HE WHO IS NOT WITH ME IS AGAINST ME! (Part I) (MATT. 12:30UP)
Introduction
We must be with God in everything that we do so that we do not go against Him; otherwise, we will be His enemies.
2Cor. 13:8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
Jas. 4:4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
1Tim. 6:20-21 20O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge-- 21by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.
1Tim. 4:7 But reject profane and old wives' fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.
Therefore, we should grieve and rejoice in the truth.
How can we be with God?
A. Be With God In The Truth
We must be true Israelites to serve the living and true God, and to manifest to others that God is truly among us.
2John 1:2-3 2 because of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever: 3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
John 1:47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!"
1Thess. 1:9 For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,
1Cor. 14:25 And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.
How can we be with God in the truth?
1. We Must Always Tell The Truth
Rom. 9:1-3 1 I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, 2 that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh,
We must fear God with sincere hearts so that the truth abides forever and declares righteousness.
Col. 3:22LP ..., not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.
Prv. 12:19 The truthful lip shall be established forever, But a lying tongue is but for a moment.
Prv. 12:17 He who speaks truth declares righteousness, But a false witness, deceit.
He who is not telling the truth speaks lies.
Jer. 9:5-6 5 Everyone will deceive his neighbour, And will not speak the truth; They have taught their tongue to speak lies; They weary themselves to commit iniquity. 6 Your dwelling place is in the midst of deceit; Through deceit they refuse to know Me," says the Lord.
Rom. 16:17-18 17Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 18For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.
1Tim. 2:7 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle--I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying--a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
Truth endures forever for it is of God.
Ps. 119:89-90 89Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven. 90Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides.
Prv. 21:28 A false witness shall perish, But the man who hears him will speak endlessly.
2. We Must Bear True Testimony
True testimony concerns what we have seen and heard personally. It is not a testimony of ourselves with the aim to glorify ourselves. Rather, it is a testimony of God.
John 8:12-14 12Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." 13The Pharisees therefore said to Him, "You bear witness of Yourself; Your witness is not true." 14Jesus answered and said to them, "Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from and where I am going.
John 3:31-34 31He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. 33He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. 34For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure.
John 5:31-32 31"If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true. 32There is another who bears witness of Me, and I know that the witness which He witnesses of Me is true.
John 7:15-16 15And the Jews marvelled, saying, "How does this Man know letters, having never studied?" 16Jesus answered them and said, "My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me.
Those who bear false witness and preach heresy will not only harm others, but themselves too.
2Pet. 2:12-13 12But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption, 13and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you,
Col. 2:8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
Prv. 4:24-27 24Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you. 25Let your eyes look straight ahead, And your eyelids look right before you. 26Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established. 27Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil.
3. Walk In The Truth
We must acknowledge God in all our ways and walk in the truth! We must always remain steadfast, walk with Him, and not turn away from His words.
Prv. 3:5-6 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
Prv. 4:4-5 4 He also taught me, and said to me: "Let your heart retain my words; Keep my commands, and live. 5 Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
Prv. 4:13 Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she is your life.
Col. 2:6-7 6 As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
4. Glorify God
We are convinced because the living and true God whom we serve speaks and acts truthfully, which testifies to others that He is truly among us.
1Thess. 1:9 For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,
1Cor. 14:25 And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.
~ to be continued ~
The ACTS 2022 May/June