The Book of Philippians: Do NOT Be Anxious! (Chapter 3: Verses 12-16)

Hello Friends!

During this week’s gathering we’ll continue to work our way through the powerful book written by the “Apostle Paul” to the Philippians as we consider the perfect PERSON and wonderful WORKS willed of our loving “Lord Jesus Christ” as decreed throughout this excellent Epistle…“Do NOT Be Anxious!”

The Book of Philippians: Do NOT Be Anxious! (Chapter 3: Verses 12-16)

¹² Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. ¹³ Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, ¹⁴ I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. ¹⁶ Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing – Philippians 3:12-16

OPENING POINTS TO PONDER:  Now that “Paul” has previously given his personal testimony concerning the extended EXPERIENCE of his own conversion from his viewpoint, the theological theme here now is personally PURSUING the praise “prize” promised. The apt analogy the ardent “Apostle” utilizes here is that of a runner “pressing” in such a way that he might GAIN the perfected “prize” presented. And the SPIRITUAL point provided for “us” here is the matter of purposefully PURSUING the praised “prize” protocol of enormous effort towards granted GROWTH and the manifesting “mark” of mindful – MATURITY Mandated!  

PRESS Toward Christ!

To begin with, the keen knowledge that “Paul” had not “already” aptly “attain” the promised PERFECTION as to be avidly “apprehended” in his grand GLORIFIED state in “Christ Jesus” doesn’t at all deter him from mindfully MOVING in that direction determined:

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus – Philippians 3:12

Here the word “attained” is in the perfect passive with confident CONTINUING practical present results and means to GRASP onto something. In other words, “Paul” is saying he does NOT yet “already” have his “perfect” pious state. However, he is willfully WORKING toward it to faithfully “follow after” such matters in order to “apprehend” what is aptly – His to COME!

THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: Any torrid thought of perceived PERFECTION this side of “glory” must be set aside in favor of personally PURSUING the practical “perfect” that every “believer” must recognize does NOT yet possess…

Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen – 2 Peter 3:14-18

And although both “Peter” and “Paul” indeed had ALREADY been placed within “Jesus Christ” and was accepted by our Glorious “God” to greatly “grow in grace” and were gifted with absolutely ALL of these tremendous “things” in full, they were NOT yet eternally – PERFECTED in Him!

Reaching FORTH!

“Brethren” beloved, here is “Paul’s” practical PRESENT mandated MINDSET of ministry movement measured:

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before – Philippians 3:13

PAST = He is leaving his RELIGIOUS rubbish “behind” as such with ALL the miry montage of mistakes made “forgetting” his folly NOT in any way allowing it be a hurtful HINDERANCE for his purposed – PRESENT Progress!

FUTURE = He is instead RIGHTLY therefore “reaching forth” into the PRESENT with a strong straining of apt ANTICIPATION for the “things” of which WILL diligently develop his own SPIRITUAL life lauded – PRACTICAL Sanctification!

HISTORICAL HINTS: The jaundice Judaizers were most likely CLAIMING they had reached a spiritual and moral state of PERFECTION through trying to keep the looming “law” and being “circumcised” in the fickle “flesh” fallen. Therefore, the adamant “Apostle Paul” diligently delivers a DEVASTATING blow to this fickle “false doctrine” known as Perfectionism by informing the “brethren” banked throughout “Philippi” that just because “they” are indeed born-again confident “Christians” it does NOT mean they have yet aptly “attained” unto a “perfect” person. WHY? Because this promised PERFECTION purported in this looming “life” is an end-goal to come and NOT an appropriated achievement herein…

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God – 2 Corinthians 7:1

In other words, by carefully CONTINUING to constantly “cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit” this particular promised position of a “perfecting holiness” is something “we” personally PURSUE but will NOT rightly reach it fully – UNTIL Glory! 

The HIGH Calling!

This magnificent “mark” mandates the present personal “press” practiced and subsequent Sovereignly PROMISED practical “prize” poised with an accompanying heralded Holy “high calling” fomented from “God” through “Christ Jesus” to be overtly OBTAINED in Him:

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus – Philippians 3:14

Any serious athlete keenly KNOWS that when rightly “running” in a resilient “race” one must FIX fully their eyes on the purported “prize” presented AHEAD of them. They do NOT watch their feet or they will FALL flat on their face. They do NOT watch the people around them or they will TRIP over someone else or be PASSED by on the other side. Therefore, their fierce FOCUS must be “set” solely straight FORWARD and firmly “fixed” on the grand “goal” that is up ahead. And that is precisely what “Paul” is saying here. In making MAXIMUM effort to personally “press toward the mark” mandated within this heralded “high calling” there is a concentration point based BEYOND the pressing “prize” upon which “we” too must – Fervently FOCUS!

BIBLICAL BACKGROUND: And “Paul’s” fully fought future is so absolutely ABSORBED by our Justifier “Jesus Christ” that it motivates EVERYTHING he soundly says and diligently does within his PRESENT practice…

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway – 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God – Hebrews 12:1-2 

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses – 1 Timothy 6:12 

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing – 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Therefore, he likens himself to a track star COMPETING confidently in a life-long pursuit readily “running” to willfully WIN a particular “prize” of which is defiantly NOT simply an eager earthly award. Rather, it was an eternal and absolutely ALL afforded “incorruptible crown” righteously “received” directly from – Jesus Christ ALONE!

Be GOD Minded!

As a result, “Paul” rightly CALLS upon the “Philippians” to boldly be” thoroughly “thus minded” as their glad GOAL granted:

Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you – Philippians 3:15

THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: Here “Paul” uses the word “perfect” as such. WHY? Because it appears he is being a bit SARCASTIC concerning “many” of the legalistically lame jaded Judaizers as they claimed a pious “otherwise minded” position of PERFECTION as such…

To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus – Colossians 1:27-28 

Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God – Colossians 4:12 

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure – 1 John 3:2-3

Conversely, the true “Christian” will be “thus minded” with a deep DESIRE to practically pursue the promised “prize” of which “God shall reveal” as to see “our” own need for the “Lord Jesus Christ” and making MAXIMUM effort to aptly “attain” His righteousness through – Be GOD Minded!

Walk WORTHY!

“Nevertheless” often the clearest vision is gladly GIVEN to the “one” of whom forgets the sordid “sinful” preponderances of the PAST propagated:

Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing – Philippians 3:16

THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: In other words, the aged “Apostle” aptly ADMONISHES each of “us” to willfully “walk” solemnly seeking the safe “same rule” and to “mind” the very “same thing” as “we” keep mindfully moving along the PROMISED path that has beautifully brought each of “us” to this Sovereign solemness… 

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified – Romans 8:28-30 

But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle – 2 Thessalonians 2:13-15 

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing – James 1:2-4 

Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you – 1 Peter 5:9-10

The rank RECOLLECTION of what “we” were in “our” former unconverted state should NOT at all painfully paralyze nor desperately discourage any of “us” in full. And the dire disappointments and tedious temptations of the PAST precedents must NOT demonically depress the wonderful “work” of which our sweet “Savior” is ardently ACCOMPLISHING through each of “us” as such. “Let us therefore” personally place “our” harkened Holy hands to the PROMISED plow and do NOT lethargically look back in avid ANGST availed as “we” persistently – Walk WORTHY!

In closing:

Is PERFECTIONISM Possible?

The Wesleyan work of the Methodist mindset along with that of the Nazarene dictated denominational backgrounds were SINUOUS in their torrid “teaching” of this pondered Perfectionism pottage also known as “Complete Sanctification“ sufficed. This factious FALSE assumption ascertains that a born-again “believer” will at some point in this life lived on this side of “glory” be granted Glorification garnered sometime BEFORE their physical “death” and thus subsequently “attain” a pious place of spiritual & moral mandated PERFECTION possessed. They tactfully “teach” that as a redescent result of an instantaneous SECOND supposed additional act of “God’s” greatly granted “grace” surmised from “salvation” is thus momentarily made – SINLESS Sanctification?

In fact, some of “these” tantalizing “teachers” in these caustic camps of TWISTED thinking have even gone so far as to sadistically “say” it actually includes the ensuing ERADICATION of the “sin” nature in full. This heralded HERESY goes way back to ancient Arminianism and ardent sin-denying slothfully pious Pelagianism and was later crystallized in more MODERN times by a treacherously thrown about theology espoused by John Wesley and fervently FURTHERED through many other proponents such as Charles Finney in kind…

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind – 1 Corinthians 6:9 

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap – Galatians 6:7 

But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived – 2 Timothy 3:13

“Brethren” beloved, if “we” are caustically CONTENT with “our” own “Christian” life in the “AS-IS” status quo surmised, we’ve wrongly reached a very DANGEROUS doctrinal point. WHY? Because “we” may find ourselves insensitive to a licentious LIFE of sordid “sin” practiced and will directly DEFEND ourselves before “God” when really “we” ought to be admitting our weary “weaknesses” and personally PURSUING powerful spiritual strength sown IN Him alone. Therefore – Is PERFECTIONISM Possible? NO!

And if the uniquely ardent “Apostle Paul” as perhaps the MOST committed called-out “Christian” who has ever lived after some 30 years himself had wholly NOT admitted to have aptly “attained” this perverted PERFECTION pined… HOW Can WE?

We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!

If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com

I love hearing from you. Keep reading Encouraging Concepts!

Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

Encouraging Concepts

Truth for Today

"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"

 

The Book of Philippians: Do NOT Be Anxious! (Chapter 3: Verses 7-11)

 Hello Friends! 

During this week’s gathering we’ll continue to work our way through the powerful book written by the “Apostle Paul” to the Philippians as we consider the perfect PERSON and wonderful WORKS willed of our loving “Lord Jesus Christ” as decreed throughout this excellent Epistle…“Do NOT Be Anxious!”

The Book of Philippians: Do NOT Be Anxious! (Chapter 3: Verses 7-11)

⁷ But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 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, ⁹ And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: ¹⁰ That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; ¹¹ If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead – Philippians 3:7-11

OPENING POINTS TO PONDER: Within this POWERFUL passage of torrid “things” embedded deeply in rank religious rites is the great PERSONAL testimony told by the “Apostle Paul” as fervently found in the New Testament narrative. Herein also lies one of the most SIGNIFICANT statements on the matter of “salvation” of the “soul” according to “Paul's” own amazing ACCOUNT as to the dramatic attitude that had overtly OCCURRED in his magnificent “mind” at the spiritual juncture where he personally had mindfully MET the eternal living “Jesus Christ” Himself. And these wonderful “words” will take “us” into the harkening HEART of the “sinner's” associated – Conversation in CONVERSION!

Counted as LOSS!

BIBLICAL BACKGROUND: The precious “Philippians” were being adamantly ASSAULTED by a group of religious rabble rightly “known” as the “Judaizers” juxtaposed. These were “Jewish” men of whom believed in the Justifier “Jesus Christ” to many varying degrees. However, they ALSO taught that in order to be “saved” from sordid “sin” one had to be “circumcised” of the flesh PHYSICALLY and keenly keep absolutely ALL the lamented – LAWS of Moses!

Therefore, the ardent “Apostle Paul” intently CHANGED his religious bookkeeping system of lamented “loss” and guarded “gain” when he was solemnly SAVED by the loving “Lord Jesus Christ” on that fateful “day” of his called CONVERSION unto eternal life received.

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ – Philippians 3:7

THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: Notice here that “Paul” sees this matter of SALVATION from the viewpoint of a legal exchange of sorts. In fact, he even uses ACCOUNTING terminology to diligently describe his constructed “counted” contention. WHY? Because an avid accountant would indicate this on his Profit and Loss statement as the term to describe something in the PROFIT column. The Greek word for "gain" used here is “Kerdos” of which means a profit received. Conversely, the Greek word for "loss" used here is “Zemia” of which describes a financial shortage as added to the LOSS column. Finally, the Greek word used for ”counted " used here is “Hegeomai” of which means to accurately ACCOUNT for something. Therefore, the “Apostle Paul” is referring to his personal SPIRITUAL portfolio purported – Profit & Loss!

Religious REFUSE!

It was “doubtless” that to “Paul” himself absolutely “all things” that were placed in his pious PROFIT column of which he then moved over to the LOSS column to contemptibly “count” absolutely ALL of theses “things” as doctrinal demonic “dung” when he personally ENCOUNTERED the received “righteousness which is of God by faith” fully through the real RESURRECTED righteous “Christ” at these spiritual crossroads:

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. And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith – Philippians 3:8-9

This despicable “dung” depicted in the Greek is the word “Skubalon” referring to either human excrement or gross garbage to be thrown AWAY as something utterly USELESS concerning this rank RELIGIOUS rejected refuse. Such was the “loss of all things” and tantamount TRANSFORMATION of which had taken its horrible hold in the lethargic “life” of this pious prelate as derived from the looming “law” of the ornate – Old Testament!

HISTORICAL HINTS: In fact, our sweet “Savior” Himself had this to “say” concerning “all things” for the RELIGIOUS rabble to cautiously consider…

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 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 – Matthew 16:24-26

Likewise, “Paul” had surely spent his entire life artificially ACCUMULATING sordid spiritual “Kerdos” and filling up a hedged “Hegeomai” column “count” of guarded “gain” belligerently banking on his “own righteousness” in an avid attempt to EARN his very own sordid SATANIC salvation. Trading RELIGUOUS waning works of the fallen “flesh” for a robust RIGHTEOUS realized restitution of the “Spirit” sealed – The GREAT Exchange!

Fellowship of SUFFERING!

Sadly, being “saved by Grace through faith” may grossly GIVE the impeding impression that there is NO mindful motivation for godly conduct and associated “works” willed. However, the purposed “Paul” will diligently dissipate that foolish FALSE fallacious notion:

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death – Philippians 3:10

Here the apt “Apostle” exhibits an enormous EFFORT and engaging ENERGY of which is Divinely derived from the “Holy Spirit” Himself that is far GREATER than any legal effort. Under the “Law” system, “Paul” would go to “Damascus” in an avid attempt to utterly DESTROY the faithful “followers” of our “Lord Jesus Christ” in full. Conversely, under this New Covenant of granted “Grace” garnered by our great “God” Himself, “Paul” will now personally “press toward the mark” for the promised PRIZE of the Holy “high calling of God” in order to go FISHING for more fresh “followers of Christ” commissioned…

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace – Ephesians 1:7

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus – Philippians 3:13-14 

For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day – 2 Timothy 1:12 

At the encroaching END of his languished “life” lamented, “Paul’s” aiming AMBITION is still to intimately “know Christ” through His “power” and righteous “resurrection” for the faithful “fellowship of His sufferings” Sovereignly surmised. Similarly, the aged “Apostle John” in kind had ALSO aptly asserted…

We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life – 1 John 5:18-20

Therefore, to keenly “know” our loving “Lord” and “His” wonderful “Work” of readied REDEMPTION will eagerly engage our apt attention – For ALL Eternity!

Righteous RESURRECTION!

Finally, “Paul” himself does NOT at all “by any means” eagerly expect to aptly “attain” pious personal PERFECTION anytime in this lamented “life” lived:

If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead – Philippians 3:11

Incidentally, it does NOT appear that “Paul” was expressing a distressed doubt about his own PARTICIPATION in the resident “resurrection” received:

Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed – 1 Corinthians 15:51-52

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words – 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

A great righteous REVOLUTION that took place in “Paul’s” own lustrous “life” and was as IF the entire spiritual economy of the nation “Israel” had completely CHANGED to the extent where credits became DEBITS and debits became CREDITS in turn! And NO doubt this would uniquely UPSET the spiritual economy of the waning “world” in kind. Therefore, the ardent “Apostle” was turned upside DOWN and right-side UP on the rigorous “road” to dawning “Damascus” where he had PERSOANLLY met “our” loving – LORD Jesus Christ!

In closing:

Among the PAGAN proponents in the “days” of the New Testament era, they referred to their “knowledge” as the grand “Gnosis” or a sordid secret esoteric, elevated, cultic and MYSTICAL apprehension of corrupt communion with a DEMONIC deity. And during their wicked “worship” wonderland “they” would have a “drunken” bemoaned bacchanalian feast of which “Paul” rightly refers to in his “letter” to the “Ephesian” brethren concerning THEIR own demonic “drunken” debauchery…

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit – Ephesians 5:15-18

And “they” belligerently “believed” that in their inebriation they would ASCEND into a height by which they perceived their DEMONIC deities in intimacy. In fact, that is what the PAGANS have done for centuries and millennia in kind. Thus, perverted PAGANISM treacherously “teaches” there is an ascended kind of granted “Gnosis” and trite transcendent type of “knowledge” for those select FEW of whom eagerly ENTER into by which “they” have apprehended through their – DASTARDLY Dictates!

In early first-century “Christianity” the ardent “Apostle Paul” warned young “Timothy” of the grotesque “Gnostics” of whom claimed to keenly “know” the so-said “science” (developed from the same word “Gnosis”) of the true “God” through an ascended and transcendent type of elusive ELEVATION to which they alone had eagerly EXPERIENCED in full…

O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen – 1 Timothy 6:20-21

Conversely, “they” held that everyone else was on the LOW plain of piety. WHY? Because “they” had alone found “God” was accessible ONLY to them but “not after Christ” captured. Rather, it was occultly obtained overtly from their SUPPOSED satanic “philosophy and vain deceit” dictated directly through gross godless “Gnosis“ granted…

That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words… 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… Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind – Colossians 2:2-4, 8 & 18

In the 1960’s an American psychologist named Timothy Leary had tragically taught throughout college campuses that if the students consumed the drug LSD they would aptly ascend to a wholly HIGHER plain and crassly commune with a so-called “God” granted. And in the SAME decade of debauchery dictated, the British rock group known as The Beatles broke into global stardom among the ignorant and impressionable youth with the mantra-modeling Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in tow with their own BRAND of evil esoteric banter keenly touted throughout the waning “world” as torrid Transcendental Meditation meandered. Beloved, this godless “Gnostic” non-sense is definitely – NOTHING New! 

This is still true TODAY in the prognosticating PAGAN rank religions rubbish. This is what a Guru caustically claims. This is what a Buddhist claims. This is what the strange Cultic and Occultic religionists of the wicked “world” wantonly claim as they bemoan their BIZARRE ritualistic religious ruse piously prescribe in order that “they” too might aptly ASCEND into the depraved demonic realm unto “their” own piously PERCEIVED so-called grand “gods” garnered. That is the “Gnosis” of a deeply MYSTICAL transcendent torrid “knowledge” provided by preposterous – PAGAN Piety!

 

We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!

If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com

I love hearing from you. Keep reading Encouraging Concepts!

Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

Encouraging Concepts

Truth for Today

"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"