“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”                    

Psalms 119:105

The Word of God is so extremely important.  It shows where our feet are to go (step) on this path of life.   It illuminates and shows the right path to tread.  It gives us the way to eternal life which is Christ Jesus our Saviour.   

   There is today a battle ground on the Defense of the King James Version Bible known as Apologetics.  This writer would recommend the “Bible Version Manual” by Donald T. Clark.  He was of the Truth Bible Institute of Sunbury, PA.  (If able to locate one)

   Much could be said on this topic. The original scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the verbally inspired Word of God.  “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”  II Tim. 3:16-17  “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”  II Peter 1:21

    God’s Word is  inerrant.  “The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.”  Ps. 12:6  “Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.”  Ps. 119:140

   God’s Word is complete and the final revelation of God’s will to man.  I Cor. 13:8-10 “Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.  But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.”  Perfect is the Word of God in its completion: at the end of the Apostle’s time.      The Word of God is by which men are born again.  “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.”  I Peter 1:23 

   The Word of God is Alive.  “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”  Heb. 4:12

   God’s Word has been preserved without error in the English language in the Authorized King James Version Bible.  “Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.”  Ps. 12:7  “Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.”  Ps. 119:152  “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.”  Is. 40:8  “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”  Matt. 24:35  We ought to study and heed.  Acts 17:11  “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”  (II Tim. 2:15)

   Now, you may say “why only the King James Version?”  There are many reasons why.  We shall attempt to provide two for the sake of content.  The first is history.  Even at the same time of the Apostle’s writing of God’s word, the devil had his plan to deceive.  “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,  That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.” II Thess. 2:1-2 

   Thus, as time passed there developed a line of corrupt and deceiving manuscripts or so-called bibles. Two of these manuscripts, the Vaticanus (B) and the Sinaiticus (Aleph) were written.  The Sinaiticus (Aleph) was discovered in the waste basket of St. Catherine’s Monastery in 1844.  The Vaticanus (B) turned up in the Pope’s library in the Vatican in 1481.   

   My friend, the catholic religion is based upon man’s works, not on Christ.  As we discussed on Feb. 7 of this manual.  We love the catholic people and pray for their salvation.  “Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.”  I Cor. 12:2  “For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;”  I Thess. 1:9  “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast.”  Eph. 2:8-9 

   Now, by these two corrupt manuscripts mentioned earlier, two men Westcott and Hort wrote a Greek New Testament published in 1881.  By this Greek New Testament of Westcott and Hort of 1881 came many of these bible versions of today, since 1901.  They are not based upon the Textus Receptus Greek New Testament of which the King James Version Bible is based upon.  Thus, this is why these other bible versions of today read differently, dilute, and corrupt, the Word of God, which brings us to our point number Two. 

   The biggest reason on the Defense of the King James Bible is as the old saying goes “The proof is in the pudding.”  In other words, the KJV Bible holds up, supports, and gives evidence of the sacrificial blood of Christ, the Deity of Christ, the Wisdom of God, the Lordship of Christ, etc.; along with many other instances of changes that even alter the whole meaning of a verse.  These other versions even damn men to hell by teaching a work salvation.  Look and see the differences in how verses read in today’s modern versions compared to the 1611 KJV Bible.  Here are some examples, but there are thousands of differences. 

• KJV  –  King James Version Bible

RSV  –  Revised Standard Version

NCB – New Catholic Bible

NIV  – New International Version 

NWT – New World Translation (Jehovah’s Witness)

• Matthew 8:29 (“Jesus” is omitted – not from KJV)

KJV  –  What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God?

RSV  –  “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? 

NCB – “What do you want with us, Son of God?

NIV –  “What do you want with us, Son of God?”

NWT  –  What have we to do with you, Son of God?

• Matthew 9:13 (“Repentance” is omitted – not from KJV)

KJV  –  … but sinners to repentance.

RSV  –  …but sinners.”

NCB  –  …but sinners.”

NIV  –  …but sinners.”

NWT  –  …but sinners.

• Matthew 16:3 (“O ye hypocrites” is omitted – not from KJV)

KJV  –  …O ye hypocrites, ye can discern…

RSV  –  …You know how to interpret…

NCB  –  …You know how to interpret…

NIV  –  …You know how to interpret…

NWT  –  …You know how to interpret…

• Matthew 16:20 (“Jesus” is omitted – not from KJV)

KJV  –  …he was Jesus the Christ.

RSV  –  …he was the Christ.

NCB  –  …he was the Christ.

NIV  –  …he was the Messiah.

NWT  –  …he was the Christ. 

• Mark 9:24 (“Lord” is omitted – not in KJV)

KJV  –  …and said with tears, Lord, I believe;

RSV  –  …and said, “I believe;…

NCB  –  …“I do believe…

NIV  –  … “I do believe;…

NWT  –  …I have faith…

• Luke 2:33 (Joseph is changed to father – making man Jesus’ Father.  Wicked!  – Not in the KJV)

KJV  –  And Joseph and his mother marvelled…

RSV –  And his father and his mother marveled…

NCB  –  The child’s father and mother marveled…

NIV  –  The child’s father and mother marveled…

NWT  –  And the father and mother continued wondering…

• Luke 4:4 (“but by every word of God” is omitted – not from KJV)

KJV  –  …by bread alone, but by every word of God.

RSV  –  …by bread alone.’”

NCB  –  …by bread alone.’ ”

NIV  –  …on bread alone.’”

NWT  –  …by bread alone.

• John 4:42 (“Christ” is omitted – not from KJV)

KJV  –  …this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.

RSV  –  …this is indeed the Savior of the world.”

NCB  –  …this man is truly the Savior of the world.”

NIV  –  …this man really is the Savior of the world.”

NWT  –  …this man really is the savior of the world.”

• John 6:47 (“On me” is omitted – not from KJV)

KJV  –  …He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

RSV  –  …he who believes has eternal life.

NCB  –  …whoever believes has eternal life.

NIV  –  …the one who believes has eternal life.

NWT  –  …whoever believes has everlasting life.

• Acts 23:9(“Let us not fight against God” is omitted–not from KJV)

KJV  –  …let us not fight against God.

RSV  –  Omitted

NCB  –  Omitted

NIV  –  Omitted

NWT  –  Omitted

• Romans 13:9 (“Thou shalt not bear false witness” is omitted – not from KJV)

KJV  –  …not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou…

RSV  –  Omitted

NCB  –  Omitted

NIV  –  Omitted

NWT –  Omitted

• Romans 1:16 (“Of Christ”  is omitted – not from KJV)

KJV  –  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is…

RSV  –  For I am not ashamed of the gospel: it is…

NCB  –  For I am not ashamed of the gospel, since it…

NIV  –  For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it…

NWT  –  For I am not ashamed of the good news; it is,

• Ephesians 3:9 (“By Jesus Christ” is omitted – not from KJV)

KJV  –  …who created all things by Jesus Christ:

RSV  –  …who created all things;

NCB  –  … the creator of all things.

NIV  –  … who created all things.

NWT  –  …who created all things.

• Colossians 1:14 (“Through his blood” is omitted – not from KJV)

KJV  –  …In whom we have redemption through his blood,…

RSV  –  …in whom we have redemption,…

NCB  –  …in whom we have redemption,…

NIV  –  …in whom we have redemption,…

NWT  –  …the forgiveness of our sins.

• I Timothy 3:16 (Changes “God” to “He” – not in KJV)

KJV  –  … God was manifest in the flesh,..

RSV  –  …Hewas manifested in the flesh,…

NCB  –  …He was made visible in the flesh,…

NIV  –  …He appeared in the flesh,…

NWT  –  …’He was made manifest in flesh,…

• I Peter 4:1 (“for us” is omitted – not from KJV)

KJV  –  …Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh,…

RSV  –  …Christ suffered in the flesh,..

NCB  –  …Christ suffered in the flesh,…

NIV  –  …Christ suffered in his body,…

NWT  –  …Christ suffered in the flesh,…

• I John 4:3 (“is come in the flesh” is omitted – not from KJV)

KJV  –  …Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: 

RSV –  …which does not confess Jesus is not of God. 

NCB – …does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God.

NIV  –  … does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God.

NWT  –  …acknowledges Jesus Christ as having come in the flesh… (Making Christ past tense)

   There are so many changes in these false versions, so-called bibles.  Also, the Mormons (LDS) add to God’s word with their false “Book of Mormon” (Joesph Smith).  My friend, heed the very serious warning of Almighty God.  “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:  And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”  Rev. 22:18-19

“I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts;”                                               

Isaiah 65:2

Israel had become deceived and gone into idolatry. Away from the LORD. A rebellious, disobedient, gainsaying, and full of themselves people. Much like America today. (“But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.” Rom. 10:21)

   Is this your condition? (“There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Prov. 16:25) People today have their own, prideful, self, and stubborn thinking. Not according to God’s word. They need the new birth that God through Christ Jesus can only give. Repentance (change of mind) toward God and faith to the Lord Jesus Christ is salvation. (“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” I Peter 1:23) One gets born again their thinking changes according to God’s Word.

   Have you become rebellious against God? Resisting His gracious Holy Spirit. Refusing to fear God, repent and look to the Lamb of God, Christ Jesus in faith. (“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” John 6:47)

   Maybe you have received Christ; yet, you have gone your own way and become full of self. (“The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.” Prov. 14:14)  Repent, turn back unto the Lord, fulfilling His will. Be not stubborn or rebellious, live the abundant life in Christ among and for the saints.

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” 

Acts 3:19

Sadly, churches today are filled with unconverted souls! Lost and dying on the road to a devil’s hell. Living, acting, and talking like the world. No change or repentance of heart or life. God declares in (Acts 17:30 “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:”) Our precious Lord Jesus declared in (John 3:3 “…Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”) To be born again is not turning over a new leaf, my friend. It is not self-reformation where one tries to change or clean themselves up. I will try church, or I will give or I will do this or that. Salvation is not man! Salvation is Christ Jesus our Lord alone: in us, our hope of glory! Amen. Salvation is by His marvelous grace through faith in Jesus Christ. (“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Eph. 2:8-9) A gift is something you just receive. You do not give something for it. You do not labor for it. It is totally a free gift. Yet, it was bought and paid for fully by a great and dear price of our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ. (“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” Rom. 3:24-26) (See: Acts 16:30-31; 20:21) Jesus Paid It All! Glory! Amen!

   Now, God says in our main verse above: “Repent.” Repentance is not for you to do something. Repentance means only changing your mind. Seeing you are a sinner who have violated a holy and benevolent God by your sin. Expressing godly sorrow with deep regret. Then in faith you look to the Saviour Jesus Christ who died for your sins (I Cor. 15:1-4) believing in Him for what He has done for you on Calvary, to wash away your sin with His own precious blood. Amen. (See: Acts 20:21) This is salvation. Then the Lord begins His new work in you, changing you. (“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” Phil. 1:6)

   Be converted. God does the converting after repentance and faith. (Webster 1828 – To turn from a bad life to a good one; to change the heart and moral character, from enmity to God and from vicious habits, to love of God and to a holy life.) This conversion is the proof and the fruit of true repentance (change of mind) to salvation (faith in Christ). You say you have believed and are save; yet, there is no conviction of your sins and no change in your life. (“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” II Cor. 5:17) You still have no desire for church, the Bible, or draw closer to the Saviour. No sorrow, or regret for sin; no desire for church, the Bible or things of God; still living like the world; no fruit of true repentance. Still lost on the road to damnation. Fear the Almighty God, my friend.

 True conversion can be found by three principles in the life of the saint:

1. There will be peace: (“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” Rom. 5:1) This peace is the joy, the calmness and tranquility of the heart and mind in knowing assuredly our Saviour Jesus Christ is our salvation. He is our eternal life, in Him. He paid it all. Amen. (John 19:30) Word of God our resource: (Ps. 119:165)
2. There will be no fear: (“Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” I John 4:17-18) No anxiety, no fretfulness, no pondering of the heart and mind. Knowing assuredly death is swallowed up in victory. (I Cor. 15:55-58) Full assurance of salvation is all in Christ Jesus. (Thank you, dear Lord) Christ Jesus is made unto us our redemption, our sanctification, our righteousness, and our wisdom. (I Cor. 1:30) Boldness our resource: (Acts 4:13,29,31)
   
   The Bible declares the fearful will be cast into the lake of fire. Fearful to believe in Jesus Christ, fearful to speak His name, fearful of losing things (Matt. 16:25), fearful of what others may think, say, or do, fearful of Life itself. (“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Rev. 21:8)
   
   Now, there is a certain fear of the Lord which ought to be in a saint’s life. David stated in (Ps. 86:11 “Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.”) This writer believes a saint will have a certain amount of this fear of the Lord in their lives: as a son to his father. (Also see: Ps. 19:9)
3. There will be a solid assurance: (“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” I John 5:13)
   
   The saint will never doubt that Christ Jesus is the only way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6) He is Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Jesus. (Is. 9:6) Amen! The Lord Jesus is the anchor of his soul. Amen. (Heb. 6:19) Faith our resource: (Heb. 11)
   
   Now, again this writer believes the saint can get back- sleden. Start looking more at himself and his failures. Wondering how in the world, am I truly saved. The answer: look back to the Saviour and to the cross. Remember Peter walking on the water to go to Christ. He began to sink when he took his eyes off Christ and started looking at the storm. (Matt. 14:24-31)

Let us endeavor to always from time to time to examine oneself and prove Christ Jesus liveth in us. Making our election and calling sure. (“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” II Peter 1:10-11) Amen.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

II Timothy 2:15

Many put themselves into hours and hours of study. Things of this world and things that do not gain an eternal profit, only temporal. (“Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” II Tim. 3:7)

   The filling of hearts and minds with temporal, valueless, and pointless wisdom of this world.Seeking only this fleeting profit that the devil and this world gives to spiritually dead hearts and minds. So that they may be consumed with it and be damned, dropping into a devil’s hell. (“Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.” Prov. 19:27) Fear God. Repent, Look to the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ.

   Worldly riches by worldly wisdom: that do not profit, they may have, but not rich toward God. (“And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:19-21) True riches are in Christ Jesus eternally. Worldly riches make wings and fly away. Temporal profit, fake, and unsatisfying.

   Let us be diligent to study God’s Holy Word (KJV) (Feb. 15 Study) gaining heavenly wisdom, (“The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” Ps. 119:130) Then believe and obey it that we may gain true riches in Christ. (“I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O Lord: I will keep thy statutes.” Ps. 119:145)

   We then may inherit the true riches and be approved and not brought to shame. (“As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” Rom. 9:33) (“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.” I John 2:28)

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Hebrews 11:1

Faith is the substance: defined as the true source, the possessing of the true, real and solid confidence, and the driving element; by which we know we possess now presently and in the future an inheritance of things: (salvation in Christ, eternal life, glorious body, God’s faithfulness, His promises given and kept, rewards, provisions, objects of faith, etc.) (I Peter 1:4), of which our hope (faith) stands. These God shall also consummate (complete in us) in glory by Christ Jesus. Faith in our mighty God, our Prince of Peace: Jesus Christ our Lord, which moves mountains, stops the mouths of lions, slays the giants, parts the red sea, makes it a dry ground, heals the sick, opens the eyes of the blind, the deaf to hear, giving eternal life, cleanses us from all sin, through His blood (Amen), the forgiveness of sins, and much more. (Blessed Be His Holy Name)

    Faith is the evidence: meaning the proof, the confirmation, the very fact; of the spiritual realm, (Heaven, Hell, Spiritual Battle; Fourth Dimension; Spirit World; Unseeable Entities and Objects) (“But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.” Daniel 10:13); of whichwe cannot see with the naked (bodily) eye (“…not seen.”). (“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” II Cor. 4:18) (See Heb. 11:3) Yet we know they are there. Along with this, faith is the very fact of how we have witnessed the Lord’s salvation, goodness, provision, protection, guidance, etc. (the evidence); thus, knowing with absolute assurance the Lord shall keep His Word and continue keeping His promises toward us, (things not seen) (Eph. 1:8, 2:7; I John 4:9).

   Faith is to receive (believe) what God has declared to us through His Word and trust (believe) in His only begotten Son Jesus Christ whom He hath sent (John 6:29). Receiving Christ Jesus: as your personal Saviour and Lord (John 1:12); your only propitiation (payment) for thy sins with no self-merit of any of thy works or being (Rom. 3:23-26; Titus 3:5-6). Fully resting in the Lord Jesus Christ alone who was delivered for our offenses and raised again for our justification (Rom. 4:5, 23-25; Heb. 4:3). Moving us to love, obedience, and service to Him by His Word and His Divine Spirit to good works. (Eph. 2:10; Titus 2:14)

   In the very fact of unseen things (spiritual battle and of the Lord’s futured continued promises toward us), faith is changed into reality (substance). So, we thus with conviction direct our lives according to His Word.

   One obtains this precious like faith by His Word: (“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Rom. 10:17) (“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” I Peter 1:23) Not of man’s endeavors or standing but in Christ Jesus alone. (“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Rom. 4:5) (See John 3:3-7) The Divine Holy Spirit working and convicting of sin, righteousness, and judgment by the Word of Christ. (See John 16:8-14)

   In the grace of prayer, we have by faith the solid assurance if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us, (I John 5:14-15); with the wonderful help of the Lord’s Divine Holy Spirit, (Rom. 8:26). Thus, our faith in Him culminates in the speech and actions of our lives and is the foundational source by which we direct our lives, (Heb. 11).

   Just as the elders of old manifested faith in life and the planets formed, we know through faith, came by the declaration of Jesus Christ the Almighty. (“For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” Heb. 11:2-3) (See Ps. 33:6,9) We must understand, my friend, the omnipotence (power) of the Almighty. Absolutely nothing there is that the Almighty God cannot do. (“For with God nothing shall be impossible.” Luke 1:37) Amen!!

   By this faith we knowour Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ is with us: in the fight of faith, in this life, and in the life to come. (“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.” Matt. 28:20) (See Heb. 13:5)

   We know we fight in this faith an unseen enemy. (“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Eph. 6:10-12) (“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” II Cor. 10:4-5)  Fight this good fight of Faith and lay hold onto eternal life, Jesus Christ.

“But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.”

II Thess. 3:13

It cannot be done. If we try in our own way, will, or strength. Seek the Lord first, find His will and mind in all that we do. (“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.” Prov. 3:5-6)

The answer is in His Word. Helping those in true need, eschewing evil and sin, visiting the sick, attending church, tithing, praying always with supplications and thanksgiving, Bible reading and study, singing hymns, remembering the poor, teaching, unfeigned love of the brethren, witnessing of Christ, and more. All of these and more are instructed to us in God’s word and are to be maintained in our lives by the will, faith, and strength of the Lord. (“In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.” Zeph. 3:16) (“This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.” Titus 3:8)

“Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.”

Matthew 15:11

In many Christian circles there is a subject of heated discussion. Is it a sin to consume an alcoholic drink? The Lord clearly states in the above verse (“Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man;…”) Also in (Mark 7:15 Christ said, “There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.”)

Those things which come out of a man defile a man. (Mark 7:21-23, “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”) The Lord clearly states the sins that do defile us come from our fleshly hearts. Too have an acholic drink is not sin. Yet, God tells us also we ought not to overindulge in that drink. (“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;” Eph. 5:18) Perpetual drunks do not have eternal life. (“Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” I Cor. 6:10) Also, (“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. Prov. 20:1) Wine and strong drink cloud the mind and heart. Causing those deceived by it to make foolish decisions. Over drinking is sin.Drinking in moderation is not sin. (Study: Prov. 23:29-35) It is those who tarry long indulging in the wine, who bring sorrow, woe, etc., upon themselves.

The Lord instructs us not to offend another which deems it a sin to partake or may have a weakness in this area of their lives. (“Let not then your good be evil spoken of:” Rom. 14:16) (“Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.” I Cor. 8:13) (“Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.” Rom. 14:19-22)  Therefore it would be wrong to partake of drink around any who would deem it to be sin, or has a weakness toward such liberty.

Now, another point on this matter is if one has the tendencies to often overindulge. One ought to refrain and not partake, for it maketh a way for the flesh (drunkenness). (“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” Rom. 13:14)

“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.”

Galatians 2:20

The first of many steps to living by the faith in the service of our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ the Son of God: is to die first to self; to your will; to your flesh; to your desires; to your careers; to this world with all its pleasures, vanities, and lusts. Laying aside all those weights (worldly affairs) and sin (fleshly lusts and carnality) that easily beset us. Paul says, (“I am crucified with Christ.”) (Dy-ing with Je-sus, by death reck-oned mine; Liv-ing with Je-sus, a new life di-vine; Look-ing to Je-sus till glo-ry doth shine, Mo-ment by mo-ment, O Lord, I am Thine.  Refrain   Mo-ment by mo-ment I’m kept in His love; Mo-ment by mo-ment I’ve life from a-bove; Look-ing to Je-sus till glo-ry doth shine; Mo-ment by mo-ment, O Lord, I am Thine.   Daniel W. Whittle, 1893) (You have longed for sweet peace, and for faith to increase, And have ear-nest-ly, fer-vent-ly prayed; But you can not have rest, or be per-fect-ly blest  Un-til all on the al-tar is laid. Chorus   Is your all on the al-tar of sac-ri-fice laid? Your heart, does the Spir-it con-trol? . . . You can on-ly be blest and have peace and sweet rest, As you yield Him your bod-y and soul.  Elisha A. Hoffman. 1900)Is thy all on the altar? Have you surrendered thy all? Is the blessed Lord Jesus thy all in all, my friend?

Dearly beloved, Christ is and ought to be our only and One Desire, Commander, Leader Supreme, Protector, Provider, Counsellor, our mighty God, our true Joy and Peace, and much more. Knowing with full assurance that He is able to do above and beyond our finite understanding and thinking. So, we may exclaim with the Apostle Paul (“…I live by the faith of the Son of God,…”) (“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matt. 6:33)

“…Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:”  Rev. 17:1  “…and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.”

Rev. 17:3

This spiritual great whore is Rome (Rev. 17:9) with its blasphemous Catholic religion. Many waters mean “many peoples (Rev. 17:15).” The beast is the antichrist (Rev. 13:1), head of the one world government. The great whore will manipulate the government till the government destroys her (Rev. 17:16).

It is true love to warn every man as the Bible teaches. We love people; thus, we try to clearly show them what God says in His Word. So, they would be perfect in Christ Jesus inheriting eternal life in Him. (“And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” Acts 16:30-31) Nothing more.

Catholics teach that salvation is by repentance, believing in Christ, and baptism. This is no different than the Church of Christ doctrine. The Catholic religion will bring many under its umbrella (an ecumenical apostasy) (The Spiritual Great Whore). Baptism has nothing to do with the true salvation, which is in Christ Jesus. (“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;” Titus 3:5-6) (“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Eph. 2:8-9)

The Catholic religion teaches the doctrine of transubstantiation (the eucharist in their communion turns into the actual body of Christ and the wine into His blood; blasphemous). Christ Himself stated (“And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” Luke 19:19-20) (Matt. 26:29 “…this fruit of the vine,…”) The bread and vine do not turn into the actual body of Christ. They are only a metaphor of Christ’s broken body (flesh not bones)) and shed blood for our sins. (Rom. 3:23-26) By which we remember His great sacrifice for us. (I Cor. 11:23-32) (I Cor. 15:1-4) They twist the scriptures to their own destruction. It is true love to show truth.

Catholic religion teaches virgin Mary was a perpetual virgin. The Bible says, (“Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?” Matt. 13:55-56) Mary had children after the immaculate conception of the only begotten Son of God Jesus Christ. (Matt. 1)

Mary said, (“…my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour…”) She knew she was a sinner and needed the Saviour. Mary rejoiced in God for giving His Son Jesus Christ for her Salvation and Saviour. Mary was called blessed for she was chosen to bear God’s only begotten Son Jesus Christ. Mary was not immaculate or sinless as the Catholic religion teaches. (“And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.” Luke 1:46-47) Mary stated here also the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ. You can also find this (Verse 47) in the Catholic bible. They do not even teach what is written in their own bible.

Catholic doctrine also teaches you are to pray to Mary or even to one of the disciples. This again is against what the Word of God teaches. (I Tim. 2:5-6 “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.) Again, they do not follow their own bible (New Catholic Bible of 2019).

Also, interesting to note in their bible they add the word “as a ransom.” I Tim. 2:6. Jesus Christ is and was the only One sacrifice needed and given for the remission our sins. Glory. Amen. The blood of bulls and goats could never take away sin, (Heb. 10:4). (“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12)

In O.T. times they looked for a coming Saviour. Today we look back to the Saviour who loved us and gave Himself for us. It is not sacrificing Christ every time you have an unholy mass service. Christ Jesus died (“…once for all.” Heb. 10:10)

Please my friend, repent of all the unbiblical teaching you have been taught. (“Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” James 1:21)

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

Isaiah 40:31

‘Oh’ How often we get ourselves into a tussle, fretting over things of this life: then running ahead of our Saviour with no prayer or thoughts of Him and making our lives a heaping mess.  “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”  James 1:4   (Help us; O Lord, to patiently wait upon thee.)  If we do so, God promises He will:

• Fortify and empower us (renew their strength) (II Sam. 22:33; Ps. 121:2);  
• Give us peace, direction, guidance, and support (wings as eagles) (Ps. 25:9; John 16:13);
• Make us able to live daily that abundant life in Christ by which we diligently look to our election (faith) and calling (service) to make fast and secure.  Thus, keeping us from falling (run, and not be weary) (John 10:10; II Peter 1:10);
• Comfort and quiet us, in steps of faith and enduring patience, faltering not (walk, and not faint) (Ps. 27:13-14; Heb. 12:1-2).

Let us learn to patiently wait upon the Lord for: His answer of prayer, His deliverance in battle, His provisions in want, His love in sorrow, His grace in humility, His patience in tribulation, and much more.  Thus, receiving the newness of strength and wings as eagles.  Enabling us to run with no weariness and step without fail. (Sim-ply trust-ing ev-‘ry day, Trust-ing through a storm-y way; E-ven when my faith is small, Trust-ing Je-sus, that is all.  Chorus. Trust-ing as the mo-ments fly, Trust-ing as the days go by; Trust-ing Him what-e’er be-fall, Trust-ing Je-sus, that is all.  Edgar P. Stites. 1876)

 “And now, Lord, what wait I for?  My hope is in thee.  Ps. 39:7  Amen.