Category Archives: Jesus

Defiled

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there is nothing outside the man which can defile him if it goes into him; but the things which proceed out of the man are what defile the man. Mark 7:15

I heard some “Christians” today say we must follow a Kosher diet otherwise we are “sinning against God” Jesus himself said “Its what comes from within us that defiles us, not what comes from the outside” What is Jesus talking about?

Sin is a heart issue and not a legal issue. Before you sin, your intentions come from your heart, this is what defiles you, YOURSELF! As Jesus taught anyone who lusts after a women in his heart has already committed adultery (Matthew 5:28), why? Because Sin is a heart issue. Anyone who hates his brother has already committed murder, (Matthew 5:21) why? Because Sin is a heart issue!

And He said to them, “Are you so lacking in understanding also? Do you not understand that whatever goes into the man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and is eliminated?” (Thus He declared all foods clean.) Mark 7:18-19

Yet people still today want to argue that eating pork has defiled us, as Jesus said “Are you so dull or lack understanding to believe this?” The New Covenant is about circumcision of the heart (Jeremiah 4:4, Ezekiel 36:26) we are not under the Law but under Grace

And He was saying, “That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. Mark 7:20-22

The legalist will say “ How can I live under Grace without the Law?” Because if you a truly Born Again (John 3) then you have been baptized by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit lives inside you and has written the Law on your heart (Jeremiah 31:33, Romans 2:15)

The Holy Spirit cant live in you if you continue to defile yourself with Sin, these are not the Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5) Your evil heart is what defiles you, not what you eat! Amen!

Rise Up!

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So the LORD said to Joshua, “Rise up! Why is it that you have fallen on your face? Joshua 7:10

When the Israelites went into the city of Ai , it should have been an easy battle. So the Israelites only sent a couple thousands troops and they were utterly destroyed. This defeat had Joshua perplexed, why wasn’t God with the Israelites?

So Joshua wept and mourned to God and questioned why God even sent them this far in the wilderness. But notice Gods response, he told Joshua “Rise Up”!

“Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them. And they have even taken some of the things under the ban and have both stolen and deceived. Moreover, they have also put them among their own things. Joshua 7:11

God told Joshua exactly what Israel’s problem is, they have a sin problem! Israel expected to live in sin and also receive Gods blessings, this cant happen! God will not be mocked! You cant walk with God and hold hands with Satan!

Once Israel repented and removed their sin problems, God was with them and allowed them to move into their Promised Land (Israel)

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

Today we are still like the Israelites, we have a sin problem! God has sent our Lord Jesus to lead us into the Promise Land (Heaven) however many have ruined their blessing because of sin

Repent of your Sins, and Trust in the Lord Jesus Christ! Rise Up! Jesus has already defeated Sin and Death at the Cross! Amen!

Traditions of Men

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The Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with impure hands?” Mark 7:5

Jesus was eating with his disciples when the Pharisees were quick to condemn them because some of them were eating with dirty hands. The Pharisees were probably waiting for this moment, to find something to condemn “the Christians” for, however Jesus is going to turn this into a teaching moment for them

And He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. ‘BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.’  Mark 7:6-7

Jesus quotes the prophet Isaiah, to show these guys God already foretold about them. While these men believed they were in the “God club” , God was not impressed with them at all. Why? Because their hearts were not pure.

Instead of Loving God and Love Your Neighbor as God commanded us, they tried to earn their salvation by works. This was a moral issue and not a legal issue, like they believed

“Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.” Mark 7:8

The Pharisees neglected the basic laws of God, they elevated themselves through traditions. Jesus used the example of “Honor your Mother and Father” (Mark 7:10) The Pharisees claim to be righteous yet don’t even care for their own parents, even though the Mosaic Law says they should be put to death for disobeying this Law (Leviticus 20:9)

The Pharisees created a tradition called “Corban” ( Mark 7:11) which they believed vainly overrode Gods Law. The Pharisees would keep money for themselves , which they labeled “Corban, instead of providing for their elderly parents because they wanted a greater status among men.

Jesus is telling them their tradition doesn’t honor God, in fact it breaks Gods Law. So before we go around condemning people, what are our intentions? Are we just trying to be legalist or is there a moral issue going on here?

Remember Jesus commanded us to Love God with all our mind, hearts, and soul and to Love our Neighbor as ourselves, this fulfills all the Laws of God Amen!

5 Loaves + 2 Fish

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But He answered them, “You give them something to eat!” And they said to Him, “Shall we go and spend two hundred denarii on bread and give them something to eat?” Mark 6:37

The disciples had a dilemma, send all the people home or spend a years salary to feed them. The answer was pretty simple for the disciples, especially since none of them had any money! So they started telling the people to all go home, but Jesus said “You give them something to eat!”

The disciples were probably thinking , how are they going to give 5,000 people something to eat! They had very little food for themselves, very little money, it was getting dark in a remote location. By our practical standards this was turning into a bad situation.

And He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go look!” And when they found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” Mark 6:38

Jesus asked them “What do you have?” Meaning instead of complaining about what they didn’t have, use what they did have and allow God to bless it. We can relate to this as Christians, we focus on what we don’t have and not on what we have already to offer God

And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food and broke the loaves and He kept giving them to the disciples to set before them; and He divided up the two fish among them all. Mark 6:41

Jesus took what they did have, which was 5 loaves and 2 fish , and blessed it. God then multiplied what they had and used it to bless all the people. Whatever we have , we should give thanks to God and allow him to bless it and use it for his glory!

Don’t allow your circumstances or lack of resources prohibit you from serving God Amen!