Grace Through Faith !

May 25, 2020May 26, 2020 ~ Kim Balogh ~ 1 Comment

Grace or charis in ancient Greek is the divine influence upon the heart. Charis means to be gracious, loving, kind, extend favor, benevolent and life giving.

The word charis was used both in Greek and Roman mythology as the personification of graces. To be appropriated as having charis was to be divine.

Paul being an educated man of his era used the word Charis from the Greek to describe God’s desire to save mankind from sin. This word was understood by the Greeks and Romans in their culture to mean an act of divine kindness. Paul was using this word to convey to the Gentiles of his day how much God cared about them.

Paul went on to tell these Gentiles that the One true God’s charis could be extended to them through pistis or faith in Jesus Christ. In Greek mythology Pistis was representative of having good faith, trust, and reliability. Pistis was a principle used as a classical form of argumentation in Paul’s day. To fully persuade through logical reasoning. In other words, the mind must be fully persuaded in an argument to agree with the evidence presented to be convinced of a particular truth.

Today in law we use the term “good faith” or bona fide to describe the act of putting trust in and confidence with sincerity in something without intent to defraud with malice.

The Bible tells us to be fully persuaded about something in our mind. What we believe will determine our course of action. (Romans 14:5)

According to scripture, Thomas was not fully persuaded in his mind that Jesus had risen from the dead. Jesus did not condemn him for his lack of faith or pistis. Rather he demonstrated his eternal word by revealing himself to Thomas. Some people think that faith is supposed to be blind. Just trust even though you have not been fully persuaded. This simply is not true!

Faith comes by hearing a word from the Lord! (Romans 10:17) Presumptuous blind faith has caused many a life to go ship wrecked.

Faith or pistis comes by a word from God who has worked upon the heart by his divine nature with benevolent intentions, through Grace or charis.

Pistis is being fully persuaded based on convincing. The Bible says that the Holy Spirit convinces us that something is true. (John 16:8)

Grace or God’s loving kindness convinces the heart through faith (which is relying upon as true) creating the assurance of what is hoped for but not fully materialized.

Faith or pistis persuades and convinces by divine intervention a truth.

Thomas was fully persuaded that Jesus rose from the dead by experiencing the logos manifest in the flesh. It is the word of God which creates the ability to believe with fully persuaded assurance.

Even though a person were raised from the dead, if a heart is not fully persuaded by the Holy Spirit they would not believe. The unbelieving heart would just explain away the miracle. It takes charis through pistis to be fully convinced of truth.

Divinely inspired reasoning through the word of God convincing the heart is what produces faith. Miracles confirm the word of God. Jesus is the logos made flesh. His word through scriptures by divinely inspired utterance or manifestation worked on the heart is what produces faith, pistis.

In Roman’s chapter one we are told that evidence for a Creator is made evident by the things which are made. That does not convince everyone of that fact however.

A mind can be fully persuaded to believe a lie. Satan has built up strongholds of delusion in many people’s mind. They believe something to be true when it is not. Hence the need to have full persuasion of the truth. Scriptures tell us plainly that not all men have faith (2 Thess. 3:2) and that all born again Christians have been given a measure of faith. Notice the word given. Faith is given. An act of divine grace.

Even among Christians this is so. Paul pointed out that one person in persuaded that eating meat is fine while others do not have faith to eat meat.

Paul says that if you do not have faith being fully persuaded about something and you go against your conscience then it is sin. (Romans 14:2-5)

We know from scriptures that God sanctified meats but that some cannot eat meat because of an unpersuaded mind.

To one eating food offered to idols is no big deal because to them the idol is just a man-made construct. A piece of wood or a rock. While to others it is a demon spirit’s offering. Therefore, the thought of eating an offering sacrificed to an idol is abhorrent. (1 Corinthians 8)

Adam and Eve were walking in the garden naked without a problem and then after they sinned their nakedness became sin to them. They felt vulnerable and unprotected. God made a sacrifice of an animal for their atonement and clothed them in the skin. What was the difference? Perception. Their nakedness was seen not from a perspective of innocent children but naked in their beings in front of a Holy God. (Genesis 3)

We see this same principle today in cultural practices. Some have liberty in somethings while others do not have that same liberty due to cultural beliefs.

Unless the heart is fully persuaded (having faith) through divine intervention about a matter they cannot believe. Faith is a supernatural attribute produced by divinely inspired grace.

The conscience if not adhered to can sear. Basically, can have a flamboyant disregard for something. Many non saved people have this. Their sin does not feel like sin to them because it is a natural practice. It takes Holy Spirit convincing to produce an awareness of sin. (Romans 1)

Charis divinely influenced upon the heart convinces that God’s word is true. Grace through faith produces a change of mind or repentance. (Ephesians 2:8,9)

Evidence that is presented by the Holy Spirit through the word; written, oral or even supernatural produces faith. (John 20)

God’s word graciously worked upon the heart produces faith.

Paul reasoned with, persuaded, argued, testified, to the Gentiles through scriptures that Jesus is both Saviour and Lord. The Holy Spirit divinely moved upon the hearts to convince.

Paul also performed miracles confirming the word of God that he preached through demonstrative power of the Holy Spirit. Charis demonstrated evidences of the truth of the gospel message.

Grace or charis is the divine work of the invisible God the Holy Spirit upon the heart. Blessed indeed are those who believe and are fully persuaded that God’s word is true.

Godly Sorrow

May 18, 2020September 5, 2021 ~ Kim Balogh ~ Leave a comment

The Bible says that godly sorrow works repentance not to be repented of again. (2 Corinthians 7:10)

In other words if our repentance comes from godly sorrow then we will have victory over that sin and there will be no need to keep falling and then being sorry all over again.

True repentance stops sinning. If the sin persists then there was no true repentance. Let me explain.

We can be sorry for our sin. Feel bad about it, and even shed tears over it but unless God works godly sorrow into our hearts we will keep falling under that sin again.

Worldly or human sorrow works death the Bible says. In other words being sorrow from a human perspective does not produce godliness. Rather it brings condemnation, guilt, depression. Not godly reformation.

How do we get this godly sorrow?

Let’s take a look at a classic case in scriptures.

Esau was not granted repentance even though he was sorry. Why? Esau was a carnal man. He did not value his birth right from a spiritual perspective.

He was sorry for losing all the benefits associated with loosing his inheritance but he did not value the spiritual position of his inheritance, that his line was to be a godly line bringing forth the Messiah.

When Esau realized what he had done by allowing his carnal lust to steal his birth right he was sorry. However, his sorry was not godly sorrow. His sorry was worldly sorrow.

Esau was sorry that he lost his blessing. He was sorry that he allowed his brother to deceive him. He was sorry that he got caught being a carnal man. Red handed. His lust for carnal things rather than spiritual things was made evident and public. Esau was sorry for that.

What Esau was not sorry for was his disregard for spiritual matters. He regarded the man of this world as ideal and not the realm of his spiritual inheritance.

Esau was not granted repentance even though he was sorry. Why? Esau was a carnal man. He did not value his birth right from a spiritual perspective.

How many of us have been like that? We prefer the world’s ideas, the world’s blessings, the world’s knowledge and positions far more than spiritual realities.

What about Jacob? What did Jacob value?
Jacob wanted the spiritual inheritance so bad that he resorted to deceptive means to get it.

The first born birth right did not belong to him. He knew the only way to get it was to use trickery.

He was aware that Esau did not value what he had. He lived for the now. Not for eternal things. Jacob on the other hand did value the Messianic lineage and all the spiritual benefits associated with the first born inheritance.

So because Esau pursued carnal things instead of spiritual things he suffered a great loss.

Even though Jacob was a wet behind the ears young man and second in line he was so envious of Esau’s’ position that he did not care if he has to rail road his brother to get it.

Ever known a zealous person like that? One who is so annoying with spiritual matters that they go around upsetting everybody’s apple cart? Look out here they come! Showing us up! Making us look bad! Spiritual zealots upsetting our status quo apple carts!

This is the key to godly sorrow working repentance not to be repented of again.

When we value our spiritual inheritance we will want to give up everything to attain the blessings attached to that inheritance.

Carnal things are cast aside no matter what we have to do to get rid of them.

If that means going through the fire of the Holy Spirit then that’s what we have to do.

See if their be any wicked way in me and deal with it David said. (Psalm 139:23-24)

Godly sorrow comes when we seek the Lord and he reveals our sin to us. When he shows us what our sin really is.

When the Lord shows us by his Holy Spirit how our sin affects others and the damage it does to ourselves we see it in a new light. With a new perspective.

All of a sudden that sin don’t seem so good. We see how it grieves the Lord and because our hearts value spiritual things above the things of this world we come into a place where godly sorrow comes. We mourn over our bad attitudes, our bad habits, our bad witness.

We see our sin the way God sees it and we want to get rid of it but quick!

When we know the truth about our sin and we want to be set free from it then the Lord will bring his deliverence. He will change our hearts and grant us repentance.

When we desire to please the Lord we will get things right. Say sorry when we need to and make restitution too. (2 Corinthians 7)

We will with godly passion set about interceeding for those who have hurt us, being loving to disagreeable people, and patient with those who have annoyed us.

Godly sorrow works repentance. Repentance is turning away from sin and being reformed by the Holy Spirit.

True repentance will come to those who value spiritual blessings above any thing this world has to offer.

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Faith in the Blood of Jesus!

May 16, 2020May 16, 2020 ~ Kim Balogh ~ Leave a comment

According to the Bible salvation is through faith in the blood of Jesus Christ. It is not based on strictly intellectual belief. Scriptures tell us that even the devils believe in Jesus Christ as Savior of the world. What they do not believe is in the redemptive power of the blood of Jesus Christ to save them. The devils cannot have faith in what is impossible for them to ever attain.

Paul asserts that the Galatians believed in Jesus Christ according to the law in the same way that the devils believe. They believed that Jesus shed his blood on the cross, died and rose again but what they did not believe was that the shed blood of Jesus Christ was enough to save them. They did not have faith in the blood of Jesus Christ.

Just as the devils believe according to the law that blood must be shed for sin, they cannot partake of that sacrifice due to their rebellion. Those under the law cannot be saved either because the blood sacrifice does not apply to intellectual belief only. Law keepers add other things to the redemption of Jesus Christ at the cross.

The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ shed his blood on our behalf. In order to have this sacrifice applied to us we must believe that what Jesus did was enough to save us. What needs to happen in order for salvation to occur is that we must have a revelation of the shed blood of Jesus Christ and faith in his blood to cleanse us from sin and keep us cleansed from sin.

Devils are notorious law keepers when it suits them. Satan accuses the Saints day and night before God’s throne. What can he accuse except violation of the law? The devils are still under the law!

Never can they understand the ministry of grace. The shed blood of Jesus Christ to save completely and thoroughly.

It is the same with the Law keepers. They wanted to remain under the law and be saved too but it does not work that way. The Bible specifically says that salvation is attained by having FAITH IN THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST. This means that we must believe that the blood of Jesus Christ alone atones for sin, without adding anything to it whatsoever. Not one good deed, not one special day observed, not fasting, not denial of the flesh’s appetites, not eating special foods! Not a thing!

In order to be saved we must completely and totally have faith in the blood of Jesus alone to save us AND to keep us saved. Faith in the blood of Jesus alone JUSTIFIES. That means to be declared righteous or in right standing before God.

Jesus Christ died once for sin. IT IS FINISHED! His blood was enough to bring redemption. With a better covenant based on better promises we can live before him in holiness. Not only does faith in the blood of Jesus save us but faith in the blood of Jesus will also give us victory over sin and the devil! The blood of Jesus is continually working on our behalf. In time of need we can come into the throne room of God and claim the blood of Jesus as our redemption for sin, our healing, our deliverance and our victory!

And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. Hebrews 9:22

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Hebrews 9:14

Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. Romans 5:9

Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood Rev. 1:5

Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God Romans 3:25

Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. Romans 5:9

Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, Hebrews 10:19

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1 John 1:7

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Revelation 12:11

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The God of the Breakthrough

May 13, 2020May 16, 2020 ~ Kim Balogh ~ Leave a comment

The Bible says that Satan is a thief. He will try to steal your blessings, your calling, your destiny and whatever else he can get his hands on. Mathew 6:19,20

How does he do this? The main way is exactly what he tried to do to Jesus during his temptation in the wilderness. Get your eyes off of God’s word and onto your self and your circumstances. (Matthew 4)

As long as we are like the disciples looking at the storm we will be afraid. As long as we look at how big the giants are in our life we will be afraid. (Luke 8 & Numbers 13)

Satan’s demons will try to make us question God’s love for us. They will steal our faith and our victory if we give them just one inch.

So what happens if I waver? What happens if I have listened to Satan’s lies? What happens if I let my guard down and got a demonic punch in the gut? Is there hope for me?

Peter walked with Jesus. He knew him intimately and yet he took his eyes off of the miracles and the intimacy he had with Jesus and put his eyes on the persecution coming for him. He faltered. He failed. He blew it. (Luke 22)

Peter needed a breakthrough. What does it mean to get a breakthrough?

Breakthrough in warfare means an offensive military assault that penetrates and carrys beyond enemy lines.

Breakthrough also means an act of moving through or over an obstacle.

Break through can mean a sudden advancement in knowledge or success.

When we get into unbelief and look at our troubling situation we in effect are denying the word. Just like Peter did. We are saying, “I don’t know you.”

That sounds harsh doesn’t it? But it’s TRUE. When we don’t believe that Jesus is the great I am, that he is exalted above all, has the power to defeat sin and every demonic power against us we in effect are denying him.

Scriptures say that those who KNOW their God will do great and mighty exploits. (Daniel 11:32)

To be victorious over the devil and his deception we must believe that Jesus is who he says he is. LORD OVER ALL. (Philippians 2)

Lord over the wind and the sea. Able to command the very powers of the air to be still. Able to lift us above our circumstance and into heavenly places with him. Seated with him in his athourity and power far above demonic powers. (Ephesians 2)

When we turn our eyes back on Jesus Christ the God of the breakthrough will release for us a breaking forth into a new level of faith. A new level of intimacy with him so that we may know him and the power of his resurrection. (Philippians 3)

When we fellowship with his suffering, for he has being tempted like us and harangued by the devil like us he is able to come to the rescue and secure those who are tempted like he was. (Hebrews 2:18)

God the Father broke through death for Jesus because he put his trust completely in the Father. (Acts 17)

Circumstances looked pretty glum for Jesus but he knew who his Father was. He knew the fellowship of intimacy he had with the Father. Jesus knew that the Father would not forsake him.

Jesus got his breakthrough into resurrection life. The Father beat death. He cast down Satan’s power and overthrew Satan’s kingdom. He destroyed the power of sin, death and the grave. (2 Timothy 1)

What does it mean for us get a break through?
(2 Samuel 5:20)

When the powers of darkness attack we turn our eyes on Jesus the author and finnisher of our faith. We then call on the Lord to come to our rescue! Help Lord I’m being shaken in this boat! The storm is raging about me BUT I know you are greater! I know you will come through for me. I put my eyes on you! I look to your greatness! You are Lord over this storm in my life! You will speak it to be still!

Breaking through to the Lord is seeking Him for the victory.
Ex. 19:21

When we seek God in prayer for a breakthrough he will rend open the heavens to give us a breakthrough.

Jesus is our victor. His victory becomes our victory!

We will break forth by his Holy Spirit power into his light. With a new understanding. A new revelation of his grace.

We will breakthrough into a fresh manifestation of his presence! Into a new beginning with greater victory from faith to faith and from glory to glory. (Roman’s 1:17, 2 Corinthians 3:18)

The God of the breakthrough will always be available to those who call upon him to save them out of all their trouble. (Psalm 18:6)

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Be Continually Filled With The Spirit!

May 5, 2020May 5, 2020 ~ Kim Balogh ~ Leave a comment

The Bible tells us that if we walk after the Spirit then we will not fulfill the desires of the carnal nature or our physical senses. What does it mean to walk after the Spirit?
(Romans chapter 8)

To “walk after” actually means to be joined to or with. Paul differentiates between living in the Spirit and walking after the Spirit. (Gal. 5:25)

A believer can be made alive by the Holy Spirit and “live in” the Spirit or be baptized in the Spirit but not actually walking after the Spirit or walking in the spiritual realm.

Some Christians are still allowing their carnal nature to lead them. They trust in man’s word more than God’s word and they mind the things of the world rather than the things of the Spirit.

Some believers try following the law and discipline of the body to control their carnal nature . This route eventually leads to defeat because while the law many contain sin it cannot conquer it.

God gives us the remedy in his word to crucify the flesh. He says to be filled with the Spirit and then walk after the Spirit. This is not not just a one time thing. We see in Acts chapter 2 that when believers got the Holy Spirit power from on high they waited on the Lord again concerning Peter in Acts chapter 4 and they were all filled with the Spirit again.

This is important to take note of. Believers need to he continually filled with the Spirit in order to overcome the carnal nature and the world. Being filled with the Holy Spirit means to be immersed in or supplied with the Holy Spirit on a continual basis. This comes by seeking God in prayer and spending time in God’s word. When we seek the Lord and call on him to empower us to walk in his Spirit he will always answer!

Just because we got the Holy Spirit one time does not mean that the Holy Spirit is activated in our lives on a continual basis. A good analogy would be that if we are a cell phone and have a battery inside us that does not mean that battery is charged. We have to plug it in to charge it. This takes time. It’s the same with our bodies. The amount of time we spend charging our battery will be the amount of power we get in our lives.

So when we are filled with the Spirit then we can be led by the Spirit. This means that once our spirits are charged up in the Holy Spirit we become more sensitive to the things of the Spirit and can hear his voice and feel his promptings.

As we fill up with the Holy Spirit each day that old person will soon die and be rendered in operative. As we pray in the Spirit and sing in the Spirit which Paul recommends that we do then we will be empowered by the Spirit. That means when we get to the place where our spirit man is more dominant than our carnal nature we will actually be able to demonstrate the power of the Holy Spirit according to our gifts and callings.

Born again believers live in varing degrees of the Spirit. None of us have managed to be as yielded to the Spirt like Enoch where we walked with God straight into glory but we should be moving closer in that direction all the time.

If we are filled with the Spirit then we can walk in the Spirit. When we acknowledge the Lord in all our ways he will direct our paths and then we are guaranteed to be successful by God’s standards. Then we can live as overcomers in this world.

If through the supply of the Spirit we are controlled by the Spirit then it will be automatic to yield to the Spirit. Our spirits being joined to God’s Spirit will enable us to live holy lives.

Those who are led by the Spirit scriptures tell us are the children of God but those who live according to the carnal nature will be defeated. Paul was talking to believers when he said that.

The unregenerate cannot reign in God’s kingdom. The carnal nature must be overcome and the way that we do it is not through rigorous religious exercise but through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5 tells us that our carnal nature will always fight against the Spirit but there is a remedy and that is being led by the Spirit of God. Being led by the Spirit can only come by being filled with the Spirit. When we fill up on the Holy Spirit every day then the Lord will direct our lives every day.

It is the Spirit that gives us life. It is the Spirit that enables believers to be salt and light in the earth. Without the Spirit we can do nothing for the flesh profits nothing. So as Paul says, let us put off the carnal nature and put on Christ. Let us be filled with the Holy Spirit like Jesus was and let us be empowered by the Holy Spirit to live in victory every day!

When our carnal nature becomes so subdued that Jesus is truly Lord of our lives then as Jesus testified in his word, “Greater works shall you do because I go to the Father. “

Be filled with the Holy Spirit today!

My Words are Spirit and Life!

May 1, 2020June 26, 2022 ~ Kim Balogh ~ Leave a comment

“My words are Spirit and they are life” John 3:23

Jesus revealed that the words he spoke into the natural realm originated from the spiritual realm. He said that his words quicken or make alive. Jesus was in fact God’s word made flesh. He personified in human form the very life giving words of God to humanity. (John 3:34)

The flesh according to Jesus gives no profit. That means that the natural man cannot bring life. It is only the Holy Spirit that can give life!

Human ability, human resources and human words cannot bring any one life giving benefit. This is because of the sin nature residing in the hearts of the unsaved. Sin can only bring about corruption.

Humans can have a form of knowledge and a form of life but corruption will ultimately in the end be the final outcome of all human endeavors.

Jesus was trying to tell us the way to life. Not only eternal life but abundant life while we are in the earth. HIS words alone have the power ability to create life.

“My words are Spirit and they are life. ” John 3:23

Jesus wants us to have abundant life. This abundant life comes from HIS word. God creates his life in our lives by his word.

When we mediate on God’s word, pray God’s word, declare God’s word and sing God’s word life will be produced. That is why Satan twists God’s word, lies about God’s word and denies the power of God’s word.

Satan knows that if we get a hold of this revelation his deception will be shattered and we will become over comers! (John 10:10)

Jesus said MY WORDS ARE SPIRIT And THEY ARE AND LIFE. Now if the same Spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the dead lives in us then the same Spirit living in us can quicken our mortal body and make it alive unto God! Alive eternally and alive now! Alive with God’s life and liberty in Christ Jesus.

According to Proverbs 18:21 Our words can bring life or death. Words that are negative, filled with unbelief, and cursing bring non life or corruption but God’s word in our heart and in our mouth will produce life and life abundantly.

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6

Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight O Lord my strength and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14

Jesus said in scriptures that, “if my words abide in you then you shall have whatever you ask for. ” John 15:7

God’s word alone can bless us in this life.

How does this life giving process come about? Jesus said FIRST the seed. God’s word is described as a seed. It can even be as small as a mustard seed which is very small. Seeds take time to germinate. They need sufficient water and an appropriate environment.

Then the blade grows. Sprouting occurs! Small miracles start to take place. Then with constant care the word will flower! Every one will see the evidence of God’s word in your life!

Lastly, the fruit appears. Small and green at first but again with proper care it will ripen! When the fruit from God’s word appears in our life then that is when others can partake of the goodness of the Lord through our testimony!

“He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” Matthew 13:31-32

God’s word has life giving power to produce abundant fruit and keep us from corruption!

When we put God’s word in our heart, mediate on it, pray it and declare it then it will produce life and that more abundantly.

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalm 119:11

The Way of Cain?

April 25, 2020August 6, 2020 ~ Kim Balogh ~ Leave a comment

Are You Going the Way of Cain?

Cain was Adam and Eve’s first born son. Cain symbolically represents the law. The law was given by Moses to show men that they are sinners in need of a Savior because no one can keep the law perfectly. Under the Old Testament animal sacrifice was required to cover sin but could not take away sin.

The law was given before Jesus became the sacrifice for sin once and for all. The law was a temporary restrainer of sin but has no power to defeat sin.

CAIN MEANS SPEAR, or a possession. A spear pierces the flesh. It cuts through the heart.

The sting or piercing of sin under the law brings death. The law does not bring life because no one can keep the law in its entirety. All are condemned to eternal separation from God who try to keep the law for justification. (right relationship with God)

ABEL was born after Cain. ABEL means breath of the Spirit. ABEL represents life in the Holy Spirit. Jesus brought life through his atonement for sin and his resurrection.

CAIN was a tiller of the ground. Tiller in Hebrew is abad. It means to work or serve like a bondsman. The ground represents earth or of this natural world.

ABEL was a keeper of sheep. Grace keeps God’s sheep justified from sin through Jesus Christ the Savior. ABEL represents God’s grace. (undeserved mercy)

CAIN brought before the Lord his offering. An offering symbolizes atonement for sin. In other words, Cain brought the works of his hands which he produced from the earth or the rudiments of this world, as an offering for sin.

ABEL brought a blood offering from an innocent lamb to atone for his sin.

The first offering given was made by God to atone for Adam and Eve’s sin by slaying a lamb and clothing them in its skin. CAIN was aware of this. However, he felt that he could earn forgiveness from sin by the works of his hand but God rejected CAIN’S offering.

God accepted Abel’s offering because it was God’s prerequisite for forgiveness of sin. The law says that the soul that sins shall die. Blood must be shed to atone for sin. An eye for an eye. A life for a life.

CAIN became jealous of his brother. Why? We know from the law that obedience to God’s word brings blessings but disobedience brings God’s curse. God refused to bless the work of Cain’s hands but he blessed Abel because he received the lamb sacrifice for atonement of sin.

The struggle between the flesh and the Spirit begin here. Those in the flesh or of the earth cannot please God but those in Jesus Christ are blessed in him and through him.

Often times this will cause jealousy and persecution from the religious mindset (those trying to keep the law for justification) towards the true Christian. These religious ones will attack the children of the Spirit because they want God’s blessings but they want it on their terms. They want God to accept them based on their deeds which they deem to be righteous in and of themselves.

To be rejected by God caused Cain’s countenance to fall or in modern English Cain felt inferior. This is what caused anger and jealousy to rise up in Cain.

After that the Bible says that Cain went and talked to his brother. That conversation is not recorded but I think that Abel tried to explain to Cain the way of salvation. They were talking in a field. Jesus said the fields are ready for harvest. The field represents bringing the salvation message.

Unfortunately, Cain did not receive the message of salvation because what he did was to rise up against his brother and kill him. This is significant because the flesh ( world minded ) always wants to rise up against the Spirit (God’s ways) all the time. The flesh wars against the Spirit on a continual basis according to scripture. The works of the flesh (human deeds outside Jesus Christ) do not please God and so the flesh resists the Holy Spirit all the time.

God asked Cain, “Where is your brother?” Cain replies, “How should I know ? Am I my brothers keeper? (Or in other words), Should I be guarding and protecting him? “

Cain lied to God when asked where his brother was. Cain rejected his responsibility as the oldest. In effect what Cain did was reject his inheritance just like Esau did. Then Cain became upset and cried about how he could not bear his punishment. Interesting to note, the Bible doesn’t mention his punishment right away, but Cain knew.

The Bible says that the soul that sins will die spiritually. CAIN was to face the worst punishment anyone could get. Separation from God. Notice how there was no repentance on his part. No lamb sacrificed. CAIN still rejected salvation by the blood atonement.

God, however, still offered to Cain his mercy. He tells him that if someone would want to hurt him in the future he would be punished 7 times. 7 is God’s number of perfection. God marked Cain with a reminder to all who would reject God’s plan of salvation for their own. God put a sign on him. CAIN was an example to others. All who saw him knew who he was and what he did. Scriptures tell us that sin will always be found out.

CAIN went out from God’s presence and dwelt in the land of Nod which means vagrancey. The flesh cannot dwell with God. CAIN was homeless.

1 John 3 :2 says that Cain was of the wicked one. The flesh is of the devil. The works of one’s hands or one’s own recognizance for justification is an abomination to God. It is of the devil’s nature; selfish, prideful, jealous and murderous.

Jude 1 : 11 says that apostates or false brethren go the way of Cain. They go after the way of the flesh and run after money. Baalam was a prophet for hire. He went the way of Cain. He prophesied nice things people wanted to hear for money. Korah another apostate was rebellious. He wanted his way instead of going God’s way.

The way of Cain is man’s way; greedy, rebellious and wanting the approval of men rather than the approval of God.

The flesh fights the Spirit and that is why God said the flesh must be put to death or denied. The flesh or world desires cannot inherit the Kingdom of God! A Cain mindset cannot inherit eternal life!

We can not rely on our works, good deeds or any thing else for salvation and acceptance by God except the blood of Jesus.

Trying to attain God’s approval by good deeds or law keeping results in separation from God in this life and also eternally.

Trying to keep the law (deeds of righteousness) for God’s approval is going the way of Cain. What is acceptable for salvation is receiving God’s free gift of eternal life through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. His blood alone can redeem from sin and make you a child of God.

Then when you are born of God all deeds done by the Holy Spirit are acceptable to him. God blesses his works not man’s works. Jesus Christ alone, by faith alone saves and justifies . Jesus said, I AM THE WAY. I AM THE TRUTH. I AM THE LIFE.

IN CHRIST ALONE!

Bless and Curse Not!

April 17, 2020August 6, 2020 ~ Kim Balogh ~ 1 Comment

Blessing and Cursing

A curse is a verbal invocation to bring harm, or evil to another. A curse is a proclamation invoking power to make desired harm.

To bless is to verbally prophecy or speak good things into a person’s life or situation.

Both blessing and cursing while invoked or uttered by people are carried out by either God or the demonic realm.

When God’s people are obedient to him he blesses them by releasing his favor and goodwill but when God’s people are in rebellion they come under a curse. It is not God who does the cursing because God does not commit evil.
Disobedience simply puts man outside God’s hedge of protection and that removal of blessing will allow evil things to occur in one’s life. (Isaiah 1:19,20 Deuteronomy 11)

Jesus made it clear that his people were not to curse or in other words not to invoke ill will on another person because cursing is speaking evil on another and that means invoking demonic powers to be released into another person’s life. God’s people are not to use demonic powers to deal with our enemies.

On the other hand when we bless our enemies who are doing evil to us we are asking God through benediction or prayer to change them and give them opportunity to repent. If they do not repent then coals of fire will be upon them or in other words they are in danger of eternal damnation. ( Romans 12:20 Mathew 5:44)

When Jesus spoke to the fig tree and commanded that it bear no fruit what he was doing was prophesying not cursing. (Matthew 11:12-25)

Since the fig tree represented Israel, Jesus was prophesying the outcome of the result of Israel rejecting him. While the disciples thought he was pronouncing a curse he actually was prophesying. (Mark 11:12,25)

The prophets in the old testament prophesied judgments that were a result of Israel’s rebellion but the evil which occurred came about by evil people. God himself did not harm his people but because of Israel’s sin he turned them over to their enemies.

A Curse without a cause will always return to the sender the Bible says. David prophesied that the curses of his enemies would fall back on their own heads. He declared that those who set nets for him would fall into it themselves. Simply because this is a spiritual law. Evil returns to its perpetrator. Touching God’s anointed will result in evil befalling the attacker.

(Proverbs 26:2)

Negative words in actuality are curses. That is why God said that life and death are in the power of the tongue. When we speak evil of another person we are pronouncing a curse in their lives and bringing judgment on ourselves.

(Proverbs 18:21)

When someone does us wrong we do good to them and pray for them to repent because if they do not repent their actions or words will return to them. Since God wants all to repent we are called to pray for them to have opportunity to repent.

Now we most certainly can pray for an evil action to be thwarted. God’s people are called to stand up for justice and take authority over evil. We can bind or render powerless evil devices. We can command in Jesus name all evil plans and schemes to be stopped but we are not to invoke evil on the person directly. We pray for them to repent.

(Mathew 18:18, Luke 10:19)

However sometimes people will not repent even if we pray and the evil they do may return to them. If we witness this happen we are to pray that God’s chastisement leads them to repentance. (Hebrews 12:6-11)

In psalm 69 David cries out to God when he is attacked by his enemies. He says that his enemies have no cause to attack him and because he is innocent concerning them he declares that the evil done to him would return to them. This of course is a prophecy as well about the Lord’s suffering and the results which occur to those who reject him.

When Jesus said to the Jewish nation that he would bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse Israel he was talking about a spiritual law. This same law applies to the Christian. Those who bless you will be blessed but those who do evil to you if they do not repent that evil will return to them. ( Genesis 12:3 Galatians 3:14-29)

That is why Jesus asks us to intercede for our enemies like he did to the Father. Unless our enemies repent they will end up being cursed which could result in eternal separation from God. (Luke 13:3-5)

Repentance

April 10, 2020September 29, 2022 ~ Kim Balogh ~ Leave a comment

Repentance means to have sincere regret and remorse for sin. It also means to turn from evil and do good. (Jeremiah 26:3, Mark 1:4)

The Bible teaches that salvation is bestowed upon the one who confesses trespassing against God’s law and putting trust in the salvation provided by God. Under the New Covenant that salvation is provided through faith in Jesus Christ. Unless there is repentance there is no salvation. (Luke 13:3-5)

Belief in Jesus as in intellectual assent is not faith. May I repeat this. Belief as in intellectual assent is not faith. At least not Biblical faith. It is not enough to believe something in order for it to apply to you.

I can believe that soap will clean my body but unless I apply that soap it will have no effect on me. The same is true for salvation. One must receive Jesus through both repentance and faith.

The devil believes in Jesus. He knows Jesus is God who came in the flesh to save mankind but that does not save him. Why? Because he has an unrepentant heart. He is still in his sins and can never be saved. (James 2:19)

This is the same for people who believe in Jesus as Savior but are still in their sins. Salvation means to be saved. Saved from what? Sin! If one still lives in sin then that person is not saved. Why? Because there is no repentance. ( Romans 6:2)

Some Christians battle over the faith and works argument because they leave out a major prerequisite for salvation to occur in the first place. Jesus specifically said that if you do not repent you will perish which means to be eternally lost. ( Luke 13:3)

If one is really saved according to the Bible they will produce godly fruit. (Matthew 3:8-10, )

Works in and of themselves don’t save but works revealing godly fruit is the evidence of having been saved. (James 2:18)

When repentance comes to the heart through conviction or convincing of sin by the Holy Spirit then salvation can occur. Sorrow for sin is a prerequisite for faith to come. How can you reach out to the Savior to save you unless you know you need saving? ( 2 Corinthians 7:10)

To mentally assent to Jesus Christ as the Savior is the first step towards salvation BUT does not constitute salvation in and of itself.

The salvation equation is as follows. GOD reaches out by grace which is undeserved mercy to those who believe in Jesus as the Saviour and repent of their sins. Then faith comes to the heart to trust in the Saviour for salvation.

Biblical faith is not a human quality. To have Faith in God cannot come by one’s own ability. You can reason to believe with the mind in Jesus Christ but you cannot fully trust, rely upon with confidence in Jesus Christ the Savior without the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 10:17 John 14:6 )

That is where the confusion doctrinally lies. Mental assent is mistaken for faith. The Greek word PISTIS for faith is based on relationship. It is not acknowledging something to be so.

This is why Jesus said in the Bible that MANY will say to him in that day. “Lord, Lord did we not do all these things in your name? Then Jesus will reply “I don’t know you.” (Matthew 7:21-23)

This is why James said. “I will show you my faith by my works.” (James 2:14-26)

A truly saved person will desire to live according to Biblical protocol. They will desire to be free from sin. They will not love the world or anything in the world. They will be constantly seeking God’s will for their life. (1 John 2:15-17)

If you are still living in your sins it’s best to be honest with God and ask him to bring you to the end of yourself where you hate your sin and want to give it up.

Perhaps, as Paul says, God will be merciful and grant you repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. (2 Timothy 2:25)

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Walk After The Spirit!

April 4, 2020April 5, 2020 ~ Kim Balogh ~ 1 Comment

Romans Chapter 7 is a chapter in which the struggle between the man under the law has with the sinful nature.

Paul who was a Pharisee under the law is revealing the battle a person under the law has with the carnal nature.

Right at the beginning of the chapter Paul makes it clear that he is speaking to those under the law. In other words those who are battling the carnal nature from a legalistic mindset.

Paul says that when we have received Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord we are no longer bound to the law. Those under the law were and are constantly battling the nature of sin at work in the non saved person and the law of God.

While with the intellect a person can agree that the law is good they are if not saved powerless to perform it.

Paul points out that true Christians have been delivered from the law. Not from the truths set forth in the law but the law as a letter or theological theory abstract from the non redeemed nature.

While the law reveals sin it has no power to deliver from sin. The law is only a road map but cannot actually get us to our destination. What we need is a vehicle to get us there.

The law in and of itself is good Paul says but because the non redeemed have a carnal nature the no redeemed cannot obey the law in its entirety. That is why under the law God set up the sacrificial system of the blood covering of animals.

The person under the law is not quite the same as a full blown sinner. While the law keeper is a sinner the law keeper tries to obey the law of God in the non redeemed state.

Herein lies the problem. It is rather easy to detect a full blown sinner but not so easy to distinguish a person under the law from a true Christian.

A law keeper may even sometimes look to be more holy than the true Christian. This is because the law keeper is working relentlessly to serve the law while a Christian is looking to God’s grace and mercy for salvation.

There is according to scripture an intense struggle going on between the carnal nature of the law keeper and the law.

The law keeper actually hates the bondage that they are in. They want to serve God in their minds but cannot perform the law good enough to get God’s approval. It’s very tormenting to be a law keeper.

Is there deliverance for this struggle between the carnal nature and the law of God? Paul tells us that there is!

He tells us that through Jesus Christ we can have deliverance.

If we continue on to Romans Chapter 8 we find that those in Jesus Christ no longer have to be in torment battling the law of God and the sin nature. Paul says that there is now no condemnation of the law towards those who walk after the Holy Spirit.

In other words those born of God who are baptized into Jesus Christ and are in the Holy Spirit (because he is living in them) are now called to walk in the Holy Spirit.

Here is where some Christians get mixed up. Just because we are born again and have the Holy Spirit living in us does not mean we have achieved victory over sin. There is a part for us to play and it’s called walking after or yielding to the Holy Spirit. That is being obedient to the inner working of the Holy Spirit in us.

The difference between a law keeper and a true born again person is that the law keeper cannot perform the works of the law for justification while the born again person is justified by grace through faith and can be empowered by the Holy Spirit to obey God.

God’s righteous is fulfilled in those who walk after the Holy Spirit Paul says. To walk after is translated in the Greek as; to be occupied with, to live with and to follow after.

Paul goes on to say that those who live after the flesh or earthly minded things will produce death that is a non productive spiritual life but those who live after the Holy Spirit will produce life abundantly.

Paul also says that one is proven to be a true Christian with the indwelling Holy Spirit by their putting to death the deeds of the body through the power of the Holy Spirit that is indwelling them and walking after the Holy Spirit which is indwelling them.

In other words when the body which is still subject to earthly senses is put under subjection or control of the Holy Spirit then life and liberty in Jesus Christ is the fruit produced.

Paul also says that suffering in the flesh or not giving in to its dictates will produce a far better eternal weight of glory for us.

One day the Christian’s body will be redeemed and the earthly part will be gone but at this time rather that keeping the sin nature contained by the law, those born of God have the Holy Spirit to control sin and produce fruits of holiness.

Christians are more than conquerors in this life Paul says because we belong to Jesus Christ. A conqueror is not a defeated in bondage to sinful desires and lifestyles person nor is a conqueror a twisted tormented law keeper trying to keep the law in the sinful nature.

A conqueror lives victorious in the Holy Spirit. Nothing can separate the true Christian from the love of God if we really belong to God.

Sin has no more dominion over those who walk after the Holy Spirit because Jesus defeated the power of sin at the cross. Scripture tell us that “He who knew no sin became sin for us that we might be made the righteous of God in Christ Jesus the Lord.”

(2 cor. 5:21)

Therefore brethren we are under no obligation or compulsion to obey sinful desires for that leads to death but we are under grace and grace leads us through Holy Spirit power to live a life of holiness.

Endures Forever!

The greatest remedy for our sins, failures, bad choices, and mistakes is God’s unfailing love in which he demonstrated to us through the gift of the Savior Jesus Christ.

This love undeserved is called grace but did you know that grace and salvation stem from God’s heart of compassion in which he releases to the undeserved his mercy.

Mercy called chânan in the Hebrew means to bend in kindness to an inferior; to bestow favor upon. To have pity. Eleeō in the Greek means mercy is the divine grace of almighty God. Mercy is in effect the Lord’s compassion.

Mercy according to the Bible triumphs or is victorious over judgment. All sin is judged by God whose throne is established in justice and righteousness.

Legally speaking God’s laws when broken must be judged. That judgment always leads to death. Christians many times want to blame the devil for every thing but it is not the devil who activates God’s judgment upon us when we sin. It is in fact our own doing.

What the devil does is take advantage of a legal precedent. Sin is an open invitation for Satan to have access to a person’s life. That is why Paul said. Don’t give Satan any place!

Satan is always looking for some one to devour. He wants to kill, steal and destroy in any way he can. So what can we do against this formidable foe who is a merciless devourer that takes advantage of our weakness?

Scriptures give us the answer! Yes, it is God’s mercy! When we confess our sins and ask for help in our weakness the Lord has a legal precedent that triumphs over the law of judgment.

Symptoms of emotional and physical distress often stem from sin and are projected through Satanic attacks. When we suffer from these symptoms we need to look into our hearts and find out how we let Satan get an advantage of us. Then we need to repent.

Whether personal or generational sin has a penalty. That penalty is death. Not just eternal death but non life or dark consequences both material and spiritual. These consequences are manifest through various kinds of torments, afflictions and lack.

Mercy does not need a price for it to bring the remedy for our sins.
Mercy is bestowed freely to the contrite and broken heart of repentance from a loving God. Mercy is not given to the proud or self righteous but to the humble who recognize their weakness and desire help from an all powerful God.

James 4:6
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Mercy from the Lord comes also when we are persecuted, misunderstood, and attacked by unscrupulous people.

Let me show you from scriptures how the mercy of God can be applied to our lives.

In our distress or trouble we can call on the Lord for his mercy and he will hear us and deliver us.

When we are weak and suffering with affliction we can call on the Lord for his mercy. When we are hated and persecuted we can ask for God to pour out his mercy. When we are poor, depressed and alone we can also appeal to God for his mercy for God’s mercy endures forever.

God’s mercy will bring us forgiveness and deliverance. His mercy sent from the throne of Grace will gives us strength and empowers us to live a life that pleases him.

God’s mercy will protect us and defend us from our enemies. God’s mercy will preserve us from trouble and keep us from the power of the wicked one.

God’s mercy will make us stand and be strong in his mighty power.

God’s mercy will teach us Biblical truth and cause us to walk in his ways.

Are you in need of God’s mercy today? Call upon him in your brokenness for he will bend his ear down to hear your cry. He will come to your rescue and save you out of all your trouble for whoever calls on the name of the Lord in sincerity shall be saved!

Psalm 4:1
When I was in distress have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

Psalm 6:2
Have mercy on me in my weakness and suffering and heal me.

Have mercy when I suffer from those who hate me. Lift me up out of death. Psalm 9: 13

Through the mercy of the Lord I shall not be moved. Psalm 21:7

For your mercy’s sake don’t remember my sins
Psalm 25:7

Remember mercy because I am desolate. Left alone. Forsaken. And afflicted. Depressed, needy and poor. Psalm 25:16

Have mercy. Be my helper. Psalm 30:10

Have mercy for I am in trouble and sorrowful. Psalm 31:9

Those who trust the Lord will have mercy. Psalm 32:10

Send forth your mercy to me from heaven. Psalm 36:5 psalm 57:3

Gods mercy has been my defense and refuge in trouble. Psalm 59:16

Your mercy and truth preserve me. Psalm 61:7