Bible Study Wednesday:
This study will show from Isaiah that the LORD God is our Salvation, and not some other.
Salvation is and always has been by grace through faith alone, in the OT, just as in the New.
Isaiah 42: The works of Christ, the servant
1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. - Isaiah 42:1
All judgement has been given to the Son. John 5:22
2 He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. 3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. - Isaiah 42:2-3
Following the testimony of the Lord, the church should do likewise; bringing forth judgement unto truth.
Something the man made institution, the Roman Catholic Church, is well known not to do throughout history.
https://www.christianitytoday.com/1990/07/persecution-in-early-church-did-you-know/4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law. 5 Thus saith God the Lord, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: - Isaiah 42:4-5
God is He who gives breath and spirit.
Not some man made institution.
6 I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; 7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. - Isaiah 42:6-7
Jesus was given to the people for a covenant.
Not some man made institution.
And what Is the prison house, the darkness wherein we sit, but the lack of knowledge and sin that men hold as right in their own eyes?
Thus we are in need of the LORD, and his salvation, that he would give us his spirit and that we be renewed in our minds. Romans 12:2
8 I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. - Isaiah 42:8
The LORD does not give his glory to another.
Wherefore is the Roman Catholic Church an abomination, as they claim the glory of Christ Jesus for themselves in the embodiment of a man they call 'father', 'the Papal' position, 'the Pope', and their drafting of new graven images for their idolatry.
https://radio7.interamerica.org/uploaded_assets/83592In verse 11, we see the prophetic Word that illustrates believers in the LORD are on the Rock!
11 Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains. 12 Let them give glory unto the Lord, and declare his praise in the islands. - Isaiah 42:11-12
The inhabitants of the rock that sing, they are those who give glory unto the LORD.
As it is written;
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. - Hebrews 13:15
This leads into the judgement of God because of a froward people. A people who would not hear his warnings, just as the Catholics today do not hear God's Words.
20 Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not. 21 The Lord is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable. 22 But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore. - Isaiah 42:20-22
The people holed up in convents and church buildings for 'mass' and other indoctrinating lies are those in these prison houses. They are the prey that Satan steadily stalks.
Who then is to restore?
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2 Corinthians 5:18-21
So we see we are reconciled to God by Jesus Christ himself. And How? By faith in Christ Jesus. That through HIM we may be made righteous before God.
Not through some man made institution.
23 Who among you will give ear to this? who will hearken and hear for the time to come? 24 Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not the Lord, he against whom we have sinned? for they would not walk in his ways, neither were they obedient unto his law. - Isaiah 42:23-24
And just as the LORD gave up Israel and the disobedient of Jacob, so too has the LORD given up thee, who trust in idols and institutions of men.
25 Therefore he hath poured upon him the fury of his anger, and the strength of battle: and it hath set him on fire round about, yet he knew not; and it burned him, yet he laid it not to heart. - Isaiah 42:25
And remain ye blind to this day.
Even as the false church of Rome hires a faggot to draft more idols for their adherents, they like dumb sheep follow their wicked shepherd/slaughterer to ruin.
2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. 3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. 4 And in that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. - Isaiah 12:2-4
Make mention of His name, not the name of the Roman Catholic Church.
10 Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people. 11 Behold, the Lord hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. 12 And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the Lord: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken. - Isaiah 62:10-12
Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.
Not behold, thy salvation is in the Roman Catholic Church.
And now by special request:
James 2: Regard of Persons
My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; 3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: 4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? - James 2:1-4
As we start off James is speaking of how we are to show ourselves unto others and how others who show themselves unto us are not to be judged on appearance.
How we are not to be partial lest we fall into wickedness.
Thus it is wrong for us to exalt a man above that position men are to attain.
9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. 11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. - Matthew 23:9-11
The RCC blasphemes the Holy Word of God by teaching the commandments of men for the doctrine of God, calling a man, their 'Pope', Father.
5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? 6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? 7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? - James 2:5-7
This is routine for the ridiculously wealthy Roman Catholic Church. Their opulence overflowing. Their crowns chock full of precious jewels, Gold and Silver.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papal_tiara8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: 9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. 10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. - James 2:8-11
James clearly is telling us here that we are NOT under the OT law, but the Law of liberty in Christ Jesus, that is highlighted in verse 8, that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves.
Continuing, we are to love God with all of our heart:
36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. - Matthew 22:36-40
12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. - James 2:12-13
Mercy that the RCC does not have, as they declared all outside of the RCC as damned.
Now with the shifting sands, being carried about by every wind of doctrine, they are in ecumenism, blaspheming the Gospel once again, as the Papal figure declares there are MANY ways to God. Where the Word of God tells us otherwise.
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. - Matthew 7:13-14
Now on to the meat of the chapter:
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? - James 2:14
Can faith save who?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. - James 2:15-17
A brother or a sister.
If we have not works, our faith is dead,
being alone.
The teaching here is that we are NOT alone, and that our faith is to lead us
unto good works, that we may profit others.
This is teaching about discipleship, not salvation.
We must rightly divide the word of God.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. - 2 Timothy 2:15
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. - Romans 5:8-9
We are saved through him, justified by his blood.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. - Romans 5:10-11
Not by attending the man made institution of the Roman Catholic Church, but by Jesus Christ.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ have we received the atonement.
Not by attending the man made institution of the Roman Catholic Church.
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. - Romans 5:12-14
For all have sinned.
Not 'all besides Mary' as the man made institution of the Roman Catholic Church teaches.
15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) - Romans 5:15-17
ALL of the Word of God testifies that Salvation is a
Free Gift.
It is discipleship, service, that costs.
26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. - Luke 14:26-30
And,
8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: 9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; 10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. 11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; - Hebrew 9:8-11
Not of this building; just as Christ is not of the buildings of the RCC.
12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. 16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. - Hebrews 9:12-16
We are purged of our dead works to serve the living God. Not that it is of our own filthy rags, but that God worketh through us.
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. - Philipians 2:13
As it is written:
8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. 9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. 10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. 11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: - Romans 4:8-11
Faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
Back to James 2:
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. - James 2:18
"A man may say", you have faith and
I have works. Show
me your faith without your works, and
I will show you my faith
by my works.
This is talking about justification before the sight of men.
1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. - Romans 4:1-8
For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath wereof to glory;
but not before God.Before who then?
Before men.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? - James 2:19-20
Just as you may have a vehicle, if it does not work, it is 'dead'.
Does it being dead mean you do not have the vehicle?
No.
You still have the vehicle even if it is dead.
It's simply clear that it does not 'work'.
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? - James 2:21-22
Indeed, Abraham had shown to men how his faith lead him to do works, and thus in their sight is justified.
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. - James 2:23-24
This is the message of discipleship and service. That we are not justified in the sight of men by faith alone, but that by our works men do see that we are justified.
For who can see your faith, being of the spirit, but God?
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. - James 2:25-26
And here we have the culmination of the teaching; that just as faith without service and discipleship benefits not anyone else, so is/does the 'body without the spirit'.
Just like the Roman Catholic Church; where they are a body without the Spirit, and are thus dead, having not the everlasting Gospel of Peace, that is faith in Christ Jesus Alone for our salvation.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. - 1 Peter 1:3-5
We must not confuse or conflate salvation with sanctification, less we lose the Gospel message that Christ Jesus alone is the author of our salvation. And that through the power of God are we kept unto it.
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. - 2 Corinthians 11:3
Have a great 4th day of the week, God bless!
@iSnark, @MaryXmas, @Razzoriel, @SumerBreeze
