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Bible Study – Abram and Lot Separate

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 And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south. 2 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold. 3 And he went on his journeys from the south even to Beth–el, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Beth–el and Hai; 4 Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the Lord.

We see Abram and his caravan returning to the Promised Land. Pharaoh sent Abram away with a great deal of riches, in the form of “sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.” Gen. 12:15 These gifts were given to Abram by Pharoah when he was entreating for Sarai. In the above passage, we read that Abram also came away with much gold and silver. Even in backsliding – God’s people are blessed.

Abram has “turned back,” and offered sacrifice. True repentance involves a turning, an identifiable change from the sinful path, back to the straight path. Without the “turning,” or repentance – there can be no fellowship with God.

5 And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents. 6 And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together. 7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land. 8 And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. 9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.

Abram lays out to Lot, a choice, similar to the choices that every believer must make in their lives. Do we take the hard road, full of resistance and challenges? Or do we take the easy road that will give ease and comfort to our flesh?

Abram and Lot represent the two kinds of Christians. Lot – the Carnal believer, and Abram – the Spiritual believer.

10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. 11 Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other. 12 Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. 13 But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly.

Lot’s worldly vision – only has eyes for the well-watered plain of Jordan. In his eyes, it is even like the Garden of Eden, and the lush land of Egypt. In his covetousness – he blocks out the reality of the depraved moral condition of the men of Sodom. His desire has overruled his faith.

14 And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: 15 For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. 16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. 17 Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee. 18 Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the Lord. Genesis 13: 1-18

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This is likely the view that Abram had of the Promised land. Not in any way like the lush, well-watered plain of Sodom that Lot chose. Abram remained in the rocky, stubble filled mountains.

Lot – the carnal believer chose the selfish way, the worldly way. He chose not to separate himself from evil and its influence, rather, he chose to live alongside it; in the same fashion that the post modern Christian does; thereby inviting disaster. Like Lot, when disaster comes, the carnal Christian will fail to see it as a warning from God.

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Bible Study – Abram Sojourns in Egypt

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And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land. 11 And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon: 12 Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive. 13 Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee. Genesis 12:10-13

Several things did not happen here, which should have. As we have observed faithful Abram over the past few weeks, his faith was in evidence. Where is it now? Where is the sacrifice?

  • He decides to go to well watered Egypt (river culture similar to Ur) to wait out the famine.
  • Rather than relying on God’s promises, he fears for his life based on the desirableness of his wife.
  • He predetermines to deceive the people he is sojourning with.
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At this point, Abram and his caravan would be traveling from Beersheba to Egypt. In Scripture, Egypt represents the world (flesh). Seeking after it indicates broken fellowship with God. Rather than turning wholly unto YHWH in the test of the famine – his fear overcame him, and he attempted to anticipate the future, despite the fact that God had clearly stated that he would be blessed – in the promised land.

We will pause here, and examine Hurrian culture for a moment. It would not be unusual – for a man to be killed in order to seize his wife. Abram, passing Sarah off as his sister, would be able to stall for time to escape (during a long betrothal period) while the negotiations were taking place. During this time, Sarah would dwell safely with her “brother.” Aside from that – Sarah was without doubt – an extraordinarily beautiful woman.

These paintings are from the rock cut tomb of Khnumhotep II located between Upper and Lower Egypt at Beni Hasan, and made during the reign of Senusret II of the 12th dynasty (around 1880-1874 BC). The hair, beards, and clothing portray Semites from the area of Palestine. More than just a trading party, entire families with wives and children appear to be relocating to Egypt. They are well groomed and dressed in the colorful clothing of their heritage.

14 And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair. 15 The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house.

16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels. 17 And the Lord plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram’s wife. 18 And Pharaoh called Abram, and said, What is this that thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife? 19 Why saidst thou, She is my sister? so I might have taken her to me to wife: now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go thy way. 20 And Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him: and they sent him away, and his wife, and all that he had.

Genesis 12: 14-20

The consequences of Abram’s backsliding are so far reaching, it is breathtaking in scope.

  • Backsliding always begins by failing to trust God in some area of life
  • Backsliding then progresses to “departing” from the will of God.
  • Backsliding always reaps unpleasant results.

Today – the world still reaps the “crop” sown by Abram’s backsliding. While in Egypt, he bought a young slave girl named Hagar to be Sarah’s handmaid – who became the mother of the Arabs.

The seeds of unrighteousness always reap a bitter harvest of sorrow and grief for generations to come. Seeds of righteousness reap a bountiful harvest of blessings – for generations to come.

Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in Thee: yea, in the shadow of Thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. Psalm 57:1

Bible Study – Noah’s Family Tree

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Our study last week left off with the cursing of Ham’s youngest son – Canaan.  Genesis 10 is a genealogy, which is best observed in graphic form.  

Noah's family tree

One of the greatest difficulties the believer faces while in the flesh – is to be in the world – not of the world.  God sanctified Noah by removing him from the sinful world that was – before judgment – a beautiful picture of the rapture of the saints.  The believer’s sanctification requires continual rejection of the world’s temptations.  

JOHN 17:15-16

15 I pray not that Thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

There is a clear principal expressed in the Word of God, which indicates that the LORD wants Christians in the world as a witness – without becoming contaminated by the world and its trappings.  If the Christian loses his testimony – his ability to witness effectively will be very difficult.  These failures are infamous, and leave the church exposed to ridicule, rather than admiration. 

MATTHEW 5:13

13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

The Scriptures are chock full of examples of men so affected by the world surrounding them, that they temporarily lose their testimony through their failure.   These cases are intended to serve as an example to us of what not to do!  Sanctification (being set apart from the world and unto God’s service) is our goal once saved, and it is so important that we all, as believers,  should pursue sanctification with due diligence. We are not to continue  living our lives in the same old way.

Noah's family after flood

Noah’s family was saved (sanctified) from the Flood, but soon afterwards they fell into a variety of sins.  Noah’s family carried the wickedness of the pre-flood world into the Ark with them.  Faithful Noah got his family out of the completely evil world system, but he could not get “the world”  out of his family. 

HOW ABOUT US?  ARE WE LIVING A SANCTIFIED LIFE?  OR DO WE LIVE ONE WAY AT CHURCH – AND ANOTHER WAY AT HOME AND WORK?  ASK YOURSELF – HOW IS THE WORLD INFILTRATING MY FAMILY?  TV?  INTERNET? VIDEO GAMES? DO WE SING PRAISE TO OUR HOLY GOD ON SUNDAY – AND THEN GO HOME AND WATCH R-RATED MOVIES, OR HALF NAKED CHEERLEADERS DURING HALF-TIME? ROMANCE NOVELS?  SOAP OPERAS?HOW ABOUT THE NEW PROBLEM – COVETING OVER PINTEREST?

Sanctification occurs in the past (when we are saved) the present (occurs daily as we cleanse our lives of sins) and in the future (as we are saved from the presence of sin.) 

Our “present” sanctification should be the work of every Christian.  How?

  1. Studying the Word of God brings sanctification.  John 17:17 – Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy Word is truth.
  2. Surrendering to the Lord’s Will brings sanctification.  Romans 12:1,2 – I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.    And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 
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Sanctification is brought about in the life of the believer by his separating himself deliberately from all that is unclean and unholy, and by presenting, continually and constantly, the members of this body as holy instruments unto God for the accomplishment of His holy purposes.  Thus by these single acts of surrender unto holiness, sanctification soon becomes the habit of life. 

William Evans

1 JOHN 2:15

 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

The Abundant Life – #5 – The Mature Life

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2 Peter 3:18

 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Just as there are four stages of growth in the  natural man, there are four stages of growth in the new born spiritual man, which leads to maturity in the Christian life.

1. The baby stage.  1 Cor. 3:1-4 – And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.  3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?  4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?  A baby thinks only of itself.  If the baby is denied what it wants, it will wail.  The baby seeks its own, its feelings are easily hurt, and – it is often jealous.  The baby lives to be served – it never serves.  It can only drink milk, and cannot eat solid food.  The baby cries a great deal – but never sings.  It tries to talk – but makes no sense.

IT IS A SAD BUT TRUE FACT, THAT MANY CHRISTIANS DISPLAY THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A SPIRITUAL BABY.  THOUGH THEY ARE BORN AGAIN INTO THE FAMILY OF GOD – THEY NEVER GROW AND DEVELOP SPIRITUALLY.  THE SPIRITUAL BABY IS A CARNAL CHRISTIAN.

2. The little child stage.  1 John 2:12 – I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. Some Christians grow enough to become little children spiritually – but many stop there.  Spiritual little children are often untruthful, envious,  and even cruel.  When rebuked, they take on the role of martyr.  If crossed, they feel resentment, and may even make a scene.  They are talebearers, repeating everything they hear (grownups call it gossip!)  The child is given to emotional outbursts, and their immaturity causes them to be easily puffed up.  They live for praise, and will accept that praise from ANYONE!  The child only seeks after what will appeal to self.

ARE YOU A SPIRITUAL CHILD????

3. The young man stage.  1 John 2:13 – I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known Him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.  Another sad fact – not many believers reach the stage of a young man in Christ.  He is strong and virile – well able to overcome his enemy – Satan (in his many forms) The young man’s vision for the future consists of his faith and courage.  He is preparing for his most productive years.  

WE CAN BECOME A YOUNG MAN SPIRITUALLY BY “PUTTING AWAY CHILDISH THINGS!”  1 COR. 13:11 – WHEN I WAS A CHILD, I SPAKE AS A CHILD, I UNDERSTOOD AS A CHILD, I THOUGHT AS A CHILD: BUT WHEN I BECAME A MAN, I PUT AWAY CHILDISH THINGS.

4. The father stage.  1 John 2:13 – I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.  This stage can be reached by all believers – but SO FEW EVER ATTAIN IT.  The spiritual father has peace with God.  Rom. 5:1 – Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  The father knows the peace of God.  Phil. 4:7 – And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  He rejoices in his spiritual children.  1 Thess. 2:19 – For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?  The father has learned contentment under ALL circumstances.  Phil. 4:11 – Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.  He knows the ONLY source of true strength.  Phil. 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.  The father NEVER broods over the past, but continually looks to the future.  

Phil.3: 13, 14 –   13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,  14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  He knows that ALL  things work together in his life for ETERNAL GOOD.   Rom. 8:28 – And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.

THE SPIRITUAL FATHER ENJOYS THE ABUNDANT LIFE NOW – AND WILL ENJOY IT IN THE LIFE TO COME.  EPH. 2:7 – THAT IN THE AGES TO COME HE MIGHT SHEW THE EXCEEDING RICHES OF HIS GRACE IN HIS KINDNESS TOWARD US THROUGH CHRIST JESUS.

This concludes our study of the Abundant Life.  Next up in our deep study of doctrine – Repentance!

Rewards of Crowns – Part 3

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The beauty of our LORD is so evident in the crowns  He gives to some of the saved.  So far in this series we have explored:

  1. The Crown of Life
  2. The Crown Incorruptible

Some say this next crown is the best crown – it is the “soul-winners” crown, and is the reward for the greatest work a believer can do for the LORD.  Bringing others to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  The degree of joy we experience in heaven is directly related to the souls we have had a part in bringing to Christ. 

THE CROWN OF REJOICING!

1 THESSALONIANS 2:19

 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?

It is GREAT wisdom to win lost souls to Christ.  Pro.11:30 –  The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

We work AGAINST sin when we win lost souls to Christ. James 5:20 – Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

Heaven is FILLED with joy when souls are won for Christ. Luke 15:10 – Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

We SHINE as the stars in heaven when we win souls for Christ. Dan.12:3 –  And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

The wonderful thing about this crown, is that it can be won by any believer!  

HOW TO WIN SOULS TO CHRIST:

Make your life a witness!  Live in such a manner that the lost can see Christ living in you.  2 Cor.3:2 – Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men. . .

Let the Holy Spirit use your mouth as a witness to give power to the spoken word!  Acts 1:8 – But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Let your “stuff” be a witness, that others may preach Christ with your tithes and offering – and you will have fruit that will abound to your account!  Phil. 4:15-17 –

15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.

16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

2 Cor. 9:6 – But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

THIS PROMISE FROM GOD –

1 CORINTHIANS 15:58

 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

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YOU WILL NOT REJOICE ALONE WHEN YOU RECEIVE THE CROWN OF REJOICING – ALL HEAVEN WILL REJOICE TOO!

JOHN 4:36

 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.

Judgments – Part 3

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So far in this study series, we have covered the judgment of the believer’s sins, followed by the judgment of the believer’s self.  We now go onto the third judgment – the judgment of the believer’s works. 

The believer’s works will be judged at the “judgment seat of Christ.”  This term is used only in the following two places in the Bible, though it is referred to many times. 

Romans 14:10

But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at naught thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:10

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Careful reading of both passages reveals within the context that only believers will appear before the “judgment seat of Christ.” Only their works will be judged – not their sins!!!!  the believer’s sins were already judged in Christ on Calvary –

Romans 8:1

 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

This judgment will take place in the air following the first resurrection!  1 Thess. 4: 14-18  14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.

15 For this we say unto you by the Word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

16 For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

At the judgment seat of Christ, the believer will give an account of himself to God.  It is evident that we should look to our own service, and not judge the works of others.  This passage speaks only to the Body of Christ!!  Rom. 14: 10-13 –

10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.

It is very humbling to know that someday the believer will be faced with ALL his works – good or bad.  Some will be ashamed and suffer loss – not the loss of salvation – but the loss of rewards.  1Cor. 3:11-15 –   11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

1 John 2:28

And now, little children, abide in Him; that, when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at his coming.

water in a weary land

Whatever you do – no matter how insignificant it may seem  – do it to the glory of God.

Colossians 3:17

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.

Judgments – Part 2

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The first segment of this study covered the judgment of the believer’s sins.  We now move on to the next kind of judgment – the judgment of the believer’s self! 

This judgment is far more than judging things in the believer’s life.  When we, as believers, judge our own selves, everything comes to light – good and bad.  We then confess the bad –

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

And then forsake it –

Isaiah 55:7

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.

It is not enough to just judge sin in the believer; he must judge self

To judge oneself, is to practice self-abnegation.  When the believer sees self the way God sees him – he will renounce self.  Essentially, this is replacing the self-life with the Christ-life.  Christ IS the believer’s life.  Col. 3:4 – When Christ, Who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.

To judge oneself is to deny oneself.  This is much more than self-denial.  Self denial is denying one’s self of the gratification of the flesh.  If we only practice self-denial, we are treating the symptom and not the cause.  But to deny self – is to ATTACK the cause, because in that self there is “no good thing.”  Deny self – and pick up your cross and follow Him!  Mark 8:34-38 –

34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.

36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when He cometh in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.

To judge self is to LOSE the self-life, and find the Christ-life.   Gal.2:20 – I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.

To judge self is to no longer be self-conscious, but to become Christ-conscious.  Matt. 28:20 – Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

To judge self is to no longer be self-controlled, but to be Christ-controlled.  Acts 9:6 – And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

And the most important – to judge self is to no longer practice self-esteem, but to esteem others better than self.  Phil. 2:3 – Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.


“Comparative Christianity” is something we all practice, some more than others.  The only One we should compare ourselves with is Jesus Christ.  This comparison will help you to judge yourself against Him, not other believers.  Egoism and pride must be forsaken!  Praise Him!

water in a weary land

1 Corinthians 11:31-32

31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

The Prophetic Emphasis of the Bible

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Just a quick thought that I felt had to be stated in view of the recent discussion we had with a commenter regarding  the rapture of the church.

  • The Old Testament emphasizes the millennial reign of Christ
  • The Gospels emphasize the second coming which ushers in the millennial reign of Christ
  • The Epistles emphasize the rapture
  • The Revelation emphasizes the Great Tribulation

If you keep this little chart in mind it will be easier to keep the prophetic time line organized in your study.  For example, it is extremely helpful when dealing with a passage like  Luke 17:20-37.  Since that passage is in the Gospels, it probably deals with the second coming of Christ to earth.  The ones “taken” and the ones “left” are expressions dealing with the separation that will take place when Christ returns  to earth.  

The Epistles make references to the “Day of Christ,” which usually indicates the rapture. 

1 Corinthians 1:7-8

7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the  day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 5:5

To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

2 Corinthians 1:14

As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are our’s in the day of the Lord Jesus.

Philippians 1:10

That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.

Philippians 2:16

Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

I keep a copy of that little chart, written on an index card, in my Bible as a book mark. Very helpful!