persecution - One True Gospel

A Young Man Flees Persecution

April 22, 2026May 4, 2026 Peter

Keeping Our Linen Cloth

Peter and Rohnel, servants of God, to the elect of God who share our precious faith; grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

We have conducted several studies on the cost of following Jesus Christ. A recent comprehensive study on these costs can be found by clicking HERE. Many who start the walk are unable to bear the increasing costs and stop following Christ. This means they stop obeying the Commandments when the cost is too high. They slip back into their carnal reasoning about what is right versus wrong in the trials the Lord brings.

Ultimately, all things must be forsaken. “Disciples indeed” are those made willing to pay the price and continue to pay it every day as they grow in the grace and knowledge of God. The rich young ruler who knew the truth had not the faith to follow Christ when given the opportunity to choose.

Mat 19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Mat 19:25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

Mat 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Mat 19:27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?

To be saved in this age, we are continuing to the end and finishing our race.

Mat 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Joh 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

Our journey is one of patience and is an ongoing war with many battles. It is a fight not to be pulled off the course of faith that leads to the finish line.

2Ti 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

Anything that weighs us down and distracts us from Christ needs to go from our lives. We learn patience in overcoming, and we are caused by the Lord to leave behind many things we once enjoyed and loved.

Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us

Lord willing, we endure, persevere, and continue no matter the costs. It is all up to God, who determines all things, to drag us to Christ and enable us to continue all the way to the finish line. We of ourselves can do nothing.

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

This introduction brings us to the story and parable that is our focus in this short study. When Christ was being arrested and persecuted, which led to His crucifixion, the yet carnal disciples all forsook Christ and fled away. In Mark’s Gospel, we have the added detail of a man who had followed Christ and His disciples at a distance, observing, who encountered the same persecutors and likewise fled.

Mar 14:50 And they all forsook him, and fled.

Mar 14:51 And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:

Mar 14:52 And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.

This story is a parable that reflects that many, in fact, most, fall away and do not continue with Christ. When hard trials come, they lose their covering and flee naked. Obeying the Commandments [Christ] comes with a price and many worldly troubles.

Joh 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

The linen cloth spoken of here that had covered the young man is also our burial cloth. It is the righteousness of the saints that comes by the faith of Jesus Christ that is given to us. By His faith, we are imputed as righteous, which covers our nakedness even before we are matured and overcome our sin. Those who strive to obey the Gospel are being baptized into Christ’s death. The Lord’s fleshly body was likewise laid to rest with a burial cloth.

Mat 27:59 And when Joseph had taken the body [of Christ], he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth

The burial cloth is the fine linen of the saints, symbolizing death to our carnal minds and sin. The result of walking by faith is our obeying the Lord and bearing fruit unto righteousness. We do this in spite of enduring the hatred and rejection of the carnal world that is promised to be experienced. We are entering into the true Sabbath rest for the people of God. We no longer run in the same dissipations as the world, being dead to it, its lust and ways of thinking. Wearing the linen cloth is walking in Christ’s doctrine, the Commandments, which we only do by the Lord’s mercy and gifts and calling of God.

Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

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:

Our affection is now on the things above. We are dead, and our life is hid with Christ.

Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

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

Being young in the true faith, when persecutors first arise, we flee Christ and drop the linen cloth and run away naked in spirit. We are not ready to bear the cost or take the heat that comes with standing for all of the Commandments. The Living Christ, the Commandments, are thus forsaken, symbolized by dropping the linen cloth. We do not abide in the spiritual fire that is the Living Christ.

Mat 13:20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;

Mat 13:21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

Yet Christ comes again in the power of the Spirit and gives us the Promise when the Holy Spirit dwells in our hearts. The soil in due time is properly prepared for every man, and Christ comes again, the second time for salvation. We are thus able to bear the reproach and rejection of the world, pay the costs, and follow Christ.

1Pe 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

Carnal minds readily try to talk us out of laying it all down in obedience to Christ and trusting fully in God’s provision. A carnal Peter was rebuked as we all are in our time and reminded of what following Christ entails.

Mat 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

Mat 16:22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

Mat 16:23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

Mat 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Many follow Christ for a while, then begin making excuses for why they are unable to continue and desire to take a break. Even seemingly good reasons, like saying goodbye to those we once knew and are very fond of in the flesh, are carnal reasonings that have us dropping our linen cloth, leaving Christ’s Commandments, which is our covering. We do not go back to bury the dead, meaning those of the world. We do not cease following Christ to bid them farewell. We follow the Lord here and now, paying the price and suffering the loss and rejection that come along with it. If we turn back after having begun well, we are not fit for the kingdom of God.

Luk 9:57 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

Luk 9:58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

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

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

Luk 9:61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.

Luk 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Our old life is completely lost to follow Christ. Nothing is standing in the way of following Him completely in faith, trusting in His promises and Commandments. Those marked to remain faithful in this age are separated from those who are not. The faithful to the end overcome the enemies of God, all of the world’s and our own carnal thoughts and reasonings about what is good.

Rev 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

The Commandments become the divider, the instrument, the sword that separates us into a holy people set apart from everyone else. Few there be shall find the way.

Mat 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

Mat 10:35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

Mat 10:36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.

Mat 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

Mat 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

Mat 10:39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

When persecutors come to test our faith, the Lord uses our own house, our family, our loved ones, and our physical and spiritual brethren. We remain watchful for the Lord to come with these heavy trials so we are found obedient and do not flee when the going gets tough. Do we love Christ more than anything? This is a trial and a test we are given many times.

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

Those who endure to the end are separated for the Lord’s purposes. Our salvation and anointing in this age come with great costs and sacrifice. If we are marked for salvation in this age, our initial reaction of fleeing and dropping our linen cloth as a young person in the faith when persecution comes is replaced with our standing in obedience and bearing the cost. We are dead to the world and willingly suffer the reproach, the loneliness, the loss of relationships we once valued. The Commandments comfort and strengthen us not the things of the flesh.

Psa 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

The Lord is in charge, and anything we leave behind remains in His hands, and we need not reason in our minds about the future. We just obey the Lord today.

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

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

Standing in faith has us believing that all things, even things that seem unloving to the flesh, are in the hands of the Lord. Those marked to be faithful to the end, accept these sufferings and keep looking forward, and do not turn back in unbelief. All aspects of our old life are being lost and left behind. We remember Lot’s wife and do not turn back, keeping our linen cloth, our faith in the Gospel, and remaining followers of Christ. We do not take the old life or anything from it into the new life.

Luk 17:31 In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.

Luk 17:32 Remember Lot’s wife.

Our everlasting treasure is our knowledge of Jesus Christ, which we continue to grow into as we mature in the faith. We do mourn when we lose many things, but our mourning will turn into joy.

We do what God commands even if it gets us thrown into a lion’s den or a fiery furnace. We expect these trials and know they are what is perfecting us and remaking us. They are necessary for the work of God to be completed in us.

Mal 3:3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.

Isa 48:10 Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.

The fire does not harm the new man coming forth and we are trusting the Lord and learning to rejoice in what He is doing.

Rev 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Studies

Blessed is the Man of God

December 10, 2025December 16, 2025 Rohnel

Rejoice in the Blessings Making us New

Rohnel and Peter, the servants of Jesus Christ, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.

Rom 15:5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:

Rom 15:6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2Sa 22:47 The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.

Keep My Commandments

Jer 7:23 But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.

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

Blessed is the Man

As Christ’s chosen people, we are being blessed with innumerable spiritual blessings that further the Lord’s work in bringing salvation from our sins. As the Israel of God, we are blessed far beyond what we first know. Reminding ourselves of these many blessings is the focus of this study. Blessings are poured out when we are given to know the joyful sound of the Gospel we have heard and which we now strive to walk therein in the light thereof.

Psa 89:15 Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.

We become the blessed of God by receiving many blessings from the hand of the Lord. The Lord teaches His disciples from the mount by speaking the Commandments of the Father, known as the Gospel of Good News. When we receive these words, we are blessed and chosen to receive a multitude of blessings. Here are some Commandments and fruits of the Spirit that the blessed people of God exhibit.

Mat 5:1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

Mat 5:2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mat 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Mat 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Our flesh, the natural man within us, never appreciates the Lord’s blessings that bring forth a new man in the image of the Commandments. It is through these various blessings that we are being made holy and blameless.

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:

Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

The Living Christ blesses us by making His abode in us and feeding us the Bread of Life, the Commandments, which save us from sin.

Psa 132:13 For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.

Psa 132:14 This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.

Psa 132:15 I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread.

As Job experienced, the blessed of God encounter miserable, carnally minded comforters within and without, telling us we are anything but blessed because of the seemingly endless trials and afflictions we endure. Walking by faith and not by sight, the Lord’s people ignore the wisdom of the world within and without and rather stand on the Promises of Christ, which is the power of God that is the Commandments. The Lord’s Commandments are wisdom and understanding brought to those chosen to see, hear, and understand the mystery of the Gospel in every age. Solomon, as a type of God’s Elect, is granted wisdom and knowledge to judge the nations [thoughts]. Only the Commandments of Christ bring true riches, wealth, and honour. Think spiritually about every word in the Scriptures. After faith comes, wisdom and understanding are given to us.

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 1:19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

2Ch 1:11 And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king:

2Ch 1:12 Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.

The true blessings of God are the experiences that mould and reshape us into a holy and set-apart people, being remade into His likeness. It is always a fiery process that begins when judgment has fallen upon the house of God. As we grow in maturity, we, at times, grow weary and do not feel blessed; thus, we need to be reminded often of what the Lord is working in us through affliction. It is through difficult trials that we learn to walk by faith, leaning on the comfort of our faith and the treasure and power that are the Living Commandments. These words do not read like blessings, but they are the greatest blessings we have ever received.

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

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

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

2Co 1:9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:

Maturing on the Lord’s timeline, we learn to be thankful for everything, knowing we are reaping the blessings of God. The faith of Christ, that is to say, the Father’s Commandments, is what keeps us safe and protected from the snares of the devil.

Eph 5:20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

When the Lord has mercy and opens our spiritual eyes and ears to His Gospel, the Commandments, our blessings have only begun.

Mat 13:16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

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.

The revelation of Christ within us comes when we are given spiritual eyes to hear the Living Christ and thus begin to fulfill the prophecies of the Book. When the Lord comes into our lives and begins to work His work in us, which is to raise us from spiritual death, the time is henceforth at hand, and we are now blessed above all the peoples of the earth as we are being made holy in His image.

Rev 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

Rev 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

Deu 7:6 For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.

With eyes now open to see the Commandments, the blessings of God are all about our sanctification, which is God’s will. We are sanctified and blessed when we are cleansed of all things that defile, being washed by the water of the Commandments, which is preparing us to receive the Spirit of Christ into our hearts.

Psa 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

It is the Lord’s work to accomplish this, as our hearts are circumcised by the Commandments that are the living Christ. A circumcised heart is a clean heart that has been washed by the Spirit of Christ that dwells in us.

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:

The Lord promises to hasten His work in us. To hasten means to speed up, to finish, to make short work upon the earth. We are the earth. The Lord rewards those who diligently seek Him. The more we come to the Commandments, the greater blessings we receive from the Lord, and His work in us is hastened.

Isa 60:21 Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.

Isa 60:22 A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time.

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

When the Lord comes for salvation, we are continually blessed as the Lord is always present with us. The Lord promises never to leave or forsake us. Christ, our able minister and high Priest, is always there to bless us and bring that which is lacking in our faith. The ways of Christ are never changing, even in our latter-day visitation, as the OT shadows declare.

Deu 4:30 When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice;

Deu 4:31 (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.

The Commandments we know and meditate about, and which live in our hearts and minds, is our Helper. We are blessed even as our flesh pines.

Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Heb 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

We are also blessed because the Lord hears and answers our prayers, made according to His will. In the Day of the Lord, we are being taught to pray for anything according to His will, and we shall receive it.

Psa 34:17 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

Joh 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

Joh 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

Christ blesses us richly as it brings about His will and glorifies God, the Father. We therefore have full assurance that He is providing what we ask for, not asking amiss, but asking rightly according to His will. The Lord deeply cares for us.

2Co 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Psa 84:4 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.

1Pe 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

The blessings of being in Christ and in the Father are the exercising of our faith that, in time, enable us to stand through the trials, to have our faith proven, and see the remaking progress and the new temple of the Living God constructed. When we hearken unto the Lord’s Voice, many blessings are being poured out upon us. Here is the OT shadow of what is being said.

Deu 28:2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.

Deu 28:3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.

Deu 28:4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.

Deu 28:5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store. .

Deu 28:6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.

The Lord’s blessings are not what flesh desires. The blessings of God reserved for His chosen people in the Day of the Lord are to make them perfect. It is not about the flesh being profited when the Lord is guiding us towards life aionios, which is God, the Father, and Christ within us. We live by every word of God until all is fulfilled.

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

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.

Blessed are we when judgment comes to us by the mercy of God that has opened our eyes to the Gospel, visiting us with salvation. We rejoice and glory in our inheritance in the Spirit of Christ.

Psa 106:3 Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times.
Psa 106:4 Remember me, O LORD, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation;
Psa 106:5 That I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheritance.

Christ’s purpose in saving us is not to make us comfortable in this world. Instead, He is calling us out of the world, within and without, to become a set-apart people unto Himself. Thus, it is through the faith of Christ given to us that we know the Lord’s plan and are glad. Blessing has come upon the house of God, and this requires enduring the chastening and affliction of our Heavenly Father as we are taught His Commands.

Psa 94:12 Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;

In judgment, the Lord brings temptations and trials and corrects us when we err and rewards us when we obey. In the same way a natural father loves and grows His children, so does our Lord. We come to rejoice and see our chastening and judgment as a blessing.

1Pe 1:6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

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:

Thinking of our trials as God, the Father, and Christ views them helps us identify and take captive an ungrateful, complaining spirit within ourselves. Who are the blessed people of God? To know this gives us a different perspective on our trials, which is the work of the Commandments, the rod of God that comforts the new man and destroys the old. The rod of God is the Comforter, the Living Commandments.

Psa 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Isa 40:1 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.

Isa 40:2 Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD’S hand double for all her sins.

When the Commandments come, we begin to eat the meat of the Gospel that is our understanding of the Father’s Commandments and ways, with gladness. Our heart is singularly focused on obeying the Lord and pleasing our Heavenly Father.

Act 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

The blessed people of God are the chosen few who come out of the many called in Christ’s name. Anyone blessed by God has become so not because of anything they do but solely because they have been chosen for salvation in this age. Christ causes us to dwell in His courts of judgment. It is in His house where spiritual fruit is being established, and we are being grown into the likeness of Christ.

Psa 65:4 Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.

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

We do not obey the Lord to get a reward; instead, our obedience and the blessing are because the Lord has chosen us to place His Commandments in our hearts and minds. The living Commandments are the cause of our obedience, and they come to us by the election of grace and none of our own works.

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.

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 . But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

The Lord puts the desire, the hunger to seek Him, and the zeal for His house into our hearts and minds. This zeal is the Commandments and is the blessing that IS come upon the remnant being saved in every age. The election by grace works to fill us with Christ’s righteousness in due time.

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

Being loved by the world and being spoken well of by men is not a blessing. Following Christ means the world will hate and revile us, as they esteem not the Commandments. Blessed are we when we are spoken evil of and persecuted for righteousness’ sake, which means standing in the Commandments. Our blessing is to have the mind of Christ and the trials that this mind produces. Swift rejection and persecution upon the true sons of God, obeying Christ’s Commandments, who do not follow after the traditions of men, is to be expected. We learn to rejoice in this rejection and to see it as the confirmation of the Lord’s Presence and His Commandments at work in our lives.

Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Php 1:28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

Psa 7:1 O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:

Being divided, separated from, and rejected by the carnal world within and without is a necessary blessing to become mature in Christ. This variance with others is to be expected, and we know it is our saving grace to be separated from the world.

Deu 33:16 And for the precious things of the earth and fulness thereof, and for the good will of him that dwelt in the bush: let the blessing come upon the head of Joseph, and upon the top of the head of him that was separated from his brethren.

Deu 33:17 His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth: and they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh.

Mar 10:29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s,

Mar 10:30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.

This isolation is painful at first, yet the sons of God rejoice when their worldly goods are plundered. Spiritually, this means that our so-called spiritual riches, without the Lord’s Commandments, are spoiled. The Lord destroys all when He comes with His Commandments that are the true knowledge of God. All of our knowledge without Christ and the idols of our hearts are spoiled and come to nothing. Read the parable of the rich young ruler in the Gospels.

Jer 2:13 For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

Jer 2:14 Is Israel a servant? is he a homeborn slave? why is he spoiled?

Jer 2:15 The young lions roared upon him, and yelled, and they made his land waste: his cities are burned without inhabitant.

Mat 19:20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

Mat 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

Php 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

Being separated from the world, the sons of God are no longer partaking in the lusts of the flesh, which is the law of sin in our members. We become dead to these lusts and mortify them through the blessings of God, the Commandments we have received, and seek after. The Lord promises us the kingdom of Heaven, which is Christ in us, the Hope of Glory. “Sell that you have” are spiritual words meaning to seek and hold fast to the incorruptible treasure of God’s Commandments.

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

Luk 12:33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

The fear of the Lord is a profound blessing that is likened unto a treasure. We learn the fear of the Lord by the favor [grace] of the Lord, which is put upon us. The fear of the Lord is taught us by the Commandments we hearken unto that are judging us.

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

Where sin abounds, the living grace of God abounds even more. When grace has come, the wonderful work of the Lord to the children of men has come, and we are learning obedience by the things we are given to suffer.

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

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

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

Fearing God is a blessing as it keeps us in subjection to the Commandments and empowers us to endure and suffer in our flesh until salvation comes.

1Pe 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

1Pe 4:2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

Taught by our many trials and temptations, the fear of the Lord, that is to say, obedience to His Commandments, becomes our treasure. The Commandments and ur striving to keep them become our treasure and the purpose of our lives.

Isa 33:6 Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times, And the strength of salvation; The fear of the LORD is His treasure.

The blessings of God bring the Power of God, the Commandments, into our hearts, which keep the fear of God before us at all times. The result is eternal life IS to know the Father and Christ intimately, becoming one Spirit.

Joh 17:2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

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 experience of evil is a blessing, and the Lord uses it to show us our sins and to turn our hearts back to the Commandments for salvation. Despite much suffering, we are trusting in the Lord who promises to bless the latter end with salvation of His people. We learn from Job’s evil experience that the end of the matter is better than the beginning for all of God’s people.

Ecc 1.3 CLV I applied my heart to inquiring and exploring by wisdom concerning all that is done under the heavens: it is an experience of evil Elohim has given to the sons of humanity to humble them by it.

Job 42:12 So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning:

Those to whom Christ chooses and raises from the dead become His Priests and Ministers who preach the Gospel. The walk of faith brings shame as all our sins are exposed by the light. For all the shame we endure, the Lord blesses us with a double portion, and we inherit the earth and obtain everlasting joy.

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.

Isa 61:7 For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.

Isa 61:9 And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the LORD hath blessed.

Following Christ brings the blessing of God. We preach the true Gospel, and it is given back unto us. The man with ten talents was given even more because he was faithful with what he had been given [Matthew 25]. Christ rewards those who diligently seek Him and act upon their given measure of faith. We reap what we sow in obeying the Lord and are given even more of His Spirit.

Mat 25:29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

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

As our faith grows and overcoming increases, lasting spiritual fruit comes. We are learning patience and endurance, trusting in the Promises that are not yet manifest in our walk. Here is the due reward of the Lord’s blessings in the OT shadow:

Psa 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

The Holy Spirit that is the Living Christ is the blessing of living waters coming out of our bellies in our speech and our deeds.

Joh 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

Joh 7:39 But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Spirit was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.

The blessing of God, the Spirit of Christ, and the Living Commandments are the pure river of water that brings life. Now dwelling in us, His Temple, we shall always be yielding fruit when the Lord finishes the work in His chosen people.

Rev 22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
Rev 22:2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

The blessed sons of God have their sins forgiven. Those of the spiritual household of faith grow in maturity to know that their sins are being forgiven. Those sins are part of His good work that is, was, and will be perfecting us in the latter times.

Jer 31:34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

Rom 4:7 Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

Rom 4:8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

Thus, the promises of the New Covenant are being fulfilled in our lives.

Heb 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

Heb 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

By orchestrating our mistakes and sins, the Lord is humbling us, turning our hearts to Him and teaching us to forgive others and to extend mercy to those who do us wrong, rather than wrath. The Lord teaches us to be merciful by showing us just how much mercy we ourselves need. To have mercy is to open blind eyes and deaf ears. Think spiritually.

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

Mat 9:13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Pursuers of peace are the blessed of God. We learn through the Commandments of Christ to become angels of peace, entering into the true Sabbath’s rest. When we do His Commandments, we pursue peace with all men and do not judge another man’s servant. Violence, the carnal reasoning of the accusing and excusing mindset, is no longer heard in the land. The Prince of Peace now rules, the Commandments IS our government and authority. Think spiritually.

Isa 60:18 Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise.

Heb 12:14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:

The poor in Spirit are blessed, coming in the Lord’s Name. Through the trials of faith, the Lord mars us, destroying the old and bringing forth the new. We are poor in spirit, having forsaken all to follow the Commandments in full assurance of faith. As our man of sin is cast out, we become poor in spirit, which makes us rich in the heavenly realm as Christ within us is strong and IS overcome the world. As the blessed of God, His Christ, we now hold the keys of death and hell, which are the Living Commandments. What doors we shut, no man can open, and what doors we open, no man can shut. As He is, so are we.

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

Rev 3:7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

Rev 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

Christ, the Commandments are leading us in all things, and we come in the Lord’s Name. We are now the blessed sons of God being led by the Spirit of God, that is to say, His Commandments. We come now in His Name, having been redeemed.

Mat 23:39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

The true sons of God are promised a most wonderful blessing of the true tithe that comes with a Promise of blessing. The true tithe is the Gospel of Christ Jesus that we preach and obey. We live off the Gospel, the Commandments, and are abundantly blessed with the many things the Lord provides.

Mal 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

Zec 14:8 And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.

Zec 14:9 And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.

When we see ourselves living by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God, the Word, the Commandments, become alive. Judgment has come to our house, and we are now the blessed sons of God who can hear the Word and are led by the Spirit. The Living Christ in us is exalted, and the love of God is being spread abroad in our hearts as we are being taught of God.

Isa 33:5 The LORD is exalted; for he dwelleth on high: he hath filled Zion with judgment and righteousness.

Luk 11:28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

Salvation from all of our sins is the ultimate blessing and is finished when we are perfected by the hand of the Living Christ that dwells in us.

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.

Our chastening by the Lord brings these many blessings upon us. Our chastening is a spiritual blessing because it is the salvation of our souls. It is the end of our faith, entering into our rest on the true Sabbath.

Psa 94:12 Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;

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.

The Promise comes to those given the faith of Christ, and thus the Spirit of Grace is brought to us, and the result is blessing and the appearing of Christ in our deeds.

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

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

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

The trials of our faith are transforming us by exercising our spiritual senses as we grow into mature children of God. We are made accepted in the Beloved.

Jas 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

The Lord’s chastening tames our beastly nature, and we are learning to submit to the Lord. Gaining dominion over sin, little by little, we are inheriting the earth and standing upon the sea that represents our flesh and its many temptations.

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

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

Rev 15:2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.

Those attentive to the things of the Lord are the blessed ones. Like building muscle, our faith grows as we exercise it and endure and overcome the trials the Lord brings. We go from glory to glory and see Christ as He is. Watching and guarding our gates, taking all things captive contrary to the Lord’s Commandments, is what we are striving to do every day of our lives. These words are applicable as we are reading them today. Blessed are those who watch.

Mat 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Pro 8:34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.

Rev 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

Being watchful is a daily battle in which we rest from our carnal works but always work the work of God, which is the faith of Christ. As we are being sanctified, we see the Lord in us appearing more and more in due time. When we keep Christ’s Commandments, the Father loves us and makes His abode in us, and Christ [the Commandments] appear in our walk. Our hearts are being purified and made holy, which is the manifestation of God in our lives.

1Ti 6:14 that you keep commandments without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing,

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

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

Blessed are those who mourn because they are comforted. Our chastening involves much tribulation and anguish over which we mourn and lament. We suffer many losses in the flesh, and the emotional pain we are appointed to experience is a necessary part of the Lord’s plan. Eventually, we mature to look behind ourselves and rejoice in those sufferings. Being weak in the flesh, we mourn and lament for a season. Yet this blessing promises that we are being comforted, and a great joy, the joy of the Lord returns.

Isa 51:11 Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.

Psa 30:5 For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.

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

Patience is required, as none of us know the future or the Lord’s timeline for finishing His work in us. We strive daily to endure and overcome, knowing that we are the Lord’s workmanship. Those blessed of the Lord know there is always more work to be done in the kingdom of God and heed the admonishments of Paul.

Php 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

Php 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Like a farmer, we do all we can to stand, striving to be perfect. Yet we are at the mercy of the Lord to bring the necessary rain to grow the spiritual crop He plants within us. We learn to be patient as we wait on the Lord. Christ tells us it takes patience to bring home the crop.

Luk 8:15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

Luk 21:19 In your patience possess ye your souls.

Jas 5:7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

Jas 5:8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

Blessed are those who receive the fiery trials and their faith of Christ from the Lord’s Hand. As the Lord’s people, we are the blessed ones who can know it; who will believe our report? Only those shown mercy by the Lord hear us, and those precious few have the Lord’s Name, that is to say, His Commandments written in their forehead.

Psa 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

Those blessed and made holy have been resurrected from the spiritually dead, and henceforth we never taste of death even when we depart these clay vessels. We shall forever be with the Lord.

Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

The blessed of God in this age are the true sons of God who get their reward in down payment form now, as the Living Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Promise of Eternal Life has taken root in the kingdom of God within us.

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

We are strong in the Lord and endure. The required suffering and chastening are only for a season. The Lord’s ways are higher than ours, and we who now suffer have been counted worthy to receive the blessings of God.

Rev 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Rev 21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

Blessed are we to have the mind of Christ. Go to the truthinscripture.com website and look up Commandments in the top menu. We do not forget the Lord, else He denies us also. The Lord forgave us in times past, but the time of ignorance is over, having heard the true Gospel.

Jer 2:32 Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number.

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

We hope the Lord blesses all the Lord brought here to read and that He grants you understanding of His ways and purposes.

Receive ye the Gospel, receive ye the Holy Spirit.

Studies

The Cost of Following Christ

December 3, 2025December 3, 2025 Peter

Bearing Our Cross as Christ’s Disciples

Peter and Rohnel, servants of God to the scattered saints and pilgrims, elected of God, now being sanctified by the Gospel through faith, grace, and peace in the name of our Father and Lord Jesus Christ.

A disciple follows, and as chosen disciples of Jesus Christ, we are following the Lord. To say we are following the Lord means we are striving to obey all His commandments, because Christ is the Word. The costs required are very high, in terms of the loss to our flesh and carnal way of life. Understanding and being often reminded of these costs helps us prepare for the journey and be ready for the promised trials that test our discipleship.

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

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

The Lord tells us about the costs we bear. To follow the Lord and stay the course requires us to willingly embrace the suffering, affliction, and persecution that come with standing on the Commandments.

Luk 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

Luk 14:27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

We hate nobody in our hearts; we love all men by doing the Commandments. One way to understand it is to think of hating them as loving them less than Christ. We always put the Lord, the Commandments, first in everything we do and bear the consequences and reactions from a carnal world, including families that have been made deaf and spiritually blind by the hand of the Lord.

Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

We love our families and all men, and we do this by obeying the Lord. We hate the spiritual clothing of those who walk in the flesh, symbolizing their carnal works and bondage to spiritual death. Disciples take great care to remain separate and not run in the same excesses of riot and dissipation as the world. We save some from the fires of Gehenna, better known as hell, the inner torment of the carnal mind. We save them by obeying God, which is loving them in obedience, including teaching them the Gospel.

Jud 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Jud 1:22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:

Jud 1:23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

Christ’s disciples carry their cross all the way to death, believing that new life only comes from the death of the old. Our flesh does not profit.

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

As we follow Christ, walking with Him, we strive to obey the commandments, which is the Gospel being preached to us. Hearing the Gospel is the baptism by water that precedes our baptism of fire when the Promise comes in the appointed hour. Being washed by the commandments takes time and occurs when one stands for Christ and willingly bears others’ reproach, rejection, and persecution. True disciples are given strength to embrace these losses and endure the suffering to be counted worthy of His Name. It is a long journey, the remainder of our physical lives that we who believe in Him pursue at a significant cost.

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

Christ is to have the preeminence above all things, meaning that doing the commandments and loving God becomes our life’s purpose. Obeying God is loving the Lord with all your heart, mind, and soul. By keeping the commandments, we, by definition, love our neighbors and our families in Spirit. We as Christ have no respect of persons, treating and reacting to all men in the Spirit of Christ, the commandments. We no longer know any man after the flesh but only through the prism of the Gospel.

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.

Obeying Christ and loving Him is not just our top priority; it becomes our only priority. We are sent in the same manner that the Father sent Christ.

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

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

In the world, we are promised many tribulations as the flesh hates Christ. Our peace is the inward peace of Christ when we rest in the commandments and cease from our carnal works and thoughts. Obeying the commandments in the carnal world brings tribulation upon us. We gladly bear the reproach and rejection.

Joh 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Obeying the commandments costs us everything in the end. All is given up in obedience, and nothing is held back. We do not overcome the inward enemy, our sins, by making peace with them; they are destroyed at a great cost. As the Lord’s people, we are given the faith to lose everything we have, trusting in God’s power to finish the work in us and deliver us from all our enemies. Christ does not bring shame to His Name, and failure is not an option for those elected of God. All is to be forsaken.

Luk 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

Luk 14:29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,

Luk 14:30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

Luk 14:31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?

Luk 14:32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.

Luk 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

The Word of God living in us shall not fail. The Word finishes the work and prospers to whomever the Father sends it. The further we walk with the Lord in His Faith, the seed of Christ grows like the mustard tree. We grow in Christ and obtain great confidence to continue the journey, making war against our sins, even as the costs to our flesh continue to mount.

Heb 10:32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;

Heb 10:33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.

Heb 10:34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.

What are the costs of discipleship? When we begin our walk of faith, we have a limited view of the costs. We need to grow up in the knowledge and grace of God and mature into sons of God. It is easy to follow the other Jesus of orthodoxy, except in some countries that are aggressively anti-Christ, as there is little cost to be borne. Many become renowned and reap profit to the flesh, being well spoken of by many, and suffering is not in view. We all begin the walk seeking gains for our flesh, be it the esteem of man, acceptance, money, and other things that stoke the pride of life.

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,

Luk 6:26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you!

Our teacher, the Living Christ, comes, and then the true costs begin to be revealed when we receive the Gospel and ultimately the indwelling Spirit of Christ and the Father. We learn of these costs as we carry and ultimately die on our cross. Wisdom is found through the death of our flesh.

Job 28:12 But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding?

Job 28:13 Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living.

The flesh gets no reward as we now belong to God, and our sacrificed lives become our reasonable service. There is no reward except that which we have received, that is, the pearl of great price.

Isa 45:13 I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the LORD of hosts.

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.

Those marked to endure to the end keep the covenant and are counted faithful. Some who hear the Gospel and begin walking are unwilling to pay the full price to follow the Lord. When we hold back and lie to the Spirit, we are cut off from the living, as the Acts 5 parable of Ananias shows. All is to be given up as the Lord is jealous for us, demanding all of our hearts.

All things are being made new when we follow Christ, who is now leading us into all righteousness and judgment. We are being separated as a holy people unto the Lord, and all things we think, do, and say, even our interests, are being taken away and changed. To be made anew, we give up relations with family, friends we know and esteem in the clay. We forsake all things needed to follow the Lord. We do not allow anything to impede our walk in following Christ. Many fiery trials come to set us apart and disconnect us, and no longer engage in the affairs of the world.

1Pe 4:3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:

1Pe 4:4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

When Christ comes into our lives, division is the result. We are letting go of what the Lord is cutting off. The church Christ builds is separated, called out, and set apart from those who remain worldly and without the Gospel.

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

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

To those being saved by the Commandments, Christ is precious, but to those who do not believe or obey the Gospel, Christ is a rock of offense and a stumbling stone which separates and brings reproach.

Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Giving up the keeping of days, times, months, and years that all the world partakes in is a significant early step of our obedience. Yet the costs are much higher as we learn. The Lord demands our whole heart and mind, not just a portion. We have been redeemed, we now belong to Christ, and anything that is not of faith is required to be taken. Worldly interests, sports, hobbies, political discourse, carnal relationships, and anything that keeps us engaged in the world, pursuing its idols and interests, are removed in time.

1Jn 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

The Lord raises His elect up for the purpose of putting them into the ministry and sending them forth to preach the Gospel and do the greater works. There is little time, and we cannot serve two masters. The Lord brings trials and earthquakes into our lives to remove whatever is not of faith.

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

Heb 12:27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

As we follow Christ, those outside the faith no longer know us. We are not the same person; we have been transfigured, remade into a new vessel, with a new mindset and identity, having been transformed into sons of God. Rejoice and be thankful for the privilege and honor of being chosen to pay these costs now. We are the beloved sons of God, being remade.

1Jn 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

The Lord does not demand the full price until we are made ready and able to pay it, as we are clay in His hands. There is a process of growing in the faith and grace of God that matures us in Christ on His timeline. The Lord gives us the macro picture of expecting great tribulation but leaves out the details, which are unique to each person. Losing our old life and stepping into a new one is the hardest thing we are asked to endure. We endure many deceptions, false christs, but the elect are brought through all hardships, and He shortens the days for our sakes.

Mat 24:21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.

Mat 24:22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.

Mat 24:24 For false christs and false prophets [Christ without the Gospel of Commandments] will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

Mat 24:25 See, I have told you beforehand.

The Living Word of God is only revealed to us and in us as we can bear it according to our measure of faith and maturity. Once the Spirit of Truth comes, then our understanding of the totality of the costs required becomes clearer, and we are led further into the Kingdom as we are made able.

Joh 16:12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

Joh 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

When we seek the Lord, He is faithful to reveal to us what we need to know before the trials and hardships come. If we lack wisdom, seek Him and ask.

Isa 42:9 Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.

One of the hardest costs to understand and pay is separating from brethren we have walked with for a long time. This separation comes at the time of the harvest, that is, the “last days” after the Gospel has been preached and received. It is then that the separation of the wheat from the tares and/or the sheep from the goats is being done. The Lord winnows the flock, so only those ordained to be faithful to the end remain.

1Co 11:19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

As painful as paying these costs may be, they are the way to eternal life and coming to know Christ and the Father in Spirit and in Truth.

Mat 19:29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

There is no turning back for those chosen for salvation in this age. Remember Lot’s wife, who ceased following the angels of the Lord as she turned to look at Sodom. No man who begins working for the Lord and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God. When Christ brings great tribulation upon us after we see our man of sin, we are commanded not to look or go back or bring any abominable thing with us on the journey.

Mat 24:17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:

Mat 24:18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.

Isa 35:8 And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it

Separating from the unclean includes separating from those outside of the faith who bring us into bondage of their carnal reasonings. We are to remain separated and not be defiled and let anyone man steal our peace. Coming out of Babylon is separating ourselves within and without, from the unclean and the fornication, covetousness, and idolatry that is the world

Being Made Willing:

The Lord makes us willing to pay the costs, and that comes by the gift of His faith in God the Father. Only a chosen remnant escapes and is given the faith and zeal to continue to follow the Lord’s commandments and lose their old life. Eating Christ’s body and drinking His blood is about losing your flesh and carnal way of life to gain it by the resurrection of Jesus Christ within you.

Joh 6:53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.

The Gospel of commandments brings judgment and correction, and remakes us into sons of God, and is the true bread from heaven called the Bread of Life. We eat this bread every day in seeking the Kingdom of God within us to grow unto maturity. Christ is the bread of life that works righteousness and changes hearts and minds. Eating Christ’s bread is how we live, and eternal life is made manifest.

Joh 6:56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.

Joh 6:58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

Those who fall away, all by the design of God, are not made willing to pay the costs in this age. No man embraces Christ, the Commandments, except it is given of God the Father. Many disciples leave the narrow way and cease following the Lord, but disciples indeed continue in His Word.

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

Joh 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

Joh 6:67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?

Joh 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

The Lord puts a zeal for His house and His Spirit in us, making us willing to pay the cost, sell all we own, and follow after Him. Pay the cost, buy the Truth that is the living Christ dwelling in you. It comes with wisdom, instruction, and understanding unto righteousness.

Pro 23:23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

The Lord spoke two short parables about those who, by the mercy of God, find Him and receive the Gospel and sell everything to buy it.

Mat 13:44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

Mat 13:45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:

Mat 13:46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

Few are given the faith to make the sale and sell/forsake all for Christ. The parable of the Rich Young Ruler shows the refusal of the carnal mind to pay the full price to follow the Lord by treasuring one’s possessions, our knowledge over the Living Commandments. To be made perfect, all is let go, or else we cannot follow Christ and be His disciple.

Mat 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

Mat 19:22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

Mat 19:23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

All things are possible if the Lord chooses, and even a rich man can enter into the Kingdom, being made willing to forsake all and pay the costs.

Mat 19:25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

Mat 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Without paying the full price and giving up our lives, we are not saved from our sins. Without shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin. We are saved when we suffer in the flesh and strive against sin and pay these high costs to obey the Lord.

Heb 12:4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

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

Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

The resulting chastening and scourging of our heavenly Father is not joyous in the moment, but it works the peaceable fruit of righteousness in our lives. We are made partakers of His holiness by following the Lord’s example, bearing the chastening of God.

New Life in Spirit Comes by Death on the Cross

It pleases our heavenly Father to bruise us and make our lives an offering for sin. We fill up in the afflictions in our bodies and lives for the sake of the entire church of Jesus Christ. We follow Christ to our death as His Christ.

Isa 53:10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

Isa 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

Isa 53:12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death:

We are asked to let go of everything by turning our lives over to Christ to enter into the kingdom. Giving up the ghost [spirit] is the ultimate price we pay, and we stay on the cross until everything is accomplished. As He is, so are we, His Christ, in the world. We submit our spirit unto the Lord, trusting Him in all things, enduring all things in faith.

Luk 23:46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

Joh 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

Walking in the Spirit is walking in the Commandments and is how we follow Christ. Those doing it are on the cross, and their flesh and all its lusts are being crucified.

Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

The only way we find eternal life is by the resurrection from the dead. To get there, we go to the cross, suffer, and die, just as our Lord set the example.

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:

Rom 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

Rom 6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.

Rom 6:8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:

To be freed from sin, we reckon ourselves dead to the flesh. An astronomical price we pay by the mercy and grace of the Lord. We trust in the Lord, we keep the faith of what we do not yet see.

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

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

The salvation journey ends when we depart these clay vessels. That is the end of our race. We walk the walk and fight the fight of faith all the way to the end. Our lives belong to Christ, and we follow Him to the end, never ceasing to carry our cross and willingly lose our carnal life in obedience.

Mat 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

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

Pray for the zeal and strength to stand in the face of the fiery trials that lie ahead on the journey to the mountain of Christ. The Spirit is willing, but our flesh remains weak even with a deposit of the Spirit. Paul followed the Lord to the end, serving as an example for us all.

2Ti 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

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

To the carnally minded, these Truths are foolishness. What an honor and a blessing to be counted worthy to suffer for His Name and pay this price, giving all of ourselves to the Lord.

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.

Articles

Losing our Lives For Christ

September 27, 2025September 29, 2025 Rohnel

Losing our Lives to save our Lives

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

Psa 16:7 I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.

Psa 16:8 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Psa 16:9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.

Psa 16:10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

Psa 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

1Ch 16:34 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

1Ch 16:35 And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise.

Keep my Commandments and Live

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

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

Rev 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

Our Lives are Becoming New

Jesus Christ, the Lord, spoke some profound yet simple truths about our journey to salvation. One such saying includes these verses from the Gospels.

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

Mat 10:39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

Note the qualifier in the Gospel of Matthew that the loss of life is for the Lord’s sake. Our suffering is our filling up what is behind in the afflictions of Christ Jesus, for His Body’s sake. These sufferings, trials, temptations, and tribulations, and the losing of our lives are for the Lord’s sake because it is for “His Body” of which we are an active and living part.

Col 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

Joh 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

Joh 12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

Joh 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

The Lord gave us the example we are following. We are to love one another as He loved us, which means giving up the wants of our flesh and instead serving others. This is laying down our lives in Spirit. Laying down our lives in Spirit, is to stop accusing and excusing within ourselves and instead do the Commandments of Christ.

Joh 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Joh 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

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;)

This is the mark of maturity when we begin to do this in deed and in truth, going on to perfection. The natural man within and without cannot receive this, but only the spiritual man receives this saying. The Comforter, who is perfect, IS come, and we are not under the law anymore but under Grace that lives in our hearts and minds. The Lord speaks of those things that are not as if they are for those still waiting for the Holy Spirit of Promise.

1Jn 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

Mat 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

1Co 2:6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

1Co 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

1Co 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

Joh 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

We have been prepared all of our lives to do the greater works of Christ, and that is to lose our lives, loving our brethren.

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

Joh 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Joh 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

Joh 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

Joh 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Joh 15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.

How Does Physical Death Fit In?

Shedding these clay bodies is a certainty at the appointed times [dust to dust]. Yet, losing our lives for Christ is not speaking about physical death. These losing our life verses, like all Scriptures, are spiritual statements and how the Scriptures should be rightly divided [John 6:63]. Losing our lives is losing our old way of life, and it comes down to us being separated from the world and the world being separated from us within and without. It is to stop our carnal reasonings, our idols of the heart, the lies we tell ourselves, and what others tell us, and to do Christ. To do Christ is to obey Him [to be made holy]. This verse from Paul in the NLT translation states this very well.

Gal 6:14 As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died.

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

Nonetheless, to reap the fullness of our new life in Christ versus the earnest deposit, we ultimately shed our bodies of clay and will be given a glorified spiritual body in the age to come. Thus, physical death is needed to complete the Lord’s journey. However, we have already obtained this in the form of a down payment while still alive.

1Co 15:35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?

1Co 15:36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:

1Co 15:37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:

1Co 15:38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.

1Co 15:39 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.

1Co 15:40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.

1Co 15:41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.

1Co 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

We continue to groan, awaiting the fullness to come. Now, are we the sons of God, if we continue in the Faith of Christ. We are being raised spiritually in this, our Day of the Lord.

Rom 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the [full] redemption of our body.

1Co 15:43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:

1Co 15:44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

Isa 45:11 Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me.

Isa 45:12 I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.

Isa 45:13 I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the LORD of hosts.

If we receive the Promise, the Comforter, also called the Holy Spirit we shall never taste of physical death. When our time in clay vessels is up, we are immediately translated to be with the Lord, as He is the God of the Living and not of the dead.

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

Those who have Christ living in them now in down payment form shall always be with Christ. Departing these clay vessels is not an obstacle. The Lord promised that when He went to prepare a place for us, where He is, we are also. We are forever alive and with the Lord.

2Co 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord.

Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

New Life Comes from the Loss of the Old

When the Lord comes to establish His Temple within us, our life’s purpose begins to change from seeking and accumulating “worldly” things, that is to say, carnally minded thoughts and desires, to seeking treasures in heaven. Our loss of earthly and spiritual treasures is replaced over time with treasures in heaven. When we labor to store possessions or treasures [physical or spiritual], we cannot be rich towards God. Read the parable of the rich young fool in Luke 12:15-21.

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

Luk 12:19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

Luk 12:20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

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

Losing what we value most in the carnal and spiritual world fundamentally changes our identity and previous priorities for living. We now belong to Christ, and we lose much to create room for the Lord in our inward heavens. The void of what is lost is filled by the increase of Christ in us, the Hope of Glory. Attaining the prize of Christ becomes the dominant driver of our lives. Paul wrote about losing all so that he may win Christ. We now have the true knowledge and intimacy with Christ Jesus. Intimacy with Christ is having and knowing His Commandments.

Php 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

Mat 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Son 1:2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.

We are commanded to seek the Kingdom of God first. We are told not to be anxious and worry about any aspect of tomorrow. All things are being provided for us, so says the Lord. We have a place to lay our weary heads, and we have food and clothing. These are spiritual words. The Lord did not have a place to lay his head, yet his carnal disciples could not receive Him. They had to receive the Comforter, the Promise, before Christ could live in them. Lying down our lives is entering into the Promised Land; it is to rest from our enemies within, that is to say, to rest from our carnal minds, the law of the Gentiles [Rom 2:14-15].

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

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

Luk 9:58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

Jos 1:13 Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, The LORD your God hath given you rest, and hath given you this land.

Isa 14:7 The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing.

To get to a mature place of fearing not and trusting the Lord, our faith is tested many times, and we suffer the loss of all things. This is our dying to the natural man, which is our flesh and carnal mind, the law of sin in our members. The Apostles wrote about the suffering and tribulations, and the old life being sacrificed to enter into the Kingdom of God. Here is one of Peter’s oft-cited Scriptures. The end purpose is always our salvation, which comes only after we have suffered much in the flesh, becoming more like Christ. Christ was made perfect through suffering.

1Pe 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

Heb 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

Heb 2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

Heb 2:11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

Paul writes of the Lord’s people becoming a living sacrifice, and this too is our appointment to fulfil, to be saved from our sins. Our reasonable service is to God, the Father, and to Christ, our Redeemer, as unworthy servants to perform our duties to Them out of a thankful heart.

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.

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

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

All the required sacrifices under the law of Moses are mere shadows of the sacrifices we are now making. Becoming a living sacrifice in the wilderness becomes our living experience in our latter days. Our latter days are after we have heard the true Gospel, that is to say, after we hear Christ’s Commandments and judgment has come on our house. The rituals in Leviticus under the law of Moses spoke of this prophecy that we are fulfilling in Christ. One goat is sacrificed [the Lord], and the second goat [His Christ] is released into the wilderness to bear the sins of Israel today and every day. The prince of the world is judged, that is to say, Satan in us, and in others, is judged.

Lev 16:10 But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness.

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

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

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:

Joh 16:9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;

Joh 16:10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;

Joh 16:11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

In the day of the Lord, it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God who is now living within us. A time is upon us, during our tribulations, when we awaken to the heavy hand of the Lord upon us, and then our progress toward salvation [overcoming] that had stalled continues in earnest. We have to see the man of sin within us first, before the Lord comes to us.

Heb 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

2Th 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

Heb 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

Heb 10:13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

At the appointed time, Almighty God gets what He desires, which is every man’s sanctification, each man in his own order. Christ is teaching us through the fear of the Lord, and this is how His Commandments are written in our hearts and minds.

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

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

Psa 119:71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

Christ brings the fire of His living and active Word into our lives, His chastening Grace teaching and correcting us by killing off the fading carnal ways of life, naturally and spiritually. It is only through death that Satan and the carnal mind, which is defined as death, are destroyed [Rom 8:6]. This happens on the cross as we follow the Lord, dying daily. When we die, keeping Christ’s Commandments, Satan within us falls from heaven.

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;

Luk 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

Luk 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Luk 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

To finish our race, we are enduring ongoing temptations and are becoming the true outcasts of the world. They esteemed not our Lord when He walked in the flesh, and they are not esteeming His people, either. To the carnally minded, we become a gazing stock by those who scoff and mock the Lord.

Heb 10:32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;

Heb 10:33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.

2Co 2:15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:

2Co 2:16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

Losing our lives is likened to the shedding of blood in Spirit. Blood is the life force that supplies and sustains life in a body by bringing the needed oxygen and nutrients. The loss of blood in the physical brings certain death. So it is in the Spirit, as we cannot be saved unless that life force that sustains the carnal mind is shed. Our thought life is being changed as we lose the old way and take on the mind of Jesus Christ. The types and shadows of the Old Testament regarding all the sacrifices foretold of this mystery. Christ speaks in parables.

Heb 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

Heb 9:16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

Heb 9:17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

Heb 9:18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.

Heb 9:19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,

Heb 9:20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.

Heb 9:21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.

Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

Paul writes of us following Christ in death in order to be given new life and reap salvation. This is how we lose our lives; we are being baptized into His death every day.

Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

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:

Rom 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

Rom 6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.

1Co 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

When we are dead, we no longer respond to our carnal minds or engage in the same activities we once did. Thus, our old way of life dying is the other side of the same sword that is bringing forth eternal life. We are now children of the holy and blessed First Resurrection, being raised with Christ. We strive for the prize of the high calling in Christ.

Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

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;

Php 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

Isa 58:14 Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

The Cost of Our New Life in Christ

Salvation is very costly, and we are only made willing to pay the price by the hand of the Lord. Eventually, we are learning that, as the Scriptures show, it is costing us everything to follow the Lord and find our new life. The pulls and bondage to our flesh and a carnal world run much deeper than we first understood. We vastly underestimate the costs to be paid and the fiery trials needed to be experienced to become a disciple of Christ and to be counted faithful. The rich young ruler, that is all of us at first, clings to the spiritual riches accumulated before his encounter with the Living Christ, that is the Gospel. Our true treasure in heaven is having and walking out the mind of Christ, the Holy Commandments of the Father. The Lord changes us through His Grace, His indwelling Spirit within our hearts and minds. Without Christ, we can do nothing.

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

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

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

Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

The poor in Spirit are the blessed. We do not serve two tables; the Spirit of Christ, the Comforter alone, is exalted in this Day of the Lord. The man of sin within is destroyed by the brightness of Christ’s coming. A poor man in Spirit has sold, lost, or given away all of their spiritual riches to follow Christ. It is impossible in our strength to let go and sell everything. Yet thankfully, with God, all things are possible. Even a rich man can enter the Kingdom of God when we are caused to pick up our cross and follow Christ. We receive a hundredfold following Christ, that is to say, when we obey Him.

Luk 6:20 Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said: “Blessed be ye poor, For yours is the kingdom of God.

Mar 10:21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

Mar 10:26 And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?

Mar 10:27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

Mar 10:28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.

Mar 10:30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.

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

The more we mature in following Christ, the higher the bar and the greater our understanding of these costs. The Lord’s way is not to show us all of these costs upfront, when we are young, but rather to show us in our latter end, after the Faith of Christ is come. The angels of the Lord, those that preach the Gospel, open the seals of the Book and make known the mystery of the Gospel, which are His Commandments. Walking out Christ’s Commandments brings about the fire, and that is how we lose our lives.

Joh 16:12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

Dan 12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

Rev 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

Rev 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

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:

Christ gave up everything on the cross, and we are following after Him in losing our lives, because as He is, so are we. The simplicity of losing our lives is clouded at first by our failure to grasp just how high the cost is. This is every man’s cross to carry, those who are called by His Name. We are told to count the cost. We are being raised up on our third spiritual day, and everything is made new through the latter rain, which is the Father and Christ coming into our hearts and minds. Christ causes us to count the cost and makes us worthy to give it all up.

Luk 14:27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

Luk 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

Luk 14:29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,

Luk 14:30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

Luk 14:31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?

Luk 14:32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.

Luk 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

Hos 6:2 After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.

Hos 6:3 Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.

The symbols of eating Christ’s flesh and drinking His blood are spiritual and speak to us of losing our lives. For many in this age, these costs are too much to bear, and they do not continue walking with the Lord. They have not been chosen before the foundation of the world.

Joh 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

Joh 6:67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?

Joh 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

2Ti 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

2Ti 2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

Those who mind worldly things think the Lord’s true people strange and speak evil of us, just as they did to Christ. Enduring this rejection and persecution is part of losing our lives.

1Pe 4:4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

Joh 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

Nothing is happenstance in the lives of God’s people. The Lord has declared every day and every event in advance, and we are just living them out [Psa 139:16, Isa 46:10]. These afflictions we suffer are light when considering the eternal weight of glory that is being produced within us. We have the Lord’s Commandments; this is the crown of the anointing oil. Always think spiritually when you read the Scriptures.

2Co 4:15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

2Co 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

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

Lev 21:12 Neither shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God; for the crown of the anointing oil of his God is upon him: I am the LORD.

The increasing isolation from the world within and without is well known to the Lord’s true disciples, as we are set apart to the Lord. We are not surprised by this isolation, as our inheritance is in the Lord and not in the world within and without. Christ told us beforehand that this would be the case.

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

1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Deu 10:9 Wherefore Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren; the LORD is his inheritance, according as the LORD thy God promised him.

Those who oppose the Lord’s true people [within and without] are those of our own household. This includes both physical family and spiritual fathers and mothers who nursed us early on. To be worthy of Christ, we are being made to suffer these things. The Lord was rejected and sent to be crucified by the Jews, His own people, and by all.

Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Mat 10:36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.

Mat 27:22 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.

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

Elijah and Paul both write of this isolation and rejection by their brethren. There remains a remnant in every generation set apart for His purposes. We have escaped as we have the Testimony of Christ.

Mic 4:7 And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever.

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

Rev 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

In Closing

We encourage all to continue and stand strong in the Faith of Christ, keeping the Commandments of God. We learn to take negative and carnal thoughts captive and look for the salvation the Lord is working out in our lives, saving us from death. We are being saved in this age, and these truths are the true knowledge and Power of God and Christ at work in our lives today and every day as long as we are here, Lord willing. We obtain wisdom and understanding, and we bless the Father and the Son for their loving kindness bestowed on us. We are the household of David in type and shadow.

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 1:19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

Psa 119:34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

Psa 119:35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.

Psa 119:36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.

1Ki 3:6 And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.

Do not forget to do the Commandments of Christ. It is the saving of our souls.

Receive ye the Gospel, receive ye the Holy Spirit.

	Peter on Do Not Strive With Men
	morhardtd on Do Not Strive With Men
	Peter on Speak Evil of No Man
	morhardtd on Speak Evil of No Man
	Peter on Be Patient in Tribulation

Tag: persecution

A Young Man Flees Persecution

Keeping Our Linen Cloth

Like this:

Blessed is the Man of God

Rejoice in the Blessings Making us New

Like this:

The Cost of Following Christ

Bearing Our Cross as Christ’s Disciples

Like this:

Losing our Lives For Christ

Losing our Lives to save our Lives

Like this:

Keeping Our Linen Cloth

PRINT & SHARE

Like this:

Rejoice in the Blessings Making us New

PRINT & SHARE

Like this:

Bearing Our Cross as Christ’s Disciples

PRINT & SHARE

Like this:

Losing our Lives to save our Lives

PRINT & SHARE

Like this: