Christians, who are supposed to know to understand differently, in knowing that they simply cannot bear witness to themselves; that no one can. And if any do then their witness, in that they themselves bear witness to themselves, is simply not true. Those who will still do so and in ignorance to The Truth (being that only GOD Is Just and The Justifier of the one who has faith in JESUS), do so blindly, arrogantly, and are also blindly believed on by others who themselves know only to do the same.
In all of the strange and varied teachings and beliefs of what is Christianity that we have today, those who hold to them, stubbornly refusing to be corrected by The Word and thus being unable to see, they should remember that whatever we do here on earth it is fully known in Heaven, and one day soon we shall all be recompensed for all the things we have done; whether good or bad. This should instill a fear.
..."Truly I Say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven... Matthew 18:18.
But then to grasp this understanding in the fullness of the fear it should bring, the fear of The LORD would first have to be known.
The fear of The LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of The Holy ONE is understanding. Proverbs 9:10.
And today, clearly it just is not known among many of those who profess to know GOD, with whom, if it was, would then accordingly know to conduct themselves in true humility before both GOD and man. Their conduct would show it.
Men Of GOD we read of and from in Scripture knew true humility, that The LORD their GOD was and is their all; their Portion; their Inheritance.
Preserve me, O GOD, for I take refuge in THEE. I said to The LORD, "THOU Art my LORD; I have no good besides THEE."
As for the Saints who are in the earth, they are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight.
The sorrows of those who have bartered for another god will be multiplied; I shall not pour out their libations of blood, nor shall I take their names upon my lips.
The LORD Is The Portion of my Inheritance and my Cup; THOU Dost Support my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; indeed, my Heritage is Beautiful to me.
I will bless The LORD WHO has Counseled me; indeed, my mind instructs me in the night. I have set The LORD continually before me; because HE Is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will dwell securely. For THOU wilt not abandon my soul to Sheol; neither wilt THOU Allow THY Holy ONE to undergo decay.
THOU wilt make Known to me The Path Of Life; In THY Presence is fullness of joy; In THY Right Hand there are pleasures forever. Psalm 16. (Psalm 73:26, Psalm 119:57-64, Psalm 142, Jeremiah 10:16).
When The LORD is continually before us in our walk; when we willingly give to HIM the place of honour in our lives, we will not be shaken.
We are to understand:
Let another praise you and not your own mouth; a stranger and not your own lips. Proverbs 27:2.
For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom The LORD Commends. 2 Corinthians 10:18.
It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glory to search out one's own glory. Proverbs 25:27.
Not even The LORD JESUS did so of HIMSELF; because HE never sought HIS Own Will, but The FATHER'S; John 5:28-32. Just as we as Christians are supposed to know, and just as we profess that we do; Matthew 6:10. But do we?
The LORD JESUS CHRIST Is The Good SHEPHERD;
..."I AM The Door; if anyone enters through ME, he shall be Saved and shall go in and out and find Pasture. "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I Came that they might have Life and might have abundantly.
"I AM The Good SHEPHERD; The Good SHEPHERD lays down HIS Life for the sheep. "He who is a hireling and not a shepherd, who is not The Owner of the sheep, beholds the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters, because he is a hireling and is not concerned about the sheep.
"I AM The Good SHEPHERD; and I Know MY Own and MY Own know ME, even as The FATHER Knows ME and I Know The FATHER; and I Lay Down MY Life for the sheep... John 10:9-15.
Have you ever known a man who stands as pastor who has scattered the sheep; caused others to leave a particular Church because he himself desires to rule by his own authority and insists that it is his way and merely according to his own wisdom and even his own interpretation of The Holy Scriptures? Such a one, no matter how much he will protest and deny it of himself, in doing so, he is not first and foremost concerned about the sheep, but of his own position as he himself sees it, even, desires it to be and accepted by all others.
I have known such a one. And I have heard the same bearing witness of himself that he is in right standing before GOD, while he has also in his time condemned others in and by his own wisdom, foresight and judgement.
You will find with such as these that in the attitude of their hearts, to them and for themselves in their own thinking, somehow, GOD'S Grace is sufficient, but they do not consider the same of and for others.
But we are to discern, and such men are supposed to be corrected (Matthew 18:15-20), and if refusing correction from The Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17) are to be refused. Whatever a man's standing in any particular Church, it is not his church; it is The LORD'S (Colossians 1:9-23), and we are all Brothers (Matthew 18:1-35, Luke 22:24-27).
..."But do not be called Rabbi; for ONE Is your TEACHER, and you are all Brothers... Matthew 23:8 (Luke 6:39-40).
We are supposed to let no one disregard The Instruction (Titus 2), which applies to all; no partiality (1 Corinthians 4:1-4, Job 15:14-16, Job 34:10-30).
We should answer one who will behave as an arrogant foolish one according to his folly, lest we ourselves become like him and consequently, in never knowing repentance, shall share his fate (Proverbs 26:4-5).
Because, such a one, in his folly, does not joyfully concur with The Law Of GOD in his inner man; therefore, he is not himself being transformed by the Renewing of his mind; thinking more highly of himself than he ought to think (Romans 12).
If he does hear and repents, then you have won your Brother. If he refuses, then he stands being self-condemned. His blood; his life is on his own head, and it is not on your head (Ezekiel 33:1-20).
The wicked is thrust down by his wrongdoing, but the Righteous has a Refuge when he dies (John 11:25-26). Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, but in the bosom of fools it is made known. Proverbs 14:32-33.
Love will look to turn a sinner from the error of his ways. And in our keeping fervent in our love for one another, love will hinder the acquaintance with and familiarity of sin; to the point that we shall die to sin so as to be able to live to Righteousness (Romans 6:15-19).
The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be of sound judgement and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:7-8.
...Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. And you know that HE Appeared in order to take away sins; and In HIM there is no sin. No one who abides In HIM sins; and no one who sins has seen HIM or knows HIM... 1 John 3:4-6.
But where there is no knowledge; where there is no insight into Spiritual Truth among those of any particular Church, then such men shall flourish. And sadly they do.
A Diotrephes character (3 John:9-11) has no place in GOD'S Church which HE Purchased With HIS Own Blood (Matthew 23:4-13, 1 Peter 5:2-3, Philippians 2:1-5, 1 Peter 4:10-11).
MyBrethren, if any among you strays from The Truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins. James 5:19-20.
See how Paul, a man Of GOD indeed; knowing humility, understood in himself of himself:
...For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the wishing is present in me, but the doing of the good not. For the good that I wish, I do not do; but I practice the very evil that I do not wish. But if I am doing the very thing I do not wish, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which indwells me.
I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wishes to do good.
For I joyfully concur with The Law Of GOD in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of The Law of sin which is in my members.
Wretched man that I am! Who will set me Free from the body of this death? Thanks be to GOD Through JESUS CHRIST our LORD!
So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving The Law Of GOD, but on the other, with my flesh The Law of sin... Romans 7:18-25. Paul, just as with David, just as with any man Of GOD, knew that he had no good besides The LORD his GOD.
GOD Is Love: This means the goodness that we now, In CHRIST, have in ourselves by The Grace Of GOD through faith; being HIS Testimony in us, is not when we walk acting in all that is being contrary to JESUS and the love Of GOD.
The HOLY SPIRIT is not according to our flesh, but our spirit; that GOD might give Life to our mortal bodies because of HIS SPIRIT WHO Indwells us (Romans 8:9-11); so that just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we are now to bear The Image Of The Heavenly (1 Corinthians 15:35-49).
"It Is The SPIRIT WHO Gives Life; the flesh profits nothing; The Words that I Have Spoken to you are Spirit and are Life. "But there are some of you who do not believe." John 6:63-64.
...Now I say this, Brethren, that flesh and blood cannot Inherit The Kingdom Of GOD; nor does the perishable Inherit The Imperishable... 1 Corinthians 15:50.
...Blessed The GOD And FATHER Of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, WHO has Blessed us with every Spiritual Blessing in The Heavenly In CHRIST, just as HE Chose us In HIM before The Foundation of the world, that we should be Holy and blameless before HIM in love.
HE Predestined us to adoption as sons Through JESUS CHRIST to HIMSELF, according to The Kind Intention Of HIS Will, to the praise and Glory Of HIS Grace, which HE Freely Bestowed on us In The BELOVED.
In HIM we have Redemption Through HIS Blood, the Forgiveness of our trespasses, according to The Riches Of HIS Grace, which HE Lavished upon us.
In all Wisdom and Insight HEMade Known to us The Mystery Of HIS Will, according to HIS Kind Intention which HE Purposed In HIMwith a view to an Administration suitable to the fullness of the times, the summing up of all things In CHRIST, things in The Heavens and things upon earth.
In HIM also we have Obtained an Inheritance, having been Predestined according to HIS Purpose WHO Works all things after The Counsel Of HIS Will, to the end that we who were the first to hope In CHRIST should be to the praise of HIS Glory.
In HIM, you also, after listening to The Message Of Truth, The Gospel Of your Salvation - having also believed, you were Sealed In HIM with The HOLY SPIRIT Of Promise, WHO Is Given as A Pledge of our Inheritance, with a view to The Redemption of Possession, to the praise of HIS Glory. Ephesians 1:3-14.
And is why Paul writes to those who are Brethren indeed,
...And concerning you, my Brethren, I myself am also convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all Knowledge and able also to admonish one another... Romans 15:14.
Yet today many are deceived in their belief of themselves and shall bear witness of themselves in their walk, believing of themselves that they walk rightly before The LORD, when the truth is that their spirit; their very sentient element does not uphold this belief of their own imaginings when aligned with The Truth Of GOD and that which is seen in the Christians of the New Testament.
This arrogance, (before GOD this is what it is and arrogance and pride being a deed of the flesh shall not stand before HIM), when they refuse to understand just as we are Called to know and to understand; being in humility, being filled with Godly Knowledge, knowing and understanding that it is actually borne out in all our words and deeds and it is to be in harmony with all Scripture, which performs its work in those who believe (1 Thessalonians 2:13), and is not in our testifying to our own righteousness; being without hypocrisy; then, in such pride and arrogance it is what is and shall be in their standing self condemned; no matter how much they themselves will deny it, their own undoing.
As Paul writes of himself and of those with him who are indeed in Truth examples to the flock for imitation;
...Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when absent, such persons we are also in deed when present. For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding... 2 Corinthians 10:11-12.
Testifying of ourselves and bearing witness to our own goodness is something man knows to do according to the flesh.
But in CHRIST JESUS we are not to know such boasting, or at least are to know and to understand now that we no longer do this; and so we are no longer to be walking according to the flesh.
Like a dog that returns to its own vomit is a fool who repeats his folly. Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. Proverbs 26:11-12.
...For we know that if our earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from GOD, A House not made with hands, eternal in The Heavens. For indeed in this we groan, longing to be Clothed with our Dwelling from Heaven; inasmuch as we, having put it on, shall not be found naked.
For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed, but to be Clothed, in order that what is mortal may be swallowed up by Life.
Now HE WHO Prepared us for this very purpose is GOD, WHO Gave to us The SPIRIT as A Pledge. (2 Corinthians 1:20-22).
Therefore, being always of good courage and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from The LORD - for we walk by faith and not by sight - we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with The LORD.
Therefore also we have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to HIM. For we must all appear before The Judgement Seat Of CHRIST, that each one may be Recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
Therefore knowing the fear of The LORD, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to GOD; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.
We are not again commending ourselves to you but giving you an occasion to be proud of us, that you may have answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart... 2 Corinthians 5:1-12.
Our clothing so that we shall not be found naked is the Righteous acts of the Saints (Revelation 19:7-10).
Because one might have the Gift of Prophecy, or of Pastor (Pastor is, as all the Gifts are, Given to each one according to HIS Grace to each one, a Gift, being for the common good; for the building up of The Body in love; Ephesians 4:7-16, and is never being a title of and for the authority of men; 1 Peter 5:1-3), or of evangelist, or teacher, or of whatever else; all which GOD Distributes individually just as HE Wills (1 Corinthians 12:4-31), this, in itself, does not mean that any are Saved because of The Gift Given according to The Grace Given to each one.
It is not in itself evidence of a child Of GOD who, By The SPIRIT HIMSELF, has evidenced by HIM Alone of their spirit that they do indeed bear The Testimony Of JESUS. ...The SPIRIT HIMSELF Bears Witness with our spirit that we are children Of GOD, and if children, heirs also, heirs Of GOD and fellow heirs with CHRIST, if indeed we suffer with in order that we may also be Glorified with... Romans 8:16-17 (1 Peter 4:1-2).
Any who believe, either of themselves or of others that it does mean that they are Saved because, as they see it, of a Gift Given Of GOD, which is supposed to be for the common good and the building up of The Body in love, and is proof in itself of a Saving faith, then they walk as an unknowing fool.
There are those who have stood and who now stand as Pastors, for example, who shall hear those Words Spoken By The LORD which no man will want to hear, "I never Knew you; Depart from ME, you who practice lawlessness..."
I have both known and have suffered at the hands of such arrogant men, as I'm sure many have. Those who believe of themselves that others are to remain obedient to and respect them in their titles, as they themselves see it, whatever and whichever "title" that might be; because they believe in the title and consequently how they themselves see things and becomes above their believing in GOD Through JESUS CHRIST. Yet this is nothing of a Christian in truth.
Such as Hebrews 13:17 is not for their benefit, but is for all and there is to be no partiality (no man is above the Scriptures), that all have a good conscience desiring to conduct themselves honourably, according to GOD.
It has never been that we are to blindly accept any man. But we are to examine everything carefully, and after careful consideration, if all is as should be; and JESUS CHRIST Is the same yesterday, today and forever; then we are to imitate their faith (Hebrews 13:7-9).
But we are all, as Christians, and without exception; in love Called to,
...Bear one another's burdens and thus fulfill The Law Of CHRIST. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine (test, discern, try, 2 Corinthians 13:5) his own work and then he will have boasting (2 Corinthians 1:12) in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another (1 Corinthians 4:7). For each one shall bear his own load. Galatians 6:2-5.
If any reading here, who have got this far, and think and believe that I am wrong, then open your eyes, unblock your ears and by your necks being unstiffened so as to be able to hear (GOD Is Opposed to the proud but Gives Grace to the humble), hear this example given to us in Scripture:
Caiaphas was high priest (Hebrews 5:1-4, John 3:27) in the days of JESUS' Flesh when HE was delivered up for the sins of the world (Matthew 26:57-68).
In John 11:47-53, It Is Written, ... Therefore the chief priests and the Pharisees convened a council and were saying, "What are we doing? For this Man is Performing many Signs. "If we let HIM go on like this, all men will believe in HIM and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation."
But a certain one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all, nor do you take into account that it is expedient for you that One Man should die for the people and that the whole nation should not perish."
Now this he did not say on his own initiative; but being high priest that year, he Prophesied that JESUS was going to die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but that HE might also Gather Together into One the children Of GOD who are scattered abroad. So from that day on they planned together to kill HIM...
Caiaphas Prophesied, and yet he himself did not recognise to believe in GOD'S MESSIAH, JESUS; The SON Of GOD, even though Scripture stated and states that this is who MESSIAH shall be; GOD'S Own SON (Psalm 2:7-12, Proverbs 30:4); Born of the virgin (Isaiah 7:14) and that HE HIMSELF Performed many miracles (Luke 7:18-23, Isaiah 35).
And today not all who profess to be Christian have faith in GOD as they both believe of themselves or are accepted as having by others, who will also look to those also of little faith for guidance and even Spiritual leadership.
The chief priests and the Pharisees desire was, in truth, for themselves. They only knew to be selfish and did not know selflessness, just as is with many Christians today. They lived and existed for their own place and did not know, in truth and in Godly sincerity, to serve GOD and in serving GOD their serving all others.
And a Christian is to be as a slave to all; considering others as more important than themselves; because of love. Matthew 20:25-28, Mark 10:42-45, Luke 22:24-27, 1 Corinthians 9:19-27, Philippians 2:1-16.
But in their unbelief and in this lack of faith; their self preservation, the chief priests and Pharisees, much like many in The Church today, could not see it, they did not want to see it, and it was shown in their saying themselves that if JESUS was allowed to carry on that all men would believe in HIM (which was and is The Will Of GOD The FATHER; Mark 9:7) that they would lose their place (Matthew 23, Luke 16:14-15, John 12:42-43) and in their own belief and fear of this that the Romans would take away their nation.
This of course happened anyway in A.D. 70, just as JESUS HIMSELF Prophesied; because they did not believe in HIM; Mark 13:2, Luke 13:33-35, Luke 19:41-44.
And such a worse destruction; an eternal destruction, shall be for all now who do not believe in JESUS CHRIST being in accordance with The Truth. 2 Thessalonians 1.
Many today who present as pastors and whatever else in HIS Name, set themselves up as an idol in their own heart and consequently they ultimately look to serve themselves and to be served themselves by others.
...And the high priest (John 18:24 - 19:16) stood up and came forward and questioned JESUS, saying, "Do YOU make no answer? What is it that these men are testifying against YOU?"
But HE kept silent and made no answer. Again the high priest was questioning HIM, "Are YOU The CHRIST, The SON Of The BLESSED ONE?"
And JESUS Said, "I AM; And you shall see The SON Of MAN Sitting at the Right Hand Of Power and Coming With The Clouds Of Heaven."
And tearing his clothes, the high priest said, "What further need do we have of witnesses? "You have heard the blasphemy; how does it seem to you?" (Bear in mind, to the reaction and outburst of the high priest that they would not have dared themselves to openly contradict the high priest, so their answer to his question was simply more of a formality) And they all condemned HIM to be deserving of death. And some began to spit at HIM and to beat HIM with their fists and to say to HIM, "Prophesy!" And the officers received HIM with slaps. Mark 14:60-65.
But a man Of GOD in Truth, in the fear of The LORD, understands, thinks and acts thus:
...For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; but just as we have beenapproved By GODto be Entrusted with The Gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men but GOD, WHO Examines our hearts.
For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed - GOD Is Witness - nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as Apostles Of CHRIST we might have asserted our authority. But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. Having thus a fond affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only The Gospel Of GOD but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us... 1 Thessalonians 2:3-8. This is and is from love.
As I shared and showed in the posting previous to this one and from The Word Of GOD, Unrequited love or unpaid wages, of what the love Of GOD in the true believer is and means, it is to be mindful, that those in Scripture, being of The Body Of CHRIST, HIS Church; who call HIM LORD, that they, with the Gift of Prophecy, of performing Miracles, and who cast out demons in HIS Name, shall be told by The LORD HIMSELF, "I never Knew you; Depart from ME, you who practice lawlessness." Matthew 7:21-23.
This is because love is the fulfillment of The Law; and not all have faith working through love; not all have faith to the Preserving of the soul (Hebrews 10:32-39).
To speak without love is to be as a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
To have the Gift of Prophecy, to know all mysteries, all knowledge and having faith so as to move mountains, yet being without love, then we are nobody, nothing, nought.
Giving possessions in that we supply to feed but yet do not have love, it profits us nought. Remember the poor widow, Mark 12:41-44.
It is our heart and its Cleansing so that we become imitators of GOD, which truly matters (Exodus 35:21-29, Acts 11:29).
...Now HE WHO Supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, will Supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your Righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to GOD.
For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the Saints, but is also overflowing through many thanks to GOD.
Because of the proof given by this ministry they will glorify GOD for obedience to your confession of The Gospel Of CHRISTand for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing Grace Of GOD in you. Thanks be to GOD for HIS Indescribable Gift! 2 Corinthians 9:10-15.
A willing offering to The LORD of every man and woman whose heart makes them willing. And all is to HIS Praise and Glory.
..."But if GOD so arrays the grass of the field, which is today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, not much more you, O men of little faith? "Do not be anxious then, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'With what shall we clothe ourselves?' "For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your Heavenly FATHER Knows that you need all these things.
"But seek first HIS Kingdom and HIS Righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. "Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own... Matthew 6:30-34.
Again, as Paul writes, ...Love never fails; but if Prophecy, they will be done away; if tongues, they will cease; if knowledge, it will be rendered idle;... 1 Corinthians 13:8-9.
Only love; only that which cannot be shaken (by implication, destroyed: Matthew 7:24-25, John 12:44-50, 1 Peter 1:22-25, John 13:34-35, John 14:15-18, Hebrews 12:25 - 13:1), will remain.
...By this, love is perfected with us, that we may have confidence in The Day Of Judgement; because as HE is, so also are we in this world... 1 John 4:17.
What are you being shown, taught and given the example of and for in each day you sojourn here on earth by your Pastors, teachers and elders or whoever else it is that you seek for all your Spiritual knowledge and discernment?
Who is it you walk believing in? Is it GOD or is it man? (Psalm 146).
..."Therefore I testify to you this day, that I am innocent of the blood of all men. "For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole Purpose Of GOD.
"Be on guard for yourselves and for all the Flock, among which The HOLY SPIRIT has made you overseers, to shepherd The Church Of GOD Which HE Purchased With HIS Own Blood. "I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the Flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.
"Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. "And now I commend you to GOD and to The Word Of HIS Grace, which is able to Build Up and to give the Inheritance among all those who are Sanctified... Acts 20:26-32.
...Test yourselves if you are in The faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognise this about yourselves, that JESUS CHRIST is In you - unless indeed you fail the test?... 2 Corinthians 13:5.
Because just as The LORD JESUS CHRIST Came into the world to Bear Witness to The Truth (John 18:36-37, John 14:6) and we, as the true believers in HIM; HIS Disciples, know to seek only to bear witness to and of HIM through our faith in JESUS CHRIST The SON Of GOD, we cannot, we do not, bear witness to ourselves in anything in matters pertaining to GOD. But we are (to be) Sent into the world just as The FATHER Sent The SON into the world; that by HIS SPIRIT HE Bears Witness to The Truth; in us and through us:
Just as Paul writes,
...For we do not preach ourselves but CHRIST JESUS As LORD and ourselves as your bond-servants for JESUS' Sake. For GOD, WHO Said, "Light Shall Shine out of darkness," Is The ONE WHO Has Shone in our hearts to Give The Light Of The Knowledge of The Glory Of GOD In The Face Of CHRIST. But we have This Treasure in earthen vessels, that the Surpassing Greatness of The Power may be Of GOD and not from ourselves... 2 Corinthians 4:5-7.
And just as JESUS HIMSELF Says and means of and for us:
..."They are not of the world, even as (inasmuch as) I AM not of the world. "Sanctify them in The Truth; THY Word Is Truth. "As THOU Didst Send ME into the world, I also have Sent them into the world... John 17:16-18.
John 18:37. Furthermore to recognising...
Christians, who are supposed to know to understand differently, in knowing that they simply cannot bear witness to themselves; that no one can.
And if any do then their witness, in that they themselves bear witness to themselves, is simply not true.
Those who will still do so and in ignorance to The Truth (being that only GOD Is Just and The Justifier of the one who has faith in JESUS), do so blindly, arrogantly, and are also blindly believed on by others who themselves know only to do the same.
In all of the strange and varied teachings and beliefs of what is Christianity that we have today, those who hold to them, stubbornly refusing to be corrected by The Word and thus being unable to see, they should remember that whatever we do here on earth it is fully known in Heaven, and one day soon we shall all be recompensed for all the things we have done; whether good or bad. This should instill a fear.
..."Truly I Say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven... Matthew 18:18.
But then to grasp this understanding in the fullness of the fear it should bring, the fear of The LORD would first have to be known.
The fear of The LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of The Holy ONE is understanding. Proverbs 9:10.
And today, clearly it just is not known among many of those who profess to know GOD, with whom, if it was, would then accordingly know to conduct themselves in true humility before both GOD and man.
Their conduct would show it.
Men Of GOD we read of and from in Scripture knew true humility, that The LORD their GOD was and is their all; their Portion; their Inheritance.
Preserve me, O GOD, for I take refuge in THEE.
I said to The LORD, "THOU Art my LORD; I have no good besides THEE."
As for the Saints who are in the earth, they are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight.
The sorrows of those who have bartered for another god will be multiplied; I shall not pour out their libations of blood, nor shall I take their names upon my lips.
The LORD Is The Portion of my Inheritance and my Cup; THOU Dost Support my lot.
The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; indeed, my Heritage is Beautiful to me.
I will bless The LORD WHO has Counseled me; indeed, my mind instructs me in the night.
I have set The LORD continually before me; because HE Is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will dwell securely.
For THOU wilt not abandon my soul to Sheol; neither wilt THOU Allow THY Holy ONE to undergo decay.
THOU wilt make Known to me The Path Of Life; In THY Presence is fullness of joy; In THY Right Hand there are pleasures forever.
Psalm 16.
(Psalm 73:26, Psalm 119:57-64, Psalm 142, Jeremiah 10:16).
When The LORD is continually before us in our walk; when we willingly give to HIM the place of honour in our lives, we will not be shaken.
We are to understand:
Let another praise you and not your own mouth; a stranger and not your own lips. Proverbs 27:2.
For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom The LORD Commends.
2 Corinthians 10:18.
It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glory to search out one's own glory.
Proverbs 25:27.
Not even The LORD JESUS did so of HIMSELF; because HE never sought HIS Own Will, but The FATHER'S; John 5:28-32. Just as we as Christians are supposed to know, and just as we profess that we do; Matthew 6:10.
But do we?
The LORD JESUS CHRIST Is The Good SHEPHERD;
..."I AM The Door; if anyone enters through ME, he shall be Saved and shall go in and out and find Pasture.
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I Came that they might have Life and might have abundantly.
"I AM The Good SHEPHERD; The Good SHEPHERD lays down HIS Life for the sheep.
"He who is a hireling and not a shepherd, who is not The Owner of the sheep, beholds the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters, because he is a hireling and is not concerned about the sheep.
"I AM The Good SHEPHERD; and I Know MY Own and MY Own know ME, even as The FATHER Knows ME and I Know The FATHER; and I Lay Down MY Life for the sheep...
John 10:9-15.
Have you ever known a man who stands as pastor who has scattered the sheep; caused others to leave a particular Church because he himself desires to rule by his own authority and insists that it is his way and merely according to his own wisdom and even his own interpretation of The Holy Scriptures?
Such a one, no matter how much he will protest and deny it of himself, in doing so, he is not first and foremost concerned about the sheep, but of his own position as he himself sees it, even, desires it to be and accepted by all others.
I have known such a one. And I have heard the same bearing witness of himself that he is in right standing before GOD, while he has also in his time condemned others in and by his own wisdom, foresight and judgement.
You will find with such as these that in the attitude of their hearts, to them and for themselves in their own thinking, somehow, GOD'S Grace is sufficient, but they do not consider the same of and for others.
But we are to discern, and such men are supposed to be corrected (Matthew 18:15-20), and if refusing correction from The Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17) are to be refused.
Whatever a man's standing in any particular Church, it is not his church; it is The LORD'S (Colossians 1:9-23), and we are all Brothers (Matthew 18:1-35, Luke 22:24-27).
..."But do not be called Rabbi; for ONE Is your TEACHER, and you are all Brothers... Matthew 23:8 (Luke 6:39-40).
We are supposed to let no one disregard The Instruction (Titus 2), which applies to all; no partiality (1 Corinthians 4:1-4, Job 15:14-16, Job 34:10-30).
We should answer one who will behave as an arrogant foolish one according to his folly, lest we ourselves become like him and consequently, in never knowing repentance, shall share his fate (Proverbs 26:4-5).
Because, such a one, in his folly, does not joyfully concur with The Law Of GOD in his inner man; therefore, he is not himself being transformed by the Renewing of his mind; thinking more highly of himself than he ought to think (Romans 12).
If he does hear and repents, then you have won your Brother.
If he refuses, then he stands being self-condemned. His blood; his life is on his own head, and it is not on your head (Ezekiel 33:1-20).
The wicked is thrust down by his wrongdoing, but the Righteous has a Refuge when he dies (John 11:25-26).
Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, but in the bosom of fools it is made known. Proverbs 14:32-33.
Love will look to turn a sinner from the error of his ways.
And in our keeping fervent in our love for one another, love will hinder the acquaintance with and familiarity of sin; to the point that we shall die to sin so as to be able to live to Righteousness (Romans 6:15-19).
The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be of sound judgement and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.
Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:7-8.
...Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.
And you know that HE Appeared in order to take away sins; and In HIM there is no sin.
No one who abides In HIM sins; and no one who sins has seen HIM or knows HIM...
1 John 3:4-6.
But where there is no knowledge; where there is no insight into Spiritual Truth among those of any particular Church, then such men shall flourish. And sadly they do.
A Diotrephes character (3 John:9-11) has no place in GOD'S Church which HE Purchased With HIS Own Blood (Matthew 23:4-13, 1 Peter 5:2-3, Philippians 2:1-5, 1 Peter 4:10-11).
My Brethren, if any among you strays from The Truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins.
James 5:19-20.
See how Paul, a man Of GOD indeed; knowing humility, understood in himself of himself:
...For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the wishing is present in me, but the doing of the good not.
For the good that I wish, I do not do; but I practice the very evil that I do not wish.
But if I am doing the very thing I do not wish, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which indwells me.
I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wishes to do good.
For I joyfully concur with The Law Of GOD in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of The Law of sin which is in my members.
Wretched man that I am!
Who will set me Free from the body of this death?
Thanks be to GOD Through JESUS CHRIST our LORD!
So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving The Law Of GOD, but on the other, with my flesh The Law of sin...
Romans 7:18-25.
Paul, just as with David, just as with any man Of GOD, knew that he had no good besides The LORD his GOD.
GOD Is Love: This means the goodness that we now, In CHRIST, have in ourselves by The Grace Of GOD through faith; being HIS Testimony in us, is not when we walk acting in all that is being contrary to JESUS and the love Of GOD.
The HOLY SPIRIT is not according to our flesh, but our spirit; that GOD might give Life to our mortal bodies because of HIS SPIRIT WHO Indwells us (Romans 8:9-11); so that just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we are now to bear The Image Of The Heavenly (1 Corinthians 15:35-49).
"It Is The SPIRIT WHO Gives Life; the flesh profits nothing; The Words that I Have Spoken to you are Spirit and are Life.
"But there are some of you who do not believe." John 6:63-64.
...Now I say this, Brethren, that flesh and blood cannot Inherit The Kingdom Of GOD; nor does the perishable Inherit The Imperishable...
1 Corinthians 15:50.
...Blessed The GOD And FATHER Of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, WHO has Blessed us with every Spiritual Blessing in The Heavenly In CHRIST, just as HE Chose us In HIM before The Foundation of the world, that we should be Holy and blameless before HIM in love.
HE Predestined us to adoption as sons Through JESUS CHRIST to HIMSELF, according to The Kind Intention Of HIS Will, to the praise and Glory Of HIS Grace, which HE Freely Bestowed on us In The BELOVED.
In HIM we have Redemption Through HIS Blood, the Forgiveness of our trespasses, according to The Riches Of HIS Grace, which HE Lavished upon us.
In all Wisdom and Insight HE Made Known to us The Mystery Of HIS Will, according to HIS Kind Intention which HE Purposed In HIM with a view to an Administration suitable to the fullness of the times, the summing up of all things In CHRIST, things in The Heavens and things upon earth.
In HIM also we have Obtained an Inheritance, having been Predestined according to HIS Purpose WHO Works all things after The Counsel Of HIS Will, to the end that we who were the first to hope In CHRIST should be to the praise of HIS Glory.
In HIM, you also, after listening to The Message Of Truth, The Gospel Of your Salvation - having also believed, you were Sealed In HIM with The HOLY SPIRIT Of Promise, WHO Is Given as A Pledge of our Inheritance, with a view to The Redemption of Possession, to the praise of HIS Glory.
Ephesians 1:3-14.
And is why Paul writes to those who are Brethren indeed,
...And concerning you, my Brethren, I myself am also convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all Knowledge and able also to admonish one another...
Romans 15:14.
Yet today many are deceived in their belief of themselves and shall bear witness of themselves in their walk, believing of themselves that they walk rightly before The LORD, when the truth is that their spirit; their very sentient element does not uphold this belief of their own imaginings when aligned with The Truth Of GOD and that which is seen in the Christians of the New Testament.
This arrogance, (before GOD this is what it is and arrogance and pride being a deed of the flesh shall not stand before HIM), when they refuse to understand just as we are Called to know and to understand; being in humility, being filled with Godly Knowledge, knowing and understanding that it is actually borne out in all our words and deeds and it is to be in harmony with all Scripture, which performs its work in those who believe (1 Thessalonians 2:13), and is not in our testifying to our own righteousness; being without hypocrisy; then, in such pride and arrogance it is what is and shall be in their standing self condemned; no matter how much they themselves will deny it, their own undoing.
As Paul writes of himself and of those with him who are indeed in Truth examples to the flock for imitation;
...Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when absent, such persons we are also in deed when present.
For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves;
but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding...
2 Corinthians 10:11-12.
Testifying of ourselves and bearing witness to our own goodness is something man knows to do according to the flesh.
But in CHRIST JESUS we are not to know such boasting, or at least are to know and to understand now that we no longer do this; and so we are no longer to be walking according to the flesh.
Like a dog that returns to its own vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.
Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Proverbs 26:11-12.
...For we know that if our earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from GOD, A House not made with hands, eternal in The Heavens.
For indeed in this we groan, longing to be Clothed with our Dwelling from Heaven; inasmuch as we, having put it on, shall not be found naked.
For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed, but to be Clothed, in order that what is mortal may be swallowed up by Life.
Now HE WHO Prepared us for this very purpose is GOD, WHO Gave to us The SPIRIT as A Pledge. (2 Corinthians 1:20-22).
Therefore, being always of good courage and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from The LORD - for we walk by faith and not by sight - we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with The LORD.
Therefore also we have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to HIM.
For we must all appear before The Judgement Seat Of CHRIST, that each one may be Recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
Therefore knowing the fear of The LORD, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to GOD; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.
We are not again commending ourselves to you but giving you an occasion to be proud of us, that you may have answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart...
2 Corinthians 5:1-12.
Our clothing so that we shall not be found naked is the Righteous acts of the Saints (Revelation 19:7-10).
Because one might have the Gift of Prophecy, or of Pastor (Pastor is, as all the Gifts are, Given to each one according to HIS Grace to each one, a Gift, being for the common good; for the building up of The Body in love; Ephesians 4:7-16, and is never being a title of and for the authority of men; 1 Peter 5:1-3), or of evangelist, or teacher, or of whatever else; all which GOD Distributes individually just as HE Wills (1 Corinthians 12:4-31), this, in itself, does not mean that any are Saved because of The Gift Given according to The Grace Given to each one.
It is not in itself evidence of a child Of GOD who, By The SPIRIT HIMSELF, has evidenced by HIM Alone of their spirit that they do indeed bear The Testimony Of JESUS.
...The SPIRIT HIMSELF Bears Witness with our spirit that we are children Of GOD, and if children, heirs also, heirs Of GOD and fellow heirs with CHRIST, if indeed we suffer with in order that we may also be Glorified with...
Romans 8:16-17 (1 Peter 4:1-2).
Any who believe, either of themselves or of others that it does mean that they are Saved because, as they see it, of a Gift Given Of GOD, which is supposed to be for the common good and the building up of The Body in love, and is proof in itself of a Saving faith, then they walk as an unknowing fool.
There are those who have stood and who now stand as Pastors, for example, who shall hear those Words Spoken By The LORD which no man will want to hear, "I never Knew you; Depart from ME, you who practice lawlessness..."
I have both known and have suffered at the hands of such arrogant men, as I'm sure many have.
Those who believe of themselves that others are to remain obedient to and respect them in their titles, as they themselves see it, whatever and whichever "title" that might be; because they believe in the title and consequently how they themselves see things and becomes above their believing in GOD Through JESUS CHRIST.
Yet this is nothing of a Christian in truth.
Such as Hebrews 13:17 is not for their benefit, but is for all and there is to be no partiality (no man is above the Scriptures), that all have a good conscience desiring to conduct themselves honourably, according to GOD.
It has never been that we are to blindly accept any man.
But we are to examine everything carefully, and after careful consideration, if all is as should be; and JESUS CHRIST Is the same yesterday, today and forever; then we are to imitate their faith (Hebrews 13:7-9).
But we are all, as Christians, and without exception; in love Called to,
...Bear one another's burdens and thus fulfill The Law Of CHRIST.
For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
But let each one examine (test, discern, try, 2 Corinthians 13:5) his own work and then he will have boasting (2 Corinthians 1:12) in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another (1 Corinthians 4:7).
For each one shall bear his own load.
Galatians 6:2-5.
If any reading here, who have got this far, and think and believe that I am wrong, then open your eyes, unblock your ears and by your necks being unstiffened so as to be able to hear (GOD Is Opposed to the proud but Gives Grace to the humble), hear this example given to us in Scripture:
Caiaphas was high priest (Hebrews 5:1-4, John 3:27) in the days of JESUS' Flesh when HE was delivered up for the sins of the world (Matthew 26:57-68).
In John 11:47-53, It Is Written,
... Therefore the chief priests and the Pharisees convened a council and were saying,
"What are we doing? For this Man is Performing many Signs.
"If we let HIM go on like this, all men will believe in HIM and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation."
But a certain one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them,
"You know nothing at all, nor do you take into account that it is expedient for you that One Man should die for the people and that the whole nation should not perish."
Now this he did not say on his own initiative; but being high priest that year, he Prophesied that JESUS was going to die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but that HE might also Gather Together into One the children Of GOD who are scattered abroad.
So from that day on they planned together to kill HIM...
Caiaphas Prophesied, and yet he himself did not recognise to believe in GOD'S MESSIAH, JESUS; The SON Of GOD, even though Scripture stated and states that this is who MESSIAH shall be; GOD'S Own SON (Psalm 2:7-12, Proverbs 30:4); Born of the virgin (Isaiah 7:14) and that HE HIMSELF Performed many miracles (Luke 7:18-23, Isaiah 35).
And today not all who profess to be Christian have faith in GOD as they both believe of themselves or are accepted as having by others, who will also look to those also of little faith for guidance and even Spiritual leadership.
The chief priests and the Pharisees desire was, in truth, for themselves.
They only knew to be selfish and did not know selflessness, just as is with many Christians today.
They lived and existed for their own place and did not know, in truth and in Godly sincerity, to serve GOD and in serving GOD their serving all others.
And a Christian is to be as a slave to all; considering others as more important than themselves; because of love.
Matthew 20:25-28, Mark 10:42-45, Luke 22:24-27, 1 Corinthians 9:19-27, Philippians 2:1-16.
But in their unbelief and in this lack of faith; their self preservation, the chief priests and Pharisees, much like many in The Church today, could not see it, they did not want to see it, and it was shown in their saying themselves that if JESUS was allowed to carry on that all men would believe in HIM (which was and is The Will Of GOD The FATHER; Mark 9:7) that they would lose their place (Matthew 23, Luke 16:14-15, John 12:42-43) and in their own belief and fear of this that the Romans would take away their nation.
This of course happened anyway in A.D. 70, just as JESUS HIMSELF Prophesied; because they did not believe in HIM; Mark 13:2, Luke 13:33-35, Luke 19:41-44.
And such a worse destruction; an eternal destruction, shall be for all now who do not believe in JESUS CHRIST being in accordance with The Truth. 2 Thessalonians 1.
Many today who present as pastors and whatever else in HIS Name, set themselves up as an idol in their own heart and consequently they ultimately look to serve themselves and to be served themselves by others.
...And the high priest (John 18:24 - 19:16) stood up and came forward and questioned JESUS, saying,
"Do YOU make no answer? What is it that these men are testifying against YOU?"
But HE kept silent and made no answer. Again the high priest was questioning HIM, "Are YOU The CHRIST, The SON Of The BLESSED ONE?"
And JESUS Said, "I AM; And you shall see The SON Of MAN Sitting at the Right Hand Of Power and Coming With The Clouds Of Heaven."
And tearing his clothes, the high priest said, "What further need do we have of witnesses?
"You have heard the blasphemy; how does it seem to you?"
(Bear in mind, to the reaction and outburst of the high priest that they would not have dared themselves to openly contradict the high priest, so their answer to his question was simply more of a formality)
And they all condemned HIM to be deserving of death.
And some began to spit at HIM and to beat HIM with their fists and to say to HIM, "Prophesy!" And the officers received HIM with slaps.
Mark 14:60-65.
But a man Of GOD in Truth, in the fear of The LORD, understands, thinks and acts thus:
...For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; but just as we have been approved By GOD to be Entrusted with The Gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men but GOD, WHO Examines our hearts.
For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed - GOD Is Witness - nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as Apostles Of CHRIST we might have asserted our authority.
But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children.
Having thus a fond affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only The Gospel Of GOD but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us...
1 Thessalonians 2:3-8.
This is and is from love.
As I shared and showed in the posting previous to this one and from The Word Of GOD, Unrequited love or unpaid wages, of what the love Of GOD in the true believer is and means, it is to be mindful, that those in Scripture, being of The Body Of CHRIST, HIS Church; who call HIM LORD, that they, with the Gift of Prophecy, of performing Miracles, and who cast out demons in HIS Name, shall be told by The LORD HIMSELF, "I never Knew you; Depart from ME, you who practice lawlessness." Matthew 7:21-23.
This is because love is the fulfillment of The Law; and not all have faith working through love; not all have faith to the Preserving of the soul (Hebrews 10:32-39).
To speak without love is to be as a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
To have the Gift of Prophecy, to know all mysteries, all knowledge and having faith so as to move mountains, yet being without love, then we are nobody, nothing, nought.
Giving possessions in that we supply to feed but yet do not have love, it profits us nought.
Remember the poor widow, Mark 12:41-44.
It is our heart and its Cleansing so that we become imitators of GOD, which truly matters (Exodus 35:21-29, Acts 11:29).
...Now HE WHO Supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, will Supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your Righteousness;
you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to GOD.
For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the Saints, but is also overflowing through many thanks to GOD.
Because of the proof given by this ministry they will glorify GOD for obedience to your confession of The Gospel Of CHRIST and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing Grace Of GOD in you.
Thanks be to GOD for HIS Indescribable Gift!
2 Corinthians 9:10-15.
A willing offering to The LORD of every man and woman whose heart makes them willing. And all is to HIS Praise and Glory.
..."But if GOD so arrays the grass of the field, which is today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, not much more you, O men of little faith?
"Do not be anxious then, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'With what shall we clothe ourselves?'
"For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your Heavenly FATHER Knows that you need all these things.
"But seek first HIS Kingdom and HIS Righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.
"Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own...
Matthew 6:30-34.
Again, as Paul writes,
...Love never fails; but if Prophecy, they will be done away; if tongues, they will cease; if knowledge, it will be rendered idle;...
1 Corinthians 13:8-9.
Only love; only that which cannot be shaken (by implication, destroyed: Matthew 7:24-25, John 12:44-50, 1 Peter 1:22-25, John 13:34-35, John 14:15-18, Hebrews 12:25 - 13:1), will remain.
...By this, love is perfected with us, that we may have confidence in The Day Of Judgement; because as HE is, so also are we in this world...
1 John 4:17.
What are you being shown, taught and given the example of and for in each day you sojourn here on earth by your Pastors, teachers and elders or whoever else it is that you seek for all your Spiritual knowledge and discernment?
Who is it you walk believing in? Is it GOD or is it man? (Psalm 146).
..."Therefore I testify to you this day, that I am innocent of the blood of all men.
"For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole Purpose Of GOD.
"Be on guard for yourselves and for all the Flock, among which The HOLY SPIRIT has made you overseers, to shepherd The Church Of GOD Which HE Purchased With HIS Own Blood.
"I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the Flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.
"Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears.
"And now I commend you to GOD and to The Word Of HIS Grace, which is able to Build Up and to give the Inheritance among all those who are Sanctified...
Acts 20:26-32.
...Test yourselves if you are in The faith; examine yourselves!
Or do you not recognise this about yourselves, that JESUS CHRIST is In you - unless indeed you fail the test?...
2 Corinthians 13:5.
Because just as The LORD JESUS CHRIST Came into the world to Bear Witness to The Truth (John 18:36-37, John 14:6) and we, as the true believers in HIM; HIS Disciples, know to seek only to bear witness to and of HIM through our faith in JESUS CHRIST The SON Of GOD, we cannot, we do not, bear witness to ourselves in anything in matters pertaining to GOD.
But we are (to be) Sent into the world just as The FATHER Sent The SON into the world; that by HIS SPIRIT HE Bears Witness to The Truth; in us and through us:
Just as Paul writes,
...For we do not preach ourselves but CHRIST JESUS As LORD and ourselves as your bond-servants for JESUS' Sake.
For GOD, WHO Said,
"Light Shall Shine out of darkness,"
Is The ONE WHO Has Shone in our hearts to Give The Light Of The Knowledge of The Glory Of GOD In The Face Of CHRIST.
But we have This Treasure in earthen vessels, that the Surpassing Greatness of The Power may be Of GOD and not from ourselves... 2 Corinthians 4:5-7.
And just as JESUS HIMSELF Says and means of and for us:
..."They are not of the world, even as (inasmuch as) I AM not of the world.
"Sanctify them in The Truth; THY Word Is Truth.
"As THOU Didst Send ME into the world, I also have Sent them into the world...
John 17:16-18.