Saints Made Merchandise

some are asking what realy does the book "Saints Made Merchandise" cover. Well the back cover summarises the content as follows: "There shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you…" 2 Peter 2:1- 3

Having noticed gross financial abuses and outright dishonesty in the church, the author takes you through a biblical journey covering the subject of tithes, offerings and almsgiving. He traces the historical back ground of the subject with the intention of determining the necessity and legitimacy of the practice in the modern church.
The author warns against mishandling the word of God for the sake of personal gain through the use of feigned words designed to waylay the unsuspecting church members. He also warns against believing any unscriptural teaching, word or sermon claimed to have come from God without putting such doctrine to the biblical test. In that vein the author encourages saints to rightly divide the word of truth and avoid embarrassing abuses from wolves in sheep skin.
The purpose of this book is to return to the Bible and rediscover the old time doctrine on tithes, offerings, alms and prosperity. A lot of time and space has been devoted to what the Bible teaches rather than what it is meant to teach by those who are money hungry. It does not point a finger at who is distorting the faith but at which impurities have been added to the sound doctrine of our Lord. The author's aim is not to criticize but to correct. So boldly journey through the pages of this book and you will enjoy the journey.'
 ....... an extract from chapter three reads, "ROB: This is the only word I will trace down to its original Hebrew form. It is translated from the Hebrew word, קָבַע ‘QUABA’ which means to cover (up) i.e. defraud, to rob or spoil. ...... The word refers to taking what belongs to someone by chicanery without the owner’s consent. The Collins pocket English dictionary also confers the word defraud as one of the meanings of the term rob. Since it is feeble man who takes away what belongs to Almighty God, I strongly feel that the word plunder, which has violent connotations, cannot be the most suitable translation of the word in these circumstances. Instead the word defraud is a more suitable paraphrase because it denotes deception rather than violence. It also denotes deprivation. Here man takes by ruse and dishonesty rather than violence. What he merely does is convert what belongs to God to his own or some other use never intended by God. For instance, instead of providing food, the tithes will be used as a bait of gaining more wealth. The children of Israel never tithed in order to obtain more fields yet we do it for the sake of prosperity. We do not tithe to provide food but to entice God for some filthy riches. In short we have converted tithes to some other uses that God never intended. If we have sowed to the flesh must we reap of the spirit?

I encourage you to obtain your own copy to day on Amazon.com Pearl Press Publishers. You may also the following extract:
To some people prosperity consists of money and material wealth and nothing more. However, to me prosperity must be a byproduct of blessing. In fact it is written, "the blessing of the Lord make the rich ..." It therefore follows that the pursuit of wealth may be futile. Get yourself a copy of this book.

http://abrahamsoka.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-purpose-of-prosperity-extract-from.html?m=1

GRACE AND THE LAW - (Part 2 – we must rule over Sin)

GRACE AND THE LAW

(Part 2 – we must rule over Sin)

In Genesis 4:7 is a statement which reads, “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” This is a very profound passage of the bible which carries an overwhelming meaning which must apply to the way we live. Sin was never designed to overcome men but it was destined to be defeated by man. In this passage, God was telling Cain that God expected him to do well and overcome sin. In other words, sin takes advantage of our failure to do good for it to turn tables against us. As long as we do good, we will always rule over sin.

Everyone knows what is good and what is evil. When Cain murdered his brother, he knew very well that he had succumbed to sin. He did not need to be condemned by any law but by his own conscience. The word of God says, “the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” John 1:17: Galatians 3:24. What these scriptures portray is the fact that Moses, through the law of God published God’s standard of doing well which standard led us to Jesus Christ who through his own righteousness delivered us, by grace, from the desire of sin through our faith in him. In that manner, we then rule over sin.

If we have this understanding, we will not see the reason for the conflict which exists between the restless legalistic Christians and the hyper grace Christians which is often displayed to extremes by the two groups. In fact, Paul who the hyper grace proponents claim to be their role model says, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?  God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 

For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:  Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.  For he that is dead is freed from sin.  Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.  Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.  Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. 

What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

The law of God designates the comprehensive standard which God set through Moses which fully explains God’s requirements for a holy people thereby separating them from the rest of the world.  Whether it was civil, ceremonial, or moral, the law helped in defining sin hence it plainly confirmed that no human being has the capacity to decontaminate himself from sin, without the assistance of a redeemer, to adequately to satisfy God. Romans 5:13; 7:7.

It is not the legalistic approach promoted by the Pharisees or the modern-day legalists which is referred to as the Law in John 1:17-20 hence in Matthew 5:17 the Lord said, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” It thus means that rather than contradict, the law and grace complement each other. It is only the traditions of men which legalists add to the good law of God which Jesus and the apostles spoke against. It is this hypocrisy which is not in tandem with grace hence the Lord said, “Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, this people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men. Mark 7:6-8.

 The website https://www.gotquestions.org/law-vs-grace.html says, “God has always been full of grace (Psalm 116:5; Joel 2:13), and people have always been saved by faith in God (Genesis 15:6). God did not change between the Old and New Testaments (Numbers 23:19; Psalm 55:19). The same God who gave the Law also gave Jesus (John 3:16). His grace was demonstrated through the Law by providing the sacrificial system to cover sin. Jesus was born “under the law” (Galatians 4:4) and became the final sacrifice to bring the Law to fulfillment and establish the New Covenant (Luke 22:20). Now, everyone who comes to God through Christ is declared righteous (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18; Hebrews 9:15).

 The conflict between Jesus and the self-righteous arose immediately. Many who had lived for so long under the Pharisees’ oppressive system eagerly embraced the mercy of Christ and the freedom He offered (Mark 2:15). Some, however, saw this new demonstration of grace as dangerous: what would keep a person from casting off all moral restraint? Paul dealt with this issue in Romans 6: “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” (verses 1—2). Paul clarified what Jesus had taught: The Law shows us what God wants (holiness), and grace gives us the desire and power to be holy. Rather than trust in the Law to save us, we trust in Christ. We are freed from the Law’s bondage by His once-for-all sacrifice (Romans 7:6; 1 Peter 3:18).

There is no conflict between grace and the Law, properly understood. Christ fulfilled the Law on our behalf and offers the power of the Holy Spirit, who motivates a regenerated heart to live in obedience to Him (Matthew 3:8; Acts 1:8; 1 Thessalonians 1:5; 2 Timothy 1:14). James 2:26 says, “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” A grace that has the power to save also has the power to motivate a sinful heart toward godliness. Where there is no impulse to be godly, there is no saving faith.”

It is thus apparent that the keeping of the Law cannot save anyone considering that the law is merely a standard which, because of the nature of sin in men, we have all, since the days of Cain, failed to satisfy. Rather man is saved by grace, through faith as clearly explained in Ephesians 2:8–9 and Romans 3:20-26. Because the law is God’s own design, it brings us to Christ for which reason the grace of God will enable us to do good “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10; Titus 2:11-14. That is why good works follow salvation; they do not precede it.

The website https://www.gotquestions.org/law-vs-grace.html further says that, “Conflict between “grace” and the “Law” can arise when someone 1) misunderstands the purpose of the Law; 2) redefines grace as something other than “God’s benevolence on the undeserving” (see Romans 11:6); 3) tries to earn his own salvation or “supplement” Christ’s sacrifice; 4) follows the error of the Pharisees in tacking manmade rituals and traditions onto his doctrine; or 5) fails to focus on the “whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27).

When the Holy Spirit guides our search of Scripture, we can “study to show ourselves approved unto God” (2 Timothy 2:15) and discover the beauty of a grace that produces good works.”

Further to receiving the salvation of Christ, we must allow Christ to live his life in and through us. In John 14:20 the lord said that he must live in us and we in him and he in the Father. In that way we will live the righteousness of the Father and of Christ. Paul writes, “So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” At one time, in II Cor. 13:5, Paul once asked "Do you not recognize that Jesus Christ is in you?"

The above thus makes it clear that a Christian can live the life of Christ through the indwelling presence of the Spirit of Christ because "If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him." Rom. 8:9. If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who indwells you" Rom. 8:10,11. When Christ lives in us, unlike Cain, we will be able to rule over sin.

GRACE AND THE LAW

GRACE AND THE LAW

In chapter 5 of my book Saints Made Merchandise is a statement which reads, “The main reason for the preacher worship is the assumption that every sermon we hear from the pulpit is directly from God. We must realise that not all sermons are from God. Sermons can come from a number of sources, which we must admit ……. exist. One of the sources is of cause inspiration from God. The other source, which is the source of most sermons, is the human mind, which will be interpreting the written word of God, which is the Bible. There are yet two more sources namely demonic brainwave and the canal human mind seeking to abuse the Bible for selfish gains. Once we accept and identify this, preacher worship will be a thing of the past.” The statement was written having noticed that there are several spiritual and psychological influences which have a bearing on human behaviour and actions.

In Philippians 2:5 the apostle who preached against legalism wrote, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” This statement alone shows that issues of the mind are very critical to the manner we live and interact with both man and God. The way we perceive things can either make or break us. Our religious beliefs and concepts revolve around the way we have been made to perceive or embrace issues.

Of late we have seen a certain perception of grace and non-legalistic teaching which seems to condone sinful living. While it is true that the law does not and will never ever save any one it is equally true that everyone who lives in sin shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:21; 1 Cor. 6:9. To cement this, the beloved apostle once wrote,” we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.  Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. {3:9} Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 1 John 3:2-9.

Some of us misconstrue the term “we are no longer under the law” to mean we are free to live against the law yet the apostle who coined the phrase tells us that the law is godly. In Romans 7:7 the apostle Paul writes, “What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.” In Galatians 3:23-26 he goes on to write, But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. This thus means that not being under the law does not entail braking the law.

In Romans 8 the bible says, “Consequently, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.  3 For what was impossible for the law, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and concerning sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the requirement of the law would be fulfilled in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”

You see, the law had one challenge in that it was weak and had no capacity to justify. The law could only point out sin but was unable to deliver a sinner from sin. It could let you know that God hates adultery, for instance, but was unable to stop or restrain a lustful person from committing adultery. This is the reason why the bible says, “be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2. A transformation of the mind is key to the way and manner we approach the things of God. This is the very reason why in Philippians 2:5 Paul writes, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” We must have the mindset of Christ in order to behave like Christ.

What influences your mind defines who you are. Proverbs 23:7. You must therefore guard your mind to ensure you get the right inspiration. If you open your mind to demonic influence you will certainly twist biblical principles to justify sinful living. This is the reason, for example, why some believers are slowly embracing homosexuality under the guise of not living under, “the letter which killeth.” As long as a person is under faith, some claim, that person is free to break the law because he is not under the law. That certainly is not the concept of being under the law.

Not being under the law means living a life which cannot be blamed by the law. A person who is not a thief is not under the law which says, “thou shalt not steal,” because the law does not apply to him hence he is not under that law. Similarly, a person who does not break the law is not and cannot be under the law because he already lives above the dictates of the law. This was the reason why the Sanhedrin could not find fault with Christ and had to rely on false witnesses thereby braking Exodus 20:16 because they were under the law whilst Christ was not. The law could not pin Christ because it found no fault with him. In the same vein, those who do not break the law are not under the law and the law cannot find fault in them because they are under grace. Actually, the bible tells us that grace teaches us to deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts and exhorts us to live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age. Titus 2:12. When you live righteously how can the law find fault in you? you are certainly not under the law.

In conclusion, please guard your mind a