Studies

Judgment IS on the House of God

Peter
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Building the Temple of Christ

Peter and Rohnel, raised by the will of God to be servants of Christ and ministers of the Gospel; to the children and house of God; grace and peace unto you from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.  We write this encouragement to remind us of the Lord’s ways and purpose in raising us unto righteousness and conforming us into His image and likeness.

Once the Gospel is preached, judgment is fallen upon the house of God.  We are the house of God, who have, through the mercy of the Lord, now heard the Gospel preached unto us.  Judgment is now come, and the day of the Lord is come to those who believe the Gospel of the Living  Commandments.  Our old life is dead; the Commandments, Christ, the light of the world, is risen upon us, revealing that we were dead in our sins and trespasses.  Judgment, the blessing of a loving Father, is a very good thing.  It means salvation is come and we are being perfected and saved from our sins.

Heb 9:27  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 

Heb 9:28  So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. 

The second coming of Christ, the Living Word, is our Baptism of Christ.  It is receiving of the Promise of the indwelling Spirit of Christ whereby Christ and the Father make their abode within us.  This is the power unto salvation that now lives in our hearts and minds.  The Living Words are the fire, the baptism by fire that John the Baptist said follows him, preaching the Gospel.  It is a glorious day.  The works of the wicked one, Satan, the devil, our carnal mind, are being exposed and burned up by the fire of the Living Word.  It is a bright light that shines into every nook and cranny of our flesh. No stone is unturned as the temple of God that we are is being remade.

2Th 2:8  And then shall that Wicked [our father the devil, the carnal mind roaming in our earth] be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 

The Scriptures and sayings of Jesus Christ have come alive, and we are fulfilling them as we speak.  We pray the Lord grants the increase to as many as have been ordained to receive the Gospel of the living commandments, which is Christ in you.  Salvation is come, and with it many signs and wonders are seen in our heaven and in our earth.  This was the prophecy of Joel, as our Pentecost moment has and continues to arrive.

Act 2:19  And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: 

Act 2:20  The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: 

Act 2:21  And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

That notable day is come, and with it, we are entering into times of mighty trials.  As we enter into the living faith of Christ, nothing is being held back.  We are selling all our possessions “in spirit” to buy the pearl of great price that has been offered.  All is given up for the sake of the Gospel, as those gathered in the faith have everything in common.  Those who hold back, seeking to save their old life, do not continue with us [See Acts 5] and are cut off from the living.

Mat 16:25  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 

Only the daughter of Zion [a tiny remnant] escapes and enters into New Jerusalem to be called holy unto the Lord. These few are they who are being washed and made anew by the holy Commandments, the Gospel that we have heard and now obey.  Christ is cleaning out His Holy Temple, which temple we are, and which is further spoken about below.  The Commandments, being the Spirit of Christ, is the spirit of judgment and the spirit of burning that is come unto our households.

Isa 4:3  And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem: 

Isa 4:4  When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning. 

The same is the coming out of Babylon, that is also Spiritual Jerusalem, a great deception and time of bondage we have mercifully been delivered from.

Rev 14:6  And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 

Rev 14:7  Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. 

Rev 14:8  And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. 

The Gospel of the Kingdom of God has been preached, and the end of our carnal mindedness and walking after the flesh is come to those that hear.

Mat 24:14  And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. 

1Pe 4:6  For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. 

1Pe 4:7  But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 

To bring about the end of flesh, the Lord causes us to err from His ways so He brings judgment and scourging that teaches us the right way and instills in us the fear of the Lord.  See study – The Fear of the Lord is Our Treasure

Eze 7:3  Now is the end come upon thee, and I will send mine anger upon thee, and will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense upon thee all thine abominations. 

Eze 7:4  And mine eye shall not spare thee, neither will I have pity: but I will recompense thy ways upon thee, and thine abominations shall be in the midst of thee: and ye shall know that I am the LORD. 

Eze 7:5  Thus saith the Lord GOD; An evil, an only evil, behold, is come. 

Eze 7:6  An end is come, the end is come: it watcheth for thee; behold, it is come. 

All of our behavior, our thought life, our deeds, our interests, and our hobbies are being changed. All things are made new by Christ.  We are commanded to strengthen the loins of our mind, remain sober, and know what lies ahead.  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.  We have no more ignorance of the Truth and thus obey the Commandment to turn towards God, which is repentance unto life.  The judgment of a mighty and jealous God that saves us from our sins is now come.

Act 17:30  And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent: 

The Lord’s Commandments are the holy things; they are the Father’s Words that now live in us.  Through them, we are being remade into the sons of the Living God.  As sons, we are commanded to be holy in all of our behavior.  The calling is far higher and the road narrower than when we first believed.

1Pe 1:13  Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 

1Pe 1:14  As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 

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

1Pe 1:16  Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 

All manner of our conversation includes not only what we do but the entirety of our speech and communications with those within and without the faith.  We remain set apart and let no corrupt communication proceed from our mouths.  How we conduct ourselves in our speech to everyone is a daily test and trial of our faith.

Eph 4:29  Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 

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

We are no longer the same, as the habits, speech, and actions that once defined us are no more.  All things are becoming new as the great gulf between us and those in the world widens in due time.

Eph 5:1  Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 

Eph 5:2  And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. 

Eph 5:3  But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 

Eph 5:4  Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

The further we walk with Christ in obedience, the more separated we become from the world and our carnal past.  We no longer pursue the things we once did.  We do not engage in the affairs of the world nor interact with those who burden us and bring us back into their bondage.  We have been set free and abide in the liberty of Christ.

Gal 5:1  Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 

The stakes have been raised, as our salvation from sin is at hand. Christ is come, and His judgment, a blessing and the sword of the Lord shall forever be on our house. We are called out, set apart, and raised up into heaven by the living God of the universe.  All manner of our conversation is to be holiness unto the Lord.  Those saved in this age are the Lord’s army and the horses upon which He, the living Word, sits and rides.  The noise we make as we sojourn in this world is our speech, and it is engraved with the words Holiness Unto The Lord.

Zec 14:20  In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD’S house shall be like the bowls before the altar. 

Everything we eat in Spirit [our thoughts and speech] is made from a pure and clean pot that is holy.  No exceptions.  Nothing that defiles enters in or remains in the Lord’s house.

Zec 14:21  Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the LORD of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts.

We also see the inscription of holiness in the instructions to Aaron, the high priest of Israel.  Sons of Aaron, signifying the elect today, wear an engraved plate of pure gold on their forehead that says “Holiness To The Lord”.  All of our thoughts and speech are being focused on the Holy things, the Commandments of the Lord, and not those things of the world.

Exo 28:36  And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD. 

The faithful ones are being made holy, and when the heat of the day of the Lord comes, they are enduring through the temptations to return to their former lusts.  The true ones are very peculiar people, meaning we don’t do the things everyone else in the world does.  We are not running after the same excess of riots and conversations as the rest of the world.  We abstain from anything that arouses those temptations and brings the tempter, our carnal mind, back to life.

1Pe 2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an 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. 

1Pe 2:11  Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 

We do everything in our power [by taking heed of the Spirit of the Commandments, the throne of grace within] to make our paths straight and seek holiness.  Without holiness no man shall see the Lord [salvation] in this age.  The call for excellence in all our behavior is a warning lest we fall and let even a little leaven of fornication or bitterness enter in and defile us.

Heb 12:13  And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. 

Heb 12:14  Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 

Heb 12:15  Looking diligently [to the commands] lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; 

Our understanding of judgment and how it remakes all things new is greatly expanded once judgment has fallen by way of the Word now living within us. The Lord makes quick work on our earth; He moves swiftly when He comes by way of the living commandments that bring heavy trials upon us.  We are seeking and asking the Lord to come and save us from our sin.

Rom 9:28  For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth. 

Rev 22:20  He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. 

We embrace the trials and learning to count them all joy, knowing the Lord’s plan and purpose.  Do not be surprised when these things begin to happen; they are confirmation that one is marked for the Lord.

1Pe 4:12  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 

1Pe 4:13  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 

The Lord comes for pure virgins, whose doctrine is Christ’s Commandments, and who have purified themselves by getting rid of all that is unholy.  We do this by filling our lamps with the anointing oil of the Living Commandments.  To make room for the oil, we clear out the wood, hay, and stubble that defiles us. If we slumber, sleep, or do not work, there is not enough oil in the lamp, and we miss the Lord’s coming, and the door is shut.

Mat 25:5  While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 

Mat 25:6  And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 

Faith comes by hearing these Words of the Commandments. The more we hear, the more oil we are buying to put into our lamps.  For those hungry for the Word of righteousness, eat every day. Everyone is to study at home to ensure we have enough oil.

1Co 11:34  And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation.

Ask, and ye shall receive, as the Father loves to give us His children the bread of life.

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

Judgment day is the same as the day of the Lord.  When the Gospel takes root in our temple, the Lord’s temple, that day has begun.  Judgment is now upon our house, and we learn to be ready and watch.  Now is the time to get in the ark [the Commandments].  Heavy spiritual rain is beginning to fall. It is time to trim our lamps and be ready to open the door when the Christ comes by way of the trials to test whether we obey His Commandments.

Luk 12:35  Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; 

Luk 12:36  And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. 

Luk 12:37  Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. 

The Lord comes with His Spirit in different watches, but nonetheless, we are ready, lamps lit and doing our Father’s business.  We do obsess over the affairs of men, nor compare ourselves to others.  We follow the Lord, obeying the Commandments, and examine ourselves.  The world out there is busy eating and drinking, being drunk with its knowledge. He is coming quickly with His reward, the Promise, the mind of Christ, for those who have made themselves ready and are alert and watching.

Luk 12:38  And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. 

Luk 12:39  And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. 

Luk 12:40  Be ye therefore be ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. 

The wedding feast is now as we partake of the Living Word and prepare ourselves for marriage to the Lamb.

Rev 19:7  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 

Peter wrote about the scoffers and mockers who make light of the warnings about His coming.  Peter was taught, as we are, in a parable to be ready [See Luk 12:41-47]. Likewise, the wise virgins are prepared when their bridegroom comes.  It is the foolish virgins who do not heed the call to get ready. Blessed is the servant who is found ready and watching.

2Pe 3:10  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 

2Pe 3:11  Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 

2Pe 3:12  Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 

2Pe 3:13  Nevertheless, we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 

Being ready and watching is working in the kingdom of God.  This is our always looking upon the Commandments that are Jesus Christ, the Wisdom of God.  If we stray into worldly practices and become weighted down, being busybodies in the affairs of others, many fall asleep and miss Christ.

1Pe 4:15  But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. 

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. 

Engaging in worldly conversations and fixating on the world’s affairs tempt us and others, weigh us down, and put many to sleep if they continue thereby.  It is a snare much broader than we first understood.

Luk 21:34  “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 
Luk 21:35  For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 
Luk 21:36  Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” 

We are sent by the Lord to others to prepare the way by preaching His Gospel.  We are John the Baptist to those who hear us and gather with us in studying the Gospel and the Commandments.  Christ comes again suddenly to all who hear and gather with the saints, which requires us to believe and be patient.

Mal 3:1  Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. 

As priests of God, our ministry is no longer about knowledge or the deep mysteries of the Scriptures.  We are teaching the difference between the holy and profane.  Holiness is the Lord’s standard, and it is in great controversy we stand in the manner of the Apostles and judge these matters and hallow the Lord’s commandments [sabbaths].

Eze 44:23  And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean. 

Eze 44:24  And in controversy they shall stand in judgment; and they shall judge it according to my judgments: and they shall keep my laws and my statutes in all mine assemblies; and they shall hallow my sabbaths. 

We are laying spiritual hands on all who hear and receive our words.  Many devils, which are carnal lies and strongholds, are being cast out by these words of power.  The serpents, the lies of the carnal mind, have no power in the presence of the Christ, the Word of truth.  Those who hear and believe this Gospel are being made well, being healed of all of their spiritual diseases.

Mar 16:15  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 

Mar 16:16  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 

Mar 16:17  And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 

Mar 16:18  They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

The Lord’s words, spoken by His prophets, priests, ministers, and sons, are fire, and bring judgment upon all who hear. The old things we did are being uprooted and destroyed out of us if we belong to the house.  His Words do not fail to destroy the old and usher in the new.

Jer 1:9  Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. 

Jer 1:10  See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant. 

Our practice of pure and undefiled religion is to visit those without the commandments [Christ], having no Father and/or no Husband [widows] in their spiritual afflictions while keeping ourselves unspotted from the world.

Jas 1:27  Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. 

We are washing one another’s feet by the Word that sets the example for all to follow.  Carnal exchanges and sharing of problems and fleshly murmurings do not sanctify [cleanse] anything.  Only the Commandments sanctify and cleanse us of our sin.

1Co 5:7  Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened [i.e. holy]. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 

1Co 5:8  Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 

We are helpers of one another’s joy, but we also closely guard the gates into our minds and keep out anything that takes our focus off the living Words of Christ.  Engaging in conversations and dialog as the world does is engaging in their same excesses and idolatries.   We no longer live this way and are considered strange and accused of many things.  It is part of the separation and set apartness.

1Pe 4:2  That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 
1Pe 4:3  For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: 
1Pe 4:4  Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: 

We are separated and different, truly set apart and above all holy unto the Lord.  Jesus Christ, the living commandments, THE GOSPEL, comes, and when it comes, His Living Word is bringing division.  The fire that is all-consuming has come by way of the Gospel.  Divisions are the result.

Luk 12:49  I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? 

Luk 12:50  But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! 

Luk 12:51  Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: 

We ourselves become the fire, as we are Christ in the world, speaking and doing the Commandments.  If we speak, we speak only as to the oracles of God.  We do not engage in worldly and idle dialogue that the heathens engage in.

1Pe 4:10  As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 

1Pe 4:11  If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 

It is this dividing of the sheep from the goats, THAT IS, the fiery trial that is now come to prove who is of God and who is not.  The progression of our trials lead to love, which is our obedience to the Commandments.

Rom 5:3  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 

Rom 5:4  And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 

Rom 5:5  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 

This is the Lord’s way of dividing the sheep, separating us from our brethren.  A necessary part of the suffering of Jesus Christ, Paul [all in Asia forsook him], and every one of the Apostles and prophets.    We rejoice when we suffer this reproach, as it means we are being raised in glory.

1Th 3:3  That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. 

Rev 7:14  And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 

We are not ashamed of the Gospel, as it is the power of salvation to all who believe. Standing in the Gospel brings scorn and derision upon all who walk in the flesh who are naturally at enmity with the commandments of Christ.  The true ones now being tried in this fire are scarcer than the fine gold of Ophir.  Not many who hear the Gospel receive it, as few brethren are chosen and made faithful in every generation.  Judgment by way of the Living Word is now on the household of God. The Commandments divide and set apart His remnant for the Lord’s purposes. That day is today.

1Pe 4:16  Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 

1Pe 4:17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 

1Pe 4:18  And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 

1Pe 4:19  Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. 

We remain serious about the Lord’s business and strive to obey the Gospel.  It is not enjoyable to flesh to lose all and give up the things they once enjoyed.  We take heed of the lessons and instructions given to us in the Scriptures in sharing this proclamation of judgment.  We endure our chastening knowing its intended purpose and the faithfulness of the Lord to accomplish His will in us, His chosen remnant.

Heb 12:11  Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. 

The Lord is a zealous Father and is serious about raising up sons of God in His likeness.  Play time is over as Paul reminds us of what happened to Israel of old that was destroyed, who rose up to play instead of working in the kingdom.

1Co 10:7  Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 

1Co 10:8  Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 

1Co 10:9  Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. 

1Co 10:10  Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. 

1Co 10:11  Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 

1Co 10:12  Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall

Many start well as Israel of old did,  but do not remain vigilant and are quickly pulled back into our natural state of carnality and thus cease working for the kingdom of God.  Our bodies and minds are now the temple of God and are holy vessels unto the Lord.  The merchandising we engaged in during our time in Spiritual Babylon ends once the Gospel is received.  We have come out of her as the Lord’s people and no longer partake of those activities.  Jesus Christ is entered into us, His Holy Temple, and is throwing out all our carnal thoughts and reasonings, making all things new.  We are fulfilling the Scriptures and living by every word.

Luk 19:45  And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought; 

Luk 19:46  Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves. 

A house of prayer is a house focused on the Commandments.  Always doing the commandments is praying without ceasing, and this is our work in the Father’s house.  Woe to those who are at ease in Zion and not doing the work of the Father.

Joh 2:14  And Jesus found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: 

Joh 2:15  And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; 

Joh 2:16  And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house a house of merchandise. 

Being a disciple indeed of Jesus Christ is not for the faint of heart.  It takes boldness to preach and obey the Gospel in the midst of a carnal world that hates the Gospel.  In the midst of much opposition, within and without ourselves, we are dying and becoming dead to the world.  We now life for the Lord and Saviour

2Co 4:7  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 

2Co 4:8  We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 

2Co 4:9  Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 

2Co 4:10  Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 

Those precious few of the house of God, the little flock, the tiny remnant being saved in this age, need every member of the body of Christ.  We are loving one another, which means to be bold and bring admonishment and correction when and where it is needed.  We are no respecters of persons.  It is difficult at times to bring admonishment and correction to those we love in Spirit who err from the narrow way.  Yet watchmen cannot keep silent lest the blood of fallen brethren be put on us if we are disobedient to the commandments to warn.

Isa 62:6  I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; They shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the LORD, do not keep silent, 

Christ, the commandments, are life and are never going to please flesh.  They bring the fire that is necessary to save us.  Those walking with Christ please God and not men.

Jas 5:19  Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 

Jas 5:20  Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. 

We learn to rest and dwell in the fire of the Commandments that judge those of the household of faith.  It is the blessing of God and the means by which we are being saved from our sins and prepared for the greater work of the Lord.  We are becoming the Word being the Lord’s Christ and become the lake of fire to bring all men to God to salvation in their appointed time.

2Oba 1:21  And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’S.

Joh 20:21  Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 

The Light that is Christ has come into us so we in turn become the light unto the world.

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.  

Having been raised from the spiritually dead, we have become a light unto the world by our preaching and obeying the Gospel.

Isa 60:1  Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. 

Knowing these truths, we rejoice in the Lord always, knowing His ways and purposes in judging and chastening us and remaking us into His likeness.  The Lord is good and is wasting nothing in our life experience.

Php 4:4  Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

Commandments

Comparing Ourselves to Others

Timothy
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Christ’s Measure is the Commandments

We give thanks to our heavenly Father for blessing us with the Holy Spirit of Truth, showing us the mysteries of the kingdom of God, which are being revealed through His Son, Jesus Christ, hidden from the beginning of the world but now made manifest to His elect saints in these last days. All praise and honor belong to the Father for His glorious plan for the salvation of all men, which is now in this age for those chosen and faithful of God, Christ, and His Christ, the firstfruits, and through them will be extended to all mankind in the age to come.

Here we focus on the Commandment not to compare or measure ourselves to others, neither in spirit nor in the flesh. Just like with esteeming of days and times, we do not esteem one person above another, but only the Commandments of Christ. The Commandments are the plumbline we use to measure ourselves and judge to know if we are being obedient to His standard of holiness.

2 Cor 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

1 Cor 6:4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed (the Commandments) in the church.

Phi 2:2 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Psa 119:128 Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.

We are commanded to prove ourselves, which is examining ourselves to see if we are walking in the faith of Jesus Christ. We do not compare ourselves with others; the only measuring rod is the Commandments. All our thoughts and actions, including how we eat spiritually, are aligned with the Lord’s Gospel.

Gal 6:4  But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 

2Co 13:5  Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? 

1Co 11:28  But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 

Ezekiel was shown a vision of one of God’s Elect measuring everything in the holy temple of God.  We are the temple of God, and we are always measuring and examining ourselves using the only measuring reed we have, which is the Commandments.  Read the entirety of Ezekiel 40 with this spiritual understanding. All that we do is brought into the light that is the Commandments of the Living Word.

Eze 40:3  And he brought me thither, and, behold, there was a man, whose appearance was like the appearance of brass, with a line of flax in his hand, and a measuring reed; and he stood in the gate. 
Eze 40:4  And the man said unto me, Son of man, behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, and set thine heart upon all that I shall shew thee; for to the intent that I might shew them unto thee art thou brought hither: declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel. 

Comparing or measuring ourselves against others is sin and brings envy and strife, along with a whole host of other sins that torment us and steal our peace and rest in Christ. Believing we are better and despising our brothers, or else coveting what they have and what we lack, leads us into a prison of carnal reasoning that we do not escape. This evil spirit is overcome by the Living Commandments, or else we are consumed by it.

Jas 3:14  But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 

Jas 3:15  This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 

Jas 3:16  For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 

The story of King Saul is a prime example of one who became jealous of David, whom the Lord anointed over him. These strong fleshly emotions [evil spirits] led Saul to hate David and his downfall.

Gal 5:15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

1 Sam 18:7 And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.

1 Sam 18:8 And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?

1 Sam 18:9 And Saul eyed David from that day forward.

1 Sam 19:9 And the evil spirit from the LORD was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand; and David played with his hand.

1 Sam 19:10 And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin; but he slipped away out of Saul’s presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night.

We are all first like King Saul, walking according to the ways of the world and blind to our sins. Before we are shown the Truth, we are under the power of the flesh and the carnal mind, where Satan rules us, living in disobedience in our ignorance. Saul disobeyed the Lord and did not perform all he was commanded to completely destroy Israel’s enemies, the Amalekites, because he feared the people more than the Lord when they lusted to keep the spoils. We are also like Cain, giving the Lord an offering from the labor of our hands, thinking we are justified by our own works, rather than being like his brother Abel, who presented a better offering: obedience.

1 Sam 15:22 And Samuel said [unto Saul], Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

Gen 4:3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.

Gen 4:4 And Abel, he also brought the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel, and to his offering:

Gen 4:5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

Gen 4:6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?

Gen 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And thou shalt rule over him.

Gen 4:8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Able his brother, and slew him.

We are murderers in spirit when we hate our brothers in our hearts by envying what they have and desiring to be esteemed above others. The Pharisees and Sadducees were jealous of Christ because He took away their authority and persuaded the people to follow Him. He exposed their hypocrisy and reliance on traditions and the carnal works of the law rather than doing justice and showing mercy, so they plotted to have Him crucified.

Mat 23:4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

Mat 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

Mat 27:18 For he (Pontius Pilate) knew that for envy they had delivered him.

Mat 27:20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

All things come alike to all men, as all things written are ours to fulfill.   Yet the degrees and measures of our suffering and even our faith are all determined by the Lord. Not all members have the same trials nor the same spiritual gifts, as we are uniquely raised and assembled as a Body by the hand of God through our hearing the Gospel. Some have greater trials not to be puffed up, while others have greater trials not to be jealous or envious of what others have been given. It all works for the greater good of perfecting all the saints.

1Co 12:18  But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 

1Co 12:19  And if they were all one member, where were the body? 

1Co 12:20  But now are they many members, yet but one body. 

1Co 12:21  And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 

1Co 12:22  Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 

Rom 12:3  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.

The Commandment is not to compare ourselves to others or even concern ourselves with the Lord’s work in others, except to rejoice and weep with them. We follow Christ and are satisfied with the treasures the Lord gives to us. A yet unconverted Peter asks, “What about John?” And the Lord’s answer then is the Commandment to us today.

Joh 21:20  Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? 

Joh 21:21  Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? 

Joh 21:22  Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.  [The Commandments]

Our carnal minds and all flesh would rather be ruled by our father the devil, choosing a murderer and listening to his lies, soothing words that validate our carnal reasoning, than be humbled and obedient to the Commandments. Until the Lord has mercy and opens our eyes and ears to the Truth, we will continue to hate and envy, remaining in our spiritual graves with the rest of the world.

Pro 14:30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.

Pro 27:4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?

Luk 9:59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me to first go and bury my father;

Luk 9:60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

When we reason within ourselves that we are more deserving and desire the praise or esteem of others, we exalt ourselves while diminishing those we think are less esteemed or are worse sinners than we are, judging after the flesh and not the Spirit of the Commandments. We respect persons and sin when the Commandments are not our measuring rod.

Jas 2:9  But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

Such thinking is the work of the carnal mind, with its accusatory and excusing mindset. Flesh seeks its own, and we are deceived into believing our works elevate us to a higher status among men. Unless we are given to humble ourselves and repent of our self-righteousness, we likewise shall perish.

 Luk 13:1  There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 

Luk 13:2  And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? 

Luk 13:3  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 

Luk 13:4  Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? 

Luk 13:5  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 

The Lord is not a respecter of persons, and neither are we as Christ in the world. All men get the same reward and endure the same judgment in their time. The way of Christ is not to rule in the outward but to be servants of all. We serve all men, our brethren and our neighbors, when we obey the Commandments without any partiality. This is brotherly love unfeigned, which is the new Commandment the Lord gives us.

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.

The only thing that matters is to know the one true God, being obedient to His Commandments, and to rule in the Spirit, having dominion over our heaven [thoughts] and our earth [deeds].

Act 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

Act 10:35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness is accepted with him.

Mar 9:33 And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them (the Apostles), What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?

Mar 9:34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.

Mar 9:35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be the last of all, and servant of all.

There is no boasting in ourselves. Everything we have has been given to us by the Father without exception. If we boast in ourselves, then we are denying both the Father and the Son, claiming His glory as our own. The Lord is a jealous God and will not share His glory with another and will even take away gifts (physical and spiritual) so that we may learn that He is the God of both heaven and earth, and everything belongs to Him.

1Cor 4:6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.

1Cor 4:7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? And what hast thou that thou didst not receive? Now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?

Isa 42:8 I am the Lord; that is My nave. And My glory will I not give to another, neither My praise to graven images.

Exo 34:14 For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:

Job 1:21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

Psa 50:10 For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.

There are times when we all ask the Lord, ‘Why are the wicked allowed to prosper?’ Many Old Testament prophets have asked this question and implored the Lord for an answer to this seeming contradiction, which was purposely hidden and revealed only later by the Spirit of Truth. These actual events were all examples (parables) written for our admonition, exercising our senses to discern both good and evil so that we can learn to judge by the Lord’s standard of righteousness. The Lord created the wicked for the day of evil within all of us to bring destruction to our old carnal man by being shown our sinful nature. Then, through His mercy, He drags us to Him to be remade into a new creature, the spirit man, which is Christ the Son.

Job 2:7 Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?

Jer 12:1 Righteous art thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments: Wherefore doth with way of the wicked prosper? Wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously?

Psa 73:3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

Psa 73:4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.

Psa 73:5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.

Psa 73:6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.

Psa 73:7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.

Psa 73:8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.

Psa 73:9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.

Psa 73:10 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.

Psa 73:11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?

Psa 73:12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.

Psa 73:13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.

Psa 73:14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.

Psa 73:15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.

Psa 73:16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;

Psa 73:17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.

Psa 73:18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.

Psa 73:19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.

Psa 73:20 As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.

Psa 73:21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.

Psa 73:22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.

We do not envy the wicked, within and without us, even though they have the appearance of living in peace and safety. This is a false peace, a deception caused by the Lord to harden our hearts while treasuring up wrath for the day of judgment. Just as before the flood, the end of the wicked is for them to be taken out of the way. The Lord enters into us, His Temple, and is destroying the old temple where we make merchandise of our carnal works and rob the Lord of his glory. A new temple is made wherein righteousness dwells so that nothing that defiles can enter. Everything is brought under subjection to Christ, the Commandments, putting all enemies under His feet. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Pro 23:17 Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in fear of the LORD all the day long.

Rom 2:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

Mat 21:12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,

Mat 21;13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer, but ye have made it a den of thieves.

Mat 24:1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.

Mat 24:2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? Verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

Luk 17:33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever hall lose his life shall preserve it.

Luk 17:34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.

Luk 17:35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

Luk 17:36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

2 Cor 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

The Lord uses our own wickedness to chasten and humble us so that we become dead to this world and the pride and lusts that live in all flesh. When our man of sin, the same as the abomination of desolation, is revealed to us by the light of the Commandments, then our day of the Lord, the third day in which we are being perfected, has come. We leave the carnal thinking, measuring, and comparing ourselves behind, and we flee to the mountains of Israel that are the Commandments.

Mat 24:15  When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place,

Mat 24:16  Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: 

The Living Commandments cause us to lie down in still waters, in the pastures in the mountains. We cease from all our carnal works and the spirit that has us measuring and comparing ourselves to others.

Eze 34:14  I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. 

Eze 34:15  I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD. 

To be carnally minded is death [Rom 8:6], and this is the death that is being destroyed to complete the work of God in our lives. It is through the death of death that we overcome death, speaking of the carnal mind that has kept us in bondage all of our prior lives. We reap the earnest deposit of new life now as the carnal mind is destroyed and the fullness when we are translated into spirit when we depart the clay.

1Co 15:26  The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 

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. 

This is also known as the second death, that is also the lake of fire, where Satan, the father of all lies, is cast out of our heavens.

Rev 12:7 And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels fought against the dragon: and the dragon fought and his angels,

Rev 12:8 And prevailed not; neither was there place found any more in heaven.

Rev 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: and was cast out into the earth, and his angels [lies] were cast out with him.

Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

Being remade into vessels of honor from vessels of dishonor takes us enduring through much tribulation and suffering. Just like coal takes heat and pressure over a long period of time to make a diamond, so does God do with us, bringing forth the new man through the judgment of the old man to see which of his works abides in the fire and which are burned up. Only the works of holiness, built on the foundation that is Christ’s Commandments, endure. The rest is purged, all to the benefit of the salvation of the soul.

1 Cor 3:13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

1 Cor 3:14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

1 Cor 3:15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss, but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Act 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue it the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

The Lord loves the humble and despises the wicked in each of us as we are being remade by the hand of the potter. Being humbled and repenting from our sinful ways, we become an acceptable sacrifice as we die to this world and are raised back to life through Christ and His Commandments, which is our daily bread, the true manna from Heaven. We are no longer bastards who were separated by the veil of our sinful flesh, but are now able to enter the Holy of Holies and are considered sons of the living God. Those whom the Father has chosen in this age, being faithful to the end, will never taste death but will become the firstfruits, saviors to bring in the rest of the harvest of the kingdom in the age to come.

Isa 2:11 The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.

Isa 2:12 For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low:

Psa 51:16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.

Psa 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Mat 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

Mat 16:28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

As Christ in the world, we are content with our wages, meaning the Commandments. Godliness with contentment is great gain, and thus we no longer covet another man’s possessions, nor do we compare and measure ourselves to others. We accept where the Lord has us exactly where we are supposed to be, and wait on Him to give us more of Himself.

Php 4:11  Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

1Ti 6:8  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

Deu 5:21  Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour’s wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour’s house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour’s. 

Being content with what the Lord gives us, we wait patiently on Him, and He does not forsake us. If we are counted worthy to be God’s elect, we receive an honor which is incomparable to anything in this world. We are given the mind of Christ, the crown of life, and when we leave these clay vessels, we are translated to always be with the Lord. We do not choose Christ; He chooses us, who are the saints. He has prepared our hearts to receive and obey the Gospel.

Joh 15:16  Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit …

At the appointed time, all mankind receives the gift of eternal life at the consummation of the ages. Oh, that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

2 Ti 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

2 Cor 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

2 Cor 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

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 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

2Co 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Commandments

The Commandment to Fear the Lord

Peter
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The Treasure of the People of God

We are commanded to fear the Lord, but we know not what this means until we are taught it by the coming of the Living Gospel, the Promise that is Jesus Christ. It is when we are drawn to Christ by the Father that we begin to be taught the fear of the Lord. Hearkening unto Him is hearkening unto His Commandments, which now teach us to fear God.

Psa 34:11  Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

Fearing the Lord thy God has always been a key Commandment for initiating and maintaining our walk with God, and always doing what He pleases. Fearing God goes hand in hand with the first great Commandment.

Deu 8:5  Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee. 

Deu 8:6  Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him. 

Deu 10:12  And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, 

Jesus Christ has not changed.  The Living Word is the same, yesterday, today, and forevermore.

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

Joh 15:10  If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

Learning the fear of the Lord happens when our eyes are opened to see the Gospel, the mystery hidden from the world. By the mercy of God, we see and hear the Gospel and are turned to the Living Commandments as the way of life. Our knowledge of the Truth, that is, Jesus Christ, the Living Word of Commandments, has begun.  Those blinded by God remain blind and despise the Commandments we now preach, and above all, do which we learn from our spiritual father and mother.

Pro 1:6  To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. 

Pro 1:7  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. 

Pro 1:8  My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: 

It is the coming of the Promise, the Living Christ,  which is also the seven spirits of God that are One Spirit, planted into our hearts and minds by which the Spirit of the fear of the Lord is manifested. We now grow in grace and knowledge through the Gospel, as Christ grows in us unto maturity.

Isa 11:1  And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 

Isa 11:2  And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; 

It is by eating the Lord’s supper, taking communion by breaking the living bread, which is our study and meditation on the Commandments by which we are learning and growing in the fear of the Lord. All the assembly learns and grows together, being of one faith, body, and baptism.

Act 2:42  And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 

Act 2:43  And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 

Act 2:44  And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

Eph 2:22  In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. 

When the Spirit falls upon the assemblies of God’s chosen people,  they walk in the fear of the Lord and are increased and prospered in the faith.

Act 9:31  Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied. 

When the Gospel comes, judgment has fallen upon the house of God. This is a very good thing, the wonderful works of God that are saving us. We are being perfected, overcoming sin as we strive to be holy in the fear of God. Fear of the Lord is always in the mix when holiness and overcoming sin is in view. Without the fear of the Lord, flesh and its lusts continue to rule.

1Pe 1:16  Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 

1Pe 1:17  And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: 

2Co 7:1  Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 

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. 

Fearing the Lord is respecting and being in subjection to the Commandments, which is the Wisdom of God. We are taught to fear the Lord as we believe and strive to obey the Gospel we have now heard.  We press into the Commandments as the fear of the Lord moves us onto perfection in the Father’s timing. Fear of the Lord leads to obedience that grows our knowledge and brings understanding of the holy versus the profane.

Pro 9:10  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. 

Job 28:28  And unto man God said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding. 

The Lord raises shepherds to be His ministers, prophets, and apostles to teach the flock the holy and the profane through the Gospel. We are fulfilling these Commandments and Scriptures today.

Eze 44:23  And they [Ministers] shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean. 

The Lord’s purpose is to save us from our sins. All that He is doing works for this greater good. The Lord, the Living Word, comes by way of trials to prove and test our faith. We learn to obey, thus learning the difference between the holy and profane, by being scourged and chastened for our disobedience. The chastening of the Lord is grace that brings salvation by teaching us righteousness. Chastening by grace is also how we are being taught the fear of the Lord, so that we no longer sin. It is the way of salvation.

Exo 20:20  And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not. 

Tit 2:11  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 

Tit 2:12  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 

Tit 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ

As sons of God, the Lord is our parent who loves us and is raising us to be righteous and holy in His image and the Father’s name. Without these trials and the resulting chastening and scourging, we are not true sons of God. So we rejoice in our trials, knowing they are accomplishing their purposes.

Heb 12:6  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 

Heb 12:7  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 

Heb 12:8  But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 

Heb 12:9  Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 

The rod, meaning our chastening for disobedience, is not spared by our Father to raise sons unto righteousness. Knowing these truths, we serve God with reverence and godly fear, knowing His ways and purposes in delivering us from all sin.

Heb 12:28  Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 

Heb 12:29  For our God is a consuming fire. 

Pro 13:24  He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly. 

We learn in our day of judgment that if we willfully sin after knowing the Commandments, we have every expectation of a fiery discipline response from the Lord whose Word He sent forth is not returning to Him void. Where sin abounds, grace abounds even more.

Heb 10:26  For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 

Heb 10:27  But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 

Unless and until the Lord has mercy, the Gospel remains hid from our eyes, and the Book is sealed unto us. We first draw near with our lips, and not our hearts, and the fear of the Lord we at first learn is based on the precepts of men and not God. Extra-biblical topics such as reverential awe of the man Jesus Christ and deep respect for God go beyond what is written and do not save anyone from their sins.   The false doctrine of eternal torment is a prime example; millions believe it, yet they continue in sins, and their hearts are far from the Commandments.

Isa 29:11  And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: 

Isa 29:13  Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: 

For those chosen for salvation in this age, the Lord shows mercy and performs His wondrous works as our knowledge of God and understanding are being made new, and we are being taught the true fear of the Lord.

Isa 29:14  Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid. 

Our old life is passing away; we acknowledge Him, meaning the Commandments in all our ways, and those Commandments are now the light unto our path. We are fearing the Lord, that is, revering the Commandments, striving to obey them. We are thus departing from evil and being saved from all of our sins.

Pro 3:6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 

Pro 3:7  Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. 

No man teaches themselves to fear the Lord or walks in the fear of the Lord except they be caused by the Spirit of Grace. Salvation is all the Lord’s work, and as clay in His hands, all that we do is in Christ. All men first run to shed blood, that is, reasoning with our carnal minds, accusing and excusing one another, not knowing the Lord. Neither are we yet exposed to the true fear of the Lord that has us in fear of the Commandments, so that we obey them.

Rom 3:15  Their feet are swift to shed blood: 

Rom 3:16  Destruction and misery are in their ways: 

Rom 3:17  And the way of peace have they not known: 

Rom 3:18  There is no fear of God before their eyes. 

We are taught to fear the Lord, and the result is our being caused to obey Him.  Teaching us is the work of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Grace that is shed abroad in our hearts and manifests the love of God.

Rom 5:5  Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 

Eze 36:27  And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. 

Joh 6:45  It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. 

The grace of God bringing salvation is the Promise, the Living Commandments that are guiding and teaching us the ways of righteousness. We inherit our earth, meaning we overcome our sins as we are taught to rest in the Commandments and cease from our carnal thoughts. The Promise, the Holy Spirit, is the secret, the Living Gospel of Commandments that now lives in us and brings us into the everlasting covenant as sons.

Psa 25:12  What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. 

Psa 25:13  His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth. 

Psa 25:14  The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant. 

Now that we abide in fear of the Lord, we are being led to newness of life, and evil is fleeing from us. The old is gone, all things are made new. Without the fear of the Lord, salvation from sin is elusive.

Pro 19:23  NKJV The fear of the LORD leads to life, and he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil. 

When we abide in the fear of the Lord, the angel of the Lord, the same Commandments, deliver us from our sins and all our enemies.

Psa 34:7  The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. 

The Gospel ushers in the era when we learn and abide in the fear of the Lord. Receiving the Gospel begins our learning God’s wisdom and simultaneously we are learning the true fear of the Lord. Christ, the Wisdom of God, is contrary to the world’s wisdom. We are blessed to see this and be able to speak of the mystery, the secret, hidden from the world.

Luk 11:49  Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute: 

1Co 2:7  But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 

The fear of the Lord has us hating what the Lord hates, which are all abominations to Him. As Christ, we seek to please our heavenly Father in all that we do or speak. There is no pride or lie in us when we fear the Lord, and we no longer hate our neighbor or run after evil, or create strife among brethren. We speak Truth, the Commandments, in our speech and deeds.

Pro 8:13  The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. 

Pro 6:16  These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 

Pro 6:17  A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, 

Pro 6:18  A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, 

Pro 6:19  A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren. 

The Commandments teach us to fear the Lord, and we learn them and enter into doing them, the Sabbath rest, only through many tribulations.  These trials are what burn up and consume our carnal thoughts and lusts, making all things new in our lives.

1Pe 4:17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 

Now knowing the Truth, we are no longer being tossed to and from by every wind of doctrine and the carnal reasonings of men; we stand in the wisdom and knowledge of God. We all heard the adage “knowledge is power,” and this is true in the spiritual: the knowledge and Wisdom of God are the power of the Gospel that brings forth our salvation. Our fear of the Lord IS become a treasure and stabilizing force that keeps us on the narrow way of life, the highway of holiness.

Isa 33:6  And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure. 

Solomon learned that the whole of our existence can be summed up as fearing God and keeping His Commandments. The two actions are opposite sides of the same coin. To find either of these two actions in our lives, we see both as the dream is one and they are inseparable.  The Lord is working all things for the counsel of His will to bring this about in His Elect in this age.

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. 

Ecc 12:14  For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. 

Peace and grace to the scattered pilgrims who are learning and treasuring the fear of the Lord.

 

Commandments

Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God

Peter
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Trusting in the Lord’s Provision

Our gift of faith of the Lord Jesus Christ is what turns us into sons of God, being remade in the likeness and image of our Lord.  Our faith is not our own; it is a gift, given by measure to all of God’s Elect as ordained before the worlds were formed.  The Commandment to seek first the Kingdom of God has us seeking to obey the Lord in everything we think, do, and say. If we do this, we are promised to be blessed, prospered, and given what is needed both physically and spiritually to abide in this world.

Mat 6:33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 

The Kingdom of God is the Gospel, it is the Commandments, another name for the Promise, the Living Christ who comes to dwell in us.  When we look to Christ, first, in all our thoughts and behaviour, we are seeking the Kingdom of God and doing what is pleasing in our Lord’s and Father’s sight.  The Lord showed us the way to follow.

Joh 5:19  Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. 

Joh 5:20  For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. 

Joh 8:28  Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. 

Joh 8:29  And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. 

Seeking God first is doing nothing of ourselves, as we are now bond servants, redeemed with a price, who belong to the Lord. Our life is sacrificed unto the Lord’s purposes, which is our reasonable service.  Few are given the mercy and grace of God to enter into and abide in this calling.

Rom 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 

Rom 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 

Entering the Kingdom of God is entering into the true Sabbath, that is, the Lord’s rest promised from our carnal works. This is also our obedience to the first and great Commandment, on which all others hang. Seeking first the Kingdom of God is putting the Commandments first, which our eyes and minds are always focused upon.  There are many overlaps with this Commandment and many others that all lead back to seeking first the Kingdom of God.  A sample of only a few is these.

  • Do not be anxious
  • Do not worry about tomorrow
  • Build your house on the rock
  • Let your light shine before men
  • Come out and be separate
  • Love your enemies

Seeking the Commandments first is making the Most High, which is the Father’s Commandments, our habitation.  The angels, which are messengers, are also these Commandments, that are alive and which quicken us to newness of life, protecting us, delivering us, and keeping us in God’s way.  When we do this, we are immensely blessed and prospered with salvation, rising above the carnal mind and trampling the dragon underfoot.

Psa 91:9  Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation; 

Psa 91:10  There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. 

Psa 91:11  For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. 

Psa 91:12  They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. 

Psa 91:13  Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. 

Psa 91:14  Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. 

Psa 91:15  He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. 

Psa 91:16  With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. 

The Lord used the examples of sparrows, ravens, and lilies to rebuke the weak in the faith who worry about tomorrow and seek not the kingdom of God first.

Mat 6:28  And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 

Mat 6:29  And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 

Mat 6:30  Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 

James calls this a double-minded man who does not reap the blessings of God because they waver in their carnal reasonings of unbelief.

Jas 1:6  But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 

Jas 1:7  For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 

We are far more valuable than the birds and flowers of the field, which the Lord provides for their every need.  As God’s Elect, we are the apple of His eye, and our Maker knows what we need physically and spiritually and is providing them.  None of our worrying or stressing over these needs adds one iota to our lives, as all things have long ago been declared.

Mat 6:25  Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 

Mat 6:26  Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 

Mat 6:27  Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 

We trust Him as we grow in faith and enter into His rest, ceasing from our carnal works and the worries which had previously occupied us our entire lives.  We seek Christ first, and this is how we are shaped and molded through the trials the Lord brings us every day.  We are alert and awake, focused on today and the evils and related trials the Lord is bringing to mold and shape us unto maturity.

Mat 6:31  Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 

Mat 6:32  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 

Mat 6:33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Mat 6:34  Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. 

Trusting in His precious promises through faith in His Commandments, we look and trust in the Lord to provide our needs.  Our sufficiency is in God and not in ourselves.  All of our knowledge and trust beyond the Commandments is dung and brings about spiritual death when we seek it instead of the pure and sincere Word of God.

2Co 3:4  And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: 

2Co 3:5  Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; 

2Co 3:6  Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

The Commandments are the Father’s Commandments, the Living Word, the Son of God, for which purpose Christ was created and sent forth to speak and witness on the Father’s behalf.  We are raised with Christ for the same purpose to preach the Gospel and be the light unto the world.  We are becoming the Living Word.  When Christ is seen, the Father is seen as they are One Spirit.  We are often reminded, told again, that we are sent as the Father sent Christ because we are Christ in the world.

Col 1:15  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 

Joh 20:21  Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 

Joh 14:12  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. 

Christ trusts fully in the Father’s provision and spends no time worrying about the things his body of flesh needs.  All things were put into subjection to the Father’s Commandments, leaving the world and its ways and customs behind.  That is seeking first the Kingdom of God.

When the Lord is not first in all our deeds, one remains a fornicator and an idolater and does not enter into the Kingdom and remains outside.

1Co 6:9  Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

1Co 6:10  Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

To seek the Kingdom of God first, we sell all we have, meaning giving up all of our carnal reasonings and the trust in ourselves, and seek to obey the Commandments, trusting in the Lord’s provision.  Hardly can a rich man enter into the kingdom, and the rich young ruler is unable to forsake all to follow Christ

Luk 18:22  Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. 

Luk 18:23  And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. 

Luk 18:24  And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 

As the blessed seed of Christ the Lord promises to make provision for all of our needs. Our worries about having these things are not of faith and add nothing to our lives, and we know He is working all things according to His counsel.  The righteous who walk by faith are not forsaken or found begging for bread.  Our spiritual needs and physical needs are provided for as the Lord works all things according to His counsel and purposes.

Psa 37:25  I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. 

Psa 37:26  He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed. 

We are taught by the Spirit to fear not anything of the world, trusting fully in the Lord’s provision.  It is the Father’s good pleasure and purpose to give us the Kingdom, and we learn patience and tarry for it to come, yet we seek it earnestly.

Luk 12:28  If then God so clothe the grass, which is today in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? 

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. 

Luk 12:32  Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 

Before faith comes, we act in unbelief, storing up treasures on earth, trusting in our riches, knowledge, money, and abilities rather than the Commandments.  Those who do so are not rich towards God.  The parable of the rich fool who trusted in himself exposes all of us who focus on building bigger barns to store our own riches.  The story told in Luke 12 is a warning for those not ready for the coming of the Lord, who comes suddenly with the trials that test our faith.

Luk 12:21  So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. 

Building bigger barns, trusting in ourselves, is all vanity that is instantly made so when the trials come, and our fleshly riches are of no use to save us from our sins and deliver us from our enemies.  We cannot serve God and mammon, which is disobedience, spiritual idolatry, and fornication.

Mat 6:24  No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Luk 12:34  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 

Thus, the Commandment to seek ye first the Kingdom of God is a big one upon which many other Commandments fall under.  It always comes back to the first great Commandment of loving the Lord thy God with all our hearts, minds, and strength.  Anything else is idolatry and corruption of the Commandments, seeking to serve God and our flesh.  We have died to those desires and instincts when Christ comes in our flesh and the Kingdom of God dwells in us.

Col 3:3  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 

Col 3:4  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 

Col 3:5  Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 

Blessed are the poor in spirit, who are those having laid down their lives unto the Lord, selling all they had for the Kingdom of Heaven’s sake.