4:3  But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

2Co 4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

It is helpful to remember that the things in the natural world show us how things work in the spiritual.

Rom 1:20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 

For example, using fire again, we know fire burns up the wood or substance, and then the fire goes out; it does not burn forever. So it is with the Word of God that judges us, so the lie of eternal torment is easily refuted on principle alone.

The Holy Spirit teaches comparing spiritual to spiritual

Truth is found by comparing spiritual to spiritual. When we compare natural or physical with spiritual to arrive at the Truth, we are snared and taken. He that is spiritual judges/discerns all things. When we depend on knowledge of the Scriptures, without Christ’s Commands, to save us, we fail miserably. Only Christ saves us from our sins. He that is spiritual, that is to say, having the Spirit of Christ, compares spiritual with spiritual. Christ’s Spirit is the Commandments.

1Co 2:12  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

1Co 2:13  Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Spirit teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

1Co 2:14  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

1Co 2:15  But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

Isa 28:9  Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts [mature].

Isa 28:10  For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

Isa 28:11  For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.

Isa 28:12  To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing[Christ’s Commandments]: yet they would not hear.

Isa 28:13  But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

One Event for all mankind

There is one event coming alike to all, which is fulfilling the Word of God and experiencing the salvation of the Lord.

1Co 15:22  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 

Ecc 9:2  All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.

The one event we live out has a conclusion, which is every man’s salvation from sin.  The whole of man is the keeping of God’s Commandments.

Ecc 12:13  Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole of man.

The one event by which every man lives proceeds out of the mouth of God, meaning the Living Word that saves every man in their appointed time. Thus, a related principle follows.

Man lives by every Word God Spoke

The Word of God teaches us that every man lives or experiences inwardly every Word that comes out of the mouth of God in the appointed times for that man. We live the good and the evil, before we come to the Tree of Life [Christ].

Deu 8:3  And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.

Mat 4:4  But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Luk 4:4  And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

All things written and done in Scripture are parables 

All things are done in parables to hide the meaning of the letter. Everyone moved by the Spirit of God speaks in parables. Below is an example of Ezekiel speaking in parables. Christ and His Christ speak in parables. Paul spoke in parables more than the other disciples. Speaking in parables is speaking in tongues.

Eze 20:48  And all flesh shall see that I the LORD have kindled it: it shall not be quenched.

Eze 20:49  Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! they say of me, Doth he not speak parables?

Mar 4:11  And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:

Mat 13:35  That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.

Mar 4:33  And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.

Luk 8:10  And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

1Co 14:18  I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:

Prove all things, try every Spirit

We are commanded to prove all things, try the spirits, and see if things are so. To be a Berean is to receive the Word with all readiness of mind and search the Scriptures daily, whether these things are so. We are warned of many deceivers sent into the world to try us and have many Commandments to test all things, and do not be led astray.

1Jn 4:1  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

1Ti 4:16  Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

2Co 11:3  But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity [living by every word, one event, etc] that is in Christ.

Act 17:10  And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

Act 17:11  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

The fulfilment of Scripture is inward, in the Kingdom of God

The true people [the Israel] of God, live all words inwardly fulfilling the IS part of ‘is, was, and will be’. Where is the kingdom of God, and where is the Lord working to bring about Christ in us? When the Comforter comes to us, that is to say, the Father and Christ have come to us, the Kingdom of God has come to us, within. When we begin to hear the Gospel preached, the Kingdom is near, at the door.

Luk 17:20  And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:

Luk 17:21  Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

Mat 4:17  From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Joh 14:20  At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

Joh 14:21  He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

An example of living the Word inwardly is the story of Noah’s flood. We do not go through the flood of Noah outwardly, but we do go through the flood inwardly. The flood inwardly is our Baptism of John [Baptism of repentance] experience. We live all Scriptures inwardly through our own experiences, or we live these experiences through the Body of Christ. Note that only eight souls were saved by water in Noah’s days. This is a very small remnant, and it is symbolic of the remnant that escapes and is saved through the Baptism of John, and through the Baptism of Fire, doing the Gospel.

Gen 7:23  And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.

Gen 7:24  And the waters prevailed upon the earth an hundred and fifty days.

Only a small remnant escapes the clutches of spiritual Babylon and is born again by the two Baptisms of John and Christ.

Isa 10:20  And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth

Many of the prophecies we fulfil inwardly are lived in our day of the Lord, which is the third spiritual day in which we are being perfected.

Joe 2:32  And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.

Hearing and receiving the Gospel, the Living Christ, the Commandments is our fulfilling of these Scriptures in our hearts and minds and in our earth, meaning our walk.

1Pe 3:20  Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

1Pe 3:21  The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

The 1,000-year reign with Christ is a significant example of living every word inwardly. One day is as a thousand years to the Lord. The so-called millennium reign is the thousand-year reign spoken of in Revelation, which is just another symbol for the Day of the Lord, the third and final day of God’s plan to rebuild His Holy Temple. It is our day of resurrection, where we are now seated with Christ in the heavens. We reign with Christ in His Kingdom, which is within us; we do not reign in the outward world.

Joh 14:23  Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him

All men fulfil this in the process of being saved from their sins when the Living Christ, the Comforter, the Promise, the Holy Spirit, and the Living Commandments, called by many names, come and dwell within. In the Kingdom of God, rulership does not operate like in the outward world, where the Gentiles exercise dominion over one another. In the Lord’s Kingdom, rulership is about reigning over our sins by keeping our minds and walking in subjection to the commandments of Christ. The greatest in God’s Kingdom are those who obey and teach the Commandments, which is the ministry of the Gospel and our reasonable service to the Lord’s flock.

Mat 20:25  But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.

Mat 20:26  But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;

Mat 20:27  And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:

The Overarching Principle:

The most essential principle to rightly divide the Word of Truth starts and ends with keeping the Lord’s Commandments. Nothing else matters but a new creation. The more excellent way is the love of God, which means to obey the Lord’s Commandments.  Rightly dividing the Word is knowledge and is a means to the end, which is our salvation, having been perfected and remade into the image of God.

1Jn 5:2  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

1Jn 5:3  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

1Jn 5:4  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

We can rightly divide the Word and have all the knowledge and understanding of God’s deep things, but if we do not have love, which is obedience, we have nothing.

1Co 13:2  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

Our study to show ourselves approved and rightly divide the Word leads us to know and be focused on God’s Commandments. We are to shun profane and vain babblings and arguments over knowledge, which some turn into idols, and forget the most important thing.

2Ti 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2Ti 2:16  But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

1Ti 1:4  Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

1Ti 1:5  Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

Conclusion

This short letter explains some key principles of how to rightly divide the Word of Truth. Many know these principles; nevertheless, this letter was primarily written to those who do not yet know this. Whether this is new to us or simply a reminder, we never forget to learn and keep the Commandments of Christ. The Commandments of Christ can be found on the truthinscripture.com website under the heading Commandments or this link:  The Commandments Menu

Here are a few Commandments in the Gospels to conclude this letter. These are chosen in a nonspecific way but serve as a reminder not to forget the Lord when we feast on His Word:

Joh 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.

Joh 13:35  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Mat 5:3  Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Mat 5:4  Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Mat 5:5  Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Mat 5:6  Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Mat 5:7  Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Mat 5:8  Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Mat 5:9  Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Mat 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Mat 5:23  Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

Mat 5:24  Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Mat 5:36  Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.

Mat 5:37  But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

Mat 5:39  But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Mat 5:40  And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.

Mat 5:41  And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.

Luk 6:35  But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

Luk 6:36  Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

Luk 6:38  Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Mat 6:19  Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

Mat 6:20  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

Mat 11:6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

Mat 7:1  Judge not, that ye be not judged.

Mat 7:2  For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

Joh 7:24  Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

Luk 12:29  And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

Luk 12:30  For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

Luk 12:31  But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Mar 1:15  And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Mar 8:34  And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Luk 11:9  And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

Luk 8:18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

Mat 22:21  They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.

Mat 7:6  Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

Joh 8:31  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

Mat 10:32  Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

Mat 10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

Joh 14:1  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

Mat 5:25  Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

Mat 12:32  And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

Mat 12:36  But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

Mat 7:15  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Mat 16:6  Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

Mat 23:8  But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.

Mat 23:9  And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

Mat 23:10  Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.

Mat 6:1  Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

Mat 18:15  Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

Mat 18:16  But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

Mat 18:17  And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

Mat 18:21  Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

Mat 18:22  Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Luk 12:15  And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

Luk 14:8  When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;

Joh 6:27  Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

Mar 6:11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

Luk 14:12  Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.

Luk 14:13  But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:

Luk 13:24  Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

Mat 19:14  But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Receive ye the Gospel, receive ye the Holy Spirit.