For they loved praise of men more than praise of God. Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions. Except LORD build house, they labour in vain that build it: except LORD keep city, watchman waketh but in vain.

Thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?

Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? For great is Lord, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods. And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them: they turned quickly out of way which their fathers walked in, obeying commandments of LORD; but they did not so.

Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

Each were destined to fail ...

But natural man receiveth not things of Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth thoughts of wise, that they are vain. Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours.

Each had missed an important ingredient in their teaching ...

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all flock, over which Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed(s) church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. Which things also we speak, not in words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

Some chose a path of resistance and found success.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be servant of Christ. But I certify you, brethren, that gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by revelation of Jesus Christ.

But as then he that was born after flesh persecuted him that was born after Spirit, even so it is now.

For prophecy came not in old time by will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by Holy Ghost. But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of heart, in spirit, and not in letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

For kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And have put on new man, which is renewed in knowledge after image of him that created him. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, man Christ Jesus. But anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

Success Guaranteed

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. As every man hath received gift, even so minister same one to another, as good stewards of manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

© by Joyce C. Lock

http://my.homewithgod.com/blessingsandlessons/

This writing may be used in its entirety, with credits in tact, for non-profit ministering purposes.

Consider following verses:

"Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning covenant of our fathers?," Ma. 2:10. "Seeing it is one God, which shall justify circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith," Ro. 3:30.

"But to us there is but one God, Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him," I Co. 8:6. "One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all," Ep. 4:6.

In all religions, can we not say they were at least once seeking truth? Jesus is truth, by whatever name we call Him. God is God, by whatever name we call Him. It is not for us to say who is saved and who is not; who worships correctly or who does not. Correct terminology is not a prerequisite for salvation. (God desires not yours but You. It is a matter of heart.) But, what is up to each of us is to seek God, who will guide us into all truth.

"Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?" Mt. 7:1-4.

"For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist," Co. 1:16-17.

"Now there are diversities of gifts, but same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is same God which worketh all in all. But manifestation of Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by Spirit word of wisdom; to another word of knowledge by same Spirit; To another faith by same Spirit; to another gifts of healing by same Spirit; To another working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. For as body is one, and hath many members, and all members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For body is not one member, but many." I Co. 12:4-14.

"Forasmuch then as we are offspring of God, we ought not to think that Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device," Ac. 17:29.

There is only one all knowing God. "One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all," Ep. 4:6.

But, before we can know what God believes, we have to ask Him.

© by Joyce C. Lock

http://my.homewithgod.com/blessingsandlessons/

"For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach,

because we trust in living God, who is Saviour of all men,

specially of those that believe."

I Ti. 4:10

This writing may be used in its entirety, with credits in tact, for non-profit ministering purposes.