Mike,

This occurred to me and I have to ask. How do you explain this scripture in Revelation?

Rev 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Notice Mike, there is a very clear distinction between the testimony of Jesus and the Commandments of God.

T____

Hi T____,

Remember Christ’s warning that many are called but few are chosen? Now read this verse in Revelation.

Rev 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

Being ‘called’ is necessary, but not sufficient. Being ‘chosen’ is also absolutely necessary, but we also must be ‘faithful’

Joh 6:70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?

The “testimony of Jesus Christ” is not the testimony of Moses or else “what need would there be for another priesthood not after Aaron but Melchisedek?”

“There being a change of priesthood there is also a change of the law.”

Heb 7:11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (f or under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
Heb 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

That ‘testimony’ and that ‘change also of the law’ is found in Mat 5-7. It is a “changed law.” It is the “testimony of Jesus Christ,” and even a “piece of the new agrees not with the old.”

Luk 5:36 And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was [ taken] out of the new agreeth not with the old.
Luk 5:37 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. Luk 5:38 But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved. [ Gal. 3:23-4:1- The “schoolmaster,” the “tutors and governors will always be need to “bring us to Christ,” right through the millenium. ” But after that faith is come…” and 1Ti 1:9]]
Luk 5:39 No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.

But you can’t see that difference or “change” and so, sure enough, you “having drunk the old wine” along with the rest of the world, still say “the old is better.”

So Christ rests his case.

Mike

Hey, Brother Mike!
What is your definition of a True Christian? Thank you!
Your Brother in Christ,
J____

Hi J____,
Thank you for your question. You ask:

What is your definition of a True Christian?

First of all, my definitions are unimportant. With the bible as our guide, a true Christian lives by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God and keeps the things written therein.

Mat 4:4  But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Rev 1:3  Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

Christ made this statement:

Joh 13:35  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

But we have taken it upon ourselves to define what is meant by “love one another,” and most Christians have used that very verse to undermine what the scripture say is “the love of the children of God.” Here is how the scriptures define loving one another. There simply is no other definition:

1Jn 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
1Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

We do not “love the children of God” when we accept and tolerate their aberrant and perverse lives. We love the children of God when we obey God’s commandments. Here is an example of that love which is completely rejected by the natural man, and which has led us to the point that there are now multiple thousands of denominations within the church which bears the name of God and His Son.

2Jn 1:9  Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
2Jn 1:10  If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
2Jn 1:11  For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

This is one of the commandments of God, and any who do not live by this commandment does not even know what the scriptures mean when they say “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, If you have love one for another.”
So a Christian is that man who has the spirit of Christ. But that spirit is to be understood as the words of Christ.

Joh 6:63  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

If we have Christ’s words living in us, then we have Christ living in us, directing our actions with His mind and His thoughts which are expressed through His words, which are His spirit.

Rom 8:9  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

I hope this has answered your question.
Your brother in Christ and His Words,
Mike

  Introduction

This week’s bible study is more or less a continuing thought that the Lord has given me as a trial and lesson, within myself and outside externally. As I studied out what chaste conversation is, the Lord provided much more than I originally thought this phrase meant. I hope you all will be able to receive this message as it was given to me because it really is amazing when the Lord makes something a revelation to us, isn’t it? It is one thing to think we understand, but it is a whole different situation to be given the eyes to see and the ears to hear another part of the revelation of Jesus Christ.

What is chaste conversation scripturally?

I wanted to retrace my study steps while speaking with you all, so I will start in this talk where I started when studying this topic out.

When I look up chaste in Miriam- Webster’s Dictionary, I see this:

Chaste:

1: innocent of unlawful sexual intercourse

2:  celibate

3: pure in thought and act:  modest

4 a: severely simple in design or execution:  austere<chaste classicism> b:  clean, spotless

Conversation:

1obsolete:  conduct, behavior

2 a(1): oral exchange of sentiments, observations, opinions, or ideas(2): an instance of such exchange:  talk<a quiet conversation> b: an informal discussion of an issue by representatives of governments, institutions, or groups c: an exchange similar to conversation

Sometimes, the dictionary makes very little sense. For the word conversation we have number 2 saying, “oral exchange of sentiments, observations, opinions, or ideas…. an exchange similar to conversation”.

How does that make sense? The word conversation has one definition of: an exchange similar to conversation. Anyways.

When looking up the biblical definition we get a whole different picture of what the Holy Spirit reveals in this phrase and the two words used separately.

===========================================

Chaste used in scripture:

G53

αγνος

hagnos

Total KJV Occurrences:8

pure, 4

Phi_4:8, 1Ti_5:22, Jas_3:17, 1Jn_3:3

chaste, 3

2Co_11:2, Tit_2:5, 1Pe_3:2

clear, 1

2Co_7:11

===========================================

Conversation used in the OT scripture: 

(Psa 37:14)  The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.
 
(Psa 50:23)  Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God. 

H1870

derek

Total KJV Occurrences:706

way, 462

Gen_16:7, Gen_18:19, Gen_24:27, Gen_24:40, Gen_24:42, Gen_24:48, Gen_24:56, Gen_28:20, Gen_32:1, Gen_33:16, Gen_35:3, Gen_35:19, Gen_38:14, Gen_38:16, Gen_38:21, Gen_42:25, Gen_42:38, Gen_45:21, Gen_45:23-24 (2), Gen_48:7 (2), Gen_49:17, Exo_4:24, Exo_13:17-18 (2), Exo_13:21, Exo_18:8, Exo_23:20 (2), Exo_32:8, Exo_33:3, Exo_33:13, Num_14:25, Num_20:17, Num_21:1, Num_21:4 (2), Num_21:22, Num_21:33, Num_22:22-23 (4), Num_22:26, Num_22:31-32 (2), Num_22:34, Num_24:25, Deu_1:2, Deu_1:19, Deu_1:22, Deu_1:31, Deu_1:33 (2), Deu_1:40, Deu_2:1, Deu_2:8 (2), Deu_2:27, Deu_3:1, Deu_6:7, Deu_8:2, Deu_9:12, Deu_9:16, Deu_11:19, Deu_11:28, Deu_11:30, Deu_13:5, Deu_14:24, Deu_17:16, Deu_19:3, Deu_19:6, Deu_22:4, Deu_22:6, Deu_23:4, Deu_24:9, Deu_27:17-18 (3), Deu_28:7, Deu_28:25, Deu_28:68, Deu_31:29, Jos_1:8, Jos_2:7, Jos_2:16, Jos_2:22, Jos_5:4-5 (4), Jos_5:7, Jos_8:15, Jos_10:10, Jos_12:3, Jos_23:14, Jdg_2:17 (2), Jdg_2:19, Jdg_2:22, Jdg_8:10-11 (2), Jdg_9:25, Jdg_18:5-6 (2), Jdg_18:26, Jdg_19:9, Jdg_19:27, Jdg_20:42, Rth_1:7, 1Sa_1:18, 1Sa_6:9, 1Sa_6:12 (2), 1Sa_9:6, 1Sa_9:8, 1Sa_12:23, 1Sa_13:17-18 (3), 1Sa_15:2, 1Sa_15:20, 1Sa_17:52, 1Sa_24:3, 1Sa_24:7, 1Sa_25:12, 1Sa_26:3, 1Sa_26:25, 1Sa_28:22, 1Sa_30:2, 2Sa_2:24, 2Sa_13:30, 2Sa_13:34, 2Sa_15:2, 2Sa_15:23, 2Sa_16:13, 2Sa_18:23, 2Sa_22:31, 2Sa_22:33, 1Ki_1:49, 1Ki_2:2, 1Ki_2:4, 1Ki_8:25, 1Ki_8:32, 1Ki_8:36, 1Ki_11:29, 1Ki_13:9-10 (3), 1Ki_13:12 (2), 1Ki_13:17, 1Ki_13:24-26 (4), 1Ki_13:28, 1Ki_13:33, 1Ki_15:26, 1Ki_15:34, 1Ki_16:2, 1Ki_16:19, 1Ki_16:26, 1Ki_18:6-7 (3), 1Ki_19:15, 1Ki_20:38, 1Ki_22:52 (3), 2Ki_2:23, 2Ki_3:8 (2), 2Ki_3:20, 2Ki_6:19, 2Ki_7:15, 2Ki_8:18, 2Ki_9:27 (2), 2Ki_10:12, 2Ki_11:16, 2Ki_11:19, 2Ki_16:3, 2Ki_19:28, 2Ki_19:33, 2Ki_21:21-22 (2), 2Ki_22:2, 2Ki_25:4 (2), 2Ch_6:16, 2Ch_6:23, 2Ch_6:27, 2Ch_6:34, 2Ch_11:17, 2Ch_18:23, 2Ch_20:32, 2Ch_21:6, 2Ch_21:13, Ezr_8:21-22 (2), Ezr_8:31, Neh_9:12, Neh_9:19 (2), Job_3:23, Job_8:18-19 (2), Job_12:24, Job_17:9, Job_19:12, Job_21:29, Job_21:31, Job_23:10-11 (2), Job_24:4, Job_24:18, Job_24:24, Job_28:23, Job_28:26, Job_29:25, Job_31:7, Job_36:23, Job_38:19, Job_38:24-25 (2), Psa_1:1, Psa_1:6 (2), Psa_2:12, Psa_5:8, Psa_18:30, Psa_18:32, Psa_25:8-9 (2), Psa_25:12, Psa_27:11, Psa_32:8, Psa_35:6, Psa_37:4-5 (2), Psa_37:7, Psa_37:23, Psa_37:34, Psa_49:13, Psa_67:2, Psa_77:13, Psa_77:19, Psa_85:12-13 (2), Psa_86:11, Psa_89:41, Psa_101:2, Psa_101:6, Psa_102:23, Psa_107:4, Psa_107:7, Psa_107:40, Psa_110:7, Psa_119:1, Psa_119:14, Psa_119:27, Psa_119:29-30 (2), Psa_119:32-33 (2), Psa_119:37, Psa_139:24 (2), Psa_146:8-9 (2), Pro_1:15, Pro_1:31, Pro_2:8, Pro_2:12, Pro_2:20, Pro_3:23, Pro_4:11, Pro_4:14, Pro_4:19, Pro_5:8, Pro_6:23, Pro_7:8, Pro_7:27, Pro_8:2, Pro_8:13, Pro_8:22, Pro_9:6, Pro_10:29, Pro_11:5, Pro_11:20, Pro_12:15, Pro_12:26, Pro_13:6, Pro_13:15, Pro_14:8, Pro_14:12, Pro_15:9, Pro_15:19, Pro_16:9, Pro_16:17, Pro_16:25, Pro_16:29, Pro_16:31, Pro_19:3, Pro_20:24, Pro_21:2, Pro_21:8, Pro_21:16, Pro_21:29, Pro_22:5-6 (2), Pro_23:19, Pro_26:13, Pro_28:10, Pro_29:27, Pro_30:19-20 (5), Ecc_10:3, Ecc_12:5 (2), Isa_3:12, Isa_8:11, Isa_9:1, Isa_15:5, Isa_30:11, Isa_30:21, Isa_35:8 (2), Isa_37:29, Isa_37:34, Isa_40:3, Isa_40:14, Isa_40:27, Isa_43:16 (2), Isa_43:19, Isa_48:15, Isa_48:17, Isa_49:11, Isa_51:10, Isa_55:6-7 (2), Isa_56:11, Isa_57:10, Isa_57:14 (2), Isa_57:17, Isa_59:8, Isa_62:10, Isa_65:2, Jer_2:17-18 (3), Jer_2:23, Jer_2:33, Jer_2:36, Jer_3:21, Jer_4:18, Jer_5:4-5 (2), Jer_6:16, Jer_6:25, Jer_6:27, Jer_10:2, Jer_10:23, Jer_12:1, Jer_18:11, Jer_18:15, Jer_21:8 (2), Jer_23:12, Jer_23:22, Jer_25:5, Jer_26:3, Jer_28:11, Jer_31:9, Jer_31:21, Jer_32:39, Jer_35:15, Jer_36:3, Jer_36:7, Jer_39:4 (2), Jer_42:3, Jer_48:19, Jer_50:5, Jer_52:7 (2), Eze_3:18-19 (2), Eze_7:27, Eze_8:5 (2), Eze_9:2, Eze_9:10, Eze_14:21-22 (3), Eze_16:25, Eze_16:27, Eze_16:31, Eze_16:43, Eze_18:25 (2), Eze_18:29, Eze_21:19-21 (3), Eze_22:31, Eze_23:13, Eze_23:31, Eze_33:8-9 (3), Eze_33:11, Eze_33:17 (2), Eze_33:20, Eze_36:17 (2), Eze_36:19, Eze_42:1, Eze_42:4, Eze_42:11-12 (3), Eze_43:2, Eze_43:4, Eze_44:1, Eze_44:3-4 (3), Eze_46:2, Eze_46:8-9 (7), Eze_47:2 (3), Eze_47:15, Eze_48:1, Hos_2:6, Hos_6:9, Hos_10:13, Jon_3:7-8 (3), Jon_3:10, Nah_1:3, Nah_2:1, Mal_2:8, Mal_3:1

ways, 164

Gen_19:1-2(2), Lev_26:22, Deu_5:33, Deu_8:6, Deu_10:12, Deu_11:22, Deu_19:9, Deu_26:17, Deu_28:7, Deu_28:9, Deu_28:25, Deu_28:29, Deu_30:16, Jos_22:4-5 (2), 1Sa_8:3, 1Sa_8:5, 1Sa_18:14, 2Sa_22:22, 1Ki_2:3, 1Ki_3:14, 1Ki_8:39, 1Ki_8:58, 1Ki_11:33, 1Ki_11:38, 1Ki_22:43, 2Ki_17:13, 2Ch_6:30-31 (2), 2Ch_7:14, 2Ch_13:22, 2Ch_17:3, 2Ch_17:6, 2Ch_21:12 (2), 2Ch_22:3, 2Ch_27:6-7 (2), 2Ch_28:2, 2Ch_28:26, 2Ch_34:2, Job_4:6, Job_13:15, Job_21:14, Job_22:3, Job_22:28, Job_24:13, Job_24:23, Job_26:14, Job_31:4, Job_34:21, Job_34:27, Job_40:19, Psa_10:5, Psa_18:21, Psa_25:4, Psa_39:1, Psa_81:13 (2), Psa_91:11, Psa_95:10, Psa_103:7, Psa_119:3, Psa_119:5, Psa_119:26, Psa_119:59, Psa_119:168, Psa_128:1, Psa_138:5, Psa_139:3, Psa_145:17, Pro_2:13, Pro_3:6, Pro_3:17 (2), Pro_3:31, Pro_4:26, Pro_5:21, Pro_6:6, Pro_7:25, Pro_8:32, Pro_10:9, Pro_14:2, Pro_14:12, Pro_14:14, Pro_16:2, Pro_16:7, Pro_16:25, Pro_19:16, Pro_23:26, Pro_28:6, Pro_28:18, Pro_31:3, Ecc_11:9, Isa_2:3, Isa_42:24, Isa_45:13, Isa_49:9, Isa_55:8-9 (4), Isa_57:18, Isa_58:2, Isa_58:13, Isa_63:17, Isa_64:5, Isa_66:3, Jer_2:23, Jer_2:33, Jer_3:2, Jer_3:13, Jer_6:16, Jer_7:3, Jer_7:5, Jer_7:23, Jer_12:16, Jer_15:7, Jer_16:17, Jer_18:10-11 (2), Jer_18:15, Jer_26:13, Jer_32:19 (2), Lam_1:4, Lam_3:9, Lam_3:11, Lam_3:40, Eze_7:3-4 (2), Eze_7:8-9 (2), Eze_14:23, Eze_16:47 (2), Eze_16:61, Eze_18:23, Eze_18:25, Eze_18:29-30 (3), Eze_20:43-44 (2), Eze_21:19, Eze_21:21, Eze_28:14-15 (2), Eze_33:11, Eze_33:20, Eze_36:31-32 (2), Hos_4:9, Hos_9:8, Hos_12:2, Hos_14:9, Joe_2:7, Mic_4:2, Hag_1:5, Hag_1:7, Zec_1:4, Zec_3:6-7 (2), Mal_2:9

toward, 35

1Ki_8:44, 1Ki_8:48, 1Ki_18:43, 2Ki_25:4, 2Ch_6:34, 2Ch_6:38, Eze_20:46, Eze_40:6, Eze_40:20, Eze_40:22-24 (5), Eze_40:27 (2), Eze_40:32, Eze_40:44-46 (4), Eze_41:11-12 (4), Eze_42:1, Eze_42:7, Eze_42:10-12 (4), Eze_42:15 (2), Eze_43:1, Eze_43:4

journey, 23

Gen_24:21, Gen_30:36, Gen_31:23, Exo_3:18, Exo_5:3, Exo_8:27, Num_9:10, Num_9:13, Num_10:33 (2), Num_11:31 (2), Num_33:8, Jos_9:11, Jos_9:13, Jdg_4:9, 1Sa_15:18, 2Sa_11:10, 1Ki_18:27, 1Ki_19:4, 1Ki_19:7, 2Ki_3:9, Pro_7:19

manner, 8

Gen_19:31, 1Sa_21:5, Isa_10:24, Isa_10:26, Jer_22:21, Eze_20:30, Amo_4:10, Amo_8:14

conversation, 2

Psa_37:14(2), Psa_50:23

away, 1

1Sa_24:19

because, 1

Psa_107:17

custom, 1

Gen_31:35

eastward, 1

Eze_40:10

high, 1

Deu_2:27

journeyed, 1

Jdg_17:8

passengers, 1

Pro_9:15

pathway, 1

Pro_12:28

through, 1

2Sa_4:7

wayfaring, 1

Isa_35:7-8(2)

wayside, 1

1Sa_4:13

whithersoever, 1

1Ki_8:44

===========================================

Conversation used in the NT scripture:

G390

αναστρεφω

anastrepho

Total KJV Occurrences:11

conversation, 2

2Co_1:12, Eph_2:3

live, 2

Heb_13:18, 2Pe_2:18

abode, 1

Mat_17:22

behave, 1

1Ti_3:15

overthrew, 1

Joh_2:15(2)

pass, 1

1Pe_1:17

return, 1

Act_15:16

returned, 1

Act_5:22

used, 1

Heb_10:33

And

===========================================

G391

αναστροφη

anastrophe

Total KJV Occurrences:13

conversation, 13

Gal_1:13, Eph_4:22, 1Ti_4:12, Heb_13:7, Jas_3:13, 1Pe_1:15, 1Pe_1:18, 1Pe_2:12, 1Pe_3:1-2 (2), 1Pe_3:16, 2Pe_2:7, 2Pe_3:11

===========================================

I have listed all these scriptures to show you where these words appear in scripture, but I now want to share with you what the Lord has given to me on these words. I will start with the old testament.

Chaste = Pure

The word chaste is not translated as such in the OT. So, I with the new testament definition and work our way back from there.

The new testament has the greek word for chaste listed only eight times in the NT. Four times it is translated pure, three times as chaste and one time as clear. The four verses listed as pure are:

(Php 4:8)  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
(1Ti 5:22)  Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure. 
(Jas 3:17)  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 
(1Jn 3:3)  And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 

So, going with the definition of pure, lets look at only a few scriptures that use the word  pure in the OT. The main word translated pure in the OT is:

H2889

  / 

t a ho r

Total KJV Occurrences:94

clean, 51

Gen_7:2(2), Gen_7:8 (2), Gen_8:20 (2), Lev_4:12, Lev_6:11, Lev_7:19, Lev_10:10, Lev_10:14, Lev_11:36-37 (2), Lev_11:47, Lev_13:13, Lev_13:17, Lev_13:37, Lev_13:39-41 (3), Lev_14:4, Lev_14:57, Lev_15:8, Lev_20:25 (2), Num_5:28, Num_9:13, Num_18:11, Num_18:13, Num_19:9 (2), Num_19:18-19 (2), Deu_12:15, Deu_12:22, Deu_14:11, Deu_14:20, Deu_15:22, Deu_23:10, 1Sa_20:26 (2), 2Ch_30:17, Job_14:4, Psa_51:9-10 (2), Ecc_9:2, Isa_66:20, Eze_22:26, Eze_36:25, Eze_44:23, Zec_11:17

pure, 40

Exo_25:11, Exo_25:17, Exo_25:24, Exo_25:29, Exo_25:31, Exo_25:36, Exo_25:38-39 (2), Exo_28:14, Exo_28:22, Exo_28:36, Exo_30:3, Exo_30:35, Exo_31:8, Exo_37:2, Exo_37:6, Exo_37:11, Exo_37:16-17 (2), Exo_37:22-24 (3), Exo_37:26, Exo_37:29, Exo_39:15, Exo_39:25, Exo_39:30, Exo_39:37, Lev_24:4, Lev_24:6, 1Ch_28:17, 2Ch_3:4, 2Ch_9:17, 2Ch_13:11, Ezr_6:20, Job_28:19, Psa_12:6, Pro_15:26, Pro_30:12, Mal_1:11

fair, 2

Zec_3:5(2)

purer, 1

Hab_1:13

A few of those verses are:

(Gen 7:2)  Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female.

(Lev 11:47)  To make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten.

(Exo 25:11)  And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, within and without shalt thou overlay it, and shalt make upon it a crown of gold round about.

(Mal 1:11)  For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.

(Pro 15:26)  The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

(Pro 30:12) There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.

As we can see, being pure or “chaste” is very important to the Lord. Now, let’s look at the word conversation, and we can see what the Spirit would have us know about how we are to have chaste conversation.

Conversation = “Way” or “Behavior”

Only two times in the OT do we see the English word conversation. However, the Hebrew word used as the English word conversation is translated a total of 706 six times as various words. Out of those 706 times, the Hebrew word H1870 or “derek” is translated 462 times as “way” and 162 times as “ways.” So, I think it is fairly evident that the Holy Spirit would have this Hebrew word mean way.

In the NT, we have the English word “conversation” listed mostly as either G390 or G391. We also have it listed once as G4175 and once as G5158.

G390 is listed 11 times in the scripture, and here are a few times it is used:

(2Co 1:12)  For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you- ward.

(Eph 2:3)  Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

(Heb 13:18)  Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.

(2Pe 2:18)  For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.

G391 is translated 13 times as the word conversation and only that. A few of those examples are:

(Gal 1:13)  For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:

(Eph 4:22)  That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

(1Ti 4:12)  Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

(Heb 13:7)  Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

Here is the scripture that has conversation listed once as G4175 and G5158:

(Php 3:20)  For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ:

(Heb 13:5) Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

G5158 is listed 8 times and those verses are:

G5158

τροπος

tropos

Total KJV Occurrences:8

manner, 2

Act_1:11, Jdg_1:7

means, 2

2Th_2:3, 2Th_3:16

way, 2

Rom_3:2, Phi_1:18

conversation, 1

Heb_13:5

even, 1

Mat_23:37

What is “Chaste Conversation”

Whew! That was a lot of scripture, but I felt it completely necessary to show you the foundation that has been laid for what chaste conversation is.

We have now seen that chaste means pure and conversation is way or behavior. Together, we have “a pure way” or “pure behavior.” In other words, we have a way of living, a behavior of living that is pure. When I say living, there is ONLY ONE WAY TO LIVE.

(Joh 14:6)  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Jesus Christ, the Word of God, is the means by which we judge ourselves in order to KNOW if we are living by the pattern given.

           (1Co 11:31)  For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

(1Co 11:32)  But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

Do you see that? Judgment’s result is purity.

(Rev 3:19)  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Only those who are loved are even chastened now; therefore, those are the only ones who will receive the start of purification.

(Psa 47:4)  He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.

            (Mal 1:1)  The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi.

            (Rom 9:13)  As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. 

(Gen 49:26)  The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.

What am I getting at? There is “way” we can know if we are indeed the “we” in these verses. More importantly, others will know who it is God love’s by those fruits which are there or are not there. Here we have this admonition:

(1Jn 5:2)  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

(1Jn 5:3)  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

(1Jn 3:14)  We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

Now how can this possibly relate to “chaste conversation?” Well, we have an example in the scripture that has these words placed together.

(1Pe 3:1)  Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives

(1Pe 3:2)  While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

I want to look at these verses very carefully to hopefully be used of the Lord to show the spiritual meaning that these words mean. I always saw this as an outward application, but I didn’t fully grasp the gravity of what these verses are saying spiritually.

Hopefully, we all know that the wife of Christ is His body. God is the head of Christ making Christ the bride of God. So, once we take that approach to trying to understand these verses, the verses open up as we are given the ability to see it.

(1Co 11:3)  But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

If we are the bride as told here, the body of Christ with Christ being the head, then we have to look at these verses in that light.

“Likewise ye BODY, be in subjection to CHRIST that if ANY obey NOT CHRIST – the Word of GOD, that those that are OUTSIDE the Word of God, may be won by the WAY of the BODY – THE CHRIST.”

I believe we would all agree that we CAN NOT correct Jesus Christ with the Word of God for which He is. So, these verses are specifically speaking to the body FOR THE BODY. The body, via the “pure way” of the Word of God will be the EXAMPLE that is needed to win those who are standing outside the door. Last week I talked about who is standing outside the door and who those are who ARE THE DOOR.

This is all being done as 1Pe 3:2 says, with the “pure way” the “pure Word of God.” How can we know it is the pure Word of God which is being used and not an interpretation of some other way or spirit?

(1Jn 4:1)  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

How do we try the spirits?

(1Co 4:6)  And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.

We use the Word of God to try the spirits. I’ll give you a great example of exactly this happening. Stay with me as I read this story we all know well. There is quite a revelation here to be had.

(Luk 4:1)  And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,

(Luk 4:2)  Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.

(Luk 4:3)  And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.

(Luk 4:4)  And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

(Luk 4:5)  And the devil, taking him up into a high mountain, showed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.

(Luk 4:6)  And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.

(Luk 4:7)  If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.

(Luk 4:8)  And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

(Luk 4:9)  And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence:

(Luk 4:10)  For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee:

(Luk 4:11)  And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

(Luk 4:12)  And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

(Luk 4:13)  And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.

Ok. There is so much here that I just have to expound on it. I want you to notice the progression that satan uses to tempt with.

Satan first tempts Christ by saying, “If you are who you say you are, do this,” which results in Christ saying, “It is written…”. You then have satan again tempting Christ but in a much more subtle way. Satan tempts with, “ I, prince of the power of the air, will also give you this, NOW WHILE ON EARTH.” This also results in Christ repeating, “For it is written….” Lastly, we see one last and the MOST DECEIVING temptation that satan has in his bag of tricks. Satan tempts Christ with what is written. Satan says in verse 10, “For it is written…” which Christ then uses the Word of God to rebuke satan.

If Christ who came in the flesh and is the Word of God rebukes satan WITH, “For it is WRITTEN…” how much more so do we, Christ’s body need to do the same? We MUST now think, say, or talk above that which is written.

(Rev 22:18)  For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

(Rev 22:19)  And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

(Pro 30:5)  Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

(Pro 30:6)  Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

The revelation of Jesus Christ is the ENTIRE BIBLE from cover to cover. Christ says Himself:

(Luk 24:44)  And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

(Luk 24:45)  Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures,

In order to have chaste conversation, or “a pure way,” it demands that we only go by that which is written, but who does this apply to? Again:

(1Pe 3:1)  Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives 

(Pro 30:5)  Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

It is the body who uses the Word of God to chastise and judge the REST OF THE BODY.

Conclusion

I pray that the Lord has used me to show you all what it is to have a chaste conversation. Having a pure way, the pure Word of God, is the only way we can win those that are standing outside the Word of God. It is the BODY of Christ which ministers to the rest of the body. When we chasten our body, when we JUDGE our body, we are LOVING our body.

(2Co 11:2)  For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 

We must be a PURE bride, a PURE body for Christ and that is only accomplished by the Head being the Head- the Word of God over the body. When using the Word of God, it is our very brothers who want to kill us for doing so. It is not “loving,” according to our brothers, when we aren’t acceptant of whatever various spirits are trying to make their way into our spiritual household, our spiritual temple, the body of Christ.

(1Jn 5:2)  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

(1Jn 5:3)  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

(1Jn 3:14)  We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

We love our brothers by keeping the commandments of God. His commandments are the VERY Word of God, cover to cover.

(1Ki 6:12) Concerning this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with thee, which I spoke unto David thy father:

(Joh 15:20)  Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

(Joh 15:21)  But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.

I love you all.

J____ wrote:
Hello Mike,
I read the article entitled, “The Law of Moses versus the Law of the Spirit” and am still unclear about works and grace and how they should interact.
From reading your article, I sense that you feel that we need to completely eschew works of the law.  You have stated that the Old Covenant (Ten Commandments) have been completely done away with, and there are definitely a plethora of texts that would support this.  There are also a lot of texts that continue to stress works.
Paul said, “Faith without works is dead.” You seem to intimate, “Faith WITH works is DEAD.”
You stated that the term “faith” in the Bible refers to Jesus’ faith.  We have misunderstood this to mean OUR faith, when in reality it is the faith of Jesus that is given to us as a gift in the same manner as grace.  So how could WE render death to Jesus’ faith by our works, or lack thereof?
It seems from your article that the biggest sin is the sin of observing the Ten Commandments.  Most people attempt to observe the law (albeit, to no avail) in an effort to abstain from sin, so as to bring themselves in better favor with God.  So, ultimately, it seems that you are saying that the ultimate sin is to try and not to sin.
The only thing the sermon on the mount “changed” about the Ten Commandments, was the realization that they are impossible to keep.  “Thou shalt not murder” has not been negated– it has just been shown that it is exponentially harder to “keep” that commandement because it can be shattered by a mere thought. “Thou shalt not commit adultery” has not been negated, it has been shown to be impossible to keep because it too can be shattered by a transient thought crossing one’s mind.
The new “Law of the Spirit” is exponentially harder to “keep” than the old Law.  It is not as if we are now freed from the Law!  On the contrary, the new Law is infinitely harder to keep.
I’d love to hear your thoughts,
J___

Hi J____,
Thank you for your question.
My thoughts are that “faith without works is dead as the scripture says.” Reread that paper and then write back to me quoting anything that says otherwise. To say that “we are not under the law but under grace” is entirely scriptural:

Rom 6:13  Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
Rom 6:14  For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Under the law of Moses one could lust after women in their hearts and hate and even kill their enemies, and it was completely lawful so long as you could refrain from committing physical adultery. Under the law of the spirit of Jesus Christ, you could not even hate your brother or lust after a woman in your heart. That is how “we are no longer under the law but under [ God’s chastening] grace. Go back and reread that paper. You will get much more out of it the second time around. All the scriptures on that subject simply cannot sink in the first time you read that paper.

For you to come to the conclusions you draw in this e- mail, I am forced to the conclusion that you need to reread that paper or else you simply have not read the entire paper. How is it possible to read that the law of Christ is as high above the law of Moses “as the heavens are above the earth,” and conclude that being in the heavens means that there is no place for the earth? How is it possible to conclude that because the law of Christ goes beyond physical adultery and deals with the heart and spirit telling us that we are not even to lust after a woman, that therefore it is all right to commit physical adultery? Where did I ever even hint at such a thing? The whole emphasis in that paper is that the ten commandments are for carnal men while the “but I say unto you… commandments of Christ… are for a righteous man.”

1Ti 1:8  But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
1Ti 1:9  Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,

‘Where sin abounds grace much more abounds’ means that when we sin God will chasten us to “forsake ungodliness and to live godly lives in this present age.”

Tit 2:11  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Tit 2:12  Teaching [ Greek- paideuo – same Greek word translated ‘ chasten’] us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

That paper on the law of Moses Versus The Law of The Spirit demonstrates that “the times of reformation” which Christ brought in, subjects us all to a “change also of the law” which puts obedience to Moses on the par of remaining a toddler who is no more than a slave:

Gal 3:23  But before faith came, we were kept under the law , shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
Gal 3:24  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ , that we might be justified by faith.
Gal 3:25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

A “schoolmaster” and a “tutor” are both governors who tell us, as mere toddlers, what to do, as Paul points out in the very next chapter which is a continuation of his thought in chapter three:

Gal 4:1  Now I say, [ That] the heir, as long as he is a child [ Greek- nepios- toddler], differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
Gal 4:3  Even so we, when we were children [ Greek – nepios – toddlers], were in bondage under the elements of the world:
Gal 4:4  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
Gal 4:6  And because ye are sons a different Greek word. [ This Greek word is ‘huios,’ a mature son] God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son [ Greek – huios] into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Gal 4:7  Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son [ not a nepios, still under the law of Moses but a huios under the “law of the spirit”] ; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Where in any of that can you deduce that I have said we should have other Gods before us, take God’s name in vain, worship idols, not enter into the rest which is Christ [Heb 4], hate our parents, cheat on our wives, lie, steal and covet? Of course there is nowhere in that paper which even lends itself to your conclusion, “ultimately, it seems that you are saying that the ultimate sin is to try and not to sin.” But that is exactly what Paul was also  accused of doing, so I am in good company.
I’m not accusing you of being argumentative, but what I am saying to you is that you have missed the point. The “ultimate sin” is to think that we can do anything of ourselves:

Joh 15:5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Every word in that paper demonstrates the superior nature of the “but I say unto you… reformed… and changed law of the spirit.”
I hope you will take the time to reread that paper and ask God only to show you what is in His word. Put God’s words in His Bible ahead of what is taught in Babylon, and you, too, will have to conclude that the law is not for a righteous man but for the lawless and disobedient.”
Like most people in Babylon, you must not believe that Christ was a reformer, but believe that he came to make the ten commandments clearer. That is not the case. There is not nor was there ever any spirit in the ten commandments. “The law is spiritual” refers to that to which the law of Moses was “added.” But it does take “the sum of thy Word” to see that fact. The mere context of Rom 7 hides the Truth that Paul really believed that the glory of the law of Moses “had no glory at all by reason of that which excels,” not ‘by reason of that which explains better.’ In a Biblical, holy spirit inspired, “pattern of sound words” the law of commandments contained in ordinances is being abolished.”

2Co 3:13  And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
Eph 2:15  Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

I do hope to hear from you again.
Mike

The first part of the chapter is about instructions on divorce and remarriage. What I want everybody to do is, as we read these different stories and parables, keep in mind that there is a spiritual application that is primary. Even though you should not divorce your wife, that’s a way of telling you that you shouldn’t have anything between you and God. That’s all marriage is. Paul says in:

Eph 5:31-32 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

Keep that in mind.

Mat 19:1-3 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan; And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there. The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?

Why did they pick that subject to ask him about? Because they knew their Bible; they knew what the law said. The truth is that the law of Moses, the Bible that they had at that time said, yes, get rid of her.

Deu 21:14 And it shall be, if thou have no delight in her, then thou shalt let her go whither she will; but thou shalt not sell her at all for money, thou shalt not make merchandise of her, because thou hast humbled her.

No one in the Christian church is aware of what the contrast is between the law of Moses and the covenant that Jesus Christ came with and it is a world of difference, the difference between a righteous man and an unrighteous man (1Ti 1:9).

Deu 24:1-2 When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house. And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man’s wife.

If her husband lets her go. Now you notice there is no writing anywhere about women doing that because women had no rights, except they were entitled to a bill of divorcement if their husband decided that they he wanted to give it to her. If he decided he wanted to keep her, she could not complain. It was not provided for.

The difference between the new covenant and the old is the difference between day and night. Women are equal with men now when it comes to that sort of thing. They don’t have to tolerate it.

Mat 19:4-6 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

Here’s Christ’s answer to what Moses says:

Mat 19:6 b What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

He’s talking directly to the law of Moses. The Pharisees were trying to make Christ live by the law of Moses. Christ didn’t do that, he goes back to Genesis, way before the law of Moses was given. The Bible says:

Rom 5:13-14 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

There was no law before Moses. Christ goes back to that period (before Moses)?? to make his point.

Mat 19:7-8 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.

Why doesn’t that apply to you and me? Why is the law of Moses not for a righteous man? Because you should not have a hard heart that doesn’t want to do what Jesus Christ would do. If you don’t have a heart that wants to do what Jesus Christ did, then you have a hard heart and you need the law of Moses and it is what you are born with, you are born with a hard heart.

Mat 19:9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.

What has Christ said? My father, believed that this verse, along with Rom 7:1, for that reason, he refused to marry after his divorce from my mother. Lived his life alone to this day. The truth is that Christ did not say you can never remarry unless your wife commits adultery or your husband commits adultery. He said except for ‘fornication.’ When you look into that word fornication, you are going to find out that it has more to do with spiritually forsaking your spouse, than it has to do with physically forsaking your spouse.

The word is fornication, not adultery. This is all in the paper on the law. The vast majority of the time that word is used, it is used in reference to Israel, as a nation, committing fornication against God, by doing the things they agreed not to do when they entered into the marriage relationship with him. Yet they stayed right in the land and they claimed that God was their husband.

Mat 19:10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.

They were so used to the idea of, well, if it doesn’t work out, we’ll just get another one, that they thought it’s better to just not take the chance. That was their reaction and that’s the reason they had that reaction.

Mat 19:11-12 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

What does that mean? He that can’t, don’t worry about that either. Paul says the same thing when he says ‘I would that all men were as me.’ Paul was, as this says, a eunuch for the kingdom of heaven’s sake.

Mat 19:13-15 Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.

The earlier you can start teaching your child about these things, the better off they are. Don’t leave your children out when you are doing your Bible study. Bring them into it and make them part of it.

Mat 19:15-17 And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence. And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

Which commandment is Christ talking about?

Mat 19:18-19 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

What Christ did was to quote the old covenant, the law of Moses. If we are going to enter into life, we have to go through the law of Moses. It is what brings people to Christ. The law is the schoolmaster.

Mat 19:20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

Mat 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

The word perfect is mature, complete. In Luke (or Mark) it says ‘one thing you lack.’ In other words, you are not complete.

In the other gospel it says, ‘take up your cross and follow me and you shall have treasure in heaven.’

Mat 19:22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

What kind of possessions? His possessions were of this world. Was Christ telling this man to sell everything, forget your wife and kids and hit the road? No, he wasn’t saying that. He was saying get rid of whatever comes between you and me. That’s all he was saying.

Mat 19:23-24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

This is not talking about some stone over there that a camel has to get down on his knees to go through. I don’t care what tradition says. This is talking about a camel going through the eye of a needle. In other words, it is impossible, it cannot be done. You cannot serve two masters. If you have great riches, you don’t have time for the things of the spirit.

Mat 19:25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

Why would they say that? If rich people can’t be saved, then who can. Because that’s what the law of Moses taught them. If you obey my commandments, you will be blessed in the city, you will be blessed in the country, the fruit of your field will be blessed, everything that you touch will be blessed, physically. It had nothing to do with eternal life and the things of the spirit. The law of Moses is not for a righteous man, it is for the lawless and disobedient.

Mat 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

God can save even a rich man. When He does, that rich man’s money won’t mean a thing to him. He will not have the reverence for it that he had before.

Mat 19:27-28 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

I used to wonder about that word ‘regeneration.’ I thought that it meant, at the resurrection when we get our new spiritual bodies (it certainly has to do with that), but what I did not understand was that the regeneration and the ‘sitting with Christ in heavenly places’ is actually something we experience right now. ‘ Now are we the sons of God.’ (1Jn 3:2) We are already seated with Christ in heavenly places only in downpayment form. If you think like Christ, if you have the mind of Christ, then you are sitting with Christ at the right hand of His Father, in spirit, right now.

Mat 19:29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

In another gospel it says, ‘shall receive an hundredfold in this life and in the age to come’ (life eonian). That’s just enough to lead you to believe this is speaking physically, but it’s not. ‘The words that I have spoken unto you, they are spirit.’ There’s no exception to that, Joh 6:63. You cannot forsake houses and wives and lands, etc. and cling to them at the same time.

Let’s see what he means by that (Mat 19:29). Let’s go back to:

Mat 12:46-50 While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

This is everything to Christ. His service to His Father for the sake of His elect was all that mattered. He was sold out to God.

Then the chapter closes like this:

Mat 19:30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

The word ‘many’ in this case, means ‘all.’ Everyone that is first, the first Adam, will always be last and the last Adam, Jesus Christ, will be first. We have the example of Ishmael, Esau, King Saul vs. David, Leah vs. Rachel, all the way through the Bible. Physical Israel vs. spiritual Israel.