Thoughts about constant prayer

The fifth proof for real and true faith is constant prayer.

According to wiki dictionary means constant: continuously, persistently, persevering, changeless! (http://de.wiktionary.org/wiki/beständig)

Constant prayer means for us, that we are to have persistently and persevering communion with God. In a time as today, where everything should go so fast, is this a very big challenge. But real faith also makes this possible, as Jesus Christ in Luke 18, 1 explains: "Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up."

The Holy Spirit helps true believers, to pray persevering. This prayer takes place in the spirit, therefore nobody needs to pray persistently and audible. The Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 6,18: "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."

Anyone who has true faith, has recognized that we must have no worries about anything, because the will of God always happens. Believe means also, the words of God to believe and the certainty to have in your heart, that God complies his promises. So you have the mind freely and be able constantly pray in the spirit for God.

Also, remember the worries and stress are of this world. True believers but are not of this world. So Paul writes in 1 Timothy 2, 1 - 4: "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—  for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."

Examine yourself now, pray you already constantly, or are you still prisoner of the worries and needs of this world! To be in worry always means, to give too little or no faith in the words of God. Please God, he should let you grow in faith and always stay in His Word. Jesus Christ himself explains, how futile it is to be in worry, if you cannot even such a simple thing to be able to count as his own hair on the head.

In our modern world with all the luxury goods, which are extolled also through advertising, it is very hard to believe the words of God. Most people do not even know how useless these things are and that you none of these things needs to live. Just think, that all this luxury is only required, so that the world loves you.

Yet listen, to the words of the Apostle James, which he in James 5, 16 - 18 wrote: "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.  Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.  Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops."

Stay in the Word of God and you will realize that the New Testament removes nothing from the Old Testament, and vice versa. If you read the Bible, do not use any interpretations of the Pharisees (Priest) and scribes (theologians), because these are only thoughts from people, are brought to paper. Jesus Christ also warned us about them.

Now check everything you hear and read, with the word of God in the Bible and retain the truth! May the Lord bless and keep you. Shalom

As at Thy word the universe arose, so you were the king appointed. And when the world disintegrates, then Thou rules alone in splendour. You were and are since eternity and you will be in glory. You united - The only without second, nobody can standing on your sides. Without end and beginning in time, yours is the power, the glory. You are the lives eternally, my God, my salvation. In danger and distress you're my strength, my saviour! You are my refuge, my banner, my shield, my helper, call I to You. In your hand I always put my soul, whether I'm sleep or awake. And I trust you my body.  I am not afraid, God is with me! Blessed are You Lord our God, Master of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us, that we focus us to the words of the doctrine of God (Torah). Amen

Thoughts about honourable devotion to God

The fourth proof of genuine and true faith, I will treat today, is honourable devotion to God.

In Spiritual Wiki we can read: "Devotion to God means submission to the will of God. This devotion develops from the love to God. Devotion to God arises therefore from the spiritual intention to be in deep reverence and devotion, a servant of God and thereby acknowledge the reality.

The aspects that are associated with the devotional love, are resistance, loyalty and commitment. Devotion to God includes also courage, willingness and faith and the knowledge of material information.

The deep devotion to God requires integrity and sincerity towards himself, which makes it possible to dispense with the temporary emotional rewards of uncompromising stubborn egos and overcome them." (http://de.spiritualwiki.org/Hawkins/Hingabe)

This declaration like it very much, because she is very accurate and easy to understand. So really can see anyone, that it is very important, to surrender to the will of God. It is necessary to remain in the Word of God and reading the bible. To preach the true gospel courageous and gladly, without falsifying, only can those who has the knowledge of God's Word. Therefore one must fast and pray, reading the Bible and not give it up.

All this stems from this beautiful explanation. But this honourable devotion must apply for God; and not to any church or a religious branch. We recognize the honourable devotion to God, because we would like to keep his commandments and his statutes. Also the Feasts of our Lord and his holy Sabbath. In prayer we asking him to help us. But this did not for our honour to God, but rather as written in Psalm 115, 1: "Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness."

To live today this honourable devotion to God, it required a lot of courage, because the churches of this world are their power will give not without a fight back to God. Even the today selfishness of people cannot stand, to admit that they being mistaken. It has long been forgotten, what Jeremiah wrote in his book in 9, 23 - 24: "This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord."

Recognize the Will of God, then you can honour Him with devotion! But you can only recognize God, if you know his word and his will. But for this you need to read the Bible. If you do not understand something at once, ask God in prayer, may he give thee understanding. If a person wants to teach you, so check his word in the Bible and do not believe directly.

In Isaiah 48, 10 we read, that God himself said: "See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction." And in Psalm 105,3 we find the wonderful words: "Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice."

If you are from the heart looking for God, thou shalt find him also. For this you need no religions and no churches.

Honourable devotion to God means that you will align your life, to give glory to God and not to please some people. Stop it God to provoke twice. Once, you celebrate pagan festivals, not arranged by God (Christmas, Easter). Twice, you claim to do this for the glory of god. This is worse than idolatry. Due such an act, two sons of Aaron died in the fire.

As a God commanded that festivals should be celebrated, he specifically said "these are the Feasts of our Lord!"

So it is with the Sabbath. God did not rest on any day, but rather on the seventh day, and this is his Sabbath!

Jesus Christ has abolished neither the Feasts of our Lord, nor the Sabbath. He only condemned the many tasks, who had thereto the Pharisees and scribes to the commandment of God. Not the Sabbath, but human rituals was the vexation for Jesus.

How do you want honour God with devotion, if you already fail to comply, his holy Shabbat and its prescribed feasts of the Lord?

Test everything in the Bible and let yourself not astray guide by interpretations. Keep in mind, interpretations are opinions by people and not of God! Ask God for the Holy Spirit. Believe only the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ himself has promised, that the Spirit will only speak, what he tells him.

Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight. The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods. I will not pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips. Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Amen

(Psalm 16)

Thoughts about genuine humility

As a third proof of real and true faith, we have true humility.

But we should know what humility means, for without this knowledge we cannot recognize for ourselves, whether our humility is really! Thus we can find in Wikipedia following statement: "In the Christian context it referred the attitude of the creature to the Creator analogous to the relationship from slave to the Lord; more generally, the" virtue which can emerge from the awareness back to staying behind the aspired perfection (God, moral ideal, exalted idol)."

Humility plays a special role in Jewish and Christian thought. In the Old and New Testament humility is an essential characteristic of the true believer, the person who is right with God. The root of the used Hebrew word contains the meanings of "to bend" or "bow down". In the Old Testament Humility is the opposite from arrogance. (Proverbs 29, 23)."

(http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demut)

True humility is therefore the absolute submission, the bow before our Creator. Not because God is a tyrant, but because we love him so. This total dedication to God requires absolute obedience, which also means that we not only respect his commandments and laws, but these also comply without contradicting. Our Lord Jesus Christ, has pre show us, exactly this Humility prior God.

In our time, where preached, self-realization and do yourself good, the most people refuses vehemently against this humility. Today many people are of the opinion to be a Christian, but that they have to humble themselves, they do not want to hear. The proclamation of a soggy-gospel and the misguided teaching that the Old Testament is today no longer valid; are for this responsible. So are being many people deceived and about the redemption defrauded, which in turn indicates that the Pharisees and scribes are not extinct, today they have other designations. About that the apostle James writes in the New Testament in James 4, 6: "But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." And further to 4, 9 - 10: "Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."

Without genuine humility there will be no mercy, and many this will have to realize, when they will appear before the throne of the Lord. But then already it may be too late. You can read the Bible. The Bible is not secret doctrine. Anyone can understand what is written in the book of the Lord. So do not rely on teacher and self-proclaimed Bible teacher. The Word of God has eternal validity and Jesus Christ himself has declared that not even a dot or a comma is changed until the end of this world.

If you have recognized, that it is the will of God, to keep and hallow His commandments, His Sabbath, His laws and its festivals, then you should be do it. All this is proclaimed in his word, so it must be important for him! Anyone who has true and genuine faith, really loves God and humble themselves before him and want to fulfil his wishes and orders without question.

I wonder now, why we celebrate festivals since centuries, which has invented a Roman emperor, who claimed to be Christian? Why people since the same time think Sunday is the Lord's Day, however this day has been arranged by this Roman emperor? Not one of these Celebrations or Sunday is mentioned in the Bible!

Why people which read the Bible, do not think about such things? Are they so uninterested or so caught up in their churches, that they believe human words more than the word of God?

I personally noticed this contradiction immediately. Immediately after I became a believer and I had read first time the Bible. However, in the community in which I was at that time, nobody could give me a plausible and credible explanation. Yes, to this day no one was been able to explain me this contradiction. But a few weeks ago, when I was praying about it, I suddenly had a thought in my head, the did not want to disappear. He was: "Man is a creature of habit!"

Then I realized that yes this idolatry of Sunday, Christmas, Easter, ..., has been practiced for centuries, so that it was for the people to normalcy.

What people need today are courageous prophets, who proclaim the Word of God in truth and take up the fight against the powerful churches. Precisely such men, Jesus promised in Matthew 5, 12: "Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

Here as well, is: try yourself in all honesty at the Word of God. Let the Bible be your main textbook and you'll realize why this world also loves the Christians!

I wish you, that thou also humbly before God, grows in faith and joyful heart with the psalmist of Psalm 51:15 can shout: “O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.”

Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman, who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the Lord, who keeps his oath even when it hurts, who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken. Amen

(Psalm 15)

Thoughts about the repentance of sins

As a second proof for real and true faith we have the repentance of sins. What is true repentance?

In Wikipedia we found the following Definition about penance: "In Christianity, repentance leads on the realization of one's debt, to a righteous and new life, this includes the departure from the previous life.

The Hebrew term שוב schub, which is translated in the Septuagint metanoia, including the return to God not only in thought, but rather in the whole of existence, which the change of behaviour, especially the obedience to God, a new confidence in him includes as well, how to turn away from all evil and ungodly human passions and weaknesses. " (http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bu%C3%9Fe_%28Religion%29)

True repentance will shake a man in his innermost being. He will realize, how much he has God disappointed with his previous lifestyle. This leads to repentance for all that he has lived up to this time. Which will be connected with many tears. He is ashamed of his past deeds. Such a shattered man is suddenly kneel before God, and with tears in his eyes, the Lord enumerate all his offenses. At the end he will realize that it is absolutely necessary to obey God. The famous preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon has supposedly reading the Bible, only kneeling in a state of repentance.

The Apostle Paul wrote about repentance in 2 Corinthians 7.10: "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death."

A Purified in this manner, will turn away from sin. Yes he will hate sin, just as God hates sin.

But it is our Lord Jesus Christ, who made it possible for us to leave the sin, through his sacrifice on the cross. Without Jesus Christ there is no forgiveness of sins. So Paul wrote in Romans 7:14: "We know that the Thora is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin."

Who does not accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord, who has not the Holy Spirit! But only those who have the Holy Spirit, can be transformed by whose guidance according to the commandments and laws of God. Without the Holy Spirit, everyone is caught in sin and sin leads to death.

 Read the words of the Apostle John in 1 John 1: 8-10: "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives."

The Lord will cleanse us from wrongdoing! Not only from iniquity, but also that we no longer do it. We will knowingly do not iniquity do. The Holy Spirit will show us that it is wonderful to keep the commandments, including the Sabbath, and the feasts of the Lord. He will teach us how important God these festivals are and how they are connected with Jesus Christ.

Examine yourself again and be honest to yourself; how much do you hate the sin? How obedient you are God? Can you clear conscience agree with the psalmist in Psalm 32:5: "Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”— and you forgave the guilt of my sin."

But remember the very wise sentence from Proverbs 28:13: "He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy."

If your repentance is genuine, you cannot go wrong, because the Holy Spirit will guide you. Since I keep myself the Sabbath, the Holy Spirit is as present as never before in my life.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you. Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. Amen

(Psalm 51, 1 – 16)

Thoughts on the Love for God

In the second main part of my series I want my thoughts about the fruits or of the evidence of real true faith, familiarize themselves.

As a first proof of genuine and true faith is mentioned in many lessons the love to God. Therefore, today I will write down my thoughts about the love to God.

The love to God is, when it is not feigned, a sure proof of real and true faith. To ascertain that, you should examine yourself honestly and conscientiously. Would you respond to Jesus Christ as well as the young man in Luke 10, 27: "He answered, Thou shalt love Adonai your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself."

Above all, however this response, would really come from your heart? Is God in fact the most important thing in your life? Do you really love God more, than anything from the World, and more than your neighbour and more than yourself? Would you leave your earthly life for God?

Do you agree with the sons of Korah in the Psalm 42, 1-3, "As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God?"

Can you, without lying with Asaph Psalm 73, 25 sing: "Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire other than you."

If you can answer all these questions, with an honest yes, then you have a first proof that your faith is a true faith, and all the previously treated uncertain points are also applicable to you in a positive way.

Of course, then you've also subjected you to the commandments and the law of God, so that you, no longer dominated by your old nature. Remember that is what the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 8, 7: "For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law (Torah) —indeed it cannot,"

To your understanding, the Torah, these are the five books of Moses, so also the commandments and laws of God.

If you think now, that this is no longer be applied to you, because someone has taught you the mistaken belief that this is no longer true in the new covenant, then your love for God is not complete and therefore not real and you were not honest with you. Remember, the Apostle Paul are lived in the new covenant, as he preached the gospel of Jesus Christ. The new covenant was given to the Israelites. He had the content, that God would write his commandments and his laws in the hearts of the Israelites. Through Jesus Christ the Gentiles also have the opportunity, as we would say today, as an asylum seeker, to prove himself worthy to in Israel and in all twelve tribes indeed naturalized to be. You have to note that the tribe of Judah is only one tribe from God's people and only those people are Jews, but Jesus Christ is from the tribe of Judah.

I wish you that Jesus Christ will help you to recognize its truth, and the Holy Spirit will teaches you everything, so you can say to yourself quite rightly and without arrogance, I have a real and true faith!

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to the people of Israel and say to them: These are the appointed festivals of the Lord that you shall proclaim as holy convocations, my appointed festivals. Six days shall work be done; but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, a holy convocation; you shall do no work: it is a Sabbath to the Lord throughout your settlements. These are the appointed festivals of the Lord, the holy convocations, which you shall celebrate at the time appointed for them. In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, at twilight, there shall be a Passover offering to the Lord, and on the fifteenth day of the same month is the festival of unleavened bread to the Lord; seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall have a holy convocation; you shall not work at your occupations.....

(LEVITICUS 23,1-8)

Where are we going?

With this post I would like interrupt shortly my series of the signs who genuine faith neither prove nor disprove. This time I will tell what I have seen during my holiday in Majorca and why it made me very sad and thoughtful.

It's not, that me the vacation had not fallen. No I find this is a very beautiful island.  I also had repeated opportunities to read at the beach in my favourite book, the Bible. But it was God's will that I should consciously perceive something quite different.

Like many of my friends and readers know, it was a gift from God, that my wife and I were able to afford this vacation ever. But there was only enough for a two star hotel in El Areal. That in my opinion this hotel does not deserve this two star, does not matter here, because I am to God infinitely grateful that we this holiday have had abroad.

Of course, such a hotel just only visit from people, who are not doing so well financially. During my stay, there were some young families from Russia and many, many young people from Germany, Austria, Holland and England. With these young people aged around 16-23 years, now the Story begins, what wanted God, to make aware me.

To the first, I want to say that I like young people, since they are our future.  However, I have learned, in the eight days in Mallorca the favourite pastimes in holiday of young people and that it was what makes me sad, but also very thoughtful. For about 90% of young people from this hotel, the favourite pastimes in holiday was alcohol, party, sex, and Randal!

Every day the same routine: On seven o clock in the morning they went to bed. Against two o clock in the afternoon they went to the beach, only to drink from a bucket full of alcoholic beverages through a straw. Six o clock in the evening, ​​fast back to the hotel to shower and get out on the road, of course, again with plenty of alcohol in their luggage. Finally, against ten o clock in the evening quickly attracted the evening clothing and down to the next party.

I saw many girls under twenty years, clothed with t-shirts, printed with requests for sexual favours. Also I saw, Scuffles between young boys. Damaged cars - street lights - outdoor dining equipment - and hotel room doors. Every morning very much broken glass on the streets, and workers who worked from seven o clock in the morning, to remove this garbage from the streets. One morning I also saw that a drunk young girl (about 16 years old) was in the hotel lobby, to sleep off their intoxication with bared genitalia at sofa.

I think it's bad enough that this all did not bother anyone. On the contrary, there is even a line of business, of the young people on the beaches of Majorca, sell the various party’s at very high prices. Yes, with the price for such a party certainly could a family cover their livelihood for one week!

After God recognize me so aware gave all this things, I imagine me now a lot of questions!

Where moves humanity? Who has the young people learned these values? How these young people have been educated? Is it necessary to be shown in today's movies and media alcohol, drugs, sex and violence to the last detail and even glorified? Why do young girls make themselves to be sex objects? And many more.

I remember a time when I was a child and teenager, we had to obey our parents. If I disobeyed once, I was beaten of my parents, as their final consequence. Disobedience in school was punished with blows of teachers, as their final consequence. Today, however, it is so that parents and teachers which use corporal punishment, will be displayed for assault! It will totally forget that God Himself has commanded the corporal punishment for disobedience. I can still remember me very well on a religious education, in which a classmate of mine asked the teacher, whether his parents do not love him, because he was never punished. This episode therefore stuck in my memory because this fellow was involved in a heavy robbery with 21 years!

It seems to me that many people have simply forgotten that God also is a punishing God. The modern image of God has been so distorted, that no one more really fears God.

One of the results, of this not more be afraid of God, has made me aware our youth during my holiday in Majorca. God led the people of Sodom and Gomorrah severely punished. But I think these people would be shocked, about the favourite pastimes in holiday of today's youth. But our modern society accepted it and believes it is good.

I think that the time has come to rethink again the modern bringing up children.

The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young— let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance— for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. (Proverbs 1, 1-7)

My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. (Proverbs 3, 1-12)

Thinking about assurance of salvation

The sixth point of the signs who genuine faith neither prove nor disprove is the assurance of salvation.

But what is meant by the term assurance of salvation? In Wikipedia we find the following statement: "assurance of salvation will be viewed in Protestant Christianity as the certainty of the believer, acquitted in the judgment of God. But this can also be dependent from personal feelings." (http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heilsgewissheit)

Exactly this explanation also shows us why assurance of salvation genuine faith neither prove nor disprove. Something that is be dependent of feelings, seduced very quickly to the own deception. Many of today's popular teachings seduce the faithful much too fast to be sure to have salvation. But without real faith nobody will received the grace. Without grace you are not rescued, and without rescue assurance of salvation is not real. A very nice example about how deceptive it may be, to be quite certain of salvation gives us Jesus Christ in chapter 23 of Matthew's Gospel. He speaks to the people and to his disciples about the Pharisees and scribes. The Pharisees and scribes were sure, they have redemption. They had assurance of salvation. Yet Jesus said in verses 11-13 about them: "But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in."

Everyone can easily imagine how big the anger and the hatred from the scribes and the Pharisees against Jesus were. But Jesus Christ revealed mercilessly the false religious rites and the false worship practices, of the respected religious leaders.

Much of what Jesus says in Matthew 23 about the Pharisees and scribes, he would say today too many leaders of the Christian churches. With reliability the verses 5-10: "But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, and love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is you’re Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ."

Of course he would today not say phylacteries and tassels, but rather purple and gold on the clothes. Instead of synagogues he would speak from churches. Jesus would today not say Rabbi, but rather pastor, Dean, Cardinal, and the many other modern names. Even the Pope he would describe as a Pharisee. Instead of scribes today Jesus would speak from theologian or theology teachers.

These are then as now the people who believe, they have assurance of salvation. These people are also not afraid, the people who believe on their teachings, guaranteeing them the assurance of salvation. It is this what Jesus then says in verse 15: "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves."

Like that time the Pharisees and scribes their worldly, from humans conceived religious rites and orders of worship mingled with the word of God. Is why they were so hard rebuked by Jesus Christ. It is also even today, that the pure Gospel of Jesus Christ by the leaders of the Christian churches is mixed with self-conceived religious rites and arrangements for worship and even with pagan festivals and holidays. They feign to the faithful that this must be so, because Christians must have a different religion as the Jews.

First, only one strain of the twelve tribes of the people of God are from Judah and therefore Jews and secondly, God has given His commandments and laws for all people who believe in him. Especially to its celebrations, he said: "These are the feasts of the Lord ..."

I recommend everyone to study Matthew 23 precisely in order to explore how strong the warnings, who proclaimed Jesus Christ in these verses are.

Jesus told us clearly that many false prophets and false teachers will be in the last days. The last days Began in the time of the first coming of Jesus.

Each who has of the true faith, which also has the assurance of salvation. But the basic requirement is too life a life which is beautiful for God. For all who are saved by grace will lead a godly life with the aid of the Holy Spirit.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. Amen

(Psalm 46, 1 – 11)

Thinking about knowledge of sin

Knowledge of sin is the fifth point of the signs that genuine faith is neither prove nor disprove.

The knowledge of sin alone may actually not be used as evidence to prove or disprove genuine faith. To recognize the sin does not necessarily means that you regret this, do penance and leave sin. A nice example gives us the Apostle Luke in Acts 24, 25: "As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you."

Yes, there are people who through the Word of God  know their sin exactly, but they love this bad habit so much that they does not want to leave this sin. It is not so long ago, because such people were taken into church discipline. But today we live dangerous  if we just mention that there is the possibility of church discipline. The poor sinner who says, he wants to leave his sin,  but he can not make it, is cared for and comforted in many parishes,  while even if it was the Apostle Paul personally; everyone who speaks of church discipline and explains if you really and heartily do penance,   you leave also the sin. However any that have the true faith, is the Holy Spirit to the side and helps.

But everyone itself should think about that, and conduct research in the Word of God. It must be remembered that the will of God has eternal validity and you should also know, that a wrong decision leads to the loss of Eternity.

On this subject, the apostle Paul wrote in Romans 6, 16: "Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?"

The Bible tells us in many places that the sacrifice of Jesus Christ is not a carte blanche to remain in sin. If you confess him your sins, they repent from your heart and doing penitence in tears, he will be graciously to you. Or as Jesus himself often emphasizes: "Your sins are forgave, now go and sin no more!"

Remember also, if you have genuine faith, then you will hate sin as God hates sin.

O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. For your arrows have pierced me, and your hand has come down upon me. Because of your wrath there is no health in my body; my bones have no soundness because of my sin. My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear. My wounds fester and are loathsome because of my sinful folly. I am bowed down and brought very low; all day long I go about mourning. My back is filled with searing pain; there is no health in my body. I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart. All my longings lie open before you, O Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you. My heart pounds, my strength fails me; even the light has gone from my eyes. My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds; my neighbors stay far away. Those who seek my life set their traps, those who would harm me talk of my ruin; all day long they plot deception. I am like a deaf man, who cannot hear, like a mute, who cannot open his mouth; I have become like a man who does not hear, whose mouth can offer no reply. I wait for you, O Lord; you will answer, O Lord my God. For I said, “Do not let them gloat or exalt themselves over me when my foot slips.” For I am about to fall, and my pain is ever with me. I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin. Many are those who are my vigorous enemies; those who hate me without reason are numerous. Those who repay my good with evil slander me when I pursue what is good. O Lord, do not forsake me; be not far from me, O my God. Come quickly to help me, O Lord my Savior. Amen

(Psalm 38,1-22)

Think about intellectual knowledge

As announced in my last post I would write my thoughts on another sign, that can genuine faith neither prove nor disprove. Today it is the intellectual knowledge. At this point also applies, if there has someone the fruit (evidence) for real and true faith in itself, he has also intellectual knowledge.

But let's look first, what actually means intellect. Wikipedia provides once again a statement: "The intellect (from Latin intellectus" cognition "," insight "," mind ") is a philosophical concept. It refers to the ability to grasp something mentally, and the instance in humans, which is responsible for recognizing and thinking. "Intellect" is often used interchangeably with "mind", but also the meanings of "reason", "consciousness" or "spirit" can have. "

This means a person who Jesus Christ  professes does this in the knowledge that the testimony of Jesus Christ is true. And, that Jesus Christ itself is truth. His spirit and his mind have not doubt the truth of Jesus Christ.

So we see there is much more than just lip service. The assertion to believe in Jesus Christ is pronounced very fast, but as we see here is the assertion alone far too little. Your mind must believe that Jesus Christ lives, your Redeemer and the Son of God is.

A nice example give us the Apostle Paul in Romans 1, 21 - 22: "for though they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their senseless minds were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools;"

There are many people who claim to know God, but their thoughts speak something else. Slightly more pronounced it Paul says in Ephesians 4, 18: "They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of their ignorance and hardness of heart."

It is Ignorance what brings people in danger to eclipse his mind. Best combating this ignorance is when you learn the Bible from God. Only we ourselves should study the Word of God, because as we know Jesus Christ has warned us from the many false prophets and false teachers that are today in this world. Only if we know the Bible exactly, it is possible not to believe on their lies, and to increase in our intellectual knowledge about God and Jesus Christ.

Again: Check yourself and be honest. But look only onto you. Because it is only God the knows the thoughts and the mind of all people.

Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh. Stir up your might, and come to save us! Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved. O Lord God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers? You have fed them with the bread of tears, and given them tears to drink in full measure. You make us the scorna of our neighbors; our enemies laugh among themselves. Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved. You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it. You cleared the ground for it; it took deep root and filled the land. The mountains were covered with its shade, the mighty cedars with its branches; it sent out its branches to the sea, and its shoots to the River. Why then have you broken down its walls, so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit? The boar from the forest ravages it, and all that move in the field feed on it. Turn again, O God of hosts; look down from heaven, and see; have regard for this vine, the stock that your right hand planted. They have burned it with fire, they have cut it down; may they perish at the rebuke of your countenance. But let your hand be upon the one at your right hand, the one whom you made strong for yourself. Then we will never turn back from you; give us life, and we will call on your name. Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved. Amen

(Psalm 80,1-19)