That Which He Seemeth To Have

God’s Word declares that, “As the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” (Matthew 24:37-39) And thus it is today. The world goes on as it always has, for such is its nature and way, but unfortunately the Church in its apathy does much the same. While the signs of the times and seasons pass before her eyes; oblivious, for the most part, to that which has seeped into the church, at least that which has not been welcomed in with open arms, false doctrines and teachings, spirits, and manifestations, she slumbers. Thus, we find ourselves in the midst of the great falling away!

 
For the Church as a whole has fallen away from the truth. We have given heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils. (Timothy 4:1) Yet, we have the audacity to declare, “I am a believer,” “I am Christian,” “I am a follower of Christ;” all the while rejecting God’s Word both in word and deed. And Christ will sadly declare unto many in judgment, “I never knew you.” God’s Word declares that they will protest in disagreement, and argue, “Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?”  (Matthew 7:22) And yet again Christ will declare unto them, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:23)

 
I state all this to declare a hard truth unto you, and that is this: There are many who profess Christianity. Who declare with sincerity that they are saved, but in the end they will discover that they were deceived, lost, and without God; bound for an eternity void of His presence. I say this to warn you; to caution you. I ask you to heed the parable of the sower. Hear how that the Word of God was sowed. Some sown on the way side, some on rocky ground, some among thorns, and some on good ground. (Luke 8:4-8)

 
“Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” (Luke 8:11-15)

Christ then declares and warns, “Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.” (Luke 8:18) There are two very important phrases that I want to point out here. First, “take heed therefore how ye hear”. How ye hear… What kind of ground does your heart resemble? In hearing and receiving God’s Word have you good ground? Or is it rocky and unstable? Have you tossed the Word by way side of your life? Or perhaps it has been sown among the thorns of your life, and is fighting in competition for nourishment?

 

The second phrase, “from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.” That which he seemeth to have, implying that the individual thought that they had the Word, had salvation, and had the works; only to realize that they indeed had not! What a sad and fighting realization to have. I do hope I’m getting my point across. And if I’m not the point is this: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God.” (2 Timothy 2:15) “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12) Search the scriptures: for there is but, “One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all.” (Ephesians 4:5-6) For it is imperative that we be in the true faith and Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; lest we find ourselves having that which we seemeth to have taken from us! Let us not be counted among those who when standing before almighty God hear those dreadful words, “I never knew you, depart from me ye workers of iniquity,” but let us be found having the true faith.

I leave you with this one final admonishment, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (2 Cor. 13:5) But it is my prayer and hope that you will not be found as such.

Grace be to you,
~Jason Olvera

Talk or Do; The Choice is Yours

Often the sincerity of Christians comes into question. For there is much talk of God, and His Word. Talk of this outreach, and that program. Talk of desires and yearning’s to be used of God; to be a benefit to the Kingdom of God. Talk of desires for a closer walk with God; to know the heart and mind of Christ, the width and depth of His love, and to know the intimacy of His presence. Talk of desires to know His will and purpose for them, and therein fulfill His will. Yet, after all their talk, there is little to no fruition. No evidence of progression or that they’ve even yet set out that they might obtain. If anything they show signs of regression. They’re static.

Perhaps it’s because among this talk there is also talk of doubt. Talk of unbelief. Talk of the newest movements, people, books, and interruptions within “Christianity.” Maybe this is why their dealing with doubts, and unbelief. Why they’ve become static. Why they’ve regressed, and have found themselves stained with the muck of iniquity. But the true reason for they're stagnation, they're regresstion is this: they're unwilling. They’re unwilling to pay the necessary price, and sacrifice their selfish indulgences which is required for the Lord to bring them into their supposed desires. Unwilling to lay aside the weights, and sins that do so easily beset them. Unwilling to forsake all; to let go of their lust of the flesh, and the world. Unwilling to let go of the traditions, and doctrines of men that steal from them true salvation, that they might come into the light of the glorious gospel of Christ. Unwilling to fall on their knees in repentance, and cry out to God. Unwilling to endure the cross, to crucify the flesh, and bring down every thought and imagination under the authority of God. Unwilling to endure the shame and reproach for the name of Christ. Unwilling to fast that they might bring their flesh under subjection to God’s Holy Word. Unwilling to sit at the feet of Jesus, the very Word of God, that they might find strength, nourishment, guidance, and power in this perverse and backslidden world. Unwilling to be lead by His Spirit that they might come into His presence. Unwilling to trust God at His Word, and in faith believe. Unwilling in heart, and mind. Unwilling to count the cost; unwilling to pay the price.

Yet, I know there is a remnant of people who are willing; who will pay the price. For there are those who have paid the price; for I have read it in God’s Word, and have heard it told through out the ages. Of those who believed God at His Word. Who choose to suffer affliction rather then enjoy this world, and sin. Who esteemed the reproach of Christ rather then riches, and glory. Who having forsook all endured trials, temptations, and persecution. Who gave their lives, not accepting deliverance, for they knew in whom they believe; the Almighty. And in this age there will be those who will be called upon to take a stand for righteousness, and as those before them; pay the price.

Therefore, it is now unto us to choose. To choose whom, and what we will be followers of. To choose whether to be as those who are given to much talk and ado, but have no sustenance. To choose whether we will be as those who with lip service make much mention of God, but it word and works deny Him. Or will you choose to be a hearer of God’s Word. A believer of His gospel, His Word, and His promises. And most importantly, will you choose to be a doer of His Word; forsaking all, enduring all, and giving your life for the one who gave you His. Talk or do; the choice is yours.


“He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.” ~ Mark 7:6

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” ~ James 1:22