Bought and Sold

David L Lamon | December 3, 2009

12/3/2009

Bought and Sold

David L Lamon

As I was studying the history of the kings and what they did as laid out in Daniel the eleventh chapter reading about the power struggles taking place with these peoples, I couldn’t help but take a pause to thank God for being able to know the truth about him being the one and only true God. I re-hashed what it means when the Lord said the first will be last the last first and in general how he looks at those in power. Luke 22:26 but ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. We see that today in American politics where one party wants to be in power to rule over the other and the truth be known as it currently stands there isn’t ten cents worth of difference in the two, well maybe twenty cents now. Both have forsaken what really counts, which is the righting the moral ship in this country. Neither can see the benefit to the country of getting our moral house in order and don’t realize this is what has us where we are. God help us to get people in positions of power that understand this. It probably shouldn’t but still does amaze me at how studying this subject has piloted my ship to writing this article but it has. I know you could query many other kingdoms to this type of study but it still serves as a reminder of what a blessed people we are to live in a country that provided us the freedom to study and know these things and have the benefit of other’s experience. I know to some this sounds elementary or simple-minded maybe but for me what I see especially in the time we live is the value of the benefit of being filled with the baptism of the Holy Ghost and the word of God in the life of human beings. Sometimes I wish a had a magic wand and could cast a spell on people at least long enough for them to see the benefits of living for God in the spirit and then maybe they would give heed to what is written therein. I know one could engage in endless debate about the times when people did obedience to God and still things went bad for them at times as compared to those that never gave heed to God’s teachings but overall those that sought after and followed God’s plan for man came out ahead of all the rest. One thing I have noticed repeatedly about those people in the bible that was consistent is once they knew the only true wise God and Savior nothing could permanently sway them from their love of God and his ways. Studying the word of God opens our understanding to such things as John 16:33 these things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. For me personally understanding this has made it much better because it answers over 90% of the questions that arise from the one word “why” and as the examples of the early church people point out how they maintained their focus on what really counts. I think it is safe to say this same attitude the early church had we all must have. Philippians 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ. If people would consider the purpose God intended in establishing a personal relationship with each of us so he could lead and guide we human beings as to how to live a successful life and not for his own benefit because after all he is already God but because he loves us that much. But having said that, in all honesty I can sort of see why in Old Testament times the reason for problems with the individuals because only priest were allowed into the holy of holies but in our day and time with the promise being fulfilled in us as it concerns having the ability to have that priestly experience but even more than they, the spirit of God live within our very being it is difficult for me justify all the confusion and difficulty people experience today. I am talking about overall because I am aware of the struggles between the flesh and the spirit but unlike them we today have been given an out if you will because of the precious shed blood of Jesus and how because of this we can more easily be brought back to the fold when we error or stray. In our time Jesus paid it all; Hebrews 7:27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. Because of the ability of us being filled with the Holy Ghost it has enabled us to be referred to as; Revelation 1:6 and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Think about that and let it soak in. Do you realize what this means? He has given us a power the angels and prophets of old could only enquire about. He went even further by telling us after all he had already done all those miracles that couldn’t be contained in the bible “greater things than these shall ye do” or something to that effect. That same indwelling of the spirit of God never forsakes or leaves one once they have been filled with the baptism of the Holy Ghost and I am a testament to that fact. Of course this doesn’t mean one can leave God and forsake his righteousness and end up being saved because he does say he that endures to end will be saved but it does mean because of his mercy and longsuffering he will repeatedly attempt to bring one back into the fold. (See letters to churches in Revelation) This is the difference as I understand it between then and now as concerning not having the indwelling of the spirit of God and having it reside within us. As a matter of fact, because he made it available at a great price to be more specific; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 what know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new. Romans 8:9 but ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

I realize there are still many people that don’t realize this great benefit of having Christ in you the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27) and when I see men/women attempting to downplay the significance of this experience or put another way God’s ultimate offer to have a personal relationship with men/women it saddens me deeply. To be in the presence of an awesome God is such a wonderful thing and makes it easier to understand what the apostles gave to us through the word about; Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content and how their focus was always looking toward the eternal as if nothing done in the natural mattered when compared to the eternal state of being. They understood, James 4:14 whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away and 2 Corinthians 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. To them it appears to me all was vanity when it comes to things of this world. Only temporary if you will, here today gone tomorrow; just passing through this life seems to be the attitude of these early church people. As they grew in grace and knowledge of God they saw the world in a different way. Once they gave their lives to Jesus they realized the truth of the matter even among their families and friends; John 15:19 if ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you; therefore, they learned and fully understood as no other could; 1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. Paul manifest this attitude by saying Philippians 1:23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better. Philippians 1:21 for to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Falling Away

I also realize as it is recorded many of those that have been filled with the spirit of God will depart and 1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils. It is for this reason I encourage those that have been filled with God’s spirit to never let down on your being honest with yourself and combine that with a sincere, fervent prayer life and never cease or avoid Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. I must say I do understand we Romans 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God but standing by and encouraging one another is vital to getting to that place where we will stand alone before God. It is by understanding we all will have trials and tribulations passing through this life it is imperative that we stand ready to as is our duty to the righteousness of God; Luke 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. 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. 1 Corinthians 9:22 to the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. So you can see from these scriptures we have an obligation to each other or put another way “we are our brother’s keeper”. Leave off this excuse of “too many hypocrites” or any other thing that comes to mind that would encourage leaving the church. And as important, do not rely entirely on TV preachers. They don’t know you and are far away from you and although you can benefit from their teaching in many instances you will still be in defiance of the word of God according the Hebrews 10:25 above. Spiritually and Physically speaking, whose going to preach your funeral, who is going to visit you when you are sick and who is going to be there for you in a time of trouble? No man is an island in and of him/herself!

The Great Challenge

The thing that I see with a lot of people and at one time even myself is we are so busy dealing with the challenges of life to include everything or put another way Luke 21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares and it results in our losing our eternal focus. I think this makes sense. Matthew 16:26 for what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? I reckon one could make the case that one of the snares of having freedom is the temptations presented us for obtaining success in the natural and that in and of itself is not bad if one doesn’t lose sight of the most important thing and that is his/her eternal destination by not striking a balance in their life. Galatians 5:13 for, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 1 Corinthians 8:9-12 but take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.

Those Crept in Unaware

There can be no denying 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. These are people that do not know God through the power of his loving spirit therefore they don’t know about the benefits of sincere fervent prayer and being led in the scripture by a powerful and loving spirit that God has placed within the spirit-filled child of God. Unfortunately, many of these have grown up following after the tradition of their fathers from generation to generation and I am not saying all these people are necessarily bad people but certainly mislead but I am saying of these in power of position in religion they; Mark 7:13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye and the apostle did warn us; Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

These appeal through the lust of the flesh because that is what they understand and have been taught because of not having the indwelling of the spirit of God to lead and guide into all truth. Do they speak truths? Certainly they do and this is wherein the tragedy lies. They have enough truth that many will follow after them and put their faith and for that matter their eternal salvation into their hands but I can guarantee you when the chips start falling they will not be there for you because they are in the same boat as their followers. These are described in this manner; Matthew 15:14 let them alone: they are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. In America today the churches are facing a time of testing unequaled in the history of this great nation and under assault. I ask you to observe how many of these leaders are taking charge of the situation and getting outside the safe confines of their buildings and challenging those that rule over them concerning the truths of the bible and how it relates to what the founding fathers of our nation gave us. How many are stepping up the plate or standing in the gap and making up the hedge of protection for what God gave us, which is our freedom? While it is true we are to be obedient to those over us this does not apply when it involves compromising the word of truth as laid out in the word of God. Quite the contrary we are admonished to 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. I have included examples below. If one is an astute observer of the word of God and the constitution he/she will see there can be no doubt this document (constitution) could not have come about and stood the test of time without God’s divine help. Our problem is we have followed the familiar pattern of other such generations and turned a blind eye away from these truths and it has caught up with us. We have to face the truth of the matter, which is 1 Corinthians 4:15 for though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers prepared for this hour in which we live or so it appears because as of yet none has surfaced to lead the charge against this adulterous and rebellious generation. The question is what do we do now that we realize this? We must have men of God willing to lead the way back out of bondage and that means we must have new fathers or those that have been filled with the spirit of God, completely sold out to his righteousness and willing to pay whatever price is required to step up to the plate. Do we have any Isaiahs willing to say “here am I Lord” send me or is it probable many of us must have a hot coal placed upon us for cleansing from our part in this untoward generation and be restored to his righteousness. We must have men/women that have been prepared of God for this time and mission in our day. I think you would agree at this time we do not have very many; therefore, when heavy persecution starts with what we currently have, can you trust them to stand pat and defend the gospel? Remember they haven’t ever experienced this either not that I am relinquishing them of their responsibilities but it is a fact. Try and envision yourself as it was brought to me many years ago through a vision, yourself standing with many of your brethren on one side of a line drawn in the sand and on the other those that would attempt to force you to deny the only true God and Savior Jesus Christ. Surely you feel strength in numbers but what if everyone crossed that line leaving you alone to stand for the righteousness of God? What would you do? Do we have biblical examples of what the early church leaders did and even alone when they were challenged or when they challenged others? Yes we do! Did not Jesus himself take a whip into the temple where the political and religious establishment were desecrating the righteousness of God and beat them to a pulp and run them out? Doesn’t the scripture teach us the apostle Paul confronted the political and religious establishment and isn’t it recorded in scripture there was no small dispute even to the point of them being accused of turning the world upside down with their teaching from the word of God and beaten and left for dead? Isn’t it recorded the persecution of the early Christians had them watch their children be thrown to lions and children watch their parents be sewn up in bags and burned at the stake and yet they stood pat realizing the great prize that awaited them that would last an eternity? (See Foxes Book of Martyrs) This is what it means when describing faith in the things they could not see rather than what they could see. The main difference lies in knowing God through the power of his loving spirit. These people defined for us what belief and faith were all about through their experience with God in the spirit. The word (belief) is synonymous with faith, credit, and credence, all of which fall short of concrete evidence. All are based on acceptance of a given statement or thing without the benefit of providing substantive proof or fact. Faith implies certitude (state of feeling certain) and full trust and confidence in the source whether there be objective evidence or not. The bible is considered a confident source. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. |Hebrews 11:1| Credence implies intellectual acceptance but conveys nothing about the validity of the grounds for acceptance. Example: One can give credence to rumors but it doesn’t establish fact. Education is good but not when it makes one too smart to believe the simple things of God. Credit implies acceptance of grounds short of proof and especially on the past reputation of the source. Example: For the astute student of learning what credit can be attached to an anonymous report?

This is where most of American Christendom lives today, confessing belief on a God they don’t really know. Most only know of him, whether it’s because grandpa, grandma, momma, or dad or some other respected influence in their life told them it was so but this is a subject for another day. Consider this, you can believe on him, in him, around him, about him, but the only way to get into him (Christ)| Galatians 3:27| |Romans 6:4| is through water and Spirit baptism |John 3:5| which constitutes the one baptism spoken of in |Ephesians 4:5|. If interested ask for my article What Does It Mean to Believe and I will send it to you. These are examples of what is demanded by our spiritual leadership in the time we live and if you are in a church that doesn’t stand in this manner get out now and find one where the man of God is totally sold out to the righteousness of God and willing to lay down his life if necessary. In America we have never been faced with this but no more and I believe anyone that is paying attention will recognize this for what it is a stripping away of our religious freedoms, hence the recent passage of the “hate crimes bill” into law. The scripture tells us we can recognize these weaklings or hirelings by their fruit. Matthew 12:33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. And those today that would deny the existence of the indwelling of the spirit of God are false Christ. The same gospel the bible of record has not changed and the gifts of the spirit have not gone away contrary to what some teach. They are still prevalent in the church and being used for the edification of the ministry of the gospel of Christ. The apostle warns us; 2 Corinthians 11:4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. Galatians 1:8 but though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. Matthew 12:32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. The true man of God will practice what he preaches and/or lead by example. The apostle explained it in this manner; 1 Corinthians 9:7 who goeth warfare any time at his own charges? Who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? 1 Corinthians 9:10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.

False Teachers Continued…

2 Peter 2:17-18 these are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. Sometimes it is necessary to shake ourselves or stir up the spirit within us to see that we are rightly dividing the word of God or making our calling and election sure. As you know there are many churches today giving over to the demands of society or wickedness in high places by allowing things God referred to as abominations enter into the church such as Jude 1:7-11 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. Woe unto them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. Jude 1:12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; John 10:12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. This type of leadership is further described; 1 Timothy 6:5 perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. Their main attitudinal focus is James 4:13 Go to now, ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Isaiah 56:10-12 His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and tomorrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant. Many of these TV preachers spend a good portion of their time on air pleading for money and saying we must have it to stay on TV and at the same time have mansions scattered all over the landscape, have several Cadillac’s or Mercedes Benz at their disposal. I am not saying it is wrong to be blessed materially but ________ you fill in the blank.

Admonition

Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Matthew 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

Thoughts to Grow On

Psalms 109:8 let his days be few; and let another take his office.

Teddy Roosevelt said “Patriotism means to stand
by the country; it does not mean to stand
by the president or any other public official
save exactly to the degree in which he himself
stands by the country. It is patriotic to support
him insofar as he efficiently serves the country.
It is unpatriotic not to oppose him to the exact
extent that by inefficiency or otherwise he fails
in his duty to stand by the country.”

U. S. Supreme Court Justice Robert Houghwout Jackson
put it simply: “It is not the function of our government
to keep the citizen from falling into error;
it is the function of the citizen to keep the
government from falling into error.”

George Washington
“Do not let anyone claim to be a true American if they ever attempt to remove religion from politics.”

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