Churches dont teach True repentance.
They dont teach nature of True Sin
They dont teach Fear of the Lord
They dont teach Humility
They dont teach the True Sabath….I could go on…

There are 12 clear prophecies clearly establishing that the vast majority of professed christians will Not make it – for narrow is the way and few enter thereon an since most all churches aka circuses/circe pulpits are covered with vomit and filth (Isaiah 28:11) Yhis is a first in the parables that uses the key word “few.” It further likewise states that “many” who claim to be righteous believers will be lost.

Mat 7:13 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:
Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few [What ____%? ] there be that find it.
Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Thank you for your response. As always, your insight is sober and steadfast in your view of the Lord's Word; and I respect and honor that without question.

However, I must ask you, when you gave up your sin in pornography did you not feel some joy and rest in overcoming that sin? When you failed did you not feel some grace in asking for forgiveness and knowing it is given? I know that you strive to eliminate sin from your life; may I ask why? Does it cause you grief to eliminate sin? Does it not actually do the opposite and give you some comfort in Christ? Did Christ not say in Matt 11:28-30 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. 30“For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” NAS

My point is that while Christ did indeed offer us an afflicted path, which you are very good at pointing out, He also gave us the comforter in the Holy Spirit and that Joy and Peace can be had if one has understanding of what this life is all about: which is preparing for our eternal life.

If we value this life above our soul and spirit then, yes indeed, the path of affliction will be horrible, painful and without rest. Yet, if one sees their salvation and the process by which it is obtained as a process of cleansing by driving sin out, then one can rightly see this effort with some joy.

If you somehow need to avoid joy and happiness in the Lord during this lifetime in your zeal for the correct view of the God's Word, then I would suggest that perhaps something is missing. For you might be the only man in history to see that following the Lord is a joyless effort.

Seeing the afflicted path as one that can yield joy does not mean the "fear and trembling" are avoided. It only means that they are put in context of the wonderful gift that Christ is giving to us.

With joy,

DR

Perhaps it is partly due to my own personality and formative experiences, but I tend toward a sober demeanor most of the time, rather than one of overt joyfulness. There is great peace in my sober condition, but this is not always manifested as a joyous attitude.

As you have graciously pointed out, I do seek to present a balanced message. I have books focused on the condemnation of the Adamic man, on God's love and forgiveness, on God's merciful plan to reconcile all things to Himself, and on the way of the cross. I do seek to present the kindness and severity of God, and I suppose that it could be rightly perceived that I spend more time teaching about suffering, and the high cost of discipleship, but I think this is justified due to the glaring absence of these things being taught among the majority of churches today.

You mentioned that Christ is the model for us today. I wonder if we could rightly describe Christ as a good "marketer." On many occasions, as crowds were gathering and His popularity increasing, He would intentionally say something to offend the majority. John chapter 6 reveals such an occasion. We read the result of Christ's words in the following:

John 6:66-68
As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew, and were not walking with Him anymore. Yahshua said therefore to the twelve, "You do not want to go away also, do you?" Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of aionian life."

The message of Christ and the cross offends. Christ never tried to remove the offense. Those who perceived that divine life could be found nowhere else, would endure the offense and remain close to Yahshua. This situation remains today.

I think it is unwise for us to try to present truth in such a way that the offense will be removed from it. I do see your point (I hope it is your point) that there needs to be a presentation of the end result, the benefit of being delivered from sin and of obtaining an inheritance imperishable in the heavens. I will seek to continue to emphasize this part of Christ's message as well.

May you be blessed with peace and understanding in these days.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I trust you will concede that the way of the cross is a difficult package to "market." I do find your statement that I am in some ways a poor "marketing" person to be a bit unappealing. I don't really want to be known as a marketer, promoter, or someone with a sales pitch to hawk.

I believe I understand the spirit of what you are seeking to convey in this statement, and I can appreciate your concern. You have further defined your meaning as you wrote:

"you do not set forth the attendant and absolute joy of killing one's sins on the Alter of Truth (Christ)."

Well…, in truth I cannot say that I have a regular experience of the "attendant and absolute joy" of being crucified. Even of Christ we read:

Hebrews 5:7
In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death…

I know that James tells us to "count it all joy, my brethren, when you fall into various trials." Also we have the words of Christ:

Matthew 5:11-12
"Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. Rejoice , and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great…"

There have been seasons when I have done exactly this. Even while in jail I have known times of profound praise and joy before the Father as I have reflected on the honor of being called to suffer shame for obedience to Christ.

At the same time, I have found that there is much counsel in the Scriptures to be "sober minded."

2 Timothy 4:5
But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship…

1 Peter 1:13
Therefore, gird your minds for action, keep sober, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Yahshua Christ.

continued…

Could you please clarify this comment?

Thanks.

I must say that the sister who wrote the "2AM" comment seems to already be on the path with angst and fear and does not yet even know it.

Two years ago, when I first starting reading your work, I felt that you were wise, but extreme, in your path to Christ. I now feel that you are correct in most matters but, in some ways, you are poor "marketing" person. Please let me explain.

While you are correct in setting forth the true nature of our salvation and grace and the absolute nature of God's Law (Condemnation) and God's Love (Forgiveness and Atonement)and God's Grace (Reconciliation of All Things)you do not set forth the attendant and absolute joy of killing one's sins on the Alter of Truth (Christ).

To me it is, in some respects, a matter of perception on how fear and trembling on the road of affliction work. Understanding that Christ is the model upon which we must strive to build our own Temples (bodies) is an absolute standard akin to God's Laws of Physics. With understanding that is an awsome and fearful thing, but, it is also a standard by which we can find joy.

By using this standard we can offer our sins to Chirst on the alter of His Truth. He offered up His body for all of our sins, however, we have yet to pay Him back by giving our sins to Him. So, by using His Standard, we must take every unclean spirit out of the temples of our bodies just as He drove the animals and money changes out of His.

So, by using Him as a Standard Candle (a term used in astrophysics) we know exactly where we sit in regards to our salvaiton. No more fuzzy logic to gloss over our continuing error and sin. We have a narrow path lit with a very bright light. What a joy!

Moreover, the angst that we must feel as we grope to drive sin out of our lives is also met with an understanding of how truely awesome the promiss is. You see, as we understand our failings and our stumblings He will take them away from us. You just need to ask. The dross yielded during this purification is sin, error, misunderstanding the word, love of self over others, etc…, it is only removed if you are fearful and are truly "under the gun." But at the same time, if you are grateful for what Christ has done for you, as shown by your actions, your failings are also forgiven. Yesterdays sin is remembered no more. It is the sin that you commit today and will comit tomorrow that are the problem that we must daily strive to drive our of our temples.

So, this is Good News. Many teach this good news but leave out the real work required to walk that path.

If you think I have this wrong, I look forward to your correction and instruction.

YBIC,

DR