"Women 2gether With Jesus" : How To Find God's Will - How To Serve God

21st of June 

How To Find God's Will - How To Serve God

Jer 29:11 For I know what I have planned for you,’ says the LORD. ‘I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope.


WELCOME to the "Women 2gether with Jesus"!
Note the day, DO YOUR BEST TO COME and bring a friend to experience the Goodness of God. 
Come! And let God change your life!

It's an english-norwegian meeting, and a place for all women, all ages, all denominations.
Don't miss it!!

Meiergata 24 Bryne 4347 (Zion)
Time: 19.00
Preecher: Peggy Spyrou Simonis

FIND US :
"Women 2gether with Jesus ♥" on Facebook :
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Womens.ministry.no

"2gether with Jesus" our page on Fb:
www.facebook.com/TogetherWithJesus

"2gether With Jesus .no" on Fb
www.facebook.com/2gether.with.jesus.no 

"2gether with Jesus" our blog:
http://2getherwithjesus.blogspot.no/

Receiving power from Heaven:The baptism of the Holly Spirit - Spiritual gifts

Receiving power from Heaven:The baptism of the Holly Spirit - Spiritual gifts

BY Argie Simonis     

I encourage you to first read the posts on eternal life and spiritual birth (birth from above) to have a better and more complete understanding of this topic. Here I will deal with Acts 1:8:

"But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come on you: and you shall be witnesses to me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth." 

The power to live a Christian life is directly related to the Holy Spirit. Living a Christian life is not just difficult. It's impossible! The Lord did not create us to live for Him through our own strength, but to be dependent on Him. When you are filled with the Holy Spirit, you receive a special anointing from God, a power that enables you to live in a way beyond your power:

 - to turn your other cheek

 - to bless instead of cursing those who persecute you

 - to feed your enemy

This is not normal. You can not live like this with your own strength:

"Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, said the LORD of hosts." Zach. 4:6

Only through the Spirit can we move and experience victories. If you do not experience all of this in your life, it means that you need to be baptized in the Holy Spirit, a separate experience from being born again, where these two events do not have to be very far apart from each other.

You see, there is a difference between having the Holy Spirit with you when you are born again (when you also receive salvation) and being baptized in the Holy Spirit as Jesus mentions in the first chapter of the book of Acts.

In the second chapter of Acts comes the fulfillment of the promise:

"And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, said he, you have heard of me.

For John truly baptized with water; but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence." Acts 1:4-5

This does not mean "wait until the Father decides when to give you the Holy Spirit." This is why many live a life of inactivity when in fact the Lord is ready to give it to them. If we take this verse literally, then we will have to go to Jerusalem and wait!

In Acts 2:39 we read:

"For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call." Acts 2:39

This refers to you and me. After Pentecost we do not have to wait for the Holy Spirit to come. The Holy Spirit wants to fill you more than you want to get filled! You do not need to ask or wait. All you need is to want it! If you have been born again you can be baptized with the Holy Spirit at any time, because Jesus is the One who gives it:

"I indeed baptize you with water to repentance. but he that comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:" Μatt. 3:11

Let's look at some things regarding the gifts of the Holy Spirit:

"Follow after love, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that you may prophesy." 1Cor. 14:1

If you ask you will receive them. If you do not ask, you will not receive them. And if you just wait, then nothing will change.

Can you move on to spiritual gifts at any time? Like opening and closing the Holy Spirit like a switch?

The Holy Spirit is constantly in a state of operation. He does not sleep or need rest. I am the one who opens and shuts. The Holy Spirit constantly gives you the inspiration and the desire to move in the spiritual gifts. It's up to you whether you will respond or not. The Holy Spirit is like a machine, a dynamo that works constantly and all you need is to connect with Him. Then His anointing and His gifts will flow.

In 1 Corinthians chapter 12 Paul talks about spiritual gifts. In the next chapter he talks about " a more excellent way."

The Bible does not tell us that love is superior to spiritual gifts, but moving on to spiritual gifts motivated by love is superior to doing so in the flesh. This means that it is possible to move in spiritual gifts in the flesh, e.g. to prophesy and condemn someone in the name of the Lord.

You can move in the gifts of the Holy Spirit and not do it with pure motives!

The Lord can also give you a word but by the time you speak this word you have turned it into a whole paragraph! In other words, you had a word from God and you added something of your own. God speaks through us but we do not always deliver this word perfectly. Inspiration comes from God, but is going through our personality (our mind, our character, our voice).

That's why in 1Cor. 14:29 we see that we must discern the prophecies. It is possible to say something wrong, but it does not mean that it is not from God. In John 11: 49-51 we see Caiaphas prophesying that Jesus would die for the sake of the people:

"And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said to them, You know nothing at all,

Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.

And this spoke he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;" John 11:49-51

In Numbers 22: 28-30 we see that the donkey was not spiritual, but nevertheless God spoke through it. In 1 Corinthians 12:31, love is not superior to spiritual gifts. What the Word tells us is that spiritual gifts exercised with love are superior to those exercised in the flesh.

I would like to point out one more thing about 1 Corinthians 13: 8:

"Love never fails: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away." 1Cor. 13:8

Based on this, many believe that prophecy and tongues have already ceased, but if we continue reading it says that knowledge will also cease. But  has knowledge really ceased?

"For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away." 1Cor. 13:9-10

They say that this perfection mentioned here is the Word of God. Indeed, the Word of God is perfect:

"The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple." Psalm. 19:7

We continue reading and let the Bible explain itself:

"When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." 1Cor. 13:11-12

- Have you ever seen God face to face? This has not been done yet.

- Do you know everything? Can your little brain understand everything?

- Can you score 100/100 in each test?

- Can you remember everything? No one can claim that.

But when we receive our glorious body, then we will know everything. 

"We shall know even as also we are known". 

None of this has happened yet. But they will when Jesus comes again and we will receive our glorious bodies:

"And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly." 1Cor. 15:49

So the perfect that is mentioned here is either the second coming of Jesus or our glorious bodies.

Both will be done at the same time. Then we will not need to speak in tongues nor will we need prophecy because we will understand everything. All this human knowledge will cease and we will have the supernatural knowledge of God. We will see Him face to face.

"Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." Rom. 8:26

When you receive your glorious body and become perfect, you will no longer need the intercession of the Holy Spirit. But in this life, even if the Word of God is perfect, you continue to need the spiritual gifts.

"But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come on you: and you shall be witnesses to me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth." Acts. 1:8

The Bible will come alive in you! You will perceive the things of God from a completely different angle.

Not having the baptism of the Holy Spirit is the cause of this lack of power that you experience in your life.

Yes, you will go to heaven even if you have not been baptized with the Holy Spirit and probably much faster, because you will not have the power that Jesus is talking about, and you will probably die without fulfilling God's plan in your life, because you will not have the power to walk with victory! It's like trying to attack the devil with a water pistol!

Those who do not believe in spiritual gifts can not move in them.

They experience the supernatural power of God in their lives not as a norm but only as an exception.

"And hope makes not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given to us." Rom. 5:5

The Holy Spirit baptizes you in love. He will make you love Jesus more than ever. He will transform you and strengthen you!

Amen!

How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb?

How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb?

BY Argie Simonis     

Before I go any further, I would like to underline some things.

I encourage you to read the message on eternal life.

Most people today believe that God will judge us according to our performance. There are people who were born in a Christian environment, believe in Christian principles in contrast to the principles of other religions.. They are the typical traditional Christians  but they have no personal relationship with God:

"Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me." John 14:6

Just recognizing Jesus is not enough. According to Rom. 10:9 You must accept Him as Lord in your life, otherwise you do nothing more than what the devil has already done:

"You believe that there is one God; you do well: the devils also believe, and tremble." James 2:19

Salvation is received as a gift. It's not an prize you earn or a wage you deserve. It is a gift that is given to us and we receive it by faith:

"For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:" Eph. 2:8

In John 3:1 we see Nicodemus coming to Jesus at night. He came at night because he was afraid to come to Him during the day

"... if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue." John 9:22

He was afraid of the Pharisees and the religious system. He was touched by Jesus but was afraid of the cost.

But Jesus said:

"Whoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

But whoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven." Μatt. 10:32-33

You must be willing to confess your devotion to Jesus publicly.

In John 3:2 Nicodemus was willing to accept Jesus as a teacher, prophet or saint, but he struggled with the question of whether Jesus was really God.

Later in John 19:39-40 we see that Nicodemus dared with Joseph of Arimathea to ask for the body of Jesus, openly declaring his relationship with Him.

Also in John 7:50-51, when the Jewish council came against Jesus, Nicodemus took a stand in favor of Jesus, defending Him, which shows that Nicodemus really moved on. He has now publicly declared his acceptance and devotion to Jesus and I believe he was born again. But at that moment, he came in the night.

"Jesus answered and said to him, Truly, truly, I say to you, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3

We see that if you are not born-again you will not even see the gates of Heaven. You can not have a relationship with God. Jesus spoke of being born from above, but Nicodemus thought he meant natural birth. Jesus therefore said to him,

"Jesus answered, Truly, truly, I say to you, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." John 3:5

I should make some remarks here:

The transformation takes place inside us. Many believe that if they are good people they can have a relationship with God. But they do not understand that you must first change within yourself. You have to be reborn, you become a new person:

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2Cor. 5:17

Christianity is not just a belief system. It is a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ that changes you internally. It transforms you, you become a different person. Many Christians today see themselves as an old sinner and believe that they will change when they go to heaven. Yes, there will be a change then because our corruptible body will become incorruptible:

"In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." 1Cor. 15:52-53

My soul and body will become incorruptible, but in my spirit this change has already taken place.

The Christian life is not about trying to change and become better but about making Jesus my Savior. I will change externally because of the change inside me. If you were into drugs, alcohol, gambling,  whether you were a thief or a liar, you will change. This change is the by-product of being born-again. And it works like this: You come to Jesus as you are, you get spiritually born again, and as you renew your mind (Rom. 12:2) this change begins to affect the way you act, the way you speak, the way you dress. These are the "by-products" of salvation! A truly born-again Christian is one who has changed internally.

We become like Jesus (in spirit) when we are born from above:

"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." 1John 4:17

"And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father." Gal. 4:6

"But you 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." Rom. 8:9

The Bible is not simply talking about having access to God. It literally speaks of the Spirit of God living within you.

It all has to do with relationship. If all you have is a theology but you have never had a personal relationship with God, then you must be born-again. Due to the fact that you can not see your spirit in the mirror, many people rely only on what they can see and feel, which is why they believe that there is no change. The only way we can have a relationship with God is spirit to spirit:

"God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." John 4:24

• 

Your actions, your thoughts and your feelings will never be perfect. You are not perfect in the flesh. But you are perfect in the spirit:

"To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect," Hebrew 12:23

If you realize who you are in spirit and worship God in the spirit, you can have a dynamic relationship with Him in the here and now. You can experience His love, His joy and peace, His power and anointing. You can hear His voice not only with your physical ears but also with your spirit.

There are times when you will see His physical manifestations, but you can not base your relationship with Him or try to experience Him only in the physical, because God is a spirit (John 4:24).

You need to understand that God is related to you based on who you are in spirit:

"For by one offering he has perfected for ever them that are sanctified." Hebrew 10:14

This does not mean that it gives you the freedom to go and live in sin, because

"Know you not, that to whom you yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are to whom you obey; whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness?" Rom. 6:16

If you succumb to sin, then you allow the devil to gain access to your life and this has devastating consequences:

"The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:10

If you fall into the trap of the devil, you must go back and repent, not in order to be forgiven and restore your relationship with God (this happened 2000 years ago), but in order to close the door to the devil and keep him out from your life.

If you have truly been born-again you may continue to fall into sin, but you do not lose your relationship with God because this relationship is not based on your perormance, but on who you are in the spirit. This is really good news! This is the gospel!

Amen.

Women 2gether With Jesus - "ONE with JESUS"

24th of May

ONE with JESUS

Isaiah 49:14-16
14 But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.”

15 “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the child of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.
16 Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.

 

WELCOME to the
"Women 2gether with Jesus"

Note the day and DO YOUR BEST TO COME and bring a friend to experience the Goodness of God.
Come, and let God change your life! 

It's an english-norwegian meeting, and a place for all women, all ages, all denominations.
Don't miss it!

Address: Meiergata 24 Bryne 4347 (Zion)

Time:      19.00

Preecher: Peggy Spyrou Simonis                        

FIND US :

"Women 2gether with Jesus ♥" on Facebook :

 https://www.facebook.com/groups/Womens.ministry.no/

"2gether with Jesus" our page on Fb:

www.facebook.com/TogetherWithJesus

"2gether with Jesus" our blog:
http://2getherwithjesus.blogspot.no/

REVIVAL OF AN ANCIENT DEITY to Eurovision...?

REVIVAL OF AN ANCIENT DEITY...?

By Peggy Spyrou Simonis                                                                                                                            

Genesis 1:27 And God created man in His own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female He created them .


*** S.H.A.M.E *** is the first thought that came to my mind when I watched this year's Eurovision and especially this morally " hermaphrodite" monstrosity (not organic but by his own will) which so many foolish or very informed voted him....!
This particular who is married to another man, he is not transsexual (man get surgery to become a woman), but as he declares he is a drag queen ie man dressed female .

Whatever it is this person who has confused a lot of people with his immoral appearance, what is it that he really stands for?

The title of the song should make us think : "Rise like a phoenix" .

Is this about a DEITY of mythology and its revival in our time?
A DOUBLE nature deity worshiped by various ancient peoples, with different names but the same perverse status : Man with beard and female appearance.

That is exactly the opposite of the verses above! An insult and a patchwork for God's Creation .

Here's what Wikipedia says : (from the greek page)

"The Hermaphrodite is the myth of a creature of a **divine dual nature**, the Greeks copied this from the Middle East. Known was the dual deity Astarte-Adonis in Phoenician and Myllita-Sandonas the Babylonians. In ancient Cyprus , alongside the cult of Aphrodite had the cult of Aphroditos, who was representated by beard , phallus (penis) and female clothing . [2] in Greece, too often Hermaphroditus shown among companions of Dionysus ." (Dionysus represents the transformation and cunning as an eternal teenager) .

Is this the today's model ? Or the tomorrow's example?

I do not comment on the status of this person, and how many other people in the world who are like him, and i do not refer to the personal desires of  the homosexuals.... I refer to the nature behind this particular person. 

The devil has managed to destroy the creature of God which is the mankind, and managed to make monstrosities that neither males nor females are, and now they are acceptable to the society....
We live the Sodom and Gomorrah only the scale is most larger.... it's hapening to all over the planet!
When will WE wake up? WE are those who carry the name of JESUS CHRIST, the LORD OF HOSTS, and when will WE behave as true ambassadors of the Heavenly Kingdom? Unfortunatelly WE have become the Christians of the sofa....

WE need to be a good example so others to follow us! And instead of us becoming the example, perversely and immoral people take this place .
If we were standing in the place of true faith, we would have helped a lot of people who are victims of delusion and perversion and the evil will not be so much extended .
May all of us to wake up!

The lyrics of the song speak for themselves for the evil and shame that has revived nowadays worldwide.
Reading them is like to hear Lucifer, ie the Devil, when he was casted down to Hades and was stripped of his position as cherubs ie high office of an angel in Heaven . The comments are yours...

Rise Like a Phoenix

Waking in a rubble
Walking over glass
Neighbours say we’re trouble
Well, that time has passed

Peering from the mirror
No, that isn’t me
A stranger getting nearer

Who can this person be

You wouldn’t know me at all today
From the fading light I fly

Rise like a phoenix
Out of the ashes
Seeking rather than vengeance
Retribution
You were warned

Once I'm transformed
Once I’m reborn
You know I will rise like a phoenix
But you're my flame

Go about your business
Act as if you’re free
No one could have witnessed
What you did to me

Cause you wouldn’t know me today
And you have got to see
To believe
From the fading light I fly

Rise like a phoenix
Out of the ashes
Seeking rather than vengeance
Retribution
You were warned
Once I'm transformed
Once I’m reborn

I rise up to the sky
You threw me down but
I'm gonna fly

And rise like a phoenix
Out of the ashes
Seeking rather than vengeance
Retribution
You were warned
Once I'm transformed
Once I’m reborn
You know I will rise like a phoenix
But you’re my flame

Conchita Wurst: Is the body of Christ still able to discern sin and contemn it?

 Conchita Wurst: Is the body of Christ still able to discern sin and contemn it?

BY Argie Simonis     

What concerns me more is not whether this person is a transexual, "drag", cross dresser, gay, bysexual, hermaphrodite or whatever  other modern terminology defines it. What really worries me is that a totaly satanic representation got publicly accepted and on top of that it was rewarded with the first prize! The situation is really worrying and I consider unacceptable for us who carry the name of Christ to not contemn such obscenities:

"For this cause God gave them up to vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 

And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet." (Romans 1:26-27)

The original greek Bible text uses a much harder word than "unseemly" used here!

Τhe Lord loves people and hates sin and urges us to overcome evil with good, but according to 1Timothy 4:2 for people  "having their conscience seared with a hot iron" (because this is what this is all about), look how He dealt with similar incidents:

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you are like to white washed sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness." (Matthew 23:27)

"You serpents, you generation of vipers, how can you escape the damnation of hell?" (Matthew 23:33)

Of course I agree that we should love people regardles of their fault or sin, but with the love of the Lord; not according to the world standards. Let us not forget that love rejoices in the truth (1Corinthians 13:6).

If we really want to show love, especially to those people, we have to speak to them in wisdom, patience and in truth regardless if they get offended, considering this as "racism" or an insult. Under no circumstance however will I remain passive or neutral (=in agreement) in such events!

Eternal life

Eternal life

BY Argie Simonis     

As I already mentioned, my previous post was a prologue of some foundational biblical truths I am going to deal with such as eternal life, being born again, the baptism of the Holy Spirit and operating in the gifts of the Holy Spirit and especially the gift of speaking in tongues. I will do this in seperate segments, dealing with one issue at a time. Before I go further, I want to challenge you with a question. What would you say to a non christian to persuade him receive Jesus as Lord according to Romans 10:9 and get saved if you just had one and only chance to speak to him? Well, this surely challenged me to think and pray  and this is were I ended up:

If I had only one chance, I would speak to him about eternal life! 

First of all I would like to put some light in a misconception concerning eternal life. Many people, (christians included) believe that eternity is a future experience, something that will come to pass after we die. Is it so? Let's leave the Word of God enlighten us:

"And this is life eternal, that they might know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent." (John 17:3)

The word "know" ("epignosis" in greek) mentioned here is the same word used in Genesis 4:1 when Adam "knew" Eve and she conceived and bore Cain. It is more than just a mental acknowledgment ("gnosis") of someone. It has to do with knowing someone intimately, having a deep, unconditional, loving, personal  relationship with him. 

Now, let's apply this definition instead of the words "eternal life" in John 3:16, one of the most popular and powerful verses of the Bible which I am sure you all know very well:

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have a deep, intimate, unconditional, loving, personal relationship with Him and Jesus Christ who He has sent.  (John 3:16)

I hope you got my point! Don't you see this now from a different perspective ? 

You have to understand that whether you like it or not, we all are going to live for ever. We will either spend the rest of our eternity with the Lord (1Thessalonians 4:16-17), or apart from Him in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10, 15). 

How do you want to spend your eternity?

Let's read from Mark 10:17-22. We see the young rich ruler coming to Jesus and asking Him a question:

"And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" (Mark 10:17)

That's the wrong question! Many people believe that they have to be worthy and that they have to earn God's favour. If you are considering yourself to be a good person, better than the average, that doesn't make God to accept you. 

In Luke 18:9-14 in the parable of a Pharisee and publican we see that the publican didn't ask for justice; he asked for mercy and he left justified. 

In Romans 3:23 we read: "For ALL have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." 

and in Ephesians 2:3 we read: "... and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others."

What I am trying to point out is that if we got what we deserved, we should all go straight to hell!

So when the young rich ruler asked this question, Jesus pointed him to the Law. The Law was not given to produce salvation or relationship with God. It was given to take away the self-rightousness and the thought that I must do something to earn God's favour. 

Then he goes on saying: "And he answered and said to him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth." (Mark 10:20)

That man was deceived! Nobody has ever kept all of the commandments from their youth. Only Jesus has lived a sinless life, "who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth" (1Peter 2:22)

We may have done good things, but nobody ever kept the Law perfectly. God's standards are so high that It was impossible! And in the New Testament, Jesus added even more to that. In Matthew 5:21-22 and 27-28, we read that even if you hate someone in your heart you are guilty of murder and even if you lust after a woman you have commited adultery. 

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23)

You either need to trust Jesus for your salvation or to trust that God owes to you salvation because you are good enough. 

In Mark 10:17 the young rich ruler says "good master" and in verse 20 he says just "master" without the "good." He was willing to elevate Jesus above an average person, that Jesus was someone special, that Jesus had a special relationship with God, but refused to accept Him as Lord and God. 

Do you know why? Here is the answer: "... for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue." (John 9:22).

This man was afraid that if he recognized Jesus as God he would be excommunicated from the synagogue and no longer be called a Jew. He might loose his identity and his nationality. It was a severe punishment. That rich man was not willing to make Jesus Lord. (Romans 10:9)

That's why Jesus challenged him: "Why call you me good? there is none good but one, that is, God." (Mark 10:18). 

In other words He told him that he either had to quit calling Him good or call Him God!

Later on we read: "Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said to him, One thing you lack: go your way, sell whatever you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me." (Mark 10:21)

Jesus has never demanded this from anybody else. In Luke 19:2-10, we see that Zacchaeus was a rich man and yet Jesus didn't tell him to sell anything. God is not against prosperity, but this guy was trusting in his prosperity. Wealth gives people prestige and high status. They believe that their money gives them an advantage over other people. He said that he kept all of God's commandments, but in Exodus 20:3 we read: "You shall have no other gods before me." He trusted in his wealth and his position, but covetousness is idolatry (Colossians 3:5)

God is not against you having money, but He doesn't want money to have you!

He wants us to prosper, spiritually and physically and it is a promise for those who follow Him (Mark 10:29-30).

Jesus asked this because He loved him, but finally this young man "went away grieved" without receiving Jesus. He was not willing to make Jesus Lord according to Romans 10:9: 

"If you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved."

That's more than words. This is saying that Jesus is God. "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." (Matthew 6:24)

Here are some highlights of what I have said so far:

• Jesus is allmighty: "For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given: and the government shall be on His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)
• He came into form as a physical man: "
  And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached to the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." 
  (1Timothy 3:16)  
• He died for our sins and paid for our sins: "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;  And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 
   (Colossians 2:14-15)  
• He is the only way to the Father: "Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me. (John 14:6). 

Unless you make Him Lord like that and trust Him completely for what He did for you, you can not be saved. Going to church, giving your tithes, trying to be good and "joining the club" will not get you to Heaven. It is just not enough. Many people claim to be christians but they get tormented because they don't really know if after dying they will be with the Lord or not. They have no assurance of their salvation. They put their faith in themselves and they are not sure if they have done enough. 

I am telling you, you have never done enough and you will never do enough! 

You can not earn your salvation. You have to receive it as a gift (Romans 6:23). And you have to come to Jesus as God and put your faith in Him and what He did for you and not what you do for Him! 

Every relegion puts the burden of your salvation up to your performance. They will aknowledge that there is some form of God (Allah, Buddha, Hare krisna, Hare Lam, somebody. They will aknowledge some supreme power but then they will say that you basically have to earn this. You either have to have a jihad and kill the infidels, you have to do this, you have to get a saffron robe, take an oath of poverty, deny yourself, you have to do all these rituals, go to confession etc.
They put the burden of salvation on you, so in a sense you are becoming the savior of yourself.

Only in Christianity God Himself saved mankind by making a sacrifice for our sins. He put His own Son to death and punished Him for what we deserve. Only in Christianity you will find a savior! 

Let me put it this way: Imagine yourself standing before God and He says: " what makes you worthy to enter Heaven?"

If you start pointing at all these things that you did or did not do, if you point to yourself as justification for why you deserve to be into Heaven, then you haven't trusted Jesus! You have to put your trust in Jesus and unless you do that you can't have a relationship with God. There is no other way unto God except through putting faith in Jesus as your Lord and savior. Amen!

I hope you were blessed by reading this. It is good to know these things to be able to defend your faith. On my next post I will be dealing with the being born again or "born from the above" experience. Keep up with this teaching and I am sure it will expand your understanding in foundational principles of faith. 

God bless you!