Tag: obedience

Commandments

The Command to Obey Every Ordinance

Rohnel

The Commandments of Christ

 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man

Ronel, and Pete, my beloved husband, to the church in Christ Jesus, Grace be unto you from God, our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Speaking to the Church to edify, exhort and comfort you and us together:

1Co 14:3  But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. 

Christ commands us to submit ourselves to every ordinance of man:

1Pe 2:13  Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

1Pe 2:14  Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. 

1Pe 2:15  For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 

In troubled times, when every man’s hand is against his neighbor without in the physical world, near us, in the countries we live in, or in countries far away, we need not be anxious about how to react, what to think, or what to do when trouble comes. We have the written Word that always guides us into the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom. We are complete in Christ today; we have His commands in any given situation and have no need that the world with its lies deceive us, stealing our reward, which we have in Christ.  Christ is head of ALL principality and powers that exist, in the spiritual and in the natural.  Our hearts are being changed by our standing in the Commandments.  We are being transformed, and the gap between us and the carnal world grows into a giant gulf.

Col 2:6  As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 

Col 2:7  Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 

Col 2:8  Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 

Col 2:9  For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 

Col 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 

Col 2:11  In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 

Now, our hearts faint with fear and uncertainty when we hear with carnal ears as men hear and see with carnal eyes as men see and understand with carnal mindsets as humanity understands, but in Christ, we are new and complete creatures, hearing differently, seeing and understanding differently.  We discern. hear, see, and understand spiritually according to Christ, the Commandments that live in us.  We do not discern according to our own ideas or reasonings about the laws and what is right before God.  We know that God, the Father, through Christ, works ALL things to the counsel of His own Will. We fear not what any man can do to us.  We only fear Him which keeps us in subjection to the Commandments.

Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 

Mat 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

The question is then: how are we to behave towards the authorities God has placed over us in our lives, whether the laws of our country, the laws of the state or province, the housing estate we live in, or a myriad of other authorities? It is through Christ that all things consist and are held together.  The Lord has put every existing authority into place in the past, in the present, in the future to come, and forever more. Christ commands us to submit ourselves to every ordinance of man, whether good or bad.

Rom 13:1  Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.
Rom 13:2  Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.
Rom 13:3  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.
Rom 13:4  For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.
Rom 13:5  Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake.
Rom 13:6  For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing.
Rom 13:7  Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. 

A second witness tells us to be submissive to rulers:

Tit 3:1  Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 

Therefore, we pay taxes and tolls, parking fines, levies; we obey traffic laws, estate rules, and we honestly complete forms and make disclosures as necessary.  We are Christ in this world and are to be a light into what is otherwise darkness.  We give to Caesar that which is his, notwithstanding the fact that whether the authorities placed over us are good or evil. We strive to do the right thing, that is, to morally excel for the Lord’s sake. We owe no man anything but to love one another, which is to keep the commandments of Christ. This is the love that Rom 13:8 is talking about:

Luk 20:25  And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s. 

Rom 13:8  Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 

If the Government misbehaves and is corrupt and evil, we still obey the laws of the land because we are Christ’s bondservants and belong to Him, doing everything to please our Lord and Saviour, thus doing it unto Him and not unto men. It goes without saying that we obey the authorities and those who rule over us in what we know is reasonable and right [what is right for each man if he is a true Christian is that our consciences towards Christ do not condemn us].

Col 3:23  And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 

Col 3:24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ

Act 24:16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

There is an exception to obeying every ordinance or ruling and it is where our obedience to the authority causes us to disobey the Commandments in other areas.  The greater truth is we are to obey God and not men.   Peter and John were told by the temple authorities not to preach Jesus Christ in the temple.  Yet the Lord commanded them to go and preach the Gospel that is His Name, the Commandments.  We willingly suffer the reproach of men and obey the Lord always.

Act 5:27  And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, 
Act 5:28  Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. 
Act 5:29  Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

A second example is Daniel disobeying the decree of Darius and praying to the Lord in obedience to the Commandments to pray daily.   Daniel feared God and would rather risk going into the lion’s den than disobey the Lord.  Better to obey God rather than men.

Dan 6:10  Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. 
Dan 6:11  Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. 
Dan 6:12  Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king’s decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. 

We are a little flock, we are the children of God hearkening unto the commands of Christ; nevertheless, our lights shine bright in this world of darkness, which know not Christ nor God, the Father. The Kingdom of God IS come into our hearts and minds today when we hear His Voice. We have clear instructions to follow:

1Pe 3:13  And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? 

1Pe 3:14  But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 

1Pe 3:16  Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. 

1Pe 3:17  For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. 

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

Living a life subject to every ordinance of the authorities in the world results in us being thought of as strange.  Indeed, we are peculiar people, set apart for the Lord’s purposes.  For standing with Christ, the Commandments, we are hated for the commands of Christ, which is known as the Gospel or Good News, the New Covenant, Christ IS COME in our flesh:

1Jn 3:13  Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. 

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. 

1Jn 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. 

Hating our brethren is not preaching and obeying the commands of Christ. Loving our brethren is preaching and obeying the commands of Christ. We fulfill the law through love. Love IS knowing and doing the commandments of Christ, which were given to Him by God, the Father of all [Eph 4:5-6]. Love always goes hand in hand with obeying the commandments of Christ. It is the fulfillment [making perfect] of the Law of Liberty:

Rom 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.

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

No one outside the faith is seeking peace.  All humanity without Christ is disobedient and ready to fight. This is the way of the world. Righteousness means to obey Christ; it is our garments of fine linen, our garments of righteousness [Rev 19:8]. The world never seeks peace because it belongs to the prince of this world, Satan, and his angels, through God’s design.

Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 

Rom 3:10  As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 

Rom 3:11  There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 

Rom 3:12  They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 

Rom 3:13  Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: 

Rom 3:14  Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: 

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.

Only the Words of Christ can change us from within, to change us from the heart. The law of Moses, which is the Ten Commandments, and all additional ordinances given to Moses in the Old Testament, and our own carnal thoughts, which are called the law of the gentiles [Rom 2:15], are not able to save us. Christ’s Law fulfills the law of Moses and the law of the Gentiles, making us complete/perfect in Him. Christ’s Law, the Law of Liberty IS love, is His Commands, His Words of Spirit and Life [John 6:63], and that is to be spiritually minded.

Col 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

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

The only way out is to REST in Christ. This is the way of Life. Only some enter into His rest in this life, only His true, many are called, few are chosen, and even still fewer faithful children enter into His rest. To rest in Christ is to obey Him and to not kick against the pricks. It is to cease from our own works:

Heb 4:9  There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 

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

We look at everything with new eyes and a renewed mindset. The Name of the Lord saves us, and His NAME is the things He tells us to do:

Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord [does the Commandments] shall be saved. 

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. 

Rom 12:20  Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 

Rom 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. 

As true Christians, we are appointed to suffer for the Word every day here and now:

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

1Th 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 

Here is what we strive to do now, TODAY, when we hear the Words of God.

1Th 5:15  See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. 

1Th 5:16  Rejoice evermore. 

1Th 5:17  Pray without ceasing. 

1Th 5:18 In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 

We do not entangle ourselves with the actions and thought processes of the world; it is a snare, but we are rather soldiers of Christ:

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

2Ti 2:4  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 

We pray for leaders so they pass laws and rule in ways that allow us to obey God and live a peaceable life in Christ.

1Ti 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 

1Ti 2:2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

The Truth is always making us free today and every day, and we know the Truth:

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

Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 

 We have certain expectations and promises in this life:

2Ti 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 

1Pe 4:14  If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 

Heb 13:14  For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. 

We do not worry about tomorrow; we focus on the trials given to us today that we may overcome and obey the Lord.   He is our strength and guardian as we are the apple of His eyes.

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. 

Mat 10:30  But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 

Mat 10:31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. 

There is a great reward promised to us. It is the Promise of eternal life, and eternal life is to know THEM [Father and Son].

Joh 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Our reward is the reward of the inheritance:

Col 3:23  And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 

Col 3:24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 

Rev 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 

2Jn 1:8  Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

We shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven if we teach and obey Christ:

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. 

We want to be known by Christ and the Father and do not want to depart from the Living 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. 

Luk 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? 

We want to be God’s own people, by His design in this life.

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. 

Mat 19:17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 

1Co 7:19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.

The writer of Hebrews warns us not to depart from the Living God, that is, the Gospel and the Commandments.

Heb 3:12  Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 

Heb 3:13  But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

We rejoice in this commandment to obey every ordinance as we do for all the Commandments.  They, the Living Christ is keeping us safe and making us worthy to stand in His Presence:

Rom 13:1  Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 

 

 

 

Articles

The One True Gospel

Peter

Revealing the Gospel of Jesus Christ

We give thanks and praise to the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ for their mercy in revealing and planting the one true Gospel into our hearts.   Blessed are the eyes of all who see and the ears who hear this teaching of the Gospel. It is only those chosen of God who are being saved in every generation to whom the gift of faith comes and who see and hear the Gospel.

Mat 13:17  For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. 

Few are given to know the truth regarding the mystery of the kingdom of God.  The words of Scripture hide the truth in plain sight, and only those whom the Lord opens their spiritual ears and eyes hear and see the mystery.

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

We spend years searching the Scriptures, gleaning knowledge, and yet we readily miss the real power and mystery of godliness. A day comes when the Living Word, the Lord, comes to our flesh, and we are awakened to the life-changing truth.

1Ti 3:16  And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh [YOU], justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Jesus Christ came preaching the Gospel, which, in turn, has become the mission of all the Lord’s disciples since Pentecost. Preaching the Gospel has a deeper, more impactful meaning than just proclaiming the “good news” of salvation through Jesus Christ. To be delivered from our sinful ways, we need the second coming of Christ with the fire that begins to change our hearts.

Joh 16:7  Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 

Joh 16:8  And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 

Here, the Promise was spoken in the prophets.

Eze 36:27  And I will put my spirit [my Commandments, the Spirit of Grace] within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. 

The Living Commandments

The Spirit of Christ, His living and active Word, is given in the fullness of time for every man.  Thus begins our baptism by the fire of the living Word [The Grace], which is judging us in the last day.

Heb 4:12  ESV For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 

The Father’s Commandments are alive in Christ, and so it is for us, His Christ.

Joh 6:57  NKJV As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me [My Commands] will live because of Me. 

The Scriptures show that many walk away from Christ when told they need to eat [obey] the Commandments.  Christ becomes an affront to the wants and desires of flesh and carnal minds.  The living God and His Word, meaning the Commandments, are the fire that takes root within God’s temple.  By abiding in this fire, we are abiding in this Gospel, and are receiving the Promise of God. It is very good news.

2Co 6:16  And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

The Lord’s people are set apart and have been separated unto the Gospel by the Spirit of holiness.  We are being raised from the spiritual dead by the living Commandments that live within our hearts and minds.  The Commandments awaken us to righteousness and bring us up from the grave.  Our life is being made new.

Rom 6:5  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:  

Jesus Christ is the resurrection, meaning His Commandments are what is, was, and will be resurrected in us in the times appointed.

Joh 11:25  Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 

Joh 11:26  And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

While all Scripture is good to make us wise unto salvation, it is specifically the Commandments of the Lord that are life eternal.  As Christ is, so are His people [1Jo 4:17].  As the Father sends the Lord, He also sends us to do the same [Joh 20:21].  What did Christ do?  The Lord only speaks what the Father gives Him to speak, which are the Father’s Commandments.

Joh 12:49  For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 

Joh 12:50  And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

This truth has always been there; we cannot see it until the Lord comes and sends us forth as His flaming ministers.

Psa 119:172  My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy Commandments are righteousness. 

The way to the tree of life is through the Lord’s Commandments because eternal life is only found in the Commandments. The angels of God, His Elect, guard the way and hold the swords and minister to those whom the Lord draws to Himself [The Christ, His Body].  The Commandments are the tree of life, now taking root in our hearts.

Gen 3:24  So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life. 

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 truth is twisted by carnal men throughout the ages.  Nobody is saving themselves by the strength of their flesh.  It is the Spirit of God, working holiness within by raising up the Commandments in us, His holy temple.  The Holy Spirit that is given to us is the Spirit of Holiness; it is the Commandments that make us holy and raise us from the dead.

Rom 1:4  And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: 

The Spirit teaches us, working holiness within through His incorruptible Commandments that are mighty Words of power.

1Pe 1:22  Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 

1Pe 1:23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. [within us]

The simplicity of the Gospel in bringing salvation has always been there, awaiting the Lord to open our eyes of understanding to take hold of it.  When we look at these fiery words, we are being saved.  Through the Gospel, we partake of the power of His resurrection, as Christ is being formed within us.  We endure this process to the end, having no confidence in the flesh.  The power of the indwelling Commandments does the work, not our flesh.

Php 3:9  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 

Php 3:10  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 

We are hated by all flesh when we preach Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. When we speak of the resurrection, we are speaking of the raising up of Christ, His Commandments, within us.  It is for our stance on the resurrection, meaning our stance on the Commandments, that we are being spoken of as evil. We are called into question by the religious scribes and rulers of Israel, as was Paul.

Act 24:21  Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, touching the resurrection of the dead, I am called in question by you this day. 

The real trials and the persecution promised to those in Christ come when we believe and preach the Gospel, which is the Word of Commandments.  Then the fire gets hot, and we are being purified as we endure to the end.  The living Commandments planted and grown within us are the roots needed to endure; otherwise, weak flesh readily falls away when tested.

Mar 4:17  And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended. 

The Gospel is Christ, and the coming of His Word to live and dwell within us.  It is this Gospel that we are given the faith to believe, which is saving us as we strive with the Body.

Php 1:27  Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; 

This Gospel, being the living Commandments taking root in our hearts, is a profound yet simple truth.  It is a stunning revelation when our eyes are opened to see the truth.  Let’s review some Scriptures that speak to the Gospel, and may your eyes be enlightened to see the Commandments as the centerpiece.

It is for the sake of the Gospel that we are losing our lives.  Said another way, it is because of the Commandments of the Lord that we lay down our old life to minister to His Body. Submitting to the Commandments is submitting to the Lord and is laying down our lives to serve Him.

Mat 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. 

The Gospel is the power unto salvation:  It is the Commandments of the Lord, the living Word, planted within us, that is the fire saving us.  We now dwell in the fire of the Living God, and He is judging, chastening, and remaking all things in our lives.

Rom 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 

Joh 1:12  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 

It is God’s elect who are given the faith to believe and to whom He comes to make His abode with the living Word, the Commandments ruling in the kingdom of God.  The power of the Gospel and the Holy Spirit is come to us.

1Th 1:4  Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. 

1Th 1:5  For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. 

1Th 1:6  And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: 

When the Commandments of the Lord take root in our hearts, the Promise is come. Jesus Christ is now come in our flesh, and the morning star is arisen. The power of God unto salvation and resulting judgment from the Commandments has now fallen on the house of God.

2Th 1:10  When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. 

2Th 1:11  Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: 

It is known as the Gospel of Grace: 

Act 20:24  But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

We are saved by this grace [judgment] that comes by way of the Commandments that burn up everything defiling His Temple.

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

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

The implanted Commandments are the two-edged sword that executes the grace of God in our lives.  It is the fire that seasons us like salt.

Mar 9:49  For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. 

The gospel of Christ is the blessing:  The good news is Christ, and when we embrace His words, we are being saved and are blessed above all men.

Rom 15:29  And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

The blessing of the Lord is spiritual, not of the flesh, and is received when His Commandments take root in our heaven (mind).

Eph 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 

The Gospel is to be preached.  Our preaching is teaching and focuses on the Lord’s Commandments.  The Lord gives the increase in due time to those destined to receive it.

Mat 28:19  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in my name: [my Commandments, my fire]

Mat 28:20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.

We preach Christ, and Him crucified, meaning His Commandments and our dying to them. We no longer corrupt the Commandments by adding to them or taking away from them. We take great care to keep our bread pure and undefiled, not receiving the grace of God in vain.

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

The Gospel is to be believed:  Many hear the Gospel, they taste of it, but do not believe the Gospel, as they lack the requisite faith.  Thus, the power of God unto salvation does not do its work in this age.  We are not entering into the rest of Christ unless we believe His Commandments with our whole heart.

Heb 4:2  For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. 

Heb 4:3  For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 

Anytime we think of Jesus Christ, we need to be thinking of Him as the Spirit of the Living Word, not the Jesus in the flesh.  Christ, the living Commandments, come to make their abode with us in His holy temple, which temple we are.

2Co 5:16  Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 

It is called the Gospel of peace: The subtle confirmations of what the Gospel really means are throughout the Scriptures.

Rom 10:15  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

The Prince of Peace dwelling in us is the Commandments that we do not argue or debate, we just do them. We rest in His peace and cease from our own works and carnal reasonings.

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. 

The Gospel is to be obeyed.  This attribute is a huge confirmation of what the Gospel truly represents.  Good news indeed when we are given not only to believe the gospel but also to obey it.  Believing and obeying are the same end product of our faith and require our suffering in the flesh.

Rom 10:16  But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

With the living Commandments in our hearts, judgment has fallen upon the house of God.  Thus, we know what happens when we disobey; the flaming fire that is His grace brings judgment and correction.

2Th 1:8  In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

The Commandments of the Lord are the plumbline that judges us in our day of the Lord.  That day is now if we belong to the household of God.

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?

The Gospel is the power and mystery of God, which had been kept secret since the world began and is now revealed unto us by the Lord’s mercy. With new spiritual eyes, we see this mystery proclaimed everywhere in the Scriptures made known to us to bring about obedience to the faith.

Rom 16:25  Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 

Rom 16:26  But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: 

We are commanded to live the gospel and not only preach it, becoming a doer of the Word.  We deceive ourselves and are hypocrites when we say one thing and do another.  Disciples indeed continue in the Word and live the Gospel by obeying the Lord.

1Co 9:14  Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

Jas 1:22  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 

We are warned about many false gospels, deceitful workers, and false Christs. But there is only one true Gospel that Paul preached. The Lord winnows the flock, separating unto Himself the remnant being saved, and uses deceitful workers who corrupt the Commandments to create division by their heresies. The corruption and leavening of the Commandments are the “other gospels” Paul warned about. Many are turned away, and the faithful few continue following the true Christ.

Gal 1:6  I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 

Gal 1:7  Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

Gal 1:8  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 

Paul preached the Gospel and did not baptize many people.  Paul spent little time teaching doctrines outside of the Commandments.  The baptism of John teaches us true knowledge of God and brings repentance as the first step in following the Lord. Yet a second baptism, the one of fire, which changes our hearts, is necessary for salvation and to complete the process of being born again.   We now preach the Gospel as the focus of ministry, knowing that embracing and carrying our cross is the way of salvation.

1Co 1:17  For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words [spewing knowledge], lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 

Paul preached the cross, meaning dying daily in the devouring fire of the Lord’s Commandments, laying down our old life.  Paul preached Christ (and His Christ) crucified, focusing on the power of God through the living Commandments. To those focused on knowledge [the Jews], this is a stumbling block, and to the carnally minded [the Greeks], it is foolishness.

1Co 1:18  For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 

1Co 1:23  But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 

False gospels do not focus on the cross, the sufferings, the loss, the afflictions, the persecution for the Word, and the many tribulations we endure in becoming a living sacrifice. False gospels do not give glory or focus on the Commandments of the Lord, but rather glorify men and profit the flesh, being about their riches of knowledge.

Dwelling in the Fire:

Believing in the indwelling Commandments is our dwelling in the fire that is the Word.  This is how we are being remade into a new creation.      

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

The commands of Christ, the living Word within, is the devouring fire that makes its abode with the people of God.  One can study the law and the prophets for years as the Scribes and Pharisees did, and we have in our former fellowships.  We can understand all the history, types, and shadows of the Old Testament and still not know the Lord.  And here is why.

Joh 5:38  And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. 

Joh 5:39  Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 

Joh 5:40  And ye will not come to me [my Word, my Commandments], that ye might have life. 

Flesh does not like thinking or talking about the Commandments; it is simply too hot.  Flesh wants to study or talk about everything else.  Yet our abiding in the Lord’s Commandments, the living Word, is the way we attain eternal life and receive the desired overcoming.  The living Word, rising within us, becomes the guiding light, making our paths straight.

Psa 119:105  Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

If we are in the Commandments [Christ], the living Word is judging us now.  When we err from His ways, the fire gets hotter when judgment has come upon the house of the Lord.  Thus, our hearts are being established with grace and not with meats (doctrine, knowledge)

Rom 5:20  Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 

In the end, all that matters is a new creation, as knowledge and prophecy pass away in due time.  Paul often wrote about this singular focus of our walk in Christ.

2Co 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 

We are admonished to examine ourselves when we fall so we can hasten the appearing of Christ in all our behavior.

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? 

When the mystery of this Gospel is revealed in our hearts, we go from warming ourselves by the fire of the Word to being cast directly into the fire.  That day is today, as the morning star, the light and fire that is the Spirit of Jesus Christ, His Commandments take hold of our hearts.  The Son (the Commandments) is risen upon our earth and in the kingdom of God.

Rev 22:16  I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. 

Receiving this Gospel, we are resurrected from the spiritually dead.  It is the Commandments, Jesus Christ, who has arisen in our hearts. It is the beginning of the blessed and first holy resurrection.  The fullness is yet to come, but we have a powerful deposit right now.

2Pe 1:19  NKJV And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts

Paul said the same thing to the Romans.  Our obedience, which is the love of God, is being shed in our hearts.  This is the work of the living and active Commandments, the indwelling Word of God, that brings salvation.

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 day star is the power of God bringing salvation.   We struggle to overcome, yet are admonished to be patient and hold fast until this star, the Commandments of Christ, arise in our hearts.

Rev 2:25  But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. 

Rev 2:28  And I will give him the morning star. 

It is in the Lord’s Body, also known as His holy mountain, and our fellowships with brethren, where the words of Jesus Christ are elevated, and we are looking to Him.  We abide in the Lord’s courts, a place of judgment by the Word. It is a far better place to be than anywhere else.  It is here in Zion, the holy city of New Jerusalem [not the old Jerusalem that is Sodom], where the congregation of the saints abide in the devouring fire and are sins are being taken away.

Psa 84:9  Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed. [Christ and His Christ]

Psa 84:10  For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. 

Psa 84:11  For the LORD God [via His Commandments] is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. 

The Gospel is good news, but not to the flesh, as the Words of Christ are Spirit.   The good news is the coming of the Living Christ in us, the hope of glory.  The Gospel is spoken of as a mystery, as few are given to see the truth in every generation.  We are not worthy of the honor the Lord has now given us to preach these marvelous truths boldly.  Yet we cannot stay quiet in the face of the Lord revealing the mystery of His Gospel.  Our focus is now on the Gospel as we minister among the saints by proclaiming the mystery hidden for ages.

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: 

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:

The one true Gospel is only received by the revelation of Jesus Christ. We preach it to those prepared to hear it, and only the Lord gives the increase. Like all truth and good gifts, they come from the Lord.  Only the Lord can open eyes to see the depth and breadth of the good news that is His Gospel.

Receive ye the Gospel.  We labour and suffer reproach for trusting in these Commandments, the true Gospel of the living God.

The mystery of God is finished.  The voice of the seventh angel is beginning to sound. The day of the Lord is upon all who hear, and our redemption draws near.