Six Legalistic People.

Six Legalistic People.

Now a days some of our friends frequently use the word legalist.
At first , I did not understand what do they mean by this.
When I watch them closely it became clear that what they mean.
Whenever somebody points out a moral standard from the Holy Bible, these people start crying legalist. Anyone who preach or mention about the judgement or holiness also will be counted as legalists.
These people consider Barabas as a liberalist and Jesus a legalist.
According to their definition I started to find out that is there any legalists in the New Testament.
Result of my enquiry was amzing and I could find out many.
I like to present six of them for your kind attention.

1 JOHN THE BAPTIST
All liberals agree that John The Baptist was a legalist.
I don’t think that any proof needed for the statement.

Mathew 3/10 “The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”
Mathew3/1 “In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

2 JESUS OF NAZERETH
After the withdrawel of John Jesus started preaching ministry.
Jesus used the exact words that John used.
Mathew 15/19 “For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander”
Luke 16/17 “It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law.”
Luke21/36 “Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

3 SIMON PETER
Acts 2/38 “Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”
1 Peter 1/14
“As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

4 PAUL OF TARSUS
Acts 17/30 “In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.”
Acts 24/25 “As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.”

5 JAMES BROTHER OF JESUS
James 1/25 “But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.”

James 5/3 “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.”

6 JOHN THE APOSTLE
1 John 2/1 “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin”
1 John 5/16 “If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death.”

I don’t want to discourage our grace preaching liberals.
I found many liberals also in the New Testament.
Since I am a legalist I don’t like to speak about them in detail.
I like to mention the names of few.
Ananias and Sapphira [Acts 5]
Demas [ 2Timothy 4/10]
Alexander [2Timo 4/14]
And many others also there.
I prefer to continue as a legalist. What about you?
May the Lord help you to remain in His grace.

Seeking Jesus in Wrong Places

We read in the Bible that Mary and Joseph searched for Jesus among their co-travelers.
Mathew 3/42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
44But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
45And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
49And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
50And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

This is a common mistake many Christians make.
They think that Jesus is among them. May be with some Uncle or Aunty. Some brilliant uncles charge them a monthly subscription by assuring them that he could keep Jesus in their group. Their confidence is in some leaders and their teachings. These people don’t have any personal relationship with Jesus and they are not sure that their journey is towards a destination which is the perfect will of God.
They blindly believe in the teachings of some leaders and rely upon their tapes and books..



Some women went to the tomb of Jesus to find Him.
Angels of the God asked them why did they search Jesus there.
Do not seek a living person among the dead.
Many people are dead spiritually.
Even some leaders are spiritually dead and bear no fruit of the Holy Spirit. Do not try to find Jesus among such a group.
They might present wonderful philosophies and brilliant doctrines.
But never seek Jesus among dead people and dead churches.


At the birth of Jesus wise men from the east went to the palace of Herod to find Jesus.
Many people are interested to listen the teachings of rich evangelists.
These prosperity preachers could easily win the hearts of many fools.
But wise people will escape from the snares of Herod.
Herod showed interest to worship Jesus. Actually Herod worshipped his authority and pleasures
Today where do you seek Jesus.
Lesson 1 Do not think that Jesus is somewhere among your group.
Christian life is not a collective relationship with God.
You must have a personal relationship and conviction.


Lesson 2 Seek Jesus only in the temple.
Now you are the temple of the living God.

Lesssn 3 Mary and Joseph travelled one day without Jesus but it took three days to restore that relationship.For backsliders,sometimes it requires a hardwork to restore their joy of salvation.

Lesson 4 Do not be deceived by the wealth and power of certain Herods.
Seek Him in a manger. Worship Him in purity, sincerity and simplicity

Yes No Wait

God always answers prayer. We always wanted an yes from Him.
But in His infinite wisdom He sometimes say No. As far as our human wisdom No is a
Sign of affectionless. But He knows better than us that which are good for us which are not.
God’s three answers are these, Yes, No, Wait.
We can see many examples from the Bible that God gives answers in these different ways.

Yes

Luke 23/42,43
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.]”
Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.

The thief who was crucified with Jesus received answer yes for his prayers.
He had no other choice and no other hope. It was just before his last breathe he said this prayer.
How mysterious are the ways of God.

No

Luke 8/38,39
The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him


Wait

Revelation 6/9-11
When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been.

Lesson 1
The thief had no prior relationship with Jesus received an instant answer “YES” from Jesus. Sometimes those who less spiritual than you may get favorable answers from God.Do not get discouraged when you see such things

.

Lesson 2
Those who testify Jesus and embraced martyrdom were told to WAIT some more time.
Some times we have to wait for His time.
Mary were told by Jesus that His time had not yet come.
Let us wait patiently for His time.

Lesson 3
The man who received healing got an answer NO from Jesus.
Sometimes Jesus say NO even to our noble prayers.
This man’s prayer was highly appreciable. He wanted to be with Jesus and follow Him where ever he goes.
Outwardly it appears as a good prayer.
But actually he wanted to escape from his village where all were against Jesus.
But Jesus appointed him there as His ambassador and it was the greatest privilege

.
In the midst of your tears and turmoil, remember that you are an ambassador of Christ Jesus and your citizenship is in the Heaven.
God can bless you even through your unanswered prayers.
For a child of God all these three answers are blessings. Let us pray that
our eyes get opened so that we might be able to see His blessings in disguise.
And may God continue to bless you.

Body of Christ vs Body Of Judas

Now a days some Christians showed an elevated interest in Judas. Recently published books on Judas appeared in bestsellers list of many publishers. This generation want to fit Judas somewhere in the eternal plan and purpose of God. They argue that Judah was helping Jesus to fulfill His mission on earth.I wonder, why these people don’t want to give Pilate such an honor?If chronological classification of the seven churches in the revelation followed, ours is the Laodecean age.Laodecean age is of the Lukewarm generation. I want to share some of the characterestics of this lukewarm generation
ADULTERORS This generation is adulterous generation who seek miracles and signs.
They deceive themselves by saying that they are saved and their deeds will not be counted.
Jesus said men is responsibe and accountable for even a single word he uttered.
Matthew 12:36 “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken”.
Each one will be rewarded even for small deeds.
Mark 9/41 “For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward”
Lukewarm generation conveniently skip all these words of Christ and His apostles.
For them Jesus is not the only begotten son, but Jesus also a son of God just like each of them.
They wanted to find comfort by saying that no one will perish.
Bible repeatedly says that there is a possibility of getting perished.
Jesus says Luke 21/36 “Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

Apostle Peter says 1Peter 1/17
“Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.”These people are looking forward to see Judah in the glory.
Judas left the room during the last supper.
Jesus declared about His body that is the Church.
Satan entered in Judas and he left the place John 13/27
Now there are two groups. One group is with Jesus and the rest is with Judah.
Those who are with Jesus is called as His body.
For we can call the rest as the body of Judah.
Body of Judah is in constant fight with body of Jesus.
Judas was motivated by love of money.
James4/4
“You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”





Which body you like to be part of? Judas’s or Jesus’?
Choice is yours and may God bless you.

Gifts and Fruits

We had a tree in the backyard of our East London House. Since me and Swapna were not familiar with the trees in Europe, we could not guess what kind of tree that would be . Few months later the tree flowered and carried fruits. When the fruits got ripen we came to know that it was an apricot tree. Jesus said that it is the fruits of a tree help us to distinguish it.
Jesus asks us to bear fruits
John 15/8 “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

We know that there are nine fruits of the Holy Spirit are listed in Galatians.
Many believers are excited about the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit which are listed in the epistle to the Corinthians.
But Jesus concern is about the fruits. Gifts are received but fruits are produced.
We can see all gifts were evidently seen in Jesus.
Let us examine nine gifts.
1 Love Jesus is the embodiment of Love. God is love .And no more explanations needed to prove that Jesus had the fruit of love in Him. During final course of His speech Jesus insisted very much on love
John 15/9
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.”
2 Joy The second listed fruit of the Holy Spirit is Joy.
Amazingly, just before his sufferings started, Jesus reminded His disciples about His Joy.
John 15/11
“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
Luke10/21 “At that time Jesus, full of JOY through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.”
3 Peace Isaiah foretold that coming Messiah would be called as the Prince of Peace.
John14/27
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you”
4 Mercy Jesus was an ocean of mercy. Even today majority of merciful activities in the world have their source of inspiration Jesus. Out of His mercy He healed many and fed thousands.
Even during His arrest Jesus outstretched His hands to heal the ear of the servant of the high priest. Instead of worrying about himself and of coming pain He showed His unfading kindness.
5 Goodness Jesus described Himself as the Good shepherd who gives the life for the sheep. Apostle Peter says that “Jesus of Nazareth went …doing well.” Acts 10/38
6 Faithfulness Hebrews 2/17 says that Jesus is the faithful high priest. Jesus was faithful to His father and to His mission.
John 4/34
“My food,” said Jesus “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.”
7 Long sufferingJesus exhibited this fruit throughout His earthly ministry.
Jesus rebuked His disciples when they asked Him permission to bring down fire from the sky to destroy all opponents. Paul says that Jesus showed him His unlimited patience (1Tim1/16)
8 Meekness Jesus was very gentle. Jesus says that he is very gentle.
“…for I am gentle and humble in heart” Mathew 11/28
9 Self Control This fruit was very evident in His ministry.
When He was hungry after a long fasting He refused to perform miracle for His personal need.
Even at the Garden of Gethsemane, He said to Peter that He could easily called down many thousands angels to fight for His release. But He controlled Himself marvelously.
All these gifts were dwelling in Jesus.
We also must bear fruits of the Holy Spirit. Our earthly life will be evaluated on the basis of the fruits that we bore.

Jesus is called the first fruit .He was full of fruits and He Himself was the fruit.
Jesus was the fruit of life that Adam could not had been taste while he was in Paradise.
First fruit was full of fruits of the Holy Spirit. We are next fruits after him.
We are commanded to bear the fruits for Him.



Song of Songs 7/14
”The mandrakes give a smell, and at our gates are all manner of pleasant fruits, new and old, which I have laid up for thee, O my beloved.”

Seek Knock and Ask

Guest In The Midnight.

Today I would like to share another parable of Jesus

Luke 11/5-8
Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6 a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ 7 And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity[e] he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.
Here is a story of three friends.
Here Jesus portrays the lost world The Church and the God.
One friend approaches the second one in the midnight.
The world is in the midnight of hopelessness.
Lost around us knocks at the door of the church
Churchis not a building.Here you and me together make His church.The people around us are in constant need of bread.
We know that when a cananite woman asked Jesus for healing,Jesus said that healing is the bread of His children.
From this we can understand that according to the terminology of Jesus bread is healing.
All people are in need of healing. Man constitutes by three factors spirit,soul,body.Some are in need of physical healing and some others are in need of mental healing;But all are in need of spiritual healing.

Lesson 1 World is in darkness and it is around midnight.

Lessson 2 World looks to the Church of Jesus Christ.

Lesson 3 No food is with the Church. Church has no word of faith.

Lesson 4 God dwells in the neigbourhood of the Church.

Lesson 5 Church has the access to God’s presence even at midnight.

Lessson6 If church prays persistently, it will be filled with the bread.

Lesson 7 The Church knows that God has solutions and blessings with Him.Midnight is the best time to sleep.
What will you prefer ,,,,sleep or askLuke 11/9
“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Bluff Of Brothers

Dear brethren,

In these days, I notice that some of our brothers(I consider them so) bringing up strange doctrines.They use a terminology finished work of Christ to bewilder their readers.As any other false teachers these people also picking up few verses from scriptures.They are reluctant to accept that the whole Bible is the word of God.If someone confront them, he will be judged as he lives under the law.According to them, there is no assignment left for us to do.There will be no suffering in Christ Jesus. If you carefully study the Church history, you will find that none of the Church Fathers was ever knew this doctrine.Their teachings are according neither to scriptures nor to Church Fathers.All they wanted is to enjoy a two-timing life without having bothered about the eternal judgement or the chief commission of Christ.

I urge you to consider following scriptures when they are advocating you.
1 When they say that there is no suffering for a believer since Christ suffered everything.

Acts20/22,23
“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.
I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace."

Acts 14/22

" strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God"

Rev7/14

I answered, “Sir, you know.”

" And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."


2 When they say that there is no sanctification process for believers.

1 Thessalonians 5/22
"Avoid every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."

1 Thessalonians 4:7
"For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life."

1 Thessalonians 4:3

"It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality"

3 When they say that there is no judgement for believers and no need to fear.


1 Pet1/17
"Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear"

1 Pet 4/17
"For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?"


I sincerely urge all of you to stand and resist this evil teaching. Save the body of Christ from cancer of heresies.