Free At Last!

On August 28, 1963, the reverend Dr. Martin Luther King delivered his now famous civil rights speech, I Have A Dream, from the steps of the Lincoln memorial in Washington, D.C.  Looking forward to the day when racial equality would reign supreme in our land he perceived the joy of that time and exuberantly cried out, “Free at last. Free at last. Thank God Almighty I’m free at last.” Since that speech much good has been accomplished to realize his dream. Yet much work remains. Writing to Christians in Rome the apostle Paul spoke to the reality of slavery and freedom too, yet not in the physical sense, but in the spiritual sense. He emphatically declared, “Sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace” (Romans 6:14). In Christ the chains of slavery to sin were shattered. Spiritually speaking the wrist and ankle shackles were removed. In what sense were they removed?  By the law of faith they were removed.  Faith in what?  Faith in Christ and His death on the cross in your place, and in His subsequent resurrection. Paul declares that by faith you are no longer under law. What law? The law of sin which reigned supreme in your daily experience, prompting and enslaving you to reject God, to think and do things opposed to the moral law of God, as well as neglecting to think and do things pleasing to God.  In that prior state of unbelief it was your nature to live in a way opposed to the things of God. By nature you were an object of God’s wrath (Ephesians 2:3).  It was impossible for you to please God in anything for “without faith it is impossible to please Him” (Hebrews 11:6). Not only did you not care to be pleasing to God, you were powerless to be pleasing to Him. Herein lies the good news. Since rejecting your unbelief and coming to Christ by faith you have been given a new nature; given, not earned. This is the law of grace Paul speaks of. To be under law is to be under the slavery of the old nature of unbelief, opposed to God, leading to a life of sin and eventual spiritual death for eternity. To be under the law of grace is to be under the influence of the indwelling Holy Spirit within you, who has created in you a new nature, one desiring God and seeking to be pleasing to Him, the result being spiritual life leading to eternal life.  And this transformation is not of your doing, it is the gift of God. It is by grace (God’s unmerited favor). In another place Paul speaks of this amazing reality, “For by grace you have been saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God” Ephesians 2:8). Dr. Martin Luther King spoke of a day when cultural freedom and equality would be the experience for all people of this country. The apostle Paul speaks of the reality of a spiritual freedom and empowerment for all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ to live victoriously by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.  The chains and shackles have been removed. Yes they were invisible to the eye, but their fruit was visible, being recognized by a life of unbelief and sin.  But now the law of sin no longer has dominion over you, you have been purchased (redeemed) by the blood of Christ, and empowered to live righteously.  You are now a free man or woman. Therefore, live in that freedom. Just as a tree takes in the grace of God for its daily life (sun, rain, soil, carbon dioxide are all God’s free gifts to the tree), we too daily take in God’s grace for spiritual life (by His Word, prayer, fellowship with other believers, worship, obedience to His teaching and promptings).   Herein is the law of the grace of God, “Live by the Spirit, and you will not satisfy the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). The closer you draw near to God the closer He will draw near to you (James 4:10). And the closer He draws near to you His power for victorious living over sin will be your daily experience. “Free at last. Free at last.  Thank God Almighty I’m free at last!”

Copy-write (c) 2019 Immutable Word Ministries

Changed from the Inside Out

J.A. Matteson

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths."  

2 Timothy 4:3-4

These words ought to startle every sincere follower of Jesus Christ. It is fashionable in our present day for many professors of Christ to reject the very idea of doctrine as incompatible with the gospel. In reality there is great irony in this assertion because the gospel is, in fact, doctrine. Doctrine is both a biblical word and concept, it simply means teaching. Beware of teachers who deride, ridicule, and diminish the need for doctrine in the church. When we peel away the layers of the thinking of these teachers often we discover a malignant deadly assumption, namely, that because Christians are under grace they no longer are obligated to observe the moral Law. The term for that teaching is "antinomianism", which is the view that Christians are released by grace from the obligation of observing the moral law. When the apostle speaks of adhering to sound doctrine he means that written in scripture (Old Testament--there was no New Testament at this time) and the teaching of Jesus Christ and the apostles (which would later become the New Testament). Why is this issue important? Because there are many professing Christians today who think that holding a head knowledge sort of belief in Christ is sufficient for salvation when they willfully live in a pattern of perpetual unrepentant sin. That is a dangerous assumption which presumes upon the grace of God. The apostle James clearly speaks to this errant teaching by sounding forth a warning, "Prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves" (James 1:22). The "word" referenced is the gospel which is the entirety of the teaching of Jesus Christ, who is the fulfillment of the Old Testament law, ceremonially and morally. The point of the gospel is that by grace God accepts sinners the way they are with their hurts, hangups, and dysfunctional habits. Further, by his grace he does not leave them helpless in sin, but places within them his Holy Spirit who establishes a new nature, one that hates sin, being enabled by the Spirit to increasingly say no to sin and yes to righteousness. The apostle Paul speaks to this marvelous transformation, "Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor homosexuals, nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). All professors of Christ are well served by noting the apostles words. Note that he states, "And that is what some of you were." Can you see that he is obliterating the false teaching of antinomianism which says live however you choose, and as long as you say  "I believe in Jesus" you're on your way to heaven? That is a false gospel that will send people to hell. Jesus himself warned the crowds following him and yet were disobedient to him, "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21). Now it must be stated that no true Christian can do this perfectly in this life. And yet one of the hallmarks of genuine faith is a life undergoing transformation where patterns of sin are replaced with patterns of righteousness. If that describes you rejoice because your name is written in heaven. If that does not describe you and the pattern and desire of your life is predominately sin, you may have a serious spiritual concern. It is spiritually healthy and biblical to periodically do some introspection to ensure that the faith we claim to have is in fact saving faith and not a counterfeit, "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?" (2 Corinthians 13:5).

Copyright (c) 2016  Immutable Word Ministries 

Changed by the Spirit

J.A. Matteson

"This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?"  Galatians 3:2

How often do you catch yourself still trying to please God through performance?  Why is it we continue to think that if we just read our bible more, pray more, memorize more scriptures and the like that God would love us more?  Where is that coming from? Well it is not coming from the message of the gospel.  Think about this, when did Jesus Christ die for your sin, before you believed in him or after?  Listen carefully to what the apostle Paul says about this: "but God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).  Allow the joy of that truth sink in for a moment.  If the God of the universe purposely died on our behalf before we were even born, before we believed in him, while we were living in sin, it is irrational to think he will now love us more if we strive to be perfect. Here us a trustworthy statement: we can not be perfect, only Christ is perfect!  That's the whole point of the gospel, it is Good News!  How do we receive the Spirit?  By faith in Jesus Christ, believing the gospel.  Again listen to the apostle: "In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise" (Ephesians 1:13).  How may we know that we have received the Spirit?  Because we believe the gospel of Jesus Christ.  How may we know that our faith is genuine and not counterfeit?  Because the Spirit changes us from the inside out, our disposition, likes and dislikes, slowly conforming us to be like Christ in our thinking and behavior.  This is what is referred to as the fruit of the Spirit, those qualities he produces in our lives: "For the fruit of the Spirit love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control; against such things there is no law" (Galatians 5:22-23).  So allow yourself to be your own fruit inspector.  Are those qualities increasing in your life?  If they are that is the Spirit's work in your life.  The truth is, all who come to Christ by faith are changed by him. As many theologians have stated: Christ loves and receives us as we are, but his love for us does not leave us as we are.  Continue to pursue Christ, read his word and talk to him, listen to him.  More importantly believe his word by living it, and the Spirit will do amazing things in your life, things you could never imagine possible.

Copyright (c) 2016  Immutable Word Ministries

Youthful Wisdom

J.A. Matteson

"He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm."  Proverbs 13:20

Young person, what is it that you seek?  Are you enamored with fame, position, power, or wealth?  Who's favor do you seek?  Is it that of your friends, teachers, boyfriend, girlfriend, parents, brothers and sisters?  Who's opinion matters to you?  Truthfully, are your decisions influenced more by your feelings or by carefully thinking things through before you choose a course of action?  And while we have never met I would venture to say you want to invest yourself into things you deem worthwhile, enduring, beautiful, creative, to leave your unique mark on this world, to leave it if possible, a bit better because you lived.  Right?  Otherwise what's the point if it all?  Yet you are in the flower of your youth and by your perspective the day that you find yourself aged seems like an eternity away.  Indeed you secretly feel immortal and the very thought of your life ending seems impossible, that happens to other people, but not you.  By now you have experienced the unexpected loss of a friend or known of a friend of a friend who died in their youth.  You are unsure how to process it.  But process it you must.  And in the quiet moments of your inner thoughts you know something about death is wrong, it's not right, it's not supposed to be this way.  It's so permanent.  The melancholy introspection causes you to long for something above and beyond the normal human experience on earth, you long for that which is eternal.  Where did that come from?  There is an answer and it is this: God has hard wired into your being the longing for eternity because you were created by God as an eternal being, "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end" (Ecclesiastes 3:11).  How you ask is that even possible?  Why would God do this?  God tells us why in the book of Genesis, "Then God said, 'Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground'"(Genesis 1:26).  To be created in God's image is not reflected in your body because God is Spirit and does not have a physical body. To be created in God's image is to mirror his likeness in terms of personhood. Personhood, what is that?  God thinks, feels, makes decisions, plans, creates, and so forth.  Consider how people differ from dogs and cats, they may have feelings and instincts but are incapable of complex thinking, reading, mathematics, and the like. They don't build ships, libraries, or open restaurants. So not only has God placed eternity in your heart because God is eternal, he has also placed within you a desire for significance, that too is something animals lack.  So now we come full circle back to my original question: young person, what is it that you seek.  Sure we all seek different things daily, but strip those things all away and at the core of your inner self your greatest longing (placed there by God) is for a life of significance and ultimately eternity, and neither of those longings can be yours apart from knowing God and fulfilling his wonderful plan for your life.  Look at that first scripture again, "He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm."  Do you consider yourself a wise person.  Sure you do.  But by who's standard, yours or Gods?  What does it mean to "walk" with wise people?  A better question is who is wise by Gods standard and who is foolish?  Here's the truth, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding" (Proverbs 9:10).  From Gods perspective the wise person is the one who acknowledges his existence and who displays a deep respect for him.  So who does God consider a foolish person?  You guessed right, "The fool has said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that does good" (Proverbs 14:1).  So how can you fulfill a life of significance?  Be a wise person, that is, one who acknowledges and lives in daily relationship with God through his Son Jesus Christ.  At that you might push back, thinking that's pretty restrictive.  Surely all religions worship the same God, right?  Wrong.  The eternally wise God took on humanity through the person of Jesus Christ, lived the perfect (sinless) life we are incapable of living, died for our sins in our place on a wooden cross, and was raised from the dead on our behalf, so that all who place their trust in him for the eternity they desire will not be turned away.  Is Jesus really the only way to God?  In his own words, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). Did Jesus make any promises about eternal life by trusting in him for it?  Yes he did!  Jesus said, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).  That's awesome news, isn't it?  So is there anything else to living wisely?  Yes, choose your friends carefully by hanging around other wise people who can help you as you help them live your life according to the good plan he has designed for you.  Remember that if you decide to hang out with unwise people you will cause yourself harm, "Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character" (1 Corinthians 15:33).  Now that you know what it truly means to be wise, go do it.

Copyright (c) 2016 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever.

True Wisdom

J.A. Matteson

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.  Proverbs 9:10

It's all so simple and at the same time mysterious. That is, how can we know true wisdom to live a meaningful and satisfying life with a heart of understanding to live prudently? The ancient words of King Solomon tell us: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding" (Proverbs 9:10). What does the old guy mean by "fear"? Does he mean terror? No. He means reverence (a deep respect) for the holiness of God and a healthy respect for His wrath as a consequence to those who reject Him. That premise is the beginning of living wisely. It is to be playing, if you will, the game of life with a full deck of cards, to have the good judgement to perceive life as it truly is, a gift from God who created all things and to whom all things are accountable. So to acknowledge that God exists, is holy, and is the ruler of all things is the beginning point of living a life of wisdom. And this wisdom is available to everyone; however, many reject it. The king next goes on to say that once we have attained true wisdom by acknowledging God's existence and submitting to his governance over our lives that "knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." In other words Solomon is suggesting we can know God personally and intimately. Think about that for a moment because it's an amazing truth. The God of the universe invites everyone to know Him personally; that is fantastic! Where can we gain this knowledge of God? The answer is right in front of us: the Bible. It is God's inspired revelation to the world of Himself. Want to know the heart of God? Read and study the Bible. The more you commit yourself to knowing the heart of God through the Bible the more "understanding" you will acquire on living out a life of true wisdom, a life pleasing before the God who created you to know Him and love Him and to know His love towards you. 

Copyright (c) 2016 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 4:8)

Moral Rot

J.A. Matteson

"Jehoshaphat was afraid and turned his attention to seek the LORD...saying, 'Are You not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand so that no one can stand against You...O our God, will You not judge them?  For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You." 2 Chronicles 20:3, 6, 12

Unrighteousness, wickedness, and perversion have risen against the LORD and His children. The moral rot and filth of a depraved people has arisen, seeking to suppress the truth in unrighteousness. Assailing the land homosexuals, lesbians, transsexuals and others who practice every form of indecency are lauded as virtuous by those in government authority. And if it were not sick enough that the sacred arrangement of marriage should be altered to include that which is an abomination to the LORD, not satisfied with sanctioning the perversion of consenting adults, tyrant Barak Hussain Obama has now taken depravity to the superlative by mandating that children of the opposite sex share open locker rooms and showers! Such a provocation of the holy order of the LORD and nature is beyond description. It is nothing less than vial defiance and outright disdain for Jesus Christ. But, God is God and He does not suffer fools indefinitely. Those who sow corruption will reap it. The LORD does not slumber, being fully aware of the ways of the wicked. Let the example of Jehoshaphat serve as an encouragement to lovers of Jesus Christ. The battle against wickedness and every form of evil belongs to the LORD. As the apostle Paul stated our fight is not against flesh and blood (people), but it is spiritual in nature. Those committing and advancing gross immorality are pawns of Satan, they are his children, being moved along to do his desire. Therefore, like Jehoshaphat the focus of Christ's disciples must be upon Him and not on the wicked. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus Christ. He raises up nations and leaders as well as humbling them. Let us, therefore, understand as Jehoshaphat understood, that the nature of the battle against perversion is spiritual, and let us raise our prayers and eyes to Him who is our banner to gain the victory and restore righteousness in the land so that His name is exalted. God will prevail over His enemies in His time and in His way. That is both a biblical and historical certainty. 

Copyright (c) 2016 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8).

Humility

In the crucible of humiliation by the hand of God our pain is proportionate to our pride.

J.A. Matteson

Fully Persuaded

J.A. Matteson

"And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son." 1 John 5:11

Are you fully persuaded of the joyful anticipation and implication of eternal life?  Is eternity something you daily ponder in light of your present difficulties?  Do you fret and strain during the course of the passing years and sigh at the changing reflection in the mirror?  How often do you catch yourself calculating your estimated time left this side of the grave with a foreboding sense of melancholy?   Answering yes to these questions indicates you are walking in the flesh rather than by faith.  And walking in the flesh will never deliver the joy and peace you seek.  The child of God is eternal life in nature by the promise and power of God.  Once that reality is grasped in its magnificence it changes everything.  It alters how we view our stuff that God has made us managers of.  It transforms our relationships with believers and non-believers.  It radically impacts decisions affecting our calendar and checkbook.  And perhaps most notably it alters our thinking when enduring difficulty, of whatever variety it may be.  Stop counting your mortal years and projecting an estimated end to them.  Yes, God has appointed a final day for your present sin laden body to return to the ground from which it was taken, but you will continue for eternity, eternity!  In God's appointed time he will provide you with a glorified body that will never age, become ill, or in any way suffer imperfection.  And in that perfect glorified state you will forever be with the Lord Jesus Christ, who ransomed you from the power of sin and death, to be with him forever.  Eternal bliss and joy inexpressible is promised you.  Now, don't miss this most important fact, what God has promised you already possess; that is, eternal life is not waiting for you in the future, it is a present reality.  Listen to the promise, "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life" (1 John 5:13).  You see, eternal life is not merely a state of being, it is foremost a relationship with Jesus Christ, "This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent" (John 17:3).  It was this truth as illuminated in the minds of the apostles by the Holy Spirit that infused them with a boldness that shocked the world, obliterated fear and recalibrated their perspective to an eternal plane from an earthly orientation.  This same joy is available to every child of God today when eternity is embraced in their daily experience.  The apostle Paul expresses this joy beautifully, "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14). 

Copyright (c) 2016 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God endures forever."). Isaiah 40:8 

To Walk By Faith

J.A. Matteson

"...all the people were embittered...but David strengthened himself in the Lord his God."  1 Samuel 30:6

Trouble will come.  It is appointed to every child of God to suffer, for a student is not above his master.  The Son of God suffered, but he entrusted himself to him who judges rightly.  And to what was his trust anchored upon?  Was it wishful thinking, fantasy or delusion?  God forbid!  Rather Jesus Christ endured all things "for the joy set before Him...." (Heb. 12:2); viz, "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel" (Gen. 3:15).  Endurance in suffering finds its source in your identity, knowing who you are and who's you are.  When God speaks a promise to you he is not like a man that he should lie (Num. 23:19).  Jesus Christ knew who he was and who's he was.  There was no confusion in his thinking about his identity, his mission, or his destiny.  The Father had made specific promises to his Son and those promises, both of suffering and of glory, were guaranteed.  David knew who he was and who's he was.  He strengthened himself in knowing that the promises made to him by God would not fail.  Even in the midst of darkness and troubling circumstances he knew him who calls light out of darkness, life out of death.  Herein is the key to victorious Christian living: let the promises of God define reality, not circumstances.  That, beloved, is what it means to walk by faith and not by sight.  In the midst of his suffering, which was very real and not an illusion, David remembered God's promises to him, thereby like Abraham, reasoning that nothing is impossible for God (Heb. 11:17-19).  Make it your aim, therefore, to mark out all of God's many promises to his children preserved for them in his word.  Be well acquainted with them.  Meditate upon them, internalize them, let them interpret troubling circumstances in light of God's goodness and faithfulness.  By dong so you, like David, you will be strengthened within, enabled to endure all things with the peace and joy of the Holy Spirit.  Listen to the apostle Paul, who like David, rested upon the promises of God, "for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:11-13). 

Copyright (c) 2016 Immutable Word Ministries ("...for the word of our God stands forever.")  Isaiah 40:8

Wait Patiently

J.A. Matteson

"As the LORD lives, the LORD will strike him, or his day will come to die, or he will go down into battle and perish."  1 Samuel 26:10

The sovereign LORD lives; nothing escapes his notice.  The secret things will be made known and that which is known will be revealed.  Retribution is in the hand of the LORD; vengeance is his prerogative.  Perpetual injustice provokes attitudes of revenge, recompense for ills suffered unjustly.  "O LORD, how long?" we cry, "Smite my enemy with the hand our your righteousness!"  The LORD sees, he is not deaf to the taunts of wicked men.  But what is the duty of his servant?  Let mercy and forbearance have their place, grace and lovingkindness their habitation.  For the natural man exacts vengeance by the hand of his adversary, his gratification is fleeting; but he who waits upon the LORD will be exalted.  The sovereign LORD lives, his appointed means and ends in dealing with wicked men is certain, righteous, and just, its timing is perfect.  Behold, the sovereign LORD lives, he intercedes to rescue his people.  Wait patiently, therefore, for the LORD to avenge your adversary, to meter out justice to the one who opposes you for Christ's sake.  Let the name of the Lord Jesus Christ be on your lips, and his loving kindness to all draped upon you as a garment.  Blessed be the one who receives you in his name; woe to the one who rejects you on account of his name. Let mercy and justice find their fulfillment and season in the mighty hand of the LORD who lives.

Copyright 2016 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever."). Isaiah 40:8

When the Word of the LORD Directs You

J.A. Matteson

"I have obeyed the voice of the LORD.  I have gone on the mission on which the LORD sent me."  1 Samuel 15:20

Beware of reinterpreting the clear word of the LORD to better suit your fears, phobias, presumptions, and biases.  I AM does not suffer fools who pledge obedience to him, yet behave rebelliously.  The test of obedience to the LORD often comes through those near and dear to us who place human pragmatism ahead of obedience, presenting to us a reasonable alternative to revelation which can appear unreasonable.  Never allow yourself to elevate reason over revelation. When the LORD directs you, be aware of a juxtaposing providence to follow shortly thereafter, one that tests your obedience over human pragmatism.  Reason seems right, it feels honorable, yet it is sin if it's fruit is disobedience to revelation.  Servants of the LORD are called to walk by faith, not by sight.  Partial obedience is complete disobedience, and delayed obedience is immediate disobedience.  Whether the word of the LORD strikes you as reasonable or not, obey it completely and immediately.  For the ways and thoughts of the LORD are high, pure, correct, righteous.  The LORD is not seeking philosophers and intellectuals to accomplish his purposes, but obedient servants who do not second guess what he has spoken to them.  Such was the demise of Saul, a foolish man who lived an ego-centric life rather than a Christo-centric life. May the tragedy of his life serve as a warning to us to always chose obedience over external religious acts of service.

Copyright (c) 2016  Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever."). Isaiah 40:8  

The Heart of the LORD is Clear

J.A. Matteson

"And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, so the LORD gave them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years." Judges 13:1

The passions of unbridled sin by God's people guarantees a divine response of chastening.  Forty years is a long time to be vexed and oppressed by purveyors of wickedness.  Imagine those born in Israel during that time, distress is all they knew, it as a normal part of their life experience.  Then there were pious adults who had maintained their fidelity to the LORD while many of their brethren pursued other gods. Certainly their grief tormented them as they witnessed the chastening of the LORD upon the nation.  And it is not as though the Philistines were not previously in the land before judgment visited Israel.  They were there, but providentially subdued.  Failing to expel them from Canaan the Philistines remained as thorns in Israel's side.  It may be instructive at point to at least consider the possibility of divine judgment upon many nations today, including the United States, in response to the unbridled sin among the people who identify themselves as Christians.  For decades now sin has found a foothold within local congregations while church discipline wanes.  All manor of sin is accepted under the contemporary banner of "tolerance."  And so it should not be unexpected that increasingly the people of God find themselves oppressed and vexed by wicked and evil people in the land who lay no claim to Jesus Christ, being hostile to all that is Christian.  Apparently the people of God have a high pain tolerance because they have yet to repent of sin and return to the LORD who saves them.  It is a certainty that the chastening will continue, and intensity, until God's people cry out to him in humility and desperation.  Until that time oppressors of God's people will taunt, vex, harass, annoy, persecute, pursue, and malign them, flaunting wickedness and evil openly, calling evil good and good evil, viciously denigrating righteousness and biblical truth. At any moment God can end the distress of his people; indeed, he desires to end it. But he will not end their misery until they repent and call upon his name, "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land" (2 Chr. 7:14).  The heart of the LORD is clear.  The question is, when will God's people turn to him in repentance for his deliverance?

Copyright (c) 2016 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever.") Isaiah 40:8

To Grow in Mercy and Love

J.A. Matteson

"When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, 'Put out into the deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.'" Luke 5:4

Peter was an able fisherman, skilled in the trade. An overlooked nuance of truth in his encounter with Christ this day was in the how of Jesus' invitation to join him in his messianic work, not simply the what of it. That Simon would engage in proclaiming the good news of salvation was fundamental and further empowerment and training would be forthcoming. Yet in the haul of fish in his net that day were likely a variety of fish species. Simon would later in a vision behold a variety of unclean animals set before him with the command of the Lord to take and eat. Protesting a violation of his strict kosher diet Simon hesitated, only to encounter a deeper truth about Christ and the gospel; viz., it is for all people, Jew and Gentile.  It is likely that in Simons net were many varieties of fish.  When Christ bids us to join him in his evangelistic work we must confront our own prejudice if we are to be of value to the Lord in his work.  To reveal your prejudices to you expect the Lord to repeatedly place you in settings where people unlike you reveal their hearts and anxieties. Take note in that moment how you instinctively respond to them in your heart. Anything less than a heart of love and compassion is not the heart of God towards them.  Who gets under your skin, irritating you? God wants to love them and extend his compassion to them through you.  Using Simons perspective they represent your Gentile, anathema to you.  Here is God's lesson: the gospel is for all people, Jew, Gentile, rich, poor, educated, illiterate, liberal, conservative, democrat, republican, libertarian, white, black, Latino, Muslim.  All of these types of people are fish in the net of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Take note, therefore, when you find yourself avoiding certain groups of people, esteeming them as unworthy of compassion and love, for that revelation is God inviting you to grow in mercy and love in order that you might more fully reflect his nature in the world to which he has called you to be salt and light.

Copyright (c) 2016 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever.") Isaiah 40:8

The Mercy of God Never Tires

J.A. Matteson

"Because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." Luke 1:78-79

Incomprehensible is the mercy of God, especially to those who revere his name. Once darkness blinded our eyes and silence closed our ears, ignorance defiled our faculties so we were by nature like untamed beasts, always straining and pulling against the way of righteousness in arrogant unbelief, boastful, hateful, stubborn. Darkness was our habitation, ignorance covered us as a blanket. Preferring the darkness to the light we scurried as roaches to the recesses of cover whenever a moment of shimmering light invaded our habitat. But the mercy of God never tires and the purposes of the Almighty are irrevocable. Not looking for mercy we obtained mercy. Not searching for light we obtained light by his seed deposited within us whereby that which was formerly odious was transformed into something sweeter than honey. Ignorance yielded to truth and stiff necked rebellion to belief. The state of the old nature, in the tinkling of an eye, was replaced by the new. The mercy of God loved it's object into willful obedience and faith. Such is the new birth through the agency of the Spirit in the light of the gospel. Where is boasting? It is obliterated. By what means is it obliterated? By the law of grace through faith. A blind man at midday is oblivious to the brilliance of the light of the sun. The mercy of God comes from outside of the blind man, opening his eyes to behold that which was clocked in darkness. To this miracle of sight and new life belong all praise, honor, and glory, to the king immortal who's mercy endures forever, and who's ways are beyond comprehension.

Copyright (c) 2016 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever."). Isaiah 40:8

The Hallmark of Genuine Faith

J.A. Matteson

"You shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that he might humble you, testing you, to know what as in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not." Deuteronomy 8:2

Have you erected an Ebenezer unto the Lord? Surely he has been your help, great satisfaction and comfort along your pilgrims pathway in this present wildness. A present crises is best navigated by remembering past victories. God's promises to his children are irrevocable, all of them are a resounding Yes in Christ Jesus. Do we know his plethora of promises experientially or are we tossed to and fro like driftwood upon the raging waves of life, familiar with them only intellectually? Are your circumstances difficult at the moment? Praise God in them for what he intends to accomplish in you through them. Are you doing quite well at the moment, feeling satisfied with the comforts of this world? Beware, lest you forget the Lord your God and mistakenly place your security and hope in things rather than in he who provided them. The greatest hindrance to our maturity is practical atheism where we through the study of God's word acquire intellectual truth about God and his promises in our heads, but remain doubters in our hearts, evidenced by our behavior. Such was Israel's folly. If we are to traverse the wilderness in hopes of crossing the Jordan into the promised land, enjoying the rest promised to us, we must live by faith, trusting God to deliver on his promises and not focusing on our adverse circumstances. Remember why the adversity has come, to humble you, to test you, to see whether you will live by faith or by sight. To be victorious as we pass through the wilderness we must bring to mind God's promises, reflect back upon our Ebenezer, and summons within our heart a steadfastness that trusts in the promises of God no matter what circumstances may tempt us to believe. That is the hallmark of genuine faith to which the writer to the Hebrew beautifully illustrates in chapter 11. Certainly the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Pray, therefore, that the Lord may strengthen you in the inner person to live as Jesus lived, always doing the Father's will in humble dependence upon him for life's necessary provisions. And as the promises of God to you are proved repeatedly you will find not one, but a multitude of Ebenezer's to fondly look upon, perceiving your present battle as an opportunity to erect still another marker all to the glory and praise of God the Father, through his Son, as empowered by his Spirit who dwells within you.

Copyright (c) 2016 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).

God's Work Requires God's Power

J.A. Matteson

"I brought my son to you...so I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able" (Mk. 9:17-18).

What sort or manor of Christ does the church project to the world in which it is called to be salt and light? Note, that the authority of Christ over the supernatural realm was clearly conferred to the apostles and understood as much by the community at large. Presenting a situation to the apostles was synonymous with bringing it to Christ. Failure of the apostles to exercise the authority given them by Christ generated confusion to those seeking his redemptive intervention in their circumstances, causing them to question his ultimate authority and power. The Lord reveals the crux of their failure, a lack of prayer, which implies they were seeking to perform God's work in their own natural ability. God's work requires God's power, and God's power is only available through abiding in him. Unless we daily confess our inability to do anything for the Lord, earnestly seeking first his kingdom and righteousness in our own lives, we will fail as his witnesses before a watching world. Abraham believed God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness unto salvation. Abraham continued to believe in the presence and power of God and was greatly used of God throughout his life. The world is watching the church, bringing its needy, to identify the power and authority of God it claims to possess. Whenever the redemptive aspect of Christ touches a situation, be it a marriage in distress or a teenager in rebellion, restoration results, manifesting the power of God to the world. Jesus promises that all things are possible to those who believe. But the caveat for his redemptive power to flow is earnest prayer by those entrusted with advancing his kingdom.

Copyright (c) 2016 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).

Willing to Loose that You May Gain

J.A. Matteson


"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." Mark 8:34

Each day offers its own opportunities to hear and obey. God is working out his redemptive ends among the sons of men and has chosen to work through his people in order to bring those ends about. The concise words of the Lord Jesus in this passage summarize his many other statements relative to kingdom life and self denial, "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.... "(Matt.6:33); "He who has my commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves me" (Jn. 14:21); "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake" (Matt. 5:11). The picture that the Lord Jesus displays repeatedly is the exact relationship between faith and obedience. That is, genuine faith is known by its obedience and genuine obedience is known by faith. Faith and obedience are two sides of one coin; viz. salvation. One cannot exist apart from the other. We cannot have obedience apart from faith and we cannot have faith apart from obeying the command, "Repent and believe he gospel" (Mk. 1:15). God is working all around you today, seek therefore his activity in the people within your sphere of influence. Consider his provinces as opportunities to follow him in obedience. Notice within your thinking if you find yourself drawing back in order to take what you perceive to be a less risky route. That moment is your cross of obedience, follow Jesus. Be willing to loose in the eyes of the world in order that you may gain the praise of God, your abba Father. The intersection of loss in the eyes of the world is gain in the kingdom of God. Consider the cross of Christ, apart from which eternal atonement for sin would remain unsatisfied. Enduring the shame of the cross the Lord Jesus opened the way for sinners, permitting access into the most holy place, the very presence of Almighty God. Consider the risk someone took when they shared Christ with you? Were they not denying themselves and obeying Christ? It was their obedience that in part led to your salvation for, "our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit with full conviction" (1 Thess. 1:5). So we too, as imperfect vessels, beloved by God, count it both a privilege and solemn responsibility to deny ourselves in our Lords service for the sake of the gospel. Consider how many souls may one day thank you in heaven!


Copyright (c) 2016 Immutable Word Ministries ("...and the word of our God stands forever." Is a. 40:8).

Eyes of Faith

J.A. Matteson

"And he went with him." Mark 5:24

In response to our faith God goes with us. Let the one who doubts not presume God will go with him. We first come to the Lord in faith acknowledging his ability to intervene in our circumstance. Our coming is a display of humility. Our coming is a display of faith. Our coming is a display of confidence in the supernatural ability of God to alter natural outcomes, to intervene in, to suspend, override, or otherwise alter the course of things as left to their own patterns. With eyes of faith Jairus saw a future for his daughter of health and life, when circumstances indicated sickness and death. With unwavering confidence in Jesus' ability to heal he comes face-to-face in the presence of the resurrection and the life, vulnerable, desperate, and confident. What father would not give his own life to save that of his child? Not fearing the Jews this ruler of a synagogue prostrates himself in public humiliation before the Lord in a desperate plea for mercy, and mercy he receives. "Now faith is the evidence of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Heb. 11:1). In response to faith God went with the patriarchs, with Moses, Joshua and Caleb, David and Solomon, Daniel, Nehemiah and the prophets, the apostles and the saints of history. And when invited, with eyes of faith, he goes with us today, "and lo I am with you always, even to the end if the age" (Matt. 28:20).

Copyright (c) 2016 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).

We Ask You Not Force Us to Choose Between the State and the Laws of God

The following represents an open letter from pastors of various influential churches in the United States to the Supreme Court of the United States regarding its upcoming decision on the definition of marriage. Immutable Word Ministries shares in the spirit of the letter, J.A. Matteson also signed the pledge.


We the undersigned have joined together to present our unified message and plea to the Justices of the United States Supreme Court regarding the matter of marriage.

We are Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox Christian pastors, clergy, lay leaders and Jewish leaders, who collectively represent millions of people in our specific churches, parishes, denominations, synagogues and media ministry outreaches. Marriage transcends our various theological differences and unites us together in one voice.

We affirm that any judicial opinion which purports to redefine marriage will constitute an unjust law, as Martin Luther King Jr. described such laws in his letter from the Birmingham Jail.

We are Christians who love America and who respect the legitimate rule of law. However, we will not honor any decision by the Supreme Court which will force us to violate a clear biblical understanding of marriage as solely the union of one man and one woman.

We affirm that Marriage, as existing solely between one man and one woman, precedes civil government. Though affirmed, fulfilled, and elevated by faith, the truth that marriage can exist only between one man and one woman is not based solely on religion but on the Natural Law, written on the human heart.

We implore this Court to not step outside of its legitimate authority and unleash religious persecution and discrimination against people of faith. We will be forced to choose between the state and our conscience, which is informed by clear biblical and church doctrine and the natural created order. On this choice, we must pledge obedience to our Creator. While there are many things we can endure, any attempt to redefine marriage is a line we cannot and will not cross.

The complete Marriage Pledge can be read in its entirety at http://www.defendmarriage.org. It offers a more detailed defense of marriage and further expresses our unified resolve. Tens of thousands of very concerned Americans have signed the Marriage Pledge to date.

Denying Christ by Omission

J.A. Matteson

Too often we consider denial of Christ to be exclusively an act of commission. We think of Peter who, three times, willingly denied that he knew Jesus Christ. Yet, more common, by omission we may also deny our Lord. "But whoever denies Me before men, I will also him before My Father who is in heaven" (Matt. 10:33). Christian, silence in the face of unrighteousness is denial of Christ by omission. To remain silent while ungodliness abounds is tacit approval. On Sunday it's easy to join together singing songs of praise to Jesus Christ, declaring his power and lordship. We confidently declare, "Jesus is LORD!" It's easy to preach to the choir. There is no threat proclaiming Christ among those who also profess him. That's what Peter did in the upper room. How easy it was in a safe friendly setting to boldly state allegiance to Christ. But what happened in the garden when the enemies of Christ arrived?
Christian, if fear of persecution is silencing your voice from speaking out against unrighteousness, you are denying Christ by omission. The sin of omission is to not do that which we know we should do. The word of God condemns murder; are you condemning publically the brutality of abortion or has fear of reprisal tempted you into silence? The word of God condemns sexual immorality; are you condemning publically fornication, adultery, and homosexuality or has the fear of reprisal tempted you into silence? Denial of Christ through omission of speaking the truth of the kingdom of God is a plague upon the church in our day. Christian, fear the Lord, not men. For it is the Lord Jesus Christ whom you serve and to whom you will give an account. Be bold, courageous, stand fast in the power of his might, and the grace of God will be upon you to the praise of Jesus Christ.

Copyright (c) 2015 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever."). Isa. 40:8