Ironworks

Perhaps one of the most confusing studies that many New Testament Christians have is about the Holy Spirit. There is great disagreement over the work of the Holy Spirit even among our brethren, so what must we make of this? First and foremost, we must understand that the Holy Spirit is God. He is an equal part of the one Godhead comprised of the Father, Son, and Him (cf. Acts 17:29, Colossians 2:9, Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:1). Thus we would conclude that the Holy Spirt is both personal and coeternal.  Part of the confusion that arises over the Holy Spirit is how He works in redemption and sanctification. I hold the position that the Holy Spirit works exclusively through the means of the Word today in redemption and sanctification. Because I hold this teaching, some have misunderstood the position. I have been accused of teaching the Holy Spirit became the Bible. I have been accused of teaching the Holy Spirit is retired and other accusations. This normally is due to the ...

                  Have you stopped to consider what Christ offers to all who will accept Him? One of the greatest ways we can learn to be grateful is to remember the benefits of being in Christ. Consider God’s ability to provide the essentials we need and even more (cf. John 14:1-4).  Jesus saves! He does so according to the plan that was established before the foundation of the world, it began to be enacted when Adam and Eve willfully chose to transgress the law of Jehovah. Jesus made the way possible for all to be saved. It is a way that is linked to His plan to be born again (cf. John 3:3-5; Mark 16:15-16).  Jesus gives us life! We who were dead in sin are now alive in Christ (cf. Eph. 2:5). Jesus is the source of our life. It is written,  “The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly” (John 10:10). He is the only source of that l...

“Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.  In love of the brethren be tenderly affectioned one to another; in honor preferring one another;” Romans 12:9-10            Love is commanded. Do you want real love?  Then it cannot be counterfeit. The world is full of pretend love. People who are infatuated with the idea of someone often mistake this for love. People who tolerate all kinds of evil claim they are loving an individual and thus become an accessory to that evil. The love God commands cannot be counterfeit; it must be authenticated by the only source of true love, Jehovah.  “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, cannot love God whom he hath not seen. And this commandment have we from him, that he who loveth God love his brother also." 1 John 4:20-21           Our love for one an...

And the king sent, and they gathered unto him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem. And the king went up to the house of Jehovah, and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the people, both small and great: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of Jehovah. And the king stood by the pillar, and made a covenant before Jehovah, to walk after Jehovah, and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and all his soul, to confirm the words of this covenant that were written in this book: and all the people stood to the covenant. 2 Kings 23:1-3 King Josiah of Judah was an encouragement to all who serve the Lord. His heart and actions are those which push us to love the Lord our God, both in word and deed. 2 Kings 22:8-13 details the circumstances that led to the restoration of Old Testament Judaism in the land of Judah. ...

“And it came to pass, that he was sitting at meat in his house, and many publicans and sinners sat down with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him. And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with the sinners and publicans, said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? And when Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of a physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:15-17 “They're going to hell, and you’re glad they’re going there.” I have mentioned this comment made to me by a brother from a liberal congregation once before, but I have to tell you, it bothers me. It should bother you, too, because this is a common tactic used against New Testament Christians who still ask for the old paths (cf.Jer. 6:16-17). If you teach the exclusivity of the church, people assume that you absolutely hate the lost among the r...