[Updated 1/31]

What about K-Love
“positive/encouraging”
where everything is okay?

Jeff, aren’t you being legalistic?

Do I always have to wonder?

What does the Bible really say?

This is the place of rest.

* * *

I’ve been thinking about this text lately and applying it to my own life — Hebrews 12:

14 Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man will see the Lord, 15 looking carefully lest there be any man who falls short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and many be defiled by it….

How do we make sure we have no root of bitterness in our hearts that will defile us?
I’ll start with the Lord’s prayer, including the words after the Amen. Jesus established that if we don’t forgive those who sin against us, our Father won’t forgive our sins. Matthew 6:9-15

Pray like this:

‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.

Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done, as in heaven, so on earth.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.

Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.’

“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

The writer to Hebrews states that we need to look carefully to make sure we don’t have a root of bitterness that will defile us so that we’ll fall short of the grace of God [The meaning of “Grace” (χαρις) in the Bible: It’s not what you think?]. We won’t see the Lord unless we follow after peace with all people, “and the sanctification…. Hebrews 12

14 Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man will see the Lord, 15 looking carefully lest there be any man who falls short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and many be defiled by it; 16 lest there be any sexually immoral person, or profane person, like Esau, who sold his birthright for one meal. 17 For you know that even when he afterward desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for a change of mind though he sought it diligently with tears. …

25 See that you don’t refuse him who speaks. For if they didn’t escape when they refused him who warned on the Earth, how much more will we not escape who turn away from him who warns from heaven, 26 whose voice shook the earth then, but now he has promised, saying, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heavens.” 27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” signifies the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that have been made, that those things which are not shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, receiving a Kingdom that can’t be shaken, let us have grace, through which we serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.

I’ve been thinking a lot about this root of bitterness lately. It’s probably an actual demonic stronghold like the love of money which is the root of all evil. We’re supposed to look carefully to see if one exists inside. How is our heart. Are we wishing well of everyone? Do we want all who we know to overcome? It’s so easy to be defiled. Luther didn’t like Hebrews, which disagreed with his false grace doctrine, so he called it a subordinate book Martin Luther’s Subordinate Bible Books: Hebrews, James, Jude & Revelation. And much of the modern ‘grace’ teaching is based on Luther’s false doctrine. But we need to go by what the Bible really says. “Work out your salvation through fear and trembling” (Paul) is similar to verse 28, above. I get the sense that many knee-jerk react to the truth about the fear of God and how clean the Bible says we need to really be, but consider if the truth would have been taught us from little on — and our parents would have been taught the truth too — going back generations. It would then be normal to check our hearts to make we don’t have a root of bitterness that is defiling us. I’m learning that a good test for me is how I react when a driver on the road treats me meanly. What’s going on in my heart? Whatever it is, we should be examining ourselves to make sure we are root-of-bitterness free. Do we love our enemies, all of our neighbors as ourselves? If we’re Christians, through God’s grace we will. Otherwise, we should be fearful that we’re not in a safe place with God, on our way to heaven. I don’t often get prophecies for people, but have on rare occasions. A few days ago, I was reading through a long prophecy I got for a pastor years ago. Many ‘Christians’ have trouble with the concept that God will judge and not allow in heaven those who willfully hurt others, and I must say I’ve at times struggled with this. But reading this word again really helped me understand God’s heart. God is so for this man doing well. He was incredibly encouraging, while also being absolutely serious about how this man is in sincere danger unless he repents of hating others, including James-3 cursing them. God told him even how high the flames would be, and he said:

Show them the way into repentance, and I will give you a crown of life, forever with Me. Otherwise you are in danger of hellfire and brimstone around your neck. That high will the flames be. Can you bear it, for all eternity? This is the price you will pay. I’m serious, My son. Forgive, or you will be tormented forever in underground magma, fires that will lick your sides. It is no joke. You teach not truth and expect to go to heaven. I have a different way, for I call the shots, and you will go down if you disbelieve. This is not right. Obey and you will go high. You choose. Now you know and are responsible for your actions. Will you come with Me? Seek My face in horror of failure and you will be wise. Ignore this and peril will take over your life. You choose. There is no better way.

Christianity isn’t a hobby. Abiding in Christ isn’t an option. Teachers will get a stricter judgment, and this man negatively affected many, but we’ll all go down if we don’t keep our hearts pure. It doesn’t matter what Luther said, or what pastors like this man above say. What matters is what God’s word says. I recently heard a ‘grace’ pastor say that most ‘Christians’ feel condemnation inside. If we don’t feel right inside, we should be very concerned. Romans 8:

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don’t walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For what the law couldn’t do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh; 4 that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

If we feel condemnation we shouldn’t brush it off as just ‘conviction,’ like the false grace teachers teach. We should be thankful that the Holy Spirit is warning us so we get right with whomever we’re hurt (or whatever it is) so we can feel right before God. This morning, I thought I need to test my heart to see if it’s easy to love God with all of my heart. I don’t always, but often I’ll color the word heart in my posts (I’ll stop now because I’ve made my point). I’m trying to help people realize that the heart is an actual place in our bodies. It’s the center of our emotions. It can also be the center of sin problems, which is why we need to forgive everyone from our hearts, not just our heads. Science has discovered that the heart is more than a pump. It has brainlike tissue. Even the gut does somewhat. We feel emotions deeply, and this all must be clean, not lusting after humans in our heart, or unforgiving people from our heart. I was making sure this morning that I could easily love God from my entire heart. It was easy. But honestly, there probably were many times as a ‘Christian’ when I probably wouldn’t have passed this Greatest Commandment test: Love the Lord, your God with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength. Lovers say to their lover: “I love you from the bottom of my heart.” Can we say that to God? I think this is a legitimate test, and I’m talking about the actual heart area, and even below in the depths of our soul, which may be the gut, where brainlike tissue also is, where we often also feel emotion deeply. This subject is why I have the “heart, soul, mind, gut? category in the pull-down menu on the right. We only have this one chance to get it right. It’s popular to just go with the “never let go” heresy that prevails on the radio and from the pulpits. “Don’t worry, be happy,” when we should be worried, unless our heart is clean. The writer to Hebrews talks about how we should make sure to enter into our rest. There should be peace in our hearts. If we’re not resting in our hearts, let’s find out why not? God will show us; we probably already know who we need to forgive, who we need to say we’re sorry to. The Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth, regardless of what the mainstream preachers say. What does the Bible say? How in the world did it become so popular to not investigate the Bible to make sure we’re being taught the truth — the way, it was called in early Christendom? John gives us practical advice as to how we know we know we have eternal life. 1 John

1 Behold, how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! For this cause the world doesn’t know us, because it didn’t know him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it is not yet revealed what we will be. But we know that, when he is revealed, we will be like him; for we will see him just as he is. 3 Everyone who has this hope set on him purifies himself, even as he is pure.

4 Everyone who sins also commits lawlessness. Sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that he was revealed to take away our sins, and in him is no sin. 6 Whoever remains in him doesn’t sin. Whoever sins hasn’t seen him, neither knows him. 7 Little children, let no one lead you astray. He who does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. To this end the Son of God was revealed, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whoever is born of God doesn’t commit sin, because his seed remains in him; and he can’t sin, because he is born of God. 10 In this the children of God are revealed, and the children of the devil. Whoever doesn’t do righteousness is not of God, neither is he who doesn’t love his brother.

11 For this is the message which you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another; 12 unlike Cain, who was of the evil one, and killed his brother. Why did he kill him? Because his works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.

13 Don’t be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. He who doesn’t love his brother remains in death. 15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him. 16 By this we know love, because he laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17 But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and closes his heart of compassion against him, how does the love of God remain in him? 18 My little children, let’s not love in word only, neither with the tongue only, but in deed and truth. 19 And by this we know that we are of the truth, and persuade our hearts before him, 20 because if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. 21 Beloved, if our hearts don’t condemn us, we have boldness toward God; 22 and whatever we ask, we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight.

1 John has long been a mystery to me, because in places John seems to contradict himself. I still don’t understand it all, but I’m getting closer. Most of the ‘church’ seems to major on 1 John 1:8-9, which just about everyone knows, but 1:8-9 isn’t the theme of 1 John at all. Holiness and not sinning is in order to be real Christians. If we do sin, we confess our sin, get it right, and then go right back into our rest with God and each other, life in the Son — where we love our brother — where we make sure no hate exists. And then:

if our hearts don’t condemn us, we have boldness toward God; 22 and whatever we ask, we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight.

But this isn’t happening yet in our ‘Christian’ communities. Why not? Could this be one of the tests Francis Frangipane is talking about: Francis Frangipane: Beware, It is Easy to Fake Christianity — “The moment we STOP OBEYING God we START FAKING . . . .” “If our Christianity DOES NOT WORK in this life where we can test it, it is foolhardy to hope it will successfully transport us into eternity . . . if we fail THE TEST, we suffer eternal separation from God.” “Let us re-examine what we have been taught.” When we have God’s standards set before us, we can be free internally, resting in Him. There won’t be internal strife. We can know for sure. When a group of us are at peace inside, then God can show up, and His glory will help us to even more fully be ONE with each other in Him. (John 17) I’m not the enemy. Some see me as the enemy. How could Jeff be right when almost everyone else is saying “I’m okay, you’re okay;” “Don’t worry, be happy.” But hardly anyone is happy because hardly anyone is okay. This is the Devil putting everyone to sleep through positive/encouraging K-Love. Exhortation is out of vogue. And now we’re losing our country and our comfy way of life. Am I being legalistic, or just biblical? I’m only saying what the Bible really says, and if we did what the Bible said we’d be so happy, full of life in Christ! Most are still under the mistaken notion that the new covenant requires either less than the old covenant, or requires nothing at all: grace + nothing is the jingle. These are lies. Those in the old covenant were under the law, now we are to be led by the Spirit. We have a greater anointing to fulfill this higher requirement to be led by the Holy Spirit to actually love our neighbors as ourselves. Galatians 5

14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, be careful that you don’t consume one another.

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, that you may not do the things that you desire. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, 21 envyings, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.

If we have peace in our hearts we “belong to Christ.”
“Which list are you in?” We must always make sure we are fully in list #2 (verses 22-24). In list #2 is rest. If we’re not fully in it we should be worried and fearful and make sure we get right back in — our place of safety in God.
List #2 is that rest that the writer to Hebrews talks about.
List #2 is the ~”how we know we have eternal life” in 1 John.
This is the place of no condemnation that Paul discusses in Romans 8:1a & b (and b is for those who still read the NIV, NASB, etc.)
List #2 is the place of safety in Christ that we should all be in 24/7 — ONE with each other in Christ!
All other ground is sinking sand.
Let’s be ONE!
Jeff : )
[NOTE: many of these other articles apply as well, like making sure we’re right with those we’ve hurt.]
Related:
Who-Goes-To-Heaven Scriptures — Narrow is the Way | Who are the Children of God?
Asbury Revival, 1970: “‘Dr. Kinlaw, I am a liar. Now what do I do?’ … Three days later, she came to me radiant, and she said, ‘Dr. Kinlaw, I’m free!’” Many need to get right with people they’ve hurt to be free! Then God can move!

Let that Dirty Thing Go, The Monster That Hides Inside

Francis Chan left his 1600 member church to reassess. “There’s a LACK OF PEACE in so many people … WE PRETEND.” “There is this NARROW ROAD … FEW will find it.” “Let’s go back to what THE TRUTH has always been…and has NEVER BEEN POPULAR.”
Can ‘Christians’ use Paul’s “Forgetting the things which are behind…I press on” statement as an excuse to not get right with those they’ve hurt? Paul also said: “I also practice ALWAYS having a conscience void of offense toward God and men.”
The meaning of “Grace” (χαρις) in the Bible: It’s not what you think?
How Many Will Be in Heaven? How Many Find the WAY? Only 1 in 40 — 2.5%!?!!
‘CARNAL’ CHRISTIANS – Saved or Not?
“We Must Be Holy” by J. C. Ryle (1816-1900)
The CHIEF PILLAR of Eternal Security (OSAS) Toppled!
Martin Luther’s Subordinate Bible Books: Hebrews, James, Jude & Revelation
Luther: Let us BANISH the epistle of James, for it is ‘WORTHLESS’ — written by a non-Christian and can’t be reconciled with Paul
Francis Frangipane: Beware, It is Easy to Fake Christianity — “The moment we stop obeying God we start faking . . . .” “If our Christianity does not work in this life where we can test it, it is foolhardy to hope it will successfully transport us into eternity . . . if we fail the test, we suffer eternal separation from God.” “Let us re-examine what we have been taught.”
A Gift that Will Set Many Free! (A Death Warrant is Out for Your Souls)
I’ve finally shared much of what I know about and what can be done through the TREMENDOUS and mostly misunderstood and underused gift of tongues. A reader thankfully put me over the edge : )
THE PATRISTIC INTERPRETATION of ROMANS 7:14-25 — The early church did not understand Rom 7:14-25 to teach the necessity of sin in believers
[1978 concert video] Keith Green debunked LUTHER’S FALSE SALVATION DOCTRINE that’s now MAINSTREAM in America. Let’s get it right!
The Didache (70-100 AD): Reconciliation was required to attend early church meetings! “Let no one who is at odds with his fellow come together with you, until they be reconciled, that your sacrifice may not be profaned.”
Can ‘Christians’ use Paul’s “Forgetting the things which are behind…I press on” statement as an excuse to not get right with those they’ve hurt? Paul also said: “I also practice ALWAYS having a conscience void of offense toward God and men.” What if you don’t repent? And what will happen when you do? The Third Great Awakening can start with us!!! We can all be happy — ‘ONE’!
[WordPOWER!] Jesus Ups the Ante – Matthew 5:21-22: “YOU HAVE HEARD that it was said…, ‘You shall not murder’…. BUT I TELL YOU, that everyone who is ANGRY with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment”
[WordPOWER!] Jesus Ups the Ante – Matthew 5:27-30: “YOU HAVE HEARD that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery;’ BUT I TELL YOU that everyone who GAZES at a woman to LUST after her has committed ADULTERY with her already in his heart. …your whole body to be CAST INTO GEHENNA.”
[WordPOWER!] Acts 17:30-31 God Upped the Ante when He Sent the Holy Spirit — “The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked. But now he commands that all people everywhere should repent…”
Wes Hall: “Beloved, grace has nothing to do with freedom to sin. … Grace is the power to be free from sin. … Examine yourself to see if you are in the faith.”
Military BOOT CAMP kills the conscience so soldiers can do evil without being convicted in their hearts
WITHOUT REVIVAL THE PEOPLE PERISH: Why the Present Church Doctrine Makes Revival Unlikely [Or Why Sound Doctrine Would Make Revival Likely]
BE YE THEREFORE PERFECT (Matthew 5:48): Thirty-eight Sermonettes on SIN, SALVATION

What the Lord’s Prayer really says about FORGIVING. Jesus made it clear right after “Amen”: “IF YOU DON’T forgive…” VS. Luther’s Catechism: “God forgives WITHOUT CONDITION,” forgiving even “REVENGE!!!”
[Lust FREEDOM — “The Poison that Kills the Soul”] My experience: How DEMONS DRIVE heterosexual and homosexual lust in ‘Christians’ — The bad news is that demons drive lust. The good news is that demons drive lust, because…
[WordPOWER!] In Psalm 50 God Warns: “You have done these things, and I kept silent. You thought that I was just like you. … Now consider this…lest I tear you into pieces and there be none to deliver” (Hell?)
“Grace”: To Give You Life to Overcome—Not a License to Sin
All of my Who Goes to Heaven Posts