Mark Vestal Supporter Proud of nothing of myself. Freed by Christ who did it all!

Christ, while living and preparing Israel for their coming kingdom of heaven, was teaching on the dangers of lack of faith. Christ is "the foundation" to build upon, (THE Rock). Their works without faith in Christ have no true foundation and are then "of sand". They are the "workers of iniquity", who had greater faith in their works than in Christ. They had higher esteem in their own works of righteousness than in God. The pride of their religion, rather than their faith, caused their stumble at Christ's first coming:

Rom 9:31-33
"But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
33 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 10:1-3
"Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God."

In comparison, Israel's fall led to salvation coming by God's grace through having faith alone in Christ alone (Eph 2:8-9) to anyone who will believe today (Eph 3:2).

Rom 11:11
"I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy."

Israel will again someday be in an elevated position with God when Christ returns with their promised kingdom for their "times of refreshing" (Acts 3:19).

Rom 11:25-28
"For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father's sakes."

October 21 2024 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Leslie Coutinho Supporter

Matthew 7:24: Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.

Every child of God the Father needs to guard their ear gates, which leads to keeping their heart with all diligence that is in humbleness and trueness. For the Lord stands at the door and knocks; if anyone hears His voice and opens the door, He will come in and be with them. (Rev 3:20) Faith comes by hearing and hearing from the Word of God spoken unto you. Those who guard their ear gates are then led to be a wise man who builds their house upon a rock. This wisdom leads them to guard their heart with all diligence, which leads to every action that they take to flow as springs of life. (Pro 4:23) 

There is nothing from outside a man that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of you can defile you. For a wise man, whatever enters in him enters not his heart but into the belly and goes out, for nothing can defile him. (Mark 7:15-19) Now as you have begun in the Spirit, be not perfect in your fleshly desires, for you shall then be likened unto a foolish man who built his house upon the sand. Having begun in the Spirit, guarding your ear gates and trying to make ourselves perfect, be cautious for in the fleshly thoughts the enemy is clever and extremely subtle in planting many voices into our lives.

Today for every child of God in God-given wisdom, is what a man allows to enter his heart and to see the foundations that we need to stand on. A good man out of good treasures of his heart bringeth forth that which is good, evil man bringeth evil treasures for the abundance of his heart his mouth Speakes. (Lk 6:45) There will come a time when all shall be gathered together and separated when the Shepherd comes, one from another. He will divide the rock and the sand that is the sheep from the goats. These sheep kept on His right hand are the ones in God-given wisdom, who as a shepherd took them in and fed, gave water, clothed a stranger, and took them in. (Mat 25:32-40)

Proverbs 4:23-24: Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.

November 01 2024 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report