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I am a retired pastor of
the Church of God (Tennessee). My name is Isaac Livingston. I am from Neyyoor India. |
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Email: Pastor True Gospel
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"Philippians 3:1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe." It is to rejoice in the Lord. Giving spiritual advise again and again is not that difficult, but it is safe for believers and saints. "2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision." Unholy people are dogs in Matthew 7:6. Those who have tasted the goodness of God and went back to the filth of the devil, are dogs who eat their own vomit, as in 2 Peter 2:19-22. These dogs are preachers, calling themselves as servants of God. Evil workers refer not only to criminals, but also to worldly religious people, according to Jesus Christ as in John 7:7. Concision is mentioned only here, it is those who believe in circumcision; for us, it refers to those who believe rituals; as taking baptism, taking communion, confessing sins to clergies, as such things to go to heaven. They are ceremonial Christians. Beware of such people, means not to trust them for spiritual fellowship.
"3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh." Circumcision refers to the act of removing the skin, as well as it refers to the people who do circumcision, especially the Jews in the bible. The uncircumcision refers to those who do not do circumcision, who are gentiles in the bible. The bible also reveals another circumcision. It is a figure of speech, and it has nothing to do with the ceremony and ceremonial people. It is done by the holy Spirit. It applies to those who have received the holy Spirit from God and become Spiritual in their life. Until we receive the holy Spirit in us, we were worshiping God by ceremonies and rituals since we could not worship God in Spirit. When we have the Spirit, we can worship God is Spirit. If we do, we are called the circumcision in verse 3. "Romans 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live." The deeds of the body are sins. So, if we cut of the deeds of the body by the Spirit, we will have no sins. Now, we are this circumcision, with our sins cut off.
Christians are very much confused with righteousness. They have no idea between self-righteousness, and the righteousness of Jesus Christ. They are completely deceived by Satan through their pastors and preachers. They do not even know what is to be in confidence with the flesh. "4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:" Apostle Paul teaches this matter here with his own life experience. He says that he was totally in the flesh and tells what they are. "5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless." These are simple to understand and do not need explanation. "7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ." He thought that these are assets, but now he found out that these are liability. Before Paul was very much proud of this high religious status; and now, he realized that these are not gains, but loss or negative toward heaven. Even now, so many Christians consider their long tradition and prestige as profitable in their churches and toward heaven. "8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ," Now he realized that the knowledge of Christ Jesus his Lord is the excellency. It is not the history of the virgin born man who was crucified and died, but it is the excellency of the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ, who is almighty God in the Spirit. Most Christians may not even know this God, instead they worship the crucified man Jesus as God. "9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:" Paul found himself in Jesus Christ, that is, he was abiding in God. He threw his own traditional religious prestige to garbage as dung. Now he has faith in God, who is Christ and obey him. This is the righteousness, which is of God by faith. "10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead." Our present-day pastors and preachers see God in their prosperity and fame. Apostle Paul found the fellowship of Jesus Christ, in his needs and sufferings, and he didn't mind if he dies like Jesus. Most Christians will be resurrected to go to hell; but Paul will be resurrected in the glory as of Jesus Christ.
In the year 2010, I have posted a couple lessons about sinless perfection. A few preachers and some Christians fought me saying that we cannot live without sinning, and much more. They even said that if we say that we can become perfect, it is an insult and blasphemy against Jesus Christ, because he is the only one who can live a perfect life, and nobody else. But, it is Jesus Christ, who wants us to live without sins, if we want to be sons of God. "12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus." Please pay attention to the language, he implies that he has attained and was perfected, but he pretends as he has not attained it. The reason was that he had a far higher calling by Jesus Christ, beyond becoming perfect. He wants to attain that high calling. "13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." So, forgetting all Spiritual accomplishments that he has made, he was striving more to obtain the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Now, he calls his fellow brethren, who had become perfect as he has, to have this mind. "15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. 17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample." Apostle Paul calls us that are perfect, to follow him as he follows Jesus Christ. They had many saints that followed Jesus Christ as Paul followed, and let us also join them, and follow Jesus Christ. But there were, and are, traitors like Judas Iscariot. "18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)" All our celebrity preachers, and most pastors are enemies of the cross of Jesus Christ, the cross that mortifies the deeds of the flesh. "20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:" Meaning of conversation is life. Here, our life is in heaven, where there is no sin, and all are holy. And we are looking for the day of Christ, and on that day, we will be just like him in glory, as in 1 John 3:2. "21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself." I must give a little clarification in this verse to Christians. As we study the word, we must study as the wholesome word, and with revelation from God. In this context the verse says that God will change our vile body. Only born-again persons can see and may go to heaven. This person has two bodies, one is of the flesh that came from dust, and the other is of the spirit that we receive from God. "Ecclesiastes 3:20 says, All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. 12:7 says, Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." So, the flesh body goes to dust, but not to heaven. But ignorant preachers say that our flesh body will be perfected, with no sickness, glorified, and go to heaven, as male and female to enjoy life again. But flesh bodies will become dust and will go to dust. Our spirit body goes to God, and God glorifies the spirit body. So, vile flesh body will go to dust, and our Spirit body will be glorified as the body of Jesus Christ. In heaven we will worship God as we are his Spirit family.
In chapter 4:1, apostle Paul entreats the saints among Philippians very dearly and tells them to stand fast in the Lord. In verse 2, he advises a couple of women to have the same mind of Christ. In verse 3, he asks them to help the women, who works with him in the gospel and mentions that their names are written in the book of life in heaven. It is the reward for working in the gospel. He says in verse 4 to rejoice. In verse 5 he tells them to be modest and announces that the Lord is at hand. In verse 6, he tells not to worry about anything, and mention them to God in prayer, with thanksgiving. In verse 7, he blesses them with the peace of God. In verse 8, he tells them to think that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtue, and such things. In verse 9 he tells them, to live the life that they have learned from his life and teaching. He blesses them with the peace of God. In verse 10, apostle Paul praised their care, rejoiced greatly for them, and says they did not have more opportunity to do such things. Please listen to verses 11-13 carefully. "11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Verse 11 says that he was in need, and he learned to be in content with poverty. In 12, we see that he must have been instructed by God how to be full and how to be hungry, and such things. And verse 13 is used as a big stumbling stone for almost all false preachers. They boast themselves with pride and proclaim using this verse to say such things as, they can do all things, even lift an elephant single handedly. But apostle Paul simply says that he has learned to starve or to feast as the Lord provide it for him. Preachers do not study the context, looking for phrases to excite people, tell them lies and false messages, and thus serve Satan. They are false preachers. In verse 14-16, apostle Paul applauds Philippians for meeting his needs. In 17-20 also, he thanks them for their help, and bless them with heavenly blessings. "21 Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you. 22 All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household." The brethren were workers with apostle Paul, who were saints and holy people. They salute the saints among Philippians. Please notice that there were saints in the house of Caesar also, even in the time of persecution. So, the salutation was for the saints, it is not to the sinning hypocrites. Believers strived with the holy Spirit and were becoming saints. "23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." Let me also bless you with the same blessing. Amen.
If any
point needs explanation, OR, if you find an error according to
scripture,
Please write to me in the
'Mail Box' below. I will reply promptly.
Thanks.
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Matthew 28:20, & Mark 16:15. Jesus Christ preached his commandments to obey, as his
Gospel; it is the true Gospel to inherit Eternal life. Genesis 3:1-4 & 2 Corinth 11:2-4. But Preachers, who are Serpents of Satan, preach the life of man Jesus just to believe, but not to live as a chaste virgin, as the gospel; it is another gospel, which cannot and will not give Eternal life.The true gospel will convert evil people to do good and thereby they will inherit the kingdom in heaven.
John 3:19-21 say that people are two kinds, evil and true. Evil doers will not come to the Light, who is God; but people of truth come to God for their deeds to be made manifest. We have good and evil people by our standard of our society or culture. These evil people may be converted to be doers of truth by the power of God, and they may inherit the kingdom of God in heaven.
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Email: Pastor True Gospel
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