Bible Doctrine

The first chapter of Luke’s gospel account contains some of the most interesting information in Luke’s account of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and one of the most interesting bits of information given in that chapter is when the angel Gabriel appears to the priest Zacharias as he ministers at the altar of incense inside the temple. Gabriel informs the elderly priest that his likewise elderly wife Elisabeth will give birth to a son, “And Zacharias said unto the angel, ‘Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years..’ And the angel said unto him, ‘I am Gabriel and stand in the presence of God, and am sent to speak unto you, and to show you these glad tidings. And, behold, you shall be dumb and not able to speak,until the day that these things shall be performed, because you believed not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season'” (See verses 18 thru 20, Luke 1).

If God’s spirit messengers can be offended when their message is not accepted and believed, and react with disciplinary measures upon being so offended, one must ask, “Can God, like His messenger angel Gabriel, react with disciplinary punishment against those who choose not to believe Him???” The scriptural answer to those questions is a resounding, “YES!” God have mercy on those who choose to listen to fellow human beings while turning a deaf ear to God. The scriptures are filled with accounts of those who chose to do that and paid a terrible price for doing so. I fell into that category many times over in my earlier years and I paid a terrible, terrible price for doing so. It took God many decades to finally get through to my mind and thinking that He says exactly what He means and means exactly what He says. Believe God even if every human being on earth is telling you something different from what God says in His Word. Believe God even if you find that you are absolutely and totally and completely alone in believing Him.

Just as there is disciplinary punishment in store for one who does not choose to believe God, there is likewise great reward for those who choose to believe God, especially when the majority of “believers” choose to reject God’s Word and counsel. Those who reject God’s Word are generally duped and deceived into taking that course, and, thanks be to God, He does take that into consideration when disciplining the believer who does not believe.

Christ’s Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),

Donald Wiley

Many confuse the law of Moses with God’s holy Ten Commandment law. It is the law of Moses that is called a yoke of bondage in Acts 15:10 and Galatians 5:1, not the Ten Commandments. Also, when Paul refers to Christ having redeemed us from “the curse of the law,” he is not saying the law itself was a curse. The curse of the law was the death penalty. Jesus Christ died for us, taking that curse upon Himself on our behalf.

Paul writes: “Wherefore then serves the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed (Jesus Christ) should come…” Notice, Paul here refers to an ADDED law, or an additional law, that was enacted or put in place because another law was being transgressed.  (See Jeremiah 7:21-24). The law that was being transgressed was God’s holy Ten Commandment law. Therefore, to teach them the habit of obedience, God added another law as a “schoolmaster” to teach Israel – the law of Moses, or Mosaic Code – which was repealed when Jesus Christ took upon Himself the curse of the law and died in our place! (See Galatians 3:19, 23-24).

Much of the confusion exists in the various churches due to the fact that more and more assemblies recruit youthful leaders who are novices in the Word of God.  Men and women become preachers and teachers of scripture when Jesus Christ has never anointed, or called, them to perform that function in such assemblies. They do not have the guidance of the Holy Spirit in their expounding on the scriptures and therefore much error is presented and accepted as Bible truth.

Paul writes again, “Do we then make void the law (God’s holy Ten Commandment law) through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish (Greek, “continue”) the law.” (See Romans 3:31).

And again, “Where no law is, there is no transgression” (Romans 4:15). You can’t transgress a non-existent law. If the Ten Commandments have been done away with, one cannot be guilty of murder, stealing, adultery, idolatry, etc.

And again, “I had not known sin, but by the law, for I had not known lust (is wrong), except the law had said, ‘Thou shalt not covet'” (See Romans 7:7).

And again, “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good” (Romans 7:12).  God help us all to understand.

Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),

Donald Wiley

“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32).   But to whom did Jesus say that?  Read the previous verse.  It was to those who continued in His word or teachings, yes, those who daily, continuously did what Jesus said we are to do and who refrain from doing anything Jesus said we are not to do.  Many think all one has to do to attain true spiritual knowledge is read the Bible. Well, Roman Catholics do that, so do Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses and Amish folk! Why haven’t they attained to true spiritual knowledge and come to see things eye-to-eye?

There is a very revealing statement the prophet Daniel makes in his prayer to God on behalf of Israel. He says, “As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us, yet made we not our prayer before the Lord our God, THAT WE MIGHT TURN FROM OUR INIQUITIES, AND UNDERSTAND THY TRUTH” (See Daniel 9:13). And there lies the reason so many embrace spiritual error and are never able to free themselves up from falsehood. They allow sin in their life, even being assured by their spiritual guides and leaders that such is the human condition. We must ever sin. No one can truly stop sinning, they say. And this, of course, locks them in to error.

Of Daniel and his three companions, it is written, “God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom” (See Daniel 1:17), for “Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself” (See verse 8, same chapter). Such could be said of his three companions.

The Psalmist David wrote: “I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.” (See Psalm 17:3).  That’s how one gains control over ungodly speech.  They merely purpose in their heart that they will not do that.  One maintains control over even the slightest urge to steal or give in to some sexual sin by setting their will fixed on righteous conduct and saying, “I will not go there.  Not now, not ever!”  Again, “My heart is fixed” (See Psalm 57:7). Folks, stubbornness can work as well for righteousness as for iniquity.

I remember a short poem I learned in my youth: “Today I shall be strong;

No more shall yield to wrong;

Shall squander life no more.

Days lost, I know not how,

I shall retrieve them now.

Now I shall keep the vow

I never kept before.”

It was only in recent years I made that poem my mantra. And it has made all the difference in the world.

“He (God) reveals the deep and secret things” (See Daniel 2:22). But God does not share such with rebels or the unclean. Truth and understanding are laid up for the righteous and those with a truly open mind. Truth is the pearl of great price. It costs something to obtain it. Most are not willing or are unable to pay that price.

Of truth it can be said of what has been said of God also: “You shall seek me, and you shall find me when you shall search for me with all your heart, and I will be found of you” (See Jeremiah 29:13). Most throw in the towel early on in their search. I myself did that for many years. And I paid a heavy price. Now I reap the richest rewards. 

Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),

Donald Wiley

Do you want to know how to dramatically increase your chances of living a long life – at least reaching the threescore and ten (70) years spoken of in Psalm 90, verse 10? Keep growing spiritually, keep making spiritual progress, keep putting away and out of your life anything offensive to God and His holiness. Keep doing that, keep making real progress and you may be surprised how your lifespan will lengthen. Paul writes, “My God shall supply ALL YOUR NEED according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (See Philippians 4:19). And if it is MORE TIME you need in order to get it right, in order to flee and abandon some unhealthy or unholy habit, God will grant you more time. If that necessitates His healing you of some dread affliction, even what men might call an incurable illness, He will do even that. DO NOT LIMIT GOD! “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (See Philippians 2:13). And God working IN YOU is not going to allow you to die when He, through Christ and the Holy Spirit, is making tangible, real progress in your spiritual growth and character, for God does not work at cross purposes with Himself. The breath of every living thing is in His hand. Remember, it is “godliness…that has promise of the life that now is,” that is, of your present temporary chemical existence. (See I Timothy 4:8). That is not to say the good, or godly, do not die young. Some do. But they are the exception to the rule. That fact does not negate the truth of this scripture: “Honor thy father and mother, which is the first commandment with (an accompanying) promise.” And what is that promise? “That it may be well with thee, AND THOU MAYEST LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH” (See Ephesians 6:2-3). Have a nice life…….

Christ’s Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),

Donald Wiley

I am going to quote both verbatim AND paraphrase some remarks the apostle Paul makes in the 14th chapter of the Book of Romans. When I quote him word-for-word, I’ll say it’s verbatim. When I paraphrase, I’ll say I am doing so.

“No man lives to himself, and no man dies to himself” (verse 7, verbatim). We all have some influence for good or ill on those with whom we come into contact in life. And we will be judged accordingly.

“We (yes, us believers), shall ALL stand before the judgment seat of Christ” (verse 11, last part, verbatim). It matters not whether we number in the millions or billions. We will all, AS INDIVIDUALS, stand before our LORD, “So then EVERY ONE OF US shall give account of himself to God” (verse 12, verbatim). We better come to grips with that stark fact. It IS going to happen to YOU and to me! No one knows the mechanics of just how that will work. We inhabit time. The spirit world inhabits eternity. That’s a big difference. That difference is so profound that it allows for Jesus Christ to judge every single one of us individually regardless of how great our number as time will no longer figure in as a component in that process. Got it?

“The kingdom of God is not about what we should eat or what we should drink. It’s about achieving a righteous lifestyle, a holy conduct. That alone will bring the peace of God and joy of the Holy Spirit into our daily lives” (verse 17, paraphrase).

“Whatsoever is not of faith IS SIN” (verse 23, last part, verbatim). If you can’t do what you are doing in good faith, keeping a clear conscience throughout it all – you are sinning. Stop it. Let it go.

I will give account to our Lord for all that I have written or will yet write. That’s why I weigh carefully my action before I hit the “publish” button and send an article out into the ether.

My closing thought: You had better believe ISIS is right now regrouping. Satan is mad. He knows that he has but a short time, but, remember, “a short time” to a spirit being who has lived for perhaps millions of years could well be two or three centuries or more! The demons that inspired Charles Manson and the Son of Sam are now both inspiring and entering into many men and women embracing Islam and vowing allegiance to Allah, another name for Satan himself. And there are lots of demons to go around. One man during Christ’s earthly ministry was possessed BY THOUSANDS!! How many demons possess a father as he murders his wife and three little boys as they sleep? We had better get as close to Jesus Christ as we can and stay there. A word to the wise……..

Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),

Donald Wiley

I listen to a lot of sermons. They are easily brought up on the internet. Sometimes I listen to two or three, or more, a day.

John MacArthur is a gentleman in Panorama City, California, who has had a radio broadcast – now global – since 1977. Both his church and his radio program are entitled “Grace To You.” I have just finished listening carefully to a 54 minute taped radio broadcast by John MacArthur entitled “Understanding the Believer’s Battle With Sin.” He based his sermon on Romans 7, verses 14 to 25. Several times I hit the pause button and reversed the tape and listened again carefully to something he said. So, actually, it took me over an hour to listen to the entire broadcast as I kept backing up the tape and listening once again to something he said.

The truth does not fear inspection or the spotlight. The truth can be brought out in the glare of the noonday sun without fear of contradiction or demonstration or exhibition of error.

In his sermon on Romans 7, John MacArthur declares, “This is Paul, who when he wrote this was mature, years in Christ, strong in the faith, but never got over his sinfulness. At the end of his years walking with Christ nothing had changed about how he viewed himself. He was a massive disappointment to himself. He was the foremost sinner that he knew. This is a mature Christian. This is as mature as you can get and see yourself as a Christian really is. In this life we will never overcome the power of sin. That’s the mature Christian’s life. This is Paul’s testimony as a Christian. We are sinners until we leave this world. We are trapped.”

Now those are the words of one who has presented himself as a true representative of Jesus Christ for fifty years! His sermons are heard daily by millions around the world! Yet he is an enemy of the truth and has not the slightest idea of that fact. Upon meeting Jesus face-to-face I have not the slightest doubt he will expect to hear the words, “Well done, you good and faithful servant.” That is not what he’s going to hear.

When scripture says Satan is the “god” of this world, you better believe it. When Paul writes that “another Jesus” is being preached alongside the real Jesus of glory, you better believe it. (Read the 11th chapter of 2 Corinthians). God help you to understand.

Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),

Donald Wiley

Have you ever noticed what the apostle Paul writes immediately after making the statement, “Ye are not under the law?” This is what he says: “Now the works of the flesh are manifest (easily identifiable, plainly shown to be nonspiritual), which are these, adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness (lewdness, indecency), idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance (being quarrelsome or divisive), emulations (striving to outdo someone else), wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like, of the which I tell you before (before you do such things), as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (See Galatians 5:18-21).

So Paul is urging these Galatian believers to keep and honor God’s commandments lest they be disinherited from the kingdom of God. Then why does he first tell them that they are not under the law??? To be “under” the law is to have the law standing over you claiming your life for having broken that law. Paul told the Roman believers, “You are not under the law, but under grace” (See Romans 6:14). And it is in that text in Romans we see clearly what Paul meant by using the phrase, “you are not under the law.” Grace is the unmerited pardon of God given to those who repent of having broken His holy law, so Paul was saying, “You are no longer under the penalty of the law as Jesus Christ has paid that penalty for you. You are now under the gracious pardon of God. Your sin debt has been paid in full.”

Most professing Christians have a piecemeal knowledge of God’s Word. They recall a snippet here and a snippet there, but are unable to put it all together. I don’t know how many times I have had some scripturally ignorant believer say to me, “We’re not under the law,” thinking that meant we don’t have to keep God’s law. I had a lady, now dead, stop me on the sidewalk outside my apartment one day and say that to me, as she knew I taught the keeping of God’s commandments. I asked her, “What do you mean by that? Are you saying I am now free to lie, to steal, even to kill?” She looked perplexed and said, “No, I don’t mean that.” I then said, “Then what do you mean?” Instead of giving me an answer she walked past me and on down the sidewalk.

Paul wrote, “Where no law is there is no transgression.” (Romans 4:15). You can’t break a non-existent law. If the Ten Commandments have been abolished, then there is no law against murder, stealing, or serving other “gods.” Again Paul wrote, “Sin is not imputed when there is no law” (Romans 5:13). If God’s holy law has been done away with, there is no longer any such thing as sin. We no longer need a Savior. None are sinning any longer! Kind of confusing, isn’t it?

Again, Paul wrote: “The law has dominion over a man as long as he lives.” (Romans 7:1). Are you alive? Then the law of God has dominion over you and you stand condemned by God if you break that law. Paul further informs us that it is the carnal mind that is not subject to the law of God. (See Romans 8:7). The truly spiritually minded person honors God’s holy law and is heartbroken if he discovers he has violated that law at some point, immediately repenting and asking God’s forgiveness.

Paul wrote that “the doers of the law shall be justified” (See Romans 2:13). That’s WHO God justifies. “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law” (Romans 3:28). That’s HOW God justifies. There is no contradiction whatsoever in those two verses penned by the same apostle moments apart. God will NOT justify anyone who rebels against His holy law. When one repents THAT is what they are repenting of – sin, the breaking of God’s holy law!

“Do we then make void (or abolish) the law through faith? GOD FORBID! Yea, we establish (Greek, “continue”) the law.” (Romans 3:31). “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good!” (Romans 7:22). God’s Ten Commandment law is a perfect law. It is totally just and fair. Nothing in it needs to be altered. It is holy, sacrosanct and will stand forever! “ALL His commandments are sure. They stand fast for ever and ever!” (See Psalm 111:7-8). “Blessed is the man that fears the Lord, that delights greatly in His commandments” (Psalm 112:1).

“Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto ALL thy commandments” (Psalm 119:6). “ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine!” (See 2 Timothy 3:16). Where do you think the apostles got their doctrine? Never in all their lives did any one of them ever see a New Testament. They had no idea that centuries after their deaths church elders would collect together their writings and declare them to be inspired of God and even later still called the New Testament!!!!! God help you to understand is my prayer.

Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),

Donald Wiley

Millions of honest hearted, truth-seeking believers think God is trying desperately to get the world saved right now with most of the world lost to atheism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, false Christianity, etc. By their calculation God is losing the fight for men’s souls big time. Satan is far more powerful by far at this game of saving or damning to hell. God can’t even begin to hold a candle to Satan in that department, or so the commonly accepted “Christian” teachings in these matters would lead one to believe.

“Well,” they argue, “the Bible does say, ‘Narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and FEW there be that find it'” (See Matthew 7:14). And they are right! The Bible does say that. But they fail to realize that few find it NOW – in this age of Satan’s rule – because God is not calling most NOW: “For ye see your calling (to salvation) brethren, how that NOT MANY…ARE CALLED” (See I Corinthians 1:26). Jesus emphatically stated, “ALL that the Father giveth me (all that the Father CALLS) shall come to me… (See John 6:37). He also said, “No man can come unto me except it were given unto him of my Father” (See John 6:65). But, when God’s great master plan of salvation has run its course, the number inheriting eternal life will not be few. Instead, we read: “After this I beheld, and, lo, A GREAT MULTITUDE, which no man could number (not even a genius mathematician like Albert Einstein using a super computer calculator), of ALL nations (Babylon and Persia, Assyria and ancient Egypt), and kindreds (Apaches and Incas, Hittites and Jebusites), and people, and tongues (those speaking Japanese and Chinese, as well as those speaking long dead and forgotten languages of the ancient past), stood before the throne, and before the Lamb (their Savior), clothed with white robes (washed white in the blood of the Lamb), and palms (of victory) in their hands, and cried with a loud voice, saying, ‘Salvation to OUR GOD, which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.” (See Revelation 7:9-10). And without holiness no man shall see the Lord. (See Hebrews 12:14). These former pagans and unredeemed have been made holy by the blood of the Lamb and sanctification by the Holy Spirit!

Once cannot even begin to piece together God’s great plan of the ages without first obtaining a good overview of ALL the Bible. One must become as familiar with the writings of Zephaniah and Hosea as he, or she, is with the four gospel accounts and the New Testament epistles. For ALL the Word of God is inspired and profitable for doctrine. (See 2 Timothy 3:14-17). One must be willing to let go of preconceived ideas and beliefs, especially when the Word of God clearly reveals such doctrinal beliefs to be erroneous and without support of scripture. One must be ready to be corrected by God’s Word. Few can meet these absolutely vital and rigid qualifications. Hence, few know the truth in such matters. When one is convinced some illustrious spiritual leader from the past was one hundred percent correct in all they taught and affirmed the Bible to say, it is difficult, if not impossible, for them to received as scripturally true and correct an opposing doctrine. To be continued…….

Christ’s Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),

Donald Wiley

“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him” (See 2 Chronicles 16:9). The “eyes of the Lord” are His angels, immortal spirit beings who do His bidding, reporting back to Him what they see and observe. The “seven eyes” spoken of in Zechariah 3:9 are the seven pair of eyes watching over the laying of the cornerstone in the temple of God. The prophet Zechariah speaks of them and their appointed mission in two different passages, Zechariah 1:7-10 and Zechariah 6:1-7. We are under continuous observation by these super-intelligent spirit beings. The apostle Paul speaks of how God’s human servants “are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels” (See I Corinthians 4:9).

But notice what we are told they are looking for in 2 Chronicles 16:2. They are searching for those whose heart, whose interests, whose desires are perfect toward God! And the text says they are searching the entire planet to find such, from the back streets of Paris to the country lanes of North Carolina – everywhere! They know quite well that God has declared, “You (humans) shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13). And that is why many never do make real, genuine, lasting contact with their Creator. Few ever seek a relationship with Him so earnestly. One main reason God requires such a dedicated search is due to the fact that He realizes the influential power of Satan and human fleshly passions are such that a human will be pulled off course quickly if not so dedicated. Satan inspires deceived men who appoint themselves as the Lord’s representatives to tell their hearers the exact opposite – “All you have to do is believe. That’s all. That’s it. Just believe, and presto-chango you become a full-fledged born again child of God and nothing can interfere with that relationship. You are saved and secure forever! It was all finished at Calvary. Don’t try to add anything to it or you will mess it up.”And Satan has a tackle box full of lures to pull half-hearted followers of the Lord off course. He will use sports, entertainment, one’s career, a love interest, wealth, and a host of other devices. If one lure fails, he will present another, and another, and another. And, unless wholeheartedly given over to obeying the Lord and doing His will, that poor deceived human will fall hook, line and sinker for one of Satan’s clever lures. Still, all the while, Satan will be whispering to such, “All is well with your soul. Don’t worry. You’ve got a mansion waiting for you in glory.”

Think on these things. Your eternal life hangs in the balance

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Christ’s Aged Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),Donald Wiley