The Foolish Things

 The Foolish Things

Why Do We Believe God is In The Flashy Thing?

 

 

 " But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

That no flesh should glory in his presence."----1 Cor. 1:27-29

God has used the foolish things to confound the wise. 

He has used the weak things to confound the things which are mighty

He has chosen the base things and despised things.

That is who and what he has chosen.

To understand this you must know God's purpose in this. 

He seeks to save people. He seeks a relationship with them, and to grow them. He seeks to restore that which was lost. (Matt. 18:10-14, 2 Peter 3:9, )

He has set up a method for that. The method is grace through faith.  Free grace for all who believe His Word and turn to Him. (Matt. 5:24)

Simple.

Except that Satan works to oppose that. He uses the shiny things. The pretty things. The wise things. The worldly, fleshly things to keep us distracted and deceived. ( 2 Cor. 11:12-14, )

Remember, God came to die for us and save us. He calls us. When we hear His call, and believe what He tells us, and turn to Him, we are saved.

He is our salvation. We are saved by Him. He is our only Hope. So, God puts the focus on Himself. He is our savior.

So, let's start at the top.

Paul the apostle is the writer of this book. He wrote most of the New Testament.

But, Paul was a religious leader who did not know God. He hated Christians and killed them. . (Acts 7:58, Acts 8:1-3,)

Yet, this guy basically evangelized the world.

Who in their right mind would believe this guy served God? Who would forgive this guy and use HIM?

Only God.

And that's the point.

Only God could have used an enemy to do His work. Only God, could have transformed this man into a tool for His use.

Paul called himself "Chief of Sinners" (1 Tim. 1:15)

And that's where the tire meets the road. Paul believed God. He saw his own true state, and turned to God, for salvation through Jesus Christ.

"I am weak" so I turn to God. "Now I am strong." In God. (2 Cor. 12:9-10)

God uses the foolish, the weak, the base and despised to show the world, His power.

Because our testimony is about telling the great things God has done for us. (Rev. 12:11)

Then, the world looks and says "but you're weak, you're silly, you're despised?"

And then we say, "it wasn't me. It was God."

And many will hear what you say and be open to hear more and to believe, and to turn and know this God you speak of.

The God who uses Sinners.

He used Moses, a murderer to do some of the greatest things in the Bible. (Exo 2:11-15)

It was not Moses. It was God.

He used Gideon to raise an army, then weeded out the troops till there were only a few, who gained a stunning victory. (Judges Chapter 7)

So the world would know it was God.

Peter and the rest of the Apostles.

Fishermen, workmen, hated tax collectors, violent zealots, simple folk, prostitutes, and even a betrayer.

He used them all to do His work, of saving people and knowing them.

Only God, could do that.

Only God, could have turned the entire Roman Empire and the whole world upside down, through the base, and despised things.

So we hear the stories of God's work, and He pricks our heart. We believe, and turn to Him, to be saved through Jesus Christ.

He did not use the perfect thing. The pretty thing. The shiny thing. Because HE alone is our salvation.

And we need to see HIM.

Nothing else.

Praise Jesus.

 

-----

Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called “The Future is Coming” and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Read His Spiritual Writings on Blogger: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

Follow Him on Free Life Blog: https://myfreelifeblog.com/

Buy a cup of Coffee

Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

Photo by the author. A giant blue rooster on the roof of the Gallery of Art in Washington D.C.

Not Everyone Who Says Lord, Lord

 Not Everyone Who Says Lord, Lord...

An Example of False Doctrine.

 

Since the beginning of Christianity there has been a battle between Faith and Works, in regards to salvation.

The same arguments exist today as existed back when Paul and the other apostles wrote. 

A careful reading of the scriptures show that there is no argument between the apostles and Jesus on the fact that we are saved by grace through faith, not by works lest anyone should boast.

It is said over and over again. It is shown that humans are sinners with a corrupted nature, we cannot please God. All our works are filthy rags. 

We need Jesus. The only thing we can do, is believe the Word God gives us and turn to Him. We confess Jesus is the Lord and believe God raised Him from the dead. (Romans 10:9-10)

But, the argument continues because those who support a works based doctrine use verses such as this verse from Jesus.

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."---(Matthew 7:21)

They use this verse to bully people into obeying false doctrines of works.

Basically, they are saying that confessing Jesus as Lord, is not good enough. You must do more works. 

Then, when you ask what else you need to do. They will give you all kinds of things to do, or some vague nonsense that keeps you guessing.

The last days will be full of false teachers and false doctrine. 

There are two types of false doctrine. Either they claim Jesus is not Lord. or they claim a salvation through works doctrine. Which cuts Jesus out of the equation. You are saving yourself by doing works, not fully trusting Christ. Both of these are false.

Any mixture of works and grace is false.  Grace mixed with Works destroys grace.

Now if you keep reading the verse in Matthew you will find the truth.

 "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?---(Matt. 7:21-22)

As you can see. These people on Judgement Day, when Jesus returns are calling Him Lord...But, have not really believed He is Lord, and have not submitted to Him. They still believe they are saved by their own works. They never accepted the Gospel. They practiced religion and tried to save themselves.

These are the false teachers, who face eternal darkness forever. (Jude 1) They were never saved because they did not give themselves to Christ for salvation.

They practice religion. Not relationship, because they don't know Him, and therefore have no relationship.

But, let's go a step further, because Jesus states it perfectly.

"Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."--- (John 6:28-29)

So, when the false teachers claim a works based doctrine by using the verses like this one from Matthew and stating we are not saved unless we do "the will of the Father in heaven". Just remember that Jesus plainly states that the works of God is to "believe on him whom he hath sent". 

In other words, putting your faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Confessing Him as Lord and He alone for salvation, is the works of God.

The battle between faith based salvation and a works based salvation has been raging for over 2000 years.

James says "faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." (James Chapter 2)

But...

Paul says "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.---(Romans 10:9-10)

Is not confessing with the mouth a work? So we have faith and works at play in this verse.

Paul and James do not disagree. They agree.

It is the false teachers who disagree with the Gospel and the Word of God.  They demand obedience to the law. They demand obedience for salvation.

But, they do not understand that...

We obey by turning to God. We obey by confessing Jesus is the Lord. We obey by Faith in Jesus, We obey by Communion. We obey by Baptism. We obey by telling others about Jesus. We obey by being Spirit led. We obey by Love. We obey by Grace.

These are the works that we do through Him. Not by our own.

Praise Jesus.

---

Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called “The Future is Coming” and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Read His Spiritual Writings on Blogger: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

Follow Him on Free Life Blog: https://myfreelifeblog.com/

Buy a cup of Coffee

Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

It's Not Too Hard For You

 

So, Why Can't We Do It?

 

 In Deuteronomy God says that His laws are not too hard for us.(Deut. 30:11-15)

 "For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off.
It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it. See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;"

Why does He say this? 

Because He wants us to see that there is something wrong with us. We have a corrupted nature from Adam. God did not create us this way. We have fallen. (Gen. Chapter 3, Romans 1:16-32, Romans 3:10-31)

He tells us truth. "It is not hidden from you or far off."

God says we can keep His law. It's not hard. He knows our capabilities. He created us. He did not make His law impossible.

But we do not do it.

Why?

Because after the Fall, we became corrupt, and NOW His law is impossible for us. Because we are fallen.

We changed. Not His law. His law is eternal, it changes not. Just like God doesn't change.

The Apostle Paul cries out "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" (Romans Chapter 7)

We have to come to the conclusion on our own that we cannot obey God's Law. We cannot please Him. We can't do it. This is us realizing we are sinners, and need God.

 

We try to do right. We fail. Our lives are in shambles and we cannot please God or anyone. Then, we say "I can't do it! I quit!" Then the Holy Spirit comes and speaks to our heart. "Maybe God can help? Maybe God can save you and fix you?" 

That is when we have that "Aha!" moment and realize the truth of the Word given to us, and turn to God for His salvation and help. This is Grace and Faith. We put our trust in Him, and He accepts us because we received it in Faith and Truth.

We must come to this conclusion. This helps us to realize that we need Him. We have three choices. We can keep trying to obey the laws and rules under our own power, even though we can't. (Religion) Or we can throw in the towel, and quit. Turning away from God. (Rebellion) Or we can turn to Him and let Him save us and grow us. (Submission and Relationship)

We hear His call and turn to Him. We must awaken in Him. We come to life in Him. We die to sin and come to life in Christ. (Romans Chapter 6-7)

God knew we would fail to keep His laws. That's why He set up a sacrificial system to take care of us, when we fail. Why say "It's not too hard..." but yet give us a means to fix it when we fail?

Because He knows we will fail. It's part of the law He designed. The entire thing is designed to cause us to fail, wake up, turn to Him, and let Him save us,  cleanse us and grow us. This is the relationship. This is knowing Him, and being known of Him.

The sacrifices in the law are a picture of Jesus Christ, coming to save us and cleanse us of all sin. He is our savior.

The law shows us that we fail, and need a savior.

We turn to Him and He saves us and grows us.

The law becomes dead to us because we die with Christ, then come to life again in Him. The eternal consequences of sin do not impact us. Notice I said "Eternal". We are often impacted in this life by the things we do. But, it is not held against us in eternity, we are saved.

We now live to love God and others. But, we do this by His Holy Spirit. Not our own. Our flesh cannot do it. 

It's not too hard for us, because God Himself does it for us. It's not too far from us, because Jesus Christ brought it down for us.

That's His Grace and Love. We just need to abide and have a relationship with Him.

If we are saved, the laws and rules, now exist to help us have a better life and to know what to confess to the Lord for cleansing. We are free from the eternal consequences of the law.

Jesus paid the price.

 

It is finished!

-----

Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called “The Future is Coming” and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Read His Spiritual Writings on Blogger: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

Follow Him on Free Life Blog: https://myfreelifeblog.com/

Buy a cup of Coffee

Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

As If By Fire

 As If By Fire

All Our Works, Burned Up

 

When God saves us. He saves us forever. I do not believe we can lose our salvation, and the scriptures do not teach that, despite any man made argument to the contrary.

If you know Him. If you are His. If you have turned to Him and asked Him to save you and confessed Him as your Lord. Then, He will not cast you away. He chastens us. He grows us. He breaks us and molds us. He refines us.

He does not cast us aside, because we broke one too many rules. Even if we reject Him. Still He is faithful and continues to keep His Word and do His work. (Romans 8:37-39. 1 Thess. 5: 20-24, 2 Thess. 3:3)

If we really know Him. If we have really given ourselves to Him. If we really confess Him as Lord. (Romans 10:9-10)

He saves us and starts working in us and through us. The law and any other rule becomes a guide for growth and confession. We are washed. We are clean. But, sometimes our feet get dirty in this world. The laws help us to know what to clean and pray about for growth and healing. The Law shows us our sin, and we know what to confess to the Lord.

As we live in Christ, we are to be Spirit led. We are to turn to the Lord (repent) and let Him save us and grow us. We are to acknowledge Him in ALL our ways and He shall direct our paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6, Romans chapter 8)

This means that we are to listen to His Spirit, and when we do this He works in us and through us. So, our work and our life, and our following Him; is done by His power, not ours. It’s Him doing it, not us.

Our works of righteousness are as filthy rags. (Isa. Chapter 64, Romans Chapter 1)

We cannot please Him in our own flesh. We are fallen. We have a corrupted nature. Even when we are saved, we still fail and sin. We cannot please Him in our own obedience or desire. No matter how great it is. If He didn’t do it, or call for it, or lead us in it. Then, it’s flesh. It’s hay, wheat and stubble. You can build a million orphanages and ministries but if He’s not in it or led you to do it, then it’s nothing.

When He returns, all of our work and all of our life will be tried in the all consuming fire of who He is. (Hebrews Chapter 12, Deut. 4:24, Deut 9:3, Matthew Chapter 25, 2 Peter Chapter 3)

Like in the days of Noah, the water fell and broke up from below swallowing the world and destroying it. Only 8 souls saved on the Ark.

Likewise, when He returns the Earth will be burned up in fire, and those in Christ will be saved as if by fire, receiving the rewards. He shall judge the quick (saved, living) and the dead (unsaved) at His appearing. (2 Tim. 4:1)

All that will remain will be that which can survive the fire. Gold, silver, and precious stones through God’s work in us.

But, all flesh. All hay, wheat and stubble will be burned up. Those things that were not from God, by God or commanded by God, will perish. All things not of your relationship with God. Burned.

We will be left with what God has done. Not what we did in our flesh. No matter how good. No matter how much we obey the Bible in our flesh.

Did we know Him and follow His Spirit? Did we abide? (John Chapter 15)

But, we ourselves shall be saved as if by fire. Only having the things God has done. And we shall cast them at His feet. Because He has done it all, not us. (1 Cor 3:10-15, 1 Cor Chapter 3, Rev. 4:10-11,)

He is worthy.

And there shall be a new Heaven and new Earth, where He dwells with us. (Isa 66:22-24, Isa Chapter 66, Isa Chapter 65, 2 Peter Chapter 3, Rev. Chapter 21)

---

Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called “The Future is Coming” and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Read His Spiritual Writings on Blogger: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

Follow Him on Free Life Blog: https://myfreelifeblog.com/

Buy a cup of Coffee

Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

We Are Tempted

 We Are Tempted

We have An Enemy

 In the book of James, chapter one. God tells us that we are tempted. He explains that the Lord does not tempt us with evil. God is good and He does good always.

But. The scriptures say we are tempted and enticed. This happens because of our flesh. Our lust. Our desires.

So who tempts us?  

Historically preachers have used these verses to show that we sin because of our flesh.

Which is true.

But, over time the lesson has become totally about the flesh, and our corrupted nature from the Fall, while excluding the fact that we are being tempted and enticed by someone, who is not God.

Satan, his angels and demons, or unclean spirits.

We have even created jokes to ridicule the idea that we are tempted by demons. 

Saying things like "the devil made me do it." or we say, "Yeah but, God will protect us" Which is true, if you are saved. But, saved people do not have fellowship with demons. We rebuke them and drive them out like Jesus, in His name. But, too many "believers'' never wage spiritual warfare. Is your family protected? Your friends?

Peter said, that the devil is a roaring lion going around seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

We have an enemy. The enemy was defeated on the cross but it is our job to enforce that defeat.We have authority in Jesus name. Peter would not have warned us about an enemy, if we did not need to be aware.

But, we have lost our vigilance. We have lost our spiritual eyes.

The idea that it's all a battle in the flesh, has weakened us and caused us to only focus on the flesh.

But we need to be focused on both the spirit and the flesh. 

The earthly and spiritual.

It is a spiritual battle we need to be fighting. Not just the flesh. We need to learn and practice spiritual warfare. 

Obeying rules won't cut it. More church won't cut it.

We must turn to God and wage spiritual warfare. Confessing our sin to Him. Casting out demons. Praying. Listening to His Spirit as He guides us and directs us. He will tell you what to do.

Even James says so, in the same chapter we are looking at. If you seek wisdom ask God. (James 1:5)

It's not just a matter of "not sinning anymore." Jesus has washed away our sin if you are saved. We are not held to eternal account for sin. That's gone. But, we can suffer in this world and we can lose rewards, and be stopped from being of service.

That is the enemy's tactic. He does anything he can to keep us wrapped up in nonsense, while he snatches people into hell. The enemy keeps us focused on defeat and struggle. He gives us a spirit of fear, and doubt. He gets us to doubt God's promises and truth, or not know them at all. He gets us to think we are alone.

But, remember who we are.

We are Saints of the Living God. We are here waging war under the authority of the King of Kings. If you are saved.

It's not about trying to quit sinning, or obeying rules made by men, or playing church. We are dead to those things and risen in Christ, if you know Him.

It's about turning to God, and confessing. Then letting Him guide you in what to do next.

Pray and cast out the demons. Then, follow the Lord.

He might lead you away from things. He might show you a way to solve it. But, listen to Him.

You want God to fix it. If you do it in your flesh, it's not really solved. It just moves somewhere else.

The demon you seek to overcome will manifest in another way. Your sexual lust, might become gluttony. Your lies might become resentment. You have not cast it out or defeated it. Flesh cannot overcome spirit.

God must change us. God must fix it. We must wage Spiritual Warfare. This is why we confess our sins. We bring these things to God and He cleanses us spiritually, then starts working in our lives to make changes to set us free from this sin or behavior that is hurting us. We keep abiding in Him and confessing to Him and eventually we will see that it is gone. This what Jesus meant by washing our feet.

He knows what He's doing. Give it to Him. The enemy tries to get us caught in a snare. But we wage Spiritual Warfare by turning to God and letting Him cleanse us and direct our paths. That is just one small aspect of the war we wage.

Praise Jesus.

-----

Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called “The Future is Coming” and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Read His Spiritual Writings on Blogger: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

Follow Him on Free Life Blog: https://myfreelifeblog.com/

Buy a cup of Coffee

Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

God Leads Us

 God Leads Us 

 He shall direct thy paths.

 

“ Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”—Proverbs 3:5-6

***

God leads us in our lives. He literally directs our paths. 

Our part is to abide in Him, praise Him, seek His desire for us, thank Him and tell others of the great things God has done for us. ( John 15:4, Mark 5:18-20, Mark 16: 15-20)

We acknowledge Him. We turn to Him in all our ways. We tell people about Him.

He guides us. He knows what we need before we even ask. (Matt. 6:7-8)

So what does this mean?

How does this work?

It is part of God building a relationship with us. He knows us and we know Him through Jesus Christ and this relationship. But, we have been separated and unable to hear. Our faith is weak and our spirit is groggy from sleep. It must be grown.

Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice”. (John 10:25-30)

The scriptures speak of Elijah hearing the still small voice. (1 Kings 19:11-12)

This relationship is utmost. There is no other relationship that matters as much as this.

You can do great things, you can obey rules, you can talk about loving God.

But, if there’s no relationship, it doesn’t matter. He never knew you.

So, how does this work?

Ask Him.

I know that seems snarky, but it’s the relationship. 

Pray…”Lord, I want to hear your voice and have a relationship with you. Please save me and help me. In Jesus name, amen,.”

Or pray something similar. Then trust that He will and is working.

I will tell you an example from my own life.

There was a period of time where my life had fallen apart, and God was working to build me back up.

I had a choice of several different churches to go to. But, the Lord led me to go to the church I had grown up in.

As I was sitting in the balcony, I started to notice that there was disrepair. Things needed painted bad. There was dirt and grime.

I am not a neat freak. Normally I don’t really pay much attention to such things, but something was pointing it out to me.

Later that day, I got a phone call from the church asking me if I wanted to do some painting and other tasks.

I did not need to pray over it, or think about it. God had “led” me.

He had gone before me and paved the way.  He had told me before hand.

It led to an assistant custodians position. Then, to the head custodians position, which God has used to provide for me. And give me a place to do the real work he has for me, in the 5 fold ministry. (Eph. 4:11-12)

I thank him, I praise him.  He has done so much.

But, it came by him leading me and me following his lead. It came by having a relationship with him and knowing his voice, as Jesus said. “My sheep know my voice”. (John 10:25-30)

Another side aspect of this is that it gives you authority to stand on.

You KNOW God brought you there. You know He is with you. You know He will move you or lead you out, and protect you. You are in His will.

So when the enemy uses someone to try to get you to doubt, or fear, or be deceived. You can stand and say, “No! This is where He led me. I am in His will. I have done nothing wrong. He is with me.” It is a valuable thing to have. Knowing you were placed there by God means you have authority in your position.

God has never really required blind faith from me. He has shown me. Led me. Reminded me of how He has kept His promises, and that He is with me. So, there is no “Blind” faith if you know Him. There’s “Follow Me”, and then the thought…”He has protected me a thousand times, He is there.” That’s not “Blind” faith. That’s trust.

This is about having a relationship. 

He might lead us in different ways at times. My experience here, is just one example.

The point, is that He is real, and a rewarded of those who seek Him. He is able. We can trust and wait and follow.

He will lead you. Let Him build the relationship and your faith. Just watch and see.

Praise Jesus.

---

Other Scripture References:

Psalm 23
Psalm 25
Matthew 6:9-13

---

Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called “The Future is Coming” and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Read His Spiritual Writings on Blogger: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

Follow Him on Free Life Blog: https://myfreelifeblog.com/

Buy a cup of Coffee

Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

Photos by the Author.