ARE YOU YOUR WORST ENEMY?

ARE YOU YOUR WORST ENEMY? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62B8nEJCpZo&t=2485s [Youtube video version]. I did not know what title to give this article to get your attention to read this point, possibly improve your chances of gaining vital knowledge, pleasing God and probably saving your soul. It is the explanation of an incident I had with a woman. We are told Hos 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God,... I am guided by Jas 5:20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. I will try and keep it short. I sent out a study on “REVELATION 14 – 16 “ENTOLE” ESSENTIAL MEANING” and received the following comment. I have inserted numbers into her comment to correspond with my reply to it. “I don’t know why your version of what you do to be saved is so complicated. 1) Read Romans 10:8-13, 2) note verse 9 and 13. 3) This is all you have to do. 4) Eph 2:8 salvation is a gift from God. 5) All gifts are free. 6) Rom 5:8 we were sinners when Jesus died for us. 7) We did not have to fix ourselves up first to be acceptable to receive the gift of salvation. 8) This is what the Bible tells me not passed down religious 9) And what does God say true religion is? 10) James 1:27. If I addressed each point comprehensively it would take pages so I will merely mention some points and hope you get the message. If you have been following my daily Genesis to Revelations posts from 1st Jan, you should have noticed numerous “IF” conditions showing the recipient of God’s gifts had to meet a condition i.e Adam and Eve not to eat of the fruit. God told Cain Gen 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? Even though Noah had never seen rain he acted on the instructions God gave him Gen 6:22 Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he. My last example even from the first book of the Bible being Gen 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. Gen 17:2 And I will ... That is the precept, obedience to plus faith in God’s instruction words. I booked an appointment with the woman and even offered huge financial incentive to get her to listen. For her own good. When I arrived, she said she had only listened to the first minute of the “....”ENTOLE”....” study. She neither wanted to hear what I had prepared to prove. “Her experience was sufficient for her”. First let me address our experiences with two verses 2Th_2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and LYING WONDERS, 2Co 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 2Co 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 2Co 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness;. Meaning satan can give comfort, prosperity and even answer prayers to keep you satisfied and stay in your ignorance. Remember Gen 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. Eph_6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Eze 28:3 Behold, thou art wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from thee. Satan offered kingdoms to Messiah in the wilderness and we read Jer 44:17 But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil. Jer 44:18 But since we left off to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, we have wanted all things, and have been consumed by the sword and by the famine. Jer 44:19 And when we burned incense to the queen of heaven, and poured out drink offerings unto her, did we make her cakes to worship her, and pour out drink offerings unto her, without our men? In short the Bible clearly says we are to go by the Word of God, not our experiences as people can make wrong connections with their experience. 1Jn 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Ok, my reply to her ten points: 1. Romans 10:8-13 is taken from Deu 30:11-20 and the context actually starts from 10:6 “righteousness of faith”. Paul recites part of the passage of Deu 30:11-14 to explain “righteousness of faith”. It was the words of God, through Moses to Israel who were given commandments and a covenant to keep of Ex 20 - 24:7. Thus the Romans 10:8-13 cannot be given a different context than the origins from where it is quoted. It has to also be based on the subsequent verse of “Rom_10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the WORD OF GOD” which ties in with “Deu 30:16 In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: AND the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it”. The blessing of God was conditional on Israel keeping His commandments. As it was with Abraham who had both obedience and faith. The faith being counted unto him for righteousness. Gen 26:5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws. The two things Abraham had, equals the two New Testament believers in Messiah are called to have Rev 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, AND the faith of Jesus. Having faith to call on the name of Jesus parallels the faith that was called on in the animal sacrifices of Arron for the forgiveness of ones sins. Transgression of God’s law. Yahshua (Jesus) is the sin forgiveness law in the flesh as I have shown in former studies. Both satisfy Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 2) Verses 9 and 13 are not isolation qualifying verses. They must be added to other verses as “Luk 13:5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Mat_10:22 ... but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. Mat 19:17 … but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments”. Verses 9 and 13 are in the context of the surrounding verses which are within the context of their source in Deuteronomy. Paul cannot and did not give them a different context nor meaning. Rom 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; Deu 30:14 But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest DO IT. Deu 30:15 See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; Deu 30:16 In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: AND the LORD thy God shall bless thee... [THE “that thou mayest” “AND” are the conditions to receiving the blessing, the gift]. 3) It is sad to realise many Christians are under the delusion they only have to “call on” the name of Jesus and believe “call on” does not require God’s commandment keeping. He is a genie that dishes out the most valuable item of salvation freely! The Bible throughout says the opposite; even to the end as in Rev 14:12 and 22:14. Paul himself makes it clear in 1Co 7:19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. A teaching matching one in the old Testament Eccle 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 4, 5 & 7) Though the verse says salvation is a gift, WHICH PART OF THE VERSE SAYS IT IS FREE? “Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”. People are constantly reading their interpretation into verses and closing their ears from education on the verse actual meaning. Here are two verses of numerous I could cite to show not all gifts are free. I have already shown above, things of God are or almost always conditional. Exo 20:6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS. Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, REPENT, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. THE PRIOR CONDITION TO RECEIVING THE GIFT WAS REPENTANCE. Meaning sincere regret for past sins and turning away from them unto keeping the laws on God. Using the words of her point 7, they first had to “fix themselves up” to be acceptable to receive the gift! Similar to Messiah’s lesson in Mat 9:16 No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment,.. Mat_9:17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: Or using her Ephesians, Eph 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Christians like to take singular or few verses out of context of the author’s whole epistle. Without going into the whole epistle of Ephesians, Paul was clearly writing to a congregation who had turned to obeying God’s commandments. Eph 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to THE SAINTS which are at Ephesus, AND to the faithful in Christ Jesus: 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.. If you want to study Ephesians, see the two links at the end; but to be without blame is to be like Luk 1:6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord BLAMELESS. 6) Yahshua (referred to as Jesus by many) did not die for everyone, so not every “us” can be justified by him under the “us” of Romans 5:8. Again, many seekers are always reading themselves into verses that does not relate to them. When they read “ye” they insert “me” as on this occasion with “us”. Who were the “us” of Rom 5:8? We see above in Eph 1:1 Paul writes to “saints” and “faithful”. He was not a gentile nor law breaker, so would not include himself with such to use “us”. In Rom 1:7 he again uses “saints” and later says Rom_7:1 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,). Those who knew the law were either Jews or proselyte converts as in Acts 2:10, 15:21 or 13:14, 26. Simply, law keepers or aspiring law keepers. I know many will claim John 3:16 “whoever”; but here are some supporting verses. Spoken to Israel and cited in Acts 3:22, 7:37 Deu_18:15 The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken; Mat_15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Mat_20:28 .. to give his life a ransom for MANY. Mat_26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for MANY for the remission of sins. Luk 13:5 I tell you, Nay: but, EXCEPT YOU REPENT, ye shall all likewise perish. Heb_5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that OBEY HIM; Again, single verse of Romans taken out of context. Likewise, I will not disprove her belief by citing numerous other verses of Romans as a link to “Romans In Perspective” study is below. I will use these clear verses Rom_2:13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the DOERS of the law shall be justified. Rom 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Rom 7:12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Rom 7:13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. 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. 8) The history of Christian beliefs proves what most believe are passed down religious theologies and not the original intention of Bible writers. Especially Paul’s. Yet they refuse to follow Pauls advise of 2 Tim 2:15 and 3:15 which directs them to study the Old Testament to get wisdom and learn about Christ. A few days prior, I had circulated a video about the birth of Protestantism via Martin Luther, a breakaway Catholic priest of the 1500’s. It was him and that era that formulated the “saved by faith only” theology inherited by today’s denominations. Here are some segments (in the video version of this study). They appear around 9 minutes 30 seconds in; 16-17 mins walking on knees up steps, 28 – 33 mins, 36 mins and 40 mins. The Roman Catholic Church (RCC) teachings was / is that punishing oneself gets them closer to God. Martin tried all manner of such acts; but did not feel cleansed. To raise money for different projects as church buildings, they also sold sin remission certificates called “Indulgences”. Martin was against this too. He interpreted Romans 1:17 ... “ The just shall live by faith” to form his “by faith only” doctrine. Note when he writes “Sola” in the side of his bible. He was using it to support his objection to the importance of “relics” he termed “crutches” as taught by the RCC. He ought to have realised Rom 1:17 is a quote from Habakkuk 2:4. It was not written to be used as he used it; but had a totally different context. It, for one, related to Israel who were taught and expected to keep the commandments and laws of God. They had no relics. Such things were called idols and were outlawed. He should have put 1:17 in context of Rom 2:13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. 9) Quoting from her chosen James epistle, we again see she has taken the single verse out of its context of the whole. The epistle of James is famous for its clarity between faith and works. The major theme of the book is James' appeal to the believer that it is necessary to put outward actions with inward faith or else that kind of faith will accomplish nothing (James 1:22). His recipients were Jews living outside Jerusalem (in gentile lands). Jas 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the TWELVE TRIBES which are SCATTERED ABROAD. 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. We are told elsewhere that those who love the Lord, keep His commandments. Jas 1:22 But be you DOERS of the word, and not hearers only, DECEIVING YOUR OWN SELVES. Jas 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? [NO, NO, NO], Jas 2:24 Ye see then how that BY WORKS IS A MAN JUSTIFIED AND NOT BY FAITH ONLY. Jas 5:19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Jas 5:20 Let him know, that he which CONVERTS the SINNER from the error of his way shall save a soul FROM DEATH, and shall hide a multitude of sins. In context, the epistle should be clear, do not be a sinner. We are to convert sinners (transgressor of God’s laws and commandments) onto being non sinners i.e. keeping the laws. Obey God’s instructions as to disobey is sin and death. Joh 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 1Jn 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil;... 1Jn 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. James 1:27 was going the extra mile to being perfect. Which is being more than a law keeper, the entry requirement under Rev 22:14. James 1:27 is similar to Mat 19:16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? Mat 19:17 ... but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 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. 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. Luk_18:22 ... 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. CONCLUSION. There is no “unconditional” in the bible. That is a false interpretation and theology. It amazes me the lack of logically thinking Christians have to believe salvation is a free gift teaching of the New Testament. Were that the case everyone since the death of Jesus, including atheist would receive it. There would be no law, no sin or need to mention it, no punishment, no one going to hell etc and the God of the Bible would be proven to be unjust. Punishing all the disobedient of His peculiar people, seed of Abraham in the Old Testament; but freely granting it to gentiles in the New!!! If only they would stop following inherited theologies and follow the Bible in which they claim to believe they would see it is the same gospel, oracles and way to salvation in both Old and New Testaments. The Word of God. Heb 4:2 For unto US was the gospel preached, as well as unto THEM: Act 7:38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us: The verses of Rev 14:12 and 22:14 would be lies. Such believers are indeed their own worst enemy falling under the descriptions of Isa 30:9 That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: Isa 30:10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: 2Ti 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2Ti 3:2 For men shall be ... unholy, 2Ti 3:4 ... lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, Mat 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. Mat 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. As with Paul in 2 Tim 3:15, Yahshua made it clear from where we are to learn about him, the law, prophets and psalms of the Old Testament. In neither of those does it say he came to change or cancel God’s law. See for example Luke 16:29, 24:44. 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 GOD GOD? SHALOM. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXUxZk-A2dk&t=3s “Entole” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0keZ5GjLIaQ&t=684s Eph 1 - 3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AxOd7OTWUM&t=50s Eph 4-6 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yOrZ8lVmu4&t=74s Romans https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSivGu_B3ls&t=2444s Movie Martin Luther 1953 movie.