Simple But Not Easy: What A True Believer Knows

Part 2

by Ken Pullen

ACP

Saturday, May 30th, 2015

On the Home Page of “A Crooked Path” is the following quote in the right hand sidebar:

“It shall greatly help ye to understand the Scriptures if thou mark not only what is spoken or written, but of whom and to whom, with what words, at what time, where, to what intent, with what circumstances, considering what goeth before and what followeth after. ”

~ Miles Coverdale

Please understand the above. Greatly understand it and pursue it. Believe it and make it your way — always. For it is in truth the only way. All things, every thing in CONTEXT.

To understand the Scriptures one must learn, understand, and know what is spoken or written OF WHOM, TO WHOM, WHAT ARE THE WORDS WRITTEN OR SPOKEN [what do they mean and if not clear then turn to a reliable, truthful source such as Strong’s Concordance, an English to Hebrew translation, an English to Greek translation, and while I do not follow and believe every concept and commentary put for by E.W. Bullinger his “The Companion Bible” is an excellent resource of understanding that which one may not understand — and there are links to “The Companion Bible” and its Appendixes and even a link to purchase a copy found in the “Links” section of “A Crooked Path” located in the right hand sidebar on the Home Page] ALSO BEING KEENLY AWARE OF WHAT TIME THE WORDS WERE WRITTEN OR SPOKEN, WITH WHAT INTENT? WHAT ARE THE CIRCUMSTANCES? AND VERY IMPORTANTLY — WHAT IS WRITTEN OR SPOKEN BEFORE AND AFTER THE PASSAGE, VERSE, OR WORDS or WORD IN QUESTION?

All of that is vital. Is key.

People want a key to unlock understanding and discernment? Everyone is looking for “the answer.” Well, all the answers are found in the Holy Bible having ones eyes, heart, mind, and spirit opened to KNOW through the guidance and instruction, reproof, teaching of the Holy Spirit.

It is simple —

First one must believe — truly believe and place their trust in the Holy Spirit of God to lead them and provide for them. All the answers to every question, problem, concern, and need are found in God’s word.

Then we must READ and come to know — wisdom, knowledge, understanding, growth, strength in the Spirit comes from knowing and hearing the inerrant Word of God. Spend the time. Invest the time. use our time wisely in pursuit of what is most important — to come closer to God and understand what God’s will is in our lives. Too many think they know God’s will and in truth invoke their own will. God’s will is to know His word and obey it. Completely. No picking and choosing or using words or verses out of context.

It is wonderful and true to use verses about believing upon Jesus and being saved — but where are all the verses being isolated and used and put on calendars, apps, verses of the day mediums about OBEDIENCE? About SACRIFICE? About SUFFERING? About what is required once one does believe? Where are all the cutesy cards, plates, doo-dads, trinkets, verses for the day, messages on church yard message boards, sermons, blogs, websites regarding the consequences of disobedience to God’s word for those professing belief? Where are the verses about living a circumspect and godly life and the judgment which will come to those who profess faith but do not LIVE IT!? 

In part one of  “Simple But Not Easy: What A True Believer Knows” the following verse was the impetus for these columns:

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Romans 10:13 — King James Version

To read that individual verse out of context we discussed how terrible misunderstandings could come about, as well as the verse being used to mislead. We discussed how the verse is spot on true, but —

the context which is vital; what is spoken or written, of and to whom, with what words at what time, where, to what intent, what circumstances always taking into consideration all that went before and what follows after reveals when one reads all of Romans 10 the CONTEXT of verse 13.

And it is not, in context, anyone in the world calling upon God or Jesus being saved.

Let us examine and see just how easy, how simple it is to come to understanding — discernment regarding the inerrant word of God:

What is spoken or written and to whom?

Chapter 10 of the Epistle to the Romans was written as a letter specifically written to the BELIEVERS in God and Jesus His Son in Rome. It was not some random writing. Written to everyone and anyone at the time. It was specifically focused to believers in Rome. No others at the time of its writing. It’s intent was to instruct the believers in Rome at the time — and no others.

Written to Jews and Gentiles, both one and the same in the sight and heart of God as a result of their faith and belief in His Son, Jesus the Lord.

The circumstances are to explain the apparent failures of the promises given to Israel — explained by their unbelief.

The Apostle Paul writes to the believers in Rome [we have no way of knowing the percentage of Jewish believers to Gentile believers, but it is a safe assumption there were many, perhaps mostly Jews among the believers in Rome this letter was addressed to] “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, they might be saved” (see Romans 10:1).

The reason the Apostle Paul opens with this is because of Israel being blind and walking in darkness due to their unbelief in the Messiah which came but they denied:

For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

Romans 10:2-4 — King James Version

When we take the time asking the Holy Spirit to instruct us and provide us discernment, and we read that which precedes a verse and that which comes after a verse, and to whom, and what is written, and why we will not go astray in our doctrine and begin to invite false teachings and false doctrine leading people into darkness and the resulting confusion while they are convinced they see and walk in light! There was certainly confusion among the believers in Rome with regard to grace and salvation and coming to terms that the law does not save — belief and faith in Jesus the Lord saves.

Faith, walking as a disciple of Yeshua, Jesus the Lord, Saviour, Redeemer and Messiah is simple — and much easier if we do not add to matters and create problems which don’t exist until we create them and invent them, with assists from Satan and his emissaries and minions.

Faith is having trust — trust in the inerrant compete whole word of God and the infinite power of God and His righteous promises!

Here is the context of what we are discussing:

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.

But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.

But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.

But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.

Romans 10:4-21 — King James Version

The context of verse 13 is that by faith, by confession, be obedience to the Son, by knowledge and discernment that Yeshua, Jesus IS the Son of God whether Jew or Gentile, those who believe and confess with their tongue and their heart who call upon the Lord will be saved.

Have you ever heard a person of the world utter words such as “God help me!”

Or they speak the name of Jesus the Lord but not in a manner Scripture instructs us to think, speak, believe and know Him?

Saying some offhand words without faith within the heart only makes matters worse for those uttering the words.

Please keep all things in context. Please refer to the Miles Coverdale quote which opened this post, and is on the Home Page of “A Crooked Path” if ever finding mud on the shoes, scrapes upon the knees, cuts, bruises and contusions upon the spirit and soul from lack of turning to God and Jesus and seeking Them and obeying them in full context of Their inerrant word.

The title of this is “Simple But Not Easy: What A True Believer Knows.”

Coming to have trust and faith in Jesus the Lord and receiving His mercy, grace, forgiveness and salvation through His shed blood is simple. It really is. Sometimes I think part of why fewer people turn to the Lord is because they can’t believe salvation is so simple to attain.

Plus they then add on within their minds and hearts then comes a lifetime of living by rules and orders from God — which they don’t like or won’t abide.

This is how far too many people both outside the realm of salvation as well as a large contingent within professed believers believe and think.

They begin arguments about having to live like a controlled robot, or they convince themselves if they follow a list of rules along with saying “I believe in Jesus!” they will go to heaven.

Living mired in dogma and legalism does not prepare one for the ascent into heaven and living in that eternal realm with God the Father and Jesus the Lord.

We cannot attain by our efforts, our works, our plan or deeds.

We attain salvation by trust in and obedience to the Son of God — Jesus the Lord and Messiah.

Now that is simple — and living a circumspect life, obedient to the Lord, and serving God the Father and Jesus the Son can be hard IF —

one has not truly been renewed of mind and spirit and had the Holy Spirit enter their hearts and the old nature dies and the person lives with desire to please God and serve God and obey God — of their own free will, out of love and thankfulness unto the Lord for His mercy, grace, love, and gift of salvation — for we all fall short and none would attain salvation and eternal life without the mercy, grace, love, and gift of salvation from God our Father.

So while it is simple to come to the knowledge and wisdom of the Lord, and how salvation comes about — it is not easy unless one truly commits ones life to God and Jesus. No halfway in. No testing the waters. This is not a hobby. This is not a sporting event. This is not a game. This is life — or death — and the most important matters every man,woman, and child will undertake and live with in each individual life.

It is what we do with the knowledge — how we live, how we walk in Christ, how we talk, where we go, what we do, our habits, our speech, what we practice and believe, what we read, listen to, enjoy!

For the person who is truly renewed of mind and spirit openly, lovingly, joyfully serves the Lord our God and His Son, Jesus the Lord, Redeemer, and Messiah not giving thought to, not keeping score of that which they do in their minds to serve the Lord our God and His Son, Jesus.

While it is simple — but not easy because Satan and his minions never rest or sleep – living a circumspect life, a godly and righteous life is attainable here on earth. Attainable where we all live no matter our condition, our circumstance, our situation, our suffering, our pain, our trials or tribulations.

Whether in prison, having a terminal condition, an irreversible condition, heartache one imagines no one else can know, troubles without seeming end — no matter WHAT no matter WHO no matter WHERE it not only is very simple, BUT — can also be very easy when each person BELIEVES UPON THE SON OF GOD, and not only believes but places ALL THIER TRUST in God the Father to provide and in Jesus the Lord to save — for true believers know, they KNOW and LIVE in the truth their spiritual selves, their spirits and souls are far more precious and important than any part of their flesh, any part of this temporary viewed and felt life on this temporary world which will vanish — completely — and all will be forever forgotten. People, professed believers are under the delusion heaven is going to be like a big picnic ground only with mansions and will be one perpetual family reunion complete with horseshoes, softball, hotdogs and playing games.

Folk’s — to the spirits and souls who are truly saved and live in eternity with God the Father, Yeshua, Jesus the Lord, and all the prophets, elders, apostles, and heavenly hosts — all that this earth was and is will be removed and forgotten. It must be. It is the only way pain can be removed. For if memory of what this place is and does were present in the soul of those in heaven there would still be pain and tears.

There are no tears, there is no pain of any kind in heaven with the Father and the Son.

So one cannot roam heaven for eternity looking for a friend, relative, brother, sister, father, mother who did not make it there —

It is certainly simple to become a child of God: believe upon Him and His Son, Jesus as Creator and Lord.

Believe what is in the Bible.

That in truth is very simple to those who can trust and have faith.

I write this for those believing they must “do something” in their lives to make their lives better, those seeking and looking, and especially to those who profess to believe and be “Christians.”

It is simple for those with some faith to say with their lips “I believe in Jesus, and that He is the Son of God.”

It is another thing — not so easy to live a circumspect and godly life according to the inerrant word of God.

UNLESS — they place their trust completely in God the Father and Jesus the Lord and Messiah.

UNLESS — they believe in the Holy Spirit and turn to the Holy Spirit to guide, teach, reprove, chastise, instruct, and protect them each step of each day.

Belief is only the beginning.

Belief is only the first step. As a baby lifts themselves up off the ground and wobbles and attempts balance in their position in life and boldly with trepidation — that is not conflicting if one deeply thinks about it and has ever witnessed a baby take their first step — belief in God, belief in Jesus, belief in the Bible is only the first step as a baby takes.

To stand, to walk, to run, to get along the path closer to God and Jesus requires trust, devotion, reliance upon that which cannot be seen and that which is written in the inerrant word of God, and not to cherry pick. Do not become shallow and one dimensional. Growth, real growth only comes from pruning. From hard weather along the way. From enduring anything and everything and as a result of any hardship, loss, suffering, tribulation finding oneself closer to God and Jesus.

It is all very simple — and not easy if one takes their own path, if one relies more upon their own will and thoughts rather than reliance upon God and God’s thoughts which are discovered in His word.

Please take the time required.

All wonderful and worthwhile earthly things take time. The best things in this temporary life take time. Why do so many give so little time and thought to the matters which are most lasting and most important above all else? Spiritual matters. The matters and ways of God in their lives and their eternities?

It is simple — and we don’t need to make it so difficult. It can be easy — no matter what comes if we spend more time with God and with Jesus and with the word of God open and before our eyes in prayer trusting the Holy Spirit to instruct — so as a TRUE believer we KNOW.

We come to KNOW more than the world and the people of the world could or will ever know — UNLESS — they turn to God. Ask His forgiveness. Repent of their sins. Take Jesus as Lord and Saviour of their lives — and live to serve and obey God and Jesus in all things.

And don’t act or play dumb — everything and anything one needs to know — to KNOW how to live, what is expected, and what is accepted and what and who are rejected, and what is pleasing and acceptable unto the Lord is all spelled out in the Bible.

If only people would read and learn and come to KNOW the complete Bible and not only take words or a verse out of context, or only spend their time in one theme such as love, love, love refusing to believe and ingest all of the inerrant word of God.