Tag: blindness

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.

 

Letters

Defending the Ministry of the Gospel

Peter

Defending the Ministry of the Gospel

Our Boast is in the Lord

We praise and give thanks to our heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ for the abundant blessings bestowed upon us.  We pray that our ministry of the Gospel falls upon the good soil of the chosen and faithful of God.

God has made us ministers of the Gospel by the dispensation of the Lord. This is 100% the Lord’s work in us; it is none of ourselves, as indeed we are chief of sinners and unworthy of anything.  It serves the Lord’s purposes, not our own, for preachers to be raised from the dead, anointed with power, and sent forth to preach to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  This is how the Lord, not men, commissions His disciples and sends them to work.

Mat 10:5  These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. 

Mat 10:6  But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 

Mat 10:7  And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 

Mat 10:8  Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. 

We rejoice in our spirits with all humility, knowing this is the hand of the Lord for salvation that has come upon us.  The glory, honour, and praise are always the Lord’s and not of ourselves.  We are unworthy servants called to minister the Gospel in the same way as the Apostles.

Col 1:25  Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; 

Col 1:26  Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 

Col 1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

To this end, the Gospel, we now preach, and warn about the new standard of holiness so that those ordained to hear are made perfect by the indwelling Word of our Heavenly Father.  Our life is no longer our own; we belong to the Lord and are labouring night and day to preach this Gospel.

Col 1:28  Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 

Col 1:29  Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily. 

The Gospel is always to be preached boldly and with great power.  The Lord set the example, speaking with boldness and authority that amazed the people.  We preach the Lord, the power of the living Word, and the promise that comes to every man who believes in their heart and confesses with their mouth.

Act 4:13  Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. 

When the power unto salvation comes, one cannot do anything but preach boldly, which the “Jews” in the flesh always misconstrue as exalting oneself.  We pray for the Spirit to fall upon the house of God.

Act 4:31  And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. 

We now preach boldly and with power, not to exalt ourselves but for the sake of Christ and His Gospel.

2Co 4:5  For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. 

We are bold because we love the brethren unfeigned.  Our whole purpose for living has been changed.  The old is gone, and the new has come when one is given the Gospel.  Our life consists of serving brethren and all the Gentiles out there in the world who may read, by giving them the commandments of eternal life.  This is the Gospel and the true love of God.  God has given us the gift of His abiding love, and we are now commanded to give it to others appointed to receive it.

1Jn 4:11  Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

Hearing the commandments opens eyes and heals.  This is the same as giving mercy, and Christ always answers a plea for mercy with the opening of eyes or healing.  When this zeal for the house of the Lord is put into us, one has passed from spiritual death unto life eternal.

1Jn 3:14  We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

The love of God is always about the commandments.  We just do the commandments and give them to others. That is what Christ did and is the very definition of love [1Jo 5:3]

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. 

Having recently begun preaching the Gospel, it did not take long to be charged with exalting ourselves.  This is a complete misreading of the boldness we have coming out of our mouths by way of the Living Word.  It is judging us by the flesh and not righteously by looking to the Word.  It is the spirit of the Pharisees.  We pray and hope some eyes are opened to see that the Living Christ has come by way of the Gospel.  Our prior letter hopefully burns up the false doctrine on those who believe a lie about the Nicolaitan spirit.

The power of the living commandments requires one to speak boldly and boast in the Lord who is in them.  This is the Lord’s work in His ministers, and no flesh can shut us up.   All come to see this when their time comes, and when they also receive the promise of the Spirit.  No man shall stop us from doing the Lord’s work.

2Co 11:10  As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia. 

2Co 11:11  Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth. 

All the Lord’s prophets and ministers spoke boldly.  It is a common denominator and is not of them; it is the power of the Lord being manifest by the WORD they speak.  The Words, the Gospel, cannot be contained.  We gladly endure this persecution and rejection for the sake of the elect whom our words of Truth are saving when they are heard. 

2Ti 2:9  Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. 

2Ti 2:10  Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 

The call of Jeremiah is our call, and every minister of the Gospel in every age.  He appoints those He appoints and empowers them to do His work, speaking Words of fire that burn up the wood.

Jer 1:7  But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. 

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. 

The Apostle Paul wasted no time in preaching boldly once the scales were taken off his eyes and the power was given.   Carnal minds judge these things and vastly underestimate the power of God to work in those sent.  He does quick work in the earth of those to whom He comes.

Act 9:20  And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. 

Act 9:21  But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, ….

When the Gospel is received, the power has come, and all things are changed.  The Lord comes quickly, and those so endued, arise and IMMEDIATELY preach the Gospel with boldness.  It happened to all the Apostles that way, and so it is today on those on whom the promise rests.

Act 9:27  But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 

We are to let no man despise our spiritual youth and judge us in the flesh in this regard.  Reproach of brethren is to be expected.  The standard for our conduct has been greatly raised.

1Ti 4:12  Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 

The Offices of the Church:

Another lie that needs to be burned regards the gifts and calling of God.  Not everyone in the Body has the same calling or gets the same gift or even the same measure of faith.  It is all the Lord’s doing.  Jealousies, accusations, and self-exaltation are never the work of God but the tempter.

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. 

Rom 12:4  For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 

Even our measure of faith is different and set by God.  The Lord sets and appoints the offices of the church and equips all who are anointed to go preach the Gospel as His ministers.  It is NOT everyone, it is only SOME.

Eph 4:11  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 

Eph 4:12  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 

Eph 4:13  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 

The shepherds of the sheep of the lost house of Israel are those who first enter by the door that is the Gospel, the Living Word of Commandments.  The Lord brings them through the door, and in turn, they become the shepherds.  As the Father sent Christ, so Christ sends us to preach the Gospel after we enter in by the door.  The door is the commandments.

Joh 10:2  But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 
Joh 10:3  To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

Are we exalting ourselves for claiming this?  God forbid.  We have been appointed to this role, and in saying that, there is NO BOAST.  Judge us by our Words and the works that are made manifest in time.  This is our ministry, and we go to the houses the Lord sends us and hope the peace of His Gospel rests on that house.  We expect trials, as it is all foretold, as there must be divisions among us.  This is how the Lord sifts His flock.  It is not true to believe otherwise.

Luk 12:51  Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. 

Luk 12:52  For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. 

Those who preach the Gospel are not to be muzzled, meaning they are to be allowed to speak and eat in the houses where they abide.  The immediate reaction of those still in the dead letter without the power is to muzzle those the Lord has sent to save them.   We do not condemn anyone and hope to reach all in the house and pray that the Lord is merciful to open eyes.  Those whom the Lord sends who labour in the Word and bring the studies are not to be stopped from speaking, but are worthy of double honour.  This brings glory not to ourselves but to the Lord who sent us.

1Ti 5:17  Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 

1Ti 5:18  For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. 

Here is a second witness beseeching those to esteem and love them who work in preaching the Gospel.

1Th 5:12  And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 

1Th 5:13  And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves. 

Those who preach the Gospel are to be bold as a lion [Pro 28:1].  We magnify our office with the boldness by which we preach or write these letters, in hopes it provokes some of you to receive the Gospel.

Rom 11:13  For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: 

Rom 11:14  If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them. 

The “Jews” still in the flesh, having the “circumcision of knowledge”, have the hardest time with this.  Our newly formed words of power, all from the Lord, come across to them as boasting before the Lord opens their eyes to see that He has sent Christ to them by way of His servants.  We are told most do not know the sign of the times or the hour of His visitation.  Their mistake is thinking they already have the power, that their resurrection is already past.  With such a belief, they are blinded to receive the one true Gospel they do not yet have.

2Ti 2:17  And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 

2Ti 2:18  Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. 

This overthrows the faith of some, who do not have the power of the Gospel yet.  The Word tells them to wait, but some tell them they already have it.  We are saved by the hope of our faith, which is the hope of substance not yet seen.  If one already has something, they no longer are hoping for it.  We pray that some understand the seriousness of this.   [See Rom 8:20-24].

There can never be any outward or inward boasting in the hearts of any man, as they do NOTHING to save themselves.  This is the strong delusion all fulfil before the true light, the day star, the Gospel arises in their hearts.  The work of salvation is all of God and NONE of man. By grace you are saved, it is a gift, not of yourself, and therefore no man can boast.

Eph 2:6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 

Eph 2:7  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 

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. 

Only the coming of the Living Christ into our hearts, the true grace, the circumcision done without hands, changes us and brings forth new life. This happens not on our timeline or call but upon the Lord.  He must come to us the second time.

We have been raised with Christ by the strong arm of the Lord.  Christ now sends us in the same way He was sent.  The Lord comes suddenly through His messengers who bring the Gospel.

Rev 1:1  The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: 

The angels of the Lord sent to preach the Gospel are just men the Lord has equipped and sent forth.  No glory or exaltation is wanted, and we rebuke any who respond in such a way.

Rev 22:8  And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. 

Rev 22:9  Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

By preaching the Gospel, we are inviting those who hear us to the wedding feast.  But most do not come and turn on the Lord’s servants, rejecting the Gospel as the parable says.

Mat 22:2  The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 

Mat 22:3  And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 

Those of the circumcision are trusting in their knowledge and sweat of their labor, their spiritual riches to save them.  They are the ones boasting of themselves in spirit and taking away the glory that belongs to God.  That way is the works salvation Paul wrote about that saves nobody, not themselves nor their brothers. [See Galatians 2:16]

Psa 49:6  They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; 

Psa 49:7  None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: 

It is called strong delusion for a reason.   Salvation is of the Lord, period.   This is the hidden wisdom, the mystery that so few are given to see.

Jon 2:9  … Salvation is of the LORD. 

Defending the Ministry of the Gospel

The ministry of the Gospel needs to be defended.  We are not sent to please men but God.  The Lord’s angels sent to preach the everlasting Gospel [Rev 14:6] go to both “Jews” and Gentiles.  Stiff resistance and persecution because of the Word is guaranteed.

2Co 10:1  Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: 

2Co 10:2  But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. 

2Co 10:3  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

We speak not of ourselves, but mighty words of power that destroy all the lies that stand in the way of the little children receiving the Gospel of Truth. Judge the Words we speak, the commandments, and rightly dividing the Word of Truth.  We write weighty letters now by the hand of the Spirit to correct and admonish you to receive ye the Gospel. Do not judge on outward appearances.

2Co 10:7  Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ’s, even so are we Christ’s. 

2Co 10:8  For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed: 

2Co 10:9  That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters. 

2Co 10:10  For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. 

The light of Christ is upon all who preach this Gospel.  There was much hypocrisy in our past lives.  But there is no longer, as our actions and deeds are now being wrought in God, consistent with the Words of Power and Authority given to us to minister.

2Co 10:11  Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present. 

The only measuring we use to compare is the plumbline, the living Gospel of commandments.  Any other measuring and comparing of one with another is unwise.

2Co 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. 

2Co 10:13  But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you. 

Our boast is in the Lord.  We do not work for pay.  Our only reward is the enlargement and fruit born of those who receive the Gospel we preach.

2Co 10:14  For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ: 

2Co 10:15  Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men’s labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly, 

We therefore do not boast in ourselves, but we do glory in the power and authority the Lord has given us to preach.  Only those whom the Lord commends are approved; man’s commendations mean nothing.

2Co 10:17  But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 

2Co 10:18  For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth. 

1Co 1:31  That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 

The Lord has commended us and commissioned us to go preach this Gospel of the Living Commandments.   Henceforth, our entire life is in the Lord.  Our boast is only in the Lord and the glory He raises in those who hear His words of power.  We follow the Lord, having been made His priests.

Isa 61:1  The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 

Isa 61:3  To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. 

Isa 61:6  But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.

Paul came to see this and wrote the same.

1Th 2:19  For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? 

1Th 2:20  For ye are our glory and joy. 

Men come to salvation at different times, as there are multiple watches when the Lord comes in every generation.  He is building His church one saint at a time.  There are many saints in the making who wait for Him and the power of His promise.  We tarry with them with much patience and longsuffering and pray for the rain of the Lord.  So long as the peace of the house remains, we stay in that house and do the Lord’s work, which is preaching His Gospel.

Mat 10:11  And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. 

Mat 10:12  And when ye come into an house, salute it. 

Mat 10:13  And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. 

Mat 10:14  And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. 

A mystery of godliness is coming to understand that not all Israel is Israel.   The Lord only comes to those predestinated to be adopted as Sons in the appointed time.  Many are called, but only a few are chosen as we keep learning. The difficult part is being rejected by their brethren, who mistakenly think we are exalting ourselves for speaking what the Lord has given us.  Paul’s words strike our hearts as we sorrow for the rejection of those with whom we have walked a good way.  God’s purposes in election are becoming clearer.

Rom 9:1  I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, 

Rom 9:2  That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. 

Rom 9:3  For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: 

Rom 9:4  Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; 

Rom 9:5  Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. 

Rom 9:6  Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: 

 It is not all of Abraham’s children who are counted as the seed of Christ.  Only those in Isaac are the seed.  This is a parable showing us again that many are called, few are chosen, and even fewer are being made faithful in the end.

Rom 9:7  Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. 

Rom 9:8  That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

The Lord has mercy on whom He chooses and hardens the rest and keeps them blind.  The Lord is building His church; man is not building it.

Rom 9:15  For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 

Rom 9:16  So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. [mercy opens their eyes to the Gospel]

A stone has been laid in Zion, in the assemblies of the saints, when the Gospel has been preached.  Some receive it and others do not; thus, the Lord’s purposes in election are being made manifest to those on whom His mercy has fallen.  Some stumble over the stone [the Gospel], others receive it with meekness and are brought into the marvelous light.

Rom 9:30  What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. 

Rom 9:31  But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. 

Rom 9:32  Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; [Christ, the Gospel of Living Commandments]

Rom 9:33  As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 

Those who reject the Gospel, thinking they need nothing and the resurrection is already past, have the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees but not of Christ.  We desire that all our brethren in the flesh be saved.  To this end, we tarry and continue to preach with all boldness because faith comes by hearing the Gospel [Rom 10:17].

Rom 10:1  Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 

Rom 10:2  For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 

Rom 10:3  For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 

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

Those who read who do not yet have this understanding and the power from God must wait for it.  They are to pray for it to come and be patient, but they first must believe it.  It is hard for a rich man, thinking he already has it, to enter into the kingdom of God.  We are telling you these truths to save some of you, and it is not boasting.  When the living Lord comes via His angels, preaching the Gospel to ears prepared to hear, they shall see and understand.

Mat 24:31  And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. 

Those redeemed by the hand of the Lord and the coming of His Gospel into their hearts, proclaim it boldly with great power.  This is not boasting, it is giving the glory and honour to the Lord.

Psa 107:1  O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. 

Psa 107:2  Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy; 

We look forward to hearing many more of the redeemed of the Lord say so in the coming days and years as the Lord gives.

Peter & Rohnel

Ministers of the Gospel of Christ