Encouragement

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The “Whosoever Will” Gospel of Jesus Christ

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13

Sling open wide that floodgate, beckoning men, women, and children to "Come" to Christ, the Great Shepherd of the sheep, who came and bled to buy them back to His precious, perfect care both now and forever.

"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Revelation 22:17

A little food for thought …..

God bless all those who are reaching out to lost souls, and may our LORD continue to teach us His ways (Psalms 25:4-5; Proverbs 11:30, etc.). Those who claim to be Christians and aren’t reaching out to the lost should examine themselves whether they are truly in the faith (Luke 12:7-8; 2 Corinthians 13:5). Those ashamed will not enter Christ’s eternal kingdom (Mark 8:38).

Iron sharpening goes both ways. None of us is all wise - we are but men.

My Subjective Testimony: I have been blessed and privileged to have done decades of street ministry and the more I am blessed to grow in His grace, the more He is showing me His wisdom and ridding my heart of all self-righteous wrath because “The wrath of (mere) man worketh not the righteousness of God.” (James 1:20). In other words, my undue wrath on sinners does not bring about the glory or salvation of God and we know that “salvation is of the LORD.” (Jonah 2:9) The more He teaches my heart that I myself am only saved by His blessed and sheer mercy, the less I find it in me to name call, yell at, or speak condescendingly to those not yet saved (Titus 3:3-7).

“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3

Repentance is a must and yet, perhaps we should ask afresh for His wisdom in being used of God to see Him bring men to that place of salvation. The Bible tells us that "He that winneth souls is WISE" which means he wisely ministers to the lost to win them (Proverbs 11:30). Wisdom is again coupled with winning souls in Daniel 12:3, which states: "And they that be WISE shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever."

God bless us to continue to come before Him, announcing our own utter poverty of spirit without the riches of Christ Jesus, who alone is our eternal life, merit, and riches (Genesis 15:1; Romans 11:33, 36; Colossians 2:3-10).

"Wisdom is justified of all her children" says Jesus. He said this in relation to the method/way John the Baptist and Himself came and how they dealt with men (Luke 7:35). Some men preach harshly and I personally don’t want to specifically fault anyone by name at this point. In fact, not one person actually comes to mind in this matter. Yet, we should continue to examine and re-examine our hearts, motives, and actions (Psalms 139:23-24).

"Keep yourselves in the LOVE of God, looking for the MERCY of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life (we ALL need His mercy-otherwise He would not have spoken this to US). 22 And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh." Jude 1:21-23

As you cited James, there are times to openly rebuke sinning men and yet, that's not the only way to address them as we see in Scripture. Just saying here ….. Jesus told men to Come to Him and that He would give them rest if they would (Matthew 11:28-30). Jesus was “moved with compassion” on the lost. It doesn’t say here that “Jesus was moved with CONDEMNATION” on the lost but rather “compassion.” See Matthew 9:35-40. May the LORD purify our own hearts so that we are not being unnecessarily harsh and using Scripture to justify this. Personally, I did that for years and now see a larger picture by His grace.

Sinners should also be offered the hope of the Gospel - salvation, and not just run into the ground with name calling. They should be given the Law of God (10 Commandments) so that God Himself is convicting them and not us (1 Timothy 1:7-10). Calling them names unnecessarily will not work His righteousness (James 1:20). Using God’s very words and not our own, is important too because only His Word that never returns void but always accomplishes God’s will (Isaiah 55:11). Dying a deeper death to self is required to surrender all our own methods, attitudes, and words and truly trust the LORD who is the only One who can save a lost soul.

Also, is calling men to “STOP SINNING” the biblical way? Or, do men need to “Repent” and when they do He will bring them into His kingdom and give them all the grace needed to cease the things that are not pleasing to Him? Repentance is not just to stop sinning but rather to TURN TO GOD HIMSELF. The sins are used of the LORD to convict them so that they turn to Him. Even if someone could stop sinning, they would still be sinners in His holy eyes and still be lost. Sin is a state firstly and not just an act. In Scripture, we see men being called to repent and only after they do and are saved on Christ’s merit, do receive divine grace to cease living in sin (Romans 6:14). It was AFTER Jesus forgave the woman caught in adultery that He instructed her to “Go and sin no more.” (John 8:11) In His words “neither do I condemn

When the religionists of Christ’s day brought a sinning woman to Jesus, He said to them and to her …..

“He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her … When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” John 8:7, 10-11

To the religionists, Jesus said:

“He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her”

To the woman freshly caught in the act of sin, the Son of God said:

“Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?” and “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”

The only ONE qualified to condemn this sinning woman did not condemn her but rather He did condemn those who were dealing harshly with her.

The religionists of Christ’s day had no heart to see this woman restored but relished their cruel, hard-heartedness and condemned her. Jesus rejoiced to forgive her and show her His mercy and grace, enabling her now to “Go, and sin no more.”

Ephesians 2:1-3 says:

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and WERE BY NATURE the children of wrath, even as others.”

Sinners will sin because it is in their “nature” to do such. It’s only after the LORD saves/regenerates the lost soul that they are given a new nature and is made “a new creature” in Christ and thereby granted the blessed grace to have “all things” to now be of God (2 Corinthians 5:17-18).

Now check this out:

“To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. 3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 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; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:2-7

It’s only “after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward” us “appeared” that we were blessed “by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” and now able to do His “good works” which includes to “Go and sin no more.” (John 8:11; Titus 3:8)

We are only said to be “his workmanship” AFTER being saved by His regenerating grace (Ephesians 2:8-10).

The fish must first be caught in the net and brought into the boat before it can be scaled and cleaned up. Trying to clean a fish before he is caught would be a futile endeavor, right? Ever see a fisherman in a boat with a scaling tool in one hand, leaning over the boat to try to grab a fish with the other hand? No, because such would be futile.

God told Ezekiel to “speak WITH MY WORDS (not your own) unto them.” (Ezekiel 3:4)

Using man’s wording to call men to stop sinning BEFORE they are saved/born again is asking them to them to do something that is an impossibility and shows our lack of understanding of what His “so great salvation” really is and how it works (Hebrews 2:3). It is of the sinner’s very nature to do – sin. They cannot stop sinning before they are saved by His grace. If they could, why did Jesus bother to come? (John 1:29; Matthew 1:21) In doing this we cast a stumbling block in the way of men who would otherwise perhaps enter His kingdom. This is what Jesus says Pharisees do.

God forbid that I am shutting up the kingdom of Heaven to men who would otherwise be brought into it by my own rudeness and unnecessary harshness that I am justifying. Father, please break us!

Being called to preach does not exempt us from the necessity of bearing the fruit of the Holy Spirit which is “Love …..” (Galatians 5:22-23).

Just because we are “on the front lines” preaching, does not mean God doesn’t want to do MUCH needed work in our own lives (Psalms 138:8; Philippians 2:12-13, etc.). He is the Potter and we His clay (Jeremiah 18:1-6). As we see in the lives of the prophets and the twelve, the LORD continues to grow and mature His own servants, long after they began being used of Him.

“Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with GRACE; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.” Hebrews 13:9


todd tomasella
safeguardyoursoul.com


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The Lord Delights to Restore
by todd tomasella
01/23/11
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The LORD Delights to Restore

“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.” Ephesians 4:14-15

To “grow up” is to “be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine” and to be “speaking the truth in love.”
Praise God for those who truly uphold pure doctrine and may God bless us to do this in His love. "Speaking the truth in love." (Ephesians 4:15)

How do men get delivered, set free, and restored?

"By MERCY and TRUTH iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil." Proverbs 16:6

Jesus said that those who hear and obey His Word will be made free (John 8:30-32, 36). Doesn’t that tell us that God wants men free to worship and serve Him and not in bondage to sin?

Just why did God send His only begotten Son and why did He give us His Word? Was it so He could save for damn men? Save!

“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” John 3:17

“He sent his word, and HEALED them, and delivered them from their destructions. 21 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” Psalms 107:20-21

If the Bible studying disciple does not see the heart of the LORD to restore people, he misses all.

The LORD is not sadistic. He wants to save, heal, bless, and not destroy. He surely will destroy if men don’t repent.

“Mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” James 2:13

“Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness. 17 But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD'S flock is carried away captive.” Jeremiah 13:16-17

In the following passage, He is speaking of restoring His people as a whole and yet, the land/soil applies to our hearts.

“And the desolate land shall be tilled, whereas it lay desolate in the sight of all that passed by. 35 And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced, and are inhabited. 36 Then the heathen that are left round about you shall know that I the LORD build the ruined places, and plant that that was desolate: I the LORD have spoken it, and I will do it.” Ezekiel 36:34-36

Jeremiah the prophet knew the restorative love of God:

“Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.” Jeremiah 17:14

Like Jeremiah, every single servant of the LORD need to continually be healed, saved, and kept.

I have upset some preachers lately. Why? Because like Jonah, some today do not wish to see those they preach to actually get saved. There seems to be some kind of hard-hearted, sadistic attitude and disposition in them toward those they preach to. That is not of God who said that He “is love.” (1 John 4:8, 16)

What did the LORD tell us that those who truly fear God are to “say”?

"Let them now that fear the Lord say, that his mercy endureth for ever." Psalms 118:4

God told us HE is "not willing that any should perish" and by many other verses we know He delights to restore. So, doctrine is for the purpose of the truth being placed in the hearts of men so that they can be blessed to repent and be restored (Acts 3:19; 2 Timothy 2:24-26, etc.).

Jonah knew the LORD was gracious and did not want Him to forgive the Ninevite people. Some angry, mean spirited preachers today don't seem to want to see the LORD save those they are preaching to. They seem to want to sadistically harass. We must not be like Jonah who knew that God was going to forgive the Ninevites if they repented and so he ran from his calling and then even when he did do ti, he was grieved that the LORD restored the people he preached to.

What motivated the LORD Jesus whom we are to be following?

"And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest." Matthew 9:35-38

How is Christ's disciple to go forth?

"Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south. 5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." Psalms 126:4-6

There are many captive to sin, etc. around us (they are in "captivity"). The true disciple labors with "compassion" and “tears” as he/she “goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed.”

The LORD promises a harvest (“sheaves). The LORD delights to restore those fallen in sin and rejoices when they repent and return to Him (Luke 15). Do you have that same delight? Please read Luke 15 prayerfully and ask the Father to show you His heart in that passage.

todd tomasella
safeguardyoursoul.com


http://momentswithmymaster.com
http://todd-tomasella.com
http://predatorsinourpulpits.com/
http://everywordofgodispure.blogspot.com/
http://safeguardyoursoulaudios.blogspot.com/
http://bewarefalseprophets.blogspot.com/
http://momentsformymaster.blogspot.com/
http://toddtomasella-safeguardyoursoul.blogspot.com/
http://safeguard-your-soul.blogspot.com/
http://graceandtruthbibleschool.blogspot.com/
http://todd-tomasella.blogspot.com/
http://safeguardyoursoul.com





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