John 5:39-44. So Whose Glory are you seeking?
"You, search The Scriptures! Because you think that in them you have Eternal Life; and it is These that Bear Witness of ME; and you are unwilling to come to ME, that you may have Life.
"I do not receive glory from men; but I Know you, that you do not have the love of GOD in yourselves.
"I have Come In MY FATHER'S Name and you do not receive ME; if another shall come in his own name, you will receive him.
"How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and you do not receive The Glory That Is From The Only GOD?
John 5:39-44.
Here The LORD JESUS is Speaking to the Jews: and in the preceding verses Speaking of the Witness Of HIMSELF as well as John The Baptist.
In this HE Testifies to The Truth and also Testifies of the unbelief of those who do not receive HIM.
I take THE LORD'S Words in verse 39, 'You, search The Scriptures!', as a Command, and is why I have inserted an exclamation mark which is not used in the translation I use (1977 nasb) though is given as a footnote to this verse.
Of course, The Scriptures The LORD JESUS Commands to search are The Old Testament Scriptures.
In verses 30-32 of John chapter five, The LORD JESUS Speaks as we ourselves, as followers and disciples (learners) Of JESUS CHRIST should hear and should know to consider to do likewise within ourselves; to judge with Righteous judgement and not according to the flesh (Psalm 82) in all matters pertaining to GOD; that is, both in respect to seeking The True Knowledge Of GOD in understanding The Scriptures and also in all our dealings with others along the way; whether believers or unbelievers (Romans 3:9-26).
But today we clearly do not know to understand.
The Kingdom Of Heaven here on earth today; HIS Church Which HE Purchased With HIS Own Blood, is full of all hypocrisy, where division and strife are rife through false teachings and accordingly, because of them, many not understanding The Way Of GOD in Truth and because of this the flesh prevails, when it is meant to be, in Truth, that our spirit is being Led By The HOLY SPIRIT (Galatians 5:13-18).
"I can do nothing on MY Own Initiative. As I Hear, I Judge; and MY Judgement Is Just, because I do not seek MY Own Will, but The Will Of HIM WHO Sent ME.
"If I bear witness Of MYSELF, MY Testimony is not true.
"There Is Another WHO Bears Witness of ME and I Know that The Testimony Which HE Bears Of ME Is True.
John 5:30-32.
If we truly walked being Led By The HOLY SPIRIT, then there would most certainly not be the arrogance and division that we have in The Church today, through The Scriptures not being understood, because of the many not truly knowing reverence and awe of GOD to understand the fear of The LORD: Proverbs 9:7-12.
Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it than a house full of feasting with strife. Proverbs 17:1
And we would clearly see to be able to recognise The LORD'S Words in such as HE Speaks in Matthew 13:31-33,
..."The Kingdom Of Heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; and this is smaller than all seeds; but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches."
He Spoke another Parable To them,
"The Kingdom Of Heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three pecks of meal, until it was all leavened."
All these things JESUS Spoke To the multitudes in Parables and HE did not Speak To them without a Parable, so that what was spoken Through the Prophet might be Fulfilled,
saying,
"I Will Open MY Mouth In Parables; I Will Utter Things Hidden Since The Foundation Of The World."
Matthew 13:31-35 (1 Corinthians 2).
A little leaven leavens the whole lump.
Galatians 5:9
But instead, today and even since the time of the Apostles Of our LORD JESUS, we have The Scriptures being distorted by the untaught and unstable (2 Peter 3:14-18), by those, who, from among our own selves, actually seek to have people following themselves rather than following JESUS (Acts 20:28); thieves and robbers (John 10:1-16) and bringing with it destruction to those who distort the Scriptures and of those who will blindly follow them in their hypocrisy; by their impure, uncleansed, selfish hearts and Scriptural misunderstandings, and, being like them; not being in accordance with GOD'S Truth; The Truth Which Leads to The Salvation Which Is In JESUS CHRIST. And being apart from repentance, any who do so will reap what they sow.
Do not be deceived, GOD is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.
For the one who sows to his own flesh shall from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to The SPIRIT shall From The SPIRIT Reap Eternal Life. Galatians 6:7-8.
In these false doctrines where The HOLY SPIRIT is not, that through them and being like those who maintain them, not understanding Righteousness through their not subjecting themselves to The Righteousness Of GOD: our LORD JESUS CHRIST, they consequently introduce and are followed in their destructive heresies; trespassing along the broad way that leads to destruction (2 Peter 2:1-3).
There are even those who will recognise false doctrine but through lack of faith they fear, lacking the courage and maintaining a spirit of timidity, that in times which require them to stand on The Word they shall quickly shrink back as though they have not heard and do not understand, but will still name themselves a Christian.
May my heart be blameless in THY Statutes, that I may not be ashamed. Psalm 119:80.
...For GOD has not given us a Spirit of timidity, but Of Power And Love And Discipline...
2 Timothy 1:7 (Romans 8:14-16, 1 John 4:17-18, Hebrews 2:9 - 3:6, Acts 20:22-24, Proverbs 2:13-36).
Your boasting is not good.
Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?
Clean out the old leaven, that you may be a New lump, just as you are unleavened.
For CHRIST our Passover also has been Sacrificed
Let us therefore celebrate The Feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and Truth... 1 Corinthians 5:6-8.
"Enter by The Narrow Gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to Destruction, and many are those who enter by it.
"For The Gate is small and The Way is narrow that Leads to Life, and few are those who find it.
"Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
"You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorns, nor figs from thistles, are they?... Matthew 7:13-16.
These wolves in sheep's clothing, who do not have the fear of GOD in themselves, along with those also who believe of themselves, in their arrogance, that they cannot forfeit their Salvation; because they cannot discern The Truth because of the flesh, to recognise what truly means to posses Godly Sincerity in both word and deed in all their living.
These will walk, alive but dead, always 'learning' yet never being able to come to The Knowledge Of The Truth.
And it is such as these that the Apostles Of our LORD JESUS warn against, spoke of, preached against, taught and admonished in the days they sojourned here on earth; through and by The Holy Scriptures; in The Power Of The SPIRIT, as they do even to this day and to The Day Of Eternity; their words to all,
for The faith of those Chosen Of GOD (1 Peter 1:2, 2 Peter 1:2-4) and The Knowledge Of The Truth (1 Timothy 2:1-6) which Is according to Godliness (Isaiah 51:1, 1 Timothy 4:7, 2 Peter 3:10-13), in The Hope Of Eternal Life (John 5:39, Colossians 1:27, Romans 5:1-5, 1 John 3:2-3, Romans 6:23), Which GOD, WHO cannot lie, Promised long ages ago, but at The Proper Time Manifested HIS WORD (Galatians 4:4-7), In The Proclamation with which I was Entrusted according to The Commandment Of GOD our SAVIOUR.
Titus 1:1-3.
Listen to The Word Of The LORD, O sons of Israel, for The LORD has a case Against the inhabitants of the land.
Because there is no faithfulness or kindness or Knowledge Of GOD in the land...
Hosea 4:1
For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving The Knowledge Of The Truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain terrifying expectation of Judgement and The Fury of a Fire Which Will Consume the adversaries...
Hebrews 10:26-27
Righteous Art THOU, O LORD and Upright are THY Judgements.
THOU Hast Commanded THY Testimonies In Righteousness and Exceeding Faithfulness.
My zeal has consumed me, because my adversaries have forgotten THY Words.
THY Words Are Very Pure, therefore THY servant loves It.
I am small and despised, yet I do not forget THY Precepts.
THY Righteousness Is An Everlasting Righteousness, And THY Law Is Truth.
Trouble and anguish have come upon me; yet THY Commandments are my delight.
THY Testimonies Are Righteous forever; Give me understanding that I may Live.
Psalm 119:137-144.
In following The Only Teacher (Matthew 23:8, Luke 6:39-40), hearing The Word in that The Word is understood (Matthew 13:23), such Scripture as Matthew 13:24-30 would also be understood in and for the very purpose The LORD JESUS Speaks It,
..."The Kingdom Of Heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field.
"But while men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed tares also among the wheat, and went away.
"But when the wheat sprang up and bore grain (John 12:24), then the tares became evident also (Matthew 7:16-20).
"And the slaves of the landowner came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field?
How then does it have tares?'
"And he said to them, 'An enemy has done this!
And the slaves said to him, 'Do you want us, then, to go and gather them up?'
But he said, 'No; lest while you are gathering up the tares, you may root up the wheat with them.
'Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers (Matthew 13:36-43), "First gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up; but gather the wheat into my barn." ' "
Matthew 13:24-30.
As in verse 25, here is why many today do not and cannot hear to understand,
'But while men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed tares also among the wheat, and went away.'
Today, many are sleeping in the time of their walk, and the enemy; who is the devil, so easily comes in unseen, unnoticed to sow tares.
And his purpose is to deceive and to destroy.
The tares are not recognised as the tares that they are, and they are accepted and followed, some as teachers and preachers; Hidden reefs in your love feasts whereby in blindly following them many suffer shipwreck in regard to their faith (Ephesians 5:13-17).
"A lamp is not brought to be put under a peckmeasure, is it, or under a bed?
Is it not to be put on the lampstand?
"For nothing is Hidden, except to be Revealed; nor has been Secret, but that it should come to Light.
"If any man has ears to hear, let him hear."
And HE was Saying To them,
"Take care what you listen to. By your standard of measure it shall be Measured To you; and more shall be Given you besides (Revelation 22:11-16).
"For Whoever has, To him shall be Given; and whoever does not have, even what he has shall be Taken Away from him."
Mark 4:21-25.
Even so, today the Scriptures are being fulfilled, so that not all who may read here may be able to agree; because of the teachings they have accepted and followed and will profess faith in, rather than their knowing to have faith in GOD only, and through that faith truly seeking HIS Glory.
They do not receive JESUS CHRIST, but instead choose for themselves to receive another who comes in his own name; though they profess to stand on The Name Of GOD.
These are blind guides of the blind, those devoid of The SPIRIT, being those who cause and maintain division for the sake of their beliefs; being tantamount to meaningless religion; and setting even themselves as an idol in their own heart.
Though an idol is anything our heart desires and puts first to keep above GOD and our devotion to seeking HIM only; whatever that may be.
Those truly born Of GOD, who walk according to The SPIRIT, who know the Discipline Of The LORD (Hebrews 12:4-15) will both know and show to not doing this, to those with eyes to see (Malachi 3:16-18); ever learning and knowing repentance whenever they stumble and sin and being as a constant in their walk to the overcoming of sin, that sin is no more a master over them (John 8:31-36, Romans 6:1-18).
We know that no one born Of GOD sins; but HE WHO Was Born Of GOD Keeps him and the evil one does not touch him.
We know that we are Of GOD and the whole world lies in the evil one.
And we know that The SON Of GOD Has Come and has Given us Understanding, in order that we might know HIM WHO Is True and we are In HIM WHO Is True, In HIS SON JESUS CHRIST.
This Is The True GOD And Eternal Life.
Little children, guard yourselves from idols.
1 John 5:18-21.
Those who believe any teachings which do not admonish followers towards perseverance and encouragement of The Scriptures leading to obedience of faith, are not following GOD (Romans 15).
Any teachers and preachers who do not know to solemnly warn all to be careful of how they are walking and knowing the fear of The LORD, are not From GOD (2 Corinthians 13:5, Luke 12:4-5).
Any teachings which do not warn believers of being wise in what we are listening to and believing in, and to first examine everything carefully for themselves; showing no partiality, in genuine love and humility, these are not Of GOD (Thessalonians 5:12-22, 1 John 4:1-6).
Any man who does not truly know reverence and awe of GOD is not walking with GOD.
Therefore, since we Receive A Kingdom Which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to GOD an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our GOD Is A Consuming Fire.
Let love of the Brethren continue.
Hebrews 12:28 - 13:1.
It is not when one commends and justifies himself in his 'knowing' the fear Of The LORD, but it is the one who walks according to The Word; fulfilling Scripture; word and deed (James 1:19-27); and always looking and learning to do so. "You will know them by their fruits." (Hebrews 12:25 - 13:1).
He who walks and talks not understanding love without hypocrisy does not seek to receive The Glory That Is From The Only GOD (Romans 12:9-21).
To see an example in The New Testament Scriptures of the difference between those who do not search The Scriptures and those that do, so that they may fully examine everything carefully before they, before both GOD and man, will accept anything as being Of GOD in Truth; (just as any man Of GOD in truth shall do), see Acts 17:10-13, and how it is Written of them accordingly,
And the Brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea; and when they arrived, they went into the Synagogue of the Jews.
Now these were more noble-minded than those at Thessalonica, for they received The Word with great eagerness, examining The Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so.
Many of them therefore believed, along with a number of prominent Greek women and men.
But when the Jews of Thessalonica found out that The Word Of GOD had been proclaimed by Paul in Berea also, they came there likewise, agitating and stiring up the crowds.
Those here, that came from Thessalonica to Berea, agitating and stiring up the crowds in their rejecting The Word Of GOD, are the same written of in verses 5-9 of Acts chapter 17, who rejected The Word Of GOD for the sake of what they themselves chose to believe.
Do not be like them. But be as those named in Scripture as being more noble-minded, that you do not so quickly reject and revile in ignorance to The Truth merely because of how you see and understand things, even being influenced by others to do so, and so choosing to remain ignorant to the ignorance that is in you.
We all, without exception, are ignorant to The Way Of GOD, until we are Taught Of GOD (John 3:14-21).
And we all, without exception, shall stand alone before The LORD to give account for all we have done, or did not do (2 Corinthians 5:1-11).
Have such a faith in GOD as those The Scriptures Speak of; Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah...
All these died in faith (though Enoch was Taken Up so that he should not see death).
Of these, Scripture states,
All these died in faith, without receiving The Promises, but having seen Them and having welcomed Them from a distance and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking A Country of their own.
And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return.
But as it is, they desire a better Country, that is A Heavenly One.
Therefore GOD is not ashamed to be called their GOD; for HE Has Prepared A City For them.
Hebrews 11:13-16.
We too are to consider ourselves as strangers and exiles here on the earth (1 Peter 1:14-21,1 Peter 2:11-12).
That we seek to be Clothed with our Dwelling From above (2 Corinthians 5:1-7).
For as with those Stated of in Scripture, of whom the world was not worthy, we too are to strive only for The Gospel Of GOD (Philippians 1:27-30), Prepared By GOD (2 Timothy 2:19-21), that we might be established (2 Corinthians 1:20-22) ready for endurance, afflictions, hardships, distresses, yet in Purity, in Knowledge, in Patience, in Kindness, In The HOLY SPIRIT (2 Corinthians 6:1-10) and whatever else we are Called to overcome and to endure for the sake of The Gospel.
The Disciples we read of and from in Scripture did so, gladly, and they considered it an honour; because of WHO was in their hearts (Acts 5:40-42, Matthew 5:10-12, 2 Corinthians 12:10, Isaiah 66:5, Acts 21:13, Romans 8:35-39).
And we too are Called not to look back (Luke 9:62), not to be a friend of the world (1 John 2:15-17); for if we do, we too have opportunity to return to where we once were; before we first believed in GOD (2 Peter 2:22), and if doing so we will have forsaken The Fountain Of Living Waters (Matthew 13:18-43).
O LORD, The Hope Of Israel,
All who forsake THEE will be put to shame.
Those who turn away on earth will be Written Down, because they have forsaken The Fountain Of Living Waters, even The LORD.
Heal me, O LORD, and I will be Healed; Save me and I will be Saved, for THOU Art my Praise.
Jeremiah 17:13-14.
(John 4:10-14, John 7:38-39, Ephesians 1:13-14, Romans 8:1-17).
For those who truly seek The Glory That Is From The Only GOD, their desire is for The City that Is To Come;
For our Citizeship Is In Heaven, From Which we also await for A SAVIOUR, The LORD JESUS CHRIST; WHO Will Transform the body of our humble state Into Conformity With The Body Of HIS Glory, By The Exertion Of The Power That HE Has even to subject all things To HIMSELF...
Philippians 3:20-21.
Their eyes are looking to JESUS (Hebrews 12:1-3), Through WHOM we Receive The Promise; by keeping our eyes fixed on The Things Above, and not on the things on earth (Colossians 3:1-17); through our putting on the New self who is being Renewed to a True Knowledge according to The Image Of The ONE WHO Created him.
As is the earthy, so also are those who are earthy; and as Is The Heavenly, so also are those who are Heavenly.
And just as we have borne the image of the earthy, let us also bear The Image Of The Heavenly. 1 Corinthians 15:48-49.
Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks (Gentiles) or to The Church Of GOD; just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be Saved.
Be imitators of me, just as I also am of CHRIST.
1 Corinthians 10:32 - 11:1.
We shall stumble, we shall get it wrong along The Way and even some shall stray from The Narrow Path which leads toward The Narrow Gate.
But GOD'S Grace Is Sufficient, through repentance; through the confessing of our sins and turning away from them; that The ONE WHO Is Faithful And Righteous To Forgive us our sins and to Cleanse us from all unrighteousness, may indeed do so (1 John 1:5-10).
What shall we say then?
Are we to continue in sin that Grace might increase?
May it never be!
How shall we who died to sin still live in it?
Or do you not know that all of us who have been Baptised Into CHRIST JESUS have been Baptised Into HIS Death... Romans 6. (1 Peter 4:1-2).
When my heart was embittered and I was pierced within, then I was senseless and ignorant; I was a beast before THEE.
Nevertheless I am continually with THEE; THOU Hast Taken Hold of my right hand.
With THY Counsel THOU Wilt Guide me and afterwards Receive me to Glory.
WHOM Have I In Heaven but THEE? And besides THEE I desire nothing on earth.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but GOD Is The Strength of my heart and my Portion forever.
For, behold, those who are far from THEE will perish; THOU Hast Destroyed all those who are unfaithful to THEE.
But as for me, The Nearness Of GOD Is my Good; I have made The LORD GOD my Refuge, that I may tell of all THY Works.
Psalm 73:21-28.
And GOD Knows the heart; every thought and intention of the heart (Psalm 139, Jeremiah 23:23-24, John 2:24-25, 1 Corinthians 4:5); there is nothing Hidden from HIS Sight (Job 34:21-23) and HE Alone Sees the end from the beginning (Ecclesiastes 3:14-17).
The LORD Knows those who are HIS (2 Timothy 2:1-21).
Be strong in The Grace That Is In CHRIST JESUS.
For The Law was Given Through Moses; Grace and Truth were Realised Through JESUS CHRIST.
John 1:17.
"You, search The Scriptures! Because you think that in them you have Eternal Life; and it is These that Bear Witness of ME (Genesis 22:18, Deuteronomy 18:15-19, Isaiah 7:10-14, Isaiah 8:9-10, Isaiah 9:6-7); and you are unwilling to come to ME, that you may have Life (Isaiah 61:1-3).
"I do not receive glory from men (Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12); but I Know you, that you do not have the love of GOD in yourselves (Zechariah 12:10, Romans 5:2-5).
"I have Come In MY FATHER'S Name and you do not receive ME; if another shall come in his own name, you will receive him.
"How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and you do not receive The Glory That Is From The Only GOD?
John 5:39-44.
... Therefore, just as The HOLY SPIRIT Says,
"Today if you hear HIS Voice, do not harden your hearts as when they provoked ME, as in the day of trial in the wilderness,
where your fathers tried ME by testing ME and saw MY Works for forty years.
"Therefore I Was Angry With this generation and Said, 'They always go astray in their heart;
And they did not know MY Ways';
As I Swore In MY Wrath,
'They shall not enter MY Rest.' "
Take care, Brethren, lest there should be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart, in falling away from The Living GOD.
But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is called "Today," lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
For we have become partakers of CHRIST, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance (Romans 10:9-10) firm until the end;
While It Is Said,
"Today if you hear HIS Voice, do not harden your hearts, as when they provoked ME."
For who provoked when they had heard?
Indeed, did not all those who came out of Egypt by Moses?
And with whom was HE Angry for forty years?
Was it not those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness?
And To whom did HE Swear that they should not enter HIS Rest, but To those who were disobedient?
And we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief.
Therefore, let us fear lest, while A Promise remains of entering HIS Rest, any one of you should seem to have come short of It.
For indeed we have had Good News preached to us, just as they also; but The Word they heard did not profit them, because it was not United by faith in those who heard...
Hebrews 3:7 - 4:2.
