The Sins of Manasseh

"Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears." Hebrews 12:16-17

There are many Contemporary Christian songs which make claims such as, "You can never fall too far, so fast, so far that you can't get back when you're lost."  They insist that it doesn't matter what you've done because you are never too far gone.

While these songs might be catchy and the words might be comforting to a heart darkened by sin, we must ask ourselves, "Is this true?"  Is it biblical to say that God will always be there to vacate judgment when we finally make up our minds to repent?

Yes, Jesus in fact died for all of the sin of the world. However, if we do not avail ourselves of that sacrifice, if we continue loving darkness and rejecting light, we can do despite to the Spirit of grace. There is such a thing as becoming reprobate, where you are beyond salvation (Jeremiah 6:30; Romans 1:28; I Corinthians 9:27; II Corinthians 13:5-6; II Timothy 3:8; Titus 1:16; Hebrews 6:8).

reprobate: Hebrew word ma'ac meaning to reject, despise, or refuse.

reprobate:  Greek word adokimos meaning not standing the test, not approved; that which does not prove itself such as it ought

We are to seek the Lord while He may be found, lest we be turned over to a strong delusion to be damned.

"And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."  II Thessalonians 2:11-12

The Three Give Ups of God

The following is a 2004 message from Pastor Gary C. Price at Omega Ministries.

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 

Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them." Romans 1:16-32

This month we are discussing the three give ups of God as detailed in Romans Chapter 1. These Scriptures give insight into the cause of the decay of civilization and what is happening in this country and around the world.

The Normal Christian Birth

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." John 3:3-7

The following sermon is from Min. David Pawson as he explains what it means to be born again.

Many do not understand what it means to be born again and therefore are unprepared to live the Christian life.  They have not been born again, but have simply undertaken religious rituals without understanding what they mean or what they require in order to walk them out.

I believe that this series will be a tremendous blessing for many.  Please take some quiet time to listen and study regarding what has been said; it is worth it.  May God give us ears to hear His word.

What is the New Birth?

• The new birth is not instantaneous, but is a process.
• How you begin your spiritual life impacts how you live your spiritual life
• Many are leading others to Christ with religious euphemisms instead of biblical truths
• The Bible indicates four steps necessary to be born again:
• Repent
• Believe
• Be Baptized in Water
• Receive the Holy Spirit
• All four steps are acts of men (constituting conversion), but they are also acts of God (constituting regeneration).  At every stage, man is doing something and God is doing something; it is a beautiful cooperation.

It's the Same Son

During my doctor's visit on Saturday, the Lord gave me the topic for this article and told me what the title should be.  When I got home, I started writing it.  However, there was one Scripture He wanted me to include, and I told Him that I wasn't sure how to tie that all together.

Since I had some questions, I stopped writing it until I received the answer.  Then in church the next day, a video was shown that answered every question (I have included that below).  It is so wonderful to me how the Father is a personal God.  He knows and hears every petition of our hearts.

Okay, so I have an easy science question for you. Let's say you set some ice cubes out before a hot sun. What is going to happen?  The cubes are going to melt.

Now let's place some clay pots before that same sun.  What will happen?  The clay will get harder. See, I told you this was easy. :-)

Is it the sun which causes the ice to melt?  Yes.

Is it the sun which causes the clay to harden?  Yes.

So how can the same sun cause such different reactions? The difference is due to the varying make-up of the objects in the sun.  It is the same with God.  Some people can be exposed to God and their hearts will melt; others can be exposed to God, and the hearts become harder.  It is the same God who causes the result, but the difference is based upon the condition of the object.

God Wants to Save You

God wants to save you, but you must make a choice: an eternity with Him or an eternity without Him.

The Lord doesn't force you to choose. He leaves it up to you.

He also doesn't hide anything from you; He openly tells you the result of each choice.

• An Eternity with the Lord - An abundance of life (Matthew 25:46; John 10:10; I John 2:25). No more death and no more tears (Isaiah 25:8).  There is a specific place prepared for you akin to a mansion (John 14:2).  You will be clothed in righteousness and covered by the presence of the Lord, to worship Him night and day (Revelation 7:13-15).  You will never be hungry or thirsty again and Jesus will comfort your every concern (Revelation 7:16-17).  There will be no mourning, crying, or pain anymore and you will receive all that is in the Kingdom of God as your inheritance (Matthew 25:34; I Peter 1:4; Revelation 21:4-7).  Priceless riches permeate the city, made of pure gold and precious stones (Revelation 21:18-21).  There is no concept of aging and you will enjoy the fruits of your own labor, for every work you perform will be productive (Isaiah 65:19-23).  There will be no more curses, no more night time at all, and no need for any light outside of the light that comes from Jesus; you will reign with God in the Kingdom (Isaiah 60:19-20; Revelation 3:21; Revelation 21:22-25; Revelation 22:3-6). You will have fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11).
• An Eternity without the Lord - Everlasting fire, everlasting contempt, everlasting punishment, and everlasting destruction (Daniel 12:2; Matthew 25:41-46; I Thessalonians 1:9). Eternal fire where the worm never dies (Mark 9:44-49; Jude 1:7).  A resurrection unto damnation (John 5:29). Eternal torment in a lake of fire and brimstone causing weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 13:42-50; Luke 16:22-24; Revelation 14:10-11; Revelation 21:8).

Just consider these options at face value.  No one in their right mind would choose an eternity of torment in Hell fire over an eternity of joy, peace, and love. Yet people do every single hour of every day. Why? Because they have fallen for the okey-doke.

The Five Covenants of God

The following sermons are from Min. David Pawson as he address the five biblical covenants.

The God of the Bible is a covenant-making and a covenant-keeping God.

But what is a covenant and how does it differ from a contract?

How many covenants has God made with humans? How many of these apply to Christians today?

These are crucial questions for the interpretation and application of Scripture. The Bible is divided into two testaments, another word for covenants. Does this mean the Old Testament is only of historical interest to disciples of Jesus ? What about the Ten Commandments? – and the other six hundred and three given to Moses?

Some of the major differences in the Church go back to the different answers given to these questions. For example, whether baptism should be of babies or believers, whether priests, altars, vestments and incense should be used in worship, whether re-marriage is permissable after divorce and whether we should work a six day week.

By His covenants of grace, the Lord has bound Himself to us and bound us to Himself. That is the heart of Biblical revelation and Godly living.

But They Could Not Show Their Father's Seed

To Whom Do You Belong?


"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." I Peter 1:23 

In the book of Ezra, God begins to gather His people who had been captured and taken away into bondage in Babylon.  The story of God's deliverance of His people here is amazing.  It starts with the Lord moving upon the heart of the Persian King Cyrus to declare God as Lord and calling for God's people to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple.  All that had been stolen from the temple of God and given unto idols, Cyrus collected so that they could be returned to the house of the Lord.

Israel had grown to substantial numbers in captivity.  Not all Israelites chose to return to Jerusalem because their spirits would not be stirred by God (Ezra 1:5; Luke 13:34).  However, of those who were stirred, they came forth as priests, singers, porters, servants...their lineage was made clear so that they could show evidence of a rightful inheritance to possess the land.  Yet, there were some who could not produce this evidence.

"And these were they which went up from Telmelah, Telharsa, Cherub, Addan, and Immer: but they could not shew their father's house, and their seed, whether they were of Israel: the children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty and two. And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai; which took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name: these sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood." Ezra 2:59-62

polluted: Hebrew word ga'al; to be to defiled, polluted, desecrated

Put Me In My Place

As I prayed the other morning, I said, "I don't care what anyone else is doing or not doing.  It doesn't matter.  Lord, put me in my place."

As soon as those last words were out of my mouth, I thought, "Where did that come from?".  I then began to contemplate what that could mean.

"Our Place in Relation to God"

To the world, somebody being "put in their place" references a person being knocked down a peg or two after being perceived to be too lofty.  Certainly God also warns us against thinking too highly of ourselves.

"For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." Romans 12:3

One common way in which people think more highly of themselves is to disregard God's ways in favor of their own understanding (Isaiah 55:9; Proverbs 3:5).  When you see someone who justifies disobedience to God's word, then you are looking at the fruit of pride.

Being high-minded may also cause you to become impatient with God, taking matters into your own hands and creating an Ishmael instead of waiting for God's promises to be revealed.  God had promised Abram that He would provide him a son.  Yet not waiting for God to bring this to pass, Sarai had Abram conceive a son through her handmaid Haggar (Genesis 16:1- 18:15).  Yet, Ishmael was not the son God promised.  From then to this day, the family feud which resulted continues to plague God's people.

At times, God may need to remind us that He alone is God and He alone knows what is best for us. Gd is not looking for man's ability, but is looking for vessels through which He can do even the impossible.  Just as we should not think too highly of ourselves, we should also not think too lowly.

Being "in my place" means that I am a redeemed child of the Most High God and a member of the Body of Christ.  It means I should be able to speak to a mountain and by faith have it moved and cast into the sea (Matthew 21:21).  It means I have been given authority over all the power of the enemy (Luke 10:19).  It means that the power of God is available to flow through me, casting out devils, healing the sick, and showing forth miraculous signs and wonders to confirm His word (Mark 16:17-18).

Yes Lord, put me in my place.

Becoming What We Know

Immersion in the Mikveh

Most of us have heard enough of the word of God to understand what it means to be saved.  While many are full of the letter, too many have yet to become living epistles written by the Holy Spirit and read of all men (II Corinthians 3:2-3). We have learned enough to spot what is wrong, but few have been spiritually empowered to impact what is wrong.  It is not enough for us to simply know what is right; we must be transformed to "become" what we "know" in order to reach others. 

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you." II Corinthians 4:7-12

We do realize that this is the goal, right?  God is not after us just having a bunch of head knowledge and serving as fruit-checkers examining the lives of others, but for us to actually have our lives poured out to be the hands and feet of Christ in the earth so that others may be saved. 

Can we honestly look at our lives and see anyone who has been impacted by our zeal for Christ?  Has anyone been set free from darkness through our witness for Him?  If so, then praise God!  If not, then even our vast knowledge is dead, because every living thing produces after its own kind.  At this late hour we cannot afford to be a sounding gong with no real Godly power.  You can only talk about what is wrong for so long before wondering whether you have been made an instrument of God's deliverance, for that is what counts.

Lord, Please Keep Me

I have had occasion to witness a young woman who had come to know the Lord in recent years go off head first into a strong delusion.  This woman has not overtly turned away from God.  Instead, like many people, she has simply turned to religion.  It has been amazing and yet terrifying to see.

You try to talk about basic Bible truths with her, and the response is honestly just incoherent.  There are lots of religious sounding phrases, but an inability to deal with or acknowledge the simple truths of God.  The Scripture uses the phrase "great swelling" words, which is the Greek word hyperogkos meaning overswollen.

The words are "great" because they sound really impressive and holy, but they are "swelling" because they have no substance. Just as a balloon fills up and swells with air, the words are puffed up.  As a result of having been infected by the wrong spirit, the person's mannerisms and speech have become affected.  In general, it is evidence of one who has been filled with head knowledge, yet not been transformed in heart to become what they have learned (II Timothy 3:6).  Such is a deadly combination.

"Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth." I Corinthians 8:1

I am sure you have probably had similar discussions:

Statement: "You know, the Bible says that we must flee fornication and all sexual immorality."

Response: "I'm blessed & highly favored, praise God!  God is moving and advancing His Kingdom!"

Statement:  "But God wants to purge us from all uncleanness.  He says here that we must repent and turn away from sin.

Response: "Hallehujah!  God has me! The gifts of God are without repentance!"

Now my example may be an exaggeration (though not by much), but the point is that people's minds are going deep into insanity in religion and only the Lord Jesus can bring them back.  Such persons can never address the Scriptures, instead they simply espouse religious jargon as if such renders Scripture invalid.  And for the record, let me just state that "the gifts of the Lord being without repentance" is not a cover for disobedience.

The religious arena is not just a nice place people go to find God.  It is a snare set up by Satan to keep people from God and yoked to the personalities of men.  Again, I say, this is terrifying!

God Will Not Recognize a Bastard

Sometimes, the things God says seem harsh.  In my studies this morning, He said to me, "I will not recognize a bastard" and then He told me to make that the title of a post.  I said, "REALLY God?  You want me to put that as the title of a post???"  I thought, "Man, that is kind of raw."  Yet His thoughts and ways are higher than our own (Isaiah 55:9).

This type of word from God just does not mix with the tolerant, accepting, non-confrontational, nonjudgmental type of [false] God presented in most churches these days.  Yet, there is goodness AND severity in God (Romans 11:12).

Imagine being the Creator of all and yet the creation made originally in your image becomes marred and eternally separated from you through sin.  To rescue them from themselves, you send your Son to give His life for them - being viciously tortured & dishonored - so that they may be reconciled to you and saved from the wages of sin.  Would you take the rejection of that sacrifice of love lightly?  Would it be a "small thing" for people to then still reject you so that they could stay in sin?  I figure that God is entitled to be as raw as He wants to be.  He will not pull punches nor will He mince words.  His desire for our reconciliation with Him is the motivator and it is just that serious.  He loves us enough to tell us the cold, hard truth. 

God's "Unconditional" Love

"I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. " Proverbs 8:17

I have been thinking a lot about the "unconditional love" of God.  This is commonly asserted by many Christians, and most often in relation to sin, "God loves us unconditionally in spite of our sin."  However, is this sentiment really biblical and what is meant when people say this? I ask you to think honestly about this question.

Increasingly people are being lulled into a false standing with God which seems to hinge on some perversion of God's love.  The purpose of this article is not to attempt to divorce man from God's great love, but to ensure that we are truly abiding in His abounding love.

For a doctrine that has become so central to the contemporary church, Scripture is relatively silent on this issue.  That is why many asserting that "God's love is unconditional" must deduce that it is so.  They seek to appeal to what might be called your sense of reason saying, "God's love must be unconditional because...[fill in the blank]"  Yet, there is not one Scripture which states that all have God's love unconditionally.  Is God's love undeserved by all?  Yes!  Yet, undeserved does not mean unconditional. At the very least this concept should be supported by God's word if it is to be believed.  Otherwise, it is likely false - no matter how warm & fuzzy it makes us feel.

So, what does it mean biblically to say that God's love is unconditional?

unconditional: not limited by conditions; asserting that the existence or occurrence of one thing or event does not depend on the existence or occurrence of another thing or event.

God's love simply exists, for He is love (I John 4:8).  It is not dependent upon anything else for - like His very nature - He (and it) just is.  Yet, the fact that God's love exists unconditionally does not mean it is received by man unconditionally. 

The Most UNPREACHED Message in the Church

The Severity of God

"To not major on the same truths that Jesus and His Apostles emphasized, is to preach a completely different Gospel altogether..." 

Today, many Christians are majoring in the minors.  What I mean by that is they are taking selective aspects of Jesus' life and expounding upon that, but ignore what they do not like.  They are forsaking the weightier matters of what Jesus taught in order to depict an idol called Jesus who will tickle their ears with smooth things.  Today's contemporary Christians rejoice that God loves us unconditionally in spite of our sin (which I have never found supported anywhere in Scripture), yet they never stop to think whether such "love" is enough to keep them from eternal damnation.

For Our Example

Just sharing part of my own study this morning.  In the New Testament, God sets forth certain things which He says are for our examples.  These things are noted for His Church to be in remembrance of and take heed to so that we may learn from the lesson.

ensample: typos (Greek); a figure formed by a mark of a stroke or blow, print; a form; an example

ensample: hypodeigma (Greek); a sign suggestive of anything, delineation of a thing, representation, figure, copy; an example: for imitation

example: deigma (Greek); a thing shown; a specimen of any thing, example, pattern

Do Not be Overthrown in the Wilderness of Sin

We should understand the end of those who fall into unbelief, even after having experienced the salvation of God. 

"While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. But with whom was he grieved forty years? Was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief." Hebrews 3:15-4:11

The God of Love

For God So Loved the World

Someone recently submitted a comment saying in part,  "God is love PERIOD...Are you sure YOU know God?"

I had to admit, as I read the person's comment that it was abundantly clear we did not serve the same God.  The idol god they endorsed was someone completely alien to the Father, because their perversion of "love" does not involve obedience to God's commands.  In this erroneous perspective, sin is of no consequence because God is love.  Holding to God's truths are merely academics in "biblical knowledge" which has nothing to do with a Christian's call to "show love."  Somehow, I don't think this is what God meant when He said that love covers a multitude of sins.  God is love, but God is also Truth.  You cannot separate the two without perverting who God is.

Christianity itself is being redefined to be about tolerance (of sin), diversity (of sin), and unity (with those willfully in sin).  Anyone who speaks about sin is therefore "judging" and "unloving."  The hatred coming against those who speak against sin has indeed become palatable.

Let me say unequivocally that I am not a servant of this idol "god of love" promoted by many in the churchworld which shies away from addressing sin and uses the grace of God to promote lasciviousness.  If that makes me your enemy, so be it.   

Not Without Holiness

"Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears." Hebrews 12:11-17

Sanctify Yourselves

sanctify: to separate from profane things and dedicate to God; to purify

When I was on Facebook, I once posted something about the need for Christians to sanctify and consecrate themselves unto the Lord.  This led to sincere questions from other Christians who believed that we are incapable of doing such for it is God alone who does this work. 

This type of view is common amongst certain denominations in Christendom, but does not align with Scripture.  There is a work which remains for Christians to "do" and that is in receiving what God has already "done". 

The following message is from Pastor Zac Poonen which I think aptly addresses and presents a balanced Scriptural perspective on this topic.

May we all make ourselves ready as time draws short.

Conclusions to Offering Violence

I have not included on the blog all parts of Thomas Watson's book "The Christian Soldier: Heaven Taken By Storm", but some key portions which I felt would be most impactful and relevant for the day in which we live. The following is the last portion I will post here which sort of sums up his teachings on the Christians' use of violence in the faith.

If you have not read the other sections, I highly recommend that you do.

Hindrances, Directions, & Conclusions to Offering Violence

I shall, in the next place, lay down some rules or directions on how to get this blessed violence.

Take heed of those things which will hinder this violence for Heaven.

Take heed of unbelief. Unbelief is a great remora, for it is discouraging. When a Christian is working for Heaven, unbelief whispers thus, 'To what purpose are all these pains? I might just as well sit still. I may pray, and not be heard; I may work, and have no reward; I may come near heaven, yet miss it' Jer viii.12. 'And they said, there is no hope.' Unbelief destroys hope; and if you cut this sinew of religion, all violence for Heaven ceases. Unbelief raiseth a cloud of despondency in the heart. Alas, you will never be able to go through the work of religion.  There are so many precepts to obey; so many temptations to resist; so many afflictions to bear, that you will succumbere oneri, fall under the burden; you will tire in your march to Heaven.

Unbelief raiseth jealous thoughts of God, it represents him as an austere master, and that if we fail in so little a punctilio, he will take the extremity of the law upon us. This discourageth the soul in the use of means. Unbelief doth as Sanballat and Tobiah and to the Jews, Nehem. vi. 9. 'They all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work.' O take heed of unbelief; it destroys this holy violence. We read of Jeroboam's arm being withered, 1 Kings xiii. 4. Unbelief withers the arm of the soul, that it cannot stretch itself forth to any spiritual action. Unbelief doth the Devil the greatest kindness; it makes way for his temptations to enter, which do so enchant and bewitch us that we cannot work. Beware of this sin: believe the promises: God 'is good to the soul that seeketh him,' Lam. iii. 25. Do but seek him with importunity, and he will open both his heart and Heaven to thee.

The Christian Offering Violence to Heaven

In this part of the book, "The Christian Soldier: Heaven Taken By Storm" Thomas Watson talks about how the Christian offer violence for the taking of Heaven.

Part 8 - The Christian Offering Violence to Heaven

Fourthly, we must offer violence to Heaven. 'The kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence.' Though Heaven is given us freely, yet we must take pains for it. Canaan was given Israel freely, but they had to fight with the Canaanites. It is not a lazy wish, or a sleepy prayer, will bring us to Heaven; we must offer violence. Therefore in Scripture our earnestness for Heaven is shown by those allegories and metaphors which imply violence.

• Sometimes by striving. Luke xiii.24. 'Strive to enter in at the strait gate.'-The Greek signifies, Strive as in an agony.
  
  
• Wrestling, which is a violent exercise. Eph. vi. 12. We are to wrestle with a body of sin, and with the powers of hell.
  
  
• Running in a race, 1 Cor. ix.24. 'So run that ye may obtain.' We have a long race from earth to Heaven, but a little time to run; it will soon be sunset. Therefore, so run. In a race there's not only a laying aside of all weights that hinder, but a putting forth of all the strength of the body; a straining every joint that men may press on with all swiftness to lay hold on the prize. Thus Paul pressed towards the mark. Phil. iii:14. Alas, where is this holy violence to be found?

Violence by Self-Examination

In this section of Thomas Watson's book, "The Christian Soldier: Heaven Taken By Storm", he discusses violence as part of the Christian duty for self-examination.

Part 5 - Self-examination

The fifth duty wherein we are to offer violence to ourselves, self-examination; a duty of great importance: it is a parleying with one's own heart, Psalm lxxxvii. 7. 'I commune with mye own heart.' David did put interrogatories to himself. Self-examination is the setting up a court in conscience and keeping a register there, that by strict scrutiny a man may know how things stand between God and his own soul. Self-examination is a spiritual inquisition; a bringing one's self to trial. A good Christian doth as it were begin the day of Judgment here in his own soul. Self-searching is a heart-anatomy.

As a Chirurgeon, when he makes a dissection in the body, discovers the intestina, the inward parts, the heart, liver, and arteries, so a Christian anatomizeth himself; he searcheth what is flesh and what is spirit; what is sin, and what is grace, Psalm lxxvii. 7. 'My spirit made diligent search:' As the woman in the Gospel did light a candle, and search for her lost groat, Luke xv. 8. so conscience 'is the candle of the Lord,' Prov. xx. 27. A Christian by the light of this candle must search his soul to see if he can find any grace there. The rule by which a Christian must try himself, is the Word of God. Fancy and opinion are false rules to go by. We must judge of our spiritual condition by the canon of Scripture. This David calls a 'lamp unto his feet,' Psalm cxix. 105. Let the word be the umpire to decide the controversy, whether we have grace or no. We judge of colours by the sun. So we must judge of the state of souls by the light of Scripture.