Tuesday, July 11, 2023

It's All About the Reward...or Is It?

Reward

1 Corinthians 9:18 RSV — 

What then is my reward? Just this: that in my preaching I may make the gospel free of charge, not making full use of my right in the gospel.


Reward: It's what Religions strive for. 

It's because of the reward, the many who believe in it, do what they think is required of them from the scriptures. 

  • What's the problem with this? 

Most do this for the reward, instead of doing it from their heart.

    • Luke 17:10 - AMP So you too, when you have done everything that was assigned and commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy servants [undeserving of praise or a reward, for we have not gone beyond our obligation]; we have merely done what we ought to do.’”

This post is not about judging anyone. This post will touch on those who "make it about" receiving a reward. Countless (majority) like to boast about their faith, how they've been delivered (rewarded) and continuously boast about the wonders God has done for them. 

Most don't even comprehend the difference between being born again/anew and a calling. Any can ask for Holy Spirit, but not just any are anointed with it. (Luke 11:13; Acts 8:9-20) They think their calling means that they've been born again (chosen)... it doesn't. 

    • Matthew 22:14 RSV — For many are called, but few are chosen."

This post is mostly to help those who think getting paid (rewarded) to be God's voice is okay, when it clearly isn't. 

It's one thing to give witness to your experiences, as all should, it's what life is all about...but it's another thing when you make it all about yourself: your belief, your church or your salvation. Lying signs and wonders. (Matt 24:24; 2Th 2:9) Many of you clearly are not testing the spirits with a clean heart. (Mark 7:20-23; Acts 17:11; Heb 13:9)

It is my hope that in reading this, many will have their eyes opened, in seeing the error of getting paid to teach God's word and learning from the error of making it all about SELF.

From the Son, the Lord of God's house, Jesus... 

    • Matthew 7:22-23 RSV — On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers.'
From the Father, the One True God, Jehovah...
    • Jeremiah 23:32 ASV — Behold, I am against them that prophesy lying dreams, saith Jehovah, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their vain boasting: yet I sent them not, nor commanded them; neither do they profit this people at all, saith Jehovah.

So many of you BOAST about yourselves, about your salvation and turn your head away from any who try to show you "in scripture" the error of your way. If you are one to do this and refuse to see it in yourself, you will remain in Satan's hand. No matter how much one professes their faith, in the end you would have chosen money and/or have made it about yourself... choosing Satan over the TRUE and free gift of God (love). 

Narrow is the gate...

    • Matthew 24:22 RSV — And if those days had not been shortened, no human being would be saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.

I've often asked the question: 

  • Why do people need a Bible to do what's right?
  • Don't they know the difference between right and wrong?
  • Don't they know how to treat people with kindness, how to put others first?
I know many atheists who strive to do the right thing, who show love and compassion. Some never opening a Bible...it's not done on the pretense that they will receive some reward or the ultimate reward of everlasting life. They're not perfect at it, but then who is?! These at least try out of their own will and want to be a good person.

  • So why can't you?
  • Why can't you simply try to be a good person regardless of the scriptures?
  • Are you honest with yourself as to why you truly do what you do?
  • Have you allowed yourself to be deceived by scripture? 
  • Have you become someone you shouldn't be...exalted or pride-filled?
  • Why do you treat people a certain way...is it truly from the heart or is because scripture says it's a requirement?
    • Hebrews 4:12-13 RSV — For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before him no creature is hidden, but all are open and laid bare to the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
At least be honest about it...
    • 1 John 4:20 RSV — If any one says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.

God's gift (love) is free, yet most charge and get paid to share God's word, his love.

  • Ephesians 2:8-9 RSV — For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God-- not because of works, lest any man should boast.

True Faith is True Love...without it, you have nothing.

(1Cor 13:2)

Religion teaches that you must believe a certain way, act a certain way, avoid others in a certain way... it teaches fear. But worst of all...it teaches PRIDE, it teaches control, it teaches it's all about SELF. It controls the narrative, it's what THEY teach that really matters, after all, as they all say: "It's OUR CHURCH"...in the end revealing the love they profess to have for others is on the surface and not true. If you don't believe like them, you are judged, shunned or simply disregarded... considered an outcast and really don't belong.

They're right, it is THEIR CHURCH, because it's not God's Church.
    • Ecclesiastes 5:1 ASV — Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God; for to draw nigh to hear is better than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they know not that they do evil.
  • Where is the house of God, the temple, the church?
  • Is it in a building and by teachers that are paid by organizations (world religions) that are tax exempt from the government?
      • Mark 14:58 RSV — "We heard him say, 'I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.'"
      • 1 Corinthians 3:16 RSV — Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?
    You must believe like them, listen to them or else... in the end, you really aren't accepted.
    • Why?
    Sadly, these don't know better because they give to Caesar and not God. They make it about self and not God. Many get paid by this system, the government, while others seek payment in the form of recognition and/or admiration from man... not God. These remain blind and are misled by the spirit of error.

    These are asleep and keep those attending asleep as well. (Matthew 15:14; 25:9 -10) If one is truly in Christ, you will know of his presence, and you will know the Father, because it is Jesus who reveals him. (Matt 11:27) 

    It's a Spiritual church, not a physical one... 
      • Revelation 22:17 ASV — And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And he that heareth, let him say, Come. And he that is athirst, let him come: he that will, let him take the water of life freely. πŸ‘ˆ
    Take Notice: The Spirit and bride say it's FREE to take the water of life.
    • So why does the church (most calling themselves the bride) ask for money? 
    • Why do they get paid, pampered and taken care of?
    • Are they collecting to truly help only the needy within the church?
    • Aren't they capable of finding a job and taking care of themselves?
      • James 1:27 RSV — Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
    God's gift is free, it doesn't cost a thing. If you are getting paid to teach God's word, you are following the wrong spirit, the spirit of error. (Matthew 10:8; Romans 8:32, 33) 
        • 1 John 4:1 RSV — Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are of God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

      In the end...it's ALL ABOUT YOUR TRUTH, not God's truth. You follow the scriptures (man's mistranslated knowledge - idolatry) the spirit of error, not the Spirit of truth. If you followed the true Spirit, you would be doing your best to do what's right anyway, you wouldn't need to rely on words written (mistranslated) in a Bible and you certainly WOULD NOT NEED MONEY to do it. 

      You would undoubtedly do it for free, and not because you are looking for a reward either, but out of your own want and need. This is something I spent my life seeking, but couldn't find any doing it, religion had me running further into the world, because religion is hypocritical, it's false to its words... I finally started giving up on the God of the Bible, and like that, he awakened me. 

      In the end, it was God who awakened me, not you the church or any who attend it. I'm grateful that he has brought me back to him and that I now could forgive and see past it all. It's NOT in a TEMPLE made with hands. (Zechariah 9:9-13)

      • 2 Corinthians 3:6 ASV — who also made us sufficient as ministers of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, πŸ‘ˆbut the spirit giveth life.
      You can't see it because of your heart, you choose the way of Satan, the adversary. (Proverbs 6:16-19)
      • Luke 8:10 RSV — he said, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but for others they are in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.

      God's sheep follow the good shepherd. (John10:1-15)

      • John 10:15 ASV — even as the Father knoweth me, and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

      These will know who the Spirit truly is and won't use scripture to condemn another. These will truly be open to all and let ALL have a voice, regardless of what they believe...yes, even a πŸ‘‰Satanist deserves a voice. 

      • Ephesians 6:12 ESV — For we do NOT wrestle AGAINST FLESH and BLOOD, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

      These won't judge another for what they believe because they have no fear in love which is very different then having no fear in PRIDE... the church (religion) is exalted. 

      Religions teach fear and arrogance, to judge others for what they believe. That's why it's so divided. If you TRULY put your faith in Christ, you would know he's got this. (Romans 14:9) The Father gave him ALL AUTHORITY to guide his sheep, he doesn't need you to do it for him. He doesn't need YOUR CHURCH to guide his sheep.

      Those who belong to God are taught by God...

        • 1 John 2:26-27 RSV — I write this to you about those who would deceive you; but the anointing which you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that any one should teach you; as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie, just as it has taught you, abide in him.
      • How does one abide in him?
        • 1 John 4:12 RSV — No man has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

          These will guide you to God, the Father, Jehovah, and not a church made with hands or to themselves. These will be aware of the presence of Christ. (Acts 9:1-6; 1 Cor 15:5-8)

          First the bride, then those that follow...
          • Psalm 45:14 ASV — She shall be led unto the king in broidered work: The virgins her companions that follow her Shall be brought unto thee.
          • Romans 9:25 RSV — As indeed he says in Hose'a, "Those who were not my people I will call 'my people,' and her who was not beloved I will call 'my beloved.'"
          • Revelation 12:14 RSV — But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time.
            • 1 Thessalonians 4:16 RSV — For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the archangel's call, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first;
              • Matthew 24:29, 35 RSV — "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken; — Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
              • 2 Corinthians 12:2-3 RSV — I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. And I know that this man was caught up into Paradise--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows--
          Those that follow...
          • Luke 12:38 RSV — If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those servants!
            • 1 Thessalonians 4:17 RSV — then we who are alive, who are left, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we shall always be with the Lord.
              • Matthew 24:30-31 RSV — then will appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory; and he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
            • Revelation 12:17 RSV — Then the dragon was angry with the woman, and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and bear testimony to Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea.

          Questions to ask about Religion - churches made by hands...

          • Do the leaders get taken care of financially?
          • Why?
          • Why does a person who lives on very little have to donate to support those who think they're entitled to be God's voice?
          • Why are those who are capable of having a job and making their own way in life, living off the poor, or simply from the many that struggle?
          • Why are these teachers entitled?
          • Why can't they have a job, support themselves and preach for free?
          • Do donations always go to help those who are truly in need, as it should and is supposed to?
            • Matthew 22:21 RSV — They said, "Caesar's." Then he said to them, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."
          The scripture is clear, you just don't comprehend it, you cannot serve both...
            • Luke 16:13 NLT — “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God πŸ‘‰and money.” 
          Heed the warning...
          • Matthew 6:1 NLT — “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will πŸ‘‰lose the reward from your Father in heaven.
            • Luke 21:3-4 RSV — And he said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; for they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all the living that she had."

            True religion, true teachers do things out of care, out of TRUE want...not for a reward, not off people who can barely afford to put food on their own table or pay their rent, but they do it from the heart. 

            You, the church (religion) who run the buildings made with hands, live off the poor and the needy... 

            Babylon (religion) will fall. 

            The deceivers have themselves been deceived...led by the spirit of error. (2Tim 3:13) If you're getting paid in any way by Caesar to teach the word of God, you are NOT doing it for God, you're doing it for yourself. You are the false prophet, the false teacher, doing it for the false God...the God of this system.

              • 2 Thessalonians 2:4 RSV — who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.
              • 2 Peter 2:1 RSV — But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.
              • 1 John 4:6 RSV — We are of God. Whoever knows God listens to us, and he who is not of God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

            It's not against flesh and blood. Thankfully, there is another fold, these are that make it out of the great tribulation. They will not have the mark of God on their foreheads, but these will be guided to the water.

            • John 10:16 RSV — And I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd.
              • Revelation 7:14, 17 RSV — I said to him, "Sir, you know." And he said to me, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. ... For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water; and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
                • Luke 12:38 ASV — And if he shall come in the second watch, and if in the third, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
            Heed the warning. 

            This happens on the last day, when the FATHER pours out his Spirit (Ezekiel 37:12-14). After heaven and earth pass away and the elect are gathered, it will be the New Earth. (Rev 21:1, 22:1-4) In the end, salvation is for ALL MANKIND, and you will be his people.
            • Revelation 21:3 ESV — And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with πŸ‘‰ man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his πŸ‘‰ people, and God himself will be with them as their God.
            This fold is on earth. (Isaiah 65:17-25) Their God will be the Father - Jehovah, and these will confess Jesus is Lord, the Son of God...not the one true God, as many false churches teach. These will no longer be followers of man (any religion) and their traditions.
            • John 6:40 ASV — For this is the will of my Father, that every one that beholdeth the Son, and believeth on him, should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
            To believe on Jesus is to confess he is the Son of God, πŸ‘‰not the One True God, the Father (Jehovah). 

            Please stop putting your faith in men...in religions, in teachers that get paid to sell God's word, those who are asleep.

            Freewill... 

            Jesus was in the form of God, a Spirit, he became a MAN who received the Holy Spirit in bodily form. (Luke 3:22; Acts 10:38) The Father worked through him by the Holy Spirit, when Jesus died, he returned as a Spirit (1Peter 3:18), in the same form of God (1Cor 15:45; John 4:24), that did not make him the One True God, the Father (Deuteronomy 6:4; John 17:1-3). He sits at the right hand of the Most High God, the Majesty on High (Psalm 110:1; Hebrews 1:3).

            All God's messengers (angels) are in the form of God, they are spirits, Jesus was begotten, unique and above all, because he is the firstborn (Father) of God's creation, and it is through him that God's creation, the new creation, continued. He was begotten, becoming God's Son when he received the Holy Spirit in bodily form, being exalted after his death to the right hand of the Father.
            • Acts 13:33 RSV — this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus; as also it is written in the second psalm, 'Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee.'
            • Colossians 1:18 RSV — He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, that in everything he might be pre-eminent.
              • 2 John 1:7 ASV — For many deceivers are gone forth into the world, even they that confess not that Jesus Christ cometh in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the anti-christ.
              God's creation began with Jesus (John 1:1), not Adam and Eve, who sinned and died spiritually. Adam's children were in his likeness and image, not God's image. (Gen 5:3) Jesus is the last Adam, the life-giving spirit spoken of in Genesis 1:26, 27. The Father is the God of the living, not the dead. (Gen 3:22-24) 

              Religion (ALL RELIGION) has deceived the world on this.

              GOD is love...all are flawed with Sin (Satan). Love the sinner, not the sin. Help one another, as ALL are in this together. Stop making it about self (church), your faith, your belief or disbelief, and start making it about one another, in the name of love...true faith in God. Stop giving Satan what he wants... YOU. 

              VERY IMPORTANT: Stop using God's word for monetary gain. IT'S FREE. The only sin to incur death is to sin against the Spirit. If you don't have the TRUE Spirit, you're not sinning against it.

              Soon, sin (devil/Satan) will be destroyed. Have faith (love) and continue to do your best to give it to one another regardless of what ANY believe... please. Babylon (religion) has been deceiving all nations. (Rev 18:23)

              • 1 John 3:8 RSV — He who commits sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.
                • Romans 14:11 RSV — for it is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God."
              There's beauty all around us, just look in the mirror and look at your neighbors. You don't need to hide behind religion to appreciate it. See the good in ALL mankind and TRUST in God's Timing. 

              Where's your treasure? 
              πŸ’–


              Be Silly. Be Honest. Be Kind
              ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson


              Luke 7:35 RSV — 
              Yet wisdom is justified by all her children."


              May you keep an open and true heart and be blessed...

              ~ Peace, Love and Joy ~