Dune and the lie of traveling without moving

The real story of Kwisatz Haderach and other myths

It all fit together when I heard on of my favorite Chirstian rock singers Kevin Max use the words from Dune in his lyrics. The name for their Dune Messiah Paul as the Kwisatz Haderach. Only recently I found that the meaning of many of these words were Arabic, and semitic. The meaning of this word originated  a long long time ago and was a belief or myth from the Jewish religion. Let me explain.  The whole idea of space travel is an escape from reality and it a return to the Babylonian worship of space or the heavens.

    I was always a good candidate for Science fiction brainwashing. For example, I have seen 2001, a Space Odyssey over ten times in the sixties when I was a young and dumb. I did not know that I was being groomed to believe in this space religion and that the monolith really was to be my Iphone. Same dimensions, black and even Stanley Kubrik said it was ‘a talking picture devised to teach”  Like the Apes we have been taught.  Lies. We did not evolve but we devolved from where God wanted us to be.

   Now I still like to watch these science fiction films and see what myths they are promoting. Like the false hope of the heavens.  Space the final frontier.   But now, since I have become enamoured with the truth as it was shown to me in the Gospel, I realize that my hope is not in the stars or escaping the late great planet earth. Nope Space X and Musk are not selling this old believer any tickets to Mars. No, now this is my planet and it is my responsibility to take care of it until it is renovated by the Savior Jesus Christ! I want to  bring heaven to earth not leave earth to find some kind of answer to mans problems.

    But in spreading the Gospel we must be on guard and discern the lies that would be against it. We can prove all things according to the Truth and hold fast to Jesus not myths. We must defend the true faith with the truth.

We must keep the faith diligently and not be deceived by the deceiver. 

I had owned the original film Dune which was from the 1965 Novel Dune by Frank Herbet.

I don’t know exactly where he got his inspiration but I was always fascinated by Lynch’s rendition of the Film Dune.

   I loved the 1984 film Directed by David Lynch and the way that “space could be folded”  The imagery in this film captivated me.  Now years later I look at it in a different light.  This “folding of space” or Einsteinian relativity creating “worm holes” through “black holes” is an old Jewish myth.  So you say I am being an anti-Semite saying that. Of course, you would, that is to stop you from thinking about it. But I will show you that the Jews are proud to own it as I will show you Abrams comments.

     This is a recurrent myth or theme in science fiction.  The famous Star trek series and films had a way to overcome the limit of the speed of light, by “warp drive”.  A lot of science fiction advanced as the physicists like Einstein and Hawkings sold their fiction and impossible theories as science! Famous Satanists like Jack Parsons were founding the Pasadena Jet propulsion lab when they were not producing sex magic to bring the son of iniquity. That you will see is another red flag, if you look at the history of space and rockets. Also you will notice the strong Nazi influence in the creation of NASA and the space race.

    I had bought this David Lynch’s 1984 Dune not knowing how 1984ish it was.  I also watched the 2021 Dune directed by Denis Villeneuve in Flex. Then second was not as well done and acted as the first in my opinion. But I really was affected by the imagery of Lynch’s Dune. It stuck in my mind and I thought of the bizarre images, like the Navigators. Another myth implanted. Maybe we can just fold space to get around the nasty reality of astronomic distances?

After all, the story of Dune gave us the narrative that you can travel anywhere if you can fold space. You can jump through galaxies instantly if you can just bring it to you. All they needed was these creatures called Navigators who were also selling drugs. Yes they were. Because their abilities to flod space came from being addicted and immersed in a hallucinogenic drug called “Spice”  And that should tell you something.

     The idea of space travel is full of myths but to “boldly” visit other worlds “where no man has gone before” absolutely required a way that can get around the limits of God’s laws of Physics, the inconvenient knowledge of such the cosmic and solar radiation, Van Allen belts and those pesky astronomic distances measured in light years.  And we thought time might shrink for the astronut traveling 99.999% the speed of light. Another Nice myth!

    Obviously to give us the hope of space travel these problems needed to be obviated. One way to get around the little problem called “truth” is to lie or create myths.  We should be on guard as believers of Christ to discern truth from error in everything that enters our minds, especially the hidden agendas in mega enter-trainment of the media.

The apostle Paul warned Titus about myths.

Tit 1:14

and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the merely human commands of those who reject the truth.

There are plenty of myths for those who prefer to be entertained that face reality. Many would have to have their ears tickled rather than hear the hard truth. There are no short cuts around the way to God. Jesus know the way to God because He was the only way. He had to die first die to be seated in the heavens. I understand why people get sold on myths of alternate reality.

2Ti 4:4

They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

And these myths should be exposed to the Light of the truth if we are to fight the good fight for the Faith. Otherwise more will give up their eternity for a ride on a rocket to no where.

1Ti 1:4

or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith.

   Paul knew how toxic  these lies are that are designed to distract us from the truth and the hope that is in our Lord Jesus and His Gospel.

Those who had him crucified are still spreading their lies and are against Christ and reality.

   I had found it very interesting that the novel Dune used so many analogies and phrases that relate to the Semitic language of the Arabs, and  perhaps really the Jews.  The words in Arab are based on the same origin of the Hebrew language and both are descended from ancient semitic language.

   Here I noticed the name given to the Messiah of the film, Paul or Muad’Dib, was semitic or Arabic as are most of the names in Herbert’s novel.

    When I read this commentary from Nathan Abrams in the Jewish Forward magazine, I was not really surprised. The whole novel and film seem to be a means to teach the Jewish myths that would skip around the truth, who is Jesus and find other realities. They wrote into this film many motifs such as the wandering persecuted Jews as the Fremen race running from planet to planet. They too were waiting for a warrior Messiah like Muad’Dib who could ride and command the Shai-Hulud Sandworm. In Arabic meaning “eternal thing”. But they missed the true Messiah Jesus the Christ when He came if they did.

But there are no other ways to God or to the truth outside of Jesus. I believe what He said

Jhn 14:6

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Here is a comment that shows where the ideas in Dune come from.

https://forward.com/culture/film-tv/440962/the-secret-jewish-history-of-dune/

Abrams says the that Herbert the author of Dune has a lot to owe to Judaism, since they believe in a Messiah.  As Paul became as Mu’adib, which means “Teacher” in Semitic tongue by the way, he was their waited for Messiah, with a pedigree geneolgy created by “witches” called the sisiterhood of the Bene Gesserit. In Hebrew this resembled “Benot Gesserit” or “Sons of Jeshurun” meaning sons of the just”.

It is very unfortunate for the Jewish people that their religion,  Judaism,  rejects the real Messiah Jesus Christ and waits for a false one.

    Also, Mr Abrams noted “that this term, the Kwisatz Haderach resembles the Hebrew phrase kefitzat haderech. Literally meaning “the shortening of the way,” This must have been known by Herbert, I think.

      This is a myth and a teaching of the elders that got written down in the Talmud. The Talmud is the real basis for the Judaic religion not the Pentateuch or words of the prophet Moses.  Christians need to understand what is really taught in the religion of the Jews. Not the old testament but interpretations and extrapolations of it.  These myths and traditions are anti Christ and were confronted as lies by Christ. They were looking for “short cuts” because the way seem to hard.

Mat 15:3

But he answered and said unto them, why, do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?

But after the religions of the Pharisees rejected and had Christ murdered, they placed their ideas that Jesus called “the tradition of the elders” into writing called the Babylonian Talmud. And since they were not going to take the Way as being Jesus, they were always looking for ways around the Way. But there are none.  This is similar to the idea of “Kefitzat haderech” the shortening of the way.  Or jumping through a secret way to get somewhere that is impossible to get to. This is fantasy and magic and it has been written into our theoretical physics which will always remain just that……Theoretical and fantasy. Not science.

1Ti 6:20

O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called;

    The shortening of the way. The way is Jesus and He is the only way to God. But their tradition taught there are many other ways. There are short cuts around reality and ways to be saved going around Jesus’ back.  Such foolishness! And there are tricks and magic formulas that can sent you into the heavenly places with Captain Kirk too, to boldly go where no man has gone before!

   Herbert’s term, the Kwisatz Haderach resembles the Hebrew phrase kefitzat haderech. Literally meaning “the shortening of the way,” Abrams

He added “The term is mentioned in the Talmud and Jewish folklore legends to refer to a magical or mystical transportation or teleportation between two places in a short amount of time.”

Abrams also notes that the story of Dune is about a suppressed people called the Fremen and they are examples of the Jews who wander from culture to culture as pioneers.

More on this belief that came from the myths of the Jewish religion is explained here

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kefitzat_Haderech

They read into the story of Abraham sending his man servant to Ur to find a wife for Isaac as a time jump or space jump. They only interpreted this from one phrase

“I came today” indicates that “Today I started on my journey and today I have arrived here. Hence, we may infer that the earth (the road) shrunk for him (i.e that the journey was shortened in a miraculous manner)” and uses the literal phrase קפיצת הדרך to reference this phenomenon.”

This is from

Gen 24:42

And I came this day unto the well, and said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, if now thou do prosper my way which I go:

No matter how long the journey took from Canaan to Ur he arrived that day., I have no clue as to  why they would interpret it otherwise.

Rashi states that the usage of “I came today” indicates that “Today I started on my journey and today I have arrived here

     Where did Rashi get that? Did the servant say “today I started on my journey” or did Rashi just add that to Moses?  Moses simply said that the servant said “I came today” But then again, the Jewish Rabbin misinterpreted who the Messiah was and did not want to take the hard way through the real Way and the Truth and the Life. The were looking for short cuts. 

   That is all our problems we rather listen to the easy way. Or what we think is easier, But the only way to Eternity is not a space ship that can go around space, but through the Cross.  Most find that too much and rather have their ears tickled with myths.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natronai_ben_Hilai

transportation a dream to good to be true because it is not true.

https://ladderofjacob.com/2014/10/05/kefitzat/

    You see there is much even Christians have been fooled into believing. But the common origin of these ideas is not from the Scripture itself but the same Jesus rejecting Rabbin that wanted the Truth crucified.  The idea that there is a way to “jump the way” to me is not a miracle. The miracle for me was that Jesus entered death to overcome it and the great miracle that is forgotten is that Jesus was Risen from the grave! He overcame death, and that power is greater than any bending of space or super light warp speed travel.

Eph 1:19-23

And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all”

   This power is the miracle that passes all miracles of power.  It is the power that took a dead body and raised Him out of death (as witnessed by his disciples) and ascended Him unto the right hand of God (again witnessed by them) , passing through all the created universe. That is a Miracle!  I know you will not like the  part about  Jesus dying on the cross or being told you have to die to your self to live. But that is the only real way to travel to the heavenlies.

     You cannot jump over “The Way” or any law that God has set. Nor can you go around reality to have it your way. Sorry my Jewish friends, it just doesn’t work.

    A lot of this thinking is based on the Babylonian Talmud.  One of the chief teachers of the Talmud at the Sura Academy in Babylon claimed he could use the “jumping of the way” or the Kefitzat HaDerekh. I tend to think he was an imposter and a liar and that Jesus was the only Truth. HE was the only way to God.

Because of the way the Rabbin of the Pharisee tradition reject the Truth, Jesus,  I  suspect any of their  interpretations

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natronai_ben_Hilai

    But now we have Einstein folding space as well.  Actually one of His mentors was named Max Talmud. Go figure.

    We have worm holes? Were did that come from. From what we must believe or what we want to believe?  What we believe does not change reality.

    And travel by bending space.  Travel without moving.  String theories of alternate universes inside alternate universes…Sure!

    IS this not the basis of todays thinking and science which is not at all science but the Jewish myths Paul warned Timothy about.  No longer real science but theories are taught by Hollywood and science fiction to the point that we need no proof. If we see it in a computer generated image we fall down and believe it as if it was proven fact. Is this not called delusion?

       Paul was a Pharisee of Pharisees and he knew how this Anti Jesus religion worked from the inside. He was once a son of the devil as Jesus accused the Pharisaic teachers of being. But Paul saw the light. He was proof in the flesh that no one is born evil but are taught evil and can simply change their opinions.

   These ideas like this K H idea is their way, and Satan’s way to offer an alternate way through alternative universes. Another universe outside of Gods rules. Another way around the truth, But there is only one God, One reality and One truth whose name is Jesus!

   He is the door, yet these false shepherds of the sheeple want to corral us all into death by bending our perception of reality. SO, they try to convince us to believe in anything except the one way to life and hope. 

Ways to go around the way. Ways to imagine how to go around Jesus and not take the door to life. There is no Kwisatz Haderach or short cuts to God.  Lies are the enemy not Jews.  A real Jew believes in Jesus. And I would change the litany that Dune taught me about fear by replacing “fear” with myths or lies.

“I must not believe myths
Lies are the mind killer

Lies are the little-death that brough total obliteration to man

I will face the lie with truth

I will allow the Truth to pass through me

And with my inner eye  I will see Him

The light dispel all the lies

And only we who believe the truth will remain.

The Truth is always Jesus!

The Test of Your Gospel

Posted on May 8, 2011 by Paul Ellis // 38 Comments

I once heard a preacher say that “80 to 90% of Christians are unacquainted with the gospel of grace.”

I guess this estimate is not far off the mark as evidenced by the large numbers of believers who are still trying to earn what God has freely given them.

If you were to ask these people about grace they would declare, “Yes, I am saved by grace! I thank God for his grace!”

But by their works they testify that God’s grace is not enough.

Grace may have got them started, but now it’s up to them to finish. Having begun with the Spirit they are now trying to attain their goal by human effort (Gal 3:3).

Instead of working out what it means to be saved, they are working hard to stay saved.

How does this happen?

Usually someone tells them that God won’t accept them or bless them or be pleased with them unless they perform for Jesus.

Dead religious works are sold with respectable labels like responsibility, good works, mission, sowing, and investing. I am not against these things. But I am strongly opposed to the lie that says God’s favor depends on you doing them.

Do you know that you are saved by grace and kept by grace?

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him. (Col 2:6)

How did you receive him? By faith. How should you continue to live in him? By faith. It’s faith in God’s grace from start to finish.

Are you living by the faith of the Son of God? Or have you taken out a little works insurance?

As Watchman Nee put it, you can try or you can trust but you can’t do both.

Let me give you a simple test to help you determine whether the gospel message you’re trusting in is the same gospel that Jesus revealed and Paul preached. Ask yourself these four questions. If your answers are all yes, then rejoice, for you are living on pure, undiluted grace!

1. DOES THIS GOSPEL CAUSE ME TO FIX MY EYES EXCLUSIVELY ON JESUS?

A true gospel preacher will always seek to reveal more and more of Jesus.

It took me years to realize this. When I began preaching in the 1990s, I used to preach on the kingdom. I loved the kingdom and I still do. But I now realize that my love for the kingdom was really a love for the King. Now I just preach of this Great King who loves me and gave himself for me.

Now I just preach Jesus.

Preachers, do you need a message on healing? Then preach Jesus!

Do you need a series on overcoming, giving, wisdom, holiness, faith, warfare, marriage, family life, outreach, helping the poor, deliverance, Leviticus, the Tabernacle, etc? Then preach Jesus!

Whatever your need, your answer is found in Jesus and his finished work. That’s why Paul resolved to know nothing but “Christ and him crucified” (1 Cor 2:2). Any message that doesn’t reveal Jesus will likely be powerless substitute, a flesh-trip, and a wasted opportunity.

Jesus is the supreme manifestation of the character and purpose of God. Any message that diminishes Jesus, insults the Spirit of grace. Jesus is peerless and nothing compares to him. He has become for us wisdom from God and I will boast of nothing else (1 Cor 1:30-31).

Here’s the test: A false gospel will emphasize what you’re doing (or not doing), while the true gospel will emphasize Christ’s finished work on the cross. A false gospel will make you introspective and anxious, while the true gospel will always make you Christ-conscious and grateful.

2. DOES THIS GOSPEL INCREASE MY DEPENDENCE ON JESUS?

Jesus said, “Apart from me you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5). Sadly, much is done apart from Jesus and most of it will amount to nothing!

Instead of healing the sick, raising the dead and driving out demons – the very things Jesus said his followers would do – we’re doing other stuff. And because we’re so busy doing other stuff we’re worn out and missing opportunities to do the works and greater works of Jesus.

Let me put your mind at rest right now: I guarantee that in your own strength you cannot heal the sick and raise the dead. Don’t even try. But Christ in you can do these and greater things. Do you trust him?

Working out your salvation with fear and trembling describes the adventure of learning to do impossible things with Jesus.

Here’s the test: A false gospel promotes dead works done in your own name, but the true gospel will inspire you to take risks in his Name and help you bear fruit that lasts.

3. DOES THIS GOSPEL EMPOWER ME TO OVERCOME SIN?

There are two ways to deal with sin; (1) preach law or (2) reveal grace. The first approach will fail because the purpose of the law is to inflame sin (Rom 7:5). Any success with rule-keeping will only lead to bigger sins of pride and self-righteousness. The law is powerless to deal with sin because it leaves the heart untouched (Col 2:23).

Worse, it releases condemnation (which some mistake for conviction) and ministers death, just as it was designed to do (2 Cor 3:7,9).

In contrast, a grace preacher will deal practically with sin by revealing your true identity in Christ.

You are a new creation with a new nature. Your old sin software has been nailed to the cross and you are no longer sin’s slave (Rom 6:6,20). Appetites are dealt with by recognizing who you are in Christ and reckoning your old self as dead.

Here’s the test: A false gospel will keep you sin-conscious and bound, but the true gospel will empower you to sin no more.

4. DOES THIS GOSPEL RELEASE PEACE AND JOY?

The kingdom of heaven is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom 14:17). If the gospel you’re listening to doesn’t reveal Jesus and the gift of his righteousness, you will never experience the peace and joy that comes with it.

This test is actually about righteousness: Are you resting in his or are you trying to impress him with yours?

A false gospel will seek to manufacture righteousness through works and holy living. By prescribing a course of action, it will instantly fail the above three tests. It will burden you with loads you cannot carry and expectations you cannot meet. Before you know it, you will be as stressed and joyless as Martha.

If you stopped doing the things you are doing for Jesus, would you feel guilty?

What if you sinned, stopped giving, or skipped church?

I’m not encouraging you to do any of these things – sinning is stupid. But someone who knows they are clothed with his righteousness will rarely battle guilt and condemnation. Even when they sin they will sense the Holy Spirit convicting them of their righteousness in Christ (John 16:10).

Here’s the test: Someone who’s bought into a false gospel will never know lasting peace. Even when they’ve done what’s expected there will always be a sense of “have I done enough?” But the revelation of God’s undeserved favor that comes from the true gospel brings true peace.

Paul began every one of his letters with the phrase, “Grace and peace to you from God the Father.”

Worldly peace is temporary, but the peace of God – that sense that everything is coming together for good because you belong to Jesus and his favor rests on you – passes understanding (Php 4:7). It fortifies your heart and mind so that in all circumstances you find yourself overflowing with thankfulness (Col 2:7).

No matter how severe your trial, you will be able to find rest – indeed, even joy – in his mighty, loving arms (Php 4:4).

Mieux vaut prévenir que guérir

Posted on mai 8, 2011 by Paul Ellis // 38 Comments

J’ai un jour entendu un prédicateur dire que “80 à 90% des chrétiens ne connaissent pas l’évangile de la grâce.”

Je suppose que cette estimation n’est pas loin de la vérité, comme en témoigne le grand nombre de croyants qui essaient encore de gagner ce que Dieu leur a donné gratuitement.

Si vous interrogiez ces personnes sur la grâce, elles déclareraient : “Oui, je suis sauvé par la grâce ! Je remercie Dieu pour sa grâce !”

Mais par leurs œuvres, ils témoignent que la grâce de Dieu ne suffit pas.

La grâce les a peut-être fait commencer, mais maintenant c’est à eux de finir. Après avoir commencé par l’Esprit, ils essaient maintenant d’atteindre leur but par l’effort humain (Ga 3,3).

Au lieu de chercher à comprendre ce que signifie être sauvé, ils travaillent dur pour rester sauvés.

Comment cela se produit-il ?

En général, quelqu’un leur dit que Dieu ne les acceptera pas, ne les bénira pas et ne sera pas satisfait d’eux s’ils ne se produisent pas pour Jésus.

Les œuvres religieuses mortes sont vendues avec des étiquettes respectables comme responsabilité, bonnes œuvres, mission, semailles et investissement. Je ne suis pas contre ces choses. Mais je m’oppose fermement au mensonge qui dit que la faveur de Dieu dépend de ce que vous les fassiez.

Savez-vous que vous êtes sauvé par la grâce et gardé par la grâce ?

Ainsi donc, de même que vous avez reçu le Christ Jésus comme Seigneur, continuez à vivre en lui. (Col 2:6)

Comment l’avez-vous reçu ? Par la foi. Comment devez-vous continuer à vivre en lui ? Par la foi. C’est la foi en la grâce de Dieu du début à la fin.

Vivez-vous par la foi du Fils de Dieu ? Ou bien avez-vous souscrit une petite assurance des œuvres ?

Comme l’a dit Watchman Nee, vous pouvez essayer ou avoir confiance, mais vous ne pouvez pas faire les deux.

Laissez-moi vous donner un test simple pour vous aider à déterminer si le message de l’évangile auquel vous faites confiance est le même évangile que celui que Jésus a révélé et que Paul a prêché. Posez-vous ces quatre questions. Si vos réponses sont toutes positives, alors réjouissez-vous, car vous vivez de la grâce pure et non diluée !

1. Cet évangile me pousse-t-il à fixer mes yeux exclusivement sur Jésus ?

Un vrai prédicateur de l’évangile cherchera toujours à révéler de plus en plus de Jésus.

Il m’a fallu des années pour m’en rendre compte. Lorsque j’ai commencé à prêcher dans les années 1990, j’avais l’habitude de prêcher sur le royaume. J’aimais le royaume et je l’aime toujours. Mais je réalise aujourd’hui que mon amour pour le royaume était en réalité un amour pour le Roi. Maintenant, je prêche simplement ce Grand Roi qui m’aime et s’est donné pour moi.

Maintenant, je ne fais que prêcher Jésus.

Prêcheurs, avez-vous besoin d’un message sur la guérison ? Alors prêchez Jésus !

Avez-vous besoin d’une série sur le dépassement, le don, la sagesse, la sainteté, la foi, la guerre, le mariage, la vie de famille, l’aide aux pauvres, la délivrance, le Lévitique, le Tabernacle, etc ? Alors prêchez Jésus !

Quel que soit votre besoin, votre réponse se trouve en Jésus et dans son œuvre achevée. C’est pourquoi Paul a décidé de ne rien connaître d’autre que “le Christ et son crucifié” (1 Cor 2:2). Tout message qui ne révèle pas Jésus sera probablement un substitut impuissant, un voyage dans la chair, et une opportunité gâchée.

Jésus est la manifestation suprême du caractère et du dessein de Dieu. Tout message qui diminue Jésus, insulte l’Esprit de grâce. Jésus est sans égal et rien ne peut lui être comparé. Il est devenu pour nous la sagesse de Dieu et je ne me vanterai de rien d’autre (1 Cor 1:30-31).

Voici le test : Un faux évangile mettra l’accent sur ce que vous faites (ou ne faites pas), tandis que le vrai évangile mettra l’accent sur l’œuvre achevée de Christ sur la croix. Un faux évangile vous rendra introspectif et anxieux, alors que le vrai évangile vous rendra toujours conscient du Christ et reconnaissant.

2. Cet évangile augmente-t-il ma dépendance à l’égard de Jésus ?

Jésus a dit : “Sans moi, vous ne pouvez rien faire” (Jn 15.5). Malheureusement, beaucoup de choses sont faites sans Jésus et la plupart d’entre elles ne mènent à rien !

Au lieu de guérir les malades, de ressusciter les morts et de chasser les démons – les choses mêmes que Jésus a dit que ses disciples feraient – nous faisons d’autres choses. Et parce que nous sommes si occupés à faire d’autres choses, nous sommes épuisés et nous ratons des occasions de faire les œuvres et de plus grandes œuvres de Jésus.

Laissez-moi vous rassurer dès maintenant : Je vous garantis que vous ne pouvez pas guérir les malades et ressusciter les morts par vos propres forces. N’essayez même pas. Mais le Christ en vous peut faire ces choses et de plus grandes encore. Lui faites-vous confiance ?

Travailler à votre salut avec crainte et tremblement décrit l’aventure d’apprendre à faire des choses impossibles avec Jésus.

Voici le test : Un faux évangile encourage les œuvres mortes faites en votre propre nom, mais le véritable évangile vous incitera à prendre des risques en son nom et vous aidera à porter des fruits durables.

3. Cet évangile me donne-t-il les moyens de vaincre le péché ?

Il y a deux façons de traiter le péché : (1) prêcher la loi ou (2) révéler la grâce. La première approche est vouée à l’échec car le but de la loi est d’enflammer le péché (Rom 7:5). Tout succès dans le respect des règles ne fera qu’aggraver les péchés d’orgueil et d’autosatisfaction. La loi est impuissante face au péché car elle ne touche pas le cœur (Col 2:23).

Pire encore, elle libère la condamnation (que certains confondent avec la conviction) et annonce la mort, comme elle a été conçue pour le faire (2 Cor 3:7,9).

En revanche, un prédicateur de la grâce abordera le péché de manière pratique en révélant votre véritable identité en Christ.

Vous êtes une nouvelle création avec une nouvelle nature. Votre ancien logiciel de péché a été cloué à la croix et vous n’êtes plus l’esclave du péché (Rom 6:6,20). Les appétits sont traités en reconnaissant qui vous êtes en Christ et en considérant votre ancien moi comme mort.

Voici le test : Un faux évangile vous gardera conscient du péché et attaché, mais le véritable évangile vous donnera le pouvoir de ne plus pécher.

4. Cet évangile libère-t-il la paix et la joie ?

Le royaume des cieux est justice, paix et joie dans le Saint-Esprit (Rom 14:17). Si l’évangile que vous écoutez ne révèle pas Jésus et le don de sa justice, vous ne connaîtrez jamais la paix et la joie qui en découlent.

Ce test porte en fait sur la justice : Vous reposez-vous sur la sienne ou essayez-vous de l’impressionner avec la vôtre ?

Un faux évangile cherche à fabriquer la justice par les œuvres et une vie sainte. En prescrivant une ligne de conduite, il échouera instantanément aux trois tests ci-dessus. Il vous chargera de charges que vous ne pourrez pas porter et d’attentes auxquelles vous ne pourrez pas répondre. Avant que vous ne le sachiez, vous serez aussi stressé et sans joie que Marthe.

Si vous cessiez de faire ce que vous faites pour Jésus, vous sentiriez-vous coupable ?

Que se passerait-il si vous péchiez, si vous cessiez de donner, ou si vous séchiez l’église ?

Je ne vous encourage pas à faire l’une de ces choses – pécher est stupide. Mais quelqu’un qui sait qu’il est revêtu de sa justice se battra rarement contre la culpabilité et la condamnation. Même lorsqu’il pèche, il sentira le Saint-Esprit le convaincre de sa justice en Christ (Jean 16:10).

Voici le test : Une personne qui a adhéré à un faux évangile ne connaîtra jamais une paix durable. Même s’il a fait ce que l’on attendait de lui, il aura toujours le sentiment d’en avoir fait assez. Mais la révélation de la faveur imméritée de Dieu qui vient du véritable évangile apporte la vraie paix.

Paul a commencé chacune de ses lettres par la phrase : “Grâce et paix à vous de la part de Dieu le Père”.

La paix du monde est temporaire, mais la paix de Dieu – ce sentiment que tout va pour le mieux parce que vous appartenez à Jésus et que sa faveur repose sur vous – dépasse l’entendement (Php 4,7). Elle fortifie votre cœur et votre esprit, de sorte qu’en toutes circonstances, vous vous retrouvez débordant de reconnaissance (Col 2,7).

Quelle que soit la gravité de votre épreuve, vous pourrez trouver le repos – et même la joie – dans ses bras puissants et aimants (Php 4,4).

Traduit avec www.DeepL.com/Translator (version gratuite)

Cuando nació nuestra primera hija, hubo algunas complicaciones y tuvo que pasar unos días en una sala de cuidados especiales.

La mantuvieron en una incubadora y la única forma de tocarla era metiendo las manos por los agujeros de la pared de la incubadora. Sólo tenía unas horas cuando me acerqué a ella, la acaricié y le hice una pregunta.

“¿Quién es tu papá?”

No esperaba que respondiera, así que contesté por ella.

“Soy tu papá y te quiero”.

Me emocionaba decirle esto una y otra vez.

“¿Quién es tu papá? Soy yo. Soy yo. Soy yo. Soy tu padre, eres mi bebé y te quiero”.

La comunicación era toda unidireccional pero eso estaba bien para mí. No podía callarme. Acababa de ser padre y mi corazón estaba a punto de estallar.

Esta niña me pertenecía y yo le pertenecía a ella.

Había muchas cosas que quería decirle, pero lo primero y más importante que necesitaba oír era que yo era su padre y que la quería.

La pregunta más importante

La pregunta más importante que te harás nunca es: “¿Quién es mi padre?”. Tu respuesta a esta pregunta influirá en todas las demás preguntas de la vida.

¿Quién soy yo? ¿De dónde vengo? ¿Por qué estoy aquí?

Si te equivocas en la pregunta sobre el padre, fallarás en todas las demás cuestiones. Tu identidad será confusa y no tendrás una seguridad duradera.

En tu legítimo deseo de definirte a ti mismo, puedes conformarte con opciones inferiores como la carrera o el ministerio. “Soy médico”. “Soy pastor”.

Pero la verdad es que eres mucho más que lo que haces. Eres el hijo de tu padre.

¿Pero quién es tu padre?

Jesús responde a la pregunta más importante: “¿Quién es tu Padre? Dios es tu Padre”.

Nuestro Padre que está en los cielos… (Mateo 6:9)

¿Cuál es el nombre de Dios?

Los santos del Antiguo Testamento tenían muchos nombres para Dios, pero Jesús nos dio el mejor nombre de todos:

Abba, Padre. (Marcos 14:36)

Abba no es el nombre de un Dios lejano y misterioso. Abba es una palabra de intimidad familiar, no muy diferente de Papá (que es como lo traduce la Biblia del Mensaje). Abba es tu Padre celestial que se preocupa por ti y anhela que lo conozcas.

¿Por qué vino Jesús?

Jesús vino a revelarte a Dios Padre. Vino para que pudieras saber quién eres realmente. Vino para que pudieras experimentar la vida abundante de vivir como la niña de los ojos de tu Padre.

Tu Padre celestial es para ti. Él ha inclinado el universo a tu favor.

Con un Padre así, ¿cómo puedes fallar?

Jesús dijo: “¡Padre, glorifica tu nombre!” (Juan 12:28). ¿Cuál es el nombre de Dios que Jesús quiere glorificar? Nos lo acaba de decir. Es Padre. Tiene otros nombres, pero éste es el que quiere que utilicemos cuando hablemos con él.

Casi al final de su vida, Jesús oró,

Padre justo, aunque el mundo no te conoce, yo te conozco, y saben que tú me has enviado. Yo te he dado a conocer, y seguiré dándote a conocer… (Juan 17:25-26)

Jesús se dedica a dar a conocer al Padre. Sin embargo, muchos no conocen a Dios como su Padre. Como los santos de antaño, lo ven como Señor pero no como Abba.

Es como si Jesús nunca hubiera venido.

¿Cómo es Dios?

A.W. Tozer dijo una vez:

Lo que nos viene a la mente cuando pensamos en Dios es lo más importante de nosotros.

Tu imagen de Dios es la mayor influencia en tu vida. Si defines a Dios, te defines a ti mismo.

Por ejemplo, si te imaginas a Dios como un castigador aterrador, serás temeroso y te sentirás culpable. Si lo ves como un Papá Noel semidesconocido, serás un preocupado supersticioso. Y si crees que Dios está distante o muerto, lo más probable es que actúes como un pequeño dios de tu propio pequeño mundo.

Tu visión de Dios importa, pero ¿cómo es Dios Padre?

Es exactamente como el Hijo. O el Hijo es exactamente como el Padre (Heb. 1:3). Dios es como Jesús. No a grandes rasgos, sino exactamente así.

Jesús dijo: “El que me ha visto a mí, ha visto al Padre” (Juan 14:9). Si te encontraras con Dios Padre en una fiesta podrías confundirlo con Jesús o viceversa. Así de parecidos son.

Esta similitud nos facilita descartar las tontas caricaturas de la religión hecha por el hombre. Como Jesús no es un Papá Noel semidesconocido, tampoco lo es Dios. Y como Jesús no es un castigador aterrador, tampoco lo es Dios. Tu Padre celestial es exactamente como Jesús.

Un Padre como el Hijo

Dios Padre y Dios Hijo no tienen agendas separadas. Dios no está en el cielo registrando tus pecados mientras Jesús los perdona. Tampoco está dándote enfermedades para que Jesús te cure.

El Padre y el Hijo son exactamente iguales, están en la misma página, y tienen el mismo corazón.

Jesús dijo: “Yo y el Padre somos uno” (Juan 10:30).

La mala noticia de la vida huérfana dice: “Estás solo y a nadie le importa”. Pero la buena noticia que proclamó Jesús dice: “No estás solo y tu Padre celestial se preocupa hasta de los más pequeños detalles de tu vida” (ver Mateo 6:31-32).

Tal vez se esté haciendo preguntas como éstas ¿Quién soy? ¿Por qué estoy aquí? ¿Está Dios enfadado conmigo? A los buenos padres les encanta que sus hijos se hagan preguntas, pero nunca obtendrás buenas respuestas a menos que veas a Dios como tu buen Padre.

¿Quién soy yo? Eres el hijo predilecto de tu Padre.

¿Por qué estoy aquí? Porque tu Padre te amó para que existieras. Tú eres su sueño hecho realidad.

¿Está Dios enojado conmigo? No. Se regocija por ti cantando.

¿Puede perdonarme por las cosas que he hecho? Ya lo hizo.

¿Me quiere por lo que soy? Piensa que eres genial. Eres única y especial y se deleita en ti.

¿Me repudiará si peco? Nunca. ¿Rechazaría a sus propios hijos?

¿Qué espera de mí? Espera que te establezcas en su amor y florezcas en su gracia.

Ya sea que estés en el corral de las obras muertas o en el pabellón de cuidados especiales para personas quebradas, necesitas saber que tu Padre celestial te ama con locura. Él se acerca con amor en sus ojos y sanación en sus manos para hacerte una pregunta:

¿Quién es tu papá? Yo soy tu papá, tú eres mi hijo, y te amo.

Esta es la buena noticia que un mundo huérfano necesita escuchar.

Lorsque notre premier enfant est né, il y a eu quelques complications et elle a dû passer quelques jours dans un service de soins spéciaux.

Elle était gardée dans une couveuse et je ne pouvais la toucher qu’en passant mes mains par des trous dans la paroi de la couveuse. Elle n’avait que quelques heures lorsque je me suis approchée d’elle, l’ai caressée et lui ai posé une question.

“Qui est ton papa ?”

Je ne m’attendais pas à ce qu’elle réponde, alors j’ai répondu pour elle.

“Je suis ton papa, et je t’aime.”

Ça m’a fait plaisir de lui dire ça encore et encore.

“Qui est ton papa ? C’est moi. C’est moi. Je suis ce type. Je suis ton père, tu es mon bébé, et je t’aime.”

La communication était à sens unique, mais ça me convenait. Je ne pouvais pas me taire. Je venais de devenir père et mon coeur était prêt à exploser.

Cette petite fille m’appartenait et je lui appartenais.

Il y avait beaucoup de choses que je voulais lui dire, mais la première et la plus importante, c’était que j’étais son père et que je l’aimais.

La question la plus importante

La question la plus importante que vous poserez jamais est : “Qui est mon père ?” Votre réponse à cette question influencera toutes les autres questions de la vie.

Qui suis-je ? D’où est-ce que je viens ? Pourquoi suis-je ici ?

Si vous vous trompez sur la question du père, vous vous tromperez sur toutes les autres questions. Votre identité sera embrouillée, et vous n’aurez aucune sécurité durable.

Dans votre désir légitime de vous définir, vous risquez de vous contenter de choix inférieurs comme la carrière ou le ministère. “Je suis médecin.” “Je suis pasteur.”

Mais la vérité est que vous êtes bien plus que ce que vous faites. Vous êtes l’enfant de votre père.

Mais qui est ton père ?

Jésus répond à la question la plus importante : “Qui est ton Père ? Dieu est ton Père !”

Notre Père qui est aux cieux … (Matt. 6:9)

Quel est le nom de Dieu ?

Les saints de l’Ancien Testament avaient beaucoup de noms pour Dieu, mais Jésus nous a donné le meilleur de tous les noms :

Abba, Père. (Marc 14:36)

Abba n’est pas le nom d’un Dieu lointain et mystérieux. Abba est un mot d’intimité familiale, un peu comme Papa (c’est ainsi que la Bible Message le traduit). Abba est votre Père céleste qui prend soin de vous et qui désire ardemment que vous le connaissiez.

Pourquoi Jésus est-il venu ?

Jésus est venu pour vous révéler Dieu le Père. Il est venu pour que tu saches qui tu es vraiment. Il est venu pour que vous puissiez faire l’expérience de la vie abondante qui consiste à vivre comme la prunelle des yeux de votre Père.

Votre Père céleste est pour vous. Il a fait pencher l’univers en votre faveur.

Avec un tel Père, comment pouvez-vous échouer ?

Jésus a dit : “Père, glorifie ton nom !” (Jean 12:28). Quel est le nom de Dieu que Jésus veut glorifier ? Il vient de nous le dire. C’est Père. Il a d’autres noms, mais c’est celui qu’il veut que nous utilisions lorsque nous lui parlons.

Vers la fin de sa vie, Jésus a prié,

Père juste, bien que le monde ne te connaisse pas, je te connais, et ils savent que tu m’as envoyé. Je t’ai fait connaître et je continuerai à te faire connaître… (Jean 17:25-26).

Jésus a pour mission de faire connaître le Père. Pourtant, beaucoup ne connaissent pas Dieu comme leur Père. Comme les saints d’autrefois, ils le voient comme Seigneur mais pas comme Abba.

C’est comme si Jésus n’était jamais venu.

A quoi ressemble Dieu ?

A.W. Tozer a dit un jour :

Ce qui nous vient à l’esprit lorsque nous pensons à Dieu est la chose la plus importante à notre sujet.

L’image que vous vous faites de Dieu a la plus grande influence sur votre vie. Définissez Dieu et vous vous définissez vous-même.

Par exemple, si vous imaginez Dieu comme un terrifiant punisseur, vous serez craintif et culpabilisé. Si vous le voyez comme un Père Noël à moitié sourd, vous serez un anxieux superstitieux. Et si vous croyez que Dieu est distant ou mort, il y a de fortes chances que vous agissiez comme un petit dieu de votre propre petit monde.

Votre vision de Dieu importe, mais à quoi ressemble Dieu le Père ?

Il est exactement comme le Fils. Ou le Fils est exactement comme le Père (Héb. 1:3). Dieu est comme Jésus. Pas à peu près, mais exactement comme lui.

Jésus a dit : “Celui qui m’a vu a vu le Père” (Jean 14:9). Si vous rencontriez Dieu le Père à une fête, vous pourriez le confondre avec Jésus ou vice versa. C’est dire à quel point ils sont semblables.

Cette similitude nous permet de rejeter facilement les caricatures ridicules des religions créées par l’homme. Si Jésus n’est pas un Père Noël à moitié sourd, Dieu ne l’est pas non plus. Et puisque Jésus n’est pas un terrifiant punisseur, Dieu ne l’est pas non plus. Votre Père céleste est exactement comme Jésus.

Un Père comme le Fils

Dieu le Père et Dieu le Fils n’ont pas d’agendas séparés. Dieu n’est pas au ciel en train d’enregistrer vos péchés pendant que Jésus les pardonne. Il ne vous donne pas non plus des maladies pour que Jésus puisse vous guérir.

Le Père et le Fils sont exactement les mêmes, ils sont sur la même page, et ils ont le même cœur.

Jésus a dit : “Moi et le Père sommes un” (Jean 10:30).

La mauvaise nouvelle de la vie d’orphelin dit : “Tu es seul et tout le monde s’en fiche.” Mais la bonne nouvelle que Jésus a proclamée dit : “Vous n’êtes pas seuls et votre Père céleste se soucie des moindres détails de votre vie” (voir Matthieu 6:31-32).

Peut-être vous posez-vous des questions comme celles-ci : Qui suis-je ? Pourquoi suis-je ici ? Dieu est-il en colère contre moi ? Les bons pères aiment que leurs enfants posent des questions, mais tu n’obtiendras jamais de bonnes réponses si tu ne vois pas Dieu comme ton bon Père.

Qui suis-je ? Tu es l’enfant chéri de ton Père.

Pourquoi suis-je ici ? Parce que ton Père t’a aimé jusqu’à ce que tu existes. Tu es son rêve devenu réalité.

Est-ce que Dieu est en colère contre moi ? Non, il ne l’est pas. Il se réjouit de toi en chantant.

Peut-il me pardonner pour les choses que j’ai faites ? Il l’a déjà fait.

Est-ce qu’il m’aime pour ce que je suis ? Il te trouve génial ! Tu es unique en ton genre et il se réjouit de toi.

Me reniera-t-il si je pèche ? Jamais. Renieriez-vous vos propres enfants ?

Qu’attend-il de moi ? Il attend de vous que vous vous installiez dans son amour et que vous vous épanouissiez dans sa grâce.

Que vous soyez dans la porcherie des œuvres mortes ou dans le service de soins spéciaux pour les personnes brisées, vous devez savoir que votre Père céleste vous aime comme un fou. Il se penche sur toi avec de l’amour dans les yeux et la guérison dans les mains pour te poser une question :

Qui est ton papa ? Je suis ton papa, tu es mon enfant et je t’aime. C’est la bonne nouvelle qu’un monde orphelin a le plus besoin d’entendre.

When our first child was born, there were some complications and she had to spend a few days in a special care ward.

She was kept in an incubator and the only way I could touch her was by putting my hands through holes in the side of the incubator wall. She was only a few hours old when I came to her, stroked her, and asked her a question.

“Who’s your daddy?”

I didn’t expect her to answer, so I answered for her.

“I’m your daddy, and I love you.”

It thrilled me to tell her this again and again.

“Who’s your daddy? I am. It’s me. I’m that guy. I’m your father, you’re my baby, and I love you.”

The communication was all one-way but that was fine with me. I couldn’t shut up. I had just become a father and my heart was fit to burst.

This little girl belonged to me and I belonged to her.

There were many things I wanted to tell her, but the first and most important thing she needed to hear was that I was her daddy and I loved her.

The most important question

The most important question you will ever ask is, “Who is my father?” Your answer to this question will influence every other question of life.

Who am I? Where did I come from? Why am I here?

Get the father question wrong and you will miss it on every other issue. Your identity will be muddled, and you will have no lasting security.

In your legitimate desire to define yourself, you may settle for inferior choices such as career or ministry. “I am a doctor.” “I am a pastor.”

But the truth is you are much more than what you do. You are your father’s child.

But who is your father?

Jesus answers the most important question: “Who’s your Father? God is your Father!”

Our Father in heaven … (Matt. 6:9)

What is God’s name?

The saints of the Old Testament had many names for God, but Jesus gave us the best name of all:

Abba, Father. (Mark 14:36)

Abba is not the name of a distant and mysterious God. Abba is a word of familial intimacy, not unlike Papa (which is how the Message Bible translates it). Abba is your heavenly Father who cares for you and longs for you to know him.

Why did Jesus come?

Jesus came to reveal God the Father to you. He came so that you might know who you truly are. He came that you might experience the abundant life of living as the apple of your Father’s eye.

Your heavenly Father is for you. He has tilted the universe in your favor.

With a Father like this, how can you fail?

Jesus said, “Father, glorify your name!” (John 12:28). What is the name of God that Jesus wants to glorify? He just told us. It’s Father. He has other names, but this is the name he wants us to use when we talk to him.

Near the end of his life, Jesus prayed,

Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known … (John 17:25–26)

Jesus is in the business of making the Father known. Yet many don’t know God as their Father. Like the saints of old, they see him as Lord but not Abba.

It’s as if Jesus never came.

What is God like?

A.W. Tozer once said:

What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.

Your picture of God is the single greatest influence on your life. Define God and you define yourself.

For instance, if you imagine God as a terrifying punisher, you’ll be fearful and guilt-ridden. If you see him as a semi-deaf sky-Santa, you’ll be a superstitious worrier. And if you believe God to be distant or dead, chances are you’ll act as a little god of your own little world.

Your view of God matters, but what is God the Father like?

He is exactly like the Son. Or the Son is exactly like the Father (Heb. 1:3). God is like Jesus. Not roughly so, but exactly so.

Jesus said, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). If you ran into God the Father at a party you might mistake him for Jesus or vice versa. That’s how similar they are.

This similarity makes it easy for us to dismiss the silly caricatures of manmade religion. Since Jesus is not a semi-deaf sky-Santa, then neither is God. And since Jesus is not a terrifying punisher, neither is God. Your heavenly Father is exactly like Jesus.

A Father like the Son

God the Father and God the Son don’t have separate agendas. God is not in heaven recording your sins while Jesus is forgiving them. Nor is he giving you sicknesses so Jesus can heal you.

The Father and the Son are exactly alike, they’re on the same page, and they have the same heart.

Jesus said, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30).

The bad news of the orphaned life says, “You are on your own and nobody cares.” But the good news Jesus proclaimed says, “You are not alone and your heavenly Father cares about even the smallest details of your life” (see Matt. 6:31–32).

Perhaps you are asking questions like these: Who am I? Why am I here? Is God angry with me? Good fathers love it when their children ask questions, but you will never get good answers unless you see God as your good Father.

Who am I? You are your Father’s dearly-loved child.

Why am I here? Because your Father loved you into existence. You are his dream come true.

Is God mad at me? Nope. He rejoices over you with singing.

Can he forgive me for the things I’ve done? He already did.

Does he love me for who I am? He thinks you’re great! You’re a one-of-a-kind special and he delights in you.

Will he disown me if I sin? Never. Would you disown your own children?

What does he expect from me? He expects you to settle in his love and flourish in his grace.

Whether you are in the pigpen of dead works or the special care ward for broken people, you need to know that your heavenly Father loves you like crazy. He reaches down with love in his eyes and healing in his hands to ask you one question:

Who’s your Daddy? I’m your Daddy, you’re my child, and I love you.

This is the good news an orphaned world most needs to hear.

Why reading the Bible correctly is important.

8 minute read

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Paul, the writer of the majority of the New Testament, in a moment of frustration in his letter to the Galatians, exclaims, “I wish they would go the whole way and cut off their dicks!” Paul was quite feisty. Of course, the verbiage recorded in scripture is a little more proper but the meaning is the same. Paul was referring to the ‘Judaizers,’ a group of people who preached a false gospel. At first, it seems like Paul’s frustration is a little extreme, but the Judaizers were undermining a major aspect of the true Gospel. The scary thing is, most Christians today are guilty of the same offense that the Judaizers were. What would cause Paul to wish you all would just cut off your dicks?

BEHOLD, SOMETHING NEW

Jesus claimed that he fulfilled ‘the Law and the Prophets,’ which is shorthand for Old Covenant or Old Testament (Matthew 5:17). (The term ‘Old Testament’ just means ‘Old Covenant’¹) The Old Covenant wasn’t designed to continue forever. What Jesus meant, was that he was bringing the Old Testament to its designed and intended end. The author of Hebrews claims that “by calling this covenant ‘new’, he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.” (Hebrews 8:13).

The law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.
Galatians 3:24-25

Paul and the other New Testament writers were very adamant that Jesus had brought something new to fulfill which supplanted the old. Christians are not supposed to follow the Old Testament. We are not under the Old Covenant, we are dead to it. Even Jews have been released from it (Romans 7:4, 6). We are under a much better covenant.

But now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises. For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, there would have been no need for a second covenant to replace it.
Hebrews 8:6-7

Did you read that? According to the author of Hebrews, there was something wrong with the old covenant. “For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant.” The Bible says there is something wrong with part of the Bible. You see, the Bible has two different covenants: one between God and ancient Israel (the old one) and one between God and you (the new one). One is obsolete (yes, Scripture calls half of itself obsolete), and the other is your guidebook for life. The Bible is all God’s Word… to somebody. But it’s not all God’s word to everybody. And that is a good thing, Jesus came to bring something much better.

UNDOING THE NEW COVENANT

Jesus made himself clear: he fulfilled the Old Testament (ended it), he was the final sacrifice (no more sacrificial system), he was greater than the Temple (so no need for it), and all authority was given to him (none left for the Law and the Prophets). The reality that the Old Covenant had come to an end was great news, except if you were one of the Jewish religious elite. Even Jews who became disciples of Christ had a very difficult time understanding that they had to let go of the Old Testament ways. So while Paul was out preaching to the Gentiles, a group of Jewish Christians called ‘Judaizers’ were out preaching that you had to follow the law of Christ and the law of Moses.

Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.”
Acts 15:1

When Paul caught wind that a church in Galatia had been visited by Judiazers he wrote them a letter (which we call the book of Galatians). We really have to look closely at what he wrote them because if we aren’t careful we’ll miss it.

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.
Galatians 1:6-7

Paul is making two really bold claims here. One, is that trying to combine the Old and New Testaments is not really the gospel at all. Two, that mixing the Old and the New is a perversion. The thing is, Paul isn’t just talking about some parts of the Old Testament. He isn’t just referring to dietary laws or other specific parts that Evangelicals don’t wish to follow. Paul is talking about the entire law. He is claiming that combining the Testaments (Covenants) is a perversion and not the Gospel.

ALL OR NOTHING

The Judiazers were teaching that Christians had to follow the Old Testament, including circumcision. Look at what Paul writes the Galatians regarding this:

Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.
Galatians 5:2-3

This is a radical claim that we cannot take lightly. Paul here is saying that we cannot pick and choose parts of the Old Testament to follow. It is either all or nothing, and if we pick any of it then Jesus is of no value to us. We must understand this: the Old Testament, which describes the history of the ancient Israelites living under the now obsolete Old Covenant, is not to be followed.

Even the Ten Commandments, which are merely the first 10 of over 600 commands, are not for Christians. According to Paul, Jesus followers are dead to the Ten Commandments (Romans 7:4). Let’s be clear: the Ten Commandments have no authority over you. None. If that makes you uncomfortable, it’s because you have unwittingly embraced the version of Christianity that Paul spent his ministry warning against. One should be very worried that “Christians” are behind the movement to post the Ten Commandments in classrooms and courthouses. Paul would be, and he has some pretty disturbing advice for those who wish to continue to blend the Old and New.

CUT OFF YOUR WHAT?

If you read Paul’s letter to the Galatians it isn’t too hard to pick up on the fact that he is pretty annoyed at the whole situation.

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!
Galatians 5:6, 10, 12

The word emasculate (Greek word ‘apokopto’) means to castrate, or rather to cut off your genitals. Paul wishes that if anyone is going to try to follow some of the Old Testament while claiming to follow Jesus they should just cut off their dick. Sure that’s a crass way of putting it, but it’s right there in Scripture, you can’t make this up.

Paul says the Old Testament is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training (2 Timothy 3:16). But, Paul also says that if we aren’t reading it with Christ in mind, then our minds are dull and a veil remains until we let Jesus take it away (2 Corinthians 3:14). There is a lot of terrible stuff in the Old Testament and if we read it without Jesus we’re bound to get into all sorts of trouble. The Old Testament has been used to justify slavery, women as property, forced conversions, and genocide. Paul gives a sharp (get it?) warning to those who try to use it over and above Jesus.

YOUR COVENANT

When the Romans invaded Jerusalem in the year 70 AD and destroyed the Temple, it marked the full and complete end to the Old Testament. The promises in the Old Testament are not promises made to you. Those promises were made to ancient Israel, not you. The Old Testament is the sacred prequel that gives the backdrop that explains why we needed Jesus all along. But everything in your Bible from Exodus through Malachi, while full of rich history and ancient perspective, is not your covenant. You are not bound to it. It is not an example for you to follow.

The Old Testament is great for inspiration, but not application. Don’t do anything the Old Testament tells you to do because someone in the Old Testament tells you to do it or because they did it themselves. Most of the characters in the Old Testament are horrible examples. Follow the example of Jesus. Jesus came and set the record straight. Jesus came and fulfilled the law so you would have something much, much better (Hebrews 8:6).

As followers of Jesus, we are people of the new covenant. And just as the old covenant was accompanied by a specific set of commandments that formed the guiding ethical framework for old covenant people, so too the new covenant of Christ has a new commandment that forms the new ethical framework for new covenant people. A framework that is far less complicated, but far more demanding. And, if you stick to the new and ditch the old, you won’t have to cut off you know what.

FOOTNOTES

1. The Latin phrase for new covenant is novum testamentum. Novum is Latin for new and testamentum is Latin for covenant. When the Bible was translated into English, editors chose to stick with the familiar Latin term testament rather than use the English term covenant. If they had stuck with a straight-up Greek-to-English translation, we would use the terms old covenant and new covenant rather than Old Testament and New Testament.

Tags: Bible, Biblicism, Covenant, Law, Old Testament / Category: Bible, Law

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How our ignorance and apathy enslaves millions.

DOWN

Slavery was abolished in the U.S. on December 6, 1865 by signing the 13th Amendment into law. While many would argue¹ that slavery was just redefined and is still alive and well in America, the majority view slavery as a thing of the past. While people may disagree on how to define slavery in the United States, around the world in other countries there is no question. Despite being illegal in every nation, there are 30-46 million slaves in the world today. Modern slavery is a multibillion-dollar industry with estimates of up to $35 billion generated annually. It should be a haunting prospect that some of those slaves work for you.

WOE TO THE RICH

You may not feel like you are rich, but if you live in the United States, you probably are. 84% of the world’s population lives below the poverty line set by the U.S., 71% lives off of less than $10 a day. Almost half of the world’s population lives off less than $2.50 a day. Quickly think about how much per day you spend on your mortgage or rent, your food, entertainment, utilities, etc. If you consider how the majority of the world lives, if you live off significantly more money than $10 a day, you are rich.

Now that you know that you are rich, listen to what James, the brother of Jesus, has to say to you:

Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you.
James 5:1

Many teachings of the New Testament warn of the dangers of being rich (Luke 1:52-53, 6:25, 16:13; Mark 10:23-25; Matthew 6:19-21, 16:26, 1 Timothy 6:9-11). Prosperity Gospel preachers avoid James 5 like the plague. Most American Christians would rather skip over James 5 or brush it off as not applying to them. Regardless, James plainly says, “weep and wail becomes of the misery that is coming on you.” Surely he cannot be talking about most American Christians?

YOUR TREASURE

Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes.
James 5:2

Here James is poetically building off his warning in verse one. He is also likely referencing Luke’s Gospel (12:33) where he says, “Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.” James is warning those of us who do not sell our possessions and give to the poor.

Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.
James 5:3

The term “last days” refer to the time after Jesus. We currently live in the last days, as all Christians have since the time of Christ. James is bringing sharp rebuke against those who have wealth but do not use it to help those less fortunate. In referencing “the last days” he is calling attention to the fact that we have received the teachings of Jesus, therefore to ignore them will bring harsher judgment.

YOUR WORKERS

Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.
James 5:4

Agriculture was the main source of economic prosperity in the Palestine region during the first century. The lower class would often be in the fields working for those who were more wealthy and owned the land. Here in verse four, James is calling out the rich for not paying their workers, claiming that God hears their cries. This theme of reversal is all over the New Testament.

He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
Luke 1:52-53

We don’t have fields though. We don’t have workers that we aren’t paying. Or do we?

YOUR SLAVES

Ever get excited about that shirt from Forever 21 (or somewhere else) that was only $5? Or maybe you’ve felt like you hit the jackpot the day after Halloween because all the candy went from cheap to really cheap?  If we were actually to uncover the disturbing secrets behind “cheap”, we’d come to see that cheap is very expensive.  Slavery looks a lot like 50% off, Black Friday, Buy One—Get One Free, or anything that seems like a “steal”, because that’s exactly what it is: a steal. You’re stealing from the laborers. We may not hear their cries but the Lord does.

The reason you can pay $5 for that shirt and companies can still make a profit, is because the one who made it for you was paid pennies or nothing.  If it doesn’t cost you, it costs someone else.

Cheap is expensive.

If you aren’t paying attention when you buy things like clothing, purses, beauty products, leather goods, electronics, coffee, chocolate, you name it: your slaves have probably made it.

Whether it’s…

• children in sweatshops or in the cotton or cocoa fields working 12 hour days in the the hot sun
• grown men in prison (often imprisoned unjustly for petty crimes and taken advantage of) assemble products for Victoria’s Secret (that was her secret)
• women trafficked from their homes to other cities or countries where they’re enslaved in garment factories for pennies all the while being physically and verbally abused
• illegal immigrant families, 2nd and 3rd generations working illegally but willfully employed by powerful companies because they know they can get them for dirt cheap labor and threaten them with deportation

…it’s safe to say, slavery has many different faces. Even with such amounts of injustice there are things we can do to combat it. We just have to wake up first.

FATTENED CALVES

You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.
James 5:5

Generally speaking, it is unlikely that we will get fat while also being generous when there are starving people in the world. A loving, other-orientated heart posture doesn’t usually allow for self-indulgence when others are starving and suffering. Luke 6:25 says, “Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry.” Ezekiel (16:49) claims that Sodom was destroyed because its people were “arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.”

Many of us do live in “luxury and self-indulgence.” It is our luxury and self-indulgence that causes us to repeatedly shop without considering the true cost to laborers and slaves who suffer so we can buy more. James warns that many of us are merely fattening ourselves for the slaughter. It doesn’t have to be this way though.

APATHY KILLS

Many will learn about the injustices of slave labor and how they contribute and still be unconcerned. It is precisely this apathy that perpetuates the problem. Followers of Jesus have to step up their game and educate themselves and others about the problem of slavery and then stop supporting those industries. There is a lot we can do and consider.

Unless you’re able to find the word ‘fairtrade’ printed somewhere on a product, there is no guarantee the product was made fairly or ethically. Even then, unfortunately, slavery is like an onion with so many layers. For example, you may have clothing that was sewn ethically (which could be considered a fairtrade product), but perhaps the cotton was picked by a 3-year-old, and washed and prepared by teenage girls who were trafficked from their city and forced to work for pennies or for free.

While making efforts to reduce how many slaves work for you may seem daunting, for Christ-followers, it is worth the endeavor. Slavery Footprint is a great website that actually helps you get an estimate on how many slaves work for you by assessing all the things you currently possess and actively buy.

PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS

Here are two major problems to consider:

1) We are so disconnected from our products and don’t have a clue where or how anything is made.

2) We buy into consumerism which just means more slaves are working for us on a regular basis.

So what can we do?

1) Awareness is key. We cannot solve the problem until we identify it. Learn more about modern-day slavery and how much it affects all of us. Netflix documentaries like True Cost or 13th do an excellent job of revealing all the many facets of modern-day slavery. There are many other resources on the internet to educate yourself.

2) Learn about the products you buy. Research how they were made. Look for information on websites about their supply chain.² If a company neglects to say anything about their supply chain, it’s very probable that they don’t want you to know, or that ethical labor practices are not a priority to them. Try looking for labels like “Made in the USA” instead of in China, Vietnam, Bangladesh, etc. Look for products that say fairtrade.

3) Buy less. Consumerism makes slaves out of all of us (feeling like we need to always have more, more, more), and the actual slaves making the product. Often we end up buying cheap things that break or wear out easily. Ethically made products usually are more expensive, but they usually will last longer.³ Thinking twice or three times before we buy things will help us reduce slavery and free us from the addiction of consumerism.

4) Buy from organizations that are trying to help people in developing countries grow their businesses. Serrv and 10, 000 Villages are just two examples of many out there making a positive difference.

Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.
James 5:4-5

James warns us of the fate of those who are apathetic towards the sufferings of those who labor for us. He brings sharp rebuke. We shouldn’t ignore his words. God hears the cries of the slaves that work for us. It is monumentally important that we do as well.

“You shall decree a thing and it shall be established.” Job 22:28

 

Say Out Loud:

Day One

Life, light, and love, that’s the Blessing, that’s the blessing of God in me. It is permanent!

I have faith in my Father.

I have faith in the written Word.

I am born of God’s (Spirit) breath.

I am Kingdom minded.

I think life. I speak life.

His life permeates my being. ‘In Him I live and move and have my being.”

Acts 17:28

No pressure allowed in me.

“I think myself happy…” Acts 26:2

I don’t exaggerate: (Means to magnify beyond the fact; fantasy)

My life is flowing in the demonstrations of the Blood-bought anointing.

Vain imaginations exalt me over Jesus…I CAST that down quickly!

My old man was crucified with Him. I am freed from sin. I am not under law but under grace. Romans 6:6, 7, 14

Let spirit-man rule with the living word of God: the SWORD. Bind…loose…

I reign in life through Jesus Christ.

His perfect love casts out all fear in me. 1 John 4:18

His law is written in my heart.

Day Two

I meditate on God’s Word day and night. I am strong and courageous. I make my way prosperous. I have good success. God is with me wherever I go.

I cannot be defeated and I will not quit. Defeat is not an option.

My future is bright.

My words edify others.

No pity parties. His love never fails me. NEVER!

Total man: I am undefeatable. I press on toward the goal, for the prize of the upward call in Christ Jesus.

I am a citizen of Heaven. Act like it! Philippians 3:20

The Word of life—the Word of the Kingdom.

I have overcome the world. 1 John 5:5

Faith is not fearful. Faith is not intimidated. Faith overcomes the world.

I walk by faith.

I possess my soul to walk in the Spirit.

I can do nothing without Him.

David inquired of the LORD. David ran toward his enemy.

Wherever I go…the Kingdom goes. Use the keys!

Everything must be done from the place of REST—NOT stress.

Think like God—it’s already been accomplished.

God has NOT given me the spirit of fear.

Day Three

God HAS given me power, love, and a sound (controlled) mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

A renewed mind is a transformed mind that produces fruit for the Kingdom of God.

The law of the Spirit of life is in me.

Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

Christ has redeemed me from the curse so that Abraham’s blessing would come upon me.

I am a joint heir with Jesus Christ. I have rights and privileges.

His Word is medicine to all my flesh. I believe it! I receive it. That settles it!

There is a rest for the people of God who live by faith daily. Hebrews 4:9

I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I have His anointing. He sustains me everyday in victory!

Tongue, heart, and mind must be united…disciplined. Philippians 4:4-8

I am strengthened with might in my inner man through His Spirit.

I am set free from self-condemnation.

I don’t judge or condemn others. I love people.

No fear of man. It’s a snare.

No fear of devils. Philippians 1:28

Do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. Hebrews 10:35

I have been cleansed of all unrighteousness. 2 Corinthians 5:21

The LORD your God goes before you. He will fight for you. Deuteronomy 1:30

Day Four

He is faithful. He who called you will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:24

He will make the crooked places straight…and cut the bars of iron. Isaiah 45:2

Speak Jeremiah 10:11.

Love has been perfected in me that I may have boldness in the day of judgment…

I am bold as a lion. Proverbs 28:1

Boldness: brave, courageous, valiant, unafraid, fearless, stalwart, dauntless, lionhearted, adventuresome, imaginative, creative

“Say to God, ‘How awesome are your works! Through the greatness of your power your enemies shall submit themselves to you.” Psalm 66:3

“If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.”

There is no fear in love … it is cast out.

Fear: anxiety, worry, concern, apprehension.

Inferiority brings one into a state of being unfruitful.

What are words? They are thoughts.

What are tongues? Speaking mysteries to God.

Interpretation of tongues is knowledge from Heaven from His Spirit.

NO weapon formed against my spirit, soul, body, finances, or social life will proper.

I’m here to dominate through Jesus. Your word in me does the work!

I’m in a place of rest. I am yoked to Jesus. Faith brings rest.

Grace: God’s favor and empowerment … through faith in Him.

I am fertile ground. I’m a doer of God’s Word.

Day Five

Take every thought captive: Do you line up with the Word of God? Yes? You can stay. NO? Out you go!!!

Use your God blessed imagination.

I am free of anything negative.

I sleep soundly.

Prayer: There’s a fire in my bones and a two-edged sword coming out of my mouth.

The devil beat Jesus and I was healed by His stripes… Isaiah 53:4-5

Provision was made for me before I was born.

He has given His angels charge over me.

“Bless the LORD, you His angels, mighty in strength, who perform His word, obeying the voice of His word!” Psalm 103:20

I keep the angels busy. Be speaking throughout the day.

The Centurion said, “Only speak the word and my servant will be healed.” Matthew 8:8

“For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.” Mark 11:23

Great expectation brings forth great results.

Nothing comes to him who does not forgive.

I am above only and not beneath. Deuteronomy 28:13

I am seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. I have been made alive, quickened, with Christ. I pray from my heavenly seat in Christ. Ephesians 2:6

I am in Him, He is in me.

I run and not grow weary. I am strong in the LORD. I have His anointing.

I have Abraham’s blessing. I am prosperous.

Now thanks be to God who always leads me to triumph through faith in Jesus my LORD!

Christ in me is the hope of glory.

“And take … the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer…”

Ephesians 6:17-18

THE SWORD!

When you believe in God’s Holy Word and you speak it over yourself in faith, that Word becomes quickened, made alive. It penetrates, even separating the soul and the spirit. (Hebrews 4:12) When Abram and Sarai were unable to have a child, God changed their names to Abraham and Sarah…Abraham meaning Father of Many Nations.

What God spoke to Abraham brought faith which produced the desired end result: Isaac!

Over the years I have developed these positive confessions which are based on scripture.

The renewing of the mind to what God says is not a one time event but an on-going life long exercise that will produce much fruit.

That pleases your loving Father.

Not producing the results you desire? Feeling unproductive and fruitless? Study God’s Word; get it in your heart and in your mouth. Walk by faith and love and you will see results.

Abram went from being barren to being fruitful by God changing his name.

God has changed your name too, hasn’t He … Christian?

Know who you are … from the Word of God!

I don’t need “Herd immunity” I am not cattle I AM A SON OF GOD!!!