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| Q:5 The Steps of Christ Show 'Steps To Christ' is inspired. (1) Chapter 5: Consecration Ellen p.42: "God�s promise is, �Ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart.� Jeremiah 29:13. The whole heart must be yielded to God, or the change can never be wrought in us by which we are to be restored to His likeness. By nature we are alienated from God. The Holy Spirit describes our condition in such words as these: �Dead in trespasses and sins;� �the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint;� �no soundness in it.� We are held fast in the snare of Satan, �taken captive by him at his will.� Ephesians 2:1; Isaiah 1:5, 6; 2 Timothy 2:26. God desires to heal us, to set us free. But since this requires an entire transformation, a renewing of our whole nature, we must yield ourselves wholly to Him. The warfare against self is the greatest battle that was ever fought. The yielding of self, surrendering all to the will of God, requires a struggle; but the soul must submit to God before it can be renewed in holiness. Here Ellen White describes the science of salvation for the sinner. The sinner needs to realize the fallen nature holds us captive to our missing, making our whole head sick, with no soundness in it. The greatest war we have to do is the war on "self", the 'Baal master human powers of pride, that cause us to do as we please without using directly God's power'. Such effort means nothing to God. So giving up ourselves doing things in our human powers is a struggle. We must yield ourselves wholly to Jesus. Ellen White writes in her English a translated word "We are held fast in the snare of Satan". Sometimes finding the Scripture references can be difficult: 2Ti 2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare (Greek pagis) of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. (KJV) Here is the Scripture place where such a statement is found, the "snare of Satan". Ro 11:9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare (Greek pagis) , and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: Using places where the translated Greek New Testament quotes the Hebrew Old Testament, we can go back to the original tongue and get the correct word in the Hebrew. Ps 69:22 Let their table become a snare (pach) "technology work snares" before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap (mowqesh) "snare". There are two common Hebrew words for the KJV translation of "snare", both listed here in one verse, as a poetry simile of each other. Ex 39:3 And they did beat the gold into thin plates (pach) "technology work enhances", and cut it into wires, to work it in the blue, and in the purple, and in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, with cunning work(KJV) The idea of technology work, does two things according to the Hebrew, it enhances the beauty, or becomes a snare to those who behold the beauty. Thus technological work of grand engineered beauty can be a snare to some, instead of giving praise to the Creator who gives you the gift of your engineering skills. Ps 91:3 Surely he (our heavenly Father) shall deliver thee from the snare (pach) "technological snares" of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. Finely crafted technology can become a snare to some people, causing them to place their trust in the human engineers, rather than our Heavenly Father. This Promised Power will remove that struggle, and free you fr om the "technology snares of Satan". Studying the "technology work", the Hebrew word "pach", Strongs 6341; is a fascinating study, the reader should do themselves. Now in Jesus' version of 'Steps to Christ' this Hebrew word is used as well:- Yashua 5:1 Hear ye this, O priests; and hearken, ye house of Israel; and give ye ear, O house of the king; for judgment is toward you, because ye have been a snare (pach) "technology snare" on Mizpah, and a net spread upon Tabor. Notice the church experience in the Old Testament, has technology work in the sanctuary that has become a snare. People worship the "gifts" rather than the "giver" of the gifts. Is there a Scripture about this ? Yashua 13:6 According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me. Notice this Scripture from Jesus and His science of salvation, and this is a curse to followers of Jesus: In other words, we love Jesus only for His gifts.That's not how relationships based on love should be. The technology work done by Jesus in saving us has now become a snare to us. Some churches argue "feasts" is a "snare to us", thus no longer required. Some churches love "finely crafted technology" to enhance the beauty of heaven on earth, for helping us see God, but has this become a "technology snare" instead? Some churches remove all objects of beauty from technology to avoid becoming corrupted by man and his technology. Thus they live entirely as a community in the old blacksmith days. Some churches become ensnared with musical technology. They see nothing wrong spending tens of thousands of dollars on musical equipment. Some churches become ensnared with video technology. With the increasing use of mobile television in the palms of your hand, people are socially conditioned to seeing relationships afar off in social media platforms for example. Is this the Hebrew concept of relationship? No People are caught in modern "technology snares". Notice both versions of the "science of salvation" speak also about the "technology snares" of man, trapping pious people into a religion based on technology engineered by man. Sure man can engineer some nice things. Often we copy God's engineering. Some foolishly think such natural engineering is the process of random natural selection over billions of years, as if information and engineering skills can evolve gradually. For example the Hebrew word "pach" means the "blowing outside" and refers to the skill of the bellows working over a fire to make the flames more intense. Such engineering cannot be evolved gradually, somebody with skill had to think this through at a certain level of engineering from the beginning or refining metal ores would not work. If you have ever tried "blacksmith work", its highly skilled work, and this is why common people admired their handywork in churches, the common people became ensnared by human engineering skills. How is this any different from "science" today, the "highly engineered techology work" of man, has become a snare to many people. Re 18:3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. Such "delicacies" like "medical drugs", "hospital procedures" , "fancy cars" and "I-pads" are modern "technology snares". Ellen p.44: " In giving ourselves to God, we must necessarily give up all that would separate us from Him. Hence the Saviour says, �Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple.� Luke 14:33. Whatever shall draw away the heart from God must be given up. Mammon is the idol of many. The love of money, the desire for wealth, is the golden chain that binds them to Satan. Reputation and worldly honor are worshiped by another class. The life of selfish ease and freedom from responsibility is the idol of others. But these slavish bands must be broken. We cannot be half the Lord�s and half the world�s. We are not God�s children unless we are such entirely. Notice Ellen White speaks of Mammon, the idol of many, is a golden chain than binds them to Satan. Yashua 5:4 They will not frame their doings to turn unto their God: for the spirit of whoredoms is in the midst of them, and they have not known the LORD. Notice Jesus gets His prophet to write the same thing. People follow their own doings, allowing the "administration responder" to give them a "character based on whoredoms", thus such people are not faithfully intimate in relationship with Jesus. Ellen p.44: "There are those who profess to serve God, while they rely upon their own efforts to obey His law, to form a right character, and secure salvation. Their hearts are not moved by any deep sense of the love of Christ, but they seek to perform the duties of the Christian life as that which God requires of them in order to gain heaven. Such religion is worth nothing. God's power on the heart "lab" is true religion, but when humans empower themselves with human powers on their heart, they become "bal" or "nothing" to God. Thus "bal" or "baal" which means "master", is the kind way God describes those who do their own thing using their own human powers, means nothing to God. Ellen p.44: "When Christ dwells in the heart, the soul will be so filled with His love, with the joy of communion with Him, that it will cleave to Him; and in the contemplation of Him, self will be forgotten. But when we support Jesus correctly, by Praying Promised Powers in our mind, we do in His power, not human powers, thus our Baal Master Powers of human effort is gone, and self is forgotten. It is not a shift of becoming a slave to Jesus, to do His every whim and call, but a shift in using His powers, we walk in His powers, doing as we please directing our course, but Jesus powers directs our daily steps. Pr 16:9 A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD (YHWH-Jesus) directeth his steps. Support Jesus with His words in your mind, speak them via your conscience and listen always for the voice of GOD via your conscience as well. God is not dead. He's alive! Job 42:5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. If you hear GOD speak to thine ear, you are also seeing GOD in person. Support this idea. Go and be joyous in the fearful-flow of Jesus power flowing through you daily. Ellen p.44: " Do you feel that it is too great a sacrifice to yield all to Christ? Ask yourself the question, �What has Christ given for me?� The Son of God gave all�life and love and suffering�for our redemption. And can it be that we, the unworthy objects of so great love, will withhold our hearts from Him? Every moment of our lives we have been partakers of the blessings of His grace, and for this very reason we cannot fully realize the depths of ignorance and misery from which we have been saved. Can we look upon Him whom our sins have pierced, and yet be willing to do despite to all His love and sacrifice? Giving up our "Baal master powers of human effort" is not really giving up anything, all we are doing is shifting the power of love, from one that is not love, but narcassitic and selfish, to a power that allows us to share and feel empowered in a community of providing and responding. Surrending or allowing God to subdue this propensity is not easy, for in the presence of others, our tongues talk using our own human powers of self. We do not stop and ask God what should I say to them now? As Ellen White writes here, what did Jesus give up for you? What did Jesus do as your sin-offering? to purchase you from a state of non-existence? Think of the infinite cost of purchasing your soul from the second death. Ellen p.46: " The inquiry of many a proud heart is, �Why need I go in penitence and humiliation before I can have the assurance of my acceptance with God?� I point you to Christ. He was sinless, and, more than this, He was the Prince of heaven; but in man�s behalf [46] He became sin for the race. �He was numbered with the transgressors; and He bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.� Isaiah 53:12. But what do we give up, when we give all? A sin-polluted heart, for Jesus to purify, to cleanse by His own blood, and to save by His matchless love. And yet men think it hard to give up all! I am ashamed to hear it spoken of, ashamed to write it. Yashua 5:15 I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.(KJV) Jesus does not write, pleading with man to give up His Baal master powers of self, in His science of salvation, here. The pious people, though religious, are lost in human powers of self,and there is nothing more God can do for them. Ellen p.46: "God does not require us to give up anything that it is for our bestinterest to retain. In all that He does, He has the well-being of Hischildren in view. Living entirely under the powers of GOD seem difficult for us, especially when so many do not hear GOD speaking to them through their conscience.Their faith is blind, and they see following GOD is a walk in right doing, without communion. Ellen p.47: "Many are inquiring, �How am I to make the surrender of myself to God?� You desire to give yourself to Him, but you are weak in moral power, in slavery to doubt, and controlled by the habits of your life of sin. Your promises and resolutions are like ropes of sand. You cannot control your thoughts, your impulses, your affections. The knowledge of your broken promises and forfeited pledges weakens your confidence in your own sincerity, and causes you to feel that God cannot accept you; but you need not despair. What you need to understand is the true force of the will. This is the governing power in the nature of man, the power of decision, or of choice. Everything depends on the right action of the will. The power of choice God has given to men; it is theirs to exercise. You cannot change your heart, you cannot of yourself give to God its affections; but you can choose to serve Him. You can give Him your will; He will then work in you to will and to do according to His good pleasure. Thus your whole nature will be brought under the control of the Spirit of Christ; your affections wi ll be centered upon Him, your thoughts will be in harmony with Him. Notice "surrender" of self is not made as a chapter on it's own. Surrender is not a step to Jesus, but a daily process made by you, "supporting Jesus, and He supporting you" The Author writes using different words to Ellen White, but the ideas of child like faith, as essentially the same. "you can choose to support Him. How do I do this daily? Read through the praying training process by the Author, and learn how "support Jesus". Ellen p.48: "Many will be lost while hoping and desiring to be Christians. They do not come to the point of yielding the will to God. They do not now choose to be Christians. Through the right exercise of the will, an entire change may be made in your life. By yielding up your will to Christ, you ally yourself with the power that is above all principalities and powers. You will have strength from above to hold you steadfast, and thus through constant surrender to God you will be enabled to live the new life, even the life of faith. How do I do this daily? Learn the Hebrew meaning of faith. This will help tremendously, since the fuzzy translations make things difficult. See how Sola Scripture presents faith. Ro 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. (KJV) Here is an important Scripture telling us what Israel did wrong. They did not surrender to God. But when we read this fuzzy translation, the reader doesn't understand either. So in the Bible are three whole chapters detailing us how to read Scripture: Isa 28:9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. (KJV) Do we spend our lives drinking milk and being a babe in Jesus all our lives, never becoming mature or complete in Jesus? Isa 28:11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. 12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear The Scriptures make prophecy that the teachings will be translated into a new tongue so the people will get refreshing, but sadly for many of us, with read with stammering lips, we receive no refreshing, and we do not hear. So what do we do ? We read the Scriptures translated back to the original tongue, and than once we understand, read the Scriptures back to our own tongue, in English. So this is why we must read Scripture first in Hebrew. So we will get a refreshing, no longer speak with stammering lips, and thus not hear. Now for the reader, let's show you the translated passage in the original Ancient Hebrew tongue:- Ro 10:3 For they being ignorant of Elohiym's straightness, and going about to establish their own straightness, have not subdued themselves unto the straightness of Elohiym. 4 For Christ completes the teachings of straightness to every one that supports Jesus. (Ancient Hebrew) Does the reader understand now? The next chapter of Steps To Christ, concerns Faith and Acceptance. |
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You are a point in space and time. A point on it's own is pointless. So how many points to I need to make a straight line? A mininum of two. 
But if you have a theoretical knowing about Jesus, and you both sort of come together, we have two points in space. But two points in space is not a straight line either. But what happens if your hand reaches up to the hand of Jesus, in relationship? 
We immediately produce a straight line. Get the idea how straightness works? You do not own the straightness. Jesus alone does not make the straightness either. Only relationship does. 
When we speak too much we use our Baal Master powers of human effort that meaning nothing to God, and so this propensity of self causes a crooked line. How do I get rid of "self"? But supporting Jesus' "prayer promised powers" instead, and sowing them in your mind, until the straightness of relationship becoming mature in Jesus. 
