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Vows, Authority & Responsibilities

Kingdom Principles

vows

Introduction:

Many have gone beyond the so called "seven steps to salvation" and come, by faith, into a personal and spirit-led relationship with YHVH (Father, God) through the atoning blood sacrifice of his son, Yeshua Ha'Mashiach (Jesus the Christ). These "sons (and daughters) of God" have often made a vow of obedience, servanthood, and love unto God as the Spirit has manifested God's love, power and giftings within them. While this pouring out of our mouths and heart is a most intimate experience and pledge of our being, it has greater ramifications on the course and circumstances of our lives than the rationalizing part of the human mind generally considers.

We must recognize the veracity of (absolute truth and conformity to) the scriptures – and the consequences of failure to abide by them. For example, when we give our word, or make a vow to God, we must either fully abide by that vow or suffer the discipline or chastisement of our rebellion to that vow. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: (Galatians 6:7) The Word says that the Lord will require or demand "payment" for a vow which is given. And, if we do not adhere to that vow, it shall be "sin in" us.

When thou shalt vow a vow unto the LORD thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the LORD thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee. (Deuteronomy 23:21) (Emphasis mine)

I can personally attest to the truth of this scripture because I made such a vow unto the Lord once when my first baby girl was not even a year old. While I was at work one day, she was at home sitting on my father's lap when injury struck. My father had stopped by to do some work on our house and was taking a coffee break and cuddling his granddaughter. As he poured boiling hot water into his cup, our baby girl grabbed at the cup and poured scalding water all over her arm. My wife called to tell me the situation and that they were headed for the hospital emergency ward. The blood curdling screams in the background attested to my wife's report that our child's arm was blistering and pealing from the scalding.

As I neared the house, I apparently (I didn't recognize my violation) failed to fully stop at a stop sign and was pulled over by the police. The policemen were unresponsive to my plea and as I waited while the officers wrote the citation, I made a vow to the Lord. In my tears, I promised the Lord that I would truly follow Him if He would only take care of my baby girl and heal her without disfigurement. My daughter was healed without blemish, but I didn't know quite how to fulfill that vow except to be a moral man. However, more than 30 years later, the memory of that instance came vividly into my mind (and spirit) as the Lord began to empower and call me out for His use and eventually into full time ministry.

So if we make vows to, or even by God, we must remember that a vows' unfulfillment is sin in us. And, sin in us requires YHVH, by His justice and Word,1 to intervene in either pushing us into fulfillment or suffering the chastisement of our sin.2

In order to understand the "how's" and "why's" of the relationships between vows, authority, responsibility and even our faith, we must recognize the three different types of vows. They are:

  1. Conditional – Lord, if you do this, then I'll do that.
  2. Unconditional Promises – Lord I'll be a good person and serve you always.
  3. Pledges to others in the name of the Lord.

1. Conditional Vows:

In both conditional and unconditional promises we should recognize that we, as flesh, are making a vow unto YHVH – a spirit who is the Creator and Grantor or our life. Often we are prone to make this conditional vow in our desperation to solicit something from God over which we have no control. To the scientific mind this is like an "if, then" statement. By this mindset, a vow should be like a cause and effect situation. Thus, the spoken oath should naturally be followed by the promised action. In other words if situation "A" occurs, then situation "B" must occur. However, when "B" doesn't occur after "A", the very laws of nature (or scientific observation) are violated. And so, it is with the principles of the Kingdom of God. If we don't keep our vows, we are in violation to God's instructions and there is "sin in us."

One example of a conditional vow that sticks in my mind is the vow that Hannah made unto the Lord when she asked for a son.

(1 Samuel 1:11) And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.

In this pure, heartfelt vow out of a sorrowful and sincere spirit there is a promise that must be (and was) fulfilled over which Hannah didn't have total control. The potential problem for Hannah (and us) is that the flesh (Hannah) assumed she would be able to give the Lord her child (Samuel) back unto the Lord. However, she didn't acknowledge two factors:

  1. the grace of God necessary for her to be alive in order that she would be able to fulfill her vow (As Yeshua said, "thou canst not make one hair white or black"3),
  2. the authority that her husband had over her vow and his right to annul it. (Of course she may have known the love of her husband so deeply that she knew he would not object to giving up his son.)

Yeshua recognized both the frailty of mankind and other potential authority (i.e. husband) by the law when He reiterated the final word on the subject of vows by saying;

Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. (Matthew 5:33-37)

And yet Christians tend to make these "bargains" with God all the time – sometimes in ignorance of how serious, and binding, our words are to our soul.

2. Unconditional Vows

We often are so moved in our emotions or our own determination we pledge that we will do something without conditions or further action on the Lord's behalf. While these pledges may provide a way of giving us greater incentive and possible resolve, the consequences can be monumental should we fall short in our commitment.

What is most curious is that these unconditional vows unto the Lord are often entered into in a congregational type setting. People with a pure desire to seek and please God can readily be naively led by "overzealous" spiritual leadership. We make such vows by vocalizing a pledge in response to, or unison with, spiritual leadership. Please note that such oaths are in contradiction or disobedient to the instructions of Messiah (Mat 5:37).

3. Vows to others invoking the Lord's name or deity:

It seems that I heard vows evoking the Lord's name more when I was younger than I do today. However, our vernacular use of them spans the pits of brashness to the courtroom. Does a wrong have more right if given in the puffed up brashness of dungarees than it does in the dignified dress of the court? A worker who says, "By God," I shall do this or that, is no less bound by his words than when we say "I do" to the court clerk's question, "Do you promise to tell the truth, the whole truth, so help you God?" And then, of course, no good defense lawyer would allow you to tell the whole story. Thus, you couldn't keep your vow, even if you wanted.

In each of these types of utterance, flesh is invoking the Name of God or some other representation that has a higher authority than the man himself. It is an attempt to give more credence to ones' words, than the man can be relied upon in of himself. And although it binds a man's soul (as we shall see in a moment), there is at least one attribute by invoking God's name. That attribute is the implied belief that there is a sovereignty higher than man himself.

However, in general, the invoking of God's Name in a vow to another is generally an attempt to elevate one's own perceived righteousness, so that his word (by belief in God's laws) will be counted genuine. Unfortunately, I believe this vow is more prevalent among the believers than the non-believers (What credence would a non-believer gain by invoking the name of God?). Thus, in arrogance and ignorance religious spirits have a heyday providing an opening to our souls through vows in the name of God.

As I prayed about the responsibility of keeping our word, the Holy Spirit guided me to what I thought was a very peculiar passage. But, if we can see the implications of the words used, we can begin to understand the cause and effect relationship between, vows (our words), authority and their consequences to our soul when they are not kept. We are going to read the entire chapter of Numbers 30 one section at a time.

Numbers 30:

1) And Moses spake unto the heads of the tribes concerning the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded. 2) If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.

The act of making a vow has a very interesting result - we "bind" our soul. On the surface this simply means that we "attach" or "restrict ourselves to a course of action – the action of the spoken words. However, this phrase should give us cause to reflect on the importance of those words and how words also bind and loose the enemy of our soul. The scriptures say that our spoken words can bring blessings and life; or curses and death to our soul. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. (Proverbs 18:21)

In Proverbs 6:2 the Word of the Lord, by Solomon, reiterates the fact that we bind our soul with a vow (and a handshake). And then the "teacher" says to deliver oneself as soon as possible (before sleep comes to our eyes): Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth. (Proverbs 6:2) In our understanding of kingdom principles this means that by making a vow we not only place a physical restraint upon ourselves, but if that vow is unfulfilled, there is sin in us4. That sin can give the enemy of our soul the right to attack, oppress and torment.

In the next portion of this scripture we begin to learn about authority – and its corresponding responsibility:

Numbers 30:

3) If a woman5 also vow a vow unto the LORD, and bind herself by a bond, being in her father's house in her youth; 4) And her father hear her vow, and her bond wherewith she hath bound her soul, and her father shall hold his peace at her: then all her vows shall stand, and every bond wherewith she hath bound her soul shall stand. 5) But if her father disallow her in the day that he heareth; not any of her vows, or of her bonds wherewith she hath bound her soul, shall stand: and the LORD shall forgive her, because her father disallowed her.

In the next portion of this scripture we begin to learn about authority – and its corresponding responsibility:

Thus, we see that in the established authority that the father has over his household and its members, he has the right to annul any vow made by her daughter while living in his household. This has both a physical (practical) and spiritual context to it.

On the practical/physical side, it is the father who must determine for his family if the vow made can be kept without endangering the welfare of the family. For example, if a daughter made a vow to sacrifice or trade the family cow and the father determined that it would place the family in great danger of starvation, then he has the right to annul the vow. However, if he chooses to exercise his veto power, then he must do so within the same day6 as he learned of it. If he waits beyond the day time limit, then the sin of breaking the vow will be upon him.

On the spiritual side, if the daughter's vow is annulled within the day of hearing, the Lord will forgive the daughter and thus she will not have "sin in her" for which she would have had to offer a trespass offering7 or suffer the consequences of her actions. Also, since it is the father's right, there is no sin ascribed to him for merely breaking the vow (assuming there is no sinful motive for annulling it).

Then the passage continues to give us greater understanding that these kingdom principles are in force for others who are in authority such as a husband over his wife:

6) And if she had at all an husband, when she vowed, or uttered ought out of her lips, wherewith she bound her soul; 7) And her husband heard it, and held his peace at her in the day that he heard it: then her vows shall stand, and her bonds wherewith she bound her soul shall stand. 8) But if her husband disallowed her on the day that he heard it; then he shall make her vow which she vowed, and that which she uttered with her lips, wherewith she bound her soul, of none effect: and the LORD shall forgive her.

Can we see that in both instances there is not only a physical authority, but also a spiritual authority in the father and the husband respectively? But if there is no longer a spiritual authority, then the vow of a woman will stand:

9) But every vow of a widow, and of her that is divorced, wherewith they have bound their souls, shall stand against her. 10) And if she vowed in her husband's house, or bound her soul by a bond with an oath; 11) And her husband heard it, and held his peace at her, and disallowed her not: then all her vows shall stand, and every bond wherewith she bound her soul shall stand. 12) But if her husband hath utterly made them void on the day he heard them; then whatsoever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows, or concerning the bond of her soul, shall not stand: her husband hath made them void; and the LORD shall forgive her. 13) Every vow, and every binding oath to afflict the soul, her husband may establish it, or her husband may make it void.

God establishes authority, but along with spiritual authority comes responsibilities and consequences for not precisely adhering to the Word.

14) But if her husband altogether hold his peace at her from day to day; then he establisheth all her vows, or all her bonds, which are upon her: he confirmeth them, because he held his peace at her in the day that he heard them. 15) But if he shall any ways make them void after (later than the day he heard) that he hath heard them; then he shall bear her iniquity. 16) These are the statutes, which the LORD commanded Moses, between a man and his wife, between the father and his daughter, being yet in her youth in her father's house.

Summary:

To reiterate;

1. If a father or husband (person in authority) doesn't negate a vow made by his "charge" (daughter/wife respectively), then he establishes that vow. Thus, we see that as a physical and spiritual authority, our silence or inaction is an affirmation or tacit approval of the vow. This is no different than the silent messages sent between a mother and child, boss and employees, or pastor and his flock. If little Johnny hits his sister and mother doesn't correct him, doesn't little Johnny assume that what he did is permitted? So then, little Johnny learns that it is all right to hit his sister. Silence or "looking the other way" approves or establishes the thing – whether it is a vow or the actions of another over whom we have physical and spiritual authority. Thus: Silence = approval.

2. The second observation that a person in authority must be keenly aware of is that taking corrective action to break a vow later (rather than in the "day" it occurred – or is first heard in the husband's case) brings the iniquity upon the person in authority (e.g. father, husband), not upon the person who made the vow in the first place.

3. Broken vows bring "sin within" and "iniquity upon" the individual who made the vow or the authority who broke the vow beyond the designated time.

Before we go on let us again review and especially note the words describing the impact of:

 

Making a vow -

Binds the soul – vs. 4, 6, 8, 9

Afflicts the soul – vs. 13

Establishes bonds – vs. 14

 

Breaking a vow –

"Sin in (or within)" –Deuteronomy 23:21

Brings iniquity – vs. 15

 

What is it that is bound, afflicted, and established in bonds? What is it upon which sin and iniquity come? It is our soul. This is the part of us that is the mind, will and emotions of our being.

Kingdom Principles Applied

In the Workplace:

In the understanding of the kingdom principles of Numbers 20, we have seen that there is both a physical and spiritual element of authority. The father or husband was responsible for the physical well-being of his household and God counts our words (prayers) as spiritual "bricks" rising unto heaven.8 With them we bind and loose our soul. Remembering that we must have both a physical and spiritual authority, let us consider a few situations and determine the application of these principles to our lives.

When we are born again by faith we "vow" to make Yeshua the Lord of our life. We are a representative of His kingdom upon earth. As His representative He has given us spiritual authority by the Holy Spirit.

Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Mat 18:18)

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. (Mark 16:17, 18)

When we are born again by faith we "vow" to make Yeshua the Lord of our life. We are a representative of His kingdom upon earth. As His representative He has given us spiritual authority by the Holy Spirit.

Thus, every believer has one of the two necessary elements – spiritual authority. He has spiritual authority to bind and loose, spiritual authority to preach the gospel of the kingdom, spiritual authority over the devils,9 spiritual authority for healing and spiritual authority over those whom the Lord gives him to shepherd.10 With that in mind, now let us turn our attention to the "real world" question posed by an employer in the work place.

The question:

"Within the laws of the land, does a superior, who is "born again," have a right, and even an obligation, to correct immoral behavior exhibited in his place of business?"

The answer:

An individual placed in authority over other employees has been given a "physical" authority (and responsibility) to represent the best interests of the company for which he works. As a servant of the Most High God, the superior has a spiritual authority AND a responsibility to the Lord to serve Him. If he doesn't exercise his authority through rebuke of the action before him, whose kingdom is he serving? If his silence is equivalent to approval or acceptance of the manifested act, whose kingdom is he serving? Is he serving God's kingdom as his salvation vow of obedience to His Lordship declared? Or, is he serving the "prince of the power of the air" – Satan's kingdom? You decide.

You say, "what vow?" The scripture says, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Rom 10:9, 10) Confession is with the mouth, it is a spoken vow. It is a confession of the "Lord Jesus." If we have truly made Him Lord, then we are His servant and obligated to serve Him. Have we "vowed" to live for and in Him and He in us, or not? If we are born again, we have.

It is just that simple. Do we take "sin in us" when we support the kingdom of Satan? Have we actually broken a vow unto our Lord? Doesn't the breaking of that vow open us for Satan's attacks, or more mercifully, God's discipline? Is this one of the areas where our ignorance of kingdom principles and YHVH's instructions (Torah) cause us to be blindsided by the physical and mental anguish associated with unforgiven sin? Could our unresponsiveness when we are in a position of physical and spiritual authority be one of the reasons we feel defiled? Hasn't our silence given that spirit of immorality tacit approval to have free reign in our presence?

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee,..(Hosea 4:6)

Ministerial Application

It is obvious that as a believer we don't have the "physical" authority to go around casting out and rebuking the devils in people for every manifestation of evil behavior we observe. In each step of our walk, we must follow our Lord and His quickening through the Holy Spirit to know where He wants us to exercise the authority given.

Our Messiah didn't deliver and heal everyone. He healed and delivered people as His Father showed him. There were many whom he passed by that were not healed as well as those from whom He did not cast the devils out. And yet, when He (or His disciples) did either of these, the people had faith and believed that He (or the disciples) had the authority of God. They submitted themselves unto His ministry. (Even when Jesus cast out the legion of devils from the Gadarene man, he first came to Yeshua and worshipped Him. ) Thus, in most situations, a individual must allow God's representative servant to manifest their God given authority in them – i.e. the person requiring ministry. This takes some act or attitude of submission to authority and faith on the part of the recipient.

The only possible scriptural exception that I'm aware of is Paul's rebuke of the spirit of divination in the damsel of Thyatria. However, I do find it peculiar that this damsel came to the apostles while they were praying. While that doesn't prove her status or her belief, she then followed them around for three days and declared (by the spirit of divination), "These men are the servants of the most high God, which show unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. (Acts 16:17, 18) So, are there exceptions? Because YHVH is all powerful, we believe there are exceptions because He does "teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: (Psalms 144:1).

However, ask any minister how easy it is to help a believer or anyone who is not willing to submit to spiritual authority, and they would tell you it is almost impossible. And yet believers in our "enlightened" (by humanism) Western society think that submission to spiritual authority is optional.

Now let's see..... Your spiritual/pastoral authority has both the spiritual authority and the "physical" authority/responsibility to nurture/protect the children of God in his charge. But, some would think that a believer has the option to disobey his authority, become offended and even withdraw from the assembly because the instructions received are contrary to their opinion? By now, isn't it obvious how dangerous this action is? Unless the Holy Spirit quickens you to act in that manner, your rebellion can leave you open to much torment.

In our society most ministerial authorities only "suggest" or "strongly suggest" a course of action with all the God-given authority they can invoke. However, because they are to be the greatest of servants, it is rare that they demand the believer act as instructed. After all, each individual believer makes their own choices for righteous and obedient behavior.

However, remember that when the believer is disobedient to authority, he is subject to consequences of his actions. Many pastors can only cry tears of anguish and implore God's mercy as they see their sheep going through unnecessarily difficult times, demonic torment, or greater chastisements for neglecting Godly counsel. And yet some believers insist on going around the same mountain time and time again until God finally gets them to recognize their disobedience to the Word and His earthly appointed ("physical") authority over the believer.

Submission to Authority vs. Faith

The New Testament scriptures try to tell us that there is often a relationship between our submission to authority and our level of faith. Do Christians in the western world equate the two, or has the meaning of the scriptures only been understood as nice stories of our Savior's ministry? Remember, the Apostle John's final (and thus important?) words, "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. (John 21:25)

Might we suspect then, that the recorded acts of Yeshua (Jesus) have special significance and/or multiple understandings within them? Let us consider Matthew's story of the Centurion whose servant was healed:

5) And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, 6) And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. 7) And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. 8) The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. 9) For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 10) When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. 11) And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. 12) But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 13) And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour. (Matthew 8:5-13)

nturion whose servant was healed:

Of course, this account tells us that Yeshua:

  1. heals (many accounts testify to this fact) and
  2. does so with words only – i.e. not touch (like Lazarus – Again, this is not a unique account of the fact)
  3. from afar (this is a unique accounting)

However, is this all we are supposed to glean from this passage? Or, are we to understand the conditions which developed such a great faith in the Centurion that even Yeshua marveled?  How does this fit with the principles we've already discussed?

  1. The Centurion recognized Yeshua's spiritual authority for healing.
  2. He, a Gentile, (physically) submitted himself to Yeshua (a Jewish rabbi) by coming unto to Him.

In other words, he placed himself under authority. As a man under authority, he knew that he would obey his superior. Likewise, he expected his subordinates to perform as he directed. Thus, as Yeshua spoke healing words, the Centurion expected that it would be accomplished. So we can see that because he was mature in being both under authority and in authority over others, the Centurion:

  1. Recognized the power of the spoken word from those in authority.
  2. Recognized that Yeshua had the spiritual authority.
  3. Placed himself in submission to Yeshua's "physical" authority by coming to Him.
  4. Believed that Word which was spoken by He who was in authority (Yeshua), would be accomplished.

Conclusion

1 John 3:4 says, "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law." In this day many Christians, who are delivered from sin by the atoning sacrifice of Yeshua Ha'Mashiach (Jesus the Christ), walk in sin because of their ignorance (and ignoring) of God's laws and kingdom principles. Many have unwittingly taken "sin in" them and serve the kingdom of Satan. Romans 6:16 says, "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?"

According to the scriptures we've studied we take sin "in us" when we:

  1. break a vow unto God or man (in God's Name or as His representative.
  2. delay in disavowing the vow of our children, daughter (or even disciple) after the prescribed time.
  3. hold our peace (keep silent) in the face of manifested evil when we are in physical and spiritual authority.
  4. rebel at the direction of our spiritual shepherd(s). Subsequently, that sin in us will hinder our walk of faith if we are unable or unwilling to submit to the authority over us.

But YHVH has made provision for our sin, if we will only recognize our sin and confess it to Him. That is what the Lord is trying to lead us into – recognizing our sin. He is a merciful and loving Father who doesn't want His children tormented by the enemy. Nor does he want to have to discipline us (what father does?). However, before the Righteous Judge our sin must be atoned (paid for).

The principle of forgiveness remains the same – whether Old Testament or New.

"Or if a person thoughtlessly takes an oath to do anything, whether good or evil--in any matter one might carelessly swear about--even though he is unaware of it, in any case when he learns of it he will be guilty. When anyone is guilty in any of these ways, he must confess in what way he has sinned..." (Leviticus 5:4, 5)

us Judge our sin must be atoned (paid for).

Under the Old Testament covenant, the confessed sinner then had to offer up a trespass offering for their forgiveness. And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the LORD for his sin which he hath sinned.. (Leviticus 5:6)

But we have a glorious Savior who died once for all our sins. If we will only recognize, repent and confess our sins, our Pascal Lamb is sure to forgive us.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.14

This is the hour in which our Heavenly Father is reestablishing a people whom He can trust to accomplish His will. Through obedience to His Word, by the leading of the Holy Spirit, He desires to set His children free from all that binds His redeemed15 to taking sin within us. We are not being wooed by the Spirit to follow a list of dos and don'ts generated by man, but rather to be led and into every liberty and blessing of our glorious salvation through the purification of our souls. We will only be set free from being drawn into sin when we follow God's ways and throw off the weight and bonds of the world's ways (and thinking) that are so subtly formed by the prince of the power of the air.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.16 Therefore, study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.17

By His Grace and In His Love,

Randy

Footnotes:

1 e.g. 2 Peter 2:4-9

2 Obviously, I'm not referring to our blood bought eternal salvation unto life everlasting, but rather to our daily salvation and reaping that which we sow. (Gal 6:7,8) Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

3 Matthew 5:35

4 Deuteronomy 23:21

5 This is speaking of a woman of accountable age. It is generally understood that this also applied to children whether male or female.

6 Hebraic custom/interpretation was within 24 hours, not sunset.

7 Leviticus 5:4-6 Or if a soul swear, pronouncing with his lips to do evil, or to do good, whatsoever it be that a man shall pronounce with an oath, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth of it, then he shall be guilty in one of these. And it shall be, when he shall be guilty in one of these things, that he shall confess that he hath sinned in that thing: And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the LORD for his sin which he hath sinned, a female from the flock, a lamb or a kid of the goats, for a sin offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for him concerning his sin.

8 (Acts 10:4) And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial (a substantive [real rather than ethereal] reminder) before God.

9 Also Matthew 10:1

10 e.g. 2 Corinthians 10:8

11 e.g. Acts 3:2-8 Peter & John heal a man at gate Beautiful which Jesus must have passed by many times..

Mark 6:5,6 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their lack of faith...

12 John 8:44, 45

13 Mark 5:6

14 2 Corinthians 7:1

15 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; (Heb 12:1, 2)

16 2 Timothy 3:16,17

17 2 Timothy 2:15