Unleavened Faith

The Wrath of Man

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

James 1:19

There is a short quick one verse universal precept of God’s word condemning man’s wrath, or as some would say, our righteous indignation toward that which we think offends God.

For the wrath of man
worketh not the righteousness of God.

James 1:20

Our anger, righteous indignation, holy wrath, or whatever one might want to call it, has no place in ministering the gospel of Jesus Christ or in serving God; man’s wrath is in no way allowed by God in his service. This is supported throughout God’s word.

2 Timothy 2:24-25 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, ²⁵In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves;

Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Luke 6:28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

Romans 12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

This is a universal precept, not just for the ministry. Our wrath does not equate to serving God in any circumstance.

Numbers 20:8-12 Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink. ⁹And Moses took the rod from before the LORD, as he commanded him. ¹⁰And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock? ¹¹And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also. ¹²And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.

Moses’ righteous indignation botched the similitude that the Lord was preparing. Christ was that rock; he was smitten once, never again. From that point on, you come before him and humbly ask. Moses, enraged with the people, failed in obeying God’s commandment to speak to the rock and smote it in his anger. His righteous indignation did not work the righteousness of God. Our anger only plays into the hands of Satan to hinder or limit the effects of God’s purpose.

Precept:

The wrath of man
worketh not the righteousness of God

The Great Precepts

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Matthew 22:37-40

There is none other commandment greater than these.

Mark 12:31

The first two precepts of God’s word are to “Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind,” and to “Love thy neighbour as thyself.” On these two commandments hang the law and everything else.

Love God:

Deuteronomy 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

Joshua 23:11 Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the LORD your God.

Love others:

Leviticus 19:18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.

Leviticus 19:34 But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.

Galatians 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

James 2:8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

As you can see these precepts are universal; Old or New Testament, they have always been and always will be the two Great Precepts of God and the fulfillment of his law. As you can also see, man has a tendency to cut God out by making the second law the Golden rule instead of the first, to love God. To love your neighbor is the Royal Law, not the Golden rule.

The first two precepts of God’s word: The Golden Rule and the Royal Law.

Love God with all your
heart, mind, and soul
―the Golden Rule

Love your neighbor as your self
―the Royal Law

All Things Are Possible

Yea, they turned back and tempted God,
and limited the Holy One of Israel.

Psalm 78:41

It has been my opinion, subsequent to having dealt with numerous individuals, that this very important precept is an oft-forgotten principle of the scriptures. I cannot tell you how many times I have been told that God could not have done something because it was impossible, or it would have tainted him in some way. We are not looking for what God could have done; God could have done anything. As the following verses testify, the Bible clearly teaches the precept that nothing is impossible for God. We are looking not for what he could have done, but what he has revealed to us in the Scriptures concerning what he has done.

Matthew 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Mark 10:27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

Luke 1:37 For with God nothing shall be Impossible.

Luke 18:27 And he said, The things which are Impossible with men are possible with God.

Psalm 78:41 Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel,

Jeremiah 32:27 Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?

All things are possible for God nothing is impossible for him. God could have established salvation by works as easily as by faith. He could have established all things as taught by Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Catholicism, Mormonism or any other. It is not a question of what God could have done; it is what has been revealed concerning His creation.

This precept can be an effective witness. Many times, in dealing with a Jewish individual, I have ended all their arguments simply by asking them if there is anything impossible for God. They will inevitably answer no, nothing is impossible for God. At that response I state, “Then God could have manifested himself in the flesh as his own son if he wanted to.” To this I will receive one of two responses; silent confused acquiescence to this truth or, they will yell, “Impossible, Impossible,” and turn to speed away. This of course could be use to witness to others such a Moslems, “God can have no Son,” would that be impossible for God? Once they acknowledge that the gospel is possible with God, the door is open.

Precept: 

With God all Things are Possible

Naked In, Naked Out

For we brought nothing into this world,
and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

I Timothy 6:7

I often think of the Pharaohs and ancient Emperors of China when I think of this precept. How they buried everything to take with them, yet all their treasures still remain with us. You can’t take it with you. Unfortunately, many in this world act as if they can.

James 5:3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.

We came into this world without any material possessions and we are leaving the same way.

Job 1:21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

Psalm 49:17 For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.

Ecclesiastes 5:15 As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.

1 Timothy 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and It is certain we can carry nothing out.

The rich of this world are a long way from the example of that perfect servant of the Lord, Job.

Job 29:12-16 Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. ¹³The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy. ¹⁴I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem. ¹⁵I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame. ¹⁶I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out.

It is not going with you, what you do with it here while it is in your power is how you will be judged.

Matthew 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: ²⁰But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: ²¹For where your treasure Is, there will your heart be also.

1 Timothy 6:4-5 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, …⁵and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

The rich of this world are going to have a lot to answer for:

1 Samuel 2:7 The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.

Luke 12:48 …For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: …

Precept:

We brought nothing into this world,
and It is certain we can carry nothing out

One Mediator

For there is one God, and one mediator
between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

I Timothy 2:5

The Scriptures are quite adamant, there is only one mediator, one saviour, one name under heaven that reconciles us to God.

Job 19:25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

Hebrews 9:14-15 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? ¹⁵And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, …

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

1 John 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

The Bible leaves no room for co-mediators or co-mediatrix’s. Christ was not just a prophet, a good man; he is the Saviour, the only Saviour man has. The Scriptures leave no room for the concept that all or any other religion can lead to God and salvation. This is what the world, the lost, cannot abide and therefore, as foretold, they deny the actual person of Jesus Christ; teaching the precepts and principles of a mythological character they neiher trust or believe in.

1 John 4:2-3 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: ³And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

2 John 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

Precept:

There is one God,
and one mediator
between God and men,
the man Christ Jesus

Not of Works

And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.

Psalm 143:2

Unfortunately, unlike some of the other precepts that enjoy almost universal appeal, this precept deals with a topic of some debate. Do our works have any part, or have works ever played a part in eternal salvation? I believe in this study we will find the answer to be a firm no, establishing the fact as a universal precept of God’s word.

…in thy sight shall no man living be justified.

The above verse alone ought to be enough to convince anyone, “in thy sight shall no man living be justified.” How is it then that some say we must have works for salvation? That we can be justified before God in and of ourselves? The following verses relate specifically to this topic to form the biblical precept that salvation is never by works.

Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: …

Galatians 3:21-22 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. ²²But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

It is evident that salvation, biblically, certainly does not come by works alone, as many of the religions of the world teach. However, there are those that still try to keep works in the equation by making it works and faith. The following passages of Scripture show that if there is an element of works involved, whether in obtaining salvation or maintaining it, then faith is made void and salvation is not by the grace of God.

Romans 4:4-5 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. ⁵But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Romans 4:14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

If salvation is by the grace of God then there can be no part of it by works, at all; faith and works are mutually exclusive. If you are given a free gift and then told you have to pay to keep it grace and free went out the window; all that matters now is did you pay for it, or did you not pay. There is no grace involved, I am not thankful for a free gift, I am demanding what I paid for, “Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.”

Romans 4:16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; …

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: ⁹Not of works, lest any man should boast.

We find grace in God’s eyes when we believe him, his word, his revelation of himself. When we believe his account of how he hung his Son, Jesus Christ, on a tree and made him a curse for us. It is according to his grace that he applies the shed blood of the Lord’s atonement to our sins. God will have no man stand before him and boast his own righteousness.

These verses establish a universal biblical precept, not just a church age or dispensational teaching. Eternal salvation is never by works, alone or in concert with faith. Any teaching to the contrary is not biblical, not Christian doctrine. Unless this precept is accepted you will error in the formation of other doctrines.

Job 25:4-6 How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman? ⁵Behold even to the moon, and it shineth not; yea, the stars are not pure in his sight. ⁶How much less man, that is a worm? and the son of man, which is a worm?

Job 19:25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

Precept:

Salvation is not conditioned on man’s works

All Men

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

1 Timothy 2:3-4

This precept is important as we need to provide the biblical definition of the term “all men” as there are those that insist that it only applies to the elect. In this precept we shall see that “all men” were created equal, at least in so far as salvation is concerned. Equal in that all were created to fear God and hope in his mercy and have the same opportunity to be saved.

Revelation 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Ezekiel 18:32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

Psalms 147:11 The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.

So how does the Bible define the term “all men”?

1 Timothy 4:10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.

Here we have all men, and especially those that believed unto salvation out of the group of all men. God is the Saviour of all as he extends salvation to all, there is no other salvation. Remember, Christ is the only name under heaven whereby men must be saved. So, he is their saviour even if they reject that salvation.

Acts 4:12  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Christ is the one and only Saviour of all men.

Calvinism interprets this to mean, in the words of Calvin himself:

And yet we must mark that Saint Paul speaks not here of every particular man, but of all sorts, and of all people.

Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Romans 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

1 Thessalonians 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

Titus 3:2  To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

The following defines “all men” as inclusive of all mankind.

1 Timothy 2:4-6 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.  ⁵For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; ⁶Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

Precept:

God created All Men
to fear him and hope in his mercy.
All Men = All that ever there was.

Whosoever

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him,
in those that hope in his mercy.

Psalm 147:11

John 3:16 is probably the most famous verse in the bible, it is the most famous of the “Whosoever” verses. The word whosoever appears sixty-six times in the Bible and yet there are those who deny this greatest of precepts; salvation is to “whosoever believeth” and “whosoever will not” is blotted out of the book of life. It has always been “whosoever will” or “whosoever will not.”

Exodus 32:33 And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.

Deuteronomy 18:19 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.

Matthew 10:32-33 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. ³³But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

We can also put a finer point on the definition of “whosoever.”

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

What set or group, subset or subgroup of people is being spoken of here? It is the group of people consisting of the world, “God so loved the world.” It is not a subgroup of a limited elect or any other lesser set of people. It is “whosoever believeth.” out of the whole “world.” This includes the entire human race.

Take note of this precept from the previous tab: God created all things for his pleasure and the ramifications of that. If God created all things for his pleasure and takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, then he did not create any man to die the death of the wicked, but for all to be pleasing to him.

Psalms 147:11 The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.

God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked but does in the wicked turning from his wicked ways and joining those that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. How can any doctrine or teaching be correct if it rejects this precept?

Many pervert the clear teaching of Scripture, blinded to it for whatever reason, and teach other false interpretations. An example of this is Romans chapter nine. They take a couple of verses out of the chapter and preach predestination, while the context of the whole chapter teaches “whosoever will” as it is plainly stated in the last verse.

Romans 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

It is man’s free choice whether he is one of those that belong to “whosoever will” or those that “whosoever will not.”

Precept:

It is whosoever will out of the Whole World

Once Saved Always Saved

And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Ephesians 4:30

John 6:37-40 KJV All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. ³⁸For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. ³⁹And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. ⁴⁰And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Those who teach you can lose your salvation do greatly err, not knowing the Scriptures. Salvation is not by our works; no one obtains salvation by self-righteousness, keeping the law, and no one maintains their salvation by their works.

Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: …if it be of works, then is it no more grace: …

Romans 4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: ⁹Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Romans 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

If you receive a free gift by grace and find a payment book attached, what happens to grace, free, and gift? They are expelled; grace and works are mutually exclusive. It is by grace or by works there is no grace and works. You did not work to get your salvation and you are not maintaining it by works. That was the error in thinking of the Galatians.

Galatians 3:2-3 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? ³Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

The security of the believer is our liberty in Christ.

Hebrews 2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

If we could lose our salvation we would still be in bondage to the law and fearful of death.

Galatians 2:4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:

There are ideas promoted as Judas losing his salvation. Not only was Judas not ever saved, no one could be saved until after Christ made the atonement. Judas was dead before then. If you can lose your salvation by not maintaining good works then salvation is by works.

Galatians 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

Galatians 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Galatians 3:21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.

Romans 10:3-4 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. ⁴For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

Precept:

Once Saved, Always Saved

We were created unto good works,
Not saved by them.
~
A free gift is not a free gift
If you have to pay to keep it